Howard Johnson Grand Forks, Nd

We stayed in April and plan to come back in the fall. The room was neat, and I checked that the bed had clean sheets. We were only there for the night, so we tried breakfast and found a good range of hot and cold options and plenty of drinks. Parents with young kids seemed to have a good time. The front desk was very polite and helpful, though they should let guests know the breakfast hours.

We were there for about twenty minutes before checking out. The room was around 50 degrees, maybe colder, and there wasn’t a regular heater that worked. The whole bottom of the tub had mold. The halls were filthy, with carpet coming up and broken metal strips at the seams that were lifting and hazardous. The pool area was somewhat decent but still seemed dirty. Crummy hotel. I wouldn’t stay there or recommend it.

The pool was so cold my child’s lips turned purple after 15 minutes, and the kiddie area was even colder. The hot tub was closed for maintenance again. In our room, the hide-a-bed was torn and you’d fall through if you sat on the edge. I’d booked a poolside king about seven weeks ahead and asked to be near our family’s rooms, which had all been booked together, but we got neither the room we reserved nor rooms close to each other. The front desk first seemed attentive and willing to help, but the stay was not relaxing and left me unimpressed. Don’t be fooled by the word “renovating.” This place is gross and I wouldn’t recommend it.

The location was easy to find just off the interstate and Highway 2. The lobby was pleasant, and the event room was beautiful. The entry floor was a bit slippery from the snow. At the end of the event, the bathroom needed attention: two stalls had no toilet paper, and the third was extremely low. I didn’t stay in or visit the guest rooms, and I had no contact with hotel staff.