Gateway Inn Gardena

The room smelled of cigarettes, and the paint and repairs looked like they’d been done as cheaply as possible. We assumed a place in the Torrance area might be better, but that was a mistake. I wouldn’t recommend it. Maybe it could do in a pinch for one night, but it wasn’t somewhere I’d stay with my children. Never again.

I stayed here a week with my 5 and 8 year old children, and I won’t be back. The shower was awful, and although they said there was a bathtub, there wasn’t one, so I had to wash the kids throughout our stay. The location felt terrible, and police were there every day while I was staying. The rooms weren’t worth the price either. They charged me a smoking fee even though I don’t smoke. I pointed out that people in the next room were smoking outside, but I was still charged. To stay a week, they also made us check out and back in every day, saying the policy had changed. It meant more money out of my pocket: $130 a night plus a $100 deposit, or $230 a day for a week, which was out of the question. The woman was extremely rude, and her husband or brother seemed drunk whenever he tried to help guests. It gave me the impression that people of color weren’t wanted there. I’m not saying they racially discriminate, but that’s how it came across. Take your money and run.

Hair was scattered everywhere, including the floor, shower, bathroom floor, and the little refrigerator. The sheets and pillows were stained too. Pure nasty. Never again.

I stayed one night on July 3, and they still haven’t returned my deposit. The shame of it is that they won’t even answer the phone. If anyone has contact details for the hotel manager or owner, I’d be grateful.