I wish I could give zero stars. My girlfriend and I ended up at the Econo Lodge North in Charleston after a booking mix-up, and it was a huge mistake. The moment we pulled in, we felt unsafe. There were police cars parked out front, people paying cash for multiple rooms, and suspicious activity around the lobby that made the whole place feel sketchy. The front desk was behind thick glass, and the staff even admitted the first room they assigned us wasn’t in a “safe area,” which should have been a huge red flag.
The room we were finally given was absolutely disgusting. It reeked of smoke and mildew, with a cheap cologne smell clearly sprayed to cover it up. The walls had poor patchwork repairs, the sheets were stained, and there were bugs—yes, actual cockroaches. The bathroom looked like it hadn’t been cleaned properly, and the towels were stained and damp. My girlfriend immediately felt sick from the smell, and we left within 15 minutes without unpacking a single thing.
The worst part? They still charged us a cancellation fee, even though we didn’t stay the night. I understand this is a budget hotel, but basic cleanliness and safety should be the minimum, and this place failed on both counts. Save yourself the stress and spend your money elsewhere—this was by far one of the worst hotel experiences I’ve ever had.
