Ron Haven and The Budget Inn

The following is my opinion based on personal experience:

Ron Haven...

Owner of the budget inn in Hiawassee, GA and Franklin, NC.

Ex wrestler. 

Ex? Macon county commissioner.

We were trying to find our way to the budget inn from the microtel we were staying at. So we walk to the nearby three Eagles outfitters to ask them about shuttles around town. As soon as we ask, the budget inn shuttle pulls up to the parking lot. So at this point we are thinking "great!". We hop on the shuttle and say hello to the driver which turns out to be Ron Haven. We sit down and before we drive off he asks us if we are staying in town. We reply yes. He says "are you stayig with the budget inn?" And we honestly reply "no we are staying with the Microtel but we have packages at the budget inn." And he immediately says "well than you can get off." I ask him if we can pay for a shuttle to the budget inn so that ghost and nine can get their re supply boxes that were shipped there. He says "no." So we had to walk two miles to get to our re supply boxes.

Now this guy has "trail angel" painted on his van. As well as a sign that says "free hiker shuttle". Also, his van is the same exact van the local public transportation uses, and after asking locals they tell us that the city gives him things like that van to help hikers and get them to and from town. 

A trail angel is an angel. They help hikers when their needed most and never for their own gain. They are amazing men and women that build the community on the trail into what it is.

Now let's examine the services he offers:

Our hiawassee budget inn room had a cold shower, a tv with only 2 buttons (volume up and channel down), dirty sheets and chairs. And our room was missing light bulbs (because apparently "people use them for drugs" according to the house maid) Cost-$55 ("rates vary")

Much the same room if not worse offered in Franklin. All of their rooms have a history of bedbugs according to everybody I asked. Last year at the Franklin Budget Inn my roommate and I were so worried about getting bedbugs there, we covered the beds with our tarps. Cost-$55 ("rates vary").

Microtel: 

Free continental breakfast (x2 if you check in early enough). Hot clean showers. Clean rooms. Clean sheets. Good tv and channels. Professional staff. Cost-$66

My advice:

Do not patron Ron Haven or the budget inn. You will not be helping anyone and will most likely have a bad experience.

Macon county does a three dollar shuttle that runs around Franklin and winding stair gap all day.

In hiawassee stay with either the top o Georgia hostel, or the holiday inn.

In Franklin stay with the Microtel.

Sorry Ron, but you should treat all hikers (and people) with respect. Not just the ones filling your wallet.