Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Springfield

The room had a few problems, including several burned-out lights and a shower that barely worked. I kept quiet about them because I didn’t want a possible argument over my deposit. I booked one night through booking.com, where the fine print mentioned an ID and credit card, as expected. At check-in, they also required a $200 cash security deposit, which I got back at checkout. That was annoying, so be ready for it. There are plenty of better hotels nearby. I’d skip this one unless you’re desperate for a room.

The front desk lady was very nice, Christie I think. If you need to be near the office in Springfield, it’s only about 10 minutes away, which isn’t bad. The room worked and was clean enough, but it was in rough shape: paint was peeling across the ceiling, the shower had cracks, and the floor tile looked amateurish. It was a cold day, so getting under the sheets felt nice, though the bedding was odd. The duvet was really just a wrinkly, frilly top sheet. They brought extra pillows and towels when we asked. Breakfast was okay, with hard-boiled eggs, cereal, a small muffin, bagels for the toaster, butter, cream cheese, and orange and apple juice. The coffee was awful. I ended up getting a Starbucks coffee, which was expensive but at least drinkable. It wasn’t as fabulous as Country Inn, but it was an okay breakfast.

There are restaurants nearby, and hotel guests get discounts at some of them. Breakfast is free, and my room was clean. Still, at $120 a night, I expected a bit more for the money. Strong smells lingered in both the room and hallways, and I had to buy air spray. Pets are allowed, and it seemed like their odors had soaked into the carpet. The bathroom was clean, though I found hair on the toiletries.

The room we were moved to was much better, though still not perfect. The front desk clerk, whose name I think was Robin, apologized and gave us a free upgrade after we reported that the AC in our original booked room had mold. The beds, surfaces, and toiletries were clean in the new room, but the cleaning crew seemed to pay little attention to vacuuming and much of the bathroom.