Howard Johnson Lake Havasu City

We were in town for a funeral service for our father, and booked eight rooms. The front desk people were friendly and very helpful in directing us to stores, restaurants, the church and local sights. I spoke to the manager prior to our arrival regarding hotel appointments and she confirmed the beds were fairly new and linens were purchased within the last year. What we didn't like: (1) the carpet in our room was filthy so I would not let my bare feet touch the ground; (2) the blankets were worn; (3) our room faced the street and there were no sheers between the curtain and the window, so in order to get natural light we had to expose our room to public view of passers by; (4) our room and the adjoining room in which my sister stayed had a damp, musty, moldy smell, possibly relating to the proximity of our rooms to the indoor pool, spa and laundry room across the hall; (5) the coffee (colored water ?) and donuts in the lobby were a disappointment, as expected - why not offer exceptional coffee and a good selection of muffins and fruit? The shower head in my sister's bathroom exploded in three pieces and hit her in the face while she was showering. This happened the morning of check-out. The response from the front desk person was to express surprise and apologize. We paid $88.57 per night per room, including tax, making this the most expensive dump we've ever stayed in. I would not go back for free. For the same price, I have stayed in similarly-sized towns and larger cities across the U.S. and enjoyed a clean, comfortable room and continental breakfast that includes freshly ground coffee and an assortment of bagels, muffins, donuts, fresh fruit, cereals and yogurt. This hotel did not advertise that, and we did not expect it. We did expect better than what we got for the price we paid. Note: The front desk receptionist informed us that our room (#111) and the adjoining room in which my sister stayed (#109), are on the schedule for carpet cleaning this year. However, my position is that if the room is not in a condition suitable for guests, it should not be made available.

This place was a great find. The staff were really friendly and helpful. The room we had was huge, very comfortable and had a great view over Lake Havasu. The hotel also has a lovely clean swimming pool. They provide coffee & lovely dognuts for breakfast. I will definately stay here again.

We were passing through town, late at night, on a 12-hour trip. We decided to stay at Howard Johnsons because the price was right. The beds were comfortable and clean, but the blankets were worn. The furniture looked a little dated, but it was all functional. The ventilation in the bathrooms was stellar! There was no mold, no musty odors, and no build up of moisture or odors. The front desk clerk was very professional and courteous despite us coming in late at night. Pastries and coffee were served in the lobby in the morning. It was a nice, non-horrifying stay.

We paid $99 for the suite which compared to other hotels not bad value for money. Clean room overlooking the lake, pleasant staff and a not all that fresh donut and coffee for breakfast. But great for a one night stopover.

We were in town for a funeral service for our father, and booked eight rooms. The front desk people were friendly and very helpful in directing us to stores, restaurants, the church and local sights. I spoke to the manager prior to our arrival regarding hotel appointments and she confirmed the beds were fairly new and linens were purchased within the last year. What we didn't like: (1) the carpet in our room was filthy so I would not let my bare feet touch the ground; (2) the blankets were worn; (3) our room faced the street and there were no sheers between the curtain and the window, so in order to get natural light we had to expose our room to public view of passers by; (4) our room and the adjoining room in which my sister stayed had a damp, musty, moldy smell, possibly relating to the proximity of our rooms to the indoor pool, spa and laundry room across the hall; (5) the coffee (colored water ?) and donuts in the lobby were a disappointment, as expected - why not offer exceptional coffee and a good selection of muffins and fruit? The shower head in my sister's bathroom exploded in three pieces and hit her in the face while she was showering. This happened the morning of check-out. The response from the front desk person was to express surprise and apologize. We paid $88.57 per night per room, including tax, making this the most expensive dump we've ever stayed in. I would not go back for free. For the same price, I have stayed in similarly-sized towns and larger cities across the U.S. and enjoyed a clean, comfortable room and continental breakfast that includes freshly ground coffee and an assortment of bagels, muffins, donuts, fresh fruit, cereals and yogurt. This hotel did not advertise that, and we did not expect it. We did expect better than what we got for the price we paid. Note: The front desk receptionist informed us that our room (#111) and the adjoining room in which my sister stayed (#109), are on the schedule for carpet cleaning this year. However, my position is that if the room is not in a condition suitable for guests, it should not be made available.

After driving all over town thought would try this out as HoJo usually okay. $20 higher than the Super 8 next door but at least looked like a hotel and it was along the lake. Absolutely nothing special for $89. Your breakfast is a coffee and 2 donuts. No place to eat it. Cleanliness in the ground floor room was lacking and there was a smell to the room.

After checking in at the front desk the rep, under her breathe, advised us to go and check the room for bugs (crickets, water bugs and roaches). We were surprised by the candor and knew it was going to be bad but thought we would give it a chance.

We are not picky travelers but this room was disgusting. There were all of the bugs she mentioned, in the bathroom, in the closest. Behind the curtains were spider webs, with various bugs but to top it off the "water bugs" were throughout the bed, stuck in the blankets. You could'nt just wipe them off, the were literally stuck in the blankets! Needless to say we DID NOT stay the night nor check out the rest of the grounds. The swimming pool is indoors and covered but dark. parking lot is small and the hotel is hard to find.

We had to drive around the city searching for another hotel @ 7:00PM, ending up at the Ramada Inn for $25 cheaper. The Ramada Inn allowed us check the rooms they had available for bugs etc. They were VERY accomodating.

Do yourself a favor and spend your money somewhere else.

We had bed bugs! It was the most horrifying experience of our traveling lives. To top it all off the manager had the audacity of accusing us of just staying long enough to use the pool for free.

I am writing this review a bit after the fact, but was just consulting tripadvisor on something else and remembered that I should share my experience. We made a trip from Tempe to Lake Havasu in early November 2003, stayed one night at the Howard Johnson. It was a dismal experience. After seeing the lake, taking a lake cruise, I wanted to spend some time in the hotel pool. Even though clearly advertised as "heated pool" the pool was not heated and was COLD. I complained at the desk and got no apology, only "We start heating it later this month" The room was not clean, bathroom very small. Desk staff was indifferent to complaint. Howard Johnson management likewise never reponded to my complaint.