Pet friendly Hotels St. Francois County

Clean, comfortable, looked like the room was recently updated except for bathroom. Staff was very nice and friendly. Nicely located next to stores and restaurants and next to a cinema that has 4 screens.

First of all, this motel is probably one of the nicest Quality Inns we've stayed in. (We typically stay at Comfort Suites) The outdoors looks a little dated but rooms appear to have been renovated. Our room was at the back of the property in a separate building, was quiet and we could see our car from the window. Bed was comfy and room was clean. Large TV worked well as did the AC. We didn't use the frig, microwave or pool. Hot breakfast was fine although the breakfast room was a little small. My problem was during check in. We reserved using the Choice Hotels app under our Choice Privileges Diamond member account. I always do our check ins due to my husband's mobility problems. As soon as I tried to check in the clerk told me that since my husband's name was on our Choice account he would have the come inside and physically do the check in. We've been Choice members for 30+ years and this has NEVER happened. I had our membership card and all the proper ID. She could look out the front door and see my husband sitting in our car. I pushed back and said no and that we'd go somewhere else. Another woman came out from the office and said not to worry, and we finished the check in. Then they told me I had to put down a separate $100 deposit that would be charged to my CC and not refunded for 5 days if we didn't smoke in the room or cause damage. Once again, this was a first for us and if this is a new policy for Choice Hotels, we'll reconsider using them in the future. Choice corporate usually emails me to do a follow up survey after our stays and I'll be bringing both concerns to their attention. I've never written a review this long but I'm still confused as to what happened.