Americas Best Value Inn Marion, IL — Hotel in Marion

Beware! This ABVI location nearly scammed me out of $50!

I stayed at this accommodation in Sep. 2015 only because I had a radiator hose break on a cross-country road trip. Like every other lodging check-in, I gave my credit card for "incidentals" thinking nothing of it (BIG MISTAKE!). Upon entering the room, I noticed a foul and musty smell that was a mixture of body odor, mildew, and cigarette smoke. The bathroom area was functional and clean, but heavily worn. The carpet had numerous stains and gave off a musty smell. The AC smelled of cigarette smoke every time it turned on. The bed had clean sheets and the mattress was acceptable for a budget accommodation. The breakfest was a standard continental, which is ok for a budget accommodation. The hotel staff was friendly when interacting in-person.

The fraudulent "smoking" scam: While checking my credit card statement a couple of weeks later, I noticed that they had mysteriously charged me $50 the day after I checked out of the hotel. I called to inquire about the $50 charge and they told me that I had smoked in the room and that I had been charged for it! I told the ABVI clerk that I an a non-smoker and that the room smelled smoky upon entry. She said that I was assigned a non-smoking room, so it didn't smell of smoke until after I left the room. After I checked out, they claimed that the housekeeper smelled smoke in the room, which was subsequently confirmed by the manager (this scam must be run from the top-down!). Furthermore, the clerk told me that I should consider myself lucky because they normally charge $250, but since it was only slightly smoky after my stay I was accessed a reduced charge of $50.

After working with my credit card company for nearly 3 months, I was finally able to recover the $50 in a lengthy charge-back dispute. My guess is that most individuals they choose to scam miss the fraudulent charge or do not have the endurance to contest it, so this ABVI continues to profit by preying on customers.

**BEWARE OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT AND THEIR DISHONEST BUSINESS PRACTICES! DON'T BE THEIR...

The room was okay for the price. The pool WAS NOT AT ALL heated! When I wanted to order pizza for dinner I walked to the front desk the girl was more concerned with her conversation and dog, than trying to help me. I came back to the room and googled the restaurant myself. The next morning I addressed the previous night worker not doing her job, trying to help, refusing to give me a paper plate, the lady told me that the pitbull was a service animal, because the worker was blind. If it was a service animal, then why did she grab her dog when she seen my two year old with me in the lobby! I thought service animals were trained to stay seated. The wifi worked when it wanted. The pool was dirty as well as cold. The breakfast was not good at all. I've been here many times before and my stays was fine. I'm guessing they have new owners. I just want you to know that you better bring your own phone book and be ready to clean the room yourself. If you go to the front desk, the "service animal" will help you more than the worker! The next morning the entered my room without knowing, I told them I wanted the room completely done and they said no problem only exchanged towels and rags. My bad I was told the room would not be recleaned because I checked in the day before. The room attendant also said I don't have to listen to you or your orders, because Im a worker. I'm disabled and have never been so disrespected in my life. YOU will hear more from me. I'm reporting this motel to anyone who will listen! I'll also be checking back to make sure my rating is still here. Please do not respond with how you tried to resolve my issues. You were more than unprofessional, rude and to end this the housekeeper informed me, as she walked away,that there was another...

Staying here 8/30/17 and I have to say this place is disgusting. I thought the reviews were exaggerated because the photos online weren't bad, but I'll assume they're stock photos from America's Best Value Inn corporate. I've included photos of our "non" smoking room. It needs severe up-keeping and I question if it truly passes safety inspection. Our room was supposed to be a non smoking, pet friendly room and it wreaks of smoke, it can't possibly be a non smoking room. My allergies have been acting up since we got here. The wifi is a joke, we're at the very back of the hotel and the wifi does not reach, and the phone does not work. I saw where the owner said they'd just updated the wifi and they must have been working off DSL or the old AOL dial up because their wifi is non existent where we are.

I have re-read through the reviews and I will assume the owner will make some half assed excuse for his/her facility, but there is no excuse for allowing anyone to stay at this hotel, much less charge $70 per night plus $10 extra per pet to sleep at this flea bag hotel. We were limited on choices because we wanted a place that allowed pets and had a pool so $90 seemed reasonable for that, but it would have been kinder to the family as a whole to sleep in our car.

I would strongly discourage anyone from staying at this slumlord hotel. The owner can't lie about what's clearly in the photos I posted. The door locks are pretty pathetic, the area isn't overly safe and the locks are flimsy and seem to have...