La Quinta Inn by Wyndham New Orleans Causeway

The morning staff were much friendlier at checkout than the night receptionist, who wasn’t friendly at all. The bed was comfortable, or maybe I was just exhausted, but the room itself wasn’t clean. It still smelled of weed, presumably from whoever stayed before, and the floor was sticky. For $150, I expected a lot better. I’d pay extra for a better hotel nearby.

The location works well, with shops nearby and easy access to the city, and the front desk is staffed around the clock. They serve continental breakfast from 6 AM to 9 AM, too. I’ve stayed at the Econo Lodge, formerly La Quinta, several times, and it’s been pleasant each time. The front desk team is especially friendly and accommodating. Renovations are underway, and some refreshed rooms have smart TVs with Roku. It’s comfortable and welcoming, and I’d recommend it for an affordable stay, whether short or extended.

For $170 for one night, this room was nowhere near worth it. The property looked run down, and my supposed nonsmoking standard king room smelled stale and musty, with clear signs someone had smoked in it. A plastic ice bag had been placed tightly over the smoke detector. The bathroom was filthy, with a dirty towel under the sink that looked like it might have been catching a leak. The tiny toilet and shower room was worse: the vent hung out of the ceiling, the worn tub was hard to tell had been cleaned, and the toilet bowl had dark chips. Parts of the walls were missing and the rest were unpainted. The nearby ice maker didn’t work either. I’ve stayed at plenty of hotels around here and won’t come back. After that smelly, dingy night, I felt like I needed another shower.

The room’s odor started as soon as we opened the door, very strong and musty, and within an hour it was aggravating my allergies and making me feel awful. I barely slept and didn’t feel comfortable or safe there, so I checked out early the next morning and found another place. The rooms were disgusting: blood on the carpet, old food on the floor, and a used tissue and lighter behind the dresser. The sheets, pillowcases, and towels were stained, and the mattress was filthy, though it was okay to sleep on if you didn’t look first. The vanity outlets didn’t work. Most outlets by the bathroom did, but one couldn’t be used because a grounding prong was stuck in it. The TV was already on when we arrived, and the pool looked like a swamp.