My friend and I needed to be in Kittery for a couple of nights for a birthday celebration and didn't want to spend an arm and a leg for a place to stay - they can be very pricey in that area! We had stayed at the Super 8 twice before and found it pretty bad, so we decided to try the Rodeway for about the same price.
After reading the reviews on this site we were not expecting much and pretty leery of staying there, but we are pretty flexible and can put up with about anything.
Well, we were very pleasantly surprised!!! From the moment we checked in we were treated very nicely by all staff. The room was large and also contained a refrigerator and microwave. Everything worked fine. The beds were very comfortable.
We swam in the indoor pool which was very nice and also used the sauna.
The complementary breakfasts were much nicer than those at the Super 8 with more choices and very clean and pleasant surroundings.
Our only complaint was the smell of the room, but we had requested a smoking room and smoking rooms usually smell pretty nasty. We opened the window, got a nice breeze, and used the airconditioner and fan and were able to make it smell much nicer.
These people are really trying to upgrade and go the extra step. Yes, the carpeting was old, but we noticed huge rolls of new carpeting outside and crates of flooring for the bathrooms waiting to be installed.
By the way, we weren't charged a safe fee! The charges were exactly as stated. Even if we were, I wouldn't have gotten all upset over a dollar!
When you stay at a budget motel, you can't expect the Ritz. This place is more than adequate. It is comfortable and accomodating and, considering the prices other motels in the area are getting, it is a good bargain.

Several weeks ago I reserved a room at the Rodeway Inn located in Kittery, ME. I made an online reservation at a rate of $71.10 per night plus tax. At the time of my reservation, no additional charges were disclosed. When I checked into the Rodeway Inn on 9/23, I was shown my rate of $71.10 and asked to initial that rate. At that time I was not told about any additional charges besides state taxes. At checkout time, I was suddenly suprised to see an additional charge of $1.00 on my bill for "Safe Charges." I did not use the safe. I did not need or want a safe. I did not agree to pay charges for a safe. When I questioned the safe charges and asked if they could be waived, the clerk (I later learned it was actually the manager Mr. Patel) told me they could not be waived. He seemed unwilling to discuss the matter and so I asked for a business card for the manager (only to realize later that I was already speaking with the manager who for some reason chose not to identify himself). I told him that I found the charge to be annoying and suggested that they keep the safe keys at the front desk and simply issue keys to those people who actually WANTED a safe. This entire situation made me feel like I no longer trust the Rodeway Inn and I will certainly think twice about doing business with this company (or their affiliates) in the future. (My complaint is really not about $1.00, but about the way that I was strong armed by this company to pay an extra dollar and I was not given an opportunity to opt-out). First, I was suddenly presented with a charge at checkout time that I was not told about and did not agree to in advance (yes, they have a little sign conveniently on the counter regarding the safe charges, but I didn't see it until check out time and they do not make sure customers have seen the sign or realize they will be stuck with an extra charge). Second, when I questioned the charge, the person working the front counter was evasive about it and when I asked about complaining to the manager the man failed to disclose that he actually WAS the manager. (My invoice indicated "You were checked out by: gm.me053" which is how I know he was the manager). At this point, I've lot trust in this company and I cannot do business with a company that I do not trust. I will be taking my business elsewhere in the future.

P.S. I sent this to the Better Business Bureau and the hotel has failed to respond to the complaint.

We booked the Rodeway Inn, Kittery online. The hotel was listed as a two star hotel. In our opinion it was no better than a ONE star. The carpeting was filthy/dirty throughout the hotel. The carpet was worn, soiled and smelly.
Our reservation stated a 25 inch TV, wth an iron and ironing board in the room. The TV was less than 20 inch and no sign of the iron or ironing board. The hotel advertised wireless internet, we could not get that in our room, we had to go to the lobby to receive the signal.
Staff was less than helpful. We would not recommend this hotel..

This hotel is now part of the Rodeway chain. The other review had it down exactly: very poorly maintained common areas, but the rooms themselves are clean. And they still stick you with the $1 "safe" charge for your room, altho I didn't even see a safe in the room, and wasn't told about it until I paid. The exterior of the hotel is reasonably attractive, but the setting is very industrial, right next to huge propane storage tanks. While the cleaning staff seems to do a good job, they're working with an old and delapidated facility. The drain in my bathroom sink was partly plugged up and the toilet gurgled all night until I got into the tank and bent the float up. However, it is one of the cheapest hotels in or near Portsmouth, NH, at least in the off season of February, when I stayed there.