Red Lion Hotel Salem

The complimentary breakfast was easily the best, and the bar made great drinks. My wife especially liked the JACK FROST. Jose at the front desk also made a big difference. He moved us to a larger, better room and did more than most hotels would to make things right. Thanks, Jose. We’d booked online expecting a nice stay because we’d enjoyed Red Lion before. We like its elegant look and had planned to use the heated pool and gym, so finding the hotel under construction was a shock. There was noise and dust, and we couldn’t even tell where the entrance was. We thought about leaving for another hotel, but Jose reassured us they’d work with us to make the stay enjoyable. The construction was inconvenient, though I’m sure the hotel will look beautiful and elegant again when it’s done. I’d like to come back and would recommend it to family and friends.

The bed was good, the shower pressure was strong, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast was just so-so, though, and orange juice cost $4. There was a lot of noise from construction, and parts of the hotel were boarded up. My room felt dated, with peeling paint and an odd smell. I hope the remodel goes well, but I probably wouldn’t stay again unless I had a conference there.

The man who checked us in was very sweet and understanding. He said he’d ask the manager about a discount because the pool was unavailable and a refund for breakfast. When I spoke with her, though, she was far from polite and didn’t show the customer service I’d expect from a manager in her twenties. She said the hotel photo online didn’t show a pool, so she didn’t see why a $20-30 discount was needed. It was the rudest experience we’ve had. The room wasn’t filthy, but I wouldn’t call it clean either. The website hadn’t mentioned that half the building was being reconstructed, and there was only a small lobby area for check-in. They also hadn’t advertised that the pool would be closed. I have three kids, and if you have children, you know a pool matters when choosing where to stay. Breakfast was advertised as free, but we were handed a bill for it. $10 per person isn’t much, but it’s a shock when you’ve been told it’s free. I’m sure the hotel will look great after the work is finished. We would’ve considered staying again, probably for two days every three weeks because of work, but the manager’s attitude means we won’t be back.

The double queen room was spacious and clean, with the bonus of a separate enclosed toilet. The hotel is well kept and sits conveniently near the highway. There’s a bar and grill attached, serving decent meals throughout the day. Our $110-per-night stay included breakfast, and the concierge staff were very friendly and helpful.