The billboard outside the hotel advertises "Cleanest rooms in town" while another boasts "Presidential Award Property." Before you roll your eyes or roll your car into a competitor's parking lot, you might want to consider believing the hype. This place promises a "perfect stay" and means business!
The motel is indeed a two-story, limited-service property with exterior corridors and VERY close proximity to a fast food restaurant. If you want the Hilton or Hyatt, keep driving to Knoxville or Atlanta. As for Calhoun, this place is the show.
The good: For a roughly three-star motel, this property has the charm of a fine country inn, and as many amenities available without being a full-service, first class hotel. The service is outstanding-employees will repeatedly greet you warmly, inquire whether you have any needs and will help get you acquainted with the property as well as the town. In the small but quaint lobby there are helpful brochures advertising local flair as well as a creative little board featuring local events for the month. Nice. If you're looking for a place to eat, the employees have crafted a homemade binder of area restaurants, including full menus, directions and dining hours. Quite convenient. If you just want to relax outside of your room, the lobby offers a computer with free Internet access as well as comfortable sofas. Note: The lobby is not open after midnight. A "teller window" is available if you need to do business with the front desk.
The outdoor pool is small, but nice, and the water as well as the pool area looked clean. The exercise room, which is located in a small building adjacent to the pool, features basic exercise equipment (stair-stepper, bike, treadmill, weight-lifting machine) as well as water cooler, TV and even a weight scale. Note: There were no towels in the workout room, which may present a problem for some.
The rooms themselves are great. They're very clean, comfortable and tastefully decorated. I especially liked the black marblesque (it can't be real marble, can it?) counter tops and the plush deep green carpet. Our room was a standard king, complete with cable television (featuring Showtime), small fridge, hair-dryer, iron and ironing board. There were two small chairs in addition to the spacious work desk and leather-back chair. We would have liked a recliner in the room, but the leather-back chair was comfortable enough. I understand "Premium King" rooms do feature recliners as well as microwaves with the fridge. The bathroom is a bit small, but the water pressure is amazing. The rooms are EXTREMELY CLEAN. I cannot stress that point enough. In an age when true cleanliness is hard to find in limited service properties, a well-cleaned room is greatly appreciated.
Additional motel pluses include a full, hot continental breakfast featuring Belgian waffles, biscuits and gravy, cereal, fruits, juices, coffee, oatmeal and pastries. After breakfast hours, we were able to access juices and coffee throughout the day. The breakfast area was well-stocked and clean, although a bit crowded during busy times in the morning. Copies of USA Today are available here and in the lobby, and a television plays throughout breakfast hours.
The motel felt safe, although measures such as the "teller window" seemed to suggest otherwise. While a room facing the front of the property may present unwelcome noise at times, I felt safer parking my vehicle there under the lights and under the watchful eye of the lobby. Oddly enough, there is also a "spa" (yes, one of those kind, from the look of it) at the same exit as the motel. Fortunately, two other hotels separate it from the Jameson, and its presence didn't present a problem for us. The area altogether is rather vibrant and classy with a touch of country. There are some great views of the mountains and the sunset from the balcony that wraps around the second story of the motel.
There are a half dozen restaurants within a stone's throw of the motel, and most major chains can be found cruising down the road, in addition to a variety of shopping options and a Wal-Mart. Outlet shopping is also only five minutes away.
The bad: There are no real downsides to staying here. The rooms facing the front of the property do encounter noise moreso than those on the other side. It wasn't a major problem for us, but something to consider. The lobby isn't open 24 hours, which may be inconvenient to someone wanting to wander about late at night, or use the computer. Some posters have indicated that the motel is starting to show signs of wear and tear-I didn't encounter any serious signs of age. The room looked great. Maybe a small tear or two in the bathroom, and ONLY when I concentrated on the walls during my shower. Otherwise, great.
Oh, one additional thing, not a big deal, but something. For the guest's convenience, the motel provides snacks to purchase for a nominal fee. Unfortunately, that fee is a bit pricey. I paid 75 cents for a regular size bag of Skittles (which would have been no more than 50 cents at Wal-Mart and maybe less at a discount store). I appreciated the convenience, but thought the price hike was a bit much.
All in all, this motel is probably the finest of its class, and definitely a great bargain for anyone visiting the area, whether for one night or five. Believe the hype!
