The Brookside Inn — Restaurant in Smyrna

So, I booked this motel based on the good reviews I read before our 3000KM family road trip. It was our last stop in the USA before entering New Brunswick 15 minutes away from this place. It wasn't expensive (130USD) and didn't look top shape from the reviews photos but the reviews were quite good concerning the nice people managing the place and the cleanliness, and this is what mattered most for us for a one night stay (bed and bathroom).

The place was in a very quiet area where there is NOTHING around, only the highway and trees (a bit creepy at night LOL, plus phone service was very weak). We were in front of the hotel around 10:30pm but couldn't be checked in because there were nobody there, and the restaurant where the reception is, was closed!!! I made sure before going there to advise about my late check-in (between 10 and 11pm) but unfortunately after 45minutes waiting for and trying to reach somebody to show up and check us in, we decided to go find someplace else (after a 7 hours road trip with the kids, everybody was VERY tired and has to go to the bathroom and rest...etc). So we left and were finally able to find another place around 1AM!!!

THE GOOD 4-STAR REVIEW was because of DAMIAN and the way he managed the situation (even when it was too late). The next day, he tried hard to reach me, to talk to me to apologize ..etc and even offered a free night (but we were faaaar far away in NB). Maybe anyone else wouldn't put a 4-star review but I chose so because humans may be wrong sometimes but the reaction (kindness & professionalism vs. indifference & rudeness) make a BIG difference. Plus, I am pretty sure this is not a reccurent situation, but it was our luck ;)

WHAT I RECOMMEND though, if you know you are going to be late for check-in, make sure to TALK to somebody not only send an email or request. I know it is not always easy/obvious, but you'd better confirm with somebody so you won't have to be roaming around at 1am for a hotel mid july (high season).

Thanks Damian for your kindness and be sure I won't hesitate to stay at The Brookside Inn...

My wife and I stayed here in mid-November, 2014 - I thought it would be an okay choice, considering they took $75 of my hard-earned money. Boy, was I mistaken.||||For starters, we arrived at about 8:30pm on a Friday night. I parked in front of the "office" door, where there are two signs, one indicating to visit the on-site restaurant during business hours to check in, and one indicating to ring the doorbell for service. The restaurant was dark inside and out, so I decided to ring the doorbell. THREE TIMES I rang the doorbell, and there was absolutely no response. Seeing as the restaurant was closed, I decided to call the hotel's phone number from my cell phone (thank goodness I had a cell phone and there was decent cell service!), and what sounded like a grumpy man answered the phone. When I inquired on how to check in, I was told someone would be at the restaurant momentarily to get us our key. We went over to the restaurant and stood outside in the dark and cold for several minutes, waiting for some kind of sign that someone was there. Finally someone turned on the lights inside the restaurant and unlocked the door so that I could go in, pay for the hotel room, and get the key.||||We get inside our room, and I would swear I've seen bigger Motel 6 rooms. There were two double beds, a combination desk/bureau, a mini-fridge and microwave, and the TV service was through Dish Network with lots of channel choices. Overall the room seemed fairly clean, but the shower head leaked profusely and had some sort of "gunk" on it. There was some of the tile missing from the bathroom floor. The bed was fair in terms of comfort.||||Like some previous reviews, I would recommend spending a little more money and staying 10 miles away in Houlton. This hotel is sub-par at best and not worth your money,...

Decent room, pretty clean and only about 10 miles to Houlton. We were here for two days to explore the area and go hiking/geocaching. Upon entering our room we noticed that there were only two coffee packets so we went to ask for more and to find out where we could get some ice. You have to go to the restaurant to check in so that's where we went back to. They don't have the coffee there but one woman was kind enough to get some for us and dropped it off later in the day. At that time we were told that we could get coffee in the restaurant at 7:00am. Day two (after a cold rainy day where we had coffee after geocaching) we needed more coffee. At the restaurant we were told we would have to pay for the coffee. Clearly confused we said why do we have to pay if we don’t have coffee in the room. Muttering under her breath we heard “this isn't free Saturday”. Considering the price that was charged at this dated motel I think you should at least get coffee packets for your room.|Next time here definitely will choose different...