Vagabond Inn Sylmar

The one thing I wish I’d known at check-in was that fridge rooms cost extra. My room didn’t have one, and that was a real drawback during the heat wave in my first week. It also would’ve helped to know roughly when housekeeping knocks, since service is daily and can catch you by surprise. I stayed about three weeks and had a great experience otherwise. Booking was easy, even without a reservation, and extending the stay was simple. They’re pet friendly, at $10 per pet for up to two, with dog bag dispensers and bins around the property. My room was spotless, the AC worked well, the TV was fine, and there were always clean towels. Washers and dryers are available too, which is handy for a longer visit. The staff were friendly, the place was clean, and the pet charge is reasonable compared with other hotels. I’d recommend it, with clearer information at check-in about room choices and amenities.

This is an updated review. My earlier review has been deleted. The staff are nice, and parking is pretty good, with plenty of spaces at the front, sides, and back. Online payment through super or other websites is quick and easy; they verify it with your ID. Pet deposits for small animals are, I believe, $10-$30 a day. Nightly rates are usually around $100-$165, depending on whether you booked through super or another site, or added another night. A few things to know: there’s no pool access and the units have AC but no heater, so bring a small portable one for rainy days. Depending on the bed type and whether you’re on the first or second floor, a single or queen room has either a fridge or a table; double rooms may or may not have a fridge. WiFi and cell signal get worse the closer you are to the office, so you need to be farther away for a good connection. You can have more than one vehicle, apparently two, and there’s no parking permit. Cameras and security patrols are used to check for cars belonging to people without a unit. The laundry room, which also has the microwave, is open from 7 am to about 7 pm. For the past couple of months, room service has followed a routine around 9 am to noon, and you need to be out of the room. If you have pets, cleaning is mandatory. The service is quick, though. Watch out for the towel detergent if you have allergies, since it sometimes makes me feel a burning sensation. If you’re missing towels or pillows, tell the front desk before about 4 pm so they can get them to you; housekeeping has the keys, the desk staff don’t.

It’s clean, well kept, and the AC works like magic. There’s a fridge in the room, plus a microwave beside the registration desk, which is enough for me. They take pets, though I don’t know the fee. It’s a perfectly fine budget place. I’m just a bit sour because everything costs so much these days.

Cynthia at the front desk was especially helpful and friendly, and the whole staff made our three weeks here feel like home. The rooms were kept clean and in good shape. Housekeeping comes daily, though you can ask for every other day if you’re staying multiple nights; they’re so quick and efficient that daily service wasn’t a problem for us. A lot of families live here, which made it feel safer than most motels to me. That alone makes staying here an easy choice.