After being at several Hotels in this area, I was beginning to worry that I'd ever find a good go-to place. Howard Johnson scored low on the quality, but after staying there I would give this 3-3.5 as a rating, and for this area, that's as good as a 5 star ranking, because all of the hotels are basic and older, but compared to the others I've stayed at, this one was great, and I will be making this my hotel of choice.
To start with, the room was clean and well cooled, which is big. The front counter lady was very polite and kind and didn't treat me like an outsider as is the case with the other properties here. She was cordial and polite and unobtrusive and respectful and I felt good about that.
The property has all types of people there so there were some characters, like a few non-sober types, one passed out downstairs by his door - but honestly, given my experiences here if that's the worst, that people have a bit too much to drink, I'm fine with that - this isnt a fancy place and it shouldn't be held to that standard, and, no one was obnoxious, there were no noise problems.
The other flaw was right at 11PM the door had a knock and then the maid attempted entry half a second later. Luckily I had my chain lock secured, but there's a 4 to a 3 star dock for that, because there should be a courtesy knock and pause while they wait for a response. In addition I had already been given a 11:30 late checkout consent by the front desk when I registered, I was decent but I could have just as easily been coming out of my shower, had the door not been chained from the inside, and that would have made for an awkward moment.
I went to the Outlet Mall and it was a very nice visit, and they have some great cooking places. I don't think you can see it all in one day so I may be making a return trip here to SM. I have started to like this city - it's not as busy as Austin, or expensive but it has a lot of the cool things of Austin, and talent of Austin, as musicians and bands frequently come here, due to the proximity. It's not a bad town at all, and I want to come back - maybe make this my occasional weekend getaway to recharge, on a budget. They have a cool river here where you can float on inner tubes, though I haven't tried that yet.
All things considered, I would stay here again as my place of first choice, as long as the experience continues to be this nice. Nothing over the top, and all in all the best hotel that I think I am going to find for the price. I'm not even going to try to keep searching for something better. This was very comfortable, all things considered.
- San Marcos Howard Johnson
