Americas Best Value Inn Winnsboro, SC

The last time we stayed here, the room was unbearably hot, and the AC only blew warm air. I’d just come from the ER across the street with acute bronchitis and wanted a cool place to rest while plumbing work was happening at our rental. I politely asked for a room with working AC. Ms. Patel said there were no other rooms, even though the lot had just one car, then got rude and said she’d refund us. With no working plumbing at home and the other local hotel even worse, we felt stuck. She followed us to the room and threatened to have us arrested for asking for working AC, saying she could refuse service and that “the sheriff knows her.” That night, the power was out from 10 p.m. until after 1 a.m. No one checked on us, the lobby door was locked, and nobody answered when we knocked. Nearby businesses still had power. She said the hotel was full, but we were the only guests we saw come outside. At the unusual 10:30 checkout, Ms. Patel was waiting outside our room to “clean” it, though she hadn't checked on guests during the outage. The place feels like a front for something. It was one of the worst rooms I’ve ever stayed in, and the “Patel's” seem clueless about customer service. They’re weird, gross, vile people. Don’t stay unless, like us that night, you have no other choice. There was no breakfast despite the advertisement, and the pool was closed in the middle of summer. Worst hotel stay in my 47 years. I also contacted Sonesta customer service after Ms. Patel’s reply. They said her account was that no other non-smoking room was available, she offered a refund, and she claimed we stole towels and pillows. Seriously? We stayed here a little over a month ago for the third time because work was being done on our rental. The first stay was okay, but this place isn't worth $75 a night, whatever Mrs. Patel thinks. The rooms are old, smell bad, and aren't clean: there was a big brown stain in the toilet, hair in the bathtub, and dingy furniture. The first week was okay, but on our second stay the microwave shorted out. I was in a tank top and underwear when Mrs. Patel's creepy husband stood in our room for 15 minutes lecturing us that we'd made it “too hot” before getting a replacement.

It took less than 20-30 minutes for us to decide we had to leave. My boyfriend booked this room because it was so late and we needed somewhere for the night, with few options left. When we asked the woman at the desk for our $80 back, she had an attitude and refused. She went to inspect the room herself, then said we'd already “used the room,” so she kept the money. We just wanted to get out by then. There were roaches, stains all over the bed, and smoke and mold smells in the room and pillows. The furniture was old and filthy, the shower and curtain were stained, and the walls had marks all over them, including smashed dead bugs. I didn't want to touch anything or sit down. Please don't book here. If you have to, sleep in your car for peace of mind. This place needs serious renovations or to shut down. Dirtiest hotel and rudest service I've ever experienced. I'd give zero stars if I could.

The staff were really nice and accommodating, and I felt safe there, which matters to me. The rooms and grounds were clean, too. There are several restaurants nearby for dining in or takeout. It isn't a four-star hotel, but it works well for a night while passing through or a weekend.

The owners were friendly and took care of any requests I made. Booking was easy, and the room was decent and in pretty good shape. My stay has been pleasant so far.