On the good side, I enjoyed a quiet and comfortable night's rest. However, on the other hand...\r
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When I arrived and went into the lobby to check in, the clerk slid a registration form across the counter and said ""You need to fill this out"". No ""welcome"", no ""good afternoon"", no smile.\r
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When I got the to the room, the key card wouldn't work. Walked back over to the office, where the clerk had already prepared two more cards. Walked back to the room. Neither of those cards worked either. Walked back to the office. The clerk prepared two more cards, and came with me to the room. Strike 3 - those didn't work either. He concluded ""the lock must be broken"".\r
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He apologized and gave me another room, which was clean and odor-free. The refrigerator and microwave were nice amenities, and they worked well. But there were several shortcomings that justify a poor rating. See my photos.\r
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When I first entered the room, the temperature inside was stifling, I turned on the A/C, and one hour later the temperature had finally dropped to 80°. There's no information card or motel layout in the room. OK, back to the lobby to find out where the ice machine is.\r
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The only place to open suitcase is on the bed or the floor. The room is actually quite large - certainly big enough for a simple folding luggage rack (or five!). The decor is a bit bleak. One long mustard-colored wall is totally barren, save for the air conditioner at the far end. One of the nightstand lamps didn't work.\r
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The bathroom door handle dangled by one screw; toilet bowl bolts were uncapped; the bath towel was torn, the bathtub had dried adhesive residue from old non-slip appliques; there were watermark stains on the living room ceiling; and the entrance door security chain was missing.\r
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Connecting to the Internet was cumbersome. I figured out a ""trick"" after five minutes. And the speed is clearly slower than typical broadband DSL or cable service. The chair seatback cushion was ripped on top.\r
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Outside my door, cigarette butts littered the stairwell. What appeared to be coffee stains soiled the painted concrete walkway. Although the average Fayetteville daytime high throughout August is 90°, the pool was closed. In fact,, it was completely drained. \r
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There's a very good and inexpensive Mexican restaurant ""La Fuente"", one mile north of the motel. The complimentary breakfast was a bit skimpy, but the coffee was real good. Checkout was friendly, quick, and uneventful.\r
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All in all, this location has a LONG way to go before approaching a ""Best Value"". Sadly, the fixes it needs to make it even an average value seem relatively easy and inexpensive. Tighten loose door handles, replace a burned out light bulb, push on a pair of toilet bowl bolt caps, sweep the stairs, and hose off the sidewalk.\r
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When guests arrive, give them a friendly greeting. Show them where their rooms are located, and explain where the services are. Doesn't cost a dime more.\r
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And for cyrin' out loud, either open the swimming pool or make note that it's closed on the motel website. If somebody calls to make reservations, be damn sure to tell them it's closed before booking. Customers who subsequently find out they were deceived are unlikely to return or recommend.\r
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