Motel 6-South Lake Tahoe, CA

The staff were kind, and we appreciated being given a room without a connecting door when we asked. The pool was lovely, and it now has a lift so guests with disabilities can swim. Our room was comfortable, the beds were great, and we had a good stay overall. We’d definitely come back to this Motel 6, one of my favorite lower-priced Tahoe hotels. That said, the bathroom sink and tub weren’t clean, there were hairs in the tub, and dried cream or toothpaste was still visible on the counter in the light. There was also an awful smell in the toilet area along with a strong bleach odor. We aired the room out, and the smell had gone by the time we returned. We suspect the plastic shower curtain had a strong, vomit-like smell, though we can’t be sure what caused it. The carpets and bedspreads looked grimy. Our room was 201, directly above the office.

The front desk staff were really friendly, and the beds were comfortable with a heater that worked well. I did notice a lot of dead bugs on the bathroom ceiling, and the tub didn’t look very clean or trustworthy. There also wasn’t a microwave. Better cleaning and a microwave would make this a five-star stay for me.

The location was handy, with food and grocery stores close by, and we could get to all our destinations in 30 minutes or less. The heated pool was nice, and all the women on staff were very pleasant. Our room smelled nice and looked clean when we arrived. But it was cramped for two adults, a six-year-old, a small dog, and all our things. The bed was blocking the AC, which stopped working; maintenance moved the bed and reset it, but keeping it away from the unit made the room feel even tighter. There’s a walking and bike path behind the hotel, though mosquitoes were everywhere, even in our room, and we got bitten quite a bit. We had to ask for extra towels and toilet paper, and in our four nights they never cleaned the room.

We had a good three-night stay. The room was clean and cozy, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Motel 6 is an inexpensive option with the basics, especially if you’ll spend most of your vacation outdoors and mainly need somewhere to sleep without spending much. Our room had no mini fridge or microwave, so bring a cooler for food and drinks. The sink pressure was so high it could splash you, and the toilet seat wouldn’t stay up; the toilet also needed two flushes to work properly. Even with those issues, the room and service were good, and I’d stay again. Keep food out of your vehicle because bears are never far away.