Silver Queen Inn

We got in at 3 a.m., exhausted, and both immediately decided we'd leave at sunrise. The online photos looked decent, but the camera lied. We slept fully dressed on top of the blanket because the sheets seemed so uninviting. The toilet wouldn't flush, and they left one tiny hand-washing-sized towel. We didn't shower or even brush our teeth in the room. At 4 a.m. we went to Denny's to brush in peace and dignity. The supposed free breakfast didn't exist. If you're desperate and need five hours of sleep to avoid nodding off at the wheel, it provides a roof and a locking door. For anything clean, updated, or like the photos, lower your expectations.

The woman at the front desk was great and moved us to a suite, which was cleaner than the first room. That first room was full of dust and dirt, and I wouldn't have stayed in it. The suite still wasn't good: there were cigarette butts in the towels, and when I called for replacements they said there weren't any extras. The sheets had holes. Save your money and stay somewhere else unless you don't mind rooms that feel like a trap house.

I hate leaving bad reviews, but this was the worst hotel I've stayed in. There were cockroaches, and although I booked three nights, I felt so uncomfortable that I checked out after the first one. I asked for a refund and still hadn't received it a month later. I've contacted the hotel several times. They say a manager handles it, but she's never available and staff don't know her schedule. I've called at different times, but she is always absent. My email got no reply either. Booking tried repeatedly to reach the hotel by phone and email to confirm the refund, with no success. That's terrible service. I don't know how to get my money back, and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

We kicked off our Route 66 trip in Kingman at the silver queen. It was very affordable, and Denys is right nearby. After my shower, I walked to the bed and realized the floor could use a mop. Still, for a father-and-son adventure, it was perfect and gave us a laugh to add to the story.