I booked this hotel based on reviews here on TripAdvisor. I really have to question the credibility of the reviewers because there is no way this could be called the Number 1 Hotel in Orangeburg.
The gals at check in are just as others describe, and that is probably the only positive thing I can say.
The room's foul odor hit us the minute we opened the door. I generously sprayed everything with Clorox disinfectant spray. We were only going to be there for eight hours or so and we were too tired to hunt for another room.
We brought in only the necessities for one night. The items brought in picked up the odor of the room. When we took off our shoes, we discovered the rug was damp. When we pulled down the sheets, we discovered that the sides of the box spring mattress were disgusting. The bed itself was uncomfortable. There was arguing in the next room until the wee hours of the morning. Someone may have attempted to break into our car at about 12:30 as our car alarm went off. I popped out the door to see someone run into a room two doors away. An hour later, a noisy-mufflered car started up and ran for about five minutes before roaring out of the parking lot. Thirty minutes later it returned. We got very little sleep.
Before hitting the road in the morning, we decided to take advantage of the breakfast offerings. As another reviewer noted, you are not welcome to take more than the management deemed reasonable and would be charged accordingly. I'm not sure why they were worried about anyone taking too much as the choices were not very appealing. In fact, this was the worst breakfast I have ever seen at a hotel.
Also, it is somewhat disturbing that the desk staff keep the door locked and unlock it to allow their customers in to register or check out.
I would agree with another reviewer in saying that Southern Lodge is more of a pay-by-the-hour business than a comfortable place for travelers.
Please take this warning. Do not stay at Southern Lodge.
