I stayed at Vista in May, 2008. It is right up there with absolutely worst hotel experiences.
When I arrived, I questioned the safety of the place due to the crowd of young men hanging out in front; and the manager, a very nice man, did indeed reassure me that he would see that I was safe. He told me that was because he personally walked the premises all night with a baseball bat. And he showed me the bat.
I was led to my room because I could not find it. When I opened the door, my heart sank. The dim light over the dresser, a flickering blue flourescent, buzzed hello. I went to open the window because the air was nasty - and the cracked window was screwed shut. The view was of a grass embankment (english basement style) leading up to the
train tracks. It was littered with weeds and beer cans and there's no way I would have opened that window anyway. The drapes were missing half the hooks and closing them did not ease my discomfort one iota.
I went into the bathroom, turned around and walked back out as quickly as possible. Mold was visble on nearly all surfaces except the battered vanity top.
I went to the store, bought candles and a book, went back to the motel, lit all the candles to get rid of the stench, turned the TV up LOUD and never got undressed until moring when I simply splashed water on my face, changed clothes and headed out. the door. The manager waved me down and gave me a very nice goodie bag of fresh fruit, juice, and granola bars.
If there hadn't been a glut of travelers on this graduation weekend, I would have moved on. The manager was a wonderful guy, but this is a very very bad place.
- Vista Hotel Galesburg
