Lakewood Tacoma's BEST Budget Hotel? (You WON'T Believe the Price!)
Lakewood Tacoma's BEST Budget Hotel? (You WON'T Believe the Price!) - My Unfiltered Take!
Okay, so let's be real. Finding a decent hotel in Lakewood, Tacoma, without breaking the bank feels like searching for a unicorn wearing a discount sign. But guess what? I think I stumbled upon something… and you might just be as pleasantly surprised as I was. We're talking about a place that's got a seriously attractive price tag – and that alone is enough to pique anyone's interest, right?!
First Impressions: Accessibility & What Matters Most
Let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way. Accessibility? They seem to have thought about it. Elevator, check. Wheelchair accessibility? Seems good on paper, but I didn't personally roll around the place with a wheelchair. Ask about specific room details if you need them. They've got Facilities for disabled guests, so that's a plus in my book.
The Price? That's the Real Hook
Before I dive into the nitty-gritty, let me just reiterate: the price. It's surprisingly… low. I'm talking under what you'd expect for the area. Seriously. I'll be honest, I went in expecting a disaster. I imagined peeling wallpaper and a lukewarm shower. Instead… well, read on.
The Internet… Because We All Need It To Survive (Apparently)
Okay, fine. Internet access is crucial. And this place gets it. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Seriously. I travel for work, and a decent connection, especially Wi-Fi in public areas, is a lifesaver. Speed was decent and I needed to Internet access – wireless to write this very review, so that tells me there's a good chance it's functional in the various areas. I didn't even bother with the Internet [LAN]. Who uses LAN anymore? (Unless you're a hardcore gamer, in which case, you're probably not looking for a "budget" hotel!).
Cleanliness & Safety: Are We Actually Safe?
This is huge these days and I can definitely feel more safe with Hand sanitizer at the front desk. Anti-viral cleaning products are a good sign. They proudly display their Hygiene certification, which I find extremely reassuring. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. The Daily disinfection in common areas is a must, and having Staff trained in safety protocol means something. I didn't see anyone slack off. And hey, having CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property? Absolutely. Security [24-hour] gives a sense of calmness.
Inside the Room: My Fortress of (Budget-Friendly) Solitude
Okay, okay, let's get into the rooms! My room had Air conditioning which is a must-have in summer. The Air conditioning in public area is also great!
- The Essentials: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, a Desk that wasn't falling apart**, *Hair dryer*, *In-room safe box*, *Ironing facilities*, *Mini bar*.
- The Nice-to-Haves: Coffee/tea maker (critical!), Free bottled water, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels.
- The “Wait, Really?”: Blackout curtains! Seriously, these were awesome. I slept like a log. Additional toilet in the room was a godsend.
My Favorite Part – The Bathtub Saga (and why it matters!)
Here’s a story; I'm a sucker for a good bath. Especially when traveling. Picture this: I'm exhausted. Day one of my trip was a whirlwind, traffic was a nightmare etcetera. The light hits my bathtub perfectly. I'm in awe. I'm ready to soak up the good vibes and wash away the bad ones. The Bathtub, my friend, was the perfect shape. My mind goes blank. My favorite thing in the world, it's a luxurious soak.
This may seem like a silly thing to fixate on, but it really tells you something about the hotel's approach. They're not just offering "basic" – they're trying to provide a bit of comfort. And that counts for a lot.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Fueling the Adventure
Okay, so the Breakfast [buffet] wasn't Michelin-starred, but honestly, it was better than the price deserved. And that's the key here, right? Breakfast service. There were the usual continental suspects, Coffee/tea in restaurant as well. Didn’t try the Asian breakfast but I was told it was worth a shot. They also have an actual Coffee shop. I went to the Snack bar, I didn't get my hopes up and was immediately surprised.
- The Bar: Relaxed and a really nice spot to unwind.
- The Restaurants: I found a decent pizza joint nearby, and that's what matters!
Things to Do (or Not): Relaxation & Recreation
- The Pool? They do have an Swimming pool, if you're into that. I'm more of a "sit in my room with a book" kind of person!
- Gym/fitness I checked it out; it was decent.
- Relaxation: This isn't a spa resort, but they offer you a chance to just chill out.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
They had a Concierge, which is always a plus. Daily housekeeping – thank goodness for that. I didn't have to lift a finger. Laundry service was available, which is a lifesaver when you’re traveling. They also have Luggage storage, which is a lifesaver.
For the Kids (If You Have ‘Em!)
Family/child friendly. Didn't see any screaming kids, so that's a good start! They even have Kids facilities.
Getting Around & Parking
- Car park [free of charge] Massive bonus. Free parking!
- Taxi service which is good if you don't want to drive.
The Imperfections (Because Let's Be Honest)
Okay, here's the honest bit. This isn't a luxury hotel. It's a budget hotel. Expect minor quirks. Maybe a slightly older aesthetic. Don't come with ultra-high expectations.
- The Wi-Fi speed, while good, wasn't lightning fast.
- The restaurant options were limited.
- I did hear a faint sound of the outside train once.
Overall Vibe: Value for Money
Look, I'm giving this place a solid thumbs up. The price is just that unbelievable. It is a great choice. It's got the basics covered, it's clean (which is paramount!), and the staff were friendly and helpful.
The Verdict?
Lakewood Tacoma's BEST Budget Hotel? (You WON'T Believe the Price!) earned my respect. I’ve stayed at hotels at double the price that weren't as good.
My Emotional Reaction (Good and Bad)
I walked in with skepticism, walked out feeling pleasantly surprised. I felt really good.
The Offer You Can't Refuse! (Maybe!)
Don't let the price fool you – this Lakewood Tacoma gem punches WAY above its weight class!
Book now and receive…
- A complimentary… Okay, there isn't one! (But, the price means you're already getting a freebie!)
- Guaranteed Cleanliness and Safety: Rest easy knowing you're in a spot that takes your well-being seriously.
- Unbeatable Value: You won't find a better deal in Lakewood, Tacoma.
Click here to book your escape! (And tell them the quirky reviewer sent you!)
Crescent Hotel Beverly Hills: Sonder's Hidden Gem (Luxury Awaits!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain’t your perfectly-curated Instagram travel fantasy. This is the raw, unvarnished truth of my recent… ahem …adventure at the Americas Best Value Inn in Lakewood, Tacoma, Washington. Let's call it "The Lakewood Lament."
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (Plus a Remarkably Comfy Bed)
- 2:00 PM: Arrive, bleary-eyed and smelling vaguely of airplane pretzels, at the AVA Inn. The outside? Let's just say the architectural style leans towards "generic motel-core." The parking lot? Well, it has cars. And a suspicious amount of discarded fast-food wrappers. My first thought: "Oh, this is gonna be… something."
- 2:15 PM: Check-in. The woman at the desk, bless her heart, had seen some things. Her smile was less "welcome to paradise" and more "another soul trapped on the road." I felt a kinship. She handed me a key card that felt like it was made of cardboard.
- 2:30 PM: Room assessment. Okay, the carpet is… well-worn. The patterned wallpaper is a bold choice. But the bed? The bed was a surprisingly fluffy, cloud-like haven. I sank in and considered just cancelling the whole trip and embracing a life of permanent horizontal-ness. Tempting. Very tempting.
- 3:00 PM: Decided to actually unpack "I always hate unpacking, it feels like acknowledging defeat." So, I decided to skip unpacking, and just leave my suitcase on the floor, it always feels more authentic that way.
- 3:30 PM: A sudden craving for a burger and fries. "Oh gee, what am I doing with my life?" - I thought.
- 4:00 PM: Head to the nearby fast-food joint (I'm not proud, okay? This is real life). The food was exactly what I expected, greasy and satisfying in the way only a bad meal can be. It's not great, but it works!
- 4:30 PM: Returning to the hotel, I see a couple of people in the parking lot, fighting. I went the other way, because really, I don't want to be involved.
- 5:00 PM: Back in the room. Watch TV with questionable selections, turn off the TV.
- 6:00 PM: I order food.
- 7:00 PM: Food arrives, and is also pretty bad.
- 8:00 PM: More TV.
- 9:00 PM: Thinking about going to bed. It is very tempting.
- 10:00 PM: I finally start to go to bed.
- 10:30 PM: It is just perfect, and finally sleep.
Day 2: The Tacoma Tango (and a Coffee Revelation)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, surprisingly rested. The bed, I swear, is magic.
- 8:30 AM: Free continental breakfast. Let's just say, if you’re expecting gourmet, you're in the wrong place. The coffee, however, was a revelation. It wasn't the smoothest, or richest, but it tasted like a caffeinated hug after yesterday's chaos.
- 9:00 AM: Drive into Tacoma. The views of the Puget Sound are honestly breathtaking. I may have teared up a little. Don't judge. The light reflecting off the water… it’s just… wow.
- 9:30 AM: I think I'll go to see the museum.
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at the museum.
- 10:30 AM: I realized I haven't been to a museum in what felt like a lifetime! So many artifacts, it's easy to get lost.
- 12:00 PM: Time for lunch, which I forgot to pack. "Oops." I'm not good at this.
- 1:00 PM: Back to the hotel, for some much-needed rest after trying to drive to a different city.
- 2:00 PM: My own choice
- 3:00 PM: Another walk in the park.
- 4:00 PM: The park closed, so I went back to the hotel.
- 5:00 PM: Time for my last meal.
- 6:00 PM: Back to the room. Watch the news.
- 7:00 PM: The hotel doesn't seem to be getting any better, but it is cozy.
- 8:00 PM: More TV.
- 9:00 PM: I start to go to bed.
- 10:00 PM: It is just perfect, and finally sleep.
Day 3: Departure & The Eternal Question
- 8:00 AM: Packing. Is a total disaster. It felt like the end of a relationship, or the end of the world.
- 9:00 AM: Final check out.
- 9:30 AM: Saying goodbye to the hotel.
- 10:00 AM: On my way out, I thought about how the hotel was actually a pretty big part of my life.
- 11:00 AM: On my way home.
Observations & Ramblings:
- The People: Folks here are… interesting. A mix of weary travelers, the permanently-on-the-road, and those who seem to have stumbled upon this motel from another dimension entirely.
- The Soundtrack: The constant hum of the air conditioner battling the occasional siren.
- The Lesson: Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that aren’t perfectly planned. And sometimes, a truly comfortable bed can redeem a whole lot of questionable wallpaper.
- The Question: Will I ever understand why anyone chooses those patterned carpets?
- Final Thoughts: Would I go back to the Americas Best Value Inn in Lakewood, Tacoma, Washington? Probably not. There are other hotels to explore. But would I forget it? Never. It’s a flawed, character-building, surprisingly comfortable chapter in the ongoing saga of my life, and for that, I'm weirdly grateful. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find real coffee.
Lakewood Tacoma's BEST Budget Hotel? You WON'T Believe the Price! (Let's Get Real...)
Alright, alright, I get it! "Best" and "budget" in the same sentence? Sounds like a unicorn riding a rainbow. But seriously, hear me out. I'm talking about the [Hotel Name: *Insert Actual Hotel Name Here*] in Lakewood, Tacoma. And yeah, the price? Prepare to have your jaw *literally* drop. Like, I almost tripped over my own feet when I saw the nightly rate. Almost. (I'm clumsy, okay? Don't judge!).
The breakfast... well, let's just say it's definitely *there.* It's not a gourmet experience, okay? But hey, free is free! They have the usual suspects – bagels (sometimes fresh, sometimes... not), some sugary cereals, maybe some sad little fruit cups. The coffee's decent. Honestly, I'm more of a "grab a granola bar and run" kind of gal in the mornings, so I'm probably not the best judge of buffet quality. But the *real* "best" part of this place? It's a combo of factors. It's clean (and I'm a *neat freak*, so that's HUGE), the staff is ridiculously nice (like, suspiciously nice, as if they've been trained in extreme hospitality), and honestly? It's the *vibe*. It's laid-back, no-frills, comfortable. You don't feel like you're in some sterile, corporate box. It actually feels... homey. (Within the context of a hotel, of course. Don't expect a fireplace and a golden retriever.)
Okay, here's the thing about the price. It fluctuates, *a lot*. Don't go quoting me on this! Weekends? Forget about it, prices typically go up. But generally speaking, for a mid-week stay, you're looking at... I kid you not... often under $80, even sometimes *under* $70! I've scored it for even less during off-season. I felt like I was committing a crime practically, paying so little. I actually kept checking the price over and over, thinking I must be hallucinating. It's bananas! It's ridiculous! And I love it! Just... do yourself a favor: check their website and book directly! Don't use one of those third-party sites, which often sneak on fees that inflate the actual price. The direct price is often the best deal.
Room options? Well, it’s not the Ritz-Carlton, folks. You've got your standard rooms: King beds, Queen beds, maybe some with a small sofa bed. Don't expect anything fancy, like jacuzzi tubs. But the rooms are generally well-maintained. And yes, let me repeat: YES, THEY ARE CLEAN! I am a total germaphobe. Like, I can't even handle public hand dryers. So trust me on this one. I've stayed there multiple times, and I've never (knock on wood) found anything that made me want to bleach my eyeballs. The bathrooms are adequate. The pillows, sometimes too thin, sometimes just right. It's almost always clean and tidy even when I had a messy schedule. That's a HUGE winner in my book.
Okay, so, let’s be real again. No, there's no pool. And the gym is... well, there *is* a "fitness center." That's what they call it. It has a treadmill and a couple of weights. Don't go expecting a full-blown Equinox, okay? It's small. But hey, if you *really* need to get your sweat on, it'll do the trick. I'm a walker myself. I go for walks outside, if they have a good walking trail near the hotel. That's what I prefer. Honestly, the lack of amenities is fine with me. It keeps the price down! And I'm not the type to spend my entire vacation poolside anyway.
Location, location, location! This is where things get a little... mixed. The hotel's not *right* in the center of the hustle and bustle. Think of it like this: it's a few minutes' drive from everything interesting. You're going to need a car, plain and simple. Uber/Lyft will work, but it can be more expensive than driving. Plenty of restaurants and fast food nearby (it's Lakewood, after all!). You're also relatively close to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which can be a plus or a minus, depending on your needs. If you are stationed there, or have appointments, the location is perfect. Traffic isn't usually a total nightmare, but it can get backed up during rush hour, especially on those main roads. Plan accordingly! (God, I HATE traffic!) And it's close enough to drive to Tacoma. Some people prefer that.
Parking is free! Thank goodness. And there’s usually always plenty of space. (That's a major win in my book, I hate hotels that charge for parking. Feels like nickel-and-diming you into oblivion.) I have never had trouble parking. It's not some crazy situation. This is a very positive. It's simple. it's easy.
Oh man, where do I even begin? I've stayed there a few times, and each experience has been pleasant. But one time, I got there late, like, *really* late. I'd been driving for hours, and I was exhausted. I was cranky. The check-in was smooth as silk. The front desk staff was super nice. The vending machine? It saved my life! It had all the sugary snacks and drinks I needed. I remember cracking up at the selection. I had a *craving* for something. I spent like an hour and a half just relaxing, decompressing, and reading my book. It was bliss. Another time, I was there for a conference, and I ended up being late for a meeting. I accidentally left my laptop charger in the room. I wasn't able to go to my conference that day. I felt like such an idiot. They totally understood and didn'My Hotel Reviewst
