Days Inn Lubbock South

We checked in 5/23 and found the first room filthy from top to bottom, with grime everywhere and carpet so dirty it clearly hadn’t been vacuumed. The shower control hadn’t even been installed. We looked at another room, where the toilet was full of turds and the guy tried to flush it before we saw. That room was dirty too. The third option was worse, with blood caked on the baseboard and carpet. The photos online are extremely deceptive, all staged. It was only fit for hourly rental at best. Expedia refunded us and got us into a nice place within an hour. Avoid this place.

The location was the one redeeming thing about this motel, with its exterior doors, though even that wasn’t great. After a long drive, arriving past midnight, I didn’t have the energy to find somewhere else. The first room was marked non-smoking but smelled like someone had just smoked a whole pack of Marlboro reds. There was also a dirty cleaning cloth left on the table. The second room was a little better, but still smelled off. It was very dated and seemed mismanaged: the toilet kept running unless you jiggled the handle, the smoke alarm was missing, and the carpet was frayed and walls were damaged. At $140, it left a lot to be desired. The gym was closed, and I couldn’t tell whether the pool was open. I made it through the stay, but next time I pass through Lubbock I’ll choose a place that takes more care.

The hotel workers handled most of the issues well, but one clerk was asleep when I tried to check out. The rooms were dirty and seemed to get only the bare minimum of upkeep. The fridge didn’t work, and despite being a non-smoking hotel, the room smelled like cigarettes. The furniture, sheets, carpet and every curtain, including the shower curtain, were stained. There were too many other problems with the facilities to list. I can’t recommend this place. I’m surprised it’s even operating.

We did at least have a bed, but that was the only positive and it’s the bare minimum at a hotel. We were lucky we only needed somewhere to sleep, since the other amenities weren’t available. The website listed a pool and jacuzzi, but we couldn’t use either. The ice machine was frozen over, and the bathroom lights didn’t work until I stood on the toilet to screw them in. There was one tiny, bad-smelling bar of soap and one tiny shampoo for two people. We had arrived early at 2:40 and were allowed to check in, only to find an uncleaned room with an unmade bed and trash, including prescription pill bottles. The staff seemed overwhelmed and never apologized. We reported it and were told to wait 20 minutes, then returned at 3:45 after giving them an hour and were asked to wait another 20 because housekeeping was still there. Other guests were also waiting after the 3 o’clock check-in time, leaving phone numbers to be contacted when rooms were ready. It was nearly 4, and the staff seemed unmoved by everyone’s disappointment, offering no compensation or reassurance. When we finally got in, the bed was made, but there were no towels or shower curtain. Housekeeping got us towels, but no one helped with the curtain. At 5:45, when the concert was starting, people were still waiting in the lobby for rooms. Some were doing their hair and makeup in the common room because they couldn’t get into their reservations. The front desk offered to keep their belongings and put them in rooms after they left for the concert. I overheard someone who may have been the manager tell a customer to leave if they weren’t happy. The customer said they’d driven 10 hours and already had a reservation, so shouldn’t have to leave. We went to the show and don’t know how those guests were treated afterward. Given the staff’s apparent apathy, I don’t expect compensation for my own miserable stay or for the other customers.