When I was checking out the hotel employee asked for my credit card and I told her alright but this was a prepaid reservation from Amtrak and I didn't make any phone calls. She said "What?" and gave me a dumbfounded look, then I repeated, "This was a prepaid reservation through Amtrak and I didn't make any phone calls" and sure enough she swiped my credit card and charged me again, this took a long time, she had time to think about what I had just said to her, but she didn't say anything else to me, I could see if she had told me she didn't think it was prepaid. Yeah, I was angry!

Nichols Inn is now a Super 8, but it's a fairly recent change. We were in town for a basketball tournament and stayed one night. The worst part of the experience was finding out I overpaid Expedia for the room. Standard room rate at the hotel, as noted on the arrival paperwork was lower than the "Best Rate" I had to pre-pay Expedia! I took that up with Expedia...

PROS: Location was nice if you want a view and are given a second level room. Rate is reasonable, even great if you pay the Hotel standard rate.

MEDIOCRE: Breakfast is typical Continental cheap breakfast, but okay since it's free with room.

CONS: Smells like stale cigarette smoke when you walk in the door. Non-smoking and accessible rooms are in first level, partially below ground level. When someone lights up a cigarrette in another nearby smoking room, you get a whiff in your non-smoking room.

I don't think we will stay at this hotel again if visiting the area in the future.

Agree with others that you get what you pay for. I stayed with my family for two nights for Steamboat Days. Our room was damp, the room was musty, and pretty undesirable to spend a lot of time in. Breakfast was fine... my kids liked the donuts and cereal. It was a very typical continental breakfast although there is a waffle maker. The staff were all friendly- no complaints there. Small bathroom. My husband noticed small bugs in the window (we were half below ground in our room so it wasn't too surprising). Checked the mattresses and did a quick google search to be sure they weren't bed bugs (they were not), killed them, and moved on. Needless to say, not an ideal overnight stay. I'll splurge for the AmericInn or Holiday Inn next time.

Visited my daughter at Winona State for the weekend. Good price! No frills but a continental breakfast and clean, quiet room on the back side of hotel next to Sugarloaf Bluff. Wireless was a little weak in the room but could pick it up strong in the lobby over a free cup of coffee.