I had a very decent experience here. The property is a very modest and straightforward simple design for its age. You couldn't really guess it's true age unless you noticed the retro/vintage sign out front by the street. The front desk building seems to have been the original "offspring" from the adjacent residential house property; kind of like an ADU but a bit more quirky. Unassigned parking wasn't too bad; I just trusted my gut on that and it wasn't full capacity the weekend I stayed. My room was comfortable and quaint. Bed was cozy. Quite peaceful time despite next to busy road & light rail; anything "noisy" was just white noise. The TV cable was good & crisp after a weird glitch and tech issue help from the staff. For hot shower ventilation there's no fan and the staff just said to leave bathroom door open; I suppose. Staff seemed cordial & friendly with below-average enthusiasm. Pretty good average value. I wouldn't jump on this spot again but not opposed either. read more

I have stayed at the Viking many times and will be staying here again. This last time, my husband and I stayed for two weeks. The room is big and quiet and has everything we need. The parking is super convenient. The location is great for the MAX and I5 as well as grocery stores and places to eat. And the staff are very friendly and helpful. We will, of course, stay here again. read more

THEY ARE CHEAT. Warning!!!!! This is run by a greedy husband and wife. Please don't book this place, or be very careful with the amount they charge you. We made a booking to stay for one night. They overcharged the card. After calling them to get it fixed, and lot of calling over multiple calls. They said they refunded the the difference.And shared the card information of some other guest. It was not our card on which they claim to refund money on. Owner was extremely rude and had audacity to tell that he will make it difficult for us. We have to figure out how to dispute charges, This hotel owner was not at all helpful and clearly has only their interest in mind, over the guest. They refused to accept the mistake done at their end. Fair warning please spend a little more money on a better hotel and save urself peace of mind. read more

Dirty and old, would not recommend. Also, not in the best neighborhood. It's more of a pay by the hour.

Recently a trans individual tried to check in at the motel. The person checking them in refused to let them check in due to a name change. They even told them that their card was declined, despite not having actually swiped it. This is abhorrent. No one should be treated this way. What utter disrespect and lack of human decency. I will never recommend anyone stay at this motel. read more

I've stayed here before and it was okay, but this stay is way worse. The guy in his 40's here is SO RUDE and absolutely misogynistic. He told me do my own housekeeping (to bring HIM my dirty towels and pick up new ones), which I called him on, and each time prior to that when I asked him to give me something, it was like I was asking him for a kidney, and he clearly doesn't like serving women. His wife (?) is the only one who does any work around here, and the rooms need fixing in a lot of areas. I had to always ask for a roll of TP, cups, because they have very spotty and largely nonexistent maid service - my sheets weren't changed once in over a week. The neighbors next door kept me up past 4 am with drunken yelling and then TV. An empty motel and they put the only two people right next to each other? And they call you all the time, and charge you a dollar for each call that goes to YOUR room from them. But they don't pick up when you call them, though. And the stank of cigarettes is indoors, it's inescapable and suffocating. Each time I went inside the room, the smell slapped me in the face. People clearly smoke indoors. Bring your own towels cause they rank. Overpriced for what you get; the only saving grace is the proximity to the light rail and a bus or two. They have parking too. read more

Back in 1957 when the Viking Motel first opened on Interstate, it must have been a very different scene. In those days, Interstate Avenue was more like a highway, but these days it's the street with the transit trains running down the middle. The Viking is now in a mostly residential area and even with the trains running most of the day and night, it's still a very quiet part of town. The Viking's current owner Hari bought the place back in 1978 and it has been with his loving hand that it has stayed in good condition all these years. Hari loves his motel and it shows. It's still a vintage motel, but it's had the necessary upgrades (like key cards for the doors) over the years to keep it competitive. My room was clean, the bed was very comfy and a decent sized flat screen provided me with all the basic channels and a few HBO as well. They also have a very spunky wifi network that comes with a password for you worried about security. In terms of location, it's probably not gonna be your first pick if you're visiting Portland, or Vancouver for that matter as it sits just about dead center from both those cities (about half hour drive to either one) in a neighbourhood that doesn't' have that much to offer a visitor (altho there is a wonderful New Seasons supermarket only a block away). I tried to stay at the Viking last year, but it was booked up, this is due to the fact they get a lot of local workers staying there for days at a time, and it's not a huge motel. Motels of this age can often have a little peeling paint or a dent here or there, but that doesn't make staying there any less enjoyable. There are a variety of room styles, but all have mini fridges and microwaves, plus all the necessary bathroom gear (blow dryer, etc). The best motels I've stayed in always have great owners who care about their businesses as well as their customers, the Viking is a perfect example of this, thanks to Hari. A great little motel, not too far from Portland (or Vancouver) and reasonably priced for what you get. Highly recommended, just make sure to book well ahead of when you'll be there, as there are plenty of folks wanting to board the Viking. read more

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5* Motel. Don't be afraid because you can't book online. Make the call- like old school :) Very clean and well kept room. Only $90 a night in Portland! Very cold A/c in July. We had Room 107. Front Desk Lady was wonderful!! read more

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I got tired of finding "deals" online only to find they were scary and dirty on yelp. Finally found this place, safe, really clean and just what we needed. The bed was extremely nice and made for a good nights rest. You can only call to reserve but it takes 3 min to do. When I called and told them I would get in late they were nice enough to place the key under the door mat! Definitely a great place to stay! read more

After posting my 10/22/2021 review here on Yelp, I got an email reply the very next day -- it answered the original reservation question I had sent to reservations@vikingmotelportland.com on Sep 22, 2021. It was a relief to hear from Viking Motel and to know they had found the problem. Another mystery solved. :D There are two remaining issues pending which I reported, and I've waited over a week before writing this update in hopes they would be addressed: 1) vikingmotelpdx@yahoo.com is still listed on NextDoor despite the fact it bounces immediately; 2) there's no alternative email listed on the website in case there are problems, and my question about this on Yelp has been ignored since Sep 22, 2021. For now I'll leave my rating at five stars (it wouldn't be fair to rate otherwise since I haven't stayed there yet). I'll also leave my posts here on Yelp so that other people are aware of my experience, with the recommendation to use Yelp if emails to reservations@vikingmotelportland.com stop working, and/or there are problems with the vikingmotelportland.com website. (And of course, don't bother writing to vikingmotelpdx@yahoo.com while it is still listed on NextDoor.) read more

It really reeks of cigarettes in here, inside each room. Even the towels reek of cigarettes. It's dumpy with very spotty internet and scammy owners, and don't use the towels / they are saturated with cigarettes and it's gross. It's because the owners tell you to throw your dirty towels outside, which is littered with old cigarettes. It's a rough, nasty place and way overpriced, for a place with lots of sketchy people coming in and out. I told the owners about the cigarette smells everywhere, causing migraines, and they pretended not to smell it. When I told them about the nasty towels reeking of cigarettes, they just looked at me and said "okay." Thanks for nothing, slumlords *eyeroll* read more

Loved this well maintained 60s or 70s motel. If your looking for new and hi tech you might be disappointed. We loved it....spent 3 nights. Very clean and you can tell management actually cares. Nothing fancy but everything we needed. read more

Boyfriend and I planned a somewhat last minute road trip to Portland. About 3 weeks before we got there and after days of research, this motel not only popped up several times in my search but had the lowest online price. At $65 a night there was no way we could pass it up. The rooms are clean and have new AC units installed. Bed smelled clean and pillows were the best motel pillows I've ever slept on. The room included a microwave and mini fridge as well. Good location, easy to find and there's a gas station across the street. I don't have a single complaint :) read more

Viking Motel - Queen size bed - Hotels Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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On the way through town my husband and I decided to make a pit stop. Right away we were drawn to the name. Pretty cheap, but very hard to get to during rush hour (duh). It was a cute little place but not quite what we expected. Sadly the shower did not drain well, we had an inch or so puddle of water as we showered. The soap broke into a hundred pieces as I tried to wash, so I used other hotel soap I brought along the journey. It was a place to stay, nothing special. Can definitely tell that they try. Though it is a little upsetting to come into a room with no heat turned on - when it's 36 outside and the inside feels colder, it's not very welcoming. :( They did have a little cup of coffee grounds available for people to use compared to the average small bag of coffee most hotel/motels use. read more

Viking Motel - Hotels Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I've stayed at Viking Motel for years, for extended periods, and am currently a guest. I'm very puzzled by the comments about linens smelling like cigarettes. Mine are reliably clean and fresh. I wonder if those reviews were confused with another motel. The management here is courteous and professional. The maid service is wonderful. The exterior is kept in good shape, too. And, yes, it's a very convenient location. There's a Kroger/Fred Meyer grocery with a pharmacy about four blocks to the north at the corner of Lombard, and a high-end grocery, New Seasons, a block to the south at Rosa Parks. There's also the Nite Hawk Cafe and Lounge at the Rosa Parks intersection, plus Arbor Lodge Coffee, which also serves tea and baked goods. Other excellent dining choices are within walking distance. And, of course, transit is at Rosa Parks with the Moda Center and transit hub just a few stops away. There are also a couple of lovely parks, each about four blocks away: Peninsula Park with a large formal rose garden, and Arbor Lodge Park. Use common sense, of course, but it's safe to walk into the surrounding residential neighborhoods, which are charming and quiet. Viking Motel has to be one of the best deals in Portland! read more

There is no way a $65/night hotel right across from a MAX stop and just down the street from New Seasons isn't getting five stars. Wow, what a discovery! The exterior hearkens back, in a nice way, to the days of low-slung, modest two-story roadside motels, complete with old-school sign. And the rooms are comfortable and clean; while the furnishings are dated compared to the large-scale renovations you find in even today's budget chains, who cares? The mattress felt high-quality, the A/C worked perfectly well, and the shower had great water pressure; I'd rather have those attributes than a designer bedspread or mod furniture. Plus, there's a mini-fridge in the room so you can stock up for breakfasts or quick lunches with some groceries from New Seasons (so convenient!). The Arbor Lodge coffee shop is also right around the corner for your morning fix, and if you're up late, the Nitehawk is just across the street. Super-friendly folks run the place, it's convenient to I-5 and the rest of the city....If I weren't moving to Portland, this is the place I'd be staying for every visit in the future. read more

I needed to find a last-second, affordable hotel close to the Convention Center and Yelp led me to the delightful little Viking Motel. All kinds of good things to say: -it costs roughly half of what the big chain hotels cost -it is located right along the Tri Met Yellow line for easy access to everywhere, yet it's also quiet despite the proximity to the tracks and an arterial -it's in a neat neighborhood, rather than a business district, which means it's close to a good market, local coffee shop, and pretty easy access to other locally owned small businesses and restaurants and such, without all the hustle and bustle of the busier parts of town -my room was more like an apartment; they have a few such units across the street from the main motel. It's huge--living room, full kitchen and dining room, bedroom and bath. It's a little "lived in," but so what? It's no more lived in than my house. -everyone here is nice. I'll definitely be back! Take a Liking to the Viking!!! read more

I'll try to be as objective and straight forward as possible. Let's say each star represents the following: 1. Location (STAR) 2. Cleanliness (NO STAR!) 3. Amenities (NO STAR!) 4. Price (STAR) 5. Noise/Privacy (NO STAR!) I would give this place 2 out of 5. 1. Location: (STAR) definitely in a great location in the sense that it felt central and close to wherever we wanted to go. It is close by the 5/405 freeway which allowed us to easily access the neighborhoods/area we wanted to explore (e.g. The pearl, Alberta st, burnside, Mississippi ave, downtown) 2. Cleanliness: (NO STAR) to be fair, the bathroom is clean, and house cleaning came in everyday to make the bed, tidy the room, reorganize the towels/bathroom items... But WE HAD BED BUGS!! I told the guy at the front desk ... He definitely didn't seem phased as he gave me another blanket, but the new cover didn't seem like it was any better. So we slept without the covers to limit the bites. Our chests, arms, ankles and legs, however, have small red bites. 3. Amenities: (NO STAR) this is a NO FRILL motel. I know the reviews make sure to state that, but it really is like a motel that you see in TV shows or movies. The Pros: The pillows were comfortable, the mini fridge was in good condition, there's a/c, and there's HBO. They give you plastic cups, ground coffee, shampoo, and bar soaps. The bed mattress was comfortable as well (minus the bed bugs). The Cons: the a/c had a funky smell to it, the shower water temperature fluctuated, and the furniture/blankets are dated. The room is on the smaller side as well, fitting a king sized bed, two side tables, a desk/vanity, and a one seater couch squeezed between the desk and side table. There was limited space-- we were unable to pull out the chair from under the desk because the one-seater couch blocks it. However, again, for the cost... We can't complain about what was provided. 4. Price: (STAR) My fiancé found this on yelp and booked it based on the reviews, ratings, and cost. The cost was definitely one of the better/cheaper ones in town. 5. Noise/Privacy: (NO STAR) the walls are really thin and you can hear the floors creak when people walk upstairs. If the windows are open, the subway (?) / public transportation is very loud right outside. (But with that being said, had we not rented a car, I'm sure this location would've been great for public transportation was easily accessible.) As for privacy, we were taking a nap when an employee/house cleaning person just walked into our room using the master key!!! She said she thought she left her phone in our room and apologized, but we were shocked nevertheless. read more

I'm so happy we found this place! It's so much better and more affordable than any Motel 6. It's a little bit on the older side but you can tell it's very clean and well-maintained. It's quiet, not a lot of foot traffic but just enough to where you feel comfortable enough to walk outside. There's a MAX Station in front of the motel and a nice market just a block down the street. One thing I noticed, being a smoker, is that there weren't a lot of ashtrays or any cigarette butts outside, which I take as a really good sign. There's a little gazebo in the corner where you can smoke and whenever I was there, I was the only one, which was nice. I'm a pretty paranoid person and I never thought I was going to get murdered here. Basically, everything about our stay was great! Hari greeted us at the front desk and he was so kind and pleasant to talk to. He really wants to make sure you enjoy your stay. He gave us one of the family-sized rooms and it was plenty of space, especially for the two of us. You can't really beat the price (~$55), cleanliness and service! Oh, and it took us less than ten minutes to get to PDX, without having to get on the freeways. When we come back to Portland there's not a question about where we're staying! read more

Viking Motel - Hotels Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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If you are looking for inexpensive, clean and friendly this is the place. The motel owners are a very nice couple who want their guests to be happy. The rooms are sparse and clean. The bed was comfortable. All we needed was a nice, clean place to sleep and we got it for $60. You can't beat that. There is a nice grocery store a block away. A great coffee shop down the street and the train with a straight shot downtown (yellow line) right outside the door. We'll be back. read more

Stayed in October 2014 with my sister from SDCal and my Boston Terrier Stella. Excellent service from Bryan and David. Will stay again as long as they are around to take care of us ! Thank you, Lin W. from Chicago read more

Viking Motel - Heading to The Viking to see Bryan and David ! - Hotels Near Me - Portland, Oregon

$75,00 for a double, FULL kitchen, clean and spacious. Friendly staff too. THAT is why it gets 4 stars. My room has two beds, a comfy chair, a tV, a small dining room table, a FULL fridge and a FULL kitchen with dishes. Great for a weeklong stay in Portland or just passing through like me and my dad. I really wanted to stay at the more expensive but incredibly cool looking Kennedy School (McMenamins) but they were full. :( I am sure this place isn't as cool as that, but when you want a bargain for a very adequate hotel-- stay here. read more

I saw all the glowing reviews for this place, and I have to admit I was skeptical. This place is the real deal, though. Everyone who works there is really nice (not as common as you might expect in Portland!), the rooms are clean, and the other clientele were other budget travelers and construction workers traveling to a job site. My room had nice and cold A/C and the bed was comfortable enough to sleep well on for 5 days without my back suffering any adverse effects, and my wallet didn't suffer too much either. It's also right across the street from the MAX station which comes every 15 minutes and can get you downtown in 20 minutes. The neighborhood is nothing fancy but there are places to get food and coffee, a bike shop, a vintage clothing place, etc. Oh, and the wifi is free and works pretty good! If you really care about wi-fi you might want to request a room closer to the main office since the signal seemed strongest near there. read more

So many motels tend to be dingy or downright disgusting, which is any Viking Motel was such a pleasant surprise. It's not fancy, but it's clean! Even though we checked in super late, the manager who helped us was very pleasant. We had been quoted the wrong price (much lower) over the phone for a room with a kitchen, and the manager was willing to go with that. We ended up with a standard room, but the integrity of this gesture did not go unnoticed. Loved the $1 off coupons for Arbor Lounge, a pretty cool cafe a block away. They have great lattes. Maybe it was just the room we were staying in, but it was HOT! Like, turn on the AC hot. Guess it's better than freezing. And the bathroom had a mysteriously warm floor! Magic! This motel is only a block or so away from a light rail stop and there's a great grocery store across the street from that. read more

This isn't a luxury hotel but it was clean and provided fridge and microwave. Staff was friendly and it was pretty close to alot of the points of interests and right where their transit system is. Neighborhood looks seedy but it was quite safe- lots of walkers and bike riders. Nice supermarket across the street which resembles whole food style shopping. Minor points was room was small and not enough electrical plugs if you are an electric gadget person with 2 or more people. All n all I would stay there again since the price was right @ $56 a night. Have a nice dinner with the savings! read more

We were treated very nice and the staff (it's family owned) are friendly and were accommodating in finding us a different room when our first room smelled strongly of paint. The neighborhood is great and the Viking Motel is in a nice location to explore Portland either by bike, car, or public transit. We were willing to stay longer and I hoped they would work with me to negotiate a cheaper weekly rate after staying for 3 days already, but it didn't seem possible. Also, the hotel could use some updating. While I felt it gets good points for cleanliness, little things like the bathroom door not closing completely, or the shower head spraying onto the mirror, or the ripped bedspreads, or the faint smell of cigarettes in the carpet leave some room for improvement. read more

I love staying here! What a bunch of quirky guys running this place! You will always be laughing! It's clean, close to transit and the New Seasons Market. Great area, friendly and really inexpensive. I have stayed here 3-4 times and I always have a great time. Highly recommend it. Warning: WiFi is awful. You will likely go nuts if you need to get work done. The coffee shop around the corner is a better bet. read more

Honored the online price, registration a breeze. Appears to be under new ownership (stayed there once before). Not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing. Had an upstairs room. Stayed two nights. Door to bathroom didn't shut all that way. Told the manager at checkout and she wrote it down right away. Clean, spacious, bed a bit too firm for me. Talked to another couple who said they stayed up the street before and the beds there were like cement blocks, but they were sleeping well on the ones here. This isn't the Hilton, it's a motel. It's clean, comfortable, and an unbeatable value. Suited these weary travellers quite well. read more

This was a nice little motel, the location is wonderful it is right off the max yellow line and has many places to eat nearby. The guy/owner that checked me in was extremely friendly and nice, willing to help in any way he could and made our visit very wonderful and made us feel extremely welcome. The room isn't terribly big but has a clean room and clean bathroom along with a television, microwave, and mini fridge, another thing I liked was the coffee that was with the coffee maker wasn't that prepackaged crap but actual coffee sealed in one of those glass re sealable containers. All and all whenever I am nearby I will be staying at this place. read more

For $65 / night for a clean and ample sized room, with 2 beds? Unheard of. The staff is beyond friendly and real accommodating too. The best part is the spot is right beside the train and not too far from downtown. read more

I came to Portland with my family from California for two nights here, and I honestly have to say that I've never experience such great service at a motel. Dave the manager is very friendly, and after a brief conversation I mentioned that this is our first time in Portland. Dave immediately gave us information on the dining and nightlife hotspots in the city, including where all the great food carts are (with which this city seems to have an obsession) and all around was very helpful in making our vacation in this city all the more pleasant. The accommodations were great. Clean rooms with a fridge for leftovers and comfortable beds. The fact that the yellow line is right next to the motel is also great. We didn't even have to rent a car! Tl;dr great service, clean place, perfect location read more

My husband and I stayed for a weekend about a month ago and we were very happy with both the service and the room. I made our reservation over the phone a few days in advance and spoke with the owner; he was very sweet, patiently answered my few questions, and gave me the discounted room rate listed on their website right away without any hassle or haggling. The room was nicer than I expected for that price point--no frills, but that's no surprise. It was newly painted, very clean, and had all the necessities (fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, TV). The bed was decent (and new!) and their towels were much better (softer, fluffier) than those I've encountered at some expensive hotels. The only complaint I had was that although they provide free WiFi, we couldn't pick up the signal, but luckily we didn't have a real need for it while we were there. The managers were charming and friendly and obviously took pride in making sure our stay was pleasant. We really enjoyed chatting with them and they gave us some good pointers for places to eat. Hands down the BEST service I've ever had at a motel. We know where we'll be staying the next time we make it down to Portland. read more

This place is all about value! And for me, location. It's close to a grocery store, coffee shop (which the Viking front desk has coupons for), and the MAX train. Also, a huge bonus for me is that it's just a 13 minute walk (yes, I timed it) from my relative's house. All in all, super convenient! The hotel and rooms are simple and look rather old, but it is all quite clean. The rooms can get stuffy in warmer weather, so be prepared to open your windows. Also, for the colder weather, the heating system in the room can be a bit tricky... I do not recommend keeping it on over night! You will wake up miserably hot and sweaty! The free wifi is iffy... it is mostly super duper slow. This is not a complaint, I love free amenities, I'm just warning you. The staff is friendly and accommodating. I recommend this place if you want a no-frills, affordable place to stay in Portland. read more

I wonder if I had Allison G. of Seattle's room right after she did. In my case, that was Labor Day weekend, so prices went up to $90 ($80+tax) per night, but that is still pretty good for the two queen beds and full kitchen with oven/stove and dishes. As others have said, great location -- right between the Lombard St. and Rosa Parks exits to I-5, right between the Fred Meyer and New Seasons grocery stores. When I called to get information about the kitchen, the guy on the phone put in my head, "There's a frying pan, you can make eggs," so I indeed got a bunch of eggs and bacon at the Fred Meyer and enjoyed making elaborate breakfasts in the motel room all weekend. The first time I tried to call to book a room was about 10 p.m. Pacific time, and I was told to call back the next morning because they were already sleeping, so not having a staff person available at all hours may be part of how they keep their costs low. I never had any reason to bother them overnight while I was there, though -- everything went smoothly. read more

Absolutely fantastic! I will never look for another place to stay in Portland, this Motel was safe, the family that runs is was incredibly friendly. Rooms were simple, comfortable, and clean. By far the best motel you can get for the price. read more

My mum and I stayed here about a month ago while in town visiting family. I went off the reviews here on Yelp - and I wasn't disappointed. The place was exceptionally clean!!! As with any place, we will look at the mattress for signs of bed bugs. We were excited to find out that the beds were not only brand new, but completely covered with a bed cover to keep it in that condition. No bugs here!!!! The owner was very nice and very helpful. We met his wife, and she too was very helpful and caring. They were a very nice couple, and strived to help us find a good place to have dinner and made recommendations for breakfast the next morning. Which I might add turned out to be the perfect place for breakfast! (Gravy in Portland - read my other review). Thank you Hari for a very pleasant stay! We'll be back for sure!!! read more

I was really happy with my stay here. Friendly managing and affordable, I would come back. Right next to the max, a fun tiki bar that has karaoke every night (the alibi), and 2 or so great coffee shops within walking distance. Also, right near overlook park which has some neat views if you explore some. read more

5 stars for me, came here from Northridge California and wasn't sure where to stay for 5 days here, checked out other reviews for the Viking and decided to stay here, very pleasantly surprised, nothing fancy if that's what you're looking for, but this is perfect place for a nice clean room, private parking lot, the whole place is well kept, I have already recommended to the friends we came to visit so when they have more relatives and friends visiting they will come here, very affordable, my 1st 5 star in a while, and I slept like a baby here read more

It's been a few years since I checked in here & I never remembered to finish my review.. basically when I came to town my ex boyfriend would pay for a room here so he could see me & his new girlfriend wouldn't find out... I didn't have anyone special in my life at the time & who would pass up a free motel room? The rooms were pretty clean & the bathrooms weren't the best but there was cable TV for me to watch when he'd leave to go home to his poor dumb girlfriend & there was this funny smoking pavilion where there was always some shoe less old man chain smoking in the rain... I can't say my times here were very memorable but the guys who run it were sweet & it's right on the yellow line so it's easy to get to... read more

Stayed here for the weekend to visit family. I was very happy with the location and the cleanliness of the room. The gentleman at the front desk walked us to our room and made sure everything was ok with us before he went back to the office. I will definitely use this place again when we return. read more

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