We were traveling from California to Michigan and made an overnight stop in Council Bluffs. Since we were traveling with pets, we needed a pet-friendly hotel and chose the American Inn after reading many positive online reviews.
The staff was very kind and friendly, which we appreciated. Unfortunately, the condition of our room was disappointing. The moment we walked in, there was a strong odor that smelled like mold. The wall AC unit appeared to have a newer front cover, but the inside was visibly dirty with dust, grime, and what looked like mold buildup. We chose to leave it off and open the windows instead.
The beds appeared clean, thankfully, but the bathroom had splatter marks on the walls, heavy dust around the exhaust vent, and visible mold growth on one of the interior doors.
After two long days of driving with two dogs, we were too exhausted to search for another hotel, otherwise we likely would have left.
To be fair, this was a last-minute trip during what appeared to be graduation weekend, so finding pet-friendly accommodations was difficult. I don’t enjoy leaving negative reviews, but I do think travelers should know what to realistically expect. The staff was pleasant, but the cleanliness and maintenance of the room need significant attention.