Frontier Motel

We arrived late and paid $49 with tax, so the price was right for a place to crash for the night, not a five-star resort. The room was updated, with a microwave, mini fridge, coffee maker, newer furniture, and vinyl flooring in the bathroom area. The exterior was clean, the room was quiet, and the updated AC worked great. There was a strong air freshener smell, but the front desk guy was super friendly and outgoing.

The office checked in to see if we needed anything and offered to refresh our room when it suited us, not just when housekeeping found it convenient. That was a big plus. The owner checked us in and was friendly and appreciative. We had an enjoyable three-night stay and would come back. Our total, including the pet fee, was under $160, which was extremely inexpensive. My husband was initially unsure about staying because of the price, and from the highway the old motel looked uninviting and showed its age. We had an older room, but it was very clean. The king bed was comfortable, and the linens and towels were white and fresh. The mini fridge and microwave worked. The hot water took a minute to heat up, then was hot and plentiful. The office closes at night, and during those hours you can only reach management by using the phone outside the office. There are no phones in the rooms, so you'd have to leave your room to make that call. The parking lot is well lit, though that setup could be a safety concern for some people.

The best part was the wonderful mattress. It beat the ones at Motel 6 and Super 8s where I've stayed. I'd support these independent owners. When I travel with my small dogs, I look for motels where I can back my car up close, since I go in and out to it a lot. Those are usually small mom-and-pop places. I spotted this motel sign from the highway but could barely find the place in the dark while tired. It isn't the Hilton, but the sunflowers along the driveway made it clear the owner is trying to refurbish an old motel. The carpet had just been shampooed, and the room smelled better than some chain hotel rooms I've had. My only reason for not giving five stars is that the door had no safety chain or bolt.

The room was disgusting. The linens were dirty, and even after spraying Lysol everywhere, I slept in my clothes. The shower faucet was almost falling off, the entrance door looked as if it had been kicked in, and another door was blocked by a wardrobe. It felt sketchy and unsafe. We should have slept in the car.