Caravelle Inn Extended Stay

The advertised fridge and microwave were kept in the office, which didn’t open until 7 AM, so I had to leave my breakfast there when I left. There was no Wi-Fi because the router had been stolen. I wouldn’t have used it anyway, but it was one more thing wrong. The room itself was awful. It smelled terrible, the bathroom wallpaper was peeling, the outlets were partly pulled out, and the TV remote didn’t work. The carpets and towels made me wonder what might be living in them. The window screen was still partly pried open from what looked like a break-in, and the lock was just a cheap aluminum one with a thumb screw. This is one of those monthly places, so I guess you get what you get. People in the next room partied late, and every unit had a container with its lid cut off to catch AC condensation, which was quite a sight. There was kitty litter, too. I’ve stayed in some awful places, but this was the worst. My boss is going to hear about booking me here. Next time I’ll choose. Unless you need a cheap place to party, I’d steer clear.

They held on to my deposit and never explained why. I stayed two days at the Caravel Inn in San Jose and left the room cleaner than I found it. I’d cleaned it top to bottom, removed the linens, and folded everything neatly, as I always do to make sure I get my deposit back. The place is old and dated, and the service was poor. I emailed through Booking.com to ask about the deposit and never got a reply. The staff weren’t friendly, either. On my second day I asked for fresh towels around 11 AM, and the maid said they didn’t have any. How can a motel be out of towels when rooms are meant to be cleaned? That’s no way to treat paying guests. They took my money without even explaining why. I wouldn’t stay here again or recommend it.

When I returned the key at checkout, the staff accused me of leaving a blood stain on a towel. That wasn’t true. The carpet and curtains already had visible stains before I left, and some looked like blood. The room was in poor shape from the start, with damaged walls and a torn blanket. Stains on the curtains and part of the carpet were especially concerning for cleanliness and hygiene. It feels unfair to blame me for a condition that was already there. Cleanliness, upkeep, and transparency should matter at any establishment. My experience was disappointing and unprofessional.

At least you can lock the door and feel safe sleeping. The TV works, though you’ll need your own accounts for things like Netflix. The rest was rough: melting wires, no fridge or microwave, no ceiling light, at least a few dead roaches, torn carpet, peeling wood veneer, and peeling wallpaper. I’d only suggest it if spending another $20 on a better place means skipping tomorrow’s meal.