When you walked in from the outside, you are greeted with an unpleasant odor. The gentleman who checked us in was friendly and helpful, which was the only positive experience we had with staff.
The rooms are dark, with a single flickering ceiling lamp at the back of the room ( we had adjoining rooms, and both were the same.
The pillows were old and flat, bedding old and very thin. Windows had mild growing around seals.
Bathrooms literally had piles of dirt in the corners, not small piles, about 2 inches long and an inch high. Mentioned it to the lady at the front desk, and received a smile...only one bathroom had a floor mat for after showering.
Beds were made after the first night, but that was the only cleaning done, also commented on that at the desk, and were told that there was a vacuum availableif we felt the room needed it. Who knows if the rooms are vacuumed between guests if that is the attitude.
Continental breakfast- there was no fruit, no coffee, the waffle machine was out of batter. Also not a concern for staff.
Smoke detectors have been removed from the rooms, and the wires from where they once were just hang from the ceiling, if there was a fire, was there a backup system which would explain the removal of the detectors??
Thought Howard Johnson was a reputable hotel chain...will second guess myself before booking at one in the future. Also wish I knew that I could upload photos for this review, would have taken some of the room to prove my poin!
