Comfort Inn

We were pleased with the hotel. During Thanksgiving week, we left Michigan to get ahead of the blizzard and were heading to Remsen, Iowa. We chose this place because it allows dogs. It had been recently renovated, was clean, and they put us in a room right by the side door.

The breakfast was lacking, and the price didn’t match the quality. At the main entrance, Grand Opening tape across the doorway kept my husband from getting in. The bed linens were clean and nice, but one bed sat almost on top of the air conditioner, so it was either freezing or stifling. There wasn’t a desk chair or any other chair. The walls and ceilings were unfinished and needed paint, including a big patch of a different color on one wall. We expected the rooms to be finished after the renovation. The old shower looked dirty, though it actually wasn’t. I think the owners want a good hotel, but they reopened too soon. Disappointing.

The expected rate and $100 security deposit were fine. Then a separate extra $100 charge appeared on my card, and they wouldn’t provide documentation for it. When I confronted them, they became all oily and obsequious, saying the charge would “go away.” The corporate office said it wasn’t the first time they’d had to investigate this hotel, though it had only been under the current management for seven months.

The food here was way beyond what I expected. I’m from the West Coast, and the choices and flavors in the dishes felt elevated. It’s not easy to impress me, but I was more than impressed. The ambiance is great, the place and bathrooms are very clean, and the service was great too. Love this restaurant!