4 Star Motel

I booked at the last minute after my flight changed, and the price was hard to beat for a Saturday in LA. There are lots of street vendors nearby selling food, clothes, and power tools. I also felt my car was safe there overnight. At 5 a.m., LAX was only about a 25-minute drive away, with virtually no traffic.

The room was fine overall. There was a soft spot in the floor near the bathroom, maybe from the shower. The shower itself had decent pressure and warmed up quickly, and the fridge worked well. My teas got cold in there in no time. The owners were really kind. I only had quarters when I wanted two teas from the vending machine, which takes dollar bills, so I asked at the window about changing them. The hotelier gave me two dollars herself. Then the machine wouldn't take those either, and when I offered to return the money, she asked me to wait and had her husband plug it in. They were so hospitable. It's great value if you're on a budget.

The room I stayed in from July 29 to August 5 was better than some people in the area had led me to expect, so it seems the motel has improved over time. Management treated me well, and the cleaning staff were helpful and kind. The security felt smothering, though. I knew what the area was like before booking, since I'm used to it from Miami, and planned to have a couple of ladies visit my room. The manager gave me grief about walking up with hookers. I did manage to get one to my room two nights before I left. As a single man, I wouldn't call this an ideal place to stay. It seems made for families and low-key people who like being bored. 🙄

It smelled strange in the room, maybe like floral cleaner mixed with curry. The room had recently been painted orange and yellow, but they painted around the switch plates, leaving them white and orange. Green curtains, blue bedding, orange walls. The cabinet under the sink was missing, and the furniture looked like rejects from Goodwill. Patches on the walls and ceiling hadn't been textured or painted to match. The price is cheap, but you get what you pay for. If I'd had time, I would've found somewhere else. I definitely won't be back.