Crowne Plaza Springfield, IL

Decor (wooden) and ambiance (homey) looked totally out of place for a full-service hotel, but it got the job done. Receptionist was a seasoned older employee who never smiled but remained polite, efficient, competent, and tactful; I'd booked on Priceline but was treated no differently.

Huge, but arranged in a way that wastes a lot of space. Same goes for the bathroom.

Furnishings are all modern and classy as one would expect of Crowne Plaza; power outlets are plentiful and thoughtfully positioned; free wifi is speedy (8Mbps down on fast.com) and reliable (I FaceTime'd and HBO GO'd for hours without hiccups). Bed is comfortable but not luxurious. There's no duvet - only a flat sheet and two thin blankets, which I suspect would be inadequate in the winter months.

Soundproofing is the real Achilles heel. Make sure your windows are closed - mine weren't, and somehow I missed that when I drew the blinds for the night. Even then, chatter from the hallways and adjacent rooms flow easily into your room.

Because of the poor soundproofing I was able to hear the conversations between room service attendants and guests in other rooms. Service seemed great and other guests seemed pleased.

I did not partake but I appreciated that the bar/restaurant was open late.

Just off the interstate, making it good for road trippers and bad for downtown businesspeople.

I paid $60 through Priceline (best flexible rate was ~$110 on IHG.com) and was definitely satisfied. Although the thin walls are a bummer, they did not affect my sleep quality, and the hotel's overall upkeep met my standards for a Crowne Plaza in the US.

The hotel exterior makes a great first impression - its size and height dwarf the numerous other hotels in the vicinity.