Glendale Express Hotel Los Angeles

The beds had bugs crawling around on them. It was disgusting and unacceptable, and I’ve never stayed somewhere worse. I won’t come back, and anyone considering this place should take that as a warning. The room looked nothing like the website photos. It felt at least 25 years out of date, with water stains on the ceiling, peeling paint, a dirty cracked floor, and mold and dead bugs in the bathroom grout. There were bugs in the tub and bathroom too. No microwave, just a small mini fridge. This place should be closed for its health violations. It was a total scam and absolutely not worth the money.

I didn’t have a bad stay or any problem with the staff, but the unit looked worn and very dated. The tables and chairs seemed extremely old, and the sink, faucet, and tub fixtures looked like they could be from the 1990s or earlier. It’s not a luxury hotel, but it isn’t priced like a budget stay either. A few basic upgrades could make a big difference. The lobby coffee setup also left me uneasy. The microwave was tiny and cheap, like something from a rundown motel, and the coffee flask had a loose electrical cable showing in my photo. Given how many units there are and what the hotel likely earns each night, it seems fair to expect reinvestment in maintenance and simple upgrades. I wonder if the rating really reflects the property’s current condition.

We were pretty happy with the price for our vacation, but several things put us off. We couldn’t enjoy the pool because a party with a karaoke machine went on until 10 at night. We also found freshly smoked cigarettes in the elevator, despite the no smoking policy. Check-in at 3 pm was really inconvenient. After we’d already paid, they said they’d also take a $100 deposit, and only told us at check-in about the $10 per night parking fee. We won’t stay here again.

The Glendale Express has loads of character and a great location. It’s an older hotel, but it owns that look instead of half renovating and painting over all the charm. I loved the lobby so much I wanted to hang out there all day. Our room had peeling wallpaper and an aged bathroom, but it was clean. Housekeeping was available if requested, and none of that took away from the place’s charm. The simple takeaway breakfast was just coffee and Pop-Tarts, as advertised, with other things for sale at reasonable prices. Still cheaper than going out for breakfast. For a budget friendly three star hotel, it was better than most.