Name: Quality Inn Cortland - University Area
Address: 188 Clinton Avenue, Cortland, New York, United States of America, Cortland, New York, US
Price range: US$90–US$165 per night
Rating: 7.65

What guests think

At Quality Inn Cortland - University Area, guests often describe an aging property with peeling wallpaper, musty odors, damp carpets, and maintenance problems, yet many also note friendly staff, comfortable beds, and a convenient location near I-81, SUNY Cortland, and restaurants.

Cleanliness feedback is mixed to poor, with frequent mentions of mold, lingering smells, dampness, and inconsistent housekeeping; several reviews also cite pests and nonworking toilets, showers, or air conditioners. Staff are widely described as friendly and helpful, though occasional lapses and front-desk mix-ups occur. Facilities are basic, with no elevator, some doors and ice machines not working, and a very limited continental breakfast that sometimes lacks items like coffee. Expect an older, budget stop with caring service but uneven upkeep.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Facilities are basic, with no elevator and several amenities out of order (e.g., ice machines and some exterior doors), a worn parking lot, and a few expected extras like vending or laundry unavailable.

Related guest reviews

4

Diane

4 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

The inn is awful, carpets are stained throughout, there’s no elevator so if your on the second floor the stairs are steep and a hike to the top.

4

Catherine

29 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Property may have been fine in the 90’s but no updates since…..paint pealing, very outdated drywall curling, carpet stained and very worn, ice maker not working, and even staff were complaining that it was too hot in the building. Do your best to stay elsewhere.

2

michael

21 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I am handicapped and they do not have an elevator and they put me in a second floor room.

4

David

27 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The staff was friendly. The hotel is outdated. There is no elevator to get to the 2nd floor; the carpet is ripped in numerous places; there were water stains in the shower; the wallpaper is torn and peeling off in numerous places. The free breakfast was extremely limited and only included coffee, tea, orange juice, 2 cereals, yogurt, toast, packaged muffins, and a waffle maker. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone.

4

April

13 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

It was conveniently located off I-81 and had a few surrounding good restaurants. However, the hotel itself was rundown badly. Bathroom ceiling was moldy and stained. Wallpaper peeling in bathroom and room. Bed was comfortable but not sure about what’s going on under that mattress cover. The staff was kinda busy amongst themselves and none of the doors locked that were supposed to be locked. Also parking lot was in bad shape. Just overall regret this choice. Oh and my keys kept deactivating and had to search for staff each time to reactivate but apparently it was due to my phone being near the keys. Probably would not stay again.

6

Thyjuan

25 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The overall room was okay for the price. But the breakfast wasn't a true breakfast. They have a picture of a wonderful strawberry dessert that they don't serve. There were also no vending machines to get food or water on the property.

6

Robert

18 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

After a long drive, wife was desperate for a toilet, told there were no public toilets, had to wait for me to check in. Assigned a second floor room in a nearly empty hotel, we elderly patrons had to climb the ratty stairs carrying our luggage (no elevator) in order for her to use the toilet. Threadbare carpet on stairs, dislodged corroded drain plate, damaged exit door, broken security lock with security advisory label reflecting door lock no longer in place, poorly lit hallways, tattered curtains. Echhhhh! The bed was very nice, the room quiet and comfortable. "Free Breakfast" was a joke. Coffee and tea were OK. The room served our needs, got a good light's sleep. But have they no pride?

4

Melissa

12 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

The pictures on line and their website are very deceiving. The room was filthy. From the floors, the tub had not been cleaned, the toilet was disgusting. The hallway was dark. The stairway (no elevator) was dark and filthy. The door to enter the hotel had a clothespin wedged in the lock so that anyone could enter after hours without having to have a room key. The staff wasnt friendly. The continental breakfast was not really existent. Very very disgusted. Would never recommend or stay there again.

2

Madison

17 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Side door to get into the building did not lock so anyone could walk in. Room was dirty, wallpaper peeling off walls overall very outdated. Whole place smelled.

6

Ann-Marie

8 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

The staff were super accommodating and friendly. The breakfast was good and the eating area was clean. The rooms are partially updated. No laundry machines are available despite the list of amenities. There is definitely a moisture problem between the floors and the walls and floors are thin. Thankfully, noise was not really an issue most of the time. Beds were comfortable, the a/c worked great and the furniture was fairly new. Overall, it was a good value. Yes, some improvements can be made but it was good enough for our purposes.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is a recurring concern: many reports of musty odors, damp carpets, mold in bathrooms, stained or unclean linens, and overall grime; multiple reviews mention pests. A few guests did find their rooms clean.

Related guest reviews

6

Michael

4 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Service was amazing. The only thing I didn’t like was the cleanliness of the bathroom. Black mold on the shower wall. Lots of hair and dirt in the corners.

2

James

22 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

When we got into the room it was dirty stains on both bed sheets and the was someone else's towel on the back of the door. also, the toilet was clogged so we never got to use toilet after the first try. there were holes in the wall ripped wallpaper with masking tape over what was small holes in the wall. stains on the carpet and ac unit needed to be wiped down. lastly one of the beds was lopsided and you would almost roll off the bed when you slept which wasn't long. went down next day to check out and the manager apologized and offered to take care of me next time we weren't that hotel, but I stated I would never come back to that place again especially because it was still $150

2

Dolores

9 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I changed rooms due to the room being moldy and very damp. Now I was sitting on the bed and a bedbug just crawled on my leg !

2

Mandy

1 Oct 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

I would like a full refund, the hotel was filthy, loud, i got bit up, i have bites all over my neck.

2

Letesha

5 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

The service was excellent at the front desk. However, the place is horrible... Not clean at all.

2

Craig

19 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was too disgusting and dirty to stay. Front desk staff gave me a warning at check in “we are sold out and we can’t switch your room but I even tried to clean it myself and it won’t come out”. This place needs an inspection from the health department. Dirty with smell of mold and damp everywhere.

4

NAERAN

8 Dec 2023

·

The property smelled and was minimally clean.

4

Melissa

12 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

The pictures on line and their website are very deceiving. The room was filthy. From the floors, the tub had not been cleaned, the toilet was disgusting. The hallway was dark. The stairway (no elevator) was dark and filthy. The door to enter the hotel had a clothespin wedged in the lock so that anyone could enter after hours without having to have a room key. The staff wasnt friendly. The continental breakfast was not really existent. Very very disgusted. Would never recommend or stay there again.

4

Tiffany

16 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

This hotel is disgusting. The carpet in the room felt damp and the bathroom had painted over mold and peeling wallpaper (which was no doubt hiding more mold). The whole building smells like mildew and old cigarettes and the employees (although nice) are not knowledgeable about their job. The regular room rate is over double what I would consider fair for the quality of the property. If you’re on a road trip and you just need to sleep quickly and cheaper than some other hotels, that is the only time I would recommend staying here.

2

Michael

6 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This hotel was beyond disgusting. Pills, and food crumbs scattered across uncleaned room floors. No wonder we saw cockroaches in multiple rooms, holes in walls, peeling wall paper. Makes you wonder if the bed sheets even get washed. The young girl who checked us in was sleeping at the desk. The over-night staff had a strung out boyfriend awkwardly standing in the lobby all night facilitating deals. When we confronted them about the bugs, she acted irrationally, and hostile. I thought her and her strung out friend/dealer were looking to fight(?!). She became down right my rude and her only solution was to lie and not give us her name, or the managers name, and tried closing out our room and wanted us to leave the hotel with every other hotel in the area booked full ( no wonder this dump was the only rooms available, trust me, we tried leaving, calling every hotel within miles! ).

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Rooms

Rooms feel dated and worn, though beds are often comfortable; several guests noted noisy or failing HVAC and occasional plumbing issues, and a few found rooms small or quiet enough for a short stay.

Related guest reviews

8

Orland

5 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was clean Air conditioner failed & leaked all over carpet Outside & inside old, deteriorating Decor old & mixed with mis-matched upgrades Ugly Staff is kind, helpful - good customer service

8

Julia

25 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Breakfast was limited but fair for the price. Bed was very comfortabla and room clean. All I needed after hours of driving.

6

Fred

6 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nicer inside than out. Good for a 1 night stay. But not for more

4

Robert

25 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very old and worn out. Stains and wear and tear on ceiling, walls, carpet. TV channels were different from tv guide. Air conditioner was cool but made the room very humid and the unit was very loud.

10

Carol

15 Mar 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Check in was fine. Staff was friendly and helpful. Hotel is a little run down, but comfortable enough.

10

LeeAnn

1 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

For the price you pay, it's a quaint little hotel! It was clean, comfortable and quiet! The staff was friendly and checked in with us often. The breakfast didn't have any hot options other than waffles and bagels, but it was still a nice spread for being included in the price. This was our second stay, and it was overall a great experience!

8

Linda

3 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We needed a place to stay before a ski day at Greek Peak. This hotel is close to the mountain and also several restaurants in Cortland. Property shows age but room was clean and warm on 3 degree night. Reasonable price for a king room and bed and pillows very comfortable!

6

James

24 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

For the price the place was really not what you would expect. Non functioning amenities, loud clientele in and out of loud doors. Water pipes making loud noise throughout night. Just not a really well kept up place.

8

Robert

4 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Pet friendly accomodation.1'st floor smelled like dog. Other areas O.K. Clean rooms, good cheap place to stay

8

Jiaqi

28 May 2024

·

Stayed 5 nights

The room is a bit too small

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Service

Service is generally friendly and helpful, with staff frequently praised and occasional thoughtful touches; however, there are sporadic front-desk issues and key mix-ups.

Related guest reviews

10

Sal

24 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Wonderful staff.

8

Judith C.

25 May 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This is an older property in need of updating. The toilet ran very long, the bathroom fan was loud and took a while to come on and the hall carpet was worn to the floor underneath in places. But the front desk staff was very kind and helpful. They were terrific!

8

geri

19 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was clean. Staff was friendly.breakfast has no coffee!!

10

LeeAnn

1 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

For the price you pay, it's a quaint little hotel! It was clean, comfortable and quiet! The staff was friendly and checked in with us often. The breakfast didn't have any hot options other than waffles and bagels, but it was still a nice spread for being included in the price. This was our second stay, and it was overall a great experience!

10

Alok

10 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Had a really nice stay here. An older hotel, but it was clean and the staff are tremendous. Very nice, personable and extremely helpful. I will definitely stay here next time im in the area.

4

Heather

25 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

There was a roach when we came into the motel on the floor near the counter. We went to our room and the keys did not work for the room when we got the keys fixed I came out of the shower and a guy walked into our room because they had given him the key to our room.

10

CLAUDE

11 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel manager was amazing

8

Michelle

23 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The location was super convenient!. The staff were friendly and helpful. My room was clean and comfy. I was in town for the SUNY Cortland graduation ceremony, as were most of the other guests. When leaving, they gave each of us a cute stuffed Red Dragon (the school mascot)!

6

Arinna

25 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We were greeted by a smart, intelligent young lady. She was polite, professional & informative. She offered assistance with any issues that might arrive. The carpet & tub needs to be updated,

8

monica

18 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

We forgot a special stuffed animal at the hotel and after we contacted the great front desk staff we were able to pick the animal up 1 week later! Great customer service! Thank you!

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Location

Convenient for I-81, SUNY Cortland, Greek Peak, and nearby casual dining (e.g., Perkins); suited to pass-through stays and campus visits.

Related guest reviews

4

Robert

26 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

It should have been called “Low Quality Inn”. Our room smelled, the wallpaper was coming off and it looked like mold on the bathroom wall. Carpet was damp and well worn. Breakfast was available but we decided to eat at Perkins next door. It needs an update badly.

10

Christopher

8 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

It’s a simple place but is convenient, comfortable and affordable. Perfect place for me.

8

Linda

3 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We needed a place to stay before a ski day at Greek Peak. This hotel is close to the mountain and also several restaurants in Cortland. Property shows age but room was clean and warm on 3 degree night. Reasonable price for a king room and bed and pillows very comfortable!

8

Thomas

12 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Close to everything, affordable and convenient,

8

ROBERT

15 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Overall a decent place to stay that will not break the bank, convenient to I-81 for travelers passing through good breakfast as well.

4

April

13 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

It was conveniently located off I-81 and had a few surrounding good restaurants. However, the hotel itself was rundown badly. Bathroom ceiling was moldy and stained. Wallpaper peeling in bathroom and room. Bed was comfortable but not sure about what’s going on under that mattress cover. The staff was kinda busy amongst themselves and none of the doors locked that were supposed to be locked. Also parking lot was in bad shape. Just overall regret this choice. Oh and my keys kept deactivating and had to search for staff each time to reactivate but apparently it was due to my phone being near the keys. Probably would not stay again.

8

Michelle

23 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The location was super convenient!. The staff were friendly and helpful. My room was clean and comfy. I was in town for the SUNY Cortland graduation ceremony, as were most of the other guests. When leaving, they gave each of us a cute stuffed Red Dragon (the school mascot)!

10

Robert

19 May 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Close to town

8

Donald

4 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Convenient spot close to Cortland University. Property is old and outdated. Room was a bit dirty and had wallpaper peeling off the walls. Bed was comfortable and staff was friendly

8

Dennis

27 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient easy access from I81, nearby fast food, pleasant helpful staff, clean room and good linens with some modest wear, hallways and stairs could use some attention, can't stress enough to double check reservation as Expedia continues to surreptiously switch dates

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast is very limited and inconsistent, with reports of sparse selection and occasionally no coffee; a few guests found it acceptable, but many were disappointed or skipped it.

Related guest reviews

4

Brenda

2 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Choice Hotel Brand should look at this property, it needs a real update. Bathroom outdated, wallpaper coming off, walls damaged, furniture shabby. Breakfast was lacking, not even a muffin or danish for those of us who want minimal. I had stayed at Sleep Inn & Suites in Winchester VA. Smithfield NC, and Stoney Creek Va on this trip, all were updated and great at a much lesser cost than this hotel.

6

John

31 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This property needs a total facelift. We had to change rooms when we checked in because the toilet would not work. I have never seen so little food put out at the breakfast buffet. Two yogurt, four muffins for example. The decaf coffee was dead cold. The staff member apologized and brewed another pot. The staff were polite, friendly and helpful.

8

geri

19 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was clean. Staff was friendly.breakfast has no coffee!!

8

Julia

25 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Breakfast was limited but fair for the price. Bed was very comfortabla and room clean. All I needed after hours of driving.

6

Stacey

24 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel is extremely dated wallpaper peeling off the wall no coffee in the morning for breakfast… Shower needs a complete overhaul

10

LeeAnn

1 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

For the price you pay, it's a quaint little hotel! It was clean, comfortable and quiet! The staff was friendly and checked in with us often. The breakfast didn't have any hot options other than waffles and bagels, but it was still a nice spread for being included in the price. This was our second stay, and it was overall a great experience!

4

Harrison

24 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

There is a musty smell in the room. The breakfast is very limited.

8

ROBERT

15 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Overall a decent place to stay that will not break the bank, convenient to I-81 for travelers passing through good breakfast as well.

4

David

27 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The staff was friendly. The hotel is outdated. There is no elevator to get to the 2nd floor; the carpet is ripped in numerous places; there were water stains in the shower; the wallpaper is torn and peeling off in numerous places. The free breakfast was extremely limited and only included coffee, tea, orange juice, 2 cereals, yogurt, toast, packaged muffins, and a waffle maker. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone.

8

Afsaneh

20 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The place needs updating desperately. Breakfast is awful and we skipped it . Very minimal . Disappointed and not recommending the facility at all .

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$82
February	US$94
March	US$97
April	US$110
May	US$119
June	US$124
July	US$130
August	US$128
September	US$110
October	US$119
November	US$99
December	US$86

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16 $90	17 $93	18 $142	19 $142
20 $96	21 $96	22 $90	23 $98	24 $98	25	26
27 $116	28 $116	29 $116	30 $117

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $117	2 $116	3 $116
4 $113	5 $112	6 $112	7 $112	8 $118	9 $120	10 $120
11 $115	12 $113	13 $118	14 $112	15 $114	16 $120	17 $128
18 $119	19 $119	20 $116	21 $112	22 $116	23 $165	24 $161
25 $121	26 $116	27 $123	28 $121	29 $123	30 $129	31 $130

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Room, 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Standard Double Room, 2 Double Beds

Guest reviews

Good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Quality Inn Cortland - University Area

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Prices for upcoming dates