Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston

For a quick, inexpensive stay, the room itself was fine and the staff were great. Check-in and checkout were simple, and being right across from the Space Center is convenient. But we found two roaches in one night: a baby roach in the room and a dead one in the hallway that was still there when we checked out. The building seemed poorly maintained. The hallways had an odd smell, the shower leaked, and the elevators weren’t working. It was an easy, cheap stay, but the price comes with a reason.

We picked this place because it’s across the street from NASA, but I’d rather pay more and stay 15 minutes away than spend $50 here again. We skipped breakfast and went to a much cleaner McDonald's down the street. The room looked dingy and outdated. There were big stains on the bed cover that seemed like someone had tried to bleach them without success. Every metal object was rusty, the AC sounded louder than a jet engine, and the shower curtain rod was barely attached and slanted down. With the curved rod, the curtain would only hang in the very middle. The elevator sounded like a death trap. The staff seemed completely unenthusiastic too. At checkout, one employee ignored us until we rang the bell twice, then sighed heavily before appearing from around the corner.

The hotel is dated, but inexpensive, so you get what you pay for. Check-in was easy and the staff were pleasant. The elevators weren’t working. Our room had been cleaned, the sheets smelled good, and we saw no bugs. The TV and other appliances worked, the provided hairdryer worked well, the air was cold, and the shower was hot. The room and carpet felt a little damp. Breakfast was a small spread of cereal, waffles, muffins, and a few other snack foods, plus juice, milk, and coffee. The pool was small but clean.

The facility is showing its age, though that isn’t the maids’ fault. They were kind and thoughtful, keeping the sheets and towels very clean, making the beds neatly, and vacuuming the carpets. The AC was also a bright spot: it stayed cold through the sweltering summer days without being too loud. This is a budget motel with just enough offered to call breakfast continental. I’d give the AC and maid service five stars, and the rest two or three.