Extended Stay America Suites Los Angeles Monrovia

The location is handy, with fast food nearby, Sunny Bay pharmacy and urgent care within a block, a FedEx Office next door that’s useful for work, and the Metro Gold Line (A Line) about a 15-minute walk away. There’s plenty of parking. I’ve stayed at the Extended Stay America in Monrovia, Los Angeles for several months, and across the U.S. this independent ESA location, owned by Motel 6, has been the best extended-stay or hotel brand I’ve tried. Highly recommended for longer stays. Service is the standout. Management and most staff across all shifts are professional, issues are resolved quickly, usually within 24 hours or once I reach the right person, and maintenance requests are generally handled the same day. Housekeeping is reliable and available the same day when requested. Internet is fast and stable most of the time, good for remote work. You can stay longer than the common 28-day limit at many hotels. The rooms aren’t fancy, but they’re functional and fair value for an extended stay. The full-size fridge has a good freezer, and there’s a hot plate, sink, and plenty of kitchen cabinets, so I can keep more groceries than in a mini-fridge. The beds are comfortable, though may need replacing eventually. Lighting is solid, and the locks work well; occasional key-card resets are easy to sort out. I’ve asked for extra office chairs for work and they’ve always brought them promptly. Other useful details: large restrooms, slip-resistant padded vinyl floors instead of carpet, sturdy wire shelves in the spacious closet, and a tall counter that works as an eating or work desk with a matching chair. It’s great if you’re tall; otherwise, bring a portable table if needed. Double-pane windows offer decent quiet, especially on the south side, and the blackout curtains work well. There’s no full-length mirror, which I prefer for privacy and avoiding two-way-mirror concerns. The TV has around 40 channels, including Disney and Sci-Fi, better than some chains but not very entertaining. The laundry room is large, with several washers and dryers at $3 each currently. Rooms are non-smoking, the AC has no odor, and the property generally smells clean, without strong chemicals that affect breathing. Pet dander is possible since it’s pet-friendly. Minor issues for me are occasional dog barks or cat meows, not disruptive in my case, hallway noise through the doors, and freeway noise on the north side, though the double-pane windows help. One phone didn’t work at first but was replaced that same day. I’ve never seen fleas, roaches, or other bugs, which is a huge relief.

I had planned to stay for an extended period, but had to leave early because of the roach problem and what I saw as a health hazard. On my second night, I spotted baby roaches on the kitchenette counter. I thought household bug spray could handle it, but over the next several days I kept seeing full-grown roaches in the kitchen, bathroom, living area, on the walls, and in the bedroom. It was traumatizing. Once I realized they appeared at the smell of fresh food, I stopped cooking or eating in the unit. One morning there was a roach crawling along the side of the mattress, and that was enough. I’d already sprayed the unit with disinfectant and roach spray, so I felt it had to be an infestation. I tried asking staff about their pest prevention policy, but got no direct answer. Housekeeping immediately told me they didn’t speak English, so I just needed to leave as soon as possible. The building is somewhat outdated, with old carpet and utilities, but the roaches are what drove me away and prompted this review. Beware. I don’t recommend this location if you want to avoid pests.

I’ve never had a worse stay, not even in the army. The room didn’t seem clean, and after spotting a second roach, I couldn’t just put up with the bugs. The hot water ran out quickly and the water pressure was awful. There was often no one at the desk, or a long wait; once I needed help and waited 30 minutes because the person on duty was asleep. They never answered the phone. When I asked for a refund for the remaining days, I was given 15 minutes to pack and return my keys. I’ll never stay at another Extended Stay.

The kitchenette and the hotel’s special accommodations helped me feel at home. The hallways were always warm during the rainy days, too. I’m especially grateful to Joel, Mario, and Kenya for making my stay so special. Thanks for all your hard work 💕