Howard Johnson El Centro

The toilet seat was off its hinges and just sitting on top of the toilet. The furniture was old, the room smelled strange, and the power outlets didn’t seem safe. When we switched on the air unit, it started smoking and set off the smoke alarm. I told the desk clerk, and she said not to turn them on because they don’t work. Guests should be told that at check-in. For $50, the stay felt about what you’d expect. I’m not coming back.

Free parking in a partly shaded area made getting here easy, and the place is part of the Wyndham Property Group and Rewards Program. It’s the best value around, with comfortable king-size beds, a safe area, and good room amenities. The TV channel selection is excellent, and the suites with king beds have AC in both the bedroom and sitting room. There’s also a small spa and a modest recreational pool. The new management team is excellent too.

The rooms are comfortable, and the new managers were friendly and attentive when we needed something. They’re doing a few minor renovations, but we weren’t disturbed by them. We had a great stay and plan to book here on our next visit. Definitely recommend this hotel.

The beds were clean and comfortable, and the staff were very friendly and courteous. Still, the room needs updates. The carpet badly needs shampooing: my son crawled on it and got black marks on his hands and legs. The tub and shower need repairs, the toilet shifted a bit when used, and the TV didn’t work properly. It was extremely hot and stuffy when we arrived, and the AC barely helped. We crowded around it to keep cool, and the room took a few hours to cool down. Since we were upstairs and it was late, changing rooms would have been a hassle with luggage and young kids. The bed covers had holes patched with duct tape. We’d consider staying again if the place gets updated.