Howard Johnson by Wyndham Mystic

A fleet of bicycles near the hotel's entrance signal the casual friendliness of this motor-court style property. The entrance has been updated, and the two-story lobby is bright and open with natural light streaming in from skylights. Nautical-themed artwork and rugs, along with a saltwater aquarium with brilliantly colored coral and fish, pay homage to the nearby waterfront. A sitting area is tucked into one corner, with colorfully patterned upholstered chairs facing a fireplace whose white mantel holds a flat-screen TV. A coffee and cookies station invites guests to linger long enough to drink a cup. With its value rates, attractive pool, and convenient location off I-95, the Howard Johnson Mystic draws mainly families, couples, and groups of friends touring New England.

The Howard Johnson Mystic is at the ramp exit of I-95, within a five-minute walk of the shops, restaurants, and cinema of Olde Mistick Village, and a nine-minute walk to Mystic Aquarium. Two restaurants are adjacent to the hotel, and more are within a two-minute walk of the property (McDonald's is just across the street). It’s a 15-minute walk or two-minute drive to Mystic Seaport, and a five-minute drive to the Mystic River State Boat Launch. Other local landmarks include the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (an 11-minute drive), Mohegan Sun Casino (about a half-hour drive), Foxwoods Resort Casino (a 15- to 20-minute drive), Misquamicut State Beach (a 25-minute drive), and Bluff Point State Park (a 16-minute drive). The Mystic Amtrak station is six minutes away by car. 

Half of the Howard Johnson Mystic's 77 rooms are under renovation till spring 2016, and the remainder will be renovated by 2017. Available rooms are clean and spacious, but the furniture, carpeting, and fixtures show wear. Room types include King and Double Queen, and some have jetted tubs. Queen Suites are available too. Decor is on the dark side, with dark-blue carpeting, dark-wood furniture, and burgundy bedspreads. Bathrooms have white porcelain vanities and white-tile shower/tub combos. Renovations will bring a much brighter color palette, with aqua accent walls and matching bed throws on white linens. Drapes, carpeting, and furniture will also be lighter, with bright-orange desk chairs adding more color splashes -- Oyster photographed a few of the staged renovated rooms when we visited. Bathrooms will also be updated with aqua accents and granite countertops. 

Though there's no hotel-run restaurant, coffee, tea, and cookies are served in the lobby, and the popular Mystic Diner adjacent to the hotel serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with discounts for hotel guests. The hotel has a small fitness room with three cardio machines. One computer station with Internet access and printer in the lobby serves as the business center. The oval-shaped, heated indoor pool is nicely sized with overhead skylights and several lounge chairs surrounding it. Free daily newspapers are available in the lobby, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. The hotel maintains a fleet of bicycles that guests can rent. Parking is free on-site in front of the guest rooms.