MainStay Suites

Stayed here for a baseball tournament. Team choice. Next time we stay at a place without dirty floors – black gunk on our socks! Next time we stay at a place that doesn’t take 20+ minutes to check you in. Next time we stay at a place with working AC. Next time we stay at a place that is not so hard to get to – seriously the parking lot is around two elbows and a Hooters restaurant. Next time, we avoid temptation of a free breakfast – thank goodness there was a Cracker Barrel right next door.
TV had a loud ear-​piercing whine. Second floor smelled putrid. No lobby or seating area to speak off. Was told that professional carpet cleaners were on the schedule for the near future – really? How about having the terrible housekeepers take care of the floors? Never saw a manager. Front desk was unoccupied most of the time. Could have spent money more wisely on staff than all of the video cameras they have in this place. Oh, and the local foot traffic… Well, lock your car doors. Just saying. Wifi is a joke. Turns off – yes, off – about every three minutes. Writing this review from the room using my phone data plan. Nope… Next time I find a Holiday Inn Express. You should too.

This is by FAR one of the cleanest and best kept hotels I’ve experienced… including high class hotels in NYC and LA. It was «just» an inexpensive Mainstay Suites motel, but we were lucky that ‘Sandra’ was in charge. Sandra cares about her hotel and its cleanliness and really takes a personal interest in its success and her guests’ happiness. We had a full kitchen with real fridge/​ice maker, microwave, cook top, sink and even an automatic dishwasher. All sparkling clean, just like the pristine linens on the bed.
Is Sandra the manager? No. She’s head of housekeeping and morning breakfast!
Thanks Sandra! And also, please give a big thanks to your staff. I hope you all get a well-​deserved raise!

The hotel is conveniently off of the interstate. Parking lot is VERY well lit (you’ll need the shades if your room faces that side). The front desk attendant was helpful and acted as a concierge suggesting different activities. Some of the rooms had balconies, but all I needed was two double beds. The room was clean and spacious. The thing that got me was free WiFi. Some hotels throw this carrot, only to entice you to «upgrade» to the «premium» (because their «regular» internet is slower than 28.8 dial up). What to eat? Several eateries within walking distance, or an Ingles’ supermarket if you want your own groceries around the corner. The hotel seems to be adding a small marketplace in the near future, but a complimentary breakfast has a varied selection in the morning.

Advised that this area was closer to the Smoky Mountain National Park than downtown Knoxville (true), we stayed here overnight, because the nearby hotels could not provide a smoke-​free room and we have sensitivity to smoke. Place was at least clean and quiet, more basic than other budget suite properties we have stayed in. No complaints though, as it was just one fast night, but then we got the credit card bill with an additional charge of nearly $ 300. When the property finally answered the phone after a couple of days trying to call, they said it was a fee for having smoked in the room. No, we don’t smoke anywhere, that’s why we required a non-​smoking room. Property is not very willing to investigate further. So, unless you want a smoking room, better be careful here.