Baker's Motel — Hotel in Zanesville

My review is about the poor service we received when trying to book a room. Traveling through Ohio we decided to stop for the night and after viewing nearby motels on our Garmin and checking them through TripAdvisor, we decided to try this one. Rates for this property on TripAdvisor were $63, within our budget. When we went in to inquire, the rate was $18 higher. My friend pointed out the rate advertised on TripAdvisor and was flat out told that was if booked through online through an agency like Expedia. This was Wednesday May 25th 2022 around 8pm and the motel was practically empty. We like to patronize the Mom and Pop individually owned places when we can as opposed to the big hotel chains, but it appears this place would rather pass up business and let their rooms remain empty rather than honer an advertised rate on TripAdvisor. Had we just offered a low rate like $50 I could see a no answer, but we were just asking for the rate we saw on TripAdvisor's web site for this property. For an extra $18 this motel passed up business to let their room stay empty and we went to a different motel. I just can't see a business turning away someone and letting a room go empty. Had we gone on line right then and there and booked through Expedia or one of the other booking sites and then showed a confirmation, they would have had to honer the $63 price and, I'm sure, paid a fee to the booking company. If you look at the two photos I posted, this was 8pm and you can see there are only two cars at this motel. I just don't understand a place like this willing to turn away someone's business and let a room stay empty for the night rather than accept the booking site price for a walk in customer. With only two cars you'd think they would be crying out for all the business...

I stayed this weekend at Baker's Motel in a room with a single bed. It was clean, small, simple, and cozy with a very reasonable rate. It had a queen size bed, a nightstand, two chairs and a table, a TV (with cable), and a small chest of drawers. There were plenty of lights so it was bright and cheerful even at night.

The bed was very comfortable (and had no bedbugs! I checked like I do at every motel!) and the room was very quiet--I slept like a baby. The shower was nice and hot with good water pressure (it was a stall shower). I loved the retro pink tile in the bathroom :-)

If you like small motels with quaint charm, you will love this place! Gary Golden (owner) was very pleasant and accommodating. Gary is the one that was working the front desk when I checked in and when I checked out the next morning. There is no doubt that this is an American family-owned motel. I'd like to sit and chat with Gary and his wife next time.

There is always coffee in the lobby, but no continental breakfast. There is a BP gas station about a 30 second drive away and plenty of restaurants

This was the last place we stayed overnight before arriving home. It’s not the most “modern” or extravagant place but after the nightmarish experience with Hotel Abri in San Francisco (which is still ongoing) and the numerous hotels that charged me a higher rate despite not having the pool they advertised working (with 90 degree plus temps), actual snacks for breakfast when they advertised “breakfast included “ and various other things, this was a welcome change!

The room was clean (more than I can say for most of the places we stayed in). And it was perfect for what it was intended for…. a safe place to spend the night.

They do operate on a cash basis (unlike the hotel chains) and also charge a 3% fee for credit cards. Despite this, it was still well worth it in my opinion. I don’t even know if I was charged for the credit card fee or not yet but I understand why if I was.

I gave a 4 star rating for location only because I was traveling with a 13 yr old and the antique museum across the street was of absolutely no interest to her….lol. But it’s located close enough to gas stations and other...