CNN's Dirtiest Hotels Story Reminds Me of a Surprisingly Clean Hotel Experience

CNN's big story about the nation's dirtiest hotels may have your skin crawling. CNN reports the dirtiest hotels, as rated on an annual list by TripAdvisor.com, are located all across the country. According to CNN, the TripAdivsor.com dirtiest hotel rankings are based on customer reviews and comments on hotel cleanliness. Roaches, dirty linens, unchanged bed sheets, unkempt bathrooms, and even old hotel shuttles are among the complaints cited in the negative customer reviews.

My Clean Hotel Experience

During the summer of 2009, my family and I (four people) spent about two months in the vicinity of Wilmington, Delaware, and were having to find affordable hotels to stay in. When I made reservations for the Days Inn on Churchmans Road in Newark, Delaware, I was expecting a so-so motel with "about average" cleanliness and service. The rates were good, at around $65 a night at the time, and we were located within a mile or two of Christiana Care Hospital, Christiana Mall, and Delaware Park.

When we checked in the afternoon of our first night, I was impressed by the courteousness of the staff at the front desk. They promptly served us and gave us directions to our room, which was a first-floor double bed room.

Now, some people really don't care how clean their hotel room is. They just want a "cheap" place to sleep overnight and that's about it. That does not describe me at all. I want a room that not only appears clean but also smells clean, has fresh linens (as far as I can tell without a black light, microscope and petri dish), and has no evidence of insects or bugs.

We walked into our Days Inn room and were pleasantly surprised at the smell of the room. A clean, fresh scent - and no detectable odors to speak of. The beds were freshly made and did not have any evident stains. The in-room microwave and refrigerator were very clean and had no signs of rusting or deterioration. The bathroom was clean - no problematic stains or other unmentionables. Even the shower curtain looked clean. The carpet looked a little worn in some areas, but it, too, looked clean. The carpet didn't have any dark "wear paths" like you often find in the high-traffic areas of a carpet. The television worked well, there were no burnt-out lights, and the beds were comfortable.

Perhaps most important, though, is that there were NO BUGS!

The next morning, we enjoyed a hot, free continental breakfast in the Days Inn conference room right behind the lobby. The drink fountains, counters, tables, and chairs all looked very clean. The doughnuts, muffins, and waffles tasted fresh and good. Most importantly, though, the Days Inn staff there were very friendly with us and all the people enjoying their continental breakfast there that morning. The staff also were constantly cleaning up trash, scrubbing the buffet counter, and tending to the needs of anybody there.

Later that day, we took a walk around the facility for a bit of exercise and happened to walk past what appeared to be the maintenance room. There were a few staff members in there staying busy washing what appeared to be linens - so it seemed like they do keep up with the cleanliness of their rooms. Housekeeping also came around each morning.

Remember, this is a Days Inn that at the time cost us around only $65 a night. I really haven't found that high level of service in too many economy hotels.

About the Days Inn Newark, Delaware

Days Inn Newark, Delaware is located at 900 Churchmans Road, just off Exit 166 of Route 7. It's located near Exit 4-B on Interstate 95. Rates vary, but average between $55 and $70 depending on when you're staying at this Days Inn.

Room offerings include two double beds and a single king bed. This Days Inn also offers a pool (we didn't use it, but it looked crisp and clean). There's a free continental breakfast, free wireless internet access, free USA Today, premium cable channels. Every room has a coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave, a safe, and a hair dryer. You may bring your pet for an additional $10 per day.

There also an Applebee's Restaurant only steps away next door.

According to the Days Inn website, this Newark Days Inn won a "Chairman's Award," is AAA approved, and is a "5 Sunburst" property, so it appears to be among the best in the Days Inn chain. That clearly showed in the quality, cleanliness, and service my family and I received and enjoyed while staying at this fine Days Inn location.

You can call the Newark Days Inn at (302) 368-2400

Resources

Personal and first-hand knowledge and experience
Days Inn Newark, Delaware website
CNN "Dirty Hotels Gross Out Travelers"