Super 8 by Wyndham Beaver Falls

The room was spacious and clean, and the Priceline price was good. I was too tired to ask for another room after driving 13 hours and arriving at 11 p.m., though, because it had a strong musty, dusty smell. Getting around outside was rough. Both parking lots and the two uphill driveways to the back lot were covered in snow and ice. The sidewalks at the rear doors had been cleared, but there was no clear route from the parking lot to those doors. I told the woman at checkout there wasn't even a clear path to the front entrance. She said someone plows and salts, didn't seem concerned, and wrote it on a Post-it. Breakfast was just a mini blueberry muffin and tea or coffee. The tea water was lukewarm at 9:15 a.m. Maybe it had been hot at 6.

Management really made this stay memorable. I left behind one of my 7-year-old son's stuffies after failing to double-check the room, and when I emailed, they found it and mailed it back. I've forgotten things at hotels and B&Bs before and usually never hear back, let alone get anything returned. The stay itself was great too: clean room, bed, and bathroom, plus hospitable staff. Super 8 was a budget-brand gamble for me since I'd only stopped in Beaver Falls to use the bathroom over the years, but it turned out to be more than I expected. It's convenient when I travel from DC to Michigan, and the price is GREAT. Long story short, Super 8 Beaver Falls will always be special to us.

Rooms were clean and the property seemed well maintained, though it felt almost like a ghost town. Staff was limited and multitasking between the front desk, housekeeping, and laundry. The breakfast buffet was only on weekends, with nearly nothing on weekdays. Vending prices were good for most things, but selection was limited. Tip: check the machine on another floor for more choices. Beaver Falls feels behind the times, except for the open sex venues, which made the area interesting.

Breakfast was the one thing I didn't like. I don't drink hot coffee or tea, and there was no juice or other drink. The only food was waffles and little muffins. Still, the stay wasn't bad, and we'd come back if needed. It's easy to reach right off the turnpike, and the big parking lot was a help with our trailer.