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3-star hotel

Best Western River Cities

Stay at Best Western River Cities in Ashland, KY. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, outdoor pool, gym, and breakfast, near The Highlands Museum and Camden Park.

31 Russell Plaza Dr, Ashland, KY 41101, United States View on map
8.4/10
Very Good Based on 428 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Free breakfast Free parking Accessible Outdoor pool
What recent guests emphasize

Reliable comfort with attentive service

Recent visitors appreciate the clean, remodeled rooms and friendly staff, noting the good breakfast options and convenient parking. While the pool and gym are currently closed for renovation, the hotel offers practical amenities suitable for family stays and business travelers alike.

Guests often praise

  • Friendly and helpful staff, especially at the front desk and during breakfast service
  • Clean, spacious rooms with updated furnishings and modern bathrooms
  • Varied and satisfying free breakfast options, including popular items like biscuits and gravy
  • Ample free parking and a convenient location near shops and dining
  • Quiet atmosphere with good security measures in place

Worth knowing

  • Wi-Fi reception is reported as weak, making work or streaming challenging
  • The outdoor pool and fitness center are temporarily closed for remodeling
  • Some guests mention thin bedding and thin walls affecting noise levels
  • Laundry facilities require quarters and may be located on the second floor
  • No on-site restaurant or airport shuttle services are available

Best for

  • Visitors seeking a straightforward, no-frills hotel experience with essential amenities
  • Families looking for kid-friendly attractions nearby and easy access to local restaurants
  • Travelers needing free parking and proximity to The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center
  • Guests prioritizing friendly service and a clean, comfortable stay over luxury features
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About this property

Welcome to Best Western River Cities

Located just off Highway 23 in Ashland, Kentucky, Best Western River Cities offers a straightforward lodging option with easy access to local attractions such as The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center and the historic Camayo Arcade. The hotel’s convenient proximity to shopping and family-friendly sites like Camden Park makes it a suitable choice for visitors exploring the area’s cultural and recreational offerings.

This mid-range hotel features practical amenities including free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, free parking, and accessibility options. Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool and a fitness center, although these facilities may occasionally be under maintenance. Rooms are air-conditioned, and business travelers have access to a business center. While there is no on-site restaurant or airport shuttle, nearby dining options are available, including a Golden Corral next door.

Guest reviews highlight the recent renovations, emphasizing spacious and clean rooms with modern furnishings. The breakfast buffet receives consistent praise for variety and quality, and the friendly, helpful staff add to a positive stay experience. However, some guests note issues with Wi-Fi connectivity and thin walls affecting noise levels, suggesting it may not be ideal for those requiring strong internet for work or absolute quiet.

Families and leisure travelers will appreciate the kid-friendly environment and nearby outdoor attractions, while visitors looking for convenience and straightforward accommodations will find Best Western River Cities meets essential needs without excess. Though not a luxury property, it provides reliable facilities in a quiet setting about 1.5 miles from downtown Ashland and within reasonable driving distance of two regional airports.

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

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Free parking
Accessible
Outdoor pool
Air-conditioned
Business center
Kid-friendly
Fitness center
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Pet-friendly
Restaurant
Airport shuttle
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.

TG
Theresa Giese Mar 31, 2026
10

The motel was recently remodeled, tubs were replaced by walk-in showers, carpeting removed, other improvements for rooms. Staff was friendly, professional; breakfast choices were varied and over the top good. The location was not entirely convenient to our destination, but the features of the motel made it worth the extra drive.

RG
Reynold Gonzalez Mar 21, 2026
8.0

Service is really good and the rooms are good, and what I enjoy the most is the location. But the Wi-Fi is extremely bad, it is impossible to work from the hotel, really bad signal on devices.

SO
Sue ODaniel Mar 16, 2026
10

My stay at Best Western was very good. Ample free parking with several restaurants and retail stores within walking distance. The hotel was very clean. My room was pretty spacious especially the bathroom. A microwave and a small refrigerator with a real freezer was very handy. The coffee maker is a Keurig type with various coffees and tea supplied. The gentleman at the desk in the evenings was very friendly, welcoming and helpful. The free breakfast had hot and cold choices and the biscuits and gravy were really good. I would recommend this hotel and will stay there again if in the area.

KH
Kristina H Mar 11, 2026
10

This hotel is incredible! Remodeled, brand new furniture in the room, and clean. There are security cameras pointed at each elevator, stairwells, as well as entryways/exits to protect guests. I’m thankful! The pool and gym were both undergoing remodeling so neither were open as of 7/23/24. The washer/dryer is on the second floor, bring quarters for that amenity. The parking lot is super clean and has ample places to park. We had a room on the second floor, quiet and comfortable! The breakfast was hot and attendant was friendly. My family had a wonderful experience staying here in Ashland :)

BW
Bonnie Walls Feb 16, 2026
10

Clean, quiet establishment with friendly service. Breakfast was standard hotel fare, served with a smile.

MO
Misti Owens Feb 12, 2026
10

My son just moved to ashland and we stayed the weekend. Staff was awesome. We asked for more towels the housekeeper stopped what she was doing and when we arrived back to our room they was there. Breakfast was awesome. We will be returning soon. Good job guys!!!

SM
Sherry Mattos Jan 17, 2026
8.0

This is a nice, clean, friendly place to stay. The morning breakfast and coffee are wonderful. The bedding could be a bit more thick for those of us not use to the chill.

JA
J A Jan 17, 2026
8.0

I enjoyed my stay here. It is very convenient for me when visiting my family. I like to stay here because I have had good previous experiences here. The staff was very welcoming & helpful! They have great breakfast options, which is not very common post Co Vid days (since 2020). If you do not want to eat at the hotel, Golden Corral is next door. I slept well, but I could hear everything next door because the walls are thin. Since I was traveling solo, I was especially paranoid of the door connecting the rooms. The shower had great water pressure. I thought that this hotel was recently updated, but the carpet looked dirty. Overall, I would stay again.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Best Western River Cities

Ashland, Kentucky, USA

Off Highway 23, this straightforward hotel is 3 miles from both The Highlands Museum and Discovery Center, and shopping in the 1920s Camayo Arcade.

  • West Virginia International Yeager Airport 1 hr 19 Car
  • Huntington Tri-State Airport 26 min Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

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

Camden Park 1,750 reviews

Camden Park

5000 Waverly Rd, Huntington, WV 25704, United States

4 · Amusement Park
The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center 226 reviews

The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center

1620 Winchester Ave #0, Ashland, KY 41101, United States

4.5 · Museum
Lake Vesuvius 110 reviews

Lake Vesuvius

Elizabeth Township, OH 45659, USA

4.8 · Lake
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