Motel 6 Marion, Il

I booked online for that same day, but car and phone trouble meant I couldn't cancel. I never checked in, yet I was still charged $77.44. I know it may be my fault for not canceling, but the charge still feels wrong and lowlife. Maybe they could put that money toward fixing up the property.

The manager greeted us warmly when we arrived, but the room had several problems. We booked a deluxe room with a king sized bed, and the bathroom setup was odd: the shower window had no glass, so we had to draw two curtains while using it. The curtain had mold, and we also spotted a roach. Housekeeping never came during our two-night stay. The TV pointed toward the ceiling and looked too unstable to adjust, and the fridge had no freezer.

I chose this place because it was near the airport, but my weeklong stay was very disappointing. The shower had a strange window in the wall facing the beds, with curtains on both sides of the tub. Staff were always pleasant, yet I had to keep asking for things: room cleaning, towels twice, and toilet paper once. It left me wondering how much they save by skipping maid service until guests ask.

Being able to park my large truck and 40" trailer out back was a huge help, and it ended up being a deciding factor. The staff were really friendly, the place was clean, and the vending machines were cheap. There was also a washer and dryer. No breakfast, and a few comforts were missing, but it wasn't a bad stay. I'd come back.