River Place Restaurant & Lodging, Marlinton

Other than the fact that it's at the main intersection of Hwys. 219N & 39 & has a family style restaurant, this is probably not the place for the average tourist. On the other hand, the informal atmosphere probably works great for motorcyclists, trail hikers, kayakers (when the river is up & flowing) etc. Motel check-in is done at the restaurant by the friendly, young wait-staff & is very slow & rather chaotic during mealtime rush. The restaurant's food is fair-priced, surprisingly decent, & can be enjoyed inside or better yet, outside on the large deck overlooking the river...be sure to feed the many different ducks that gather on the riverbank below. The rooms are on the 3rd floor/attic above the restaurant & up rather steep wooden stairs on the outside of building-not a climb for the elderly, smokers, or anyone "impaired", let alone being handicap accessible. The room was clean & resembled the typical budget-inn style with a bed, a cable tv, & a closet-sized bath but didn't have very much else going for it i.e. scenic river or mountain views. Room #5 faces the very busy Hwy. 39/Main St. bridge over the Greenbrier River, the staircase up to the rooms, & a small deck at the top of the stairs so there's alot of noise generated by traffic (both auto & foot) that comes through the tiny windows at night. The other rooms also have little windows that look out (but just barely) either towards town or at traffic on Hwy. 219 which is directly across the river. Everything in town, including a gas station, Subway sandwich shop, a Family Dollar store, & several tiny cafe/restaurants, is all within walking distance. The City Park is right across Hwy. 39 on the upstream riverbank & the Greenbrier River Trail is just a few blocks away on Hwy. 39. There's a large Rite-Aid drug store approx. .5 miles north of the bridge intersection on Hwy. 219N. All in all, if you don't want the pay the high prices or be among the crowds of some of the surrounding ski area lodges/condos, this motel location is just as convenient to the many natural scenic wonders in the area & is more reasonably priced in the mid-range ($69 + tax for 2 in a queen size bed). If you're prepared for rather modest accomodations & just need a place to "crash" for the night...it'll do in a pinch.