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and why you shouldn't either.
Published on September 13, 2004 By dharmagrl In Travel

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.

 


Comments
on Sep 13, 2004
Yeech. I wonder how they stayed in business.
on Sep 13, 2004

I dunno. I do know that the next time we travel we're going back to the good ol' Super 8.  Basic, yes, but at least they're clean.


 

on Sep 13, 2004
Sorry to hear about all that! I've stayed in BW only once or twice and was never impressed (at least, not in a good way). Most recently, we stayed in a BW in Monterey, the first night we drove into town. We originally wanted to stay at a Holiday Inn, but none of the HI's in the area would take pets. When we asked for a referral, they gave us the BW's number. There was nothing really bad about our room, but it was pretty spartan. The hotel was on the beach in Seaside, so the rates were pretty high (including a pet surcharge of $50 - the highest I think I've ever paid) even though we were on the parking lot side of the hotel.

We've become fans of the Holiday Inn chain and even joined their priority club. Even if we never earn enough rewards to get anything, the program is free and I can make reservations online, so it's convenient. I've never stayed in a bad Holiday Inn Express and I've stayed in two Staybridge Suites and those were both awesome.
on Sep 14, 2004
Yuck Dharma! I would of flipped out I think! I don't think I will ever stay at a BW now!
on Sep 14, 2004
What's funny, as you say that is, some Best Westerns suck, yes, so we usually avoid them (our one exception was the Stevens Point Wisconsin Best Western for homeschool conferences...they always treated us well), and we found a surprise a few years ago in, of all things, a Motel 6.

We were in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and we were looking for the cheapest place we could find with an indoor pool which happened to be Motel 6...not only did it have an indoor pool, but the rooms were very nice, and the rates were, of course, excellent for the area. So if you ever find yourself in Council Bluffs Iowa (not likely unless you're a history geek like me or are heading across country), stop in at the Best Western and tell 'em Gideon sent you
on Sep 14, 2004
You've gotta call to complain! Let 'em hear just how disgusted you are with their stinky, rotting hotel. And don't accept a voucher for a free night's stay, either!
on Sep 14, 2004
We have had good experiences with TownePlace Suites by Marriot. The prices are reasonable (around 70 a night) they have a kitchen and are Very clean and pretty new. Most of the hotels have a pool also. There rewards program (which is free) is good too, you can add up points for free hotel stay or Frequent flyer miles.

We have stayed at several in various state and have always been pleased.
on Sep 14, 2004
I don't know whether to laugh, puke, or do both. It's funny because BW are pretty good up where I am, and I couldn't imagine a place like that. Really; I just got the shivers.
on Sep 14, 2004

Well, being evil like I am, I would lodge a complaint with the department of health and have them "check up" on the hotel.


Best Westerns are independently owned, so they are all very different.  They basically get cheap places to change their name and raise their prices.  I stayed in one for one night that claimed that they had an "indoor" pool, which is great in the middle of winter in Michigan.  What they failed to say is that you have to walk outside for a distance to get to the "enclosed" pool.  I promptly departed that place with saying that I had a "family emergency" (since I had made reservations they say you have to give 24hrs notice, but family emergencies are different).  My emergency was that there was no way in hell I was going to pay that much for another night there.  So, we went to another hotel which had a real indoor pool and enjoyed the rest of our stay.


Best Western sucks.

on Sep 14, 2004

Well, being evil like I am, I would lodge a complaint with the department of health and have them "check up" on the hotel.

I think I'll do that. 

I told the BW rep yesterday that they ought to be a little more stringent about what places the allow to carry the BW label....because places like that will lose them business.  Lots of it. 

Nic: Thanks for the postcard!!   I was tickled to get it, and even more tickled to see Kole's signature on it!

I honestly was afraid of what I would see scuttling away in the darkness when I returned from the bathroom that night.......

on Sep 15, 2004
I've always had really good BestWestern experiences. I stayed at one in Venice di Lido in August which was immaculate. We had two nights free there (which was the only way we could afford it) and they allowed an extra person in our room for free. The night porter was kind enough to reopen the bar for us upon our return from evenings out as well.

My dad's a member of their "guest rewards" program (which is how we got the free nights) and he's never had a problem either...


....granted, Venice is a bit far away from Newton, IA...
on Sep 15, 2004
I'm calling,  I have decided.  I don't want to drag it out, but at the same time I want something more than a freakin' form letter.  Even if nothing gets done it will give me the opportunity to vent....