The Marlborough Hotel

Police were in the lobby when we arrived, apparently handling something that I was told happens often. At first I wondered if we'd got the address wrong because the building looked more like a halfway house than a hotel. I wouldn't get out of my car here without rolling up the windows and locking the doors. We checked in, but couldn't open our room doors, so security had to come up and unlock them because they're apparently tricky. The hotel was dingy and stale, nothing like the advertising, and we left immediately without even entering the room. The staff were rude and unhelpful, and I felt unsafe, especially as two women travelling alone. There's no parking. They're denying us a refund. A $200 damage deposit was put on my cc and returned before we left, just 8 minutes later, but the hotel charged the $200 again the next day without my consent or knowledge. This experience was scary. Do not stay here.

My travel plans got sidetracked, so I ended up spending a night here. I left well before the noon checkout. The place may have been elegant a hundred years ago, but now it's decrepit and run down. There were walls literally falling apart, filthy carpet and a stench in the air. My room was disgusting, and I wouldn't sleep in that bed again. The shower head sprayed water, the toilet barely flushed, and the window had no screen. It looked onto another building and honestly felt scary. The pool wasn't accessible, and the hallway leading to it showed signs of a past flood. My room's air conditioner didn't work; it only seemed to push air around. I honestly felt unsafe. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who's uncomfortable staying somewhere gross, or really to anyone at all, lol.

The staff treated us well: the front desk man was friendly and accommodating, and the manager apologized and refunded us without any hassle. I felt for the employees, having to deal with complaints from less understanding guests and, apparently, vagrants who manage to get rooms there. The rooms were another story. My wife had booked for us, our two young children, ages 1 and 4, and our dog. Room 506 had a broken deadbolt, nonworking AC and TV, a cigarette burn on the toilet seat, a tub with no drain, just a hole, and stained sheets. They readily gave us room 505, which was only marginally better: carvings on the dresser, yellowing sheets, vomit and blood stains on the bedspread, and a bathroom ceiling that looked like it was caving in. We checked out and asked for a refund. I've stayed in countless hotels, motels, hostels, and even hammocks across 31 countries, and this was the worst place I've ever seen. Booking here felt like paying $100 or more for a room at the mission.

The staff were nice enough, and the lobby looked good. That's about all I can say in its favor. The room floor was sticky, and there were mouse traps under the bed. The AC had apparently been broken for weeks. I was told it was being worked on that day and would be back soon, but other staff said it had been out for ages and wasn't going to be fixed. This place has really gone downhill. It used to be the kind of crash spot you might use when in town for a concert, but I wouldn't recommend even that now. The price was ridiculous for the room.