Microtel Inn Columbia Harbison Area, Columbia

This was the dirtiest motel we have ever stayed in. Our first impression when we walked through the front door was filth. The tile was chipped and dirty, sofas in sitting area had cigarette burns, the carpet in stairwells looked as though it had never been vacuumed, trashcan was full of trash, and the Manager who checked us in could speak little if any English. The remote control to the outdated TV in our room had scotch tape holding batteries in place and no back on it. There was a double deadbolt of the door and we made sure it was in use the entire 16 hours we were there. Seedy people hanging around on the outside.

I have never stayed at a motel like this before. Will not be staying there again. Where do I start. The check in was fine, the lady & houskeeping who worked weekdays was great, the people who worked on the weekends, please. We arrived on Friday, and checkout on Tuesday. The rooms were clean, but needed to be updated. No dream well beds there. The bathroom linolen was coming up around the edges, the blankets looked like they came from 1920's There were not enough pillows and the pillow I did have was half of a pillow. Had to go to Walmart and buy one. During the weekend it was like talking to air. I mean like we were interupting their day. Had to keep asking for towels, keep getting our key re-entered. Bad service plain and simple. I could go on and on but, I think you get the picture.

Its location in proximity to the conference center where my conference was being held was its’ best feature. The lobby had cracked tiles as we walked in and I should have viewed it as a sign, but since it was late after working and traveling I hoped for the best. This Microtel is not well maintained. Stayed three nights and ended up in two different rooms; it would have been three but we never entered the room originally assigned. The water in the bathroom sink in the first room would not go out. They moved us to another room that was not completely made up so we had to go back for towels and a bath mat. The third night we needed towels and a bath mat again. We sprayed each of the rooms/ beds/linens/furniture/etc with disinfectant spray before using. The complimentary continental breakfast was a joke. The lack of variety in continental foods could not have been worst. The rooms have not been updated with the new Dream Well bedding; a feature that I enjoyed at other Microtels . I did not feel comfortable in the lobby when returning at night. Additionally, each time we left, we had to have the magnetic key redone, since it did not work upon our return. The ice machine was on a plywood platform and there was a hole in the platform. I have stayed in numerous Microtels, and this was by far the worst experience. It is not indicative of the chain.

I was a bit nervous that there must be something wrong, given the price, but it was fine. The staff was nice, the clientele was fine, our room was clean, the breakfast was good. The sheets and bedspread were a bit worn, but the sign at the front desk said all new linens were coming soon. I really like the padded windowseat. A small child could sleep there easily. The room is somewhat small, but we had room for a rollaway. There are much nicer places nearby, but for almost double the price. We were checking it out to go back with a soccer team, and will be returning soon to a place all our families can afford

The hotel staff was so helpful. The room was very nice especially for the price. We will be back. I love the mirrors on the wall