Econo Lodge Oak Grove-Blue Springs

Getting into our room was a daily hassle because the owner made the wrong keys, and the entry lock needed new batteries. We had to track down housekeeping just to get into the room we were paying over 80 dollars a night for. The owner also wasn’t awake when we came to pay, even though we had to stay several days because this was closest to my husband’s job site. He said he wasn’t a morning person and told me to come after 12, but he was still asleep then. He’d walk away while we were trying to discuss problems. Once, my family woke to the smell of marijuana, with a guy standing right by our room. The owner said he couldn’t do anything because the stay allowed it, even though he could make rules for his private property. He then said he thought cocaine should be legal too. In the evenings it was like a TV show outside, with the owner and housekeeper yelling at each other. This hotel isn’t family-friendly. Booking through the Choice Hotels app showed a price, but the owner tried charging my husband more until I came in and showed him the rate. Choice properties are supposed to provide coffee, but there was none here.

There’s truck parking here, and the grounds are tidy with clean, hot showers. This privately owned Econo Lodge is well cared for and has the basics covered. Just outside Kansas City, it’s a comfortable, no-nonsense place at a fair price. Before booking closer to the city, read the reviews. For what you pay, it’s hard to find a better option nearer Kansas City. A solid, reliable stay.

The bathroom, especially the shower, was REALLY dirty, and we could hear people outside our door as though they were in the room. The bedroom itself was fine. A friend also found several cups of water in her fridge, which made it seem like housekeeping had missed them. The booking and price were frustrating too. I called a few days ahead because my friend said rooms were already reserved under her name for a wedding. The person kept asking whether I wanted to add a room, and I’m not sure he understood I wanted one of the rooms already booked. That was probably just a miscommunication. When we arrived, I asked for Saturday and Sunday nights so we wouldn’t have to check out before the wedding. I knew our dates differed from the wedding block, so I expected a different rate. The guy was friendly, and we chatted for a few minutes after booking. He quoted about $85 after I asked for two nights, without saying whether that covered one night or both. I paid that right away, so on Sunday, when I returned the key, I was confused that he said I owed another $85 because we’d stayed past checkout. I explained I thought I’d paid for both nights, but it was late and I didn’t think I’d get anywhere arguing, so I paid the extra and left. It felt like I’d been tricked into paying more after we’d only discussed two nights and $85. I ended up paying $170 for less than 24 hours in a hotel with a dirty shower and constant noise around my room.

The location was good and at least the bed was comfortable. But there was no breakfast, coffee, or juice, and the staff weren’t very friendly at check-in. We tried calling over and over for several hours before arriving, but no one answered at the front desk. No one was available when we checked out either.