Quality Inn Mesquite - Dallas East

For $75 a night, this was a really unpleasant, disappointing part of our vacation. The hot tub didn't work, and there was no hair dryer. The website information wasn't honest, or we would've brought our own. The person at the counter was no help and didn't seem willing to try. I asked for a manager or someone to discuss a refund or discount with, and all I got was, “I'm sorry. I can't.”

The breakfast was pretty limited: middling coffee, Sunny D orange juice, a few cereal choices, and a waffle maker with just batter. In the room, one of the two lights meant to come on when you walk by worked, and there was no clothes hanger at first. When I asked for some, the front desk acted like they couldn't have missed that detail and that I must be lying. The attitude whenever I asked for anything was rude. There was also a steamer tipped over with water damage on a drawer, and the smoke detector had exposed wire and no cover, so I wasn't sure it worked. The worst part was the bathtub handle. It came off the wall with a slight twist. The front desk said maintenance would come during the day, but after I'd been gone all day and returned at night hoping to shower, the handle came off again. When I reported it, they acted like I was bothering them. We were moved to another room, then they called repeatedly, within ten minutes, to ask if I'd finished moving. I felt rushed as a guest. I checked in optimistic. I love hotels, and with a low price I don't expect much, but the smooth stay I'd hoped for fell apart.

The hot tub was out of order, though the pool was surprisingly warm and decent. Breakfast was advertised as free hot breakfast, but it was really continental: waffles, dry cereal, bread, apples, yogurt, individually wrapped muffins, mini bagels, orange juice, and coffee. No eggs, meat, or any protein. The room itself was clean, updated, and had lots of charging ports. The door was awkward, too, since I had to lift the handle to open it instead of pushing down. A bit more maintenance and better breakfast options would make this a great place.

I was there for three nights. There was plenty of parking, plus an indoor pool and gym. Breakfast came each morning, but it was simple, just waffles, muffins, cereal, and Sunny D. Some staff interactions were pleasant and others weren't, so service seems to depend on who's working. You get what you pay for, and it's fine for a few nights or less.