Quality Inn Forrest City I-40

For this price, the slightly worn rooms are fantastic. There's loads of parking, including space for big trucks, and the staff are friendly. I thought breakfast was great: egg rounds, biscuits, sausage and gravy, plus the usual waffles and cereal. I don't know why people complain, unless they came after hours.

The best part was the fairly low price. After a full day in the car, it was handy to have a Waffle House right across the street, close enough to walk to and get a few steps in. Breakfast here was fine, like any other hotel breakfast. The place is dated and has been renovated, but that didn't bother me. I liked parking right outside the room. It was clean and quiet, with a really big, comfortable bed, and the front desk lady was kind. A pretty solid spot to crash on a long road trip, glad I picked it :)

I arrived to check in at 11 PM, but the office door was shut even though this place is supposed to be open 24/7. Nobody answered the Ring doorbell, and the phone went to voicemail. After waiting 30 minutes, I contacted Choice Hotels to let them know. They called the property's “emergency number,” but that also went to voicemail. More to follow...

I hardly ever review hotels. Usually I sleep, ignore the small stuff, and leave, but this interaction left me deeply uncomfortable about staying there. At check-in, the guy behind the counter had been on the phone giving someone a room price for that night. That was fine. After hanging up, he asked, “do you have a reservation?” without even saying hello or good evening, then asked for my driver's license. I pulled it from my phone wallet and, while sorting other cards with one hand, it slipped or slid toward him and his keyboard. He said, “that was weiiirrrrrrrd.” I asked what he meant. He told me, “I’m going to keep it professional, but you know what you did, it’s all on camera.” I was completely confused and tried to work out what he thought I'd done. I said, “what, do you think I just threw my license at you or something…I wasn’t intending to do that or make it seem that way.” He answered something like, “ohhhkayyyy, if you say so.” Then he checked me in and set my card down right in front of me with both hands, gently but in a passive aggressive way. I laughed and tried to keep it light. I would never throw my license at someone with bad intent. Whatever happened was badly misread, based on whatever assumptions he had when I came in. Anyone who knows me would say I wouldn't start drama like that. It was just such a strange exchange, and it made me feel deeply uncomfortable about staying. Even if a guest tosses you their license and you don't like it, you work in guest services. Keep that thought to yourself and take care of business. It was absolutely unacceptable.