I first stayed at this Motel 6 2006 and chose it for its convenient access to a train station to get me in to the city without paying city prices. It left me with no bad impressions so was happy to stay again in 2013. The reception and staff were friendly, helpful and polite and I had no complaints about the room. It was in my view a standard Motel 6, which is clean and adequately presented. There is a lift [elevator], vending machines and coffee in the morning. Car parking was not a problem.
As I have said, access to a train station was the main reason for staying here and Takoma station is around 15 to 20 minutes walk for short fat legs. However, print a map out and follow it. I thought I could rely on my memory from 2006 and went wrong both there and back. That’s just me. It is quite easy.
I have to pass comment on the earlier reports regarding bed bugs, the state of the motel and the shady neighbourhood. Whilst not the best Motel 6 around it is no worse than most cheap independent and other chain motels in this class. I have spent a total of five nights here and have never been bitten or seen so much as a spider. No smells, no stains, no drug users. I have walked the neighbourhood extensively and never felt any insecurity. Whilst the décor may be tired, if it’s décor you want then pay the price for a Hilton or Marriot in the city centre. If you want an adequate motel with good access to the city without paying city prices then stay here.
I’m not trying to enhance their reputation and if I had anything bad to say I would. I’m an Englishman who has travelled through all of the 48 mainland states [Hawaii and Alaska to do] and the number of nights that I have stayed in a Motel 6 runs well in to three figures so I’m pretty confident I know what I’m talking about. Nor have I been bitten by anything in any Motel 6. Well, almost. By some yappy little dog the size of a rat running down the corridor. The owner grabbed it and took off when I suggested I might eat it.
I have an issue with the Trip Advisor ratings with 3 stars [or circles] for average and four for very good. That’s too much of a gap. It needs a good, which is what I give it. Or three and a half. So I have marked it up to four rather than down.