Quality Inn & Suites North Charleston - Ashley Phosphate

We’d booked two nights and left after one. The beds were small and a bit hard, but that wasn’t the main problem. The room was filthy: there was feces on the front of the toilet, and the cockroach on the floor looked like the cleanest thing there. A strange stain marked the bottom of the tub, and when we moved the bed to retrieve an earbud, it was obvious nobody cleaned behind it. It was shocking. If you can stay somewhere else, do.

I arrived at 6:20 p.m., and by 10:45 the problems still weren’t fixed. They wouldn’t refund me, and Choice corporate offered no resolution after I called. I’ve spent about 200 nights a year with Choice Hotels for 11 years, and I understand the labor pressures businesses face, but leaving the property uncleaned and unrepaired feels like a money grab. There was no landscaping, roaches everywhere, stained chairs, rusty lamps, and only two of the six lights had bulbs. The water wasn’t hot, so I had to switch rooms just before showering and move all our things, only to find the second room no better. Its TV didn’t work either, and there was no Wi-Fi. These Choice franchisees seem to have no supervision and do whatever they want. I’ll never stay here again. The $82 room should have cost $43. Good luck staying here. That’s quite a business model for a Titanium member, the highest Choice level you can earn.

The crew does a great job. If you’re staying for a while, get on Sheila and Bunny(Depen)’s good side. They’re amazing. The problems come from ownership or leaseholders, who won’t fix anything worthwhile. Roaches are spreading, even getting into the fridge and microwave. The property is letting guests who were previously DNR’d come back, bringing vice activity and plenty of police visits. Being outside after midnight or before sunrise feels scary. This place could be saved and brought back to its earlier renovated condition, but right now that seems very unlikely. One night may be worth it, but don’t bring personal electronics into the room since roaches get into everything. For a longer stay, no.

Breakfast doesn’t offer much variety, and I always have to clean the bathtub myself because it’s never thoroughly done. I’ve seen roaches, though not a huge number, possibly because of the winter weather, so I’d definitely bring Raid. There’s also a heavy police presence, which seems common for motels and hotels in this area.