Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Shakopee

The cockroach I saw coming from behind the toilet in the middle of the night was the reason I’m giving this place two stars. It was small and I saw only one, but with roaches you worry there could be many more. They should close the hotel for a couple of weeks and exterminate. I’ve seen the hotel respond to every review, so I’ll wait to hear back. I stayed here years ago, maybe eight or more, and thought it was one of the nicer affordable hotels in town. I booked a king room and didn’t get in until 11 PM after a busy day. It looked mostly clean, but as someone who cleans for work, it seemed cleaned for show rather than properly. The pillows were lumpy, the bathtub kept running, and I’d hoped for take-away soap in the shower, but they seem to be pinching pennies.

The staff were great and the service was really good. The room was nice too, but I’m not sure it had been cleaned before we arrived. The bed was made, yet there were food wrappers under the table. I didn’t complain or ask anyone about it, but shouldn’t rooms be cleaned before guests check in? I hope this isn’t normal.

It was clean and comfortable enough, and the location made it easy to get to RenFest early. I would’ve liked a nice restaurant closer by, but Caribou Coffee is just across the way, so that worked out. A good hotel, though nothing spectacular.

Breakfast was a letdown. The sausage was inedible, and the rest of the spread seemed like an afterthought. For $200 a night, this place felt overpriced and in poor condition. There was a strange smell across the property, including the room and common areas. The carpets in both the room and hallways were stained and dirty, and the room felt run-down rather than relaxing. The toilet rocked because it wasn’t secured to the floor. The shower dripped constantly, loudly enough that we heard it as soon as we entered. The pillows were lumpy and uncomfortable too. I rarely review hotels, and I’ve stayed in budget places without complaining, but this one stood out for all the wrong reasons. It wasn’t worth the stay.