Oceanside California - La Quinta

First impressions of a chain set the standards to the rest of the chains; first impressions of a town or city set the tone of the whole area.

When traveling to an ocean side town, I like to be on the ocean or in walking distance like most people. That is why you go to the ocean.

For hotels in this town that were dog friendly and “next to” the beaches (selective interpretation) was Ramada at 52.00USD/night, Travelodge at 70.00USD/night, or La Quinta for 89.00/night.

I picked La Quinta, for the main reason that they have been advertising how they have fixed up their chain properties.

When I checked in it was evening already. La Quinta set in between two buildings with what I would say 8 to 10 foot concrete block yellow wall on three sides of the hotel.

The parking had a few extra spaces more than the rooms in the hotel, with a few 3x3 and 3x5 weeded flower beds scattered throughout the parking area.

I asked the front desk where I could walk the dogs, they said on the hotel’s lawn next door or in the parking lot on the other side of the hotel.

Venturing out onto the night city sidewalk with my boys all excited, I first went to my left, where I saw that it was not just a regular building , but a ‘Gentlemen’s Club’. I turned around and headed towards the neighboring hotel, where I saw an hourly rate for rooms.

Needles to say, my dogs ended up only using those dried up flower beds throughout the parking lot for their bathroom breaks.

The room was clean; the sheets were old – thin, but clean. I had a refrigerator and a ‘bar’ sink, a dresser that had that the television set onto and a work desk or eating table. Clean sheets and clean bathroom.

The carpet did not pass my towel test. I place a hand towel in the middle of the floor and walk back and forth on it a few times. I picked it up and looked at the towel that was on the carpet. The white towel was black. So this carpet was not even slipper friendly. I wore rubber flip flops that I could was outside when I got home.

Now I was impressed at their hot breakfast. Not too bad. Better than most at that rate.

This family style hotel ranged from traveling families to military families and retires. However, what I observed one night while walking my dogs I do need to relay. A family was unloading their children and strollers from their minivan. Children running through the parking lot getting rid of that pent up energy from being stuck in a vehicle too long. Amongst the children playing, another vehicle 2 spaces away were "enjoying" themselves.

This place, I personally, would not stay at again do to the lack of places to walk the dogs and the neighboring businesses.

For Oceanside California, this is a dog friendly city, but not their beaches. So you have to leave your canine companion in your vehicle, which is not safe, practical, or humane if you want to venture to the water.