LYFE INN & SUITES by AGA - San Diego Airport/Point Loma

I arrived around 5 pm with all my booking.com confirmation emails and notifications, after booking three months ahead. The man at the desk said he couldn't find the reservation and had already given away my room. He was extremely rude, offered no real apology, and seemed almost to laugh at me. I wouldn't recommend booking here unless you want to find a different hotel on the day you arrive. The parking lot looked dingy, and two homeless women were lying in one of its very small spaces. It was super upsetting to be left without the room I'd booked.

The hallway leading to the room was filthy and unwelcoming, and the online pictures are old. The room smelled horrible and had dirty old things left by previous guests. It felt sketchy and gross, and we bought Fabreeze at check-in to try to clear the odor. I wasn't being overdramatic: while looking around, we found a small bag of white powder on the closet shelf. That felt dangerous and disgusting. Do NOT book here.

I booked and paid for one night through Agoda on 10/20, arriving on 10/24. At the hotel, I was asked for a credit card to cover a refundable $90 security deposit. After 10/26, the owner processed that deposit as a room charge, so I was charged twice. I called, but he refused to refund the obvious duplicate charge. It looks like a scam operation. I've flagged them with my bank, reported them to state and local authorities, and am working to get them banned from the Visa Network. This all happened because they wouldn't take responsibility and do the right thing. Typical with these types of people.

I got there at 11 pm after driving from L.A. The small lot under the building might fit 12 cars. There were no security doors, so both sides from the street into the little lobby were open. While the clerk spent about 20 minutes trying to find my Agoda booking and making calls, I kept looking over my shoulder, worried someone might come in from the dark street behind me. They eventually found it and asked for my credit card. Something told me to walk away, but Agoda had been fine before, so I gave it a chance. There was no elevator, and I had to haul my luggage up a dark, dingy open staircase on the side. The room was the worst and oldest I've seen as a traveler. The toilet was stained as if it hadn't been cleaned in years, the curtains were dirty, and the bed looked unchanged. I returned the key and left right away. I'd paid a nonrefundable $136 plus tax, but it wasn't worth even $30 a night. I walked into the nearby Doubetree Hilton and booked two nights instead. I immediately complained to Agoda that the property shouldn't be listed and hoped I wouldn't be charged. Even if I am, I'll chalk it up to learning not to trust Agoda reviews alone without checking other sites. The posted photos are nowhere near what this not-even-one-star motel is like. My only regret is not taking photos to post. I was exhausted and just wanted to get out as fast as possible. You've been warned.