Americas Best Value Inn & Suites-Walker/Grand Rapids North

The one good thing was the location near the event we were attending. The room stayed warm, and the floor wasn't carpeted, but there wasn't even a rug to set our shoes on. After tracking in snow, we had to use our only towel to wipe the floor. There was just one towel for two adults and a child, and the shower dispenser was broken and grimy. The door wouldn't shut all the way, so a cold draft came through. The bed's top blanket had several cigarette burns, and even the sheets didn't look safe to sleep on. Other guests were loud late into the night. There was no microwave, and the old TV seemed close to giving out. I've stayed in similar places and usually figure you get what you pay for, but that gives this place too much credit. It's worn down, dated, and needs serious attention.

For $300 a week, I felt ripped off. Roaches were in the so-called breakfast area, the TV barely worked and looked about 35 years old, and the beds were disgusting and lopsided. My child wet the bedding while we were booked for a week, and staff gave me a hard time about washing it. They got an attitude when I asked for it back and wouldn't give us blankets. I've had allergy problems since checking in. I wouldn't wish a stay here on anyone. If I could give zero stars, I would. Buyer beware, you'd be better off paying more for a proper place.

The only decent part was the price, I guess you get what you pay for. During our weekly stay with family, the room was always too hot, so I'd turn it off and then have to switch it back on in the middle of the night when it got cold. The towels were stained, and the comforters smelled old and were torn underneath. Housekeeping was unfriendly and didn't seem to do the job properly. They stood outside their laundry room smoking and talking about their personal lives and the guests. Once, when I asked for clean towels and toilet paper, a woman gave me a dirty look and looked over at her coworkers, like I shouldn't be asking for things we needed. When I asked the receptionist for the manager's name, she didn't know it. This place needs a lot of staff training and better customer service at the front desk.

The location was perfect for my event, and Burger King is right across the street. That was about the best part. I paid $80 for the night and almost got what I paid for. The blankets had some white stuff on them, and I wasn't sure what it was. The room seemed clean otherwise, but there was no microwave in it as the website said, so I had to go to the front office. I felt too uneasy about all the activity outside to leave my room before checkout. In the morning I tried the continental breakfast, but it was gone within five minutes of opening, with people I took to be drug users and drunks waiting for it too. Next time I'll pay more if it means fewer crackheads around.