River Forest Inn

This little beacon of goodness has coincidently has been there for me while having car problems on 2 separate occasions during trips from Dallas to Austin. It offers a great place and cozy hotel breakfast restaurant overlooking the Leon river. Also a thai restaurant next door. The rooms are clean and have nice updates — also very spacious. Ask for room 114! feels like an apartment :)

Pay attention! This is a five star motel, not a five star resort. For the value, for the cleanliness, and for the friendly front office which rivals the best hotels — and I travel for a living — they get 5 stars.
I stayed here for the first time three weeks ago. The place looks to have been built late 60’s but is clean and painted. Rooms are very clean with basic furniture. A little larger than normal motel rooms. Mini fridge and mini microwave in room. Bathrooms are dated but very clean and functional. You can pay twice as much for a newish motel with flat screen TVs and fancy low flow toilets but at the end of the day when you close your eyes all you want is clean and quiet.
The free breakfast is basic coffee, juice, and carbs. Again, pay twice as much and get minimal protein added someplace else, or take yourself out for a full breakfast. They do have make your own waffles and the breakfast is equivalent to what I have seen elsewhere.
I walked in the door three weeks after my first stay with no reservation and the nice guy on the front desk said «You’re back!» and offered me the same room and rate. Now, I only interacted with him for 1 minute or so when I checked in last time so I was pretty impressed. I have stayed on long term assignment at major, very expensive, hotels and had the front desk staff fail to recognize or greet me after three months and over 50 nights returning week after week.
So, for the price, and the staff, and the cleanliness, this family establishment gets 5 stars. When you are popping off the interstate tired and in no mood for surprises, this place fits the bill.

In full disclosure, I received a letter from the owner or manager of this hotel directly commenting on each of the points in my review and detailing the steps he has taken to rectify the problems. I was impressed that he took the time to write and address how he has solved the specific issues.