Helendorf River Inn, Suites & Conference Center

The Helendorf Inn is directly on the river in town, so everything is walkable and you don't need to drive or pay for parking. I booked with Daniel after calling to ask whether they'd match or beat the online rates, and they would. He reserved a second-floor room with a view, and check-in with him was simple. This is a cozy, well-kept place that's over 50 years old, reasonably priced and nothing like a fancy Hilton or Hyatt. The bath was clean, updated and nicely renovated, with two sink and mirror areas. There's also a kitchen setup, and they can provide whatever supplies you want. I only used the mini refrigerator since I was eating out. We enjoyed the private balcony over the river, the nice sheets, lots of pillows and excellent mattress that felt like memory foam. There's a basic little breakfast, an enclosed warm pool and rocking chairs. I was traveling for work and had a few days off, and enjoyed the balcony view, the roaring river and the Christmas lights in town. I definitely recommend staying here.

The bed was a little hard and the pillows very thin, so I'd suggest bringing your own pillow. Breakfast was enough to fill you up, but go early because the food runs out quickly. The staff were all kind and friendly, and the rooms were close to the main strip, making it easy to walk around this busy town. The hotel's exterior could use some touch-ups, though overall it was beautiful and a unique experience. Great value for the room price.

The hotel is right in the heart of Helen, so you can park once and walk. We had a clean, private room in the tower with everything we needed, even for a stay longer than a weekend. I loved the seating area by the river. Highly recommend!

My wife was traveling alone for a two-night stay that I booked as a gift so she could rest and disconnect. Instead, it turned stressful and disappointing. The hotel feels old, with dated rooms and a strong old smell. For what we paid, there are better options in Helen, perhaps without the same view but cleaner and better maintained. Around 10:30 p.m., she found a large stink bug in her room and called the front desk. The response was literally, “What do you want me to do?” She was told someone would come, but the front desk closes at 11 p.m. and nobody showed up in 15 minutes. She felt scared and pressured to leave the room and go downstairs alone in the cold December night to get help. She wasn't comfortable killing the bug and then trying to sleep. They eventually moved her to another room, but did so reluctantly, with no proper apology or attempt to make it right. There were other cleanliness problems too: the bathroom sink drain was clogged, a used towel was hanging in the shower, and the carpet looked dirty and poorly maintained. The “breakfast” isn't worth mentioning. After 9 a.m. everything is locked in a refrigerator, and the machine coffee is very poor. The hotel seems to have strict policies for guests, but when something actually goes wrong, there's little empathy, poor service and no sense of responsibility. This wasn't the relaxing trip I wanted for my wife, and I wouldn't recommend it at that price.