AmericInn by Wyndham Spencer

The bugs coming up through the drains were the last straw. We’d seen one or two, then more appeared while my daughter showered late at night. We tried to stick it out, but left at 1:00 am on 9/15 after checking in on 9/14. The night staff were kind and clearly felt bad. The daytime call with “Vickie” was the opposite. She argued that the room was dirty because I’d brought in grass and said I should have asked for fresh sheets. I never said staff had left grass on the carpet. It had fallen from a blanket I’d kept in our car, and I’d already cleaned the room myself so we could stay. I hadn’t even mentioned it, since the bugs were the real issue. She acted as if I were trying to scam them. Their manager was away for two weeks, so hopefully they’ll see this when they return. I’d have let it go if I’d been offered a refund. I hate leaving bad reviews when businesses are struggling, and they can keep my $135 since we were there from 3:00 pm until 1:00 am, but I hope this saves someone else the money. I’d spend the extra $50 at the Holiday Inn Express a block away. The room itself was filthy. There was a thick coating of dust on the headboard, stains on the couch cushions, and hairs all over the bed linens. When I pulled out the bed, I found butterscotch or peanut butter chips under the cushions, which made me wonder whether the bedding had been checked or changed. A washcloth turned brown when I used it to pick up grass from my blanket, the bathroom sink leaked, and the luggage cart had some kind of goo on it. Flies were swarming around the front area, and we were on the first floor. I’d give the place zero stars if I could. The woman who checked me in was rude because I arrived 15 minutes early. I offered to come back later and got attitude for that too. She hadn’t written my room number on the key, then rolled her eyes and said she had. When I showed her it wasn’t there, she finally dropped the attitude, so I don’t think that’s just her personality. She seemed to expect people to be difficult before they’d even spoken. I’m never mean to people, even when I have reason to be, and there was no reason for her to treat me that way. They should put friendly people like the night shift gals on the day shift too.

The first-floor room reeks, somewhere between mold and sweaty feet. This is the most disgusting hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I can’t believe the authorities haven’t been called and that it’s still operating this way. It seems like a public health risk. Beware!

The beds were really comfortable, and after a late arrival the staff were friendly and accommodating. Breakfast was fabulous, and the pool was great without so much chlorine that your eyes burned. The hot tub jets didn’t work, though I still found it relaxing. The only other problem was the bathroom exhaust fan, which didn’t work at all. I definitely recommend this motel.

We stayed at the AmericInn in Spencer Ia on July 3 and 4. The room was a pretty average hotel room, and there were no USB charging ports, so bring a block. The bathroom exhaust fan didn’t work, and the neighbors next door were noisy all night. Breakfast was the usual free hotel spread, nothing special. The staff seemed okay, but unless I approached them, they didn’t look up from the counter or their phones, greet me, or acknowledge I was in the lobby. Also, the lobby cookies were always gone.