Yesterday I wrote about a horrible cheap motel experience in Vernon, BC. When I looked at TripAdvisor, the reviews were actually quite favorable overall. I couldn't believe it!
So I was a bit tentative when we pulled in to the Motel Nicholas in Omak, WA on our journey south. Since I am traveling with Cinnamon, the blogging hound, I like it when access to safe grassy areas is easy. And here at Motel Nicholas the cars park right in front of the first floor motel rooms. The parking lot is spacious and so are the grounds.
The dog fee was $15.00 and they do not accept certain breeds. Of course a medium sized hound was acceptable. The room was spacious although dated.
But what I really appreciated was that they had spacious, well-manicured lawns and across a lighted crosswalk was a big grassy area where I could run my dog.
When I checked the TripAdvisor ratings for this hotel, they were pretty negative. Maybe Americans have different standards than Canadians? I, of course, rated both hotels on TripAdvisor and gave this one a four out of five (well, in the category of cheap motels!) to counter some of the other comments.
I like it when a dog friendly motel is actually comfortable for both the dog and the dog owner.
Showing posts with label dog friendly travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog friendly travel. Show all posts
Monday, June 24, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
When a cheap motel is not a good idea... even for the budget conscious
I've been traveling through British Columbia and have had nothing but raves for the beauty of what I have experienced.
We are traveling on the cheap and that means staying in inexpensive motels, some with cooking facilities. I am also traveling with Cinnamon, the blogging hound, so the motels must allow dogs. Most have been adequate and some... delightful surprises with grounds to walk my dog on and friendly people.
But now, on my way home I encounter... The Polson Park Motel in Vernon, BC. It looked OK from the description in the BC Lodging Guide and it was the cheapest listed. (Big Mistake!) We drove up and saw lovely hanging baskets of flowers and a marvelous, well-manicured park across the street. What a delightful place to walk the dog, I thought.
But as I approached to register, I got a sense of this motel. It is a motel of mistrust and lack of a customer orientation. I checked in and found there was a $20 charge for the dog. Now, she has her own bed and sleeps there, quietly. So she doesn't even really use most of the room.
Nevertheless, I was asked for a $100 pet deposit until they checked the room the next morning. No trust here! Further, I was asked if I wanted to use the AC. I suppose they reluctantly doled out the remotes. I said no, as I thought I could just open the windows. Wrong! There are no screens on the windows.
I was looked at with mistrust when I asked for a hair dryer. I should come down in the morning to check one out. In my jammies? You see, I take my shower and wash my hair upon arising in the morning. They reluctantly handed it over the evening before reminding me to be sure and bring it when I checked out.
So here I was with a not so cheap room now. And they could not accommodate me with a first floor room (only a few dog rooms were available) so I went down the stairs and looked for a place to walk my dog. There was no place and in the neighborhood, there were no vacant lots. So I ran with my dog across a very busy street to the park. Once I got there I saw a "no dogs allowed" sign. So I ended up walking her in the weeds near the park but not in the lovely park. It was not a pleasant way to end a day of driving through amazing scenery.
So, I had to remind myself that "you get what you pay for" and sometimes not even that!
We are traveling on the cheap and that means staying in inexpensive motels, some with cooking facilities. I am also traveling with Cinnamon, the blogging hound, so the motels must allow dogs. Most have been adequate and some... delightful surprises with grounds to walk my dog on and friendly people.
But now, on my way home I encounter... The Polson Park Motel in Vernon, BC. It looked OK from the description in the BC Lodging Guide and it was the cheapest listed. (Big Mistake!) We drove up and saw lovely hanging baskets of flowers and a marvelous, well-manicured park across the street. What a delightful place to walk the dog, I thought.
But as I approached to register, I got a sense of this motel. It is a motel of mistrust and lack of a customer orientation. I checked in and found there was a $20 charge for the dog. Now, she has her own bed and sleeps there, quietly. So she doesn't even really use most of the room.
Nevertheless, I was asked for a $100 pet deposit until they checked the room the next morning. No trust here! Further, I was asked if I wanted to use the AC. I suppose they reluctantly doled out the remotes. I said no, as I thought I could just open the windows. Wrong! There are no screens on the windows.
I was looked at with mistrust when I asked for a hair dryer. I should come down in the morning to check one out. In my jammies? You see, I take my shower and wash my hair upon arising in the morning. They reluctantly handed it over the evening before reminding me to be sure and bring it when I checked out.
So here I was with a not so cheap room now. And they could not accommodate me with a first floor room (only a few dog rooms were available) so I went down the stairs and looked for a place to walk my dog. There was no place and in the neighborhood, there were no vacant lots. So I ran with my dog across a very busy street to the park. Once I got there I saw a "no dogs allowed" sign. So I ended up walking her in the weeds near the park but not in the lovely park. It was not a pleasant way to end a day of driving through amazing scenery.
So, I had to remind myself that "you get what you pay for" and sometimes not even that!
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