Homecoming hotel guide: which Blackwell stay is right for you?

by Charles Gerian

In just two weeks, Blackwell will be filled with Maroons of the past as Blackwell High School alumni from graduating classes ending in 1’s and 6’s come to town for Homecoming weekend, a momentous occasion filled with parades, concerts and festivities beginning Oct. 8.

That also means there’s very little time left to make accommodations for hotel rooms. And unlike in 2020, when the pandemic cut down on people’s travels, hotel beds are in increasingly short supply.

Coming off of Interstate 35, travelers are greeted by the Holiday Inn, SureStay by Best Western, Sleep Inn and the Baymont by Wyndham.

Blackwell’s Holiday Inn is charging $114 per night for rooms with a king bed and $119 per night for rooms with double beds. The hotel offers a hot breakfast every morning. The hotel is pet-friendly. It offers a gym, a recreational pool and free WiFi.

General Manager Michelle McDonald said that, while the hotel’s conference room is currently unavailable to rent, she is excited to see the Homecoming classes back. Holiday Inn can be reached via phone by calling 580-363-1700.

The SureStay by Best Western is offering rooms ranging from $55-$65 per night. Officials said that, while they have rooms available, they are filling up fast. SureStay currently does not have a pool or hot tub, but it is offering a full breakfast. SureStay is also pet-friendly. SureStay can be reached by calling 580-363- 1300.

Sleep Inn, located across from SureStay, is offering its rooms for $55 a night and will provide grab and-go lunch bags. The hotel offers laundry facilities, free WiFi and an exercise room. Sleep Inn can be reached by calling 580-789- 4002.

Baymont by Wyndham, formerly the Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn, is offering its newly remodeled rooms for $75-$85 each night. The hotel is not offering its pool, breakfast or gym, as the entire first floor is under renovation. Baymont, Sleep Inn and SureStay are all located around Los Potros and Subway.

In town, the Super 8 Motel is filling up as well, according to manager Mitzi Graham. “We’re extremely busy now with the workers coming in from the wind turbines and the Dollar Tree across the street,” Graham said. “If people want their chance to stay here in the middle of town, they better act fast.”

Super 8 is offering its rooms for $40-$45 each night. The establishment is located between the Stack Restaurant and Shepherd’s gas station.

The Super 8’s huge sell, according to Graham, is its central location across from Walmart and the Southside Spirits liquor store. Guests at the Super 8 also receive complimentary access to the Blackwell gym on Doolin Avenue. The hotel offers complimentary WiFi and is pet-friendly.