Econo Lodge Lexington Downtown Near I-81

I've stayed at Econolodge many times over the years, and recognize that its business model is minimal amenities at a minimal price. This Econolodge is no exception. We had no need for, and thus did not request, an accessible room; but got one anyway. It had a shower and a clothes hanger clearly designed for a person using a wheel-chair, but its entrance did not seem to be wheel-chair accessible. No problem for us, but be aware of this if you ask for an accessible room. It had AC, phone, fridge, microwave, hair dryer, iron & board, and TV with 50 channels. It was clean, quiet, and well-maintained. Clerk was professional. Free amenities included parking, wifi, and coffee & apple juice in the morning. Several restaurants were within a five-minute drive. If you want low price lodging for the night, and don't mind a lack of amenities, this place will meet your needs.

I am really trying hard to like the Choice properties knowing that these are 'budget' properties. I had one night, less than 8 hours, so finding a clean, inexpensive place was key and breakfast was not a necessity. This was by far the least expensive in the area. First, it should be noted that the lobby does not look anything like the pics on the properties direct site, i.e. a clean, inviting lobby, with breakfast availability. The lobby itself was in a state of disrepair and the check-in counter was still had a ceiling to counter COVID wall with a very small space to talk through. I did ask about breakfast and coffee, as it is a advertised feature of Econo Lodges. Breakfast went away with COVID and coffee "I set it out around 8 AM if I have time". (The front desk employee indicated that he was the one and only employee 24/7.) OK, 8 AM is a bit late for coffee and don't advertise breakfast if breakfast does not exist. Check-in did not go smoothly. First the employee wanted to deny me check-in because the address on my driver's license did not match the address on my Choice account (I use a PO box). Then he wanted to make a copy of my driver's license because "he need to tell the government that I am here". I refused. Finally, he checked me in, but checked me in under the wrong person, which I noticed when I was initialing paperwork re: pets, smoking, etc. He did resolve that issue with a nice apology. I did receive a king room as reserved. I entered the room and I could smell the cigarette smoke. That is actually not an issue for me, but I wanted the employee to know that I was not the one who smoked in the room. He wouldn't make a note about it, but he did give me a different room - a double - as there were no other kings available. (Upon checking out at 6 AM, I thought it odd as there were a total of 6 cars in the parking lot.) The room itself was fine. I checked the bedsheets - seemed clean. I checked the bathroom - seemed clean. The AC was a bit noisy, but it worked, and the bed was comfortable enough. If I didn't have the issues at check-in: hearing lines about coffee being out at 8 if time permitted, needing the driver's license address to match the reservation as well as letting the government know that I was there, and not having any other king rooms, I'd likely would have given this a 4 rather than a 2. (As an aside, the only time (in a sampling of the 48 states that I have traveled) that I've been required by statute in the US to allow the property (in this case a reputable chain property) to make a copy of my ID was in a small town in NJ, just off the Garden State Parkway. The statute was clearly posted on the wall and the procedure was that the copy was placed in a locked box and the copy would be destroyed one week after checking out. The town implemented the statute due to criminal activity in the vicinity of the Garden State Parkway.)

Plain, clean, safe, comfortable. Beds are firm, as you would expect in an Econo Lodge. Staff is very personable and accommodating. Air conditioning, on a very hot todays, worked great. Good choice for my trip!

8 Miles off of Int. 81, not near 81 to us,help or owner was very rude, It is a dog hotel, dogs barking at 5 a.m. Coffee only served, no breakfast,rooms were very dated, old furniture! Nothing good to say about this hotel,Good Luck