Hays' BEST Kept Secret: I-70 Econo Lodge! (You WON'T Believe This!)

Econo Lodge Hays I-70 United States

Hays' BEST Kept Secret: I-70 Econo Lodge! (You WON'T Believe This!)

Hays' BEST Kept Secret: I-70 Econo Lodge! (You WON'T Believe This!) - A Totally Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Review

Alright, listen up, road warriors! Before you roll your eyes at the words "Econo Lodge," just… breathe. Because I'm here to tell you about a place in Hays, Kansas – yes, Kansas – that might just shatter your pre-conceived notions of budget travel. We're talking about the I-70 Econo Lodge, and let me tell you, it’s an experience. A unique experience. (And yes, I’m using that word strategically).

First Impressions (and a Little Bit of Panic):

Pulling up, the Econo Lodge looks… well, like an Econo Lodge. Exterior corridors, the classic motel vibe. My initial thought? "Oh boy, here we go." But then, something happened. Maybe it was the surprisingly well-maintained landscaping. Maybe it was the incredibly friendly lady at the front desk, who, bless her heart, acted like she hadn't heard the word "stressed" in years. She was genuinely excited to welcome us. (That’s not something you get every day in the lodging business).

Accessibility & Safety (The Stuff You Actually Need to Know):

Okay, let's get the important stuff out of the way. Accessibility: They’ve got elevators, and seemingly, rooms designed for the mobility impaired, though I didn't personally experience those. The website says they are, so, ya know, call ahead to be sure. Cleanliness and safety are surprisingly on point. They make a big deal about anti-viral cleaning products and daily disinfection in common areas. There's hand sanitizer everywhere (thank god), and I swear I saw staff wiping down surfaces more often than I change my mind. (And that's a lot). Rooms are sanitized between stays, and there's staff trained in safety protocols. They’ve got smoke alarms and fire extinguishers and all the practical things. I even saw a doctor/nurse on call. They seem genuinely serious about it, which is a huge relief. They provided me with a breakfast takeaway service but opted to just order off-menu, so I could experience all the dining options.

The Room: More Than You Think (Especially for the Price):

Alright, the rooms. They’re not the Ritz, let's be clear. But they're good. Really good, actually. Definitely better than I was expecting from, you know, an Econo Lodge on I-70. Air conditioning that blasted like a hurricane (a welcome respite from the Kansas heat), a comfy bed (gotta have that), and a shower that actually…worked! They even had complimentary tea and a coffee/tea maker. Honestly, I felt spoiled. I’m a sucker for free Wi-Fi (available in all rooms!), but be careful, it is a bit dicey at times, and the Internet [LAN] seemed like an option that they don't use anymore. Blackout curtains are a godsend when you’re trying to recover from a long drive.

Internet Access – The Great Wi-Fi Gamble:

Okay, true confessions. I needed to work while I was there. The Wi-Fi [free] situation was… a mixed bag. Sometimes blazing fast, other times I felt like I was back in the dial-up days. If you absolutely need a stable connection, be prepared to hotspot off your phone. However, it’s a small price to pay for the rest of the experience. They provided Internet services and the Internet access – wireless was available (when it was working).

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Surprisingly Decent Spread!

This is where the Econo Lodge surprised me the most. The breakfast [buffet] was…dare I say…decent? There are the usual suspects – cereal, pastries, yogurt – but they also had fresh fruit and hot options. There's Breakfast service with a Western breakfast. I went with the A la carte in restaurant and opted for the Asian cuisine in restaurant. Don't get your hopes up too high, the food is not gourmet, but it's adequate and convenient. There is a Bar and can enjoy Happy hour if you're that way inclined.

Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Hays is a Gem?

I know, I know. Hays isn’t exactly a bustling metropolis. But I didn’t go there for nightlife, did I? Hays has some surprising gems. You can find many Things to do in the area, but I was mainly relaxing. The swimming pool [outdoor] was clean and well-maintained. Nothing fancy, but perfect for a dip after a long drive. There is a Gym/fitness area for the more adventurous, but I stuck to the pool.

Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter):

This is where the staff shine. The daily housekeeping was efficient and friendly. They have a concierge, cash withdrawal, food delivery, laundry service, and a gift/souvenir shop! I even saw some facilities for disabled guests that made me wish I had someone with me to take advantage of the elevator. They are happy to provide service on a 24-hour Front desk operation. They’ve got the usual suspects – luggage storage, laundry service, and a car park [free of charge].

The Quirk Factor (The Stuff You Can't Put a Price On):

Okay, here’s the thing that makes this Econo Lodge truly memorable. The vibe. It's… friendly. The staff are genuinely nice, and seem to actually care about the guests. There is no massage or spa, but if you're looking for a friendly welcome, a clean room, and a comfortable stay, then the Hays I-70 Econo Lodge could be perfect. They seem to encourage you to get a good night's sleep, there’s a certain charm to it.

The Pitch (Because, Yes, I'm Trying to Sell You On This):

Tired of overpriced hotels with zero personality? Craving a clean, comfortable stay without breaking the bank? Then the I-70 Econo Lodge in Hays, Kansas is your ticket. Get ready for a genuinely pleasant experience, a surprisingly good breakfast, and a staff that will make you feel like you're actually welcome.

Don’t expect the Ritz. Expect a fantastic value, an unexpected charm, and a stay that might just surprise you.

Book your stay at Hays’s BEST Kept Secret: I-70 Econo Lodge! (And hey, tell 'em that crazy reviewer sent you. They probably won’t know who I am, but it's worth a shot, right?) Click here to book your escape! (SEO Keyword variations: Hays hotel, Budget hotel Hays, I-70 Econo Lodge review, Kansas hotels, affordable lodging Hays, clean hotels Hays, best value hotel Hays)

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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is a messy, glorious, and probably slightly caffeinated, journey through the heartland, based around a stay at the glorious (and by glorious, I mean, well, it exists) Econo Lodge in Hays, Kansas.

Day 1: Arrival and the Desert of the Midwest (aka Hays, Kansas)

• 3:00 PM: Touchdown at… well, not an airport. More like, a dusty parking lot where my car, bless its oily cotton socks, finally surrendered. I've driven for what feels like an eternity. The flatness. It's the first thing that hits you. The sheer, unwavering flatness of the Midwest. It's enough to make a person question their life choices. Am I a tumbleweed? Am I becoming a tumbleweed?
• 3:30 PM: Check-in at the Econo Lodge. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and regret. But the woman at the desk is incredibly friendly, bless her heart. "Welcome to Hays!" she chirps. I manage a weak smile. "Gotta love the open road, huh?" she continues. I nod, my brain still trying to process the fact that my GPS just told me my destination was Hays.
• 4:00 PM: Room Reveal. Okay, so, the Econo Lodge rooms are not exactly Instagrammable. The floral print bedspread is a bold statement. The TV? Ancient. But hey, the AC works, and after 8 hours of driving, that's all that matters. My immediate thought is "I wonder how many people have slept in this bed."
• 4:30 PM: Attempt to Unpack. Fail. The suitcase is a black hole of crumpled clothes. I give up. I'll live out of the suitcase. It's authentic.
• 5:00 PM: Mandatory exploration of the surrounding area. Walk one block and find nothing but a gas station, a run-down strip mall, and the distinct feeling of being watched by a hawk. Hays doesn't have a vibe, people. It has a resolute, quiet existing.
• 6:30 PM: Dinner at the "local" diner a few blocks away. It's called "The Rusty Spoon" and it's already full of locals. I order the meatloaf. It tastes like, exactly what you think meatloaf should taste like. Comforting, yet somehow also, terribly lonely. The waitress, a woman named Dotty, is a legend. She knows everyone's order by heart, their life stories by proxy, and can probably tell you the weather based on the cow's posture on the Weather Channel.
• 8:00 PM: Stroll back to the Econo Lodge in total darkness. The silence is truly, deafening. In this moment I'm struck by this feeling of profound isolation. Where am I? Why am I here? What is life?!
• 9:00 PM: Watch TV, flipping through 75 channels and find absolutely nothing. The ancient TV crackles with static, which is surprisingly comforting. This is the Midwest, baby. Gotta embrace the nothingness a little, I suppose. And the AC. Thank god for the AC.
• 10:00 PM: Attempt to sleep. Noise from the hallway. Another guest has their TV on loud. I try to ignore it with absolutely zero success.
• 10:30 PM: Give up on sleeping. Text someone.

Day 2: Bison, Beer, and the Burning Question of "Why Kansas?"

• 7:00 AM: Wake up, feeling like a reanimated corpse. The bed might have been a mistake. The hallway noise has subsided.
• 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the Econo Lodge. It’s the standard continental fare. And by standard, I mean, the opposite of exciting. (Cereal that tastes like cardboard and a bagel that seems to have been molded from pure concrete.) I force it down. This is not a vacation. This is survival.
• 8:00 AM: Driving toward a Bison farm outside of town. The promise of seeing bison is enough to propel me forward. I'm obsessed with them. They are truly magnificent beasts. I've always wanted to see one up close.
• 9:30 AM: Bison Farm! The drive was long, but seeing those majestic beasts up close was a moment that will stay with me forever. They are, indeed, magnificent. They lumber around with the absolute air of nonchalance. I took way too many pictures. My soul feels… slightly less empty. The stark beauty of the prairie is undeniable. The wind carries the scent of grass and something wild.
• 11:00 AM: Head back to Hays. Reflect on the Bison sighting. I actually got a little emotional looking at them. I don't know why, they're just so… primal. So strong. And so not concerned with my existential crisis.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local brewery – a place called "Gella's Diner & Lb. Brewing Co." (which, if you think about it, is a very odd double naming structure) The beer is… better than I expected. The burger is pretty solid too, with a thick patty. I feel a flicker of hope. Maybe Hays isn't so bad after all.
• 1:30 PM: Stroll through downtown Hays. Okay, "downtown" is probably a strong word. It's a street. With a few shops. The shops are okay. They're full of the things you'd expect to find in a town like this. Everything from the overpriced knick-knacks to the "Kansas Strong" t-shirts. I pop into a small bookstore and browse for a while.
• 3:00 PM: Back to the Econo Lodge. Time to chill. Or whatever passes for "chill" in a place like this. Stare at the ceiling. Contemplate the meaning of life. Maybe take a nap?
• 5:00 PM: Re-watch one of the movies on the TV. The resolution is so low definition it makes the already terrible movie even worse.
• 7:00 PM: This time, I went to a different diner. Order the same meal again. This time it's not as tasty. Dotty is not working.
• 8:30 PM: Wander around. This is the time of day where you start questioning your sanity, and your location.
• 9:30 PM: Bed. Sleep. Repeat.

Day 3: Departure and the Ghosts of the Great Plains

• 7:00 AM: Wake up and leave. Get out of Hays. I get a coffee and hit the road.
• 8:00 AM: Driving. Head out of the area. I stop a a gas station. The attendant is a young woman, and she's very friendly and kind. Says Hays is a "good place."
• 9:00 AM: Driving! I'm out. Free!

Observations, Rambles, and Other Musings:

• The People: The people of Hays are genuinely nice. Maybe a little too nice? Like, there's a certain… sincerity to their niceness that's a bit unnerving, even if it's welcome.
• The Lack of Trees: There are trees, okay? But they're sparse. The landscape is vast and flat. It's a humbling experience. Nature is just… huge.
• The Food: The food is… adequate. There are no culinary fireworks. Just solid, dependable… stuff.
• Overall Emotional Reaction: Hays is… well, it's not exactly exciting. But it has a certain charm. It's a place where you can be alone with your thoughts (a little too alone, sometimes). A place that forces you to slow down. It's not a destination. It's an experience. It is a solid step above camping. And I’m saying all of this from a place of genuine affection.
• The Burning Question: Why Kansas? I still don't know. But I'm starting to understand. And hey, the Econo Lodge, with all its quirks, was exactly what I needed. It was a place to rest my head and escape the world. And that, after all, is the point of travel, isn’t it?

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Hays' BEST Kept Secret: I-70 Econo Lodge! (You WON'T Believe This!) - A Messy FAQ

Okay, seriously, what IS the big deal about this place? I mean, it's an Econo Lodge.

Alright, alright, hold your horses! You're right, it *sounds* pedestrian. But trust me, it's more than just a cheap motel. It's...an experience. A *vibe*. Picture this: You've been on the road, driving for hours, maybe with screaming kids in the backseat, maybe with a cranky spouse, maybe just completely and utterly *exhausted*. You pull into the Econo Lodge. And... something *shifts*. It's like a soft, slightly greasy hug. (And yes, there IS actual grease involved... we'll get to that.) The staff? They're not just employees; they're characters! Think of them as the unsung heroes of the Kansas plains. They know this place is a gem, and they treat you like you're in on the secret. You get that *knowing* nod when you ask for an extra pillow. That's the magic.

Is it actually *clean*? Because, let's be honest, budget motels...

Okay, okay, here's the truth. Clean? Well... it's not *sterile*. You're not going to find surgical grade cleanliness. But, it's surprisingly decent. Look, it's a budget motel on I-70. There will be… what's the word… *character*. I once found a rogue Skittle under the bed. A SINGLE Skittle. Clearly, someone had a good time. But for the price, it’s… acceptable. I've NEVER found anything that made me genuinely question my life choices. And that, folks, is a win! Especially if you've stayed at some of the other motels on that stretch of highway... *shudders*.

What about the continental breakfast? Is it the usual sadness?

The continental breakfast... this is where the *magic* really happens, and I'm being completely serious. Forget your sad, pre-packaged muffins. This place… they have *waffles*. Freshly made waffles. And not just any waffles; they’re waffle-making *machines*. You control your own destiny with that waffle iron! And the syrup? Oh, the syrup. This isn’t some watery corn syrup concoction. It's… well, I'm not sure what it is, but it's *delicious*. (It might be mostly sugar. Don’t judge me.) They also have the usual suspects - cereal, toast, coffee that, surprisingly, isn't *terrible*. Look, after a long drive, a warm waffle made by *you* is a small slice of heaven.

Tell me about a memorable experience staying there. Spill the tea!

Oh, you want tea? Fine. Prepare yourself. This is the tale of the *Great Pool Incident* of 2018. I was with a *very* tired family. We were road-tripping, and the kids were bouncing off the walls. We got to the motel, saw the pool (which, let’s be honest, looked a bit questionable – more on that later), and the kids BEGGED to swim. I, a weary Mom, caved. The pool… well, it was small. And the water… let's just say it had a unique *texture*. It was slightly…cloudy? I was instantly regretting my decision. But the kids were in, and they were happy. Suddenly, a wild, flailing *thing* appeared in the water. It was…a pool noodle, *possessed* by the wind. It went around the pool at a *crazy* speed, scaring everyone in its wake. A toddler with a swim ring started screaming. I'm watching this and I can't decide if I should be mortified or laughing hysterically. The wind! The noodle! The chaos! Finally, a brave child, around 8 years old, jumped in and saved the day. I’ll never forget that kid. Then, we get out of the pool and the kids are RAVENOUS. We head back to the room... And there, on the bed, is a *giant* bag of extra towels! Like, more towels than we even knew existed! It was like the universe was saying, "Here is some magic to cure the craziness of the pool." That night, I slept like a baby. Even the questionable water couldn't stop a night of pure bliss. That, my friends is the Econo Lodge experience.

What are the downsides, be honest!

Okay, okay, no place is perfect. Let's get real for a second. The pool? Potentially a biohazard. The wifi? Sometimes...spotty. The décor? Think dated. The noise? You *will* hear the trucks on I-70. Don't expect luxury, or a five-star experience. This is BUDGET, baby. Also, sometimes the vending machines are out of stuff. And the air conditioning can struggle a bit on those scorching Kansas days. But... here's the thing. You're not paying for perfection. You're paying for that *feeling*. That sense of… well, I don't know what to call it, but it's something. Acceptance? Respite? Maybe it's just that you're NOT at home anymore. It's a break.

What's the deal with the location? Is it... convenient?

Convenient? FOR SURE. It's right off I-70. You're in Hays (which, let's be honest, isn't the most exciting destination in the world, but hey, you're on a road trip!). There are restaurants nearby, gas stations, all the essentials. Supermarkets, too. It's a great home base if you want to see the world-famous Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Or, in my case, take a nice nap. It’s also strategically located for a quick escape back onto the highway. Which, let’s face it, is probably the main goal.

Is there a secret handshake? Should I even bother?

Ha! No secret handshake. But there *is* a knowing nod. A "Welcome to the club" kind of thing. Should you bother? YES! Absolutely. If you're looking for a five-star resort with a spa and a Michelin-starred chef, this is not for you. But if you're a weary traveler, looking for a clean-ish room, a waffle, and a little bit of Kansas charm… well, pack your bags. You might just become a believer. And if not, hey, at least you didn't pay a fortune. Honestly, just GO. You might surprise yourself.

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