Beaucoup Bang for the Bucks
I recently visited San Diego was a little romance-on-a-budget. My experience at this inn was very different from the man who believed he was sleeping next to a "crack house" (my my, somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed, didn't they?).
So let's start there. Could our fussbudget have been referring to the quiet, single-family home with the well-kept swimming pool next door? If the residents are in the drug biz, they're going broke, because the only activity I saw was some children's inflatable toys appear by the pool one afternoon.
The neighborhood is working class Latino. It is safe and characterized by Sweetwater Blvd, which is lined by a middle-brow assortment of shopping centers and businesses, including Robinsons, JC Penny, Outback Steakhouse, Appleby's, Dennys, and Starbucks.
Now the hotel itself. It's a modest, no-frills sort of place with faux Cape-Code exterior styling in pale gray woods built in the mid 80s. My room was clean and tastefully decorated with a reasonably firm, sleepable bed. Other furnishings included the usual bedside tables and wall lamps, a chest of drawers with a 20-inch color TV on it, a conference table with two padded, black lacquered chairs, and an attractive floral print over the bed. All furniture except the chairs had matching pale oak veneers with about average wear for a hotel.
The ceramic-tiled dressing area and bathroom were spotlessly clean with no hint of mildew whatsoever. The tub's water faucet (yes, the one that baffled our grumpy traveler) is one of those two-part deals that any moron (who reads) could figure out: the larger knob nearest the wall was labeled "Temp" with arrows pointing in opposite directions and labeled, appropriately, "HOT" and "COLD." The small knob in front was labeled "Volume." This allows the traveler to set the temperature once and then turn on or off the water with the "Volume" knob. For the cognitively unimpaired, it's a convenience, not an ordeal.
The thermostat-controlled air conditioner/heater worked flawlessly. I didn't know San Diego was experiencing a 110-degree heat wave until I stepped out of my room.
The staff was uniformly solicitous, friendly, and helpful. All rooms have internet ports. There is a small-but-clean swimming pool available with lounging chairs. The 7-11 next door surprised me with some very nutritious, pre-packaged, meals (sushi, stir-fry shrimp, creole-cajun, organic sandwiches, etc) and they have a microwave available if needed.
The inn is privately owned by a nice man who probably has most of his life savings tied up in his investment. He deserves better than to have Wayne Whiner (most likely a corporate clone or public employee who has never risked anything) come along and hurt his business with nasty, below-the-belt comments. I hope this review sets things straight.