Holiday Inn Express and Suites Portales

The outside looks a little worn, but the room was much better than I expected for such a low price. The owners remodeled three years ago, and they were so hospitable. I had a really pleasant, comfortable stay.

We ended up switching rooms four times. The first had a leaking toilet and a broken TV. In the second, we found roaches and mice. When we told the owner, he handed us flea, tick, and lice spray. The third room had a bad ceiling splatter, maybe blood, and neither the AC nor TV worked. The fourth was finally somewhat decent. Every room smelled bad, so we used spray and scented candles to cover the mold and whatever else was in the air. The owner acted like we were the problem for wanting a decent place to sleep, and was dismissive. Beds were moldy or black and brown around the bottoms. Though all the rooms were marked non-smoking, there were ashes everywhere. It didn't look like anyone had swept, mopped, or vacuumed.

The location was so convenient for our university workshop, and they took pets when most hotels in town wouldn't, even with a deposit. The manager also came promptly to check the heater when we thought it wasn't working. But the room was the filthiest I've ever stayed in, and that sign above reception saying all sales are final should've been a clue. The supposedly non-smoking room stank of smoke, enough to give me a headache. The polyester quilt had lots of hard, crusty cigarette burns. We found no bedbugs, but the mattress stains were so disgusting that I had my kids sleep in the sleeping bags we'd brought in case we ended up camping. There were crumbs from the previous guest on the bed. The carpet was dark and greasy, and I wouldn't let anyone walk on it barefoot. There were awful mystery smears on the walls, doors, and curtains, maybe mucus, blood, or feces. One corner had serious water damage on the wall and floor. The heater banged like a car backfiring every half hour. The kids opened the refrigerator before we left, and though it was empty, old hardened spills and food bits covered it, and it reeked. The tub was too gross to use. We shudder when we think about that place.

We stayed here for two weeks while packing to move out of portales. The owners were attentive and always smiling. **Update, 09/27/24:** Having a good time here! It's peaceful and quiet, and I love the owners.