Motel 6 Riviera Beach, FL

We left after one night instead of staying the four days we’d planned. My husband’s company booked the motel for him, and I came along, but we couldn’t make ourselves stay. The nearby Wawa was walkable and the Wi-Fi worked, but that’s about all I can say in its favor. The room felt dirty everywhere. The floors hadn’t been cleaned properly, so we kept our shoes on, and the walls and switches were grimy too. The bathroom was worse, with visible black mold in several spots, and I didn’t feel comfortable stepping into the shower. We bought Lysol just to wipe down the toilet and surfaces before using them. The air was freezing when we arrived even though the AC was set to 40°F; we adjusted it before going out to eat. When we got back, the pillows were carelessly tossed around, and the wrinkled, stained sheets looked like they might not have been changed. The front desk woman was polite and offered another room, but it was in much the same shape. We took replacement “clean” sheets, though they had cigarette burns and stains that didn’t look washed out, and the curtains were stained as well. She offered to help remake the bed, but looked exhausted, so I didn’t want to ask her to do it. The smell was strong and hard to escape. Staff called it a “mango” scent, but to me it seemed like it was covering old smoke, mold, and dirt. I understand this is an older motel, but basic cleanliness should still matter. This was a stressful, disappointing stay. I was just counting the hours until morning so we could leave, and was too tired to take pictures, though I planned to add some the next day.

I stepped inside, got hit by the smell, and walked right back out. I wasn’t there for even five minutes before my throat started hurting. The bed was filthy and smelled strongly of cigarettes, and the whole room had that same awful odor. This is the worst motel or hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I’d never return or recommend it.

The room was cramped for a weeklong stay at $180 a night. It had two large beds with barely any space between them, and I felt boxed in. The sink also had very low water flow, apparently set that way by staff or maintenance. I booked through a third party and couldn’t get my money back. Getting a refund from that company is difficult, and customers aren’t warned about it. Motel 6 should explain on its website that cancellations booked through a third party can make refunds very hard to obtain, and it should offer photos of the specific hotel where people are booking. I also think Motel 6 should give potential customers better information and help them feel comfortable coming back.

The accessible shower made a real difference for me. I’m a disabled veteran coming from the VA hospital, where I have to return for surgery, and the hospital arranged and paid for this room until then. I’m very grateful they chose this motel. I stayed here two years ago, and the owners have renovated it since. The work isn’t perfect, but for comfort and accessibility, this is the best hotel or motel I’ve found in West Palm Beach, Florida. You don’t always find a handicapped-accessible bathroom like this even in five-star hotels. The staff were understanding, honest, and helpful throughout my stay. If you’re traveling through West Palm Beach on I-95, whether northbound from Miami or southbound, take the Blue Heron Boulevard exit. The motel is about a quarter mile down the road, with a big sign. I’ve stayed in plenty of places, and I think you’ll be glad you stopped here. There are small things anyone might prefer to be different, but for a night, several nights, or even a week or more, I haven’t found a better choice.