La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston East at Normandy

The rooms were too old for my comfort, and the water smelled terrible. I was also put off breakfast when the woman serving food used the same gloves to clean tables and handle the food. I was supposed to stay six nights but never spent even one there because I was uncomfortable. They still refused to refund me for at least four nights. I posted pictures of exposed boxes indoors. By far the worst Laquinta I’ve stayed at. Stay away.

When police arrived, they reviewed the situation and said I could stay because my reservation was prepaid and I hadn’t broken any rules. But management had unexpectedly knocked on our door and told us to leave, and by the time I went to the desk to ask what was happening, the police had already been called. As a young Black couple, my fiancé and I found that extremely stressful and unnecessary. We stayed nine days, and I felt singled out and nitpicked by a manager whose treatment of us seemed very different from what I saw other guests receive. It left me feeling unwelcome and uncomfortable. Staff interactions overall were unfriendly, and the environment didn’t feel inclusive. This was one of my most unpleasant hotel stays, and I wouldn’t return.

The BBQ place across the street had good food, which was the only redeeming part of the stay. Avoid booking through a third party: they’ll say the room you reserved isn’t available and that they can’t help because you booked that way. I’ll never book with La Quinta as a brand again.

The room was decent, but the walls are thin enough that you hear a lot, the elevators need maintenance, and a strange smell lingered in the lobby. For this price I’m not expecting five stars, but basic respect, cleanliness, and a welcoming atmosphere should be there. La Quinta can do better. The manager made check-in feel unwelcoming, with no proper greeting and a very indifferent attitude. When I called about a sheet issue, he told me to come to the lobby for extras, which was fine. But nobody was there when I got down. After I waited, he appeared and handed me old sheets without any courtesy. I felt like asking for something basic was an inconvenience.