Four stars?

I use TripAdvisor like it's the Bible for traveling, but on this one, I think its reviewers got it wrong. And I think they got it wrong simply because it's a motel (and it is very much a MOTEL) that's been updated a bit on the inside, they didn't expect that, and the price was right. But make no mistake, this is still nothing more than a nice motel.

Consider the fact that I got a smoking room (and neither I nor my four year old daughter are smokers). Or the fact that it's clearly a home for quite a few migrant workers (and I'm talking about white migrant workers, lest anybody assume that I'm just a racist) who keep there doors open, drink a lot, and talk loudly. Or the fact that the pool desperately needs to be cleaned (I mean literally scrubbed) and repainted. No guys, this is no four star deal. It's a three at the very most.

Thing is, I've paid $55 for a hotel room before. Yeah, it's rare, but it's still possible and means that I can give this motel no more than three stars.

(that said, I will agree that the staff are very helpful and very nice.)

I stayed for two nights and since the motel is very old and I was familiar with the location and needed to be in that basic location, I chose this motel out of necessity. I was pleasantly surprised that it was totally remodeled, my room was spotless, I could not hear my neighbors, everything worked, and even the breakfast was very good. The furnishings in my room were new although there was not a flat screen TV...yet. They even changed the sheets and towels daily rather than reuse them. All in all, I was pretty impressed that this place was in such good condition and well maintained. I also checked out the indoor pool and it was crystal clear. I would stay there again and most likely will.

While scrolling through the numerous hotel search websites, I found that this motel was ranked high, and for a good reason it should be. I found myself trapped in a blizzard and felt the warm comfort that this motel had to offer during the chilly weather. The staff was very welcoming and they had beautiful christmas decorations in the lobby. The place looked elegant and i was hoping the room would be too. Sure enough I walked into a warm room with the temperature already set and found a nice flat screen tv for my viewing pleasure. The morning I had to say was the best. The breakfast room features my all time favorite of fresh waffles and sausage biscuits. I would have to say the next time I am in the Topeka area I am choosing the econo lodge again!

We stayed in what appeared to be an older room in the one level older part of the complex. The room seemed clean with the exception of a stain on the bedspread. The parking lot was full of giant pickup trucks and SUVs and I felt like I was one of the only women staying there (must have been a gun show in town). The room was kinda dumpy, with electrical conduits on the walls and a power strip with 4 things plugged into it (fridge, TV, lamp, etc.). The countertop in the bath sink area was granite, which is nice in the right type of room, but in this room it looked out of place and was a waste of good granite. It was convenient to the highway, but it was a so-so part of town.