Travel Inn

For $130 a night, this is another reminder of how insane Silicon Valley is. The room itself was actually okay if all you need is a decent bed, working outlets, and running water. But it faced a busy street, and the AC sounded like a trapped beast, so bring earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. The tiny office with a counter that passes for a lobby reeked of disinfectant. Room numbers were taped to the doors like forgotten remnants of some renovation years ago. There was a coffee machine that probably cost $10, but no cups or glasses, so I couldn't tell if it even worked.

The price felt steep for the comfort and quality on offer. The mattresses were clean and comfortable, and the receptionist was friendly and helpful, but the bathroom was tiny. The tap water looked discolored and didn't seem clean, which concerned me. Hallways and corridors had an uncomfortable, almost horror-movie feel that seemed somewhat unsafe. The location of TIS is excellent and very convenient. In the room, an old refrigerator and outdated heater made constant noise, with traffic clearly audible through the poorly insulated windows because the hotel is so close to the road. The location is a real advantage, but the hotel needs significant improvement to justify its cost.

They took a $100 deposit, and the whole upstairs felt sketchy, with half-painted walls and badly written directions. My room smelled of paint. When we asked, the receptionist said the rooms were being renovated, so why rent one out? Everything was rusty, including the appliances, beds, sink, and tap. The sheets were stained, and the floor was sticky bare wood with no carpet. The photos must be decades old. I got a bad feeling as soon as we spoke to the receptionist, the owner's daughter-in-law. We asked for some of the coffee on the table and she rudely said, "NO!" Then she told us the room was for two, even though we'd booked for four. When we complained to the owner's son, he just said, "YOU SHOULD HAVE FOUND A BETTER HOTEL." Never come here.

My room was near the back, which made it nice and quiet. The staff were helpful and friendly, and everything worked, including the Wi-Fi, AC, heater, and shower. There aren't many fancy amenities, but the place is very clean. I'll definitely stay here again when I'm in Silicon Valley.