Very homey, light and bright, stayed here 2 years ago, what a nice difference new furniture and great pillow top bed, staff was excellent!

My two children and I travelled to Sandpoint Idaho for their annual Soccer Tournament this past weekend and we decided to stay at the Howard Johnson in Ponderay (just outside of Sandpoint). They told me it was a smoking room when I reserved it (but that it didn't smell because it's hardly ever reserved by smokers), it was one of the last rooms available, so I took it.

I must say, the price of the hotel was great, HOWEVER, upon checking in, the staff made me pay for my night stay right there and then (even though they had my CC #). I have never had to pay for my hotel BEFORE sleeping there!? I was a little shocked and confused, but proceeded to pay anyway.

Once we got into our room, it smelled like cigarette smoke (even though I was told it didn't smell when I reserved the room). Also, there was a USED, DIRTY towel hanging up behind the bathroom door, which I complained about when we left for our soccer game. The front desk lady told me she would get rid of it (but with NO apology!)

Once we returned from our game, the towel HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED and we found a garbage can FULL of dirty tissues under the bathroom sink. It was absolutely disgusting!

I am totally and uderly disgusted and dissatisfied with my stay. I am Not happy at all with the lack of apology that I received from the staff, nor was I happy with the state and smell of my room upon arrival.

This is NOT acceptable, no matter what the price of the room!

I was in the area for a couple of days for outdoor recreation. Checked in late afternoon. The desk clerk was courteous and nice, check in was quick. I went to my room and was rather stunned at the small size -- just enough room to walk around the sides and end of the bed. On the positive side, it was clean, tidy, and nicely furnished. I'm a petite person; even so, I felt claustrophobic in the cramped space. After contemplating the space for 3-4 minutes, I picked up my bags, went back to the lobby, and checked out; they credited my card.

If space is not an issue for you, then this place is probably a good value. Rooms rates are comparable to the Days Inn and Guesthouse located nearby. The furnishings are nicer than the Days Inn, where I have also stayed, but the rooms are much smaller. It has a nice appearance and is set back from the highway.

Note: the hotel is pet-friendly. Two or three people walked through the lobby with their dogs while I was checking in. Whether this is good or bad just depends on your own preferences.

My hubby and I stayed last weekend and it was a great place. The room was amazingly clean and with new beds and furniture. The breakfast in the morning is better than most Hotels, and there was free WIFI. They also are pet friendly so we brought our black lab with us. It was a nice quiet weekend and relaxing in the hot tubs. We will be coming back next year and staying here. The staff was so helpful and the resteraunt across the street was good....Thankd for making our stay so comfortable and enjoyable.