Travelodge by Wyndham Palm Springs

My stay at Travelodge by Wyndham Palm Springs was awful. I saw multiple roaches in the bathroom and near the bed, and couldn't relax or get any rest. This didn't feel like a one-off. Cleanliness and basic pest control should be standard at any price. Instead of enjoying a Palm Springs getaway, I spent the night worrying about my belongings and the room's sanitation. I reported the problem, but by then the stay was already ruined. I wouldn't recommend the place until it seriously deals with the pest control and cleanliness.

We paid $200 a night through Priceline for the Mccormicks Car Auction event, and both rooms were in terrible shape. The first had water damage on most of the lower walls, loose baseboards, a musty smell, and a huge dark rug stain. The entry door casing looked badly damaged, as if it had been kicked in, and someone had simply painted over the missing piece. We called the office and practically begged to move. The second room was a little better, with less water damage and baseboards still attached, but its window wouldn't lock and the bent screen suggested someone had forced their way in and broken the lock. It also smelled musty, with water-stained wallpaper peeling off the lower walls. The bathroom door and casing were grimy, and there was a big dirt ring in the tub. The mattress sagged into a hole in the middle, so my husband and I sank into it all night and had neck and back pain the next day. Shame on the owner for letting the place go downhill and tarnishing the Travel Lodge name. I'm never booking through PriceLine again.

I picked the cheapest place nearby because I only needed a few hours of sleep on my drive from Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles. It turned out to be a great choice for an overnight stop, especially for just $65 a night. The room was spotless, even in corners I checked out of curiosity. Everything worked: the microwave, refrigerator, roomy shower, soft bed, comfortable pillows, and fresh bedding. Parking right beside the rooms was handy, too. Check-in was quick, and the woman at the front desk was warm, smiling, and very helpful. I found free coffee and several creamers at the desk in the morning. I didn't have time to look into the other amenities, but the mountain and palm tree views from the parking lot were beautiful. Seeing them first thing lifted my mood. I'm saving this hotel as a favorite and would stay again when I'm in the area.

The room was clean, with a comfortable bed and really plush bath towels. Everyone on staff was very nice, and Martin at the front desk was especially helpful. The property is a little dated, like other older places Wyndham has bought in recent years, but you can see them making small efforts to improve it. I'm sure it'll be remodeled before long.