See all properties

Best Budget Inn

2.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Best Budget Inn

View from property
View from property
Outdoor pool, open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, sun loungers
Front of property
Basic Single Room, 1 King Bed | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry
$79
includes taxes & fees
Jan 9 - Jan 10

Explore the area

View in a map
13008 State Hwy. 96, Carthage, MO, 64836
  • Place, Civil War Museum
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Battle of Carthage State Park
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Jasper County Courthouse
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Joplin, MO (JLN-Joplin Regional)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(21 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(10 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Basic Single Room, 1 King Bed

Basic Single Room, 1 King Bed | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Basic Single Room, 1 King Bed

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(13 reviews)
  • 230 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Similar properties

Front of property
Plaza Motel
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
4.0 out of 5, Very Good, 63 reviews
Plaza Motel

About this property

Best Budget Inn

Carthage motel with outdoor pool
Along with an outdoor pool, this motel has a seasonal outdoor pool and laundry facilities. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, express check-out, a garden, and charcoal grills are onsite.
Best Budget Inn offers 18 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Cable television is provided. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries.

This Carthage motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs, as well as phones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested.

Recreational amenities at the motel include an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Best Budget Inn features an outdoor pool, barbecue grills, and a vending machine. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. This Georgian motel also offers a garden, a picnic area, and laundry facilities. Complimentary uncovered self parking is available on site.

Best Budget Inn has designated areas for smoking.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • RV/bus/truck parking on site

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Guidebooks
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • In a regional park
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 1 building
  • 1 floor
  • Built in 1955
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Georgian architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Electrical adapters
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laundry detergent
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:30 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 10.00 per pet, per night, plus a deposit of USD 10 per day
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
2 total (up to 35 lbs per pet)
Pets cannot be left unattended
Specific rooms only, restrictions apply; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10.00 per day
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Pet deposit: USD 10 per day
  • Pet fee: USD 10.00 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 10.00 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a security system

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
The seasonal pool will be open from June to September
Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Property is also known as

Best Budget Carthage
Best Budget Inn Motel
Best Budget inn Carthage
Best Budget Inn Carthage
Best Budget Inn Motel Carthage

Best Budget Inn Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 313 out of 467 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 111 out of 467 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 22 out of 467 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 11 out of 467 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 467 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cute “retro” motel on a little lake. Furnishings were reminiscent of the 60’s. Comfortable and easy to find. Pleasant staff.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Brent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The room had a bad, dank odor. I think it was the old air conditioner.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacob

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Check in was easy and everyone was friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Kenneth

Traveled with pets, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was our dogs first time in a hotel. All went well. We will be back.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Walter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A clean stay. A step back in time with the decor. The staff was friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The employees/owners were AWESOME! Checked on us everyday to see if we needed anything! Cute little retro place!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We were traveling around Missouri and I found this quaint hotel online. I loved the retro feel of the rooms and how they stuck with the old route 66 theme. It was a very unique place to stay. We took many pictures and would stay there again if we end up in the area.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Randall

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The owners are very nice and the retro styling is really fun. The town of Carthage is historic and people are very friendly. Beautiful lake right next door!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Tammy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice, vintage motel. Located near Kellogg Lake so it is peaceful. Beds are comfortable. We've stayed here several times.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Megan

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ethan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Quaint Spot!

Super quaint, nostalgic spot! The woman who checked me in had immense knowledge of the area, and pointed me in the direction of some cool places to check out. The room was spacious enough, and very nostalgic in design. The pool was quite lovely too! At this price point and location, I would definitely choose this again if I'm ever in the area again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lawrence, Shawnee

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Best Budget Inn lives up to its name. The staff member who greeted me for my late arrival at 11:00 pm was very friendly and welcoming. Parking five feet from the door of my room was a real treat. The area was well lit and so I felt secure. Yes, rooms are small. But importantly they are clean, well maintained and thoughtfully decorated with “retro” style mini-fridge, microwave and matching phone - all teal in color. The bed was very comfortable. The only downside was a bit truck traffic and loud car/bike noise at the two lane highway intersection where the hotel is located. I definitely will stay here again when I am passing through the area in the future.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Loralyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bryan, Beavercreek

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful lake to walk around by the property, easily accessible. All first floor level or ground level rooms. Just a great place.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent place to stay. Beautiful 1950s decor approprite for route 66. Friendly. Frequently checked in to see if we needed anything. Provided raised seat for toilet with rails to make it safe. Also provided shower handles for safety when we asked if they would consider them for future visits. We appreciated their attention to details for our safety. Special place to stay. Would return here to stay in a heartbeat if I come back here to visit. Wish other hotels would be as friendly and attentive to details. We stayed in several hotels in the last 3 weeks and this one ranked #1!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brandon

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice and clean. Outstanding staff and super friendly. It may be a little older, but well upkept and clean. Much better than many large chain hotels I have stayed at. 9.9 out of 10 all day long.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jack

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Highly Recommend and Hope To Be Back Soon!

Charming nostalgic hotel on old historic Route 66. Very much enjoyed our stay! Our room was clean, fresh, and retro themed. Staff was great, very helpful with info about the area. Beautiful little lake right across the street with a scenic 0.8 mile walk around which was great for our fur babies. Would highly recommend and hope to be back through and stay again soon. Thank you!!!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey D

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stacey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a good room for a layover night. Simple, clean accommodations. Bathroom is small; resembles most people have at home.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Retro

Loved the retro appliances to go with Historic Rte. 66 theme!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Donald

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jack

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025