Everyday Cheapskate: The best inexpensive overnight deal in the best vacation spot on Earth | Leisure

I have traveled a good deal above the many years. My American Airlines account offers 1.3 million miles. You can only imagine how lots of hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts and inns I have stayed in. Although most have been enough, a several had been downright terrifying. And I can count on my two palms individuals I would fee with five stars.

When it comes to right away lodging, I really do not care that significantly about how very the lobby might be — if the spot has bell service, bottles of French h2o or motion pictures on need. What I have to have is a lodge in a protected locale with impeccable cleanliness, a relaxed mattress, a sizzling shower, gentle towels and a Television set with at the very least a couple of channels.

Though still dwelling in California, we experienced some work completed at our household, demanding us to be absent for two evenings. I booked a area at a close by hotel and approximately passed out when I observed the tab: $388 for two evenings. Sure, that integrated parking and breakfast, but occur on. We’d be there 20 hours tops, 16 of them sleeping. All we required was a put to unwind, shower and sleep. When I could not get that $388 quantity out of my thoughts, I decided to verify close to.

In the 30 decades of residing there, I’d driven earlier Don’s Turf Motel at minimum a thousand instances — and it made me laugh every time. A throwback to the 1950s, I could just see Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel pulling into this position on their way to Hollywood.

This is a classic motel, exactly where each and every area has an outside the house entrance, and the foyer is a counter marked “Office.” Guiding the counter is a wall of pigeonholes with big plastic fobs and real keys on them, one for just about every of the 42 rooms.

I go through some of the most intriguing evaluations on the internet for Don’s Turf Motel (situated close to the Los Alamitos Race Training course, thus the turf designation). The reviews had been so beneficial I made the decision to terminate the $388 reservation and booked us for two evenings at Don’s. The amount presently? $75.60 for every night. Parking is totally free.

Driving onto the property, I was not amazed. It appeared a little dumpy. We stopped at the office to verify in. Things began to appear up as we have been greeted by the nicest people today, who handed us our essential and sanitized Tv distant regulate. Right away, I was taken by the sparkling pool and manicured grounds. Absolutely nothing extravagant, thoughts you, but incredibly very well-cared for and inviting.

We found our space and chuckled as we walked in. No-frills listed here. None. Not a picture on the wall no internet services. The home consisted of an fantastic excellent bed, a modest table, two chairs, a desk, microwave oven, fridge and telephone. Just about every a single of these merchandise was freshly cleaned and shined. The analog Television offered a standard channel lineup.

What this place lacked in fancy updates it far more than made up for in cleanliness. Each and every painted surface appeared to have been freshly painted, the sheets ironed, the bedspread freshly laundered. The commercial-quality carpet was so clear it appeared to be new.

The towels and bathmat ended up fluffy and pristine. The tub shower was certainly not new, but there was not a scratch, not a crack, not a trace of mildew, not a stain, not a molecule of scum or residue. The chrome shone like a new penny.

The shower curtain was squeaky clean, dazzling and white. The toilet seat had a paper band throughout it saying that it experienced been 100 per cent sanitized. We found two tiny bars of soap, 1 extra roll of rest room tissue and that’s it. No hairdryer, no shampoo, conditioner or physique lotion no mouthwash, shoeshine mitt, shower cap or sewing kit.

Amenities? Ignore it. Don’s Turf Motel has no area provider, no foodstuff options and no binders of nearby information and facts. You will not obtain valet parking or bell staff members there is no concierge or shuttle bus. Really do not hope regular flyer details or breakfast. No bottles of drinking water with $10 rate tags, no minibar with $15 cashews. You will not get an digital essential or a Television set with game titles and videos on need.

Completely no pets, partying or using tobacco is allowed at Don’s Turf Motel. And if you want to try to eat a meal, you are on your personal. But really don’t stress. There are lots of places to eat within walking length, including Costco, household of the $1.50 all-beef scorching doggy with massive consume combo.

What you will get at this unique classic motel is a good evening of rest, just one of the cleanest rooms I have at any time viewed in all the several years I’ve traveled, pretty pleasant staff and the companies of expert housekeepers. I want to just take classes from the people who care for these rooms. They deserve awards and accolades.

And now for the bonus spherical: Centrally situated and with a freeway close on Katella Ave. in Los Alamitos, Never Turf Motel is six miles from Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, nine miles from Disneyland in Anaheim and 10 miles from Aquarium of the Pacific in Extended Seashore.

Don’s Turf Motel will get 5 stars from your humble columnist for the finest cheap accommodation in a quite expensive vacationer location. Now that the word’s out, I propose you guide early if you see a trip to California in your potential, and this is the sort of overnight lodging that appeals to you and your wallet. The only way to ebook a area is to contact (562) 431-6563, every single day, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

If you’re embarrassed to allow your pals and spouse and children know you will not be keeping at one of the extremely-expensive spot lodges, do not sweat it. Just inform them you will be taking part in by day and staying at Uncle Don’s by night.

This is an update of a column beforehand published in 2013. Mary invites you to stop by her at EverydayCheap skate.com, where by this column is archived comprehensive with links and sources for all suggested items and companies. Mary invites inquiries and reviews at https://www.day to day cheapskate.com/get hold of/, “Ask Mary.” This column will response questions of basic fascination, but letters simply cannot be answered separately. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheap skate.com, a frugal residing web site, and the author of the reserve “Debt-Proof Dwelling.”