Rodeway Inn Helena

There aren't many amenities, but the front desk has a can opener you can borrow. They also keep donated food from the food bank in the office for people going through hard times or needing an emergency stay. The rooms are about what you'd expect for the price, and they'll clean more thoroughly if you ask. They also let me stay through the gap between bookings instead of making me check out for four hours, which was nice.

There's no pool or breakfast, and the parking lot is small. I had trouble fitting my truck in. The front desk was very helpful, and it's a nice place overall.

I've been in this room only 30 minutes and have to stay four days. I don't want to, but don't really have a choice. The parking lot is tight and the guests are noisy. The counters are sticky, the rooms smell odd, and there's brown stuff in the refrigerator. The microwave, mirrors, bathtub, toilet, and coffee maker were filthy; there was hair in the tub, stained carpet, sticky bathroom floors, and a white film on every surface. The air conditioner was so dirty I was scared to turn it on, and the shampoo and conditioner bottles had been used. There's probably more. I used to work as a housekeeper, and it looks like whoever cleaned here only made the beds and barely organized the room. I had to clean the counters so I wouldn't touch the sticky stuff. This is the scummiest hotel I've ever stayed in. If you're reading this, choose any other hotel, even if it looks funky.

A stranger tried my door while I was in bed getting ready to sleep, as though the room had been double-booked. The deadbolt was on, thankfully. There’s black mold in the bathrooms, and only one light in the room works. Choice Hotels should be embarrassed to include this place in its chain.