North Bay Inn

For the location, the price was good, and the motel was spotlessly clean and well maintained. The staff also accommodated our request for a second parking spot. It is close to the freeway, so there’s some traffic noise, though the building cuts it down and it quiets later at night. I’m a light sleeper, but earplugs and a sound machine on my phone did the trick. I especially liked the clean white cotton bed covers, much nicer than the dingy colored ones that are probably unwashed at similar motels.

No breakfast, but the ice machine and microwave work. The fridge is larger, though it has no freezer, and the coldest temperature seems to be 40 degrees. Towels are thin and feel like sandpaper. There’s plenty of hot water, but not much pressure, and surprisingly the tub isn’t slippery. The room was recently renovated, with tile in the shower, a new toilet, faux granite counters on the furniture, and even a drawer in the desk. The wooden shutters are a nice touch. The HVAC filters were filthy, though you can run the fan without heat or AC, which makes good white noise. Every morning around 4:45, the trash truck empties the Harbor Freight dumpster. So annoying.

The staff were incredibly kind and accommodating, and for the price and location my two-week stay was exactly what I wanted. The Wi-Fi was good enough for streaming on my laptop and using my phone, though it lagged quite a bit during peak hours. Since the room is right by 580 and 101, there was some road noise, but it quieted down later at night. I’m used to city noise when I sleep, so it wasn’t a big deal. I’ll definitely stay here again if I’m in the area.

The motel looked old and trashy, and the area wasn’t attractive. The woman at the front desk was extremely rude and demeaning. She gave my partner a dirty look and told him, “no smoking. No smoking of any kind,” though we don’t smoke. Then she pointed at my RV and repeatedly asked, “what is that?” We’re a professional couple on vacation in a small RV. We left and went to Marin Suites Hotel, where the staff were welcoming and accommodating. I’m glad we didn’t support this nasty, gross motel.