Palace Inn-Arcola

There weren't any coffee cups or utensils, and there were no pots either, though you can rent pots for $30. The mattress cover had stains, and the toilet seat was very loose.

The power outage after the hurricane was the one real drawback, especially since I was still charged full price. I stayed for a week after the storm, though, and the service was impressive despite everything going on. Natalie at the front desk was so kind and helpful, even using her own car and gas to charge guests' phones. She also swept around the property and cleaned rooms while keeping a positive attitude. Housekeeping stopped by every day with the essentials we needed. My room was spacious and clean, with a full refrigerator and stovetop that made cooking convenient. The property was quiet and well kept, and the accommodations were comfortable.

It's a good deal for the price, as long as you check that they've charged the right amount. The front desk attendant undercharged me by $20 at check-in, then followed me to my room a few minutes later. I was using the bathroom after 16 hours of travel and didn't answer his knock, so he opened the door to look for me. That was extremely inappropriate over such a small amount, and interrupted what would've been an amazing bowel movement.

Getting to the property from 521 takes some careful timing, but the service is the best of any hotel in this market. The rooms are clean and modern, with a full fridge, microwave, sink, infrared stove, and vent.