Quality Inn & Suites Albuquerque West

For heading west the next day, the location just off I40 is ideal. If you're going east or north on a weekday, leave early or expect Albuquerque traffic, though it's nothing like LA, Chicago, or NY. The area has plenty of homeless people checking cars, as in many places, so remove valuables from sight and lock your vehicle. Check-in with our reservation went fine despite a line and a wait. There seemed to be just one person on duty; the wait wasn't too long, and that feels typical at some family-run hotels. Customer service was fine. The room looked like an average Quality Inn & Suites room, and seemed clean at first, but closer inspection changed that. There were dried food stains on the bedside table and desk, which hadn't been wiped; a wet washcloth and Clorox wipes handled them. The sheets and pillowcases looked clean, but the dingy duvet covers had food stains. The shower was worst: it wouldn't shut off fully, so we kept the bathroom door closed to avoid the constant drip. The stained curtain and long hairs on the shower walls were gross. Alone, I'd tolerate a cheap, quick night here despite being grossed out. With family, it was almost unbearable. I'd stay again in a pinch if the price were right, but generally I'd look for somewhere nicer and hopefully cleaner.

After another hotel canceled our room by mistake, we scrambled to find somewhere for a few days. Lolita at the front desk took us in with a warmth we hadn't encountered from the night staff at other places, who seemed to hope for quiet shifts. She noticed how upset we were, turned a bad night into a wonderful one, helped us rest, and even checked afterward to make sure we had settled in and were happy. The place was clean, comfortable, and quiet. We felt at home and will return. Thank you, Lolita, you're a lifesaver.

Everyone I met was friendly and helpful. The man who checked me in was personable and upgraded me without my asking because of my status; another staff member suggested places to eat, and someone else brought towels. The exterior was spotless, and the indoor pool was surprisingly clean, apparently refurbished recently. The hot tub could use a scrub, though it was chlorinated. I asked to have the sheets changed because they seemed off, and the housekeeper was pleasant and handled the request without fuss. The area isn't perfect, but it's improving: the street is swept and nearby hotels are renovating. A few things need attention. The air-conditioner filter was very dusty, and the furniture was banged up, though they seem to repair some of it. The fairly new couch needs vacuuming and washing, including under the cushions, before it gets ruined. I noticed stale juice sitting in the bottom of the breakfast dispenser when I checked in during the afternoon. I won't drink it in the morning because it looks like it might not get cleaned, though I could be wrong about them pouring fresh juice over yesterday's sour leftovers. I also filled and ran the room's jacuzzi tub out of curiosity. I wouldn't use it myself, but nothing gross came out of the nozzles. It's a unique property with friendly staff and could use more detailed cleaning. At $65 a night, I can't complain.

The breakfast was a letdown: they ran out of items quickly, even basic utensils. When I complained, a front desk staff member casually said they were out, and the service felt unprofessional and uncaring. The room smelled bad, and the so-called upgraded room was shocking; I genuinely don't know what they meant by upgrade. Dirt was everywhere, from the entrance and elevators to the rooms. This is one of the worst hotels I've stayed in. Stay away from this filthy place.