Guest User
March 11, 2024
As others have stated, this is an old 2 story motel that has had a major renovation. At first glance, the renovation is very impressive inside and out, rooms are large, bedding comfortable, HVAC works well (whereas many hotels in the area have working AC and about half the time the heat does not work at all), rooms are quiet. Showers (no tub) are the rainfall type in a new tile enclosure. The neighborhood is mixed; businesses, new homes, older homes. There are several restaurants and a convenience store within a safe 5 minute walk. Although the address is Costa Mesa, it is on the border of downtown Newport Beach. Getting to Newport or Huntington beaches is a short drive. It is adjacent to a major highway, Rt 55, but you can’t hear traffic in the rooms and the closeness allows quick access to Orange County freeways. However, be aware that Rt 55 between the 405 and 5 is slow bumper to bumper each way from about 9 AM to 7 PM. Management should also get kudos for the large FREE parking spaces while most of their competition charges a parking fee. The office staff was courteous and helpful. I mentioned “first glance” because upon closer inspection some obvious short cuts were taken in the renovation. Damaged ceilings and doors were just repainted without refinishing the door dings or refinishing old repairs of ceiling water damage. They made a poor choice in upholstery for their ottomans in the rooms and the benches in the lobby which are already showing serious wear. In your room you will see an occasional recent stain or ding on walls, etc. None of this detracts from the quality of your sleep but indicates that keeping rooms “like new” requires constant maintenance. My only quibble with the rooms is that the towels are small and scratchy which seriously detracts from a first class experience. Toiletries are also Spartan. Rooms did have a mini-fridge, microwave, full ironing board and iron, and a bathrobe. The only significant disappointment was the free breakfast. Forget the photos supplied by the hotel. They are proud of their automatic coffee machine that makes single servings of late, espresso, etc. but reviews by coffee drinkers were not overwhelming. (Imagine a latte with powdered milk). I’m a tea drinker and you won’t find a teabag anywhere which is a surprise because they only cost pennies. You won’t find milk either, or cereal, or non-dairy creamer for your coffee. You can make your own oatmeal from a packet, sans milk. Orange and apple juices were offered as well as yogurt and bananas. Jimmy Dean plant-based “meat”, egg, and cheese croissants were available for microwave as were unlabeled mystery empanadas. The first morning there were small 2” danish, plain bagels, and white bread. No cream cheese for the bagels or butter, just margarine and grape jelly packs. Chocolate chip breakfast bars and chocolate chip croissants were also offered. If your typical breakfast is coffee or juice and something starchy or s