Casino Motel

We were slot players chasing Bunny Bucks, and this little motel felt like a jackpot. The bed was the most comfortable of our trip, even better than the one at a Country Inn and Suites in Minnesota, and the people treated us very nicely. We’d called several places while heading to Connecticut because we were exhausted and the fog was getting bad, but nobody had a room. Then we pulled into the casino motel and they had one, the Red Room. We knew it wasn’t the Marriott, but it turned into the best night of our trip. Such a unique, cute little place. We’ll definitely stay again.

I checked out that same night. The next morning, I came back for the refund receipt we’d discussed, and the woman who’d initially been nice came out with an attitude after her husband went to get her. She said nobody had called her, told me to take my paperwork back, and disappeared behind the door. She was wearing a moo moo and no shoes. I guess they live back there? The new management sign is wild if this is how things are run. I’d left my key on the table and nobody asked for it or took it. Another woman came by asking whether they’d come out yet, and I said they had for a little while. The husband came back and was at least nice. I told him I wanted to hand over the key instead of leaving it on the desk, and he said I could’ve just left it in the room. What a strange interaction. The lack of customer service and the appearance were both wild. Thanks for being hospitable at first, but don’t stay here. I’d booked a few nights while passing through town. The rates seemed reasonable and the photos looked decent, but arriving was a different story. A husband and wife were at the front desk; they seemed nice at first, though the room absolutely reeked of weed. The electric key lock didn’t work, but the husband reprogrammed it with his phone. That raised a security concern for me. The room was dingy, dirty, and shabby. The mattress was dirty and uncomfortable, though the floor was nice. The curtains wouldn’t close all the way, the door was loose, and there was only a tiny chain lock. The walls were dusty and dirty, with leak stains up top. The bathroom towels didn’t look fresh, and the whole place felt gross and unsafe. I don’t know.

The staff were great, and whenever something came up, they sorted it out quickly and went the extra mile. The motel was still being renovated when we stayed, and like any motel it had its quirks. Even so, given our circumstances, I can honestly say it was one of the best places we’ve stayed over the years. I’m ashamed it took me this long to write this.

The sheets looked like they’d been through a forensic investigation, and a man who seemed to live there started asking when I was leaving, as if checking how long I’d be away. The front desk guy had to ask for my ID twice. I don’t know, maybe the voices weren’t finished talking? I pulled in and immediately felt like “Victim #1” in a true crime reenactment. Nothing felt safe. The door chain was too short to use, and the curtains wouldn’t close all the way, so you’re on display. Unless sleeping fully dressed with one eye open and your car keys in hand sounds good, go literally anywhere else.