Crystal Palace Inn Brownfield

There were mice in the room, and the refrigerator was so loud I couldn’t sleep or concentrate. The rooms were dirty, and staff either spoke no English or said they didn’t understand it. I couldn’t make sense of what they were saying. They wouldn’t reduce the cost after the mouse problem, either. Terrible stay. Pay a little more for somewhere else in town where you can sleep.

After a draining six-hour drive across mostly empty farmland, we reached Brownfield for an unpleasant obligation neither of us had planned on. The Crystal Palace Inn ended up being a lovely surprise in a town so small and remote you could almost miss it. We’d hesitated after seeing the limited options, but the bad reports about sloppy renovations at the local Holiday Inn Express pushed us to look elsewhere. CPI cost quite a bit less, and its many glowing reviews and guest photos showed unusual vintage furniture and decor that looked brand new. The room was spacious and carefully kept, with a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass around the exterior door that made it feel even more open. We were too busy enjoying the place to take photos ourselves. The staff were sincerely friendly and let us check in early without charging extra, given our last-minute situation and budget. For the deposit, a valid ID copy on file was enough instead of a credit card; we paid cash and got it all back when we left two days later. The location was right in the middle of what we needed, so we could walk everywhere and save on gas while enjoying the nice weather and exploring together. What could have been a stressful obligation became a memorable, oddly romantic little getaway. The town felt cozy, with dusty streets and smiling locals who seemed to know one another. We stood out as awkward visitors, but people still made us feel welcome. Our only disappointment came when we had to return to Brownfield a day later, after driving to San Antonio and back to take care of our dogs. We needed another room because a third person was traveling with us, but the Inn only had one vacant room and couldn’t fit us all. After seeing how much this place has to offer, it made sense that it was nearly booked. The business that brought us there was anything but pleasant, yet we’re sincerely considering coming back just to stay at this beautiful little Inn. The warmth of the staff and comfortable, stylish room left a lasting impression, and we’d like a more relaxed visit to turn those memories into something even nicer.

The weekly rate is the best in town, and the room is comfortable enough for me. Hot water is hot, AC is cold, and it’s not crowded. There’s no breakfast, which suits me fine. There’s a bar that may or may not be open, mostly old timers playing dominoes on weekdays. Friday and Saturday can get rowdy, with police sometimes in the parking lot and the jukebox audible outside. The owner is good about turning junkies away, so if you look like one, you should probably stay elsewhere. The sheriff’s department and county jail are next door.

I’m glad she eventually agreed to rent to me after I begged, since I’d been on the road for days and sleeping in my car, with nowhere affordable to go. But this felt like a $30 room and was way overpriced. I called for the rates and wasn’t told the deposit had to be cash. I’d scraped together the money, including the deposit, and was having a breakdown trying to figure out how to get cash, so I begged her to let me keep the deposit. I also have a service animal, and she wanted paperwork for it, which isn’t a real requirement if you actually have one. The room was a smoking room, and my dog and I were both sick the next day. I wish I’d taken pictures. The towels were yellow, there was an odd orange stain on the wall, and dirt was tucked into every nook and cranny. I was grateful to have a room and didn’t want to complain, but if you can afford it, pay extra for the Best Western or the other really nice place.