Grand Gateway Hotel

The shower had great water pressure, but the room smelled really musty. Room 221 felt like stepping back to 1985, and that chair needs to be put out to pasture.

The location right off the interstate is convenient, but booking 10 rooms for our family vacation turned into a huge mess. I told the hotel each room would be paid for separately as family members arrived. Instead, they charged my card 24 hours early, before we were there or could check in, citing their policy. They then charged $75 more than the room rate to my card and charged the regular rate again to the occupants' cards. I called, and was told only the manager could help. They said this was a new policy under the new ownership. After three days of dealing with them, refunds finally began, and it took seven days to get things as settled as I could. In some cases I had to get family to pay me, since the hotel would refund their card but not mine. The new policy and booking hassle aren't worth the small savings compared with the place across the street, which has better amenities and less hassle. I could live with the outdated rooms for the savings, restaurant, local bar, and pool, but the restaurant is closed now. They also hold a $100 damage deposit and return it a week after checkout.

The internet was one of the best I've had at hotels lately. I uploaded photos and GoPro video within minutes, all at once. The bed was comfortable and the shower was great, though the toilet only sort of worked and the hair dryer was broken. Would I give it another try? Yes.

There's a nice pool with a water slide, pool tables, and a dart board, and the staff were very friendly. The location is convenient, close to the interstate, with a Perkins restaurant attached and a bar across the parking lot. The beds were very comfortable, the room seemed clean, and check-in was easy. But the rooms are very dark, the hallways had a peculiar smell, and the room refrigerator wasn't plugged in, so it was little use for an overnight stay. Some elevators don't work, the carpet is patched together with duct tape, and there were cigarette burns on the room carpet. The vintage light fixtures were quirky and kind of fun. Still, this was the first hotel where I've seen a printed list of charges for room damage. I'd stay again if I were on a tight budget and just needed a place to sleep.