Suburban Studios Portage

It’s a true budget motel, with a small room, no carpet, and no breakfast, but it did have a microwave and mini-fridge. The front desk woman was easy to work with. My first room had a bad smell, so I mentioned it and she moved me to another one without any fuss. It’s not a five-star place, but if you need something cheap that does the job, it works. I’d come back when visiting IN Dunes again.

I was there for three nights and had to deal with one problem after another. On arrival, the area outside my room looked like someone had tried to break in, with pieces of the wall missing. Inside, there were large marks on a window, dirty pillowcases and sheets, a broken chair, cobwebs everywhere, and no mini-fridge, just an empty space. They eventually brought a fridge and replacement chair, but the fridge didn’t keep anything cold until the next day, when they had to send a mechanic. All this was going on while I was showering or out at events, so staff needed access to my room often. The walls were thin enough that at first I thought someone was in my room, but it turned out to be people in nearby rooms. I asked to switch rooms and couldn’t. I also asked for a price reduction because of the constant issues. They said they’d get back to me, never did, and declined when I asked again at checkout. I’ve stayed in better-kept motels. I made the best of it, but I’d never stay again, especially for what I paid. I only didn’t cancel at the start because I’d booked through a third party and everything else was full.

Dogs barked all night, and people were running up and down the stairs. Inside the room, there was old food in the fridge and the bathroom floor was filthy. The door looked like someone had kicked it in and it was barely secured again. Worst room I’ve had in 34 years.

The online pictures leave out how bad this place is. The smell alone could put anyone off, and the sheets were stained, the floor dirty, and the shower moldy. Doors were broken, the upstairs hallway had no lights, and there was no security. They were doing construction without warning, and the hotel was almost empty apart from one wing. If you ask for a refund or try to cancel, they keep your money. I have the Priceline receipt, so don’t claim I never booked. This place is nasty and should be condemned.