Hiouchi Motel

Privacy and security were my biggest concerns. I always left a “DO NOT DISTURB” sign on the door, but yesterday I returned to find the door standing open. I was sure I had locked it, so I checked that my medications and valuables were still there. Today, the TV was on when I came back, and the garbage can had been moved back beside the bed. If you complain, expect retaliation. The renovations were noisy from early morning until late afternoon, so forget trying to nap. The beds squeak loudly if you roll over, and the walls are so thin that neighbors will hear it. Shower pressure is so weak you barely need a towel afterward. There’s no WiFi, and there are no ground-floor rooms for disabled guests like me. The remote-controlled HVAC and the TV remote, with all its buttons, may be manageable if you’re tech-savvy. This motel isn’t user-friendly. In all my travels, I’ve never paid so much for so little, or felt my privacy and security were so badly violated.

The staff were lovely. They even called on arrival day to tell me the cafe wouldn’t be open for dinner and suggested we get food in Crescent City. There’s also a great diner right next door for breakfast, and guests get a discount. This is a motel in a tiny town in the woods, not a five-star Hilton. I travel for work and have stayed in all kinds of places, and I found the rooms clean and comfortable. If you’re after valet parking and starched white linens, this isn’t the place, and there isn’t a hotel like that within a few hundred miles anyway. For a cozy, clean, functional stay with easy access to the redwoods, it’s great.

The front desk person was very nice, and the hotel sits right at the edge of the Redwoods. Our room was clean and free of critters, which matters most, but it was dated, cheap-looking, and shabby, with some tattered towels. The outside stairs to the second floor were in poor shape and a tripping hazard. I booked with credit card points, but the receipt still shocked me. The room seemed expensive for the condition of the hotel. The diner nearby has limited hours, so otherwise you’ll need to drive 10-15 minutes into town.

The owner and staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating. The hotel was clean and quiet, and it’s close to some iconic redwood trails. They own the diner next door, which was pretty good too. It’s much nicer staying here than in crescent City, though close enough to drive there for dinner if you want. I’d give it more than five stars if I could. Great place.