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2-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 11:00

Econo Lodge

Simple hotel with 5 meeting rooms, laundry, and LGBTQ+ friendly amenities in Albert Lea. Close to Marion Ross Performing Arts Center and Myre-Big Island State Park.

2306 E Main St Building B, Albert Lea, MN 56007, United States View on map
6.4/10
Average Based on 282 recent guest reviews
What recent guests emphasize

Balanced stay with good value and practical amenities

Visitors appreciate the cleanliness, comfortable beds, and friendly service, though the dated decor and limited breakfast offerings reflect the hotel’s budget nature.

Guests often praise

  • Clean rooms with comfortable beds and good overall hygiene.
  • Friendly, helpful, and accommodating staff throughout the hotel.
  • Affordable rates offering good value compared to other local options.
  • Easy-to-use free Wi-Fi and large TVs with a variety of channels.
  • Convenient amenities like laundry facilities and vending machines.

Worth knowing

  • Hallways and common areas are noticeably outdated and in need of renovation.
  • Breakfast is limited and can run out quickly; expectations should be modest.
  • Some rooms lack extras such as a microwave, coffee pot, or upgraded toiletries.
  • Noise from trucks near the property may disturb light sleepers at times.
  • The pool is permanently closed and not available to guests.

Best for

  • Budget-conscious travelers seeking basic, clean accommodations.
  • Visitors needing practical amenities like laundry and free Wi-Fi.
  • Guests who prioritize location close to local attractions and meeting rooms.
  • Those comfortable with simple, no-frills lodging without luxury expectations.
  • Business travelers looking for affordable accommodations with essential comforts.
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About this property

Welcome to Econo Lodge

Located on E Main Street in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Econo Lodge offers straightforward accommodations suitable for travelers seeking basic comfort and convenience. The hotel features essential facilities such as five meeting rooms and laundry services, alongside complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi. Guests appreciate the clean rooms and comfortable beds, though some note that common areas could benefit from updates.

The property caters to a diverse clientele, including LGBTQ+ travelers, providing a welcoming atmosphere. The straightforward style is reflected in modest amenities—rooms may lack extras like microwaves or coffee makers, and the pool is permanently closed. While this may not satisfy those expecting luxury, the value and cleanliness are frequently highlighted in guest feedback.

Situated just a few miles from local attractions like the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center and Bancroft Bay Park, the hotel serves well for visitors interested in exploring the area. Nearby natural spots such as Myre-Big Island State Park offer outdoor activities including hiking and birding. Guests traveling by air will find Rochester International and Mason City Municipal airports within reasonable driving distance.

Nearby lodging options span a range of ratings and styles, giving travelers a variety of alternatives close by. Econo Lodge positions itself as an affordable option for those who prioritize practicality over luxury during their stay in Albert Lea.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

NG
Nancy Gillard Apr 13, 2026
8.0

Hallways and common area could use an update. My room, #129 was clean, no unpleasant odor, bed was comfortable.

G
Gracie Mar 29, 2026
8.0

We slept in a room with two double sized beds. The room was clean, the bed was comfy, and the bathroom was clean. Breakfast was served at 6am in the restaurant that was attached to the Inn. The breakfast was delicious, but I wish they would have stocked the breakfast. We got there around 7 and by that time many of the foods were gone. Other than that, it was a good stay! I recommend this Inn to anyone in the Albert Lea area.

EH
Erich Hodges Mar 07, 2026
10

Suprisingly good value. Mom and I were trying to save some money so we took a chance and stayed at this property on a business trip. Our room had an excellent quality Samsung HDTV, comfortable beds, great condition laminate floors, and overall was a spotless room. Even though that the other aspects of the room were dated, and the hallway carpet & wallpaper were atrocious; the cleanliness of the room made up for that fact considering we only paid a third of what it would cost to stay at a premium chain. If you can look past a couple things and not expect perfection I think you'll be satisfied. And for the price that they were charging for a stay it was more than fair. I have to make a business trip back up that way and a few weeks and I plan on staying at this hotel again.

JS
Jared Stay Mar 04, 2026
10

Exactly what I needed and nothing more. Staff was friendly, room was clean enough and the little breakfast bag helped me start my day. I'd recommend bringing your own soap and body wash, the bar soap is a little harsh on the skin, but that's my fault for packing as light as possible

CS(
Corey Switzer (xsynfulx) Feb 25, 2026
10

It's not a bad hotel, overall. Room 251 The Cons: The room was pretty outdated. The floors were stained, burned. There were no other amenities like a coffee pot or microwave. The pool was closed, permanently. Pros: It was otherwise clean and smelled good.

CQ
Chad Quickstad Feb 04, 2026
8.0

While visiting Albert Lea several times in 2011, I needed a place to stay at a good price. This place delivered. Not luxurious, but no major problems and nice enough rooms. Free Wi-Fi, clean, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Breakfast met my expectations. If I ever need to stay in Albert Lea in the future, I will consider this place first. My only negative comment: On one of my stays some trucks outside disturbed me sleep very early in the morning. I did not check out the pool.

SD
Sally Dulinsky Feb 03, 2026
10

Nice clean, pretty room with comfortable bed. Sherry, the manager, was very solicitous when I needed to change my reservation! She's a peach! Management needs to be honest about free breakfast. It was a can of juice and a granola bar. At the price of the room and the comfort level, it didn't matter, just nice to know. I was expecting a donut at least or I would have been happy with no breakfast as the price was great.

SC
Scooz Coo Jan 31, 2026
10

Slept like a baby. Makes me wish we were staying an extra night haha. The rooms were clean, wifi was easy to connect to, big TV and lots of channels, and the customer service was awesome. I wish I remember the name of the man who helped us book last night on 8/22, but he was extremely helpful, funny and kind. Thank you again for the comfortable stay!

BC
Brenda Coffey Jan 31, 2026
8.0

Affordable decent, clean place with TV (even show channels!) and microwave. So grateful for affordable rates as I may be here a bit. Has all the amenities available such as vending and ice machines. Friendly staff, every one of them!

JE
josh engle Jan 13, 2026
10

Stayed here a bitter weekend in February between freight loads. Nice place, clean, friendly and helpful staff. Actually helped me get my diesel van fired back up after the Qualcomm and cold drained my battery. Outlets on the front or the building if your truck has a block heater. My rig didnt unfortunately, but like I said, they helped me get it started and rolling again. Will be back if I'm in the area again.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Econo Lodge

Albert Lea, Minnesota, USA

This simple hotel is 2 miles from the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center and 3.6 miles from Bancroft Bay Park.

  • Aldi 15 min Walk
  • Albert Lea MN 11 min Walk
  • Rochester International Airport 52 min Car · 1 hr 24 Transit
  • Mason City Municipal Airport 39 min Car · 1 hr 8 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Minnesota. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Myre-Big Island State Park 978 reviews

Myre-Big Island State Park

19499 780th Ave, Albert Lea, MN 56007, United States

4.6 · State Park
Fountain Lake 36 reviews

Fountain Lake

Minnesota 56007, USA

4.3 · Lake
History Center of Freeborn County 21 reviews

History Center of Freeborn County

1031 Bridge Ave, Albert Lea, MN 56007, United States

4.6 · Museum
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