And as soon as she said “Red Roof Inn”, I expected trouble.
They are AWFUL. I learned this at two different ones, both in the Cincinnati area.
The first one, years ago, would have been okay if it hadn’t attracted a clientele whose preferences ran to loud middle-of-the-night fighting and the setting off of fire alarms. The second one, several years after that and across town, initially showed promise with attractive renovations and management who seemed attentive and competent, and I was happy enough with it to return. But with each subsequent visit just over a year or two, I saw it go downhill, to the point that vixmom’s experience was entirely reminiscent of my final disastrous stay there. (I just thank the universe that the bed was clean.)
I transferred my business to a Best Western across the street, which not only started off excellent but they've done nothing but improve over the past seven years. A fine BW, and a night and day experience.
Yes, you’ll save a few bucks, but avoid Red Roof like the plague. We kid you not. And that locked lobby (“lobby”) thing at night is a good warning sign anywhere.