Quality Inn Flamingo Downtown, Tucson

They were charging $79 a night for this dump just because it was the tail end of the Gem and Mineral Show. I was one of only two or three guests in the motel that weekend, so it's not like demand was very high. NOTHING was as promised. When I called for reservations I was told that the rooms were being renovated and that when I arrived rooms would have wireless internet, cable TV and mini-refrigerators. The night I arrived I was placed in a room in which the TV didn't even have a cable input, and picked up no stations. There was NO PHONE so I couldn't even call the desk to ask about it. I had to walk twice in the rain to the office to complain and the desk girl gave me a new room. In this room the heater barely spit out warm air and it was a very cool weekend. The hot water did not work in the shower and when I called the desk three times no one answered. This place sure isn't worth $80 a night, Gem Show or not. I wouldn't even pay $40 for what I got.

This is the same review I submitted elsewhere (like Trip Advisor): This hotel is a bargain. Do not be fooled by its older, 60's somewhat run-down look on the outside. The big neon "Flamingo" sign gives it character. Enter your room and you will find a complete do-over. Walls are tastefully and freshly painted, new beds, pillows, trim, carpet, drapes, AC/heater, 12" bathroom tile, bathtub, bath wall liner, furniture, light fixtures, lamps, shelves, appliances (microwave and mini fridge)—everything. The shower curtain rod is one of those that curve so as to give you more space by your head. The towels, though not the large size found in much pricier hotels, were SOFT, not crunchy like cheap hotel towels. Even the shampoo and lotion were brand name (Jhirmack). Enjoyed the flat screen TV, too, as well as the free WiFi. Breakfast was great. Every morning was varied. First day there we had simple omelets and link sausage. Next morning it was the omelets and crispy or soft bacon, your choice. Next morning it was eggs, biscuits and link sausage. Every morning they had the usual fare: OJ & apple juice, coffee, 2% and low fat milk, bagels & cream cheese, white & wheat bread, Danish, Raisin Bran & Fruit Loops, Quaker Instant Oatmeal in four flavors, hard boiled eggs, and apples with sometimes bananas. The staff there was religiously keeping all breakfast items stocked. On Sunday morning, even the front desk clerk helped out at the breakfast bar because she was not busy. The only thing I would recommend is that they get more tables and chairs in the very nice, pool side, windowed breakfast room. Or maybe more efficient tables (square or rectangular instead of the round tables). Location was excellent as I was there for schooling business at the University of Arizona. This hotel is just a few blocks away and is very easy to access from the highway. Service is wonderful. First night we were missing washcloths. They promptly brought us some. She even called to tell me that they didn't have any up front and that she was looking for more (this was at 11:30 p.m.) and would call me as soon as she found some and would be coming up. Price is a steal. I got this through Orbitz.com (Another online hotel booking service had the same price) for $45. I think on Quality Inn's site, it is $58. We had a king size bed, no smoking. (Well, the hotel is smoke-free.) I then did a search for any Quality Inn discount codes, found one, and got the room for a base rate of $38/night!!! What a steal. Others must have thought so, too, as the parking lot was completely full and we actually parked on the street. Next step in their renovation: the stairs. The stairs on the east end of the hotel are getting old and need to be redone. (Hence the four stars on "maintenance and upkeep.") Otherwise, no other issues at all. Will go back again if need be. Strongly recommend.

I read in reviews that a year or two this hotel was going through a remodel, so I assumed that by now it must be over? The photos online looked nice, right? Wrong! When I called to make a reservation they did match the price at the travellodge or econolodge or whatever it was across the street (same parent company) which was nice. However, when I was making the reservation they made sure to tell me they offered a hot breakfast, I was psyched. I arrive and the lobby looks like it was just hit by a storm or something. It was dirty with half painted walls and an old sofa that looked like they stole it out of a dorm room. The price they quoted me over the phone had somehow gone up even though I had my confirmation number, I had to argue to get it back to the original quoted price. Checked-in, asked what time breakfast was I found out hot breakfast didn't exist, but they planned to add it someday in the future. Hmmm... They said the person who had told me there was one was new and didn't know what they were talking about. Well then, I said I was disappointed and would add that info to my review and headed to check out my room. The room itself, aside from the room number being a piece of masking tape on the door, was quite nice. The decorations were tasteful and everything matched and looked new. The bedding was nice and the pillows firm, comfy bed, new coffee maker. I would let whomever decorated it decorate my apartment in a second. A/C-heating unit was a little loud but worked fine. A few minutes later the front desk attendant knocked on the door, I guess she tried to call but the phone in my room didn't work? and apologized for the mix-up over breakfast and let me know they would take a few dollars off of my stay. Fair enough, I was impressed that they at least made an attempt to turn the stay into a happy one. The hotel itself was a bit creepy since judging by the cars in the lot there were all of two guests that evening, on a Friday night. In the a.m. I went to take a shower and there was no hot water. I was up early so I decided to let it run a bit to see if it kicked in, after about 25mins it turned from cold to almost warm. I jacked up the heat in the room and it worked out ok. I don't know if it was because the complex was so empty and the water heater was on the other side of it? Might have been broken all together and it just got warm since it is AZ and there undoubtedly had to be some warmish water in the pipes eventually. Overall: it could be a cute retro hotel/motel and once you were inside the room it was quite comfortable and relaxing. After they had matched the price and gave me the few extra dollars off it was really great price. I am in Tucson a couple of nights a week for work and just need a comfy bed and clean room, which they had. When I checked out (looked at the offered breakfast by the way - coffee and cereal - dusty unsanitary looking cereal- eww) I asked if I could get that rate in the future or if there was a business rate if I stayed a couple of nights every week. They wrote down my e-mail and said a manager would contact me - NEVER DID! I guess they don't even want customers- good business plan. So....if you are on vacation DO NOT stay there!! You will hate it....If you are there for work and just need a clean room and can get a great rate (mine for that day was under $30 after all was said and done -btw I never even mentioned the hot water problem when I checked out), and don't mind a few inconveniences (I would ask about the hot water though), then it's a perfectly acceptable place to be asleep for eight hours.