Travelers, whether they are on the road for business or pleasure, want their accommodations to offer value, comfort, convenience and cleanliness. Sleep Inn of DeWitt prides itself on providing 100 percent satisfaction on all counts. From the efficiency and friendliness of the staff to the fastidiously clean and comfortable rooms, Sleep Inn is the perfect choice for the businessman or woman looking for a home away from home or for the family or leisure traveler seeking a relaxing getaway.

Mike Patel has been manager of DeWitt’s Sleep Inn since 2006 when he and his brother Suresh, who serves as treasurer for their enterprise, purchased the franchise. The family is originally from India; the Patel parents have been in the United States since 1981, and the brothers came to this country in the 90s.

Sleep Inn is part of the family of Choice Hotels International which also includes Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Clarion Hotels and Suites and Cambria Suites. Training is provided for the franchisees, and all properties are regularly inspected and certified.

According to Mike Patel, “We have 61 rooms on two floors. Within the last year or so, we have done a complete renovation, including exterior and interior paint, new carpets, new mattresses and box springs along with all new bedding and new decor. We’ve added leather desk chairs in all rooms and have installed

microwaves and small refrigerators in about half of our rooms.”

He continues, “We provide everything the business traveler needs, including fax and copy machines, a computer, workspace with data port telephones, WI-FI and high-speed Internet service. We have a breakfast area just off the lobby and serve a hot breakfast every morning at no cost. While we don’t have a fitness facility onsite, we do offer guest passes to a local gym, and we have an outdoor pool.”

The facility was built in 1996 but looks brand new. If cleanliness is next to godliness, Sleep Inn is positively saintly! Everything, from the lobby to the breakfast area to the guest rooms, sparkles. The popular website, TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com), which publishes customer reviews has this to say:

• “VERY clean!”
• “Spotless, fresh and clean rooms.”
• “Well-kept and, more importantly, clean.”
• “Rooms were spotless.”

Other reviews from TripAdvisor note:

• “These people really know how to provide exemplary customer service. They were EXTREMELY polite when I made my reservation and followed up with two e-mails, one confirmation and the other ‘things to do in Lansing’ information.”
• “Friendly staff. Efficient and accommodating front desk.”

This is what the Patels like to hear. According to Suresh Patel, “We aim for 100 percent customer satisfaction. The standards expected of us by our parent company are high, but our own standards are even higher. We are constantly improving what we offer, and we pay attention to what our customers say to us and about us.”

He continues, “We have done very well in the past two years. Even with current economic circumstances, our business is flourishing. Our prices are very reasonable, our facilities are immaculate and our customer service is second to none.”

Sleep Inn currently employs 13 with about half of that number being full-time employees.

Conveniently located, Sleep Inn is within walking distance to a new Meijer as well as several fast food restaurants. Next door is a Bob Evans restaurant, an Ingcredible is across the street, and the Draft House is right down the road.

While Sleep Inn doesn’t have its own banquet or meeting rooms, it is next door to the Banquet & Conference Center of DeWitt, available days and evenings for business meetings, weddings, rehearsal dinners, showers or seminars. For events at the Conference Center, Sleep Inn can easily reserve blocks of rooms.

As with most lodgings, during the week the hotel is mostly filled with business travelers, while on weekends, the clientele is comprised of leisure travelers. The proximity to Michigan State is definitely a plus and brings in a fair number of customers either attending special events such as conferences or seminars or just coming to town to enjoy a Big Ten football or basketball game. October is the busiest month while summers are generally busier than winters. Sleep Inn offers occasional specials as well as providing discounts for certain guests such as members of the military. They also offer special rates for extended stay customers.

Both Patels are committed to continuing their policy of continual improvement, extraordinary customer service and responsiveness to the needs and wants of their guests. It’s a formula for success that has served them well.