Tristar Inn Xpress

Everything in the room worked fine, including the TV and heater, and there was plenty of hot water. The Barcalounger facing the TV made it feel like they'd been expecting me. The TriStar Inn felt like another dimension as soon as I walked in, thanks to the vibe Mike the owner gives off when he treats you like family. The food is pretty good too, and it's the only bar in town. Mike and his wife are two of the nicest people I've ever met.

I'm cycling Route 66 and stopped in front of the hotel to look up food and lodging on my phone. The owner came out and told me and my bike to leave. What a way to treat someone who might have been a customer. I'd been on the road for 42 days without anyone treating me badly, and my gear was in great shape. I don't even look close to homeless. Don't spend your money with someone who probably hates you.

The room was clean and quiet, and the price was good. The TV and Wi-Fi both worked, and there was a fridge and microwave.

The king bed was very comfortable, the shower was huge with plenty of hot water, and the room temperature felt good. It was a very basic room but extremely clean. The TV, microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee maker all worked fine. The old-fashioned air-conditioner was loud, though it didn't clang or bang. I didn't mind the noise since it was like background white noise, but if you're very sensitive to sound, you'll hear it. I booked the Tristar Inn for one night because, like most people trying to find a room anywhere in New Mexico in summer, I found it almost impossible to reserve a budget-friendly motel. Tristar Inn is definitely budget friendly, and I was very satisfied with the stay. One comment about Tucamcari: some reviews point out the obvious poverty in town. It's on old Route 66, and if you're old enough to know Route 66, you know it's been in economic decline for decades. Even so, there's a lot of beauty and character in this little corner of New Mexico, and it's worth a look.