We opted for the King Suite, but we did not get what we booked. We arrived to the Howard Johnson in Waterloo Iowa where we were directed to suite 114. We entered the suite and it reeked of cigarette smoke. We didn’t set our bags down because we knew that the suite wouldn’t be sufficient. We looked around the room and also found a cigarette underneath the king bed frame. My husband went back out to the front desk and explained the situation. The front desk clerk at the Howard Johnson verified that the room wasn’t acceptable and then checked for a replacement room. She also made a comment that their cleaning staff generally didn’t do a good job, but there was nothing they could do about it. The clerk said that they didn’t have any more suites available so she offered for us to downgrade. Howard Johnson said they couldn’t refund the price difference because we booked through a third party. We said we would think about it and went to dinner. We knew we didn’t want to downgrade, but we wanted to be sure of our options. While at dinner we started a conversation with Expedia’s customer service to see if canceling the Howard Johnson was an option. We explained the situation and Expedia seemed to understand and said to rebook at a new hotel and that they would give us a full refund. Expedia is now refusing to give us a refund.

Hotel needs updated for sure. That said, I've stayed at many hotels that were older but this one also needs a deep, deep cleaning. Overall not a good stay but also things like food left in the refiderator and bathroom not clean made it that I can't recommend this place to anyone else.

Hotel needs updated for sure. That said, I've stayed at many hotels that were older but this one also needs a deep, deep cleaning. Overall not a good stay but also things like food left in the refiderator and bathroom not clean made it that I can't recommend this place to anyone else.

Everything that was supposed to be clean was clean. Facilities definitely need upgrades. Beds were very uncomfortable and you can tell they are just worn out. Mine sunk in the middleand gave me a backache.

Everything that was supposed to be clean was clean. Facilities definitely need upgrades. Beds were very uncomfortable and you can tell they are just worn out. Mine sunk in the middleand gave me a backache.

Had big stains on comforter and stains on sheets!! Someone's left overs were still fridge from last tenant and had loud commotions in hallway at 3am!

Had big stains on comforter and stains on sheets!! Someone's left overs were still fridge from last tenant and had loud commotions in hallway at 3am!

Very good

Very good

We stayed six nights. We needed a handicapped room or at least ground floor as there was no elevator on site. Stairs and toilet were my major concern so I brought a mobility rail that goes around the toilet to help me stand up. The toilet was so low it didn’t help, and we ended up going to Walmart and $43 later took home a raised toilet seat. Thankfully, I had taken my own shower chair. They served a free breakfast from 5am-9am which consisted of biscuits, gravy, sausage, make your own waffle, yogurt, toast, English muffins. Orange juice, apple juice, coffee. There were no eggs or fresh fruits offered. I never saw an attendant in the breakfast area. People were wiping their own tables with paper towels before using. The menu never changed. When we checked in, we were told there was a $100 charge added to our credit card as a damage deposit and also reminded theirs was a no smoking facility. I’m not so sure that was true. Everywhere we went up and down the hallway, the stench of cigarette smoke was overwhelming. It was also apparent that most of the staff smoked as well. They also allowed pets, with an additional deposit. We had dogs in two rooms near us, and they were barking almost constantly. We didn’t say anything as we have dogs of our own, but most people wouldn’t be as gracious. The hallway carpeting was filthy and should have been replaced. The tile floor in our room felt very sticky. And our desk chair leg was broken. Probably wouldn’t stay here again unless we had to

We stayed six nights. We needed a handicapped room or at least ground floor as there was no elevator on site. Stairs and toilet were my major concern so I brought a mobility rail that goes around the toilet to help me stand up. The toilet was so low it didn’t help, and we ended up going to Walmart and $43 later took home a raised toilet seat. Thankfully, I had taken my own shower chair. They served a free breakfast from 5am-9am which consisted of biscuits, gravy, sausage, make your own waffle, yogurt, toast, English muffins. Orange juice, apple juice, coffee. There were no eggs or fresh fruits offered. I never saw an attendant in the breakfast area. People were wiping their own tables with paper towels before using. The menu never changed. When we checked in, we were told there was a $100 charge added to our credit card as a damage deposit and also reminded theirs was a no smoking facility. I’m not so sure that was true. Everywhere we went up and down the hallway, the stench of cigarette smoke was overwhelming. It was also apparent that most of the staff smoked as well. They also allowed pets, with an additional deposit. We had dogs in two rooms near us, and they were barking almost constantly. We didn’t say anything as we have dogs of our own, but most people wouldn’t be as gracious. The hallway carpeting was filthy and should have been replaced. The tile floor in our room felt very sticky. And our desk chair leg was broken. Probably wouldn’t stay here again unless we had to

This was a nice place to stay. It was clean, the staff was helpful with directions around the city, the breakfast was average. I would definitely stay there again.

This was a nice place to stay. It was clean, the staff was helpful with directions around the city, the breakfast was average. I would definitely stay there again.

Nice place, breakfast more than expected, clean and friendly

Nice place, breakfast more than expected, clean and friendly

There was no electricity in the entire building, and since the staff did not know when it would be coming on, we cancelled and found a different motel that had power.

There was no electricity in the entire building, and since the staff did not know when it would be coming on, we cancelled and found a different motel that had power.

Shower curtain and wall (and ceiling) were marred with dirt in a few areas. Vinyl flooring is a plus in room, but otherwise seems in need of some TLC and upgraded mattresses. The limited breakfast options offered few choices or options ran out fast. This could be a great option, but is a tired property. We stayed here two years ago and it this weekend's visit was a bummer.

Shower curtain and wall (and ceiling) were marred with dirt in a few areas. Vinyl flooring is a plus in room, but otherwise seems in need of some TLC and upgraded mattresses. The limited breakfast options offered few choices or options ran out fast. This could be a great option, but is a tired property. We stayed here two years ago and it this weekend's visit was a bummer.

This hotel was ok. The beds were comfortable and breakfast was really good. I went to tell the folks at the desk to have a look at the shower knob, there were only a couple of little kids in the office. I thought the price was a little high for the property but it was college graduation weekend.

This hotel was ok. The beds were comfortable and breakfast was really good. I went to tell the folks at the desk to have a look at the shower knob, there were only a couple of little kids in the office. I thought the price was a little high for the property but it was college graduation weekend.

Awesome stay, perfect for a quick place to sleep

Awesome stay, perfect for a quick place to sleep

There was a smell in our room that was as if it had been heavily smoked in and covered with an air freshener. There were many stains in the carpet. The toilet in our room did not flush well and ultimately we had to use the employee bathroom because the maintenance person was scheduled only a couple times per week. The pool was pleasant enough and the breakfast was fairly standard. The front desk was staffed with kind people.

There was a smell in our room that was as if it had been heavily smoked in and covered with an air freshener. There were many stains in the carpet. The toilet in our room did not flush well and ultimately we had to use the employee bathroom because the maintenance person was scheduled only a couple times per week. The pool was pleasant enough and the breakfast was fairly standard. The front desk was staffed with kind people.

Affordable Older hotel, clean, they have done a nice job taking care of this hotel. Staff is friendly. People should know they don't have an elevator. Didn't bother us but family checking in behind us had walker and was told nothing available on 1 St floor. They had a really hard time with stairs. Pool was not the cleanest. We bring our dog with us so location was nice lots of room to walk dog around.

Affordable Older hotel, clean, they have done a nice job taking care of this hotel. Staff is friendly. People should know they don't have an elevator. Didn't bother us but family checking in behind us had walker and was told nothing available on 1 St floor. They had a really hard time with stairs. Pool was not the cleanest. We bring our dog with us so location was nice lots of room to walk dog around.

The building is showing its age. Needs updating. Not worth the cost

The building is showing its age. Needs updating. Not worth the cost

Room doors slam and it’s very noisy. Vending machine doesn’t work. What little breakfast food they had was awful. I will definitely not stay there again.

Room doors slam and it’s very noisy. Vending machine doesn’t work. What little breakfast food they had was awful. I will definitely not stay there again.

The hotel was comfortable and one of the more reasonable places we can take our 2 dogs over Christmas! The room was perfect with small fridge, ground level and comfortable bed. Coffee in the morning was good and all employee interactions were pleasant.