The Brookside Motel / Mt. Rushmore

The one upside was being about a 10-minute drive from Mount Rushmore. The room itself was rough: I paid $170, the deadbolt didn't work, several outlets were dead, there was no bathroom fan, and it wasn't properly cleaned. There were bugs everywhere, and I was pretty sure there were bed bugs in the towels. The front desk man offered a free upgrade. That room was supposedly nicer because it had a TV, plus a jacuzzi that didn't work. Its bathroom looked just as bad. I didn't check the locks or outlets there because I just wanted a decent hotel. Trying to save a little money backfired. I'd spend the extra $20 at another place. I contacted the property manager about getting some or all of my money back, but since I booked through a third-party site, I have no idea whether I'll get a refund.

The owner never responded when I raised the issues, so be careful. Our tub and shower drain was blocked, leaving us standing in water that was still there overnight. The chairs and towels had stains on them, which made them feel unsanitary, though we had no alternative. If I could rate this below one star, I would. The lower price than other Keystone places makes sense now.

We were glad we chose this place. The room was clean, the shower was hot, and the staff were friendly. It was quiet enough during Stugis, tucked away from a lot of the noise, but we could still walk to everything. Rushmore was a short drive away. For the price, it was the best stay in the area. One tip: call to reserve. We booked online and they couldn't find our reservation, but luckily they still had one room left.

We slept really well in the big, comfortable bed, and the owner was warm and helpful. They even helped us plan our route and pointed out places to visit. We got a cheap rate through Expedia, and I'd stay here again if I came back to the area.