Royal Inn Provo

This hotel is primarily a budget-friendly option, often chosen for its convenient location near the BYU campus and various amenities. While some guests find it an acceptable choice for a short, economical stay, many others report significant issues that detract from the overall experience. The hotel's age and apparent lack of consistent upkeep are recurring themes, leading to a wide range of guest satisfaction. It is best suited for budget-conscious travelers or BYU visitors who prioritize proximity over luxury. To ensure a more comfortable stay, guests are advised to manage their expectations regarding room condition and amenities, and perhaps confirm specific features directly with the hotel upon booking, especially regarding breakfast availability and pool access.

Facilities & Amenities
Many guests report significant issues with the hotel's facilities and amenities. The swimming pool is consistently mentioned as being closed, dilapidated, or unusable, despite being advertised. The ice machine is frequently reported as broken, causing inconvenience for guests. While most rooms are equipped with a microwave and a refrigerator, some guests found the refrigerator to be excessively loud or malfunctioning. In-room phones are often non-functional, making it difficult to contact the front desk. Other common complaints include loose electrical sockets, slow-draining bathtubs or showers, and a general lack of basic items like sufficient towels or working hair dryers. The overall impression is that many amenities are either unavailable or in a state of disrepair.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel receives overwhelmingly negative feedback regarding cleanliness and room comfort. Many guests describe rooms as filthy, citing stains on bedding (including what appeared to be blood, bodily fluids, or vomit), hair in beds and bathrooms, and pervasive mold or mildew smells, particularly in bathrooms. Reports of bed bugs and roaches are also present. The beds are frequently described as lumpy, saggy, or generally uncomfortable, leading to poor sleep. Thin sheets and scratchy, worn towels are common complaints. Rooms are often perceived as old, dated, dark, and dingy, with visible holes in walls, peeling paint, and broken fixtures like lights or remotes. Noise levels are a significant issue, with guests frequently hearing stomping from upstairs, conversations from adjacent rooms, road traffic, and even early morning dumpster pickups.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on dining and food quality, particularly the complimentary breakfast, is largely negative. Many guests report that the breakfast is advertised but often not available upon arrival, or is extremely minimal. When offered, it typically consists only of cold cereal, bread for toast, waffles (often with a broken or dirty waffle maker), and basic beverages like coffee and juice. There is a notable absence of fresh fruit, protein options, or other varied items. The breakfast room itself is described as small with limited seating, sometimes leading guests to eat in their rooms. Many guests find the breakfast offerings so unsatisfactory that they choose to skip it entirely or seek food elsewhere, despite it being a factor in their booking decision.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location receives mixed to positive feedback. It is praised for its central location and close proximity to the BYU campus, the Marriott Center, and various public transportation options, making it convenient for visitors to the university or those relying on transit. Guests also appreciate its nearness to a variety of restaurants and grocery stores. Some rooms offer pleasant views of Utah Lake and the mountains. However, some guests note that the hotel can be hard to find as it is set back from the main road. While convenient, the immediate surrounding area is described as "sketchy" by some. Parking can also be an issue, with reports of limited spaces or large containers occupying spots.

Staff & Service
Guest feedback on staff and service is notably mixed. Many reviews highlight individual staff members, particularly at the front desk, as being friendly and helpful, contributing positively to the check-in process. However, a significant number of guests report highly negative interactions, describing staff, including managers, as rude, unhelpful, disrespectful, and ignorant, especially when addressing complaints or specific policies. Common points of contention include disputes over late check-out fees, misunderstandings or refusal to accommodate service animal policies, and an unresponsiveness to serious issues like dirty rooms or bed bugs. While some guests mention a quick check-in process, others experienced long waits or issues with room assignments. Housekeeping is sometimes noted for knocking on doors too early in the morning.

Additional Information
Several miscellaneous but important details emerge from guest reviews. Many guests report being surprised by a deposit (often $100) required at check-in, which some claim was not returned or was difficult to retrieve. The hotel's pet policy is a frequent source of frustration, with guests reporting unexpected pet fees, even for service animals, and staff being perceived as uneducated or disrespectful regarding service animal regulations. There are concerning claims of theft from rooms and allegations of the hotel being used for hourly rentals for illicit purposes. Some reviews mention a noticeable presence of long-term residents and occasional partying or domestic disputes that led to police presence. The hotel has also undergone name changes, causing confusion for some guests booking through third-party sites.