Red Lion Hotel Templin's on the River

We had a great stay, and the parlor suite turned out to be just right, spacious with a patio and river view. The rooms were clean, and the food at the bar and restaurant was good. We didn’t use the hot tub because the water looked a little green. Thanks to Stephanie at the front desk for being so kind and helping us find the right room. When we booked by phone, we asked for a jetted tub suite with a river view and were told it would have one, but the room we were assigned didn’t. Apparently one of the smaller jetted tub suites does have a river view. We explained the mix-up, and the staff quickly let us switch rooms. That room felt too small, so they let us move once more. We’ll be back.

The beds were decent, and it was quiet. The pool and spa tub were also in good shape and well maintained. Still, I don’t think I’d stay again. The room was barely equipped, with just a microwave and plastic water glasses, no coffee machine. We asked for room service more than once, but nobody came. I ended up bringing our trash and used towels to the front desk. The kind guy there had to leave his station to bring us towels and supplies, and even after he wrote housekeeping onto the schedule, they never showed. The whole place gave me the feeling that the company was close to going under, with corporate not seeming to care much about guest satisfaction. Such a shame.

We booked more than a month ahead and paid for an upgrade to a premium room with a river view. When we arrived, they said they were overbooked, but still charged us the premium rate. Our room had just one chair and looked onto the parking lot. There was no coffee maker or cups, and nobody cleaned the room during our stay. The key cards only worked for one day, so we had to go back for new ones each day. There were patches of spackle on the walls, and the place was substandard. The advertising was misleading, and breakfast cost extra at the restaurant. The price was far too high for what we got. The manager wasn’t available when we asked to speak with him. I wouldn’t recommend this place.

I like the riverfront location, and the staff are great. My first night here, noisy neighbors kept me up late and the A/C was weak. Last night, the A/C worked well and I don’t think I had neighbors, so I slept fine. Then in the morning there was a high school band playing horn instruments in their rooms, after checking in the previous evening. Steam from my shower set off the fire alarm, and landscapers were weed whacking outside my room around 9 a.m. I grew up in a big family, so noise doesn’t usually bother me, but if you want somewhere quiet and peaceful, I’d look elsewhere. I’ve been on construction sites that were quieter.