DAYS INN BY WYNDHAM EFFINGHAM, Effingham

The hotel sits directly off the Interstate highway, making it a quick stop for road travelers. The exit (Exit 160) puts you right next to Panera Bread and other fast-food options within a 0.3-0.5 km walk (McDonald's, Wendy's, Panda Express, Starbucks). The Thelma Keller Convention Center is across the street, and Lake Sara is a 10-minute drive away. The property is adjacent to a TA truck stop, which also has a tavern (Truckers Lounge) and a food truck. Entering the parking lot from the road can be a bit confusing - watch for signs. If you are driving an 18-wheeler or pulling a trailer, there is designated parking on site.

Accommodation is split between two buildings: the main lobby building (renovated rooms) and an older outer building with significant reported issues. Rooms in the outer building commonly have water damage, peeling wallpaper, mold around windows, stained carpets, burned bedding, broken outlets and lights, and dirty walls. Some rooms have a jet bathtub (not a hot tub) - these are regular-size bathtubs with jets, not separate spa tubs. Several recent reports note that rooms in the outer building are not well-maintained. If you need a quiet, clean room, request a room in the main building. Room types include quadruple rooms (2 beds) and triple rooms (1 bed), as well as suites with a sofa bed. The property offers connecting rooms. There are no rooms with a balcony. The beds are described as comfortable by some, but the pillows can be hard and small. The air conditioning works well when operational, but some units are old and may not cool effectively. The outer building's rooms lack working lights and outlets in many instances.

The hotel offers a continental breakfast in the main building only - guests staying in the outer building must walk over. The breakfast is a free grab-and-go style with bagels, fresh fruit, and a waffle maker. Notable items include blueberry Belgian waffle mix and a pre-made folded egg and cheese omelet. The breakfast room is described as nice, but the array is carb-heavy. For other meals, there is no restaurant on site, but dozens of fast-food chains (Panera, Panda Express, Wendy's, Arby's, Chili's, KFC, Starbucks, McDonald's) are within a 0.3-0.5 km walk. The TA truck stop next door has a bar/tavern (Truckers Lounge) serving pizza, drinks, and a food truck with BBQ and brisket.

Free private parking is available on site without reservation, including dedicated spots for 18-wheelers and trailers. Wi-Fi is free and reported to work well in main building rooms. The fitness centre and sauna are listed amenities, though some recent stays indicate the sauna may not be available or advertised accurately. Meeting facilities are available, and a children's playground is on site. Laundry and fax/photocopying are available for an extra charge. Daily housekeeping is free, but the outer building rooms frequently report poor cleanliness. The front desk is staffed 24 hours, and some guests have found the staff friendly and helpful - including calling guests if they left their vehicle door open. There is a vending machine for drinks and snacks (one guest noted ice machines broken). The property has no safety locks on outer building doors, allowing general access.