El Rey Motel

My wife and I have stayed at all kinds of lodging but have never witnessed a place so filthy and in bad shape as the El Rey. The exterior and grounds are in terrible shape with water damage on the filthy walls and lots of debris, sandbags, garbage and dirt in numerous places. Concrete surfaces are cracked and broken. In the center of the grounds is a filthy old block wall and patio that is a total eyesore. Also, a homeless man sat outside and glared at us. There were only two vehicles at the motel on a Friday evening, indicating not many guests staying. You ring a doorbell for the locked office and a man of Pakistan or India origin, who I suppose is the owner, comes to the door. The office is cluttered, dirty and shabby with an old dirty refrigerated case with a few cans of soda and tea for sale. Strangely, the man takes you to 'your room' instead of just giving you the key (which is an actual old metal door key). The room assigned to us was filthy with grime and dirty fingerprints all over the doors, walls and window. There appeared to be mold on some bathroom surfaces. A dirty towel hung on the towel rack. There were worn out, tattered dark blue sheets and pillowcases on the bed and the pillows were old and lumpy. The only nice things were the simulated wood flooring and flat screen TV. There was no way we were going to stay in such a disgusting place. We took the room key back to the office whereupon the man (who we suppose is the owner), offered to let us see a different room. My wife said "No, we are not staying here, this place is not good, it is dirty and gross." He looked offended, took the key and marched into his office. We then drove to a nearby Best Western and stayed in a wonderful room for the night. I had booked the El Rey through *********** several weeks prior to our vacation and un-like other hotels I booked . . . the El Rey does NOT allow payment at check-in, but instead withdraws payment 3 days prior to check-in with NO REFUND afterward. It is obvious why this is done . . . because anyone that books the place, upon arrival and seeing the condition, would not want to stay. The owner of the El Rey still gets his money (as in our case) and the poor customer either has to stay in squalor or leave with no refund (as in our case). I feel the owner submits false on-line reviews that indicate the El Rey is a nice, vintage, clean place. (Some positive reviews are why I booked the El Rey.) The El Rey was probably nice back in the 1960's but likely needed a major re-model by the 1990's, which it apparently never got. I am surprised the local health department has not shut this place down. I would NOT recommend the El Rey as a place to stay as it is the most HORRIBLE place of lodging I have ever encountered with an un-reasonable booking payment / NO REFUND policy.

A poor standard motel whose only two virtues are its location on the main drag and the very cheap tariff; ok for just one night. Rooms are small, shower was good, Pay TV available, a negative. Parking plentiful. Not far from Safeway and cafes for breakfast. In one instance the manager was helpful, but not entirely pleasant. Avoid if you can find a more suitable offering.