Cotton Court, by Valencia Hotel Collection

The restaurant and bar were a highlight. We had wings, salmon, Brussels sprouts and a chicken Caesar salad, and drinks there every day. The courtyard, pool and indoor/outdoor restaurant look beautiful, and the location by Texas Tech is the hotel's biggest selling point. Daniella's check-in service was outstanding. She was helpful, kept eye contact and walked with me to show me things. After our long drive, the complimentary adult beverage and spring water were welcome. The retro room had vaulted shiplap ceilings, robes and an urban-industrial look; the fridge was stocked. At first it looked appealing and smelled good. Then the room's problems became hard to ignore. I booked a deluxe king for three, with a couch, but it didn't pull out and was smaller than a twin. My 5-foot-9 daughter barely fit. Daniella had clearly explained where the extra linens were, but the bins were empty, so I had to call the desk. Our daughter was only there one night for Tech orientation and camp; I wouldn't recommend that couch for longer because it was so uncomfortable. The king comforter and pillows had dried stains that looked like old blood and urine or spills. The shower handle was broken and seemed to have been hot-glued back on several times. Mold and gunk in the shower were bad enough to get on the curtain corners. The toilet and bathroom share a space divided by a barn door, so it offers visual privacy only. The fridge snacks and drinks had no price labels. Parking was very limited. If you arrive late, the overflow lot is a block away and feels sketchy enough to worry about a tow or theft. Valet is $25 a day with unlimited in-and-out, but that lot wasn't secured either, so I'd save the money and self-park. My husband didn't like seeing how the valets drove cars around. Over the four nights and five days, the room smelled mustier each time we returned. Stains in the carpet and dust on the lights, windowsill and baseboards made me wonder how much gets cleaned between guests. At the pool Saturday afternoon, there were 17 kids aged 10 and under, with adults greatly outnumbered; I wondered whether the hotel offers resort passes. Many adults without kids left. There were no pool towels, and I had to ask housekeeping for more; they brought bath towels, so it seemed they were short on pool towels. I might consider staying again, but probably only as a last resort. I'd check the sheets and pillows first. The place is visually appealing, but felt lackluster and overrated for the value. For more than $1,000 for four nights, I expected higher-end luxury.

For our business meetings in Lubbock, my wife and I chose Cotton Court after a really disappointing stay at a popular high-rise near campus. This was the best service I've had in Lubbock, or anywhere else. Jessica, the General Manager, hires and leads a remarkable team. Daniela greeted us at the desk and put us in a room on the beautiful courtyard near the nightly piñon wood fire. Victoria was busy with grounds and maintenance, but stopped to greet us and ask if we needed anything. I thought he might be the owner, because he took such ownership. At breakfast, Shay, Caroline, and Cheyenne worked together seamlessly and gave outstanding service. Michigan and Stewart brought the same teamwork to a meeting I hosted, with cocktails and appetizers at Midnight Shift. The stay exceeded every expectation.

The courtyard's a nice place to hang out, with firepits, picnic tables and hammocks. There's plenty of food nearby, and even several tattoo studios if you get bored. The rooms were well appointed, the fridge stocked with what you needed, and the staff friendly and helpful. It's a great place with retro vibes, and a good spot to stay.

The bar and restaurant get good natural light and have a decent range of spirits and beer. I'm not a wine drinker, so can't comment on the wine. The food was good, though not great. One gripe: the menu's Pork Chop might as well be a lie. I stopped here twice on my way north, and it was unavailable both times. Tsk, tsk. I didn't know what to expect, but this place was a lovely surprise. The green property feels like an oasis downtown, with a spacious, pretty courtyard. The pool was crystal clear and, like the rest of the grounds, clearly well maintained. Valet greeted me with a big smile, and the desk clerk was just as welcoming. They offered a bottle of water or a beer. My room was a lot of fun, like stepping into the 1950s while still feeling new and up to date. The bed and furnishings were comfortable. Quite a rare find, and I'll stay here again.