Econo Lodge Helen

Our room was good and clean, and the price was good. But the man at the front desk was rude and curt, and when we headed to our room, we passed one where the marijuana smoke was really strong. The front desk didn’t seem to care. We didn’t stay for breakfast, so I can’t comment on it. The staff need a better attitude and the smoking situation needs attention.

The location was the main upside. It made exploring Helen easy the next day. We only needed somewhere to sleep for a night, and it did technically serve that purpose, but I’d spend a bit more elsewhere if you have the option. The room had stains on the sheets and floors, cigarette burns on the toilet seat, and a toilet paper holder that pulled straight out of the wall. It didn’t feel maintained. For an already low-tier stay, it was even a little below what I expected.

The hot tub was amazing, though the pool was closed, which was the main reason we booked. The rooms were a nice size and ours had a fridge and microwave. I brought my own cleaning supplies and wiped everything down, because it needed it. We enjoyed the grab-and-go breakfast selection, including microwave biscuits and grits, plus plenty of fresh fruit and juices. We’d definitely stay again.

The staff were kind, and parking was decent. The bathroom itself was fine, but the rest of the room was disappointing for the money. When we opened the door, there was a strong marijuana smell. The mattress was very thin and uncomfortable, dust covered the surfaces, the carpet looked like it got vacuumed maybe once a week, and the TV barely worked. The bathroom door looked janky and like a toddler had painted it. The room door looked badly beaten up, and the light switch by it did nothing. The desk chair was disgusting too. Breakfast was gross and cramped, with hard, old mini bagels and dirty drink dispensers. The stair railings seemed like a lawsuit waiting to happen. It wasn’t the worst, but in my opinion it wasn’t worth the money. Maybe for a last-minute emergency, sure. Unfortunately, that’s money I’ll never get back.