Super 8 by Wyndham State College — Hotel in State College

I drove from CO to ME with my 2 dogs. I always try to find a Super 8 because they are consistent. I can count on a pet-friendly hotel, pleasant people, and clean, comfortable rooms.

This stop was no exception EXCEPT one reception worker was exceptionally phenomenal. Her name was Ann.

First, the hotel. They had a pool that a family was enjoying. Having my dogs, I didn't get to take advantage of it, but they were having a blast and it made me happy to see. I know there was breakfast, but I missed it, but walking past the area, it seemed extensive. There was SO MUCH grass to walk the dogs on. We could really meander without having to cross a street and without going over the same rectangle a million times. It was a great place for us to stretch our legs. And I always felt safe.

Second, the location. Awesome. There was an IHOP (I think) in the same parking lot, a gas station across the street, an AMAZING supermarket with a killer salad bar plus hot options across the other street, and a lot of other local conveniences.

Third, the room. The room was clean and comfortable and on any other trip would have been great. However, when I arrived I asked if they had an accessible room. I clarified I am not disabled in any way, I don't mean accessible in that way. But I was wrangling two dogs and a very bulky, precariously loaded luggage cart and would like to have it be as smooth sailing as possible. The night agent (not Ann) switched me to a room near-ish the front door but impossible for me to maneuver the luggage cart into due to the narrow entry way. She was willing to move me to a different room, but it would have been on the third floor and nowhere near the entry. She was super pleasant and willing to move me to whatever room I chose given the available options. She might have rekeyed my card four times as we talked through different options. This was not an issue with her AT ALL. It is the layout of the hotel. In fact, she ended up helping me with the luggage rack since it was impossible to manage on my own. So no complaints about her. Just the room layout was very awkward, and trying to come through the front door was difficult as well (with a luggage rack, by myself -- on a "normal" trip it would have been fine).

More on the room: Good climate control, fridge. Comfortable bed, decent lighting. There was a coffee station right down the hall that was very well-stocked which was really nice.

More on Ann: So, I was a mess at this point. I had had a very rough drive, averaging 500 miles a day through crappy roads and crappy weather. I was wrangling my dogs as well as bins of plants (I was moving, so had to keep them with me). I was meant to stay here one night. But when I woke up the next morning and thought about driving the next 500 miles ... I just couldn't. I stayed an extra day. I don't remember all the things I needed Ann to help me with, but it was a lot. I know when I checked out I had left something in my room and since I had pestered her so many times previously, I hated asking for this additional help, but she was very kind and helpful and made me feel like I wasn't an inconvenience at all (even though I definitely was). I really wish I could remember all the things I needed her help with so I could give her the proper recognition, but I just don't. But everything I messed up, she helped me set right. I pretty consistently have great experiences with Super 8 staff, but Ann was really a stand-out. I really want to reiterate: I had multiple self-inflicted issues. Ann was a godsend. She didn't just help me (she did), she was so kind and gracious about it that it really helped me not feel horrible about being a pain. If I ran a hospitality business, I would want Ann to lead my team. Any company would be lucky to have her be the front-facing person.

Ann, I hope you see this review. You were truly a warm glow in a very stressful time and you helped me gather myself together to make my final stretch. Your kindness won't be forgotten, even if I don't remember...

Before I give the negatives about this place Shout out to Mia. You were nice and accommodating. As for the property manager. I’d like to see you fired or quit. I have had multiple issues with this location since I checked out on June 4th. I have been told that there was a $20 holding fee that is not listed on my receipt in any way at all. My wife who applied for a job as a house keeper at this location was declined a job because of a negative review I made upon checking out that I am not seeing at all on this page. I have looked through this page of reviews and seen multiple people have stated they were overcharged. I will repeat the same statement as them. Check your bill for any unexpected fees and check your bank statements from the charge at the property and compare it with your receipt to check for unlisted fees you may not be aware of. I have been in contact with Wyndham customer care and the property multiple times trying to resolve this issue and it is not being resolved. The property has stated that they released this $20 “holding fee” and that it will take 5 to 10 days to show up in my account depending on my bank. I payed from my cashapp. I actually just got a refund a few minutes ago from another company that charged a subscription I thought I cancelled and I had called them with in the past 20 minutes. The way cash app works is if the money has been released by a place cashapp automatically deposits it. So where is the money you are claiming was holding fee even though the clerk the night I was checking in said it was a pet fee for my SERVICE ANIMAL. Which by the way is illegal to charge. Not to mention I was told upon checking in that if my SERVICE ANIMAL barked at all in the room that he would be removed from the property by the authorities. I am at the end with this struggle with Super 8 by Wyndham in State College, PA. I will be requesting a full refund from this location on Monday if I do not see this money I am owed back in my account. I will update when...

The Super 8 is a budget-friendly hotel for those looking for a night or two stay without spending a lot of time at the hotel.

ROOM: 4/5 The room was cozy and the bed was comfortable. I stayed for two nights and this was some of the best sleep I have had in a while according to my fitness tracker. A desk, TV stand and a couple chairs were located in the room. A small close rack was hung on the wall. There was no Gideon Bible located in the room.

The air cooled the room down to a comfortable feel after being 90+ degrees outside. It did not get too cold.

BATHROOM: 3/5 There was some hair and dirt left in the bathtub upon my arrival. There was also someone else's washcloth hanging on the shower. The stopper on the bathtub was broken and had to be pried open. The sink area was right outside the bathroom and was very clean.

The shower had really good water pressure and plenty of hot water.

BREAKFAST: 4/5 Super 8 offered a simple breakfast with cereal, waffles, pre-packaged muffins, toast, coffee and juice. This is what I expected for the price and I was satisfied with it. The dining area has seating for 32 people. The area contains a television while enjoying breakfast.

FITNESS ROOM: 4/5 The fitness center contained five pieces of exercise equipment, one of which contained a sign stating it was broken. The room had to be at least 80 degrees.

PARKING: 5/5 The parking lot looks small from the front but be sure to wind your way back around the building for ample parking spaces. The parking lot is clean with green spaces including a trees.

This is a pet-friendly hotel and heard dogs back just a couple of times.

The Super 8 offered a nice stay on a budget. A credit card is required in the event of any room damage. It was initially charged $10. I was satisfied...