Without the help of TripAdvisor, our family booked a stay here while traveling through Oregon based on our prior experiences at Best Western. Big mistake. Apparently we stayed in the older wing because this was the worst hotel experience I've had and, to add insult to injury, the corporate office refused to provide full compensation or complementary night's stay. I guess they believe it's more important to dupe people into paying for a substandard hotel than it is to win a devoted customer base.

What went wrong? Here's a partial list: our two bedroom suite was half-way underground and damp, infested with ants (we were flicking ants off our belongings 24 hours later), had a roll-away bed with bare metal springs, and had scalding hot water (dangerous to toddlers), an open storage room, electrical wires hanging from the ceiling, and no working TV or wireless access (we were forecasted for snow and needed to check reports before heading over the pass next day). I'm not even mentioning the traffic noise and glare of the vending machines 2 feet from our door. I didn't feel safe or comfortable in this hotel, and we left as quickly as possible the next day.

To Best Western's credit, they did send me a $75 guest card after continued and insistent emails, however I will never set foot in the Bard's Inn...there are too many other good hotels from which to choose. And I'm saddened Best Western has become such a sub-standard hotel chain.

Based on a previous reviewer, and where they had assigned us, we immediately asked for an upgrade to a room in one of the newer buildings. I was a little confused on whether they were going to comp this upgrade or charge me. Two employees gave me different information. They charged me. The room, across the street (99) from the hotel was newer, much more secure, and was a very quiet location.

The room had no apparent flaws, nor any "wows" either. However, the price/location ratio was just fantastic. We were able to run in the Lithia Park. We had a great partying/dining afternoon in the town. While this was a stop between Redwoods and Napa Valley, we really did not want to leave Ashland. That given the location raised the overall rating.

We stayed 3 nights with our 2 young kids (age 2 & 6). Our king suite (room 115) was in the old building and very small, the front room was totally filled with the bed, as was the back room. No ante-room, no couch, no patio etc. It was right next to the housekeeping room that was open all day with laundry running, carts, staff and vacuumes rolling by. There was no screen in the bathroom and bugs flew in all day. Ants got into our boxes of snacks for the kids and had to be thrown out. The internet didn't work in our room. Floor above us creaked when the guests upstairs did anything. Woke me up, but the kids slept through it.

The hot tub was cold 2 out of 3 days....someone was trying to fix it each day. Breakfast was ok, usual continental fare, terrible coffee...much better to walk downtown to excellent restaurants.
I was expecting much better as the reviews had been good. I have a feeling the newer sections of the hotel are better than what we got stuck with.

Very nice staff, grounds, and location, but request one of the new wings. We recently (Aug. 07) stayed on the bottom floor of the original wing attached to the reception office and found it uncomfortable, noisy, and the neon red glow from the soda machine couldn't be subdued.

Still, would probably stay there again as you can't beat the location and staff.