Days Inn by Wyndham Helen

The property and rooms were extremely clean, and everything was well stocked. It’s close to downtown without being right in it, which I liked, and our stay was very affordable. My only complaints were that the key cards usually didn’t work and the door was hard to shut. We still really enjoyed our stay.

For the $333 last-minute price I paid, I would’ve looked elsewhere. If you plan ahead and pay a normal rate, it’s probably fine. The old motel has been updated reasonably well, and the room had a useful three-quarter-size fridge. But the linoleum was so dirty that our feet turned black, with a big bump near the entrance, and all the hard surfaces made the room echo. The lighting was harsh and cool, and without a sheer curtain in front of the blackout one, opening it for daylight meant being visible to passersby. The location is convenient, around a three-minute drive from everything or a 15-20 minute walk. The parking lot was tight and tricky to get around, though that may have been because I had a truck.

The rooms were large and clean, the beds comfortable, and it was quiet enough that we felt safe. I liked that it wasn’t right on the strip. The employees were nice, and breakfast was good. It’s continental rather than hot, though they do have a couple of waffle makers. The one negative was the floor: there was stuff stuck to it that needed more than a light mop and could’ve used a deep scrub.

The room was clean and updated, and breakfast was adequate for a continental spread. The young woman at the front desk was pleasant when she checked us in. We stayed because I needed a pet-friendly place for my service dog, and I prefer that kind of environment. The hotel was close to the park, though I’d have liked to be nearer the main part of town.