In May '22 we spent two nights at the Quality Inn and Suites in downtown Syracuse. Our experience there was mixed but it exceeded our expectations, which were fairly low, going in. We chose it because it was modestly priced and within walking distance of St. Joseph’s hospital and Armory Square (the city’s main restaurant district). We had read the negative reviews and we knew that area of the city was a kind of rough so we had no illusions that this was a five star hotel or that it would even be up to the standards of Quality Inns in the suburbs. This “inn” is a motel, not a hotel, and guests can get to their rooms from the parking lot or from the lobby, through partially enclosed and secured walkways along the exterior of the building. This was a plus for us as we were still COVID-careful and trying to minimize time spent in enclosed public spaces. It helped that we had mild spring weather during our stay. Getting to and from these rooms would probably feel very different in the cold of winter or during a summer heat wave. The three-story building is old and clunky with an exterior that is utterly devoid of charm but is being reasonably well maintained. Our room was clean, spacious and seemed as if it had been remodeled not too long ago. It had a microwave, a medium-sized refrigerator and a coffee-maker but, surprisingly for a so-called “suite”, no table on which to eat. It was darker than we would have liked, as the décor was heavy on deep blues and browns, but it wasn’t so dark as to feel uncomfortable. Our one window was on the back of the building and afforded an uninspiring view of the highway and an abandoned warehouse, but it did provide natural light and was partially screened and could have been opened, had we wanted to do so. Most of the other rooms have windows on the front, facing the walkways, and probably let in less light. The parking lot is unsecured but it is monitored by video cameras, which are watchable by the desk attendants. There was safe in our room that was big enough to store our laptops and other valuables. The area in which the motel is situated has seen better days and is a hodge-podge of industrial and commercial buildings, once-stately structures that have fallen into decay and a few small businesses, including a 7-11 and pizza shop. We felt totally comfortable walking around during daylight hours and the few other pedestrians we encountered were in no way threatening. The folk staffing the reception desk seemed to members of one family and could not have been nicer or more helpful. We would happily stay there again.
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