DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bakersfield

The room layout made getting to some rooms far from check-in awkward, and the courtyard is the easiest route. You can park closer to other entrances, but then you’ll need to use stairs, so plan ahead if you have heavy luggage. One first-floor ice machine was out, which made getting ice a several-minute walk. Still, I’ve stayed here many times over the years and have generally been happy. The rooms are clean, the pool is decent, the restaurant serves a good breakfast and dinner, and the service is excellent, polite, and helpful. Dinner choices are limited, but it’s fine for a bite after a long day. I’m sure I’ll return.

Rodrigo at the front desk was kind and accommodating. I really like the hotel’s 70s, old-school feel, and hope they keep it just as it is. The rooms have balcony access through sliding doors, which you don’t find in most hotels. There’s a big pool and a hot hot tub, with palm trees around the courtyard. Rooms on the Highway 99 side get some traffic noise, but it doesn’t bother me. Great place, and a real blast from the past.

A cockroach on my second night completely changed how I felt about the stay. I saw a huge one in the bedroom around midnight and panicked because I really hate insects, especially roaches. I called the front desk straight away, and staff responded quickly and moved me to another room. Before that, I’d liked the spacious room and thought it looked nice. The incident made me question the hotel’s cleanliness and put me off for the rest of my visit. I stayed from the 18th to the 21st, then added one more night because I was sick and couldn’t travel. Without that, I probably would have left earlier. I appreciated how the staff handled it in the moment, but it still affected my impression of the stay.

I stayed here twice, October 11-13 and again November 12-18, and both visits went really well. The rooms were clean and comfortable, the staff were very friendly and accommodating, and housekeeping didn’t rush us at checkout. I couldn’t have asked for a better stay. I’d recommend this hotel again and again, and will definitely come back.