Ramblin Rose Motel

I've stayed here twice. The rooms have been very clean, and the beds, pillows, and sheets were all comfortable. It's a classic old Travel Lodge from the 1950s, in the heyday of Route 66, with a great location and a very good price. The people running it are friendly and smiling.

The best thing about this one-night stay was its spot near Route 66 in Kingman. The room was what you'd expect at a motel, but the sheets seemed like they hadn't been changed, the shower door wouldn't lock, and the toilet leaked underneath. It's cheap, so it may suit someone who doesn't care much about comfort or luxury.

The second floor railing didn't feel safe for our three young children at all. If you're bringing little kids, try hard to get a first floor room, or consider somewhere else. The motel itself is average, quaint, and just adequate, with very small rooms that were fine for us. Service was lacking from check-in through checkout. On our second morning, while I was still loading the car, the housekeeper demanded my key three hours before checkout. I explained I wasn't finished and would return it when we checked out. She kept insisting, then stood glaring at me until I finished and left.

The views are stunning, and the room we had was clean and very well looked after. This is an old place, but it's aging gracefully. It feels like Route 66 in its glory days, with retro decor, old metal keys instead of cards, and little interest in modernizing. The TVs are flat screens, there's Wi-Fi, and each room has a small fridge and microwave. If you want all the latest amenities, the chain hotels down the street may suit you better. For old-school charm, this place is a good fit.