Top 10 The Shamrock Hotels

We searched online for pet-friendly hotels in Shamrock, TX. Since we often stay at Holiday Inn's when traveling between Michigan City and Phoenix, AZ. and since this hotel was on the pet-friendly list, we chose it and reserved a room. My husband checked in and gave me my key copy, he took the luggage and I parked the car and walked the dog. When I got to the room, I told him that I was going to see what they had to eat so I headed downstairs and bought a microwave popcorn and some water. The front desk clerk asked if I would make her dinner in our microwave -- essentially microwaving it, stirring it, then microwaving it again. Very strange, but I felt bad that she had no microwave and nothing to eat so I was happy to do it for her. I brought her dinner and she said ”thank you.” When I went back to the room, he said that the TV was not working. I went back out and told her and she said to try a different remote. We tried it and the TV still did not work. At this point, I took the dog out again out the side door since it was right near our room. I walked around and came in the front with the dog to return the second remote and tell her it wasn't working. At that point, she said ”This is not a pet-friendly hotel.” I told her that that's not what it showed online when searching ”pet friendly hotels in Shamrock.” She said we'd have to check out and couldn't stay there. I was incredulous. What if I paid an extra charge? No, we can't stay. She got on the phone with her boss and he said no way could we stay. I asked to speak to him or her and she said, ”No, I won't let you speak to him.” Needless to say, I was very upset given that it was listed as pet-friendly on travel sites. We had already unpacked and had just been on the road for 9 hours. I grabbed the luggage cart and as I walked by again, I asked that she credit my card for the room. She still had her boss on the phone who told her, ”No” and not only that, but they're charging me $300.00 for the fact that the dog even entered the room. Whaaaat? She acted as though I was sneaking the dog in the hotel. Why would I both sneak the dog in AND bring the dog with me to the front desk while I tried to deal with the TV problem? She was rude. Her boss was rude. And I vowed then and there to NEVER stay in a Holiday Inn again.

This motel is just off the Interstate and across the bridge from downtown. There's a small reception area and a larger breakfast area. We had a lower floor king room. The mattress was firm but not rock hard. We asked for a place to eat and were told the Mesquite Canyon steak house; unfortunately, we weren't told that everything in Shamrock, on Sunday, is closed, with the exception of MacDonald's. So we had a big Mac. Poor substitute for a steak. Morning came and we were greeted with an offer to cook eggs to order. Wow! Most of the time, it's powdered scrambled eggs. The breads were wrapped in paper, both to preserve moistness and add cleanliness. Nice touch! The hostess was involved with the guests and we enjoyed that. Not likely that we'll stay in Shamrock again, but the Best Western will be our choice if we do.

I enjoyed my stay here. I was cozy, comfortable. Manager Jay at the front desk was very helpful. The town itself is small and not incredibly modern, but it is high on the safety index, the people are friendly and they even have a nice supermarket.