Premier Inns Thousand Oaks

We paid for the most expensive room, but got the smallest and darkest one, with almost no lighting. There was only a dim light over the bed and no lamps, so we had to leave the window open to get enough light. When we asked to switch rooms, the morning front desk employee wouldn’t help us transfer. We were told to check out and pay again for another room the next day. That meant packing all our belongings, carrying everything downstairs, putting it in the truck, then hauling it back upstairs to the new room. We’re relocating and waiting for our house to close escrow, so we have a lot of personal items with us. That didn’t seem to matter. We were also told we could cancel if we didn’t like it, but the cancellation wasn’t refundable after we’d already paid. The employee was among the rudest and least accommodating I’ve ever dealt with. A very frustrating experience, with no basic consideration or customer service.

A good location right off the freeway, close to shops and restaurants. Mercado Guatemala, in the same parking lot, has the best Mexican food, 10/10. The place was quiet and felt safe, with friendly staff and a good price. Rooms were clean and the beds comfortable, though stains on the carpet made them look a bit rough. There’s a pool and hot tub, a small fridge in the room, and a microwave in the common area.

The pool and hot tub were clean, and the laundry was clean and very cheap, just remember to bring quarters. For what I paid, it was a good stay, and I’d come back, but I’d book an upgraded room. Those have been remodeled recently and are worth the extra cost: cleaner, with laminate floors, better beds, and TVs that aren’t blue. The standard rooms are dated, some have carpet, and some TVs are gaused, like old tube sets with a magnet.

A handy basic place if you’re passing through and tired for the night, or don’t want to drive farther to somewhere like Pismo, say if you’re coming from San Diego. The front desk lady was nice and the place looked clean. There’s a pool and jacuzzi. Mercado Guadalajara mini grocery store is across the lot, and there’s a 711 gas station nearby, plus some other places down the street.