Americas Best Value Inn-Petoskey

We only booked because almost every other hotel was full, and the $170 price didn’t feel worth it. The location was nice, and the staff seemed friendly, but that was about it. The pool was warm; the hot tub was only half full and had rusty parts, so I didn’t get in. Breakfast had waffles, but this one tasted and felt like soggy cardboard mixed with a waffle cone. I’d choose a donut instead. Our room had a tub that wouldn’t drain, with hair left behind, a door without a security lock, mildew and gym sock smells, crumbling plaster, rust, and patchy paint. The beds looked clean enough, but we removed the comforter just in case. When we called ahead to ask about switching from two queens to a king, we were told there were no kings available. At check-in, we heard another guest being offered their choice of a double queen or, yes, a king. That should have been a warning, along with the lack of other vacancies. I’ve never felt I needed to leave a negative hotel review before. Good luck if you stay here.

If you just need somewhere to crash after a long day, this is a decent fit for a low price. It’s a bargain room, as advertised, and not anything fancy. The street corner location gets quiet after 10 pm, so sleeping was peaceful. We got a comfortable bed, a clean room, hospitable service, and a good night’s rest. The stairs to the upper floor felt weak, like they might give way as I walked on them. The AC seemed underpowered but did the job, and the TV was outdated.

The free limousine shuttle was a great perk. The driver was friendly and very informative, and the staff were upbeat and welcoming. I stayed here last year, before the complete renovation and change of owners, and the place is much better now. I’ll keep staying here whenever I head up north.

The owner greeted us when we stopped to check in, and her help and knowledge of the area really stood out. The pool was closed while renovations were underway, so although she couldn’t match Priceline’s price, she discounted our room and upgraded us to the King suite with hot tub so we could still enjoy the water. It felt like a honeymoon suite. I’d been looking for a reasonably priced hotel and cared most about having updated bedding. The online photos here looked the most inviting. The bed and tub were clean and updated, and the breakfast nook was very clean with standard complimentary items, including waffles. We’ll stay again and look forward to seeing the renovations next year.