Hilltop Lodge

The location was good, and the room felt fairly clean, but the stay was uncomfortable enough that I thought about heading home a night early. When we arrived, a strong chemical and bug spray smell hit us. We had to air the place out and use our own Febreze. The room was very dark, the bathroom had peeling paint and sheetrock, and the epoxy floor coating over the vinyl was tacky underfoot. Water damage had warped the shower wall, and there was hardly any caulking around the tub. We didn't feel we could shower there without causing more damage, so we went without showers during our stay. The cable TV they advertised didn't work at all, and we were glad we'd brought toilet paper because the supply ran out. On our second night, loud neighbors were easy to hear through the thin walls, including their whole conversation and their bathroom door opening and closing. We didn't really see or interact with anyone from the staff, which was fine, so I can't rate the service. If you just need a very low-cost place instead of camping or sleeping in your car, it may do. For us, though, it was barely comfortable enough to stay.

The cleaning lady was friendly and knew a lot about the town and park. Our three days here were comfortable, with a spotless bed and bathroom, and the hotel is close to plenty of businesses. One small suggestion for management: some vertical shelving would make better use of the room than the wide coffee table, and a square or rectangular dining table could give guests more space for their things. We had a delightful stay and would happily come back.

I had to leave Hilltop Lodge & Cabins right away and find another hotel. The room in International Falls felt hazardous and badly neglected. There was visible mold, the floor was wet and squishy, and the damp musty odor was overwhelming as soon as I opened the door. Moisture had swollen the bathroom door so it wouldn't close properly. There was also a broken window, ceiling covering hanging down, and drywall or plaster dust falling from the opening. With the dampness, mold, and basic maintenance problems, the room was unacceptable. I'd tell anyone considering it to book somewhere else.

We just needed an affordable, clean room to sleep in, and this worked perfectly. There are lots of restaurants nearby, and the location is great. When we asked for another blanket, the host brought one over quickly. We'd stay again.