Howard Johnson Express Inn – Beckley

We booked a room just to sleep and be get back on the road in the morning. The price seemed reasonable, so we didn’t expect any frills. The security lock on the back entrance was broken. As soon as we opened the door to our room, we were met with a terrible urine like odor. The room was dirty and I was afraid to walk barefoot on the carpet or sit on the bed. I just wanted a shower and to go to bed, however, there was no hot water! We went to the desk for a refund and a gentleman ahead of us was doing the same. He booked his room through
, and was told by the woman at the desk they could refund his money because it was booked through a third party. We fortunately booked our room with the hotel directly and did get a refund. We found a room down the road with another hotel. It was more expensive, but it was clean and had hot water.

Don’t stay in room 201. They allow patrons to do laundry right outside your door at 12:30am. I realize this is a budget hotel, but you should be able to sleep in the middle of the night.

After driving for more than 12 hours, I became stranded in Beckley during a recent snowstorm with a flat-​tire and my two dogs. It had been a long day and when I became stuck in the parking lot next door, I hit rock bottom. But a young man that worked at Howard Johnson’s kindly and without hesitation or complaint dug me out, and told me that they allowed dogs and had rooms available! I was so, so very grateful to him, the kindness and friendliness of the staff, even though they were busy and short handed. Traveling alone, I felt safe in my room, that was clean and comfy. The breakfast bar was a little sparse, but I didn’t care – I was just glad there was «something!» THANK YOU to everyone there for your friendliness and help!

We are having a fine time. Comfortable, clean, and very nice. Apparently they’ve corrected many of their complaints.

Don’t stay here! I know the price is par for the area but all I can say good is the kid who checked us in was nice and the bed is comfortable especially after 8 hours of driving. The room is very dirty and there’s only one small bar of soap. If this wasn’t just a pit stop on our way south I’d have turned around and got a refund.

Avoid at all costs. Old, dirty, smelly. Howard Johnsons should pull it’s flag from this disaster.