If you're like me, and you probably aren't, you enjoy occasionally reading reviews of hotels and…read morerestaurants in countries the typical tourist doesn't visit, places like North Korea, for example. And if you do read such reviews, you'll see that the hotels are often well-maintained and are in a way, time capsules. The Riverview Inn is like that. It's like a well-maintained 1990s-era Hilton, kept in a little capsule for you to experience.
I stayed a night here as a good overnight stop between two destinations and I chose the Riverview Inn for its price and its downtown location. It was fine, but that's about it.
Parking is free, which is nice, and the lobby is a little updated. Then you exit the elevator into the hallway of your designated floor, and everything changes. Green floral carpet, very low ceilings, dim fluorescent lighting -- ah, I remember this, and, frankly, it's a little bit eerie.
But little things let you know that, even though the rooms are holding fast on that 1990s design, there is some effort to modernize. For example, proximity RFID room keys. If this really was a 1990s hotel, you'd have those old hole-punch room keys. Remember those? Yeah. Awesome. Also, a flat-screen TV. Cool. And maybe there's something to be said for making those changes, rather than putting a new comforter on the bed that has an updated, more understated floral design. Everything works. Essentials are met. Maslow is satisfied.
Breakfast is also fine. Ever stayed at a Holiday Inn Express? It's a lesser version of that. Pre-made, pre-formed pastries and eggs. It's fine. You won't go back for seconds unless you hate yourself, but it's basic breakfast at its minimally acceptable range. Eat and hit the road, it says.
Considering the above (and managing expectations), I'd stay here again. I was able to walk to two different local breweries (a third closed before I could make it there on a Tuesday night) and stumble home safe and sound. Sleep, check-out, and get out, with a good location. Works for me!
