Travelodge by Wyndham Orange County Airport/ Costa Mesa

The hotel was cheap, easy to check into, and just a five-minute drive from John Wayne Airport and the Main Street parking for the airport. That worked well for our early flight, and thankfully we only had to stay one night. We arrived around 11pm and went straight to bed. After 2 AM, the TV turned on by itself, then did it again around 3:30. We hadn’t turned it on when we arrived. My husband jumped up the second time, unplugged it, and took the batteries out of the remote so it wouldn’t happen again. We also heard loud whimpering in the early hours, like someone crying in our room. We barely slept. The front desk gentleman didn’t react or apologize when we told him. The whole place felt uneasy and weird. Maybe it’s haunted, or the walls are so thin that you can hear crying and TV remotes from other rooms can work through them. We were on the bottom floor, and as far as we knew, nobody was in the rooms on either side.

I only needed a clean, fairly safe place for one night, and that’s what I got. I came in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. The man who checked me in was friendly and hospitable. They also have breakfast, a pool and hot tub, and a fitness center. The pool looked very clean, even cleaner than the one at the Holiday Inn I stayed at last week.

The one thing I’d change is the bathroom, which needs an upgrade. I’ve stayed at this Travelodge a few times because it’s budget friendly and well located. Check-in is easy, breakfast is continental, and service is friendly and accommodating. There’s plenty of secured parking, and Starbucks, a liquor store, and restaurants are all within walking distance. Rooms are basic but clean, with comfortable beds and lots of shelf space.

The room was quiet despite the hotel being under the SNA flight path. Check-in and checkout were quick and easy, and the front desk person was very nice. Breakfast was passable, nothing special. The property is dated, with issues that I assume can vary between rooms.