Best Western Gaylord

“$100 Hotel Stay in Gaylord”

A last-minute overnight in Gaylord left me needing a room fast. I ended up at this Best Western after being unable to book online through the hotel’s official reservation channel. This property was formerly a Holiday Inn Express before that flag moved to a newer location a couple of years ago. As… more

A last-minute overnight in Gaylord left me needing a room fast. I ended up at this Best Western after being unable to book online through the hotel’s official reservation channel. This property was formerly a Holiday Inn Express before that flag moved to a newer location a couple of years ago. As this was my first stay at a Best Western in probably 20 years, my expectations were modest. To the hotel’s credit, the front desk handled the situation well. Staff were kind, polite and professional, quickly securing me a room despite the online booking issues. First impressions were solid. For just over $100 per night, this hotel was largely what you’d expect at that price point. It’s a lower-end roadside property that delivers basic accommodations. That said, one gets the sense that if room rates were even modestly higher — perhaps in the $150 to $175 range — ownership might have the resources to invest in more meaningful updates while also discouraging some of the more questionable clientele. The hotel itself is reasonably modern on the surface, but it’s clear this is fundamentally a late-1980s or early-1990s property that hasn’t seen extensive renovation. Much of the building still feels like its former Holiday Inn Express incarnation, right down to case goods and furnishings recognizable from IHG properties renovated between 2006 and 2010. My guest room was mostly clean, functional and adequate for a short stay. Everything worked as it should, and the bed area was standard but comfortable enough. The primary issues were concentrated in the bathroom, where the jacuzzi tub showed visible traces of mold, tile grout was noticeably deteriorated, and the drop ceiling had signs of past water damage and possible mildew. None of it rendered the room unusable, but it certainly detracted from the overall impression. If I had to guess, the bathroom hasn't been updated since the hotel was constructed. I did not use the breakfast, pool or fitness center, so I can’t comment on those amenities. On the morning of departure, there was a strong marijuana odor in the stairwells and first floor corridors. More troubling, a side entrance near the parking lot and facing the adjacent gas station (which is also a bus stop) had been propped open with a large stone — an obvious security lapse. Whether due to transients or questionable guest activity, the situation raised legitimate concerns, particularly for solo female travelers. Additionally, I never received a final folio or receipt, either slipped under the door or via email, which felt like an unnecessary operational oversight. Overall, this Best Western is about what one would expect from a budget-friendly overnight option: serviceable, dated and without many frills. Staff outperformed expectations, but visible wear, deferred bathroom maintenance and notable security concerns keep this from being an easy recommendation. For a quick overnight stay, it may suffice, but the marijuana odor, unsecured entrance and overall clientele concerns would give me pause before returning.

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“Noisey not relaxing”

Stayed for one evening and that was enough. Outside in the parking lot were a group of people playing music, playing games, a bbq and were so noisy. Inside kids running crazy in the halls. The room itself is nice and comfortable but if you need a place to unwind from a long day, this is not the pla… more

Stayed for one evening and that was enough. Outside in the parking lot were a group of people playing music, playing games, a bbq and were so noisy. Inside kids running crazy in the halls. The room itself is nice and comfortable but if you need a place to unwind from a long day, this is not the place. Breakfast consisted of cold eggs and bacon. Definitely pass on this hotel. There are many other options available

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