I was extremely disappointed with my stay at the Red Lion Inn. I had looked forward to staying at this historic and highly regarded property for quite some time, having heard so much about its charm, exclusivity, and reputation. Unfortunately, my experience fell far short of those expectations.
Given the cost of the stay—approximately $750 for two nights, that to my surprise included a $25-per-night preservation fee—I expected a significantly higher standard of cleanliness, maintenance, and comfort. Instead, I encountered numerous issues throughout the room and property that I found unacceptable for the price.
The condition of the room was particularly concerning. The furniture was visibly worn, the carpeting was stained and appeared neglected, and there were areas of chipped and deteriorating woodwork. The chair in the room was so worn that the cushion was extremely thin and sloped downward, making it uncomfortable and difficult to sit in safely. The mattress was another major issue. It was so worn and lacked adequate support that I found myself sleeping in a noticeable depression in the mattress. Getting out of bed was difficult because I was essentially sleeping in a deep indentation.
There were also significant maintenance concerns. The bathroom window appeared to be broken and damaged and in poor condition; it was wedged in the frame lopsided. The windows in the bedroom were old, deteriorated, and the paint was peeling, and there was visible black grime around the windowsills. I was unable to open the windows, which was particularly concerning from a ventilation and emergency-egress perspective.
The curtains were visibly dirty and had what appeared to be a reddish-brown stain or smear on them. Whether this was blood or another substance, it was disturbing to see and certainly not something I expected to encounter in a hotel room at this price point. The refrigerator in the room was also leaking water, creating another unnecessary problem and safety concern.
What makes these conditions especially disappointing is the property’s preservation fee. A preservation fee suggests that funds are being collected to maintain and preserve the historic character of the property. Yet, based on the condition of my room and the areas I encountered, I found myself wondering why those resources were not being directed toward basic necessities such as quality mattresses, properly maintained furniture, clean window treatments, functional windows, and general upkeep.
I certainly appreciate the historic character of the Red Lion Inn. The antique furniture and historic décor in the lobby are beautiful and contribute to the property’s unique atmosphere. However, preserving a historic hotel should not come at the expense of basic guest comfort and cleanliness. Guests should be able to appreciate the history of a property while still having a clean, comfortable, and well-maintained room.
I also believe it is important for prospective guests to understand that the property’s excellent reputation and many positive reviews may not accurately reflect the experience of staying overnight. My impression is that much of the praise may relate to the restaurant (which I did not eat there) atmosphere, and historic character rather than the condition of the guest accommodations.
I had genuinely been looking forward to this stay, which made the experience even more disappointing. I wanted to enjoy and appreciate this historic property, but the condition of the room made that extremely difficult.
For the price, I simply cannot recommend staying overnight at the Red Lion Inn based on my experience. I would strongly encourage management to reinvest in the guest rooms and address the maintenance, cleanliness, furniture, mattresses, windows, and other basic accommodations. The historic character of this beautiful property deserves to be preserved, but so does the comfort and confidence of the guests who are paying a premium to experience it.
My recommendation: enjoy the restaurant and historic atmosphere if you wish, but based on my experience, I would think carefully before spending the money on an overnight stay.
