Smugglers Inn, Tucson

Used to be a wonderful place but age got the better of it.Sad when its closure was not a remodel.

BOYCOTT TUCSON AZ THEY KILLED MY DOG SUKI ON 1/5/2011

We visited from England some 8 years ago. It was a knocking shop!!! Men would arrive pool side girls would go all gargar, and disapear with them. to re apeare some time later.

Like most of you we have to agree that Smuggler's has several problems and inconsistencies. A hotel makes an impression for the area. Smuggler's poor marks can make new visitors to Tucson become depressed and that is a sad thing to say. We have used the place for a few years. It was nice but has gone downhill. (We just keep hoping it will be better but I guess the Radisson will be the next choice for us. It is better.) Smuggler's bones are very good.... small, two story, quiet place amidst noisy Wilmot and Speedway, easy to get around the site, charming oasis courtyard theme, great location being near to restaurants and a quick ride to wherever you need to go. Also on the Northeast which we need. But-- Smuggler's Needs: UPGRADES, PLEASE! ... and CLEANUP! Rooms, Maid service, Breakfast buffet/table service, courtyard HOTEL DESK/RECEPTION: not bad only the one night clerk who did not care that our room was not made up. The rest of the night clerks and day people were good. ROOMS: carpets/beds are old, bathrooms have chipped tiles, our shower was good but the tub is old and no drain stopper, toilets flushed fine, sinks-- one drain stopper did not operate, in one sink the hot ran poorly, doors and walls needed repainting, desk and internet was fine, AC was decent but noisy, light switch at the door did not operate any of the lamps, one lamp was broken and probably borrowed one from another room when they replaced it! Bulbs needed replacing, outlets look dangerously loose, balcony is fine but outdoor chairs are dirty and not inviting. No stationary or pens in the room. No "Do not disturb/Please clean up room" signs for us. ROOM CLEANING SERVICE: did not show up 3 days out of our stay (we did get some money back--- ask for it! ) Night help makes rounds to at least three rooms along with us giving out toiletries at night. People from the desk to the cleaning ladies make excuses that you know are not true. Everyone there admits problems and help is not there or enough. The help told us they do not get enough towels!! But they could still clean the bed, vacumn and empty the garbage! No tip for you, honey. (This concurs with the other reviews I have read. BAD CLEANING SERVICE! COURTYARD is charming but clean up some cigarette butts and landscape debris. Pool/hot tub was fairly clean when we used it twice and was being enjoyed but -- Concrete edging around the pool is getting old... Upgrade is needed. We do not mind the ducks and the birds and the early sounds in the morning are nice... personal opinion on this part. BREAKFAST: Wow! We have seen a super one to totally awful ones-- very inconsistent. 2006 has a buffet that is BORING and pretty tasteless... When after a few days only the Cheerios is the best something is wrong. Restaurant service is inconsistent and the help appears this year lazy and not interested in maintaining food supplies. Toaster appliances are very sluggish- REPLACE! Miss the days when omelets were being made, there were bagels and the fresh fruit was fresh! (Free buffet with room but most use it only briefly by midweek. ELEVATOR... we do not mind stairs but my knees would love some help. This is not a priority but only a suggestion. Is this place hopeless... No but only if the OWNERS CARE. We understand the same owners have been around but the management has been changing. Note Smuggler's is not in the AAA book this year. Perhaps the Chamber of Commerce can get involved? If not the hotel will start to become more seedy and I hate that thought. I bet the original owners are fuming. PRICE: WINDMILL INN WAS CHARGING LESS .... and most regulars know that is a nice place... just poor location for our needs

Not the best place for business travelers; may be OK for cheap family trips. May have been a nice resort at one time, but needs much renovation. Negatives: 1. Parking areas warn: Park at your own risk. Hotel not responsible for theft or damage to vehicle. 2. No elevators - Be prepared to carry luggage up two flights of stairs, possibly several times to find the right access to your room 3. Restaurant only open for complimentary breakfast; bar open only for happy hour ( 5-7pm). 4. Cable TV is very unreliable, 19" TV and remote only effective about 5 feet away - only 4 channels available for much of the time I was there since cable apparently goes out frequently. 5. Coffe service not available anywhere except during breakfast or from your own room's coffee maker. 6. Reservations not dependable - Reserved suite/smoking. Had to provide travel agent's papers to convince them this was what I'd reserved. Never got smoking room.

We were impressed with the pool area and the beautiful grounds. The room was clean with the exception of very stained carpet. Breakfast was good. This was certainly a good value for the money. We will go back again.

Style at least on the outside. We were in Tucson for one thing only: Spring Training. The hotel can be cheap, as long as it's clean and easy to get to. Smuggler's Inn fits that bill. They havn't spent a lot of money updating the rooms. Our carpet was pretty obviously stained from years of traffic and spills. But the bed and pillows were clean and comfortable. We had a nice view of the "Lagoon" but our sliding door wouldn't work properly. We had to play musical outlets to get the TV to work instead of a lamp and vice versa. The fridge was not plugged in and ready for use and the light in the ante-room didn't work. None of these were show-stoppers for us. We could take hot showers, get a peaceful sleep and get to wherever we needed to go each day without a big hassle. And the Smuggler's Inn staff was very friendly AND it is very close to our favorite restaurant, El Charro.

I really liked the grounds. It creates a soothing atomosphere. The rooms were decent and clean. However, I did not like the fact that the person in the eating room couldn't speek english. I also encountered this with the maid. They were unable to assist me with a simple question.

Stayed 3 nights in January 06 on the advice of The Lonely Planet book. Waited while housekeeping cleaned the room we were assigned. She used a broom to sweep the very dirty and stained carpet instead of a vacuum. This 'resort' badly in need of upgrades. Twenty years ago it was probably quite nice but not anymore. Ramada or Holiday Inn much better value. Most hotels do the free breakfast ( Ramada has make your own waffles that are excellent and HI's breakfasts are always great ). In the evening the desk clerk had her boyfriend visit and they went outside to smoke while leaving the desk unattended and the phone ringing. Very unprofessional staff. In the morning the manager was unapologetic and uncaring of guest satisfaction. The best part of this hotel was the courtyard pool area but it too had health concerns - ducks swimming and pooping everywhere.

My friend and I had a horrible experience at this "resort." The problems included a bed with a broken frame that we had to place a phone book under to make it level, an electrical short in the bathroom light, a sink that did not drain in the bathroom, a shower that would turn unexpectedly hot, and a hotel manager who charged us twelve dollars for a movie we did not watch! Interestingly, he stated that we watched a movie in the afternoon and we were never in our room in the afternoon. Hmmm, did some of the hotel personnel watch a movie in our room? At any rate, he would not take the charge for the movie off of our bill. I would not recommend this "resort" to anyone.