Old Bardstown Inn — Hotel in Bardstown

My traveling companion and I stayed at Old Bardstown Inn for two nights while attending a weekend concert at The Amp at Dant Crossing in nearby New Haven, Kentucky. And our experience was...somewhat uneven.

The staff was very friendly at check-in. We didn't make it until nearly 1 am our first night, but we were kindly accommodated. The room was very clean and comfortable, with a large TV, firm but still-comfy beds, and and a remote-controlled AC unit. So far, so good. However, although the sign out front advertised "FREE WI-FI," the password the front desk provided us never actually allowed us to connect to it. Good thing we both have good data plans on our phones.

However, although our stay was just fine, our last day at the Inn was VERY off-putting. Since my companion and I had a 7 hour drive ahead of us on the Sunday we were to leave, we had packed the night before so we could sleep in until about 30 minutes before the 11 am check-out time. But the staff evidently had other ideas.

For starters, she and I were blasted out of sleep by someone operating what sounded like a VERY loud leaf blower outside the room at 9:30 am. On a Sunday morning, no less! And whoever it was made several passes back and forth for about 20 minutes JUST outside the doors. It was the absolute definition of a rude awakening, and felt oddly intentional. Nonetheless, we were able to drop back off, and get a bit more sleep once the noise stopped.

But we were awakened again exactly an hour later by an automated wake-up call we had absolutely NOT requested. We'd planned to be up by then anyway, but it still struck us as very crass and invasive. Then, just as we were leaving, the phone rang. It was the front desk brusquely asking us if we planned to stay another night. It was EXACTLY 11 am on the dot. Seriously?!? We told the person calling no, and informed him that we were leaving at that moment. So we gathered our bags, and walked out.

Upon exiting the room, there was an irritated-looking man standing there we didn't recognize, arms crossed. So we started walking toward the office to drop off the room key. He flagged us down, and stretched out his hand, flapping his fingers at us impatiently. So, we gave him the key. He IMMEDIATELY turned around, opened the room we'd just left, and began storming through it stripping sheets and emptying the bins. By the time we got our bags in the trunk, he was already stomping out with our trash and linens.

Look, I work in hospitality marketing, so I understand check-out times. But I also understand that a grace period of a few extra minutes for guests to gather their things and be on their way is an industry standard practice. So the staff's "Thanks for staying with us, now GET THE HELL OUT RIGHT NOW" attitude right on the absolute nose of 11 (with extremely unpleasant and intrusive noise and phone calls leading up to then) just came off as ill-mannered and extremely nasty. Even though our stay to that point had been pleasant and comfortable, the snippy shooing behavior as we were leaving just left a REALLY bad taste in our mouths. And because of that, I can't really recommend staying here.

Advice to the staff: hospitality is all about the guest experience. And it doesn't end the precise SECOND the paid-for part of the stay is over — much less in the hours leading up to that moment. You have a nice hotel in a good location. So you may want to consider being just a LITTLE less rude as guests are leaving if you'd like them to ever...

Updated Review: We find ourselves drawn back to Bardstown, and as always, our stay at the Old Bardstown Inn was a pleasant one. Having stayed here before, we knew what to expect – clean, comfortable rooms and friendly service. Last time, we noted the absence of a blanket between the coverlet and sheet, a minor inconvenience. This time, we came prepared with our own, but were pleasantly surprised to find extra blankets already provided in the room! Whether this was a direct response to feedback or simply something we overlooked previously, it was a welcome addition. The cleanliness of the rooms remains exceptional. They are meticulously maintained and very well-stocked with essentials. The staff continues to be a highlight, consistently demonstrating kindness and helpfulness. The swimming pool is a wonderful amenity, particularly during warmer months. While the weather didn't cooperate for a swim this time, we fondly remember the pool from past visits – always clean and never overcrowded. It's important to remember that the Old Bardstown Inn is a budget hotel. We don't anticipate luxurious amenities or high-end services. However, for the price, the value is outstanding. The cleanliness and overall quality far exceed what one might expect from a budget accommodation. We appreciate the consistency and reliability of the Old Bardstown Inn. We look forward to our next visit, hopefully when we can enjoy the pool again. Thank you for another...

Hands down the dirtiest place we have ever stayed in. Upon check-in, our bathroom had enough pubic hair on the floor to knit a sweater, and there was rotten food left in the fridge from the people before us. We were harassed daily about having clean towels and toilet paper. So if you stay here, bring your own towels and TP or you will be made to feel like a complete a$$hole for wanting the most basic of amenities. Plus side is that there is a laundry mat directly across the street so you can wash your own towels. The pool doesn’t open until noon, and closes at 9pm, so no this place is not family friendly. There are no screens on the room windows and the AC barely works - your room will be damp from the humidity your entire stay. There is no breakfast like their website claims. Also, not the biggest deal, but this motel is also a flophouse. Room 125 was filled with suspicious activities our entire stay - multiple men in and out of the room all day/night long (let your imagination run with that). Just keep that in mind if you’re staying here with children. The only positive I have from this place is that the older woman is friendly, but the male workers are awful towards...