Americas Best Value Inn - Stamford

The shower was rough: it smelled mildewy, the rod was rusty, the curtain was stained, and there was a loud shriek while I showered. The lobby smelled mildewy too. The floor is uneven, and the bed is a bit hard, though at least it’s a bed. The inn looks very sketchy, and the door needs a hard push or pull before it clicks shut, which didn’t make me feel safe. I’m only one night in, so maybe I’ll update. Wish me luck.

We couldn’t get any sleep because the bed was extremely uncomfortable, and the highway traffic outside the room kept going all night. There were also repeated loud bangs and clanging noises that made us worry someone might be trying to break in. Check-in at the Red Carpet Inn in Stamford, CT, was through thick bulletproof plexiglass, which felt unsettling and suggested security could be an issue in the area. We had booked two nights but left after one. It was an unpleasant stay, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking for somewhere safe or restful.

The owners and staff are very friendly and helpful, and the Red Carpet Inn offers free breakfast and coffee around the clock. It’s safe, clean, and inexpensive, which is what makes it a four-star stay to me. It doesn’t need a fancy lobby or a pool. They’re also doing renovations now to give the place a more elegant look.

It’s January and cold, but the room had no heat, just cold air coming in. There was also no hot water on most days. When I tried to tell the staff, they were rude, didn’t fix anything, and told us to leave and not come back. The parking lot was covered in trash, and drugs and alcohol were very prevalent. It didn’t feel safe.