Costa Mesa Inn

I’m still trying to get back my $200 security deposit. I checked out on time, returned the keys, left the room clean, and no damage was noted. The motel hasn’t given me any explanation, in writing or verbally. The only response was that they couldn’t process the refund until the “morning team” came in. I have the folio number and authorization codes, but the deposit is still being held. I’m pursuing a debit card dispute and filing formal complaints with California consumer protection agencies. Withholding the money without explanation and delaying the refund is unacceptable. Use caution if you stay here. I stayed at Costa Mesa Inn from January 4-5. At check-in, what they called the “front desk” was a converted motel room next door. Staff scanned both sides of my ID, took a $200 deposit by tapping my debit card, and captured an electronic signature labeled only “capture signature,” without clearly explaining it or giving me documentation.

The staff were so friendly and accommodating, and my room was freshly updated, clean, and really nice. There’s a dive bar and taco shop in the parking lot next door, and an amazing Goodwill thrift store across the street. The lobby photo on hotels.com didn’t match what I saw, though I understand it’s a third-party site. I’d recommend staying here, and if I fly into John Wayne again, I’d return.

The rooms have been refurbished and feel modern and clean, and the stay itself was okay. I saw cockroaches outside, though there was no sign of any in our room. The problem is they still haven’t returned my $200 security deposit, despite many attempts to reach them over the past month.

DO NOT STAY HERE!! They kept my deposit, claiming I damaged the sheets with red hair dye, but my hair is black. I saw other reviews from people saying they’d been affected by this too. There wasn’t a microwave in my room either, even though their website says rooms have microwaves. This place is awful. Keeping guests’ deposits and making claims I say aren’t true is nasty.