Essence Express Wayne

I was in town to see family and just needed somewhere to sleep for a couple nights. The room was a good size for two, the bed was comfortable, and the sheets were clean. The bathroom felt new and was fresh and clean too. For a Tuesday, $100 didn't seem outrageous. There are loads of places to eat nearby, especially with Willowbrook mall right behind the hotel, including Olive Garden, Yard House, BWW, Cheesecake Factory, Taco Bell, and plenty more. The guy at the desk helped me out by giving me a room that had been reserved for someone else.

We stayed five days and were very satisfied. Housekeeping made the bed and cleaned our room three times while we were out, and regularly topped up the bathroom supplies. The rooms were clean and our needs were taken care of. For a hotel under $100 a night, you have to set realistic expectations about luxury and service. In its 2- or 3-star range, this place compares very well with others. Despite the negative reviews, we had a surprisingly good experience from arrival. The young Indian gentleman at reception, whose name I unfortunately can't remember, treated us like guests. He matched the online booking price, charged $50 for early check-in, and showed us several rooms before we settled on one. That kind of openness is unusual in budget hotels. One thing to know: there's a Quality Inn nearby, and I strongly recommend avoiding it. The reception staff there were rude and unhelpful. We were treated much better here, and I'd book with confidence.

I woke up with a rash on my chest, and that was the last straw. Both rooms had problems: the first had no door lock, mold coming from the showerhead, and dirty floors; the second was just as bad. The walls were damaged, the bed made a horrible noise, and the curtain was broken. Snacks and drinks cost less at a wawa. I cancelled the rest of my stay through Sunday and paid the one-night fee, but getting somewhere better was worth it. I wouldn't recommend this place at all. If I'd known it was such a dump, I wouldn't have booked.

I've never been treated this disrespectfully at a hotel. The front desk staff had awful manners and showed no respect for customers. I'm never coming back.