Vagabond Inn Whittier, Whittier

Recent remodel was very tasteful and all rooms have a cooler and microwave. Front desk help was great. FREE wifi worked perfectly. Ok, so this isn't a 4 star, nor is it perfect but it's not pretending to be a high-end hotel. It's an average motel with a decidedly "upscale" remodel that sets it apart from other hotels in the Whittier area. We were very happy we ended up at the Vagabond for our 4 day stay in Whittier. Also, there is plenty of food and other amenities near by that doesn't require a car to get to!

This recommendation is a "maybe". When I registered by phone, I really thought I remembered the clerk saying they had a plentiful breakfast with wafflemaker. Nope. When I sliced the apple, it was brown. Remainder was pastry, and cold cereal. Their "muffins" had been taken out of individual packages. They did have decent coffee and juice. No seating area for the breakfast-- its just on a small countertop in a small lobby area. Upon entering the room we were very impressed with crown moldings, fresh paint and color scheme, newly updated furniture and linens. King bed had plush pillow-top, very comfortable. The sinks were granite coutertops, as was the shower. However... that shower. When the water splashed against the seams of the "granite" slabs, you could tell the caulking job wasn't too good and the "granite" turned a different color as if moisture was behind there. No odors, though. The room was recently painted and had beautiful linens... but the door was old and somebody had kicked it a time or two! The iron in the room didn't work however the front desk clerk quickly gave me a replacement. I noticed the clerk immediately called the service mgr to see what was wrong with the iron, I think it was just plain dead because turning the dial wouldn't make the "on" light to glow. The TV worked fine. Didn't have time to use any internet, busy visiting with friends and family; busy changing clothes and getting ready to attend the next event on our wknd schedule! The room was very small, compared to other Vagabond properties I have stayed at. But I'm not sure any other hotel choices in the nearby geographical area would have provided larger rooms. The building has 1 small elevator. The mgmt kept the building quiet at night. There were several families with young children in the facility and I never heard them. We stayed at this facility both Friday and Sat nights. The pool is small; deck area had only a few chairs. Its located completely across the parking lot from the rooms. We arrived late on a Friday night, night clerk had our reservation with a note of our planned after--hours arrival. The neighborhood of this Vagabond is decent; its one of the larger hotels in the area, being 3 stories tall. The other hotels are 2 stories and smaller. Several large shopping malls are within 1-2 miles and Biola University is also within 3 miles. Of course, in southern Calif the neighborhoods are "compressed" and the population is "dense" compared to the area where we call home, in the central San Joaquin Valley. We were traveling to attend a family wedding and also fit in 2 separate visits to some old college friends, and a birthday party, during the wknd. This hotel is merely a place to sleep, was safe and quiet. They tried to dress it up as best they could! It served our purpose well, for the price it was a good value. 4 miles off frwy, on a major street.