The Henson

The staff were pleasant and friendly, and it was a joy seeing the student staff use their customer service skills. We came for an on-campus event for admitted students, and the rooms felt very no-frills. Temperature control was outdated, and the toilet flushed slowly. At the discounted rate it was manageable, but paying the regular rate would have disappointed me. Since this is a hotel on the college campus, it may be many parents’ first impression of the university. I think the school should invest in room upgrades for visiting families.

It was quiet, the WiFi seemed to work well, and the TV picture and sound were fine. The couple of staff members we met were friendly. Still, I personally wouldn’t recommend staying here. The room needed maintenance, and the bed felt like springs all night. The “continental breakfast” was prepackaged bars and bagels. AC is controlled by a wall fan-speed knob, and even set to 66, it never got below 70. Bring extra toiletries; the shampoo and body wash were only enough for one shower. There isn’t much nearby, but there are restaurants, shopping, and malls within 10 miles on RT 13 northbound. If you want a no-frills hotel on the MD Eastern Shore, this is it, though there are plenty of other hotels in and around Salisbury MD.

We were eight people and booked at the last minute after our plans changed. We hadn’t realized the hotel was run by the University’s Hospitality major students, which I think is really cool. The two we met were professional and courteous. The lobby looked impressive, and while rooms were dated, they were clean, functional, and safe. Temperature controls were the dated part, and the third-floor ice machine was being repaired or replaced. The outdoor grounds had a cool atmosphere and felt relatively safe. We left seven motorcycles in the front lot overnight without trouble. Finding the place was the hard part. It’s on campus and looks like any other college admin building, with no sign that it’s a hotel or where to check in. With school out, there was nobody around to ask, until we finally reached the phone number. Google Maps sent us to the rear service entrance. Even so, I’d stay there again.

We had a great time at the UNA Annual Dinner at the center last night. The food was delicious, from the salad, cheese, and crackers appetizer to the main course and dessert. They handed out certificate awards, and I received one for Technical outstanding achievements. I had a blast.