Circle S Lodge

The location is handy if you're passing through, close to both Scottsbluff and Chimney Rock, and the price is very affordable. We usually choose budget motels, so we know what we're signing up for, but this place made us reconsider. The room was spacious, though the decor felt extremely dated and odd. Things were coming loose from the walls, the limited outlets wouldn't hold our plugs, the bed felt like a trampoline under a white cover, and the shower pressure was weak. There was a fly swatter on the table, apparently for the three actual flies. Flies are common across the Great Plains, even in restaurants, so I don't hold that against places here. We didn't feel unsafe, even though the motel might look like something from Breaking Bad. The gutter lying in the parking lot and being used as a splash block was the only thing that seemed unsafe. Service was mixed. When my wife went to get a room, someone was in the back with headphones on, playing a game on their phone. After several minutes, a woman came in wearing pajamas and checked her in. It's a sleepy town, so fair enough. They hadn't expected us to arrive around 9:30. The next morning, my wife heard the woman in the back audibly cursing that someone was checking out, though she was pleasant to my wife. We were traveling through, and for the price and spot between Scottsbluff and Chimney Rock, it works as somewhere to sleep. But I've usually given five-star reviews, and even with our normal budget motel expectations, two stars feels generous.

We stayed for two weeks because of a fire, and Renae treated us with respect. I watched her handle everything without help, even mowing the grass. When a guest arrived, she'd stop the mower and take care of them. It's hard to fault her when she's doing it all on her own. Pets are allowed in the rooms, so guests need to clean up after their own animals instead of blaming the staff. Management can only work with what they're given. The no-smoking rule is posted on every door, and it isn't the manager's fault when guests don't act like adults and follow it.

After being out for a couple of hours, I came back to find a snake in my room. The place was filthy, with gaps around the door, and when staff moved the bed to look, there was a smell like something had died. I'd prepaid for a week, but they wouldn't return my money. I was disgusted by the experience.

We didn't end up staying at all. The room wasn't ready when we arrived, and they said it had just been remodeled, but it smelled like an old ashtray with years-old beer in it. We only wanted to leave our bags before the races, and I didn't even want my things in there. Worse, the door wouldn't lock. My friend and I tried four times. The lock turned away from the doorjamb, but the key wouldn't turn it into the deadbolt hole, so there was no way I was sleeping in an unlocked room. Renee was helpful and friendly at first. When we said the room smelled strongly of smoke, she acted as if we were lying. After I mentioned the smell again and the broken lock, she became snarky and rude. I asked to get some of my payment back, and she said she had to talk to a sleeping "Manager," even though she had arranged my discount and everything earlier. She'd also mentioned a fire pit for after the races. It was basically old, trashy seating and a half-built ring of bricks. I wouldn't roast anything there, with no idea what you'd inhale. Don't waste your money. It wasn't worth staying even just to sleep, and I won't come back. You get what you pay for, and I'd say the same to anyone considering it.