Super 8 by Wyndham Traverse City

A basic, older motor-lodge type motel, but adequately clean and comfortable. The coffee pods, cups, lids, cream, and sugar were there, though there was no coffee machine to brew anything in. I met a little spider in the bathtub. He seemed friendly and quiet, so I left something for him to climb out on. The next morning he was on the tile above the tub. Maybe he hangs around the shower to spy on people, maybe not. I'm the live-and-let-live sort, so I left him be. Still not sure how I feel about that dope-smoking sign.

For a solo traveler, it was okay, and the room was about what I expected for the price. The window had mildew from condensation, and I had to clean the K-cup coffee maker before I felt safe drinking anything from it. I also bought an air freshener because the room smelled stale, like its windows hadn't been opened in years. It wasn't exactly stinky. There was no housekeeping because nobody was on site, and you had to go across the street to another hotel.

We got in at 10 p.m. and had to cross the street for the room key because the Super 8 office is never open. In the room, there was a pair of boxers tucked in the corner between the TV stand and the door, then we found an earring. There was dust along the bed, and the sheets kept coming off because they were too small. Light from the other room also shone through the vent by the bathroom sink. Aside from those problems, the stay was good.

The room was dusty all over, and there was hair on the shower walls along with a dirty washcloth hanging from the curtain. The beds were hard to sleep on. Check-in and breakfast were both across the street, while the lobby here was closed for construction.