My recent stay at the Knights Inn in Mount Airy/Mayberry couldn't have been worse for the eighty dollars that I paid for me and my son. After a long day of travel, we rolled into the Knights Inn because there were no other vacancies anywhere else. I paid my eighty dollars for the room with two double beds and the advertised free internet access "in the room" and the advertised full cable access. As a military vet with thirty years of experience in third world countries...I wouldn't have been surprised to find this quality of room or service...IF I WERE NOT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
First thing, as we walked into the sweltering room...I had to search for the thermostat. There was no thermostat. I finally located the air conditioning unit in the wall and situated approximately six feet up. When I turned it on...it sounded like a freight train.
Next, I attempted to turn the ancient and abused television on. No joy. The screen stated that signal was unavailable. I contacted the front desk and the lady said that she would be right up. As we waited for the promised assistance, I attempted to access the internet with my lap top...no joy. Then I tried my Kindle...no joy. Then I tried my cell phone...no joy. So, I called the front desk and asked about the internet access. Her reply was, "I have access here at the front desk, so there is nothing wrong with your internet access." I explained to her that we were talking "apples and oranges"...that just because she had access didn't mean that I had the promised access that I had paid for. She then said, in a very snarky tone, that if I wanted access I could walk to the front desk and access the internet there. I attempted to explain to her that her suggestion was not reasonable and she basically said too bad. So, I asked when she was going to fix the television. She stated that the television would be taken care of when the other staff member arrived. I asked how long that was going to be and she said it would be ten minutes - - after telling me fifteen minutes previously that she would be there to take care of it right away.
As I waited for the staff member, I decided to check the wi-fi outside the room with my phone...guess what? Full strength wi-fi access as soon as I stepped outside the room. I walked back into the room with the door open and got zero access, again.
Then I explored the bathroom. It was the size of a small closet. I practically had to step into the bathtub in order to close the door. The trim was dirty with rust stains and looked as if it had not been painted for a few years.
The staff member showed up at the door about five minutes later. He turned out to be the owner/manager. After fiddling with the television for about five minutes or so, he managed to get us access to about six or seven channels - - mostly cspan, cnn, etc.
When I complained about the wi-fi, he told me that I was wrong and pulled out his phone to show me. Guess what? His phone couldn't access the wi-fi either until he stepped outside the room. His advice? Open the curtains and stand next to the window. When I attempted to explain to him just how unreasonable I thought his suggestion was, he interrupted me and told me that if I didn't like it I could go find another hotel room - - knowing full well that I was going to have to repack and then put my son in the car and drive for another hour to find another room. By this time I was looking around for Goober and Barney Fife. I have never in my fifty-one years on this planet EVER experienced this kind of service and treatment within the continental United States of America.
If you happen to be driving to this very beautiful part of the country and North Carolina...stay away from the Knights Inn. "RUN FORREST RUN." For such a friendly town, this was the unfriendliest motel/hotel that I have ever stayed in. They charge top rate for third rate service. read more