The Quality Inn Natomas, Sacramento, CA

On a recent overnight in Sacramento, I stayed at this Motel - where the State Department that had brought me here for a meeting had obtained a block of room at a VERY inexpensive (special State rate of under $70.) price. I wasn't expecting much - just a reasonable clean and moderately quiet place to get a night's sleep after a 100 mile drive at the end of an already long work day. There are MANY motels close-by the airport in Sacramento - and, from my point of view, this would be one clearly worth avoiding. I shall try to be both realistic (in my expectations) and fair (in my assessment) of the pros and cons of this particular "Quality" Inn.... which, if it is not already apparent from my tone, is anything but.

I asked for a quiet room, understanding that there is NO motel immediately adjacent to a major freeway (California Hwy 80) or near a substantive airport (Sacramento) that can be really quiet. What I asked for and expected was a room not right next to an ice machine (which there was not one of, anyway) and not right next to the elevator (which did not exist either, as it turns out, in this 3-story motel.) None-the-less, the clerk tried to comply by assigning me a first floor room "near the pool", which - in mid-winter in Northern California- isn't apt to be used by loudly frolicking teens. I was satisfied - until I opened the door to the room.