Ramada Marshall

Katie was the best staff member we dealt with during our four-day stay. She worked a double shift the weekend we checked in, came back the next morning, and was still the friendliest, most attentive, and most helpful person there. Our rooms were clean, no complaints. The community pool was very busy with people traveling and visiting for the holidays, and I wish it had been cleaned more often or a bit better. The food at breakfast was fairly good, with eggs and a different meat each day, and we loved the waffle makers. But the kitchen worker seemed to be working alone and was usually somewhere else, probably cooking, so it was hard to find them when we needed something. We ran out of napkins, knives, orange juice, coffee, and sugar-free syrup during our stay. Since we couldn’t find staff, we had to dig through the cabinets for napkins and knives. I do appreciate that the kitchen worker cleaned up without any fuss when one of my kids threw up on the floor. Our last night, a family with teens checked in and got extremely loud. They were kicked out of the pool area at 10:15 pm, then roamed the halls making noise. I wish the staff member on duty had done more to quiet them down. They were still loud after midnight, on a Monday.

There were board games and card games in the lobby, which gave the place a homey feel. Our room was quiet even though it was next to the pool, though we were there on a Monday, so that might have helped. The beds were comfortable but a bit high, and the pool and hot tub were nice. It was easy to get to, clean and inviting, with a great breakfast and a good price. I liked having a restaurant attached, too. Friendly staff.

The front area was nicely done and looked comfortable, but I’d definitely stay somewhere else if I return to Marshall. I’d been excited after reading an article by Jody Schwan of Sioux Falls before my visit. It sounded like you’d found a wonderful way to turn an older hotel into somewhere travelers could enjoy and feel comfortable. In reality, it seemed like an old hotel with fresh paint and carpet. The hairdryer attached to the wall sparked and burned out when I tried it. The sink drained very slowly, the countertop was cracked, and paint was splattered around the bathroom. The window opened, but the area around it was quite dirty. The old-style heat and AC unit was noisy, and I eventually turned it off because I couldn’t get it to adjust properly. Breakfast was mediocre. I’ve paid less at hotels and had a nicer breakfast. I like going to the Black Hills and had planned to look up your hotel there. I won’t bother now.

The occasion I was there for and the awesome staff made for a really good stay. The key card was the main issue. Every time I left and came back, the door wouldn’t open, even though I kept the card in my pocket and not in a metal wallet. I wish it worked reliably and made things easier. The fridge wasn’t very cold, either, and there was a ticking noise at night while I was trying to sleep. Neither was ideal, but nothing terrible.