Choice Inn

HORRIBLE. I woke up with bed bugs on me and my kids. There were bugs on the sheets, but they blamed us and said they'd cleaned.

The host was very nice and said he'd even complained about the train himself, though there's not much anyone can do about it. There are trains about every 30 minutes, and they blow their whistles for a long time as they pass. We barely slept because of it. The room was nice and the bed was comfortable, but the train tracks were the problem.

I've lived in this town for a few years and still come around regularly. The Choice Inn isn't fancy like the Ritz, but it's a good place to rest, and the owners are honest and genuine. They let you bring pets, preferably small dogs, though a well-trained large dog may be fine. There's a set pet fee, but they're willing to work with you if needed. The deposit isn't refundable. Some rooms have kitchenettes, and if something like the remote or TV isn't working right, they'll gladly do what's needed to make your stay comfortable. The owners once accommodated my wife, our two small dogs, and me for about four months when our Clovis rental had a mold problem. The landlord denied it, but we refused to stay and needed time to deal with the issue and find a new home. The owner can be strict, but I admire that, given some of the clientele around town. You won't have to worry about car thefts, vandalism, or bed bugs at this place. And yes, there's a railroad, and the horns sound longer than you'd think necessary. My only complaint is that I wish they had a coffee pot.

We got good value, and I liked being able to park right out front with no stairs to deal with. The beds looked nice and were clean and comfortable. We were so tired that the train didn't bother us.