Hampton Inn & Suites Fresno-Northwest

TRAINS! If you’re a light sleeper, keep that in mind. I checked in Sunday around 7:30 p.m. after getting sleepy on my drive from north-central California to LAX, and by 12:30 a.m. I’d heard six trains pass. The railway is only a few hundred feet away, and the horns were loud once I settled into my room on the third floor. I expect it to keep happening during my stay. Aldo made check-in easy and pleasant, and the Hampton Inn & Suites Fresno North is conveniently just off CA Highway 99. The room was clean enough for a two-star hotel, though the wallpaper and furniture looked dated and worn. Hall carpets and walls show their age too, and I could clearly hear footsteps overhead.

I slept really well and didn’t notice any trains, though I’d been a little concerned about the tracks nearby. The room was clean and comfortable, and the staff were professional, polite, and took good care of me.

The staff were super helpful, but it seems like they’re stuck apologizing for a hotel in the wrong location. Train horns blasted four times an hour all night, and we got no sleep. Our first two rooms wouldn’t unlock, possibly because of low batteries, and the one we finally got had a very worn bed. The showerhead was so clogged that water sprayed everywhere. Can I give zero stars for the location?

The breakfast was terrific and there was plenty of it. The accommodations were nice, and the staff and service were top-notch. I’d pick Hampton again when I need a reasonably priced room.