Scotwood Motel: Your Kenmare, ND Oasis (OYO Washburn)!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Scotwood Motel: Your Kenmare, ND Oasis (OYO Washburn) experience. Forget the sterile, corporate reviews, this is going to be raw, real, and hopefully, a little bit hilarious. Consider this your unofficial guide, 'cause let's be honest, who really trusts those perfectly polished hotel blurbs anyway?
First Impressions (and the Battle with the GPS)
Okay, so Kenmare, North Dakota. Population? Let's just say it's not bustling. Finding the Scotwood… well, that was an adventure in itself. My GPS, bless its digital heart, seemed to have a vendetta against me. Seriously, I think it enjoyed rerouting me through gravel roads just for the fun of it. But hey, it's part of the adventure, right? Eventually, after a few near-misses with bewildered cows, I pulled up to the Scotwood. The exterior, as you might expect in a motel, is… functional. Think clean lines, a splash of beige, and a vibe that whispers, "We're here to serve you, not win design awards."
Accessibility - A Mixed Bag, Honestly
Right off the bat, let's address the accessibility elephant in the room. The website says facilities for disabled guests are available. I didn't personally check it all out, but I did a little recon. The elevator looked…well, it looked like an elevator. I'd cautiously say it appears to be accessible, but always call ahead to verify your specific needs. It's North Dakota, remember? Things move a little slower, and sometimes the descriptions don't fully match reality. They do have a doorman, which is nice, although he was off duty when I arrived.
Amenities – The Good, The Bad, and the "Wait, REALLY?"
- Internet Access (FREE WIFI!): Praise be! Free Wi-Fi in the rooms AND public areas? Yes, please! And, get this, the Wi-Fi actually worked. (Small miracles, people, small miracles.) I'm a digital nomad, so this is HUGE. My entire livelihood depends on it. I did not bother with Internet [LAN], because who uses that in 2024?
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The motel has restaurants and a bar, but I didn’t explore the offerings. I saw something about an Asian Breakfast in the description. I didn't see any "Poolside bars" nearby but maybe I missed it.
- Things to do, Ways to Relax (Spoiler: It ain't the Ritz): Let's be frank: this isn't a spa destination. While they list spa services, a fitness center, and a pool, my expectations… were tempered. Expect a no-frills experience.
- Pool: There is an outdoor swimming pool. I did not swim in it. I did not see anyone swimming in it.
- Gym/Fitness: I saw something that might qualify as a fitness center. It looked…well, let's say it wasn't exactly a CrossFit paradise. Think: treadmill, maybe a weight machine or two.
- Spa: Again, keep your expectations realistic. I did not see a sauna, steamroom or anything too fancy.
The Room – My Humble Abode
My room was… clean. Which, after battling the GPS and the open road, was all I really cared about. Seriously. The bed was comfortable enough, the sheets were clean, and the air conditioning worked. Yes, I'm easily pleased. The room came with the usual suspects: a coffee maker (essential!), a small fridge, a TV with a decent selection of channels. The bathroom was…functional. Everything worked, and the water got hot. They had toiletries and even robes… or maybe one of those fluffy things that you would not wear outside, for sure. This is a room you can comfortably hang your hat in at least, and that goes a long way in the scheme of things. I will make a note. The lighting was a little harsh. Like, hospital harsh. But hey, at least I could see what I was doing.
The Nitty Gritty: Cleanliness, Safety, and the Tiny Details
- Cleanliness and Safety: Overall, I felt safe and the room felt clean. They mention anti-viral cleaning products and room sanitization between stays. They had smoke detectors (always a plus!), and what seemed to be security cameras in common areas.
- Breakfast: They have breakfast service. I didn't try it. I grabbed a coffee and a danish at the little convenience store down the street. It was open at all hours, too.
- Cashless Payment Service: Thank goodness! Modern convenience!
Services and Conveniences – What Did They Offer?
- 24-Hour Front Desk: Excellent for late arrivals (like mine). Always nice to know there’s a friendly face (or at least, a functioning human) available.
- Daily Housekeeping: Not exactly a luxury experience, but the essentials were covered.
- Laundry Service: Didn't need it, but good to know they offer it.
The Verdict (and the Pitch!)
Okay, so the Scotwood Motel isn't going to blow your mind with its luxury. It's not the Four Seasons. But it is a clean, comfortable, and conveniently located (once you get there) option in Kenmare. It's the kind of place where you can relax, get a good night's sleep, and not worry about breaking the bank.
Here's my brutally honest take:
- Accessibility: Good for basics, always call and confirm your needs.
- Cleanliness: Definitely a plus. It's clean, safe, and no-frills.
- Value for Money: It’s a solid deal.
- Overall Vibe: Think “Friendly, functional, and a little bit quirky – in a good way.”
The Unofficial, Discounted, and Exaggerated Offer
Alright, listen up, you weary traveler! Forget those glossy brochures and phony superlatives. Here's the real deal:
- Book Now and Get a Free "Survival Kit"! (Okay, it's a bottle of water, a granola bar, and a map that might get you to the next town.)
- Mention this Review and Get 10% Off (and a hearty fist bump from the front desk!)
- Bonus: Since you made it this far into my review, you are entitled to ask the front desk person for an extra cup of coffee and I guarantee you 90% of the time they'll give it. They're kind people, alright.
Final Thoughts (and a Word of Warning)
The Scotwood Motel: Your Kenmare, ND Oasis (OYO Washburn) isn't just a place to lay your head. It's an experience. An experience of simple pleasures, unexpected challenges (that GPS!), and the quiet charm of small-town North Dakota. Will you be pampered, or will there be any "happy hour" experiences? Nah. Will you feel welcome, safe and comfortable? Absolutely.
So, if you find yourself in need of a place to crash in Kenmare, give the Scotwood a shot. Just remember, keep your expectations in check and embrace the quirks. You might just leave with a story to tell… and maybe a newfound appreciation for reliable Wi-Fi.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a journey of epic proportions… well, epic for a solo traveler with a penchant for questionable motel choices. And this one? This one’s in Washburn, North Dakota. Specifically, the Scotwood Motel by OYO. Let’s dive in, shall we? My schedule will, as always, be a complete tapestry of good intentions and utter disarray.
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (and Maybe a Taco)
1:00 PM (ish): Finally, FINALLY, arrived at the Scotwood. The pictures online, let me tell you, were optimistic. Let's call it "rustic charm." The friendly lady at the desk (bless her heart, she looked like she’d seen some things) gave me my key. It had a little plastic tag. It worked! Score. The room? Well, let’s just say it smelled…lived in. A mix of stale cigarettes, something floral that might have been cleaning product at some point, and… ambition. This is going to be interesting, that's for sure.
1:30 PM: Unpacked. Briefly. Mostly just dumped everything on the bed. My travel companion, a tattered copy of "Moby Dick" (always with me), got a prime spot next to the single, slightly lumpy pillow.
2:00 PM: The existential dread starts to creep in. Seriously, what am I doing here? Washburn, North Dakota. Population: less than the number of times I’ve considered quitting my job this week. Okay, deep breaths. I need food. And coffee. Desperately.
2:30 PM: Armed with my trusty (and slightly battered) rental car, I ventured forth. Found a place called… The Taco Shack. (Hoping that name is not a lie). They had tacos! Glorious, slightly greasy tacos. They were good. Not life-changing, but… good. And they had hot sauce. This small town, you crazy thing.
3:30 PM: Back at the motel. My room’s looking a bit less "rustic" and a bit more "lived-in-by-a-hobo." Time for a power nap. Because, tacos. And existential dread.
7:00 PM: Woke up. Missed dinner. Completely forgot dinner. Guess I'm officially on the fast-food diet. So, I ordered a pizza from a place called "Pizza Palace." It was… pizza. Adequate. Ate the whole damn thing. No regrets.
8:00 PM: Watched some TV. The channels are all basic cable. And the selection is absolutely mind-numbing. But hey, it keeps the voices in my head at bay, at least for a little while.
10:00 PM: Lights out. Or at least, that's the plan. The bed is… let's be kind and call it "firm." And the air conditioning makes a noise that I can only describe as "a dying walrus." But hey, I’m surviving. Barely.
Day 2: Embracing the Weird (and the Rural)
7:00 AM: Woke up. The walrus, or whatever was inside the AC, is still going strong. Coffee. I need coffee. Fortunately, there's a tiny, pathetic coffee maker in the room. It produced a liquid that vaguely resembled coffee.
8:00 AM: Okay, time to actually do something. The internet is a little sketchy, so I'm forced to get out. I think I'll take a drive towards the Missouri River. Hope I don't encounter any rogue tumbleweeds.
9:00 AM: The drive. Oh, the drive. Endless fields of… well, fields. Corn, maybe? Wheat? I'm not a farmer (clearly). But the sheer vastness of it all is…something. It’s humbling, I guess. And isolating. I’m talking to the radio, which is probably a bad sign.
10:00 AM: THE MISSOURI RIVER!!! I found it. A big, wide, muddy river. Pretty impressive, actually. Sat on a bench overlooking it, and just… watched. The wind was whipping, the sky was enormous, and I felt…peaceful? For a few minutes, anyway.
11:00 AM: Started exploring. It was all beautiful. I found a random rock with a heart shaped mark on it. I knew I should take it with me.
12:00 PM: Lunch. Found a diner. Ordered a burger and fries. This burger was… glorious. Sometimes, the simplest things are the best. This burger was definitely the best thing that had happened to me today.
1:00 PM: Explored the area a bit more. The town was small, it was quaint. Everyone seems to know everything about everyone. I found a bookstore nearby and bought a couple of books. I love books. It makes me happy.
3:00 PM: Back at the Scotwood. The dying walrus is still at it. Contemplating a second nap. Or maybe just giving up on the day entirely and ordering more pizza. Decisions, decisions…
6:00 PM: Took a walk. The motel neighbors are all around: from families to semi-truck-drivers. People are everywhere. I chatted with some of them. Everyone is really friendly. This trip is surprisingly the best out of the last months.
9:00 PM: Back in my room. Ready to close my eyes for a while. It's time to read a book, or maybe write about the day
Day 3: Departure, and the Promise of a Hot Shower (and No More Dying Walruses)
7:00 AM: The walrus… still there. Packed my bag. The bed, surprisingly, wasn't as bad as I'd initially thought. Maybe I'm just adapting.
8:00 AM: Checkout. Said goodbye to the friendly lady at the desk. Promised to return. (Liar).
9:00 AM: Driving away. Looking back at the Scotwood. It doesn’t look quite so… terrible in the daylight. Maybe I'll miss it. (No, definitely not).
9:30 AM: Heading East to Kenmare.
10:00 AM: The drive. The fields are still there. The sky is still big. The radio is still my companion.
1:00 PM: Arrived at Kenmare. I'm finally free from those walls. What's next? Coffee. And then… the world. Well, or at least the next mediocre motel.
In Conclusion:
The Scotwood Motel by OYO was… an experience. Not necessarily a good experience, mind you. But a memorable one. It was a reminder that travel isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes, it's about struggling with a dying walrus and eating questionable pizza. And sometimes, it’s about finding peace in the vastness of the North Dakota plains. Would I recommend it? Probably not. Would I do it again? Maybe. Definitely. Because, hey, adventure is out there, even if it's in the form of a slightly musty motel room and a dying walrus. And for that, I am eternally grateful. Now, excuse me while I find a hot shower. And maybe some coffee. And maybe… a new life.
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Scotwood Motel: Your Kenmare, ND Oasis (OYO Washburn!) - FAQs (The REALLY Real Ones)
Okay, so like… is this place actually *good*? I mean, "Oasis" is a strong word for Kenmare, right?
Alright, let's be real. Kenmare ain't the Amalfi Coast. But for Kenmare? The Scotwood? It's… well, it's *there*. "Oasis" might be stretching it a tad, kinda like calling your uncle's chili "gourmet." But it's clean, the beds aren't collapsing, and hey, there's usually hot water. I stayed there last year during the annual Kenmare Moose Lodge pie-eating contest (don't ask). It was a lifesaver. Beats sleeping in the car, trust me - I've done that, too! It's functional, maybe even a little… charming in its own way. Okay, that's a stretch. It’s *adequate*. Look, expectations are EVERYTHING.
What are the rooms *actually* like? Is the furniture from the 70s? Is there a coffee maker?
Picture this: Probably a bit of 70s, maybe 80s. The wallpaper might have seen better decades, let's just say that. I swear, I once saw a room with a floral pattern that could *double* as camouflage. But look, it’s motel-y. It’s not a five-star Ritz-Carlton. But it *was* clean (mostly!). Coffee makers? Yeah, they usually have one. But bring your own coffee. The stuff they provide? Let's just say it's… *robust*. I once tried to make coffee and the pot sounded like my grandpa's old tractor trying to crank over in the winter. Don't expect a Keurig, people. Expect a regular drip machine. And the chairs? They're functional. Not Instagram-worthy, but you can sit in them. Seriously, what were you expecting? Be happy you have a chair to sit on!
Is there a pool? I'm traveling with kids.
Absolutely not. No pool. I suspect if there *was* a pool in Kenmare, it would be the only one for miles and miles. And probably filled with algae. So, manage those kid expectations. Maybe bring some water balloons and have a picnic in the parking lot. Alternatively, plan a trip to the local splash pad! It's Kenmare. The nearest ocean is… well, it's far. Really far.
What's the Wi-Fi situation like? Because I need to work… *sigh*.
Wi-Fi? Bless your heart. It *exists*. I'm not going to lie, it's not the fastest Wi-Fi in the world. Think… dial-up, but slightly better. Probably enough to check emails and browse Facebook. Don't try streaming Netflix. You'll be there forever. I tried to upload a photo once, and I swear, it took longer than the drive *to* Kenmare. Plan accordingly. Bring a book. Or just… disconnect. Embrace the Kenmare experience. You'll thank me later.
Are pets allowed? My dog is a good boy (or girl, let's be fair.)
Check with the hotel directly to be sure of current rules. It is Kenmare, in rural North Dakota, so the answer is *probably* yes, provided Sparky isn't a yappy menace. However, I would suggest phoning ahead. I would also recommend *against* trusting the internet entirely for the pet policy. I once booked a place in Montana that *said* they allowed dogs, but then when I got there, the front desk lady looked at my perfectly behaved golden retriever like he was a furry alien. So, yeah, call and confirm.
What's the breakfast situation? I'm one of THOSE people.
Breakfast… ah, breakfast. It varies. They usually offer something. I've seen continental breakfasts so sad they made me want to cry. Dry cereal, questionable pastries (I suspect they're made in a bunker somewhere), and instant coffee that'll strip the enamel off your teeth. I once had a stale bagel that was so hard it could probably double as a weapon. My advice? Bring your own. Or hit up the local diner. You'll thank me. Or even skip breakfast entirely. You're saving your time and money! And your digestive system.
Is there anything to *do* in Kenmare? I'm picturing tumbleweeds and boredom.
Okay, alright, let's not sugarcoat it: Kenmare isn't exactly Vegas. It's a small town. But that doesn't mean it's *completely* devoid of life. There's often a local bar or two with a good burger. During the summer, there might be a town festival - don't miss it! The community here is friendly, even if they're a bit quiet. Honestly, the best thing to do in Kenmare is… lower your expectations and embrace the simplicity. The vast, open skies are pretty amazing. You could just hang out at the motel and read a book! Really, it's about what *you* make of it. That said, don’t plan on an elaborate itinerary. That's not the point of Kenmare.
Let's talk about the parking. Is it free? Spacious? (Because I drive a *big* truck.)
Parking? Dude, in Kenmare? Yeah, it's free. And yeah, it's plentiful. You could probably park a semi-truck and nobody would bat an eye. Your *biggest* parking concern in Kenmare will likely be whether or not you can get a spot *at* the gas station, not at the motel. You're golden. Park wherever the heck you want.
Okay, final question. Would you *recommend* the Scotwood? Be honest. Spill the beans.
Look, it depends on your perspective. If you're looking for a luxury experience, then absolutely not. Go somewhere else! If you prioritize sparkling marble bathrooms and Michelin-star cuisine, you are in the *wrong* place. But if you need a clean, affordable place to sleep in Kenmare? If you're passing through, on a budget, or just… well, if it's the only game in town? Yeah, I'd recommend it. It's not perfect. It's got its quirks. But it's functional. ItTrending Hotels Now
