Payless Inn

It might do if you have nowhere else to go and don’t want to be out on the street. From outside it looks decent enough, but inside it was missing several appliances and reeked of smoke. I know the hotel can’t be blamed for that, but it didn’t seem like anyone had even tried to cover the smell. The showers, though, were strangely spotless.

It’s $35 a night, so you’re getting what you pay for. The room was clean, the water warm, and the A/C worked well. My boyfriend and I got a free night because there was a murder the night we stayed, so no complaints. The whole area around Van Buren has prostitution and drugs, but that’s what it’s like there. The staff were really cool. If you want a cheap place and aren’t high maintenance, I’d recommend it.

My room was roomy and spotless, and the bed felt new and was really comfortable. That matters a lot to me when I’m staying somewhere. The property is clearly kept up well. You’ll hear a faint rumble from the nearby airport, but it wasn’t loud enough to wake me or cover the TV, and a few directions in the neighborhood felt a bit sketchy. For a night before or after a flight, the price and location are hard to beat. I was relieved after the hell hole of a Knights Inn in Mesa, which looked like it needed to be burned to ash. This place gets my approval and recommendation.

There was a fight on the top floor at 2 in the morning, and I could hear everything. It went on for two hours. The mattresses were dirty, though the covers seemed clean. The carpets were dirty too, while the bathrooms were clean. They charged me an extra $10 for arriving early at one. I won't be back.