Howard Johnson by Wyndham Ocala FL I-75

I chose the Howard Johnson because the reviews were great, it had lots of amenities like a gold course, cafe, snacks, and pool, and the deal seemed good. Check-in went smoothly, and the staff were courteous. But once I got to the room, I could barely breathe. I thought the cleaning chemicals were causing the smell, something I deal with often as an asthmatic. The next morning my face was swollen and I had rashes all over. I told the office, and they offered a couple of other rooms. It turned out there was mold in each room, in the window sills and under the shower paint. If you don’t have allergies, asthma, or an autoimmune condition, I’m sure you’ll love it. It’s good value for the money. With health issues, though, it just isn’t worth it.

The breakfast was warm and had plenty to choose from, and the bed was comfortable. The room smelled nice, too. Some of the furniture could use a better cleaning, like other guests have mentioned. At around $80, it wasn't bad, though I wouldn't recommend it to light sleepers since you can hear I-75.

The staff were genuinely friendly, and I felt safe there. If it had been our only choice, I would've stayed rather than sleep in the car, but I'd rather go somewhere else. We had to remain in town longer and moved to a different hotel. The place was a bit dirty, especially around the edges, and my sister and I both slept on top of the beds in our own blankets. After a shower, the slow drain left hair and residue in the tub. I've stayed in worse places, but it wasn't great.

The room was clean and spacious, and the pool was open and clean, though it was too cold to use. There's also mini golf, and breakfast was fair for a continental spread. I've stayed here several times without trouble, but this last visit was different. At 9:15, I had to check in through the outside window, and it was cold. The clerk was arguing loudly on her phone through a Bluetooth earpiece, swearing. At first I thought she was talking to me. She eventually tossed my key down and walked away. When I returned to ask where the room was, she was still yelling and having what looked like a meltdown, and I couldn't get her attention. To the clerk: even if you're in private, yelling, screaming, and cussing won't get you anywhere. It's toxic and unhealthy. Try handling anger calmly and kindly, and you'll get your point across more easily. The way you acted only encourages the other person to respond the same way or hang up, and then nothing gets resolved. Don't be trashy, be classy.