TDY Gouge - Alabama

Birmingham, AL - Days Inn was a dump. It's the Day's Inn by the Airport in Birmingham Alabama. The pool was brown and black, the water that is... the rooms were not clean, one room the sheets were torn.. not a pleasant experience...

Huntsville, AL - Candlewood Suites is excellent in that it has government rates that max out the Per Diem, but there are a few things I wish I knew before I went there. Huntsville had an E-Coli outbreak while I was there; I ate at Logan's Steakhouse and Atlanta Bread Company and got it. Candlewood only offers cleaning service once per week, which I would think is nice for extended stay, but is not so nice when you need additional cleanings. You have to take your trash down to the end of the hallway. Sheet exchanges can be made earlier. They have a DVD exchange program (free), and an extensive snack bar that you can charge to your room. There is no pool or spa.

Fort Rucker, AL - Had to stay on base and it was standard Army lodging. Not horrible but pretty below what you find at most Air Force Inns. The Base Ops staff was friendly but more or less useless. Because all computers are CAC enabled you can't log on to do any mission planning. I asked the Base Ops guy to get NOTAMS and he didn't know how. I actually had to go to his computer and look it up on Baseops.net myself. The weather shop just read off the TAFs of our destinations and showed us a radar picture. Fueling was a pain because you actually have to wait for the truck and stand there next to the guy while he refuels, and he's in no rush to get out and meet you. If you have to go here do your mission planning before you arrive or before you leave your hotel.

Montgomery, AL - If you can manage to stay off base, there is a new Renaissance Hotel downtown for the Gov't rate. Nice indoor/outdoor bar at the hotel, and a brewpub 2 blocks away. All highly recommended. Added 3 Jun 09: If staying for any extended period, DO NOT stay at the Studio Plus Extend Stay. It's a roach motel. The Azylia Hills apartments are a good stay course like SOS or ACSC. The rate is under max lodging and almost at the $27 per day on base rate. Friendly staff and great rooms.