Village Motor Inn

I was outside trying to set up a grill when some people started walking around. I guess they were homeless or something. The guy from the office came out yelling at them to leave, and they yelled back. It made me really uncomfortable, and I won't come here again. The manager did stand up for himself and got them away, though. I didn't find any roaches in my room during my stay.

The room was decent for the price and had a mini fridge and microwave, which many rooms at this rate don't. Check-in was quick, but there's a $50 deposit by cash or card. Both lamps and the other lights worked, though the bathroom needed another bulb above the sink. The toilet leaked until I rigged it up, and some paint was missing from the wall. The location is great, with northbound and southbound local transit stops about a three-minute walk away. I didn't see anyone around when I checked in, but later I came back and saw homeless people standing in the stairwell. They need to patrol the property. I changed my rating from four stars to two because of the price gouging during major events: rooms that average $45 can go up to $299 a day, without offering anything different. I really hate that the government allows hotels and motels to do this.

There were needle caps all over the parking lot, people sitting in the stairwell on the way to my room, and scary people going into rooms. I worried about my truck being broken into, catching a disease from the furniture, or getting bedbugs or other mites from people hanging around in the rooms and stairways. The rooms weren't very clean either. I wouldn't recommend this motel. The only reason I gave it a star is that the form requires one to leave a review.

I felt safe here traveling solo, and was glad to find The Village Motel after reading so many deprecating and downright scary reviews of downtown Austin motels. The innkeeper and his wife were overseeing some housekeepers when I arrived, before check-in time. He stopped to say hello, and I told them I knew I was early and would sit outside in the sun. A little later his wife came out, said the housekeeper was nearly finished and only had a couple of things left, and let me check in. She was very sweet, reviewed my booking and their policies, and handed me the key. It was remodeled in 2018 but is an older building. The stairway and bannisters felt solid, and my top-floor room was away from the bustle and noise. It had a queen bed, clean linen and fresh towels. The little shampoo envelopes wouldn't have been enough for my hair, so I left them for the next guest. The clean ceramic tub had one worn spot about the size of a quarter. The shower worked properly, and the water was hot. I didn't get a cloud of chlorine in my face from the faucet, which seemed like a good sign, though I hadn't asked whether they filtered the water. The TV worked, but I was exhausted and didn't watch it. The refrigerator was exceedingly clean, with no smells or spots, and the microwave looked clean too, though I didn't use it. The bed was VERY comfy even with my sore hip, and the pillows and cases smelled clean and pleasant. Austin was quite cool that weekend, so I could have used a blanket, but the heat kicked in when I turned it on and warmed the room well. I couldn't find Wi-Fi, if it was available. The old, small kidney-shaped pool had been filled in eons ago. The parking lot was well lit at night and visible to everyone. The Village Motel is right on South Congress, so I heard police sirens a couple of times during the night, but otherwise slept soundly. I saw no evidence of bugs of any race, creed, or color, or anything else untoward that gave me pause. There's a Poke restaurant across the side street Havana, but I didn't have time to sample their wares this time. The one disappointment is that I'd have to stay elsewhere if I come back with my two elderly dogs, a Chihuahua and a tiny Miniature Pincher, since they don't allow pets at all. They also don't allow visitors. Still, I appreciate that it's their business and livelihood and they can run it how they see fit. Cheers!