This is a basic Super 8, but likely better than other properties across the brand. The owners, who live on property with their children, recently upgraded the key system from old metal keys to smart chip cards that you dip into the new door locks. Furniture has been updated to include lazy-boy-like lounge chairs. Bathrooms are dated but very clean. Beds are clean and comfortable much like what you see in a Marriot or Hilton brand hotel. There is no (as of Aug06—our visit time) high-speed internet despite what Super 8 had advertised on their website (all properties with high sped internet) at that time. There is your basic one telephone per room with voicemail. There is only one connecting room – two rooms on the ground floor that connect, all other rooms are not connecting. There is no elevator—only stairs to the second level. All room face the outside parking lot and the interstate

You pay for your stay when you check-in, as well as register your car details, name and address--- a concern for those of us who relish in privacy.

There is fax service—pay when you check-out. There are not astronomical rates for receiving or sending faxes.

The motel is popular with truck drivers and people stopping for the night when traveling on the nearby interstate. Guests can hear the cars and trucks on the interstate all night long since the hotel is so close and faces the interstate. There is ample parking for trucks and cars in the large lot which is rarely full.

The TV is basic, but old. The channel offerings are numerous. There is plenty of natural and artificial light in the rooms. The air conditioners and heart which are in-window type have been upgraded. We found the AC to be either too cold or not cold enough. We could not get the digital readout temperature to a comfortable level.

Housekeeping:

If you are staying more than one night--is done by local elderly ladies. Do leave them a tip at the end of your stay, they are very nice personalities despite one whom just had a house fire at the time of our stay.

During our one week stay in August 06, they had thrown-out important papers from the top of the clothing drawers. We wrote them a note about it but they never acknowledged doing so and never apologized. We felt guilty complaining to the front desk, but did mention it once to no avail to the on-duty teenage part-time desk clerk. In addition, housekeeping failed to return to makeup our room after asking them to return later. We had to call the front desk when we returned in the evening to ask for servicing while we went out to dinner. I can only imagine the front desk clerk came in and made up the room on behalf of the housekeeping ladies. Although, the towels need replacing as they are small and losing their “fur.”

There is no mini-bar or room service. The restaurant next door and a one of two fast food places close to town have take away/delivery menus in the room and apparently will deliver to the motel.

Food options:

Next door is a tavern like restaurant that has gone through many names and ownerships over the years and in August 2006 was really NOT good—limited hours, limited menu, limited staff, dark and smoky--- all during the weekdays in particular. It used to be a great family place with diner like menu and food. It is advisable to go to Effingham – a 20 minute drive on the nearby interstate ramp for a plethora of options, as even downtown Altamont is limited in lunch and dinner dining options (sans McDonalds like fare).

Breakfast is included and offered in the office/check-in desk area, but only includes a plate of supermarket bought donuts and bagels, bananas, coffee, tea and warm orange juice from concentrate with Styrofoam cups for the coffee but multi-use for the juice.

You can earn Trip Rewards Points or Continental Airlines miles for your stay.

Note:

There is a Knights Inn across the street, which also has been through some name and ownership changes, but has not had any upgrades at all, and the Super 8 is really the best of the two other (Altamont Motel is the other) accommodations in town.