Studio 6 Hickory, NC

The location was the only part of this stay I liked. We felt we paid too much, even at a cheap rate. At first glance the room looked clean, but running the shower brought out a terrible cat urine smell that stayed all night. Water had also leaked behind the toilet, and the towel my husband used to wipe it up turned black with dirt. The door was shut and locked in the pictures I posted, but a strong draft still came through, so we hung a blanket over it. That should have been repaired ages ago. Staff communication was frustrating. One person mumbled so much that we couldn't understand him, and the other had a very thick accent that was hard to follow unless he was facing us. The other guests nearby were extremely loud. We woke several times to fighting and people hitting things right outside our room. It sounded violent enough that I worried our car would be damaged, though it was fine. When we left, the trash smell hit us immediately. The laundry room three doors down had heaps of garbage outside it. I'd seen some the night before, but more had piled up by morning and the smell was disgusting. Maybe I should have expected this from an extended-stay motel, but this was the worst place we've ever stayed. I wouldn't recommend it. We got less than we paid for, and the money saved wasn't worth it. I would've given zero stars if that were an option.

The outside wasn't especially appealing, but inside the rooms were clean and updated. Having a stove, full fridge, and microwave for under $70 a night was more than I expected. The staff were friendly, and I felt safe. We just needed one night away from home for my recently widowed father, and that worked out. Pretty much what I expected from a cheap overnight stay.

We had to chase three cockroaches out of the room, and the bed lamps were just covers with no lamps inside. On the phone, they said the room had stovetops and quoted $80 after tax. They didn't mention that stovetops were only in double-bed rooms, which cost an extra $15, or that those rooms had no kitchenware. When I asked for utensils for my microwave meal, the older guy looked at me like I was a nuisance. Service was fine otherwise, but they could explain things in more detail. I guess this is what I should expect from the lowest rate in the city.

For the price, it was okay, but the room and sheets were dirty. This was a non-smoking room, yet the sheets had cigarette burns and there were yellow stains on the wall. Housekeeping never came by to ask if we needed clean towels or anything. I had called ahead to say I'd be checking in late, but the man at the desk was still rude.