The Hiawassee Budget Inn

Let me start this review by saying that I appreciate the fact that this place shuttles hikers to and from the AT. At this point in the trail, I was extremely intimidated by hitching, and being able to call the Budget Inn to pick me up saved the worry of having to find hitching partners. It also is inexpensive.
But those are about the only things going for it. This place is a dirty dive of a motel. I found a large quantity of mold and several long, dark hairs on my shower curtain, the sheets had a variety of mysterious stains, the curtain rod for the blinds was bent in half, and when I arrived in mid afternoon there was a person passed out in the next room with liquor bottles visible and the TV on. I was a little worried… Never been in a place so dirty before. Surprised it hasn’t been shut down frankly.
Stay at Top of the Georgia if you’re hiking. I know the management here has to deal with a lot of hiker rudeness (was even an incident while I was here of hikers behaving badly) and I sympathize, but even at a cheap place, there should be some emphasis on hygiene.

A low-​cost hotel (currently $ 39.99 + $ 10 for pets) that caters to Appalachian Trail hikers. Offers shuttles to/​from Unicoi Gap and Dick’s Creek Gap. Three Eagle’s Outfitters Satellite location on premises (seasonal, limited hours).
If I were traveling with the family, I’d give it a pass. As an AT hiker, it’s a servicable spot for a zero/​near-​o day, with a bed, shower, AC, and nearby food and resupply options.