Days Inn by Wyndham San Marcos

The night desk clerk, Sid-in Doods, was so patient and kind. I was exhausted after a long drive with the kids and not in a great mood, but he stayed calm and handled everything with real care. That made a big difference to my night. We'd arrived in San Diego around 10 or 11 p.m. without a plan and only needed somewhere to sleep until 6 a.m. We chose the cheapest option, and it surprised me in a good way. Our recently renovated room was clean, cozy, and had nice floors. The hallway looked dated, though the property is clearly being worked on. Parking was convenient, breakfast was simple but good, and everything worked. For a $70 room versus a $200 one, I'd choose the cheaper one. I didn't notice a comfort or quality difference between those prices. Comparing $60 with a $1,000 hotel would be a different story. It was a short stay, but it left us with a positive impression, and we'd stay here again when passing through San Diego. Thanks to the whole team.

The rooms and bathroom were really clean, and check-in was easy. They also gave us a paper to put in the vehicle. It was simple to do, just something I hadn't come across before.

The layout was awkward for parking: our car was on one side of the building and the room on the other. Inside, the room smelled musty, and the AC unit was halfway in and halfway out of the room. The bathroom door had a big crack along its seam, and there was no mat in the slippery shower. The bed creaked whenever I sat on the edge or shifted around, making sleep rough. I can see why the price was low, but I wouldn't recommend staying here.

My car's rearview mirror was broken, and the area felt very dingy. I booked through super.com but was still charged by the hotel. Reception said the charge was only a hold and would be returned after checkout. If you can, stay away.