Howard Johnson Hotel Norwich, Norwich

HoJos's is indeed the only place to stay in Norwich, and I have stayed in it dozens of times over the years. The place could really use a major renovation, but I think they do try, and it is getting better. It is always clean. Much cleaner, in fact, than The Colgate Inn in nearby Hamilton, where the price is at least double, and the rooms are closet size. The location can't be beat. right in town, close to stores and restaurants. I really question some of these reviews, because what they say simply is not true! Someone mentioned rancid room service bacon ... well, no room service is available here, and it never has been available. There is a new Denny's downstairs that is open 24 hours, however, and it's very convenient. The front desk personnel have always been very pleasant, and helpful. I don't know why any of them would think of going out of their way to force anyone to stay in a room where they were not happy, especially if it was not full.

We were rented a smoking room which had been billed as non-smoking. The desk staff would not move us, saying they had no other rooms. The lot was far from full and the "No Vacancy" sign was not lit. Since it was late at night on a holiday weekend, we stayed but asked again the next morning to be moved. Same response. So we asked for and were denied a refund for the next prepaid night, snce we were not going to spend another night in a reeking room. The A/C also did not work, but since we had to keep the window open all night to try to air the place out, it wasn't an issue. After refusing the refund, the manager "went home," even though I was on my cell phone calling Expedia from the lobby. The Expedia rep convinced the desk clerk to approve the refund. I heard the desk clerk ask, "even though we have forty other rooms to give him?" As we were leaving, the desk clerk said, "Sorry you're having a bad day" as she and the maintenance guy stood at the desk smirking.

I spent over $700.00 for two rooms - one for 3 nights and one for 4 nights. We could not get into one of the first rooms they gave us - lock needed a new battery, but they couldn't figure this out and kept making up the keys again and making us try to get in. Finally they gave us another room where the air conditioning did not work (90 degree heat outside). They refused to give us another room because they said we had already changed rooms once - well that was the room we couldn't get into and what difference does that make anyway. They were the rudest people I have ever met and basically told us too bad it's hot. They never cleaned the 2nd room on the last night of the stay and when they were asked for at least clean towels, we were told they were all out. The breakfast that was included with the room not only took about 45 mintues to arrive - it included a lovely helping of rancid bacon. The best thing that could happen to this hotel is simply to go out of business forever.