Or any other Best Western establishment for that matter.

We got there at 2230, and we had been on the road for 10 hours at that point.  Dave and I were both tired, the kids were getting whiny, and we decided that we wanted to make to through Des Moines before we stopped.  We found a traveller's magazine with a coupon for the Best Western in it, and as we'd never stayed with them before (we've always stuck to Super 8's - we thought the BW would be a slightly 'better' motel) we decided to give it a shot.

So, we pull in, and I go in.  I waited in line for 15 mins before I got helped at the front desk.  I offered her the coupon, only to be told that they 'weren't taking any coupons or offering any discounts' that week.  That should have set alarm bells ringing right off.  But, we were tired and strung out from driving, so we decided to say to hell with it and got a room there anyway.

We get up to our room, get undressed, and crash. Not that I got much sleep.  The curatins were so thin they did little to dim the light from the street lamp outside, and above the door there was a slatted window - the slats didn't close properly, allowing all the noise from the interstate, parking lot, and wildlife into the room.  I went to the bathroom in the night and was disgusted.  There was mildew, and I mean rampant mildew, around the tub and the faucets, there was dirt in the bottom of the tub, and there were foreign pubic hairs on the shower curtain and the floor around the toilet (neither of us had used the bathroom at that point, so they weren't ours).  In the morning, after everyone had gotten up, I was straightening the sheets and blankets on the bed - and there was mold on those too.  It was the grossest, nastiest place I have ever stayed in (and I've been to a few countries and have stayed in some pretty grotty places).  Oh, and a couple of days after we got in Indiana, I developed a patch on ringworm on my back.  Hmm, that's strange, isn't it?  I stay in a nasty, moldy, mildewy hotel, and then I get ringworm.  I wonder where it could have come from?

So, upon checking out, I complained.  I got nothing but murmurs of disbelief.  The bill came to almost $100, which I paid, but said I'd be asking for a refund on.  When we got to Indiana and I had internet access, I emailed BW and filed a complaint.  Today, after a few more emails and one party-line letter, I got  the brush off: there is nothing further they are willing to do.  Their idea of a solution to my complaint is to say "sorry, please stay with us again".  Yeah right.  As I told them, I'd rather sleep on the side of the interstste that ever stay at a  BW again.  Ever.

So, if you're ever in Newton, Ia, for god's sakes do yourself a favor and don't stay at the Newton Inn.  Come to think of it, do yourselves a favor and don't stay in a BW, ever.  I know I won't.