Days Inn Wilmington/Newark

Booking was easy and the rooms were very clean for our weekend girls' trip. The location was good, about 15-20 minutes from downtown and Nemours, and it was budget friendly. A few things were inconvenient: the TV in one room didn't work, so we changed rooms; one set of lights between the beds and the coffee maker weren't working in another. Two of the three problems were resolved, and my friend hadn't reported the lights.

The second-floor walkway had dips and was crooked, and from the parking lot you could see it was collapsing. There were huge cracks and uneven sections, with a cone and a paper sign saying not to cross, even though crossing was necessary to get to the rooms. The hotel felt like it was falling apart. I booked because it was pet-friendly and near the venue, though I ended up leaving my pet behind. Check-in was fine and the desk staff were polite. Our first room had loud highway noise, a rattling fridge, and an unpleasant smell, so the front desk moved us. I never even looked at the next room. I returned the key cards and asked for a refund, but the hotel refused because I'd booked through Expedia, and Expedia refused too.

Our home had a burst pipe during a winter freeze, and we needed somewhere nearby in a hurry. Days Inn was the only option that took pets, was close to our children's school, had same-day availability for several nights, and fit our emergency budget. We were grateful to have a roof, a bed, and somewhere to breathe while displaced. It was available, affordable, pet-friendly, and close to home, and for that it was a blessing. The front desk employee who checked us in was kind, and the breakfast staff were consistently warm and personable. Breakfast wasn't hot, just bagels, muffins, cereal, and fruit, but their kindness helped. The cable selection was a little better than basic, with enough to unwind after stressful days. Beyond check-in, front desk service ranged from disappointing to downright rude. I shouldn't have to greet staff first each morning. When I politely asked for more than one towel and washcloth for our family of four, a staff member rolled his eyes and gave me attitude over basic essentials. Housekeeping never came during our stay. Nobody took out the trash or offered fresh linens, so we had to find the dumpster and deal with it ourselves. We asked for a broom on Day 1, but none was available. The tiled floors got dirty from foot traffic, snow, and salt, and there was no welcome mat. Since we live nearby, we went home for a broom, door mat, cloth-style broom/mop, trash bags, and hand soap, because the hotel only provided a tiny bar. The sheets had marks that looked like old bedbug stains. We checked carefully and didn't find bites, but it was still unsettling. We'll take extra precautions before going home. This was a case of getting what we paid for. It wasn't luxury, and you shouldn't expect hospitality, cleanliness unless you handle it yourself, or warmth from the front desk unless you bring your own. But when you're in survival mode and need something fast, affordable, pet-friendly, and close to home, it did what it had to do. If you book for convenience, come prepared with your own supplies, patience, and a whole lot of grace. I don't usually leave reviews, but after what our family went through, I wanted other families facing a crisis to know the full picture.

The place doesn't look like much, but it was fine for one night. It was quiet, with a clean room, a good TV, a big fridge, and plenty of fluffy towels. The bed was comfortable enough.