Hotel Econo Lodge Birmingham (Birmingham, USA)

There was praise for the functional but smartly decorated accommodation. Reviewers liked the way the rooms were well-equipped with flat-panel TVs, microwaves and mini-fridges. Many said their rooms were suitably clean, tidy and comfortable for a stopover. Budget-conscious reviewers welcomed the competitive room rates and often remarked that they got fair bang for their buck.

It appealed to visitors that there were plenty of shopping and dining options in the surrounding area plus cinemas, filling stations, bus stops and a bowling alley. The location off Interstate 65 in Birmingham's southern suburbs also paved the way for easy access to downtown plus academic institutions, sports venues, industrial areas, shopping malls and the airport. The free parking was another plus.

Diners frequently said they enjoyed the friendly service and tempting dishes at the on-site diner restaurant and bar, which also served free breakfast sandwiches for guests. Many travellers spoke highly of the obliging, welcoming and pleasant employees who provided good customer care and a quick check-in. The free 24-hour coffee service was another bonus.

There were occasional claims of an unreliable signal and underwhelming speeds on the free Wi-Fi network in some corners of the hotel.

Light sleepers sometimes claimed that certain rooms facing the freeway were exposed to occasional traffic noise. Lingering smoky smells and musty odours disappointed critics in some rooms.

The steep car park was reportedly tricky to negotiate for some drivers. Several guests struggled to control the room temperature. There were also reports of maintenance and cleanliness issues in some rooms. These included dated decor, stained sheets, cigarette burns and inadequately cleaned bathrooms. A few guests mentioned that pest control measures were ineffective.