Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Knoxville North

There are no smoke detectors in any of the guest rooms, and I don’t know why the codes haven’t closed this place. The bathrooms leak in just about every room, and there are cockroaches and bedbugs. The sheets look like they’ve never been changed. There’s no refrigerator or microwave in any room. The motel is in the worst condition I’ve ever seen: holes in the walls, most mirrors broken, and carpet that looks filthy and stinks.

We went straight back downstairs for our money as soon as we saw the room. The guy at the desk didn’t even ask what was wrong, because he knew. I regret not taking pictures, but I wanted out ASAP. Only two of the four lights worked when we turned them on, and we saw four roaches. Under the blankets, there were blood stains from bedbugs, plus a stain on top of the bed. There wasn’t even a fitted sheet, just a blanket and a top sheet laid over everything. It was so nasty. Ashes and cigarette burns were everywhere, and there were black hairs on the bed and sheet. The mirror was shattered, and the broken toilet seat wasn’t attached. We weren’t expecting perfection for the price, but this was the most disgusting room I’ve ever been in.

The motel is handy for restaurants and stores within walking distance, and one worker does far more than housekeeping, laundry, groundskeeping, and serving as the owners’ personal maid. That’s one reason I still give it a star. Eight months ago I rated it four stars, but after watching it decline quickly over the past couple of months, I’ve changed that to two. The owners live on the property and manage it. Their attitude makes it seem like renting you a room is a favor, instead of appreciating that you chose to spend your hard-earned money there. If you complain, you can be kicked out without a refund and put on the Do Not Rent List. They do take responsibility for repairs they consider necessary, like a leaking toilet, black mold, or pests, but they handle them on their own schedule, not the customer’s. Complaints get blamed on staff who are already overworked and underpaid. Even with limited staff, the workers are still happy to meet customer needs within their ability. The housekeeper in the back building even pays for the cleaning supplies she uses there.

The broken air conditioner and cockroaches made our room a letdown. The knob was missing, it was hard to turn on or adjust, the front was coming off, and the filters hadn’t been cleaned. It might have been quaint otherwise. I like kitschy places when they’re a good deal, but this wasn’t one. We booked out of necessity, and the stay was pretty much what other reviews had described. It’s an older place that needs updating, which I don’t mind when the price reflects it. We paid more than we have for nicer hotels, though, because we had to be in town on a specific date. I think they’re very understaffed, and the front desk staff seemed overwhelmed and frustrated. At a minimum, the place needs a good cleaning, and probably updates too.