Americas Best Value Inn Story City

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2026

Geneveve

Clean room. Staff was nice.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Apr 2026

Sharon

Although this is an older property the room was very comfortable and I slept well. It was quiet which is a plus for me! The hot water was better than any “newer@ place I have ever stayed! I did not check out the breakfast area as I was meeting for breakfast with family in the area. The price was awesome! My only suggestion would be they add a better door locking system.

Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Apr 2026

Steven

Relative to the price, the room was quite large-not the usual studio style. And, it appeared to be clean.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Apr 2026

Deb

Yes

Pet

8/10

Excellent

28 Mar 2026

Gloria

It was fine and reasonable.

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

12 Mar 2026

Betsy

Close to expressway and gas station. Dollar Store and McDonalds in walking distance. Shares building and parking with Mexican retaurant. Hostess was not friendly. Hall smelled. Room was depressing. All I can say is it seemed clean enough and I didn't detect any insects. On positive side, it was relatively cheap.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2026

Kenneth

Spotless

6/10

Pleasant

26 Feb 2026

Roderick

Peeling paint, no fire sprinklers

Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Feb 2026

Stephanie

Quiet, clean & affordable

Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Dec 2025

Kenneth

Clean room nice big king bed

Business_and_leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

17 Dec 2025

James

Room was clean and very large. Furniture is outdated and worn but nothing too extreme. Bed was soft, probably a bit too soft. Breakfast was pretty non existent even though a waffle iron was there I never saw it turned on. Basically some cereal and toast. But for what you pay there isn't much to complain about. You have a good clean and safe room. I would stay here again.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Dec 2025

Jay

Price is great, people friendly, room clean comfortable. No complaints

10/10

Exceptional

06 Dec 2025

Robert

No staff at 7am?????

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Nov 2025

Mary

It was fine for a quiick overnight stay - a stop on the way

Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Oct 2025

Steven

Various breakfast choices, good selections. Staff was friendly. Plenty of parking.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Oct 2025

Brenda

I did not stay for the breakfast but I am sure it was fine. I had the most pleasant 4 night stay with the most comfortable bed and room! The hotel was FULL but I didn't hear a thing from anyone. Thank you!

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Oct 2025

Darcie

The room was very clean. Staff was mostly reasonable. Location is right off the interstate and restaurant on property.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

08 Oct 2025

Kelly

The room was just OK. The hotel is in obvious need of maintenance. The desk was unmanned when we arrived and we waited 10+ minutes for someone to arrive to check us in. The breakfast items were not set up for individual use -- one bag of bread, one tub of butter, one jar of peanut butter, one jug of milk. Kind of yuck.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

06 Oct 2025

Julie

Room was ok, bathroom door was shredded at thw bottom. There was a tissue stuffed in the peep hole. Out dated but we just needed to sleep there for one night. It served the purpose.

10/10

Exceptional

16 Sep 2025

Jennifer

Our room was very clean and the owners are kind. For the price, it is a comfortable stay.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Sep 2025

James

Good people and good stay.

It's a really good room for the price. It's got everything you need for a really good stay.its also located in a nice area surrounded by restaurants groceries and gas stations.

Self

8/10

Excellent

13 Sep 2025

Maureen

Front staff was not always available when needed. Convenient for a one night stay close the interstate. Very outdated and you get what you pay for

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

28 Aug 2025

Linda

Restaurant same parking lot no room to park
Wall we’re not painting no cover on phone plugin
Mattress was rust color on part of it

Leisure Pet

8/10

Excellent

21 Aug 2025

Jean

Hair dryer and major reading light in corner of bedroom was not work8ng. But overall presentation very good.
Jean Drumm

10/10

Exceptional

12 Aug 2025

Michele

It was the best & the price was nice

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

23 Jun 2025

diane

My husband found a big bug and I never took my socks off the room was terrible.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jun 2025

Wallis

It was great, no problems

Business

8/10

Excellent

24 May 2025

Mark

Nice place. I hear the Mexican restaurant that’s attached is really good. Maybe next time.

8/10

Excellent

20 May 2025

Michelle

No big issues with the room. Even though it’s an older hotel, the room was clean. Nice staff

8/10

Excellent

19 May 2025

Melinda

Decent hotel for the price

It was a pleasant surprise. Only down fall was vending machine was empty and no ice in ice machine. The beds and pillows were very comfortable. Was only there for a quick overnight stay for ISU graduation. Nice mexican restaurant hooked up to hotel and dairy queen across the street. The water in shower for me could have been hotter but i like hot showers. The showerhead is in bad need of replacement. The area with the sink had terrible lighting for putting on makeup but for an overnight stay it was worth the cost. Oh the tv was big but the remote wasnt synced with the tv so we couldnt change channels or volume.

2/10

Poor

16 May 2025

Donna

Bad Beds

Older motel with limited hot water which was apparently first come, first serve per management. One bed was bad & other was terrible. Breakfast was limited with only orange juice or regular coffee to drink.
Won't stay here again, even at the price it was.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 May 2025

Debbie

Very clean rooms comfortable bed. All around a nice hotel.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Feb 2025

Paul

This is a modest motel with much to be modest about, but certainly nothing to be embarrassed about. Although the furniture in the room was a bit eclectic, everything was clean and functional. Check in was quick and efficient. The attached Mexican restaurant seems to have quite a local following. Several other dining options and some shopping is all within walking distance.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jan 2025

Jacob

Very nice lady at the desk

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

27 Dec 2024

TYLER

Clean, friendly and safe

Business_and_leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

26 Dec 2024

Carla

Designer hotel

It's always a pleasure when I go there!!!, and the young man that owns it always accommodate ME!!!

Business

6/10

Pleasant

03 Nov 2024

Randy

Convient distance from Ames.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

30 Oct 2024

Verified traveler

Older but clean and safe

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

24 Sep 2024

Mike

Check in: smelled like curry
Door wouldn’t lock
Tub had gigantic hole covered by bath mat
Smelled awful
Tv didn’t work
No phone in room
Worst hotel stay EVER so bad I didn’t take a shower

Business

4/10

Poor

24 Sep 2024

Wendell

the location was convenient.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Sep 2024

Greg

Room was clean, price was right. Restaurant attached was good. not a big breakfast but price was right.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

22 Sep 2024

Sarah

It served it’s purpose of a place to sleep but not somewhere I would ever go back to

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Sep 2024

Dave

Good rooms clean

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Aug 2024

Gregory

The room was somewhat run down but everything was clean and I had hot water for a shower. For the price I rate it four out of five stars.

8/10

Excellent

14 Aug 2024

Vicki

It is an older property, but the price is right.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Aug 2024

Terry

Good experience

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

10 Jul 2024

Verified traveler

It was not clean. Limited choices for breakfast. Cobwebs all over. The mattresses were badly stained. Yuck.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jul 2024

Linda

An excellent Mexican restaurant right next-door.

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

03 Jun 2024

Kevin

Could have better door with better locks

Business Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jun 2024

Laura

I very much loved the beds and pillows, they were so comfortable! Room was clean and spacious. I liked the fridge and microwave also. The front desk was super friendly, I just felt bad having to ring the bell. I thought I might be disrupting family or personal time. The outdoor side doors did not lock which concerned me slightly since anyone could enter, but I felt safe enough with deadbolt locked. Overall pleasant stay.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

31 May 2024

Linda

Excellent Mexican restaurant right next-door. Very good quality sheets and a comfortable bed.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

26 May 2024

Daniel

Bathroom horror

First we tried to cancel 1 of our rooms because our friend that was supposed to stay also is a first responder and was hurt responding to a fatal crash. They told ua since the room was already paid for there was nothing they could do. The bathroom in our room had holes punched into the door and wouldn't close and latch. The door knob didn't have working conection to the door frame. You had to straddle the sides of the shower because if you stepped in the middle it felt like you were going to go thru it. The toilet was so short it only came to about mid calf. No water pressure in the shower at all. I definitely wouldn't recommend this site for a stay to anyone.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

10 May 2024

Steven

hotel is conveniently located and very quiet. love that they allow pets and have a great yard for them

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2024

Peggy

One night stay and room was clean and quiet.

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

19 Feb 2024

Brandon

Honestly, for $60 a night this place was not bad at all. Obviously staying in a motel, you’re not going to have the nicest room, but there are no complaints other than the red stain in the shower which was a bit frightening but i just ignored it. The bed at this place is honestly amazing. It’s big and extremely comfortable. Not sure if they washed the sheets or not so i brought my own. But extremely comfortable, nonetheless. Overall, i had a good experience here. Probably won’t come back though because I'm definitely going to stay somewhere nicer in the future.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

18 Feb 2024

Mya

So the place is kind of crappy. There was poorly cleaned writing on the wall of our room. There were apparently outdated pamphlets in the room. The thing in the room said the breakfast was from 7-10:30, so we went to eat our free breakfast at 10 and the lady working said it actually ended at 9. Didn’t say a thing about the times changing before. So we missed our free continental breakfast even tho that was one of the reasons we chose this place. I feel like almost $70 for one night there is way too much especially because we didn’t even get the free breakfast. The only thing good I can say about this place is that the bed was comfy. Needless to say I feel ripped off.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

26 Nov 2023

Scott

The drain in the bath didn't work so taking a tub was impossible. The key cards stopped working the second day.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

24 Nov 2023

Cindy

Close to restaurants and gas station.
Very skimpy on breakfast. Staff did not make more coffee when needed.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

15 Oct 2023

Diana

Heat and air conditioning didn’t work, hairdryer, didn’t work, and facility is very outdated and rundown. I think

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Sep 2023

April

Disappointed there was not a coffeemaker in room

6/10

Pleasant

04 Sep 2023

Michael

It’s not the worst

They definitely need new mattresses-as they are a bit saggy. They mop the bathroom floor dirt into the corners, and the vacuuming was ok. The breakfast was better than I expected as there were make your own waffles. Otherwise, some fruit, cold cereal, coffee, toast, and yogurt. Overall, I have stayed in worse, I’d stay here again if I had to.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Sep 2023

Jim

Okay.

Clean and comfortable. Property is in rough condition. Poor parking lot. Bed too soft.

Partner

4/10

Poor

07 Aug 2023

Paul

This was our experience:

1. We were given keys to the wrong rooms and when we opened the doors, there were people in those rooms.
2. When given the keys to right rooms, our key did not work. The desk attendant then gave us what he called a master key. I question the wisdom of giving a motel guest a master key.
3. The sheets on one of the beds were full of hair. They obviously had not been changed since the last guest.
4. Breakfast was promised but very poorly stocked. No syrup for the waffles. Little cereal available. No fruit.
This was an extremely poor experience.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jul 2023

Daryl

Just a good night's sleep

The motel was easy to find and check-in. The beds were comfortable and a breakfast was provided the next morning and a Mexican restuarant was right next door that had very good food. The price for the room was very reasonable. Overall, we were very happy we chose this motel.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jul 2023

Lynn

It was a great property for a quick overnight stay. We got exactly what we paid for. The place was quite and walking distance to dinner.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

15 May 2023

Margaret

Everything was adequate for the price.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2023

Barb

On route, price, lots of restaurants near by

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

24 Apr 2023

Jason

Very happy weekend getaway

The Check in on Friday was very quick the owner was very polite and friendly. Got into our room it was very nice and comfortable

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Apr 2023

Kim

Place was clean and staff was friendly. Price was on track because it was somewhat outdated.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Apr 2023

Roger

I reserved a king sized bed. We got two queen sized. But everything else was great.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

20 Mar 2023

Archie

Unpleasant Stay - Unsatisfactory

Key card/card reader problems.
Ceiling light functions on and off.
Sink plug not functioning, not able to plug drain.
Sink and tub drain very slow.
General lack of maintenance.
Lobby/common areas very cold - 60 degrees according to thermostat.
Awful smell of curry throughout common areas.
Very limited selections for breakfast. Common use milk jug very susceptible to tampering. No juice. No yogurt. Only white bread. Common use jam/jelly containers, susceptible to tampering.

I’ve utilized this facility several times over the previous 25 years. Not again! And not an “Americas Best Value Inn” again with no other choice.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

11 Mar 2023

Dianne

Ok for the price.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

20 Feb 2023

Larry

On site mexican restaurant.

Business Family

6/10

Pleasant

19 Feb 2023

Deanna

Decent, affordable place

Ok place to stay on a weekend trip when we just wanted an affordable place near our final destination. Definitely no-frills.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jan 2023

Marty

It is a convenient place to stay, rooms clean, and the staff is always friendly.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

06 Jan 2023

Rodney

price

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

05 Jan 2023

Tammy

The bed and pillows were very comfortable and clean! The staff was helpful when the key did not work and when we forgot something in the room, letting us back in to get it.
The property needs attention. No security on outside hallway access door... anyone could walk in. Lock on our door did not look like it would hold up to much force. the whole property was VERY run down.
Complentary breakfast was late. Hubby went down for coffee, like 7:30 and it was not going yet.

Leisure Pet

6/10

Pleasant

07 Nov 2022

Dennis

was economical
hot water took a long time

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

31 Oct 2022

Jane

We'll be back!

We are fans of the America's Best in Clear Lake, Iowa so we gave this place a try. It is a good place to stay and we will be back.
Our quibbles are small - maybe larger bath towels? And it was not clear to us if we had on-site recycling for cans and bottles. But the staff was great, room was very very clean and we loved having grab bars ibn the bathroom as one of us is disabled. and we loved the restaurant - very good food and great staff.

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

31 Oct 2022

Verified traveler

Ya kinda get what you pay for...

The motel had a funny smell when entering the lobby. The room appeared generally clean as well as the linens. The lighting was very dark at the sink area - couldn't see to shave. The shower control needed repair - spewed when filling the tub. Seems to be a very old property.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Aug 2022

DANIEL

Great Value. Very Clean and comfortable.

8/10

Excellent

28 Jul 2022

Kevin

Very comfortable bed. Great AC. Nice size tv. Quiet room.

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

09 Jun 2022

Yat Heng

Nothing.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Jun 2022

Barbara

Extremely clean and quiet, the motel is dated but if you're not looking for anything extravagant, it's great for the price. Staff is unobtrusive but attentive.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

24 Apr 2022

Gregory

The photo on your website does not depict the actual Best Value Inn in Story City, IA.

Advertised breakfast, but no breakfast or coffee.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

19 Apr 2022

Michele

The information about the hotel advertises free breakfast, but there was no breakfast at all \"due to covid\". Restaurants are open everywhere- there is no reason hotels can't go back to serving breakfast. And at least change the advertising if you don't have breakfast.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

11 Apr 2022

Ruchel

Paid for three rooms - one had a broken hairdryer (should have just been removed), all three needed more/brighter lighting, one room had a chair that looked like it had been vomited in and just wiped up. Hallway smelled of cigarettes. Rooms were clean, just not well maintained.

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

19 Mar 2022

Emma

One of the beds was dirty, the place stunk, the bed wasn't comfortable, had bad vibes and reminded me of movies where people get kidnapped. Did not like it and would not recommend it.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

04 Oct 2021

elwyn

really

greeted with an irate gentleman, no coffee, no bkft as advertised. lady later was much more pleasant

Partner

2/10

Poor

09 Sep 2021

Trish

Don't Even Bother

I didn't get a non smoking room with a king bed as requested. There was ash from a cigarette in my sink, a bug in my bed when I woke up, and the whole room smelled TERRIBLE. Front desk agent also wrong directed me to dragging all my stuff down a long hallway when I asked if there was an entrance closer to my room. There was an exit door right next to where I was staying. 0/5 stars, can't believe they wanted over $70 for that room and service.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

28 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

It was ok. Workers tried to help a bit. We had to go out for food and the area was a little sketchy or just felt not safe (may have been ok but places around boarded up etc). No breakfast was provided even though it was advertised. They said due to Covid, but other places provided packaged alternatives.

Business_and_leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Jul 2021

Scott

Pet friendly

Pet friendly quick stop

Self

8/10

Excellent

18 Jul 2021

Curtis

It states when booking there is a free breakfast but that is incorrect.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

03 Apr 2021

Sue Ellen

Bad smell and bad lighting.

The place has a funny smell. Our room smelled like stale cigar smoke. Even though it was a non-smoking room. And the lighting in the room was terrible. I'm sure they only had 25 watt bulbs in them. And above the mirror at the sink was the same. Couldn't put makeup on. The bed saged in the middle. That room needs some work!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2021

troy

The hotel and all the amenities of the hotel was great. Room was clean and smelled good. Hotels.com however was not. The confirmation never was received at the hotel and it was a 2-3 hour wait for help.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Mar 2021

Jon

Great Hotel!

This is a very comfortable hotel, with excellent bedding, very spacious rooms and bathrooms, and the sink is outside the bathroom which helps when people want to get ready for the morning. The front desk is very friendly and helpful and this is easy access in and onto 35. We will remember this hotel for future travels!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

31 Jan 2021

Verified traveler

Heat was turned off in the room. It did heat up quickly and wasn’t a problem

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

02 Nov 2020

Verified traveler

Blue tape on exterior doors to keep open. Lobby smelled awful and room was a little better. No coffee or food in am. Broken knobs on heater to turn up.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

09 Aug 2020

Don

Older motel which still needs alot of work.

Partner

2/10

Poor

27 Feb 2020

Verified traveler

They said they excepts cats but then turns around and says they dont and charged. Us 10 more than they quoted us. Then we get back to the hotel and was locked out of our room. They told us we had to pay more money that our time was up. We had paid for 4 night stay we still had 2 days left. WTH.

Partner