Baymont Inn & Suites Willows

Cyrus, the young man at the front desk, was welcoming and professional, and it really made my day. I travel between LA and Seattle often, and this is a reassuring place to stop after a late start. It’s not quite halfway, but it’s a safe, comfortable spot to rest for the night.

We stayed for two weeks, and housekeeping respected our privacy. They knew we didn’t want service and we only saw them when we asked. The pool was nice, and having a washer and dryer was handy. The location at the edge of town kept traffic down, and it was quiet even with the freeway nearby. There’s a big lot for trucks and trailers, plus grassy spots to walk animals. I have two service animals, so I wasn’t charged a pet fee. I’d recommend this place over almost all the other hotels in Willows. We did find a few long black hairs in the room, but otherwise it was great. The beds were incredibly comfortable and I liked the bathroom. I also appreciated that when both the website and hotel charged me separately, the hotel quickly refunded the extra charge. I’ve seen plenty of negative reviews. The outside doors can be loud when other guests slam them instead of closing them gently, though I liked having so many entrances and exits along the parking lot, which only open with a room key.

The staff were friendly, and the location felt safer than the nearby Holiday Inn where I stayed last year, with people apparently tweaking on drugs in the next parking lot. Still, this wasn’t a great location. A sign outside mentioned “new” amenities, but the desk clerk said the pool, which I didn’t use, had been remodeled two years ago. At $200.60, it was the most I’ve ever paid for a night at a Quality Inn, and the room didn’t match the price. It was small, though the bed was comfortable and the TV was large. The shower was close to unusable because of the weak water pressure and lack of temperature control. There just don’t seem to be many good hotel options in this town.

One of the worst stays I’ve had. There was no hot water, the refrigerator was extremely dirty, and breakfast was awful, with only coffee and apple juice to drink. I’d prepaid through Expedia but was charged twice, plus a $100 deposit. I called to talk to the manager and he wouldn’t speak with me. This is the first review I’ve ever left. I know mistakes happen, but this was ridiculous.