Spark by Hilton Staunton

The manager's response to the sewage backup was to mop it up with our towels. On the third day, grey water came up through the sink drain again, overflowed, soaked clothes hanging in the closet, then ran into the room and hallway. Earlier, the sink had backed up repeatedly, and management brushed it off as clear water and said it wasn't a big deal, though they offered to pay for dry cleaning. We had driven 400 miles for several graduation parties, and some of the ruined clothes were for those events. There wasn't time to get to a cleaner on Saturday night or Sunday. The TV also wouldn't turn off and was barely viewable, with no sound or very low volume, and the room was dusty like there'd been construction. When we arrived, our room wasn't ready. After the owner dismissed my concern, we were assigned that room. Do yourself a favor and stay away from this place.

The shower design is ridiculous. With just one sliding door at the far end, you have to get into the shower to turn on the water and get blasted with cold water. The air conditioner worked, but it was so noisy it needs servicing. We could sleep, so it was manageable. The bed was comfortable enough and the room was clean, though it may be the only hotel without a coffee pot in the room. Customer service was very friendly, if a bit confused. While I waited to check in, it felt like forever because they didn't know how to charge a woman's room when she wanted to buy a candy bar. This wasn't my first choice, but it was the only place available nearby on our road trip. Just okay for one night, not somewhere I'd stay longer.

The paint and decor look appealing, but that's about where the positives stop. We couldn't connect to the wifi with the combination they advised, and every door opening sounded like someone slamming it with all their might. There was no bottled water at check-in and none of the toiletries you'd normally have available if you'd forgotten something. They said it was a new location that hadn't been stocked yet. Shouldn't a new place be ready to make a good first impression? And whoever designed the showers was an absolute idiot. Why put a glass sliding door that opens on the left with the showerhead on the right? I had to stand in freezing water to start the shower.

I was told this was their first day back open after renovations, when they used to be a Best Western. The TV didn't work, though that wasn't a big deal, but the AC wasn't cooling and I couldn't sleep all night. Management said they'd look into it, but didn't offer even a discount. I paid $205 for half a night and left at 1am. All I got was, "Have a safe trip, come back and see us," lol. Maybe they should test the rooms before a grand opening. That's not good for business.