Americas Best Value Inn Sarasota Downtown

The location is the only thing this place has going for it. The owners are rude, and the motel needs serious work, maybe even to be demolished. The bathrooms are so old and dirty they could cause ringworm-type problems. Wi-Fi worked only about 1% of the time, and guests are left to fix things like clogged sinks, shower drains, and toilets. The shower drain was disgusting. Bring Clorox, a disposable bath mat, shower shoes, bug spray, and your own blanket, because there won't be one.

It's right by a supermarket, with beaches and downtown easy to reach on foot or by car, so the location is great. But the room was musty, the bathroom dirty, and the bath wouldn't fill because the plug was broken. The old furniture and carpet looked very dated. I did appreciate getting fresh towels daily, the AC worked well, and there were several USB charging spots. There were people smoking a lot of cannabis downstairs, and the smell kept coming through my window. The seal wasn't great, and I could hear everything outside. I'd avoid breakfast: the food had been taken out of its original packaging and put into individual plastic bags, so there was no way to see the best-before date or know who handled it or how long it had been there. If you just need a no-frills place, this works. For more than that, look elsewhere.

We wouldn't recommend this hotel. It smelled of smoke and chemicals, the sheets had stains, and the dining area looked like a place where you'd catch something. My wife didn't feel comfortable using the bathroom in our room. When we reported the linens, the front desk told her to come down and collect clean sheets herself.

We thought we'd be close to the beach, but spending $150 for this quality was a waste. The photos don't reflect what you get: the room smelled awful, everything was outdated, and the furniture and hotel felt like the 1980s. The sink wouldn't drain, and we got no help until the next morning. The shower smelled of chlorine. We had planned to stay two nights but checked out after one, and there was no refund. You can find a better hotel for this price.