Name: Best Western Thunderbird Motel
Address: 900 South Jefferson Avenue, Cookeville, Tennessee, United States of America, Cookeville, Tennessee, US
Price range: $83–$100 per night
Rating: 8.53

What guests think

Across many reviews, Best Western Thunderbird Motel is praised for clean rooms, friendly staff, a convenient location near I-40 and restaurants, and a solid free breakfast, though facilities and maintenance reflect an older, budget property.

Rooms are generally spacious and updated, with comfortable beds and quiet nights for many travelers. Common drawbacks include recurring ice machine outages, seasonal pool closures, and noisy or weak HVAC, plus occasional smoke or musty odors. Breakfast and the on-site Mexican restaurant receive frequent positive mentions, though a few found breakfast average or cold. Expect a straightforward, good-value stay with some quirks typical of an older motel.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

The large outdoor pool is well liked when open, but several reviews report it being closed seasonally. Repeated ice machine problems are noted; parking is generally convenient, and some pet areas lack lighting or grass.

Related guest reviews

4

Julie

Sep 14, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It was disappointing that the pool had closed for the season yet it was not communicated online. Also it is still 90+degrees outside. The ice machine closets to our room was out of service. The pillows are tiny and they did not have an extra at the front. The lady working was kind a courteous. Just seemed like nothing was in good working order.

8

Paul

May 3, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Room was nice, bed was comfortable, and we loved having a double sink and large counter area. Staff was kind, hospitable, and helpful. Online advertising was a bit misleading as it said there was a pool & jacuzzi (one of the reasons I chose to stay there). In reality, the pool was empty this time of year and the jacuzzi was only available in certain rooms with a jacuzzi bathtub (which we did not). The air conditioner in our room worked well but it was noisy (sounded like a plastic bag was inside hitting against the fan). A maintenance worker came to fix it but there was nothing he could do. The TV channels were difficult to navigate and there weren't any options we could find for streaming channels. Overall, it was in a great location and worked well for the days we were here.

10

Theresa

May 30, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice place! Huge pool! Convenient location! Room nice, beds comfy! Good breakfast!

8

Pascal

Sep 8, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Remodeled BW motel. Mattresses and pillows are excellent. What is annoying is having shampoo sample large enough for 0.5 guest, 1 soap for the sink and the shower as there was no liquid soap for the shower. Only 1 functioning ice machine - we were there for a tournament in town, so needed ice! - and they only clean your room if you ask for it. Breakfast was quite good.

6

Cindy

Apr 14, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

They had a big outdoor pool but it wasn't filled with water. The room we reserved was out of service and they wouldn't discount us for a different room. We ended up in a smoking room which smelled so bad. Burn hole in the chair by the table. Chairs didn't even match and looked dirty. Bed was comfortable and the room overall looked clean.

10

Scott

Jul 2, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient location, close to several restaurants, adequate parking

8

Lucinda

Mar 24, 2025

·

Very clean, staff friendly, breakfast was good, and Mexican restaurant on site was good and very convenient. Pet areas were not lighted- one was close to the road with a lot of holes,, and the other a very small area next to dumpsters and a steep hill without a fence which made it unsafe for pet and owner. Suggest at the very least install lighting in those areas.

10

Amanda

Dec 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Plenty of parking. The room was clean and comfortable. The breakfast was really good and the staff were very friendly.

10

Steve

Jul 4, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The pool was GREAT!!

8

James

Jun 28, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Fair price. Ice machine was broken--had to go to a another building.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Most guests describe very clean rooms and refreshed bathrooms. A minority report odors (smoke/musty) or issues like pests or missed cleaning.

Related guest reviews

10

Anita

Dec 28, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

You could not find a nicer staff. Our room was very clean and well equipped. Nothing fancy but safe clean and comfortable.

10

Antigone

Jul 4, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was impressively clean, beds very comfortable. Easy access from the highway and easy access to restaurants, gas station, Walmart, and such. Staff very friendly and professional. Good breakfast. Quiet and I felt very safe as a mom traveling with kids. I felt it was a good value and would definitely stay here again.

4

Walter

May 22, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Been several times, roaches in the room on the bed and got into my luggage.. the room seemed cleaned but need to eliminate the bugs.

2

Sonja

Jun 24, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Went to the front desk that we had hundreds of ants in our bathroom and vanity area. They were crawling all over our tooth brushes, in our luggage, etc. The front desk said they were completely booked and they wouod see if they had some ant spray. They looked and didnt. Told me Orkin was coming out the next day. The front desk employee knew there was an issue prior. Housekeeping never came when requested. I am a rewards member and I am extremely upset How do you rent out a room with ants and then ask a paying customer to spray the ants. Absolutely ridiculous!

10

beverly

Aug 25, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great clean place to stay. Staff was very nice.

2

David

Jun 24, 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

This place was disgusting! the carpet was dingey and worn. There dried urine still on the back of the toilet. I stay in hotels several days every month on business travel and this is one of the worst I have seen.

10

Roger

Apr 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Among the cleanest hotels in the area

2

Michele

May 10, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The whole experience was terrible other than they didn’t charge my card because I refused to stay there. The lobby smelled like smoke. The room was non smoking but smelled like smoke and mold. So bad we didn’t stay.

4

john

Jun 11, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It amazes me that the cleaners left the room with urine in the carpet. Sure sign of the workers don't care how the room is done.

10

John

Aug 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This motel exceeded our expectations. We weren't expecting much for a motel at this price and just booked it for one night to rest on our way to Charlotte. Checkin was very fast and clerk was friendly. It looks like the outside was recently renovated, paint on brick was in good condition and looked fresh. Room was easy to find and very clean. Beds were soooo comfortable, we all slept great! Bathroom was extremely clean too. Air conditioner worked great. Refrigerator was cold and clean. Everything was perfect. Breakfast the next morning was your typical continental breakfast, however there were little touches added, that I felt made it better. Having a choice of toppings for my yogurt was something I've not seen other hotels offer. Also, they had honey packets. My husband likes honey in his coffe and i always put honey on my peanut butter, so we were happy to see that offered. Also, the employee handling the breakfast, was a sweetheart. You can tell she takes pride in her work. Very friendly and kept everything looking nice. She even kindly came an told us when there was more bacon. Very friendly staff and we will most definitely stay here again on our next trip to Charlotte.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are generally spacious with updated bathrooms and comfortable beds. Some note dated elements, noisy or weak HVAC, and maintenance issues such as door locks, outlets, or shower water flow.

Related guest reviews

8

Belinda

Oct 10, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Older, very clean facility, rooms not too soundproof. Good night’s sleep on comfy bed.

8

Paula

Jul 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We were pleasantly surprised at how nice and clean our room was. We noted a stuffy odor when first arriving, but that cleared up once the AC was turned on. Our room was very spacious and the king bed was great. The bathroom had 2 sinks with a separate tub /toilet room. There was a microwave, minifridge, TV, hairdryer and in room coffee. Breakfast was in the lobby area with an attendant who kept things tidy and well stocked.

8

David

Apr 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I love the ease of access to our room on the first floor. I love the table and chairs for sitting at. The beds were comfortable. I love the double sinks. The only thing I didn't love was the shower. It looks great but is only barely functional. Not great water flow and difficult to cut on and off.

6

Brian

Sep 8, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

3 of 4 screws were missing out of the door security lock, had use a coat hanger to secure it.

10

Reneita

Aug 3, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Large room and updated roomy bathroom. Bed comfortable. Nice breakfast selection. Nice friendly staff

10

Norman

Apr 16, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Large room, very clean, quite, been remodeled

6

Brandon

Jul 28, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Overall things were pretty good. Room fairly good size especially for price. It was nice and clean but didn't have full-size frig as in advertisement. Never could connect to " included high speed internet".

10

diane

Dec 30, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very clean recently renovated room at an affordable price. Very good location for shopping, dining,etc.

8

Melissa

Jul 26, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The only issue that I had with my stay was that the only outlets that worked were the one behind the nightstand and the ones for the refrigerator and TV. Everything else was great.

8

misty

Jul 31, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Front desk was very friendly. Air-conditioner did not seem to work properly.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Staff are widely praised as friendly and helpful, with accommodating early check-ins and attentive breakfast hosts. A few complaints cite an unhelpful check-in or limited housekeeping unless requested.

Related guest reviews

10

ruby

May 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Needed early check-in, super kind staff helped me out and made arrangements for me! Highly recommend, room was clean, super quiet and simple. I love staying here!

10

Edward

Jul 3, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Exceptional customer service.

10

Marla

Sep 12, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff was very friendly and helpful. While I was in the lobby a veteran was needing help getting to the airport the staff went above and beyond for them. They also treated them with the respect they so deserve.

10

Laura

Jun 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very nice room. I arrived early to my destination, called to see if I could check in early. Very helpful in accommodating my request. Thank you

10

Melissa

Jun 12, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

They have always be so nice and friendly and always there to help

10

Sue

Mar 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly staff, good breakfast, quiet and clean.

8

Ambria

Nov 21, 2024

·

Stayed 6 nights

Just sucked that we stayed for the week and the washer was broken and I think the treadmill was broken too in the gym but I could be wrong, we couldn’t get it to work. But other then that it was a great stay very convenient and the breakfast had many options and the older lady working the breakfast was the sweetest! Definitely would stay again

4

Marvin

Oct 26, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Hotel check in person Saturday evening was terrible. Ice machine broke down, only one on the premises and by the sign had been broken for months. Facility is to dated.

8

Gina

Jul 16, 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

Traveled with our two dogs. Hotel was clean and convenient. The only downside was we stayed 4 nights/5 days and our room was never cleaned. We had to ask for a new garbage bag and some new towels, which they delivered several hours later.

10

John

Aug 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This motel exceeded our expectations. We weren't expecting much for a motel at this price and just booked it for one night to rest on our way to Charlotte. Checkin was very fast and clerk was friendly. It looks like the outside was recently renovated, paint on brick was in good condition and looked fresh. Room was easy to find and very clean. Beds were soooo comfortable, we all slept great! Bathroom was extremely clean too. Air conditioner worked great. Refrigerator was cold and clean. Everything was perfect. Breakfast the next morning was your typical continental breakfast, however there were little touches added, that I felt made it better. Having a choice of toppings for my yogurt was something I've not seen other hotels offer. Also, they had honey packets. My husband likes honey in his coffe and i always put honey on my peanut butter, so we were happy to see that offered. Also, the employee handling the breakfast, was a sweetheart. You can tell she takes pride in her work. Very friendly and kept everything looking nice. She even kindly came an told us when there was more bacon. Very friendly staff and we will most definitely stay here again on our next trip to Charlotte.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Convenient to I-40 and surrounded by many dining options, including an on-site Mexican restaurant. Some guests mention traffic noise or an area that feels less appealing.

Related guest reviews

6

Christine

Oct 16, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Old, run down, noisy, questionable area, ok for one night

8

Shandy

Aug 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location.

8

Robert

Apr 23, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very convenient, close to highway, lots of dining options

8

LORI

Dec 25, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

I stayed here for a quick overnight trip. It was clean, convenient, and comfortable. My room had plenty of space to relax and unwind. It was located right off the interstate and there was a Mexican restaurant in the same parking lot you could easily walk to. I enjoyed my stay and would stay here again.

10

Rodney

Oct 29, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Affordable, clean room. Great breakfast and friendly staff. Some traffic noise. Every chain restaurant in America within two mile radius! Comfortable bed

10

Jill

Mar 27, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean Great location to every restaurant you can think of Held room when we called and said late due to stuck in traffic delay on interstate Friendly

10

Scott

Jul 2, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient location, close to several restaurants, adequate parking

8

AC

Jul 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient to restaurants and highway.

6

James

Jun 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Area was sketchy

10

Gary

Aug 12, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very convenient. Food, coffee shop and access to interstate very near property.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Hot breakfast with a good variety is frequently praised, though some found items basic or cold. The attached Mexican restaurant is a popular, convenient option.

Related guest reviews

10

Michael

Jun 8, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good. Good breakfast.

10

Judith

Nov 7, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Check in great, lovely friendly & helpful lady. Room spacious, comfortable and fully equipped. Hot water & good shower. Nice breakfast with hot/cold choices. Seemed. Very clean. Only disappointment for me was pool closed but that was rules rather than something wrong. It did look a nice are though even though back of car park . Nice Mexican restaurant on site too. Looked like a lot of other food outlets and shops close by but I didn’t use. Would definitely stay again

10

Dave

Oct 2, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great place. Everything was amazing except breakfast kind of a joke. Microwaved eggs bacon. Biscuits too. Not impressed

10

KENNETH

Sep 21, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

We stopped here for 1 night to and from a trip to Arkansas. Hotel is older but in great condition. Room was clean, bed comfortable, nothing walking around with more than 2 legs. Breakfast was basic but really good, and the staff were wonderful. There is also a Mexican restaurant on the property, and they were delicious. Would definitely stay here again!

10

Kristy

Jun 7, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The people at the front desk were helpful and friendly. The lady that helped with the breakfast was so nice. They offered a very large variety for the continental breakfast. The room was very clean and it was quiet once the restaurant that is in the same parking lot closed.

10

Chloe

Apr 25, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

It's hard to impress preteens, but mine were impressed. We stayed for a weekend event and only one night, but the accomodations were extremely clean, up to date, and the breakfast was superb. Thank you very much!

8

Lucinda

Mar 24, 2025

·

Very clean, staff friendly, breakfast was good, and Mexican restaurant on site was good and very convenient. Pet areas were not lighted- one was close to the road with a lot of holes,, and the other a very small area next to dumpsters and a steep hill without a fence which made it unsafe for pet and owner. Suggest at the very least install lighting in those areas.

8

Jenny

Jun 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Although this was an older motel it is well taken care of. Staff was very courteous and helpful. Great breakfast!!!

8

Cindy

Jun 9, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Older but clean. Everyone was very helpful. The breakfast was okay, but not recommended.

10

Amanda

Aug 17, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Rooms are clean, has a pool and the Continental breakfast is good with make your own waffles and assorted other options. Easy to get to and lots of stuff close by

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$79
February	$82
March	$76
April	$77
May	$82
June	$80
July	$78
August	$79
September	$82
October	$78
November	$80
December	$81

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15 $83	16 $83	17 $83	18 $90	19 $87
20 $83	21 $83	22 $83	23 $87	24 $84	25 $98	26 $95
27 $83	28 $87	29 $87	30 $83

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $87	2 $98	3 $100
4 $88	5 $88	6 $90	7 $88	8 $89	9 $94	10 $97
11 $90	12 $88	13 $88	14 $87	15 $88	16 $91	17 $94
18 $84	19 $87	20 $83	21 $87	22 $87	23 $87	24 $87
25 $87	26 $87	27 $87	28 $87	29 $87	30 $94	31 $94

Select dates to see prices and availability

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Suite, 2 Queen Beds, Refrigerator & Microwave

Suite, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator & Microwave

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Refrigerator & Microwave (Pet Friendly)

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator & Microwave (Pet Friendly)

Suite, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Refrigerator & Microwave

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Refrigerator & Microwave (Larger Room;With Sofabed)

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator & Microwave

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible, Bathtub

Guest reviews

Fabulous

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Best Western Thunderbird Motel

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Prices for upcoming dates