Red Lion Inn & Suites Walla Walla

We stayed because we'd been drinking after a long day and a few hours of wine tasting, and had a dinner reservation about half an hour after check-in. Moving ourselves and our dogs back to the car and finding another hotel felt like too much, and we figured another room might be just as bad. We didn't report anything to the front desk, but I'll write to their corporate office. The room was filthy. The toilet had crusted poop smears and a visible dirt ring; the tub had yellowish stains and a layer of scum I could rub off with a washcloth. Dirt spots covered the floor, and there were toothpaste splatters by the sink. Later we found bits of grass and makeup smears on the sheets. The microwave and TV also didn't work when we arrived. I had to reach behind the cabinet to plug the microwave into the power strip, then reconnect the HDMI-3 cable to the TV and reset the TV and remote. Reception was pleasant in person and on the phone. I think her name was Alyssa. She explained where our room was and got us the keys quickly, so that interaction was nice. But the room was beyond disappointing.

Check-in went smoothly, and I enjoyed the pool and continental breakfast. The coffee was surprisingly good. The recent refurbishment shows in the updated furniture and the fun color scheme inside the rooms and outside. It was more than I expected.

The facilities were clean, and the woman who checked us out was so sweet she saved the experience. The welcome at check-in was cold: she briefly made eye contact but didn't greet or address us. She handed over the key without directions, even as we wandered into a dead end. It turned out our room was in an outdoor building down the way. Cable TV, free WiFi, and nice toiletries.

We paid $53 through Hotel Tonight, and it was fine for one night. The location in Walla Walla is good, and the room was relatively clean, though old. Both the patio door and the microwave door were hard to open. For a weekend stay, I wouldn't be happy here.