Econo Lodge Portage

I don't get the bad reviews. I really liked staying here, and they even let me check in a little early because I'm pregnant. I usually stay at the Intercontinental (5 stars), but circumstances brought me here, and I don't regret it. It's close to the dunes, and I had a clean bed, a shower, a fridge, and blackout curtains. The staff were polite and helpful. There's an ice machine and laundry room, though I didn't use either. Some rooms had little dogs, such cuties, but they didn't bark or disturb my sleep at all, even though I'm a very light sleeper. I felt safe here too. I'm pregnant and only 5 feet tall, and I felt secure. They also have free coffee in the morning ☕✨

I usually stay at econ lodge and ignore the reviews, but this one is different. Please listen to the one-star reviews. I don't know how anyone could rate it higher. If you just need a quick, cheap place and have all your gear with you, sure, give it a try. But if you can afford a few dollars more, go somewhere else.

We were traveling across the country and just needed a place to sleep. With everything else sold out, this was exactly where we needed it, and it turned out to be a reasonable stay for a budget hotel. It was busy and buzzing, the nearby bars were lively, and nobody bothered us. I'm glad it worked out. I also check rooms for hidden cameras and anything untoward, and didn't find anything :) We got there around 11pm and found a white stain on the bedding. We didn't want to hassle anyone for another room or sheets that late, but luckily we had brought our own, so we didn't have to sleep directly on the bed. The stain is still a mystery.

I booked because the rate was low, but quickly saw why. The hall and room smelled strongly of cigarette smoke, and paint was peeling all over the walls. The corridors felt cold and abandoned, more like a warehouse or prison than somewhere for guests. There was visible mold in the bathroom, its floor was uneven and cracked, and the whole place felt dirty and neglected. Check-in was confusing and frustrating because I had trouble communicating with the front desk staff, who didn't understand English. The area didn't feel safe, and with the mostly empty parking lot I worried about leaving my car overnight. We left before spending the night because we were so uncomfortable. NOT WORTH THE PRICE! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.