La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Stevens Point

The outside doors stay locked, which made me feel secure. Breakfast was basic, with waffles, cereal, bread, eggs, and sausage links. The room still smelled like stale cigarette smoke, and as I spent more time there, the cleanliness problems became harder to ignore. There were brown stains on the comforter and towels, curly hairs on the pool room floor early in the morning, and the trim around an outside door was completely missing. It’s definitely outdated, though that alone doesn’t bother me if a place is clean and looked after.

The hotel was quiet and comfortable, with a simple feel. Breakfast had a decent selection, and the small pool and hot tub were clean and usually not too busy. There are convenience stores and both sit-down and fast-food restaurants within walking distance. One thing to know about the advertised free Wi-Fi: you need to create an account, and it’s free for the first five days. After that, it costs $5 per day.

For around $50-75 a night, it’s a fairly decent, inexpensive option and better than some motels. It costs less than the other name-brand hotels, so you get what you pay for. The amenities are dated and the walls are thin. Not bad, but not great either.

The hotel felt clean and comfortable, with a welcoming atmosphere. The staff seem to care about their work and guests, and I felt safe and at home. I’d gladly stay again. Jaydin at the front desk especially made my visit memorable. She was kind, upbeat, and genuinely thoughtful. She suggested local places to visit and even wanted to make sure I had a safe ride, since Ubers can be scarce at night. I also wanted to tip the cleaner but didn’t have cash, so I left my number to send it digitally. The cleaner had a language barrier, and Jaydin helped by texting me and using Cash App so the tip would reach them. She didn’t have to step in, but she did, and that compassion really stood out.