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February 2025 by Jermaine Brubaker
Disappointing Stay at Best Western Bard's Inn in Ashland
As frequent visitors to Ashland, my partner and I were hopeful that Bard's Inn would become our go-to spot. Unfortunately, this experience was nothing short of frustrating and disappointing.
We booked a pet-friendly room with a jet tub for some much-needed relaxation, but the stay quickly went downhill. When we filled the tub, black mold and debris came out of the jets, making it completely unusable. Attempts to contact staff were futile—the front desk was unstaffed, and the manager’s contact number posted on the door was incorrect. At 8 PM, my partner had to go buy cleaning supplies to try to salvage the tub, but while cleaning, the faucet fell off.
After a lot of searching, we finally found an employee who was filling in for someone else. He informed us that we had been placed in an “allergen-free” wing by mistake, even though we booked as pet owners. He offered a $14 discount and moved us to another room.
The second room wasn’t much better. There was a burnt-out kitchen light, stained towels, exposed carpet tacking that cut my foot, a flickering lamp, and a falling curtain rod that punctured my finger. These issues were just unacceptable.
We reported everything the next morning with photos and were told the manager was on holiday and would follow up. Despite repeated calls, the only response we received was the same $14 discount on a future booking, which does not come close to addressing the extensive problems we faced.
While I understand occasional maintenance issues, this many problems in one stay—coupled with the lack of responsiveness—suggests poor management and upkeep at this location. I cannot recommend Bard's Inn to anyone, and this experience has made me question the Best Western brand entirely.
EDIT:
The manager refused to speak directly to my fiancé, even though I gave permission and he was the one that booked the room and dealt with the staff and issues. (I am dealing with a bad chest cold and illness and he was trying to keep me from to talk on phone.) I also attempted to outreach via email several times. We were not offered anything above the $14 discount. I understand maintenance issues, but this was a lot of issues to happen to one person. And I am not leaving a review because I did not get comped as the manager has stated, but because of the lack of follow up, the rudeness of the manager in refusing to speak to my parter, and honestly in their follow up email after this review.
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January 2025 by Aakarsh Srivastava
Noteworthy details: 🐶 Friendly
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January 2025 by D G Oleshko
What a lovely hotel. Terrific value. Wonderful decor, comfy, unique appliances. It is definitely a place that delivers value. It has its own atmosphere, which is non-corporate and uplifting. Will be back!
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January 2025 by Jeff Meyer
We stayed here one night with our dog. The room was fine although a bit dated. The included breakfast was pretty good with ample coffee, toast, eggs, bacon, cereal.
The location was great for walking with our dog to downtown.
Walkability: Easy stroll to many restaurants downtown as well as Shakespeare theater.
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December 2024 by Pat Davitt
This is a historical place right in town. And there is an excellent steak house next door!
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December 2024 by Eben Card
Great rooms and even better customer service. I was in need of a last minute accommodation and they were polite, quick, and very helpful. Very happy with my stay.
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October 2024 by JC M
We booked a three night stay with our dog for a mini vacation at his hotel. The person who booked our room said the room we wanted was not dog friendly, but he could make an exception. I asked if he was sure and he said yes, and he charged us $20 a night extra for our dog. He said he would email a confirmation. No confirmation received. I called at 10:30 the next morning and left a message saying we had not received the confirmation. No one returned our call. I called back at 1:30, and the woman who answered said "Oh yes, we were just discussing your reservation and you can't have a dog in that room." No apology and she did not offer us another room. I asked if she was the manager, and she said no and did not offer to have the manager call us. I asked her to cancel our reservation and to destroy our credit card information. We made reservations elsewhere. Over a week later we receive a call from the manager, not to apologize, but to tell us we could not have that room. Apparently our reservation was never canceled. I told him we canceled the reservation over a week ago. No apology for not canceling our reservation and no apology for the mistake in the first place. If I were the manager, I would have called back the same day, apologized and offered another room at a discount. It seems there is no longer any training in customer service or simple common courtesy. Very sad.
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July 2024 by Nadya Lambert
Rooms are clean, bedding looks good but polyester so it's hot and slides off the bed. Breakfast is awful. Fake eggs, cold pastry. Nothing healthy in sight. Location is fabulous. Right downtown so walking through town and lithia park is easy
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July 2024 by RKL
Terrible service & hostile management
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July 2024 by Kelli Landis
Clean rooms, no issues with water pressure/heat. Quiet during a holiday weekend. Very close to the Shakespeare Festival, shops, and restaurants.
Walkability: Very close to the plaza and OSF.
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June 2024 by Scott Cronk
Very nice hotel, and away from the freeway that it attracts a different crowd. Spead out over 4 buildings it's a big hotel, but not seemingly crowded.
Rooms: Room that I was in was the quietest room I had in 35 days of traveling. Very nice, vaulted ceiling, BIG TV, nice shower hot tub.
Nearby activities: Many nearby places to eat... check closed time as many are closed on certain days and don't open until late afternoon. Monday and Tuesdays closed are common.
Walkability: Many nearby places to eat.
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May 2024 by Peter Walker
This is my preferred hotel when visiting Ashland. The rooms are clean and pleasant (if a bit small) and the location can't be beat. If you have an EV like me, there are two free EV chargers. (For me that's a deal maker right there.) The staff are very efficient and pleasant.
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May 2024 by Sylvia Galvani
Stayed in room for 3 pax. Room was big, comfortable beds and nice balcony to chill out. Great breakfast
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May 2024 by Ramona Sever
We had the most wonderful stay at the Bards Inn when we were in Ashland! The folks at the front desk were so so helpful and accommodating- our room had a broken air conditioning unit we were quickly helped to find a new room that fit our needs! Plus the location was perfect for going to
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April 2024 by Jasmine Sears
My car battery died overnight and the staff went above and beyond to find me a jumpstart at 8am. The location is super walkable and breakfast was convenient.
