Well, her name wasnt Ming; actually I forget what her name was, I should have checked her name tag, but I was told if I brought my voucher to the breakfast the next morning it was free. I was turned away sternly with 5 minutes left. I suppose they want you payed up by the time it closes, not the last person in when it closes; however the woman at the front desk stood like a barrier in front of the entrance warning me if i took one further step in it would be as a paying customer and not as a hotel guest. Off to the front desk I go to complain. Didnt help much the whole exchange on her part was spoken in a tone of genuine kindness; you know like as if its such a wonderful thing my voucher will not be honored and they will be taking my money. Her tone lead me to believe this woman was obviously a former airline stewardess, but by the looks of her, a mountain ranger. I suppose it is not fair to include this in my review since I was told at the front desk that the restaurant operates independently from the hotel and the hotel just struck a deal to have them offer "a very basic" breakfast to hotel guests (from what I heard, only one food and drink item) but the kind woman at the desk said she will make a note of how I was treated.
Sad too, this place was clean, welcoming and a comfy stop on the barren terrain that is Wyoming. This was slightly higher priced then I cared to spend, however, it was not much a surprise with the measly choice of exits and hotels off i-80 in the equality state (certainly not when it comes to free breakfast for paying hotel members) to find they really take advantage of the fact you have no where else to go. [side-note: the gas prices, unlike hotel prices, were very cheap, odd indeed when the next exit is usually 110 miles away] the flea-bag motels were running in the 60s, the cotton tree started at 99 at the time of my visit. A happy camper no, but after seeing the other options I decided to take it. The front desk was superb, the wonderful woman told me she only had smoking rooms left; when I told her I really can not have a smoking room, she gave me the smoking room at the rockbottom rate of a non smoking room, and even held the room (and the rate) for me while i went looking for other options. For whatever reason they were packed that night, but she did keep her word, and gave me the oversized room at 99 dollars, 20 less then the regular rate (on a booked night as well) Thank goodness the room didnt reek of tobacco. It was toward the end of the building, however the hallways were nice and new smelling, clean carpet and I was able to park almost right outside my door. If the woman wasnt nice enough already, she opened up the indoor pool for me after hours and let me swim as late as I want. After a long day of driving there was nothing more I wanted then to sauna, swim and sit in the hot tub. The pool was nice and warm, and the jacuzzi, though small, was adequate. She waved to me as I left and asked how the water was. What a wonderful lady and she went above and beyond to accommodate me and make me feel welcome. The hotel has a rustic feel to it, wooden furniture and 2 door access to the rooms. The bed was comfy with lots of pillows and the room looked like it has been payed attention to in regards to cleanliness. Then again, this was a deluxe room that I was getting at discounted rate, but I felt it was worth what I payed. The hotel itself has more a "hotel" rather then "motel" feel to it, and stuffed wildlife and horns on the walls decorations gives a very hospitable feel to the state you are in. 2 computers with average internet speed (not slow, but certainly not fast) are for guest use in the lobby, and I had no issue with my own cell service. No noise from the highway heard either. There was a different woman at the front desk in the morning however her customer service was also second to none; upon printing out my bill she noticed a mistake (the modified room rate) and without a second thought corrected it -not common for motels, im used to i myself finding excess charges for safe fees, movies and the like, expecting them to fight me tooth and claw, but here, the employee caught it and didnt even wait for me to address it. I give the hotel service 5 stars, (notice hotel service, not restaurant) The guests were of the varied bunch; yes there were families and even locals, but there were as well a share of drifters, especially congregating out by the front door and by the parking lot right outside the rooms; some never left- the guy right outside my door in a cowboy hat smoking a cigarette upon me returning at night to sleep after the pool was there again the very next morning upon me leaving for the free breakfast I thought I had coming; wearing the same clothes as if he never left. At least these people, drifters and families alike, gave me some consolation, they all were talking only of one thing, the rationed free breakfast and how it was a tease that just led to them buying more food in the restaurant.
-recommended (the hotel that is, not the restaurant) do yourself a favor this stretch of interstate and spend just a little more and stay here.