Americas Best Value Inn Port Clinton

The location was the only good thing I can say. Inside, there was a used washcloth on the sink, peeling wallpaper, chips in the tub, and a curtain rod coming loose. The sheets were paper thin. The whole place felt scary.

We’re birders from Seattle, and the hotel is close to Magee Marsh. Our second-floor room was clean and roomy, with a nice lake view, so it felt like good value for a budget stay. The first room was cramped and shabby, and got very loud around 11:30 pm when a charter boat came in with cheerful fishermen. Ask to see the room before settling in. If you book directly with them, they may offer a discount.

The room was decent and really quiet, and the bed was comfortable. Charging my phone was a pain, though, since there weren’t any spare outlets. I had to unplug the TV.

We were excited to have a free night here, but ended up wishing we’d paid for somewhere else. We’d booked two nights for $189, then moved to a Courtyard Marriott in Toledo for $70 less. The room smelled like it had been used for smoking, and there was water damage across the ceiling. We bought candles just to cover the smoke smell. Being close to the Jet Express was the only upside. I wouldn’t recommend it.