Clarion Hotel San Angelo near Convention Center

The breakfast was good, and the rooms have clean, attractive furniture. Staff were polite and helpful, too. They've remodeled some areas recently and are still working on more. There's an indoor pool and hot tub, plus a bar with live bands on weekends if that's your thing. This was my second stay, and for the price I think it's an incredible value. I'll come back.

We found the Arc Light Bar & Grill right beside the lobby, which was handy after a long drive. It has a sports bar feel and a real Texas vibe, with burgers, wings, and drinks available without heading back out. The hotel itself was quiet even though it sits near downtown and the Concho River Walk. Parking was free and easy when we unloaded the car, and our room looked out over the area. A historic wooden railway trestle bridge nearby is a nice place for photos if you're into that. We stopped here overnight during a family drive through Texas and it worked well for us. I'd stay again if we pass through San Angelo.

I was told the $300 cash deposit wouldn't be returned the next day because a fire alarm had been “removed.” There wasn't any fire alarm in the room when we arrived. When I challenged that, the story changed to the alarm having been “found in a drawer.” If that's true, the room clearly wasn't checked properly before we got there. We didn't smoke, drink, or damage anything. Housekeeping made the bed, changed towels, and cleaned during our stay without raising any concerns. The room itself was in bad shape, with dirty sheets, chipped paint, stained walls, and capped wiring hanging from the ceiling. When I asked for timestamped proof that the alarm was there before our stay, they threatened trespassing charges and police instead of providing records. Guests shouldn't be charged for undocumented or pre-existing conditions. A business that can't maintain basic life-safety equipment or show evidence when keeping a deposit shouldn't be taking cash deposits. Requiring $300 cash should have been my first warning. Choose carefully.

Breakfast was the roughest part. Around 8, most of it was gone: no burritos, waffle batter, bacon, or juice, with just a little egg, a few sausages, and some gravy left. The desk clerk said it had just been filled and went to check. A young man came out with bacon, wearing a dirty shirt. He said he'd already brought burritos out and usually only brought them twice. When we asked for two, he reluctantly said yes, but after about ten minutes there was still nothing. I knocked and got no answer. Another guest couldn't get waffle batter either, and the clerk came back to help refill it. She said whether we waited for the burritos was up to us while he made the batter. I couldn't tell whether we were frustrated or the staff were, and it wasn't pleasant. I can imagine guests taking everything as soon as it comes out, so keeping up may be hard. The room had fresh white bedding and a comfortable bed, but the floor was really dirty. A little water spilled, and the rag I used came up almost black. The tub was dirty too, though maybe a hotel bath isn't the best idea anyway. The lobby looked nice, there was coffee and different cream bottles when we arrived in the evening, and the staff then were friendly and professional. The location was good. For a cheaper hotel I didn't expect much, and if you don't mind flip-flops indoors, waiting on breakfast, and a bit of attitude, it's not too bad. Still, not a pleasant stay.