User Reviews for Howard Johnson Express Inn-Spearfish

Research User Reviews for Howard Johnson Express Inn-Spearfish (1-20 of 35)

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Aug 19, 2009 by Nancy from Aberdeen,SD
Overall Rating: 7

• The Pizza Ranch was right next door.
• Did not have water to buy in the vending machine.

“I thought it was very nice and well kept up. The front desk was very friendly and helpful.”

Jul 11, 2009 by Josh from West Fargo,ND
Overall Rating: 4

• The price was right.
• Hotel was dirty.

“Friendly staff.”

Jun 17, 2009 by Gregg from Afton,WY
Overall Rating: 6

• Clean rooms and nice facility.
• No control of kids in the pool area.

“Nice family hotel, not too romantic but nice to stay with kids.”

Jun 5, 2009 by Mary from Grand Junction,CO
Overall Rating: 8

• Large, comfortable, clean rooms.
• Continental breakfast was a bit boring.

“I would recommend this hotel to others looking for value, cleanliness, accessibility and overall quality.”

May 29, 2009 by Jennifer from Torrington,AA
Overall Rating: 8

• Very accommodating, provided a portable crib for us.
• Pool was freezing, wish there had been fruit available at breakfast.

“Very helpful and friendly. The room itself was located directly above the pool, so it was quite loud in the evening, and I could here the staff mopping the pool area and doing hotel laundry at 2am, as we were near both facilities.”

Sep 13, 2008 by Heidi
Overall Rating: 5

• Highway access.

“The rooms needed work. Wall trim falling off, torn curtins, mold on walls in bathtub.”

Aug 19, 2008 by Alice from Grand Island, NE
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[4] • Staff:[7] • Location:[3]

• I liked the indoor pool.
• Needs serious updates to decor. Pool needs cleaned regularly. Air conditioners fixed.

“I would not recommend this hotel. Completely outdated. Pool needs to be thoroughly cleaned.”

Jul 28, 2008 by Mike from Billings, MT
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[8] • Location:[6]

• When we had problems with the shower tub draining, they helped us right away.
• Shower tub did not drain, towels were old and worn. The room felt dirty and old. No exercise room.

“Except for the friendly staff, this is not a place I would stay again. I was very disappointed. It was expensive and not to the quality we expect at a 2 star hotel. It even stated it had a deluxe breakfast, which was Eggo waffles and cold cereal. The facility itself was not what we expected.”

Jul 19, 2008 by Patricia from Redding, CA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

“Good room and facility, helpful friendly staff.”

Jun 29, 2008 by Thomas from Houghton, MI
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[7]

• Hosts were accommodating to resolve problem.
• Continental breakfast inadequate.

“Our request was for a room with two beds but were first given one with one queen.”

Jun 16, 2008 by Vicky from Johnsburg, IL
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[9]

• The proximity of restaurants, shopping and scenic drives.
• The smell of chlorine from the pool in hallway.

“The rooms were neat and clean. The staff was friendly, helpful and went out of their way to accommodate us.”

May 27, 2008 by Michael from Corinth, TX
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• The staff was very friendly and helpful to any need you might have.
• The pool smell was very strong through the hotel.

“This hotel is great for anyone traveling on vacation or business. It has great access to the freeway to go to any number of sites in that area. It is clean and a very helpful staff for your entire stay.”

Nov 8, 2007 by Todd from Sioux Falls, SD
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Nice location. Staff was friendly and helpful.
• The bathroom was a little small.

“I enjoyed my stay at Howard Johnsons in Spearfish. The staff was friendly and helpful. It was kid friendly with a pool, game room and attached pizza place. It was relaxing and quiet.”

Nov 8, 2007 by Lewis from Flagstaff
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• Nobody in the family left breakfast hungry. .
• One of the light bulbs was burnt out.

“Very big, clean rooms. The pool had clean and warm water and the pool area was very clean. When we noticed that one of the light bulbs was burnt out the maintenance man came right away to replace the burnt out light bulb. The money we paid for the room was not bad. I would recommend this hotel to anyone. .”

Oct 8, 2007 by Yvonne from Fargo, ND
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• Location of hotel with nearby restaurants and tourist attractions.
• The series of steps in the hallway.

“Catering to the black hills traveler and families, this hotel will meet your needs for a comfortable and clean good night's rest with an affordable price and excellent location.”

Aug 14, 2007 by Mary from Bozeman, MT
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[9] • Location:[7]

• Location, right off the freeway.
• Room was not very clean and swimming pool was nasty!

“The young man at the front desk was very helpful in selecting a local restaurant that we really enjoyed. However, as far as the motel, it was dirty, the sheets felt unclean, and the pool gave our daughters hives.”

Aug 2, 2007 by Heather from Post Falls, ID
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[4] • Location:[4]

• Pool was decent for small kids.
• The bath tub was either dirty or badly needed replacing.

“I would not stay here again. The town was depressing, the hotel looked way better in the pictures. The room was ok, but I think the tub was dirty.”

Jul 21, 2007 by Janine from Algona, IA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[6] • Location:[8]

• Location.
• Too much chlorine in hot tub.

“The lady at the front desk was very friendly and always had a smile on her face. Our main disappointment was that there was so much chlorine in the hot tub and pool that it burned our eyes just sitting near them.”

Jul 20, 2007 by Randy from Willmar, MN
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• Good location - friendly staff.
• Pool was smaller than expected and water tasted "funny".

“Good hotel for those who are looking for a place to sleep. The rooms were clean, as was the parts of the hotel that we used.”

Jul 17, 2007 by Dave from Evansville, IN
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[5] • Location:[9]

• Location near the falls was wonderful.
• Red Lion appeared to have bought another hotel which they were renovating. Arrived at 1 am and found they had given our room away.

“The tower may be nice but I was uncomfortable with my family in a series of rooms apparently dedicated to the construction workers renovating the hotel.”

Jul 14, 2007 by Mark from Holland, MI
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Location. The hotel was easy on and off interstate. Close enough to enjoy attractions and far enough away to enjoy peace.
• Pool had too many chemicals.

“Hotel was in a nice location to interstate. This made it easy to get up and out and to many local attractions. Being in the middle of most local attractions without being in the middle of most tourists was a plus for my wife and I. The pool and hot tub was a plus for after the day was done. Having the Pizza Ranch pizza place right there made it affordable to eat in the hotel and fun for my daughter. The hotel is not very scenic but for the most part we where not in the room.”

Jul 9, 2007 by Norman from Lutz, FL
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[4] • Location:[8]

• Location.
• Office does not open on schedule. Breakfast not on posted schedule.

“Clean rooms, great location. Poor customer service, people running the location confused and disorganized. Too many kids running all over the place at all hours.”

Jul 8, 2007 by Roberta from Rockford, IL
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• Close to highway, had a pizza restaurant next door.
• Vent for air conditioner was in pool area and hallway hot.

“Enjoyed our stay there. Close to things to do in the surrounding area.”

Jul 8, 2007 by Betty from Elberon, VA
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[8] • Location:[8]

• Quiet.
• Casino attached and cigarette smoke in internet pc area.

“For a Howard Johnson's it was better than I expected. Did not like having to go through indoor pool/spa area to get to room. All air conditioning rooms vented into pool/spa area making it terribly hot and humid. Breakfast area was extremely hot as well, making breakfast uncomfortable. We did enjoy the fresh watermelon and waffles though.”

Jul 6, 2007 by Steve from Troy, MI
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[1] • Location:[7]

• Nothing.
• Staff did not show for work.

“This is not a 2 star hotel. Very disappointed. Staff did not show up to provide breakfast, checkout etc.”

May 21, 2007 by Tf from Aurora, CO
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[2] • Location:[9]

• Fairly clean large room.
• Service staff was poor.

“The pool smell in the hallway was very bad, but the nice large room smelled fine. We requested extra pillows and the desk clerk said she would send some up. Never arrived. Also, the a/c unit started having fits in the middle of the night, and the next door car lot started roadwork noise at 5:00am! When we talked to the front desk to complain (as noise restrictions make this kind of noise restricted at such early hours), the clerk said that we should call the cops if we had a problem with it. Clean and convenient hotel, but I will never stay there again.”

Apr 12, 2007 by Syrece from Bellingham, WA
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[4] • Staff:[3] • Location:[10]

• Great location to the freeway.
• Poor facility maintenance.

“If you are traveling through great location, but if you have your heart set on the amenities do not stop. Ice machine broken, hot tub broken, washer old and rusty, not ruining my clothes. Only parking lots and businesses around the hotel, not one tree, planter or green space.”

Mar 7, 2007 by Bob from Sioux Falls, SD
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[8]

• Well-sized room, everything in serviceable and clean order.
• The towels were tiny and of very poor quality.

“A very nice location for this small tourism-heavy and out-of-the-way town. One exit from downtown with a small mall and several restaurants close by. Very reasonable price with decent-sized and clean rooms. Everything in the hotel was in working order and clean. No fancy extras, but the lack of frills probably help account for the very fair price for a clean and comfortable place to stay while traveling.”

Mar 6, 2007 by Chris from Auburn, WA
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[7] • Location:[7]

• Easy access from i-90.
• Overcharged, very moist everywhere in hotel.

“This hotel looked to be in need of some renovation work. It was fairly clean, but the indoor pool made the common areas and hallways very humid and pool-smelling. ”

Aug 1, 2006 by Chuck from Minnetonka, MN
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• The quality was consistent in all aspects ¿ Clean/service/amenities.
• They turned off the video games when the pool was shut down.

“Everything was great in the area's of Hospitality, service, cleanliness and location. The room size was slightly smaller than some of the other comparable rooms that I have stayed in but didn't pose a huge problem.”

Jun 10, 2006 by Larry from Crookston, MN
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[6] • Location:[8]

• Location and price.
• Laundry facilities.

“Hotel is older building but in decent state of repair. Nice pool and whirlpool. Average complimentary breakfast. Room was comfortable and satisfactory. Location was convenient. We reserved for one night but stayed an extra night. Would not recommend to fussy travelers, but to anybody else looking for reasonably priced lodging near Spearfish, this is worth checking out. Good wireless Internet access and about eighty channels of cable TV.”

Mar 19, 2006 by Sam from Atkinson, NE
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[8] • Location:[8]

• Paper, pool, spa.
• Breakfast very average, smell in room, light bulb out in room.

“Pool should be warmer in the winter. Halls need to be updated. Staff was fairly friendly. We were not asked how our stay was.”

Oct 17, 2005 by Mike from Summit
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Excellent Service, loved the free wireless internet.
• Weather, got snowed in in October.

“Great room, HBO TV, wireless internet, Great Hot Tub would recommend.”

Aug 13, 2005 by mark from madison WI
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• I was completely satisfied
• no yogurt for breakfastl

“very,very clean hotel,great location, for the $ facility is already the best”

Apr 8, 2005 by Angry customer q. from rock springs
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[1] • Location:[5]

• none
• Owners are incredible rude

“I would highly recommend that no one ever stay at this motel. It was filthy. The management was rude. I have never been treated so poorly in my life”

1 of 2 people found this review helpful.