Blue Gum Motel

There were several times when people tried to break in through my bathroom window, and the place was infested with roaches. During my stay I never got clean sheets or blankets, or toilet paper. The manager also tried to make people stay in their rooms after 10 PM. He refused to let me have my service animal and made me leave the property. It looks beautiful in the daytime, but a lot of creepy things go on at night. If you're a woman or a single mother, don't stay here. It gives off “Bates Motel” vibes like nowhere else.

My rabbit and cat were welcome, which can be hard to find. The manager even brought a carrot over for my rabbit. The grounds were lovely, with rose bushes in all sorts of colors and tall eucalyptus trees that suit the motel's name. You can tell someone has put care and love into the place. Just plan ahead for food, since the restaurant next door is definitely closed. This is an old-school motel off the beaten path, not a branded hotel, so don't expect that kind of experience or a carpet clean enough to eat off. I had a fabulous stay. It feels like lodging from before corporate hotels got so sterile. I even appreciate a motel with a bathroom window, lol.

The room was filthy from the moment we got in. There was cigarette ash on the carpet, which clearly hadn't been vacuumed in a while. The pillows were so gross I had to bundle up my sweater to use instead. The thin sheets had holes, the mattress was old and lumpy, and the bathroom floor was sticky. The baseboards were yellow, the toilet hadn't been cleaned, and every surface was dirty. I ran the shower for five minutes but the water never got hot. We had our baby with us and waited ten minutes in the cold for someone to check us in. The office smelled of weed and bleach. Other guests seemed sketchy, and kids screamed and ran around outside our window until 10 PM. The microwave and fridge looked like they were from the 1980s and were crusted with old food. Without heat the room was freezing, but even the low setting made it too hot. There was no TV remote, the side table drawers hadn't been cleaned, and the lamp by my bed didn't work. Outside light came through several rips in the curtains. I found dead gnats in a few spots, and there wasn't even a trash can. I piled our garbage on the bathroom floor. Sorry to whoever comes next, I'm sure it won't get cleaned. Nightmare hotel. I've paid half as much for cleaner rooms. Don't waste your time or money.

The landscaping is well kept, and you can see the work going into the property. The rooms are getting a bit of life, too. On my first stay the room had carpet and more of a '90s look. Most recently, it had laminate flooring, tile work, and an optional kitchenette. The motel is still being renovated, and it's quiet in the evening. I've stayed here several times while visiting Northern California. It's between two smaller towns, away from the city, so you can see the whole night sky. My phone camera couldn't capture it properly.