Quality Inn & Suites Mendota near I-39

We were exhausted and booked this place off the freeway on our way back to Florida. Seeing rat traps around the outside should've warned us. Inside, there were sticky insect traps by the entrance, which was unlocked all day and night, and breakfast was basically Twinkies and Walmart yogurt. The bathroom fan was so loud it was almost funny. Quality Inns seems to collect the franchise fee and then disappear. If you absolutely have to stop, you might find sleeping by the road less frustrating. I wish I'd taken photos, but I don't think Google reviews let you post them.

The employee we spoke to was rude and refused to move us, even though there were plenty of empty rooms. Our door wouldn't close or lock. After we pleaded with him, he eventually changed the hinge, but the door still wasn't properly fitted and wouldn't lock. He told us he didn't care and that we should go to another hotel. Is that what Choice hotels calls friendly service? The employee's name was Neel Patal. If you care about your belongings, avoid this Mendota hotel and stay in Dixon Illinois instead.

The room smelled bad too, and the odor had already gotten worse after I checked in. I should've turned around when I saw the fingerprint-covered entrance doors. The smell inside was awful, and I tried to convince myself they might've just cooked something. In the hallway, ceiling tiles were hanging down and it was very dark. The baseboards in my room were gross, though the bed and bathroom looked clean. I couldn't put up with the odor, so I went downstairs. The desk person wouldn't refund me or even offer a discount, though he did offer to switch my room. I declined.

The breakfast burritos were inedible, so don't count on breakfast if that's important to you. They'll also charge $20 if you take any food upstairs.