I usually spend about 2-3 weekends a year down in Springfield as a part of my involvement in AIA - our offices for AIA Illinois are in Springfield - which usually means an overnight at the Statehouse Inn. This has quickly become our go to due to it’s affordable rates, friendly staff, and prime location which I’ll discuss below. At the time of this stay, it was co branded as part of the Red Collection by Red Roof Inn - an effort by Red Roof to enter the boutique market with midscale to upper midscale urban properties. At the time of publishing though, it is now branded as a part of the Trademark Collection by Wyndham, a slightly more upscale take on the strategy of the Red Collection. The Statehouse Inn is aptly named due to its location directly across from the State Capitol and just a few blocks from the historic Old State Capitol. It’s also positioned perfectly within the most walkable portions of downtown Springfield, which is filled with great shopping, dining, and drinking! Some of our favorites: Buzzbomb Brewing, Obed & Isaac’s, JP Kelley’s and Custom Cup. Springfield often gets a bad rap, but there really is a lot to see and do - Abraham Lincoln’s Home, the Dana Thomas House and the Lincoln Presidential Library to name a few. It’s also conveniently located just off of the Amtrak Station should that be your method of transportation. The hotel occupies a handsome midcentury modern building with an attractive teal and blue glass facade with buff brick - it was recently restored alongside the conversion to the Red Collection brand. Booking Given that I was travelling as a part of a Board of Directors Meeting, my room was booked within a block by our lovely staff at AIA Illinois. As such, I paid nothing out of pocket. Given that I don’t frequent Red Roof properties, I’m not a member of any loyalty program, and thus didn’t earn any points. Arrival, Check In & Lobby As is usual with my trips to Springfield, I arrived via a rental car, and National handed me a sweet upgrade on this trip, which you can get too. I also could have taken the Amtrak which drops off just outside the parking lot had it fit my schedule. Speaking of parking, there is an abundance of spaces and they are included with your nights stay. I parked and took a quick walk into the lobby, although I should note that signage is confusing and I accidentally strolled through the event center first. It’s been quite fun to see this property’s transformation, especially the lobby. It went from a space that you would never want to spend any time in to one that is comfortable and charming - we even used it as a backdrop for photos. Immediately upon walking through the main entrance, you’re greeted by a fireplace and lovely mid-century furniture grouping. Off to the right is a lounge area with a baby grand piano - the bar area opens up to it in the evenings. To the left is the handsome stone check in desk and bank of elevators. Overall, the decor is quite nice - worlds better than it’s replacement, and far above what I’d associate with the Red Roof brand. Check In was quick, easy and uneventful as I was welcomed back to this property, although there is a hefty deposit required when staying at this hotel, so do keep that hold in mind. Guestroom / Suite Upon walking into the room, I arrived at night, I was struck by how dark it was, but also that it was quite sizable. Once in the main space, there was a Queen Bed with a tasteful espresso colored headboard with integrated side tables. While I would’ve preferred more outlets, I had to make do with plugging my phone in via the clock radio on the nightstand - unfortunately, access to the outlets below is blocked by the attached millwork. The bed itself was comfortable enough, but nothing to write home about - the sheets themselves had a strange texture and there were only three pillows when I checked in. Across from the bed, a similar language was picked up in the millwork that held the large flat screen tv, dresser, and workspace. A lounge chair was also provided, which proved useful for laying out my suits as the room didn’t have a luggage rack or enough hangers. Back near the entry was a very tiny bathroom. Let me emphasize that again, it was TIGHT - I could't even get multiple photos. While on the toilet, my knees hit the bump in the vanity, and I’m short! A taller person would likely be able to wash their hands from here too, convenient I suppose. The shower was aptly sized and hard ample water pressure, but the PURE amenities in the room felt very cheap, and left my skin a bit sticky - perfectly fine for two nights, but if staying longer, I may bring my own. Amenities & Features The hotel’s biggest amenity, at least in my case, is its meeting space. It has several large ballrooms that are sufficient for most sizes of group, although renovation work is desperately needed to bring the level of finish up to par with the rest of the hotel. The hotel also has a fitness center, although I did not partake due to my schedule, it seemed sufficient if a bit on the older run down side. The hotel also offered complimentary wifi, which was slow in public areas, but sufficient in the guest rooms and conference space. Food & Beverage Despite aiming at a more boutique market, this hotel still retains its free breakfast! While I didn’t eat it while here, we had a catered breakfast at my conference, I did pass through and saw a standard continental offering with bulk eggs, sausage links, many baked goods, yogurt and cereals. A welcome surprise as it would be a great kick start to the day! Complimentary coffee and fruit infused water were always available in the lobby as well. Aside from free breakfast, the hotel also offers its own bar. We didn’t grab a drink at it this time as our favorite Irish pub - JP Kelleys - is just up the block! It is a nice feature to have though, especially after a long day exploring. Final Thoughts Maybe it's the number of times I’ve visited, but I have a soft spot for this property. While it has been nicely renovated, it still operates as a two-star hotel when it comes to service and amenities, but for what I need when visiting, that's all I can ask of it. It’s clean, well operated, in a prime location, and a great value - I will definitely stay again. One thing I am interested in is how it evolves now that it is no longer under the Red Collection umbrella, but rather the Trademark Collection by Wyndham one. I wonder if service and amenities will move upscale to match the design language? 
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