Could it be the Best, Best Western?
Written: Jan 26 '07 (Updated Mar 19 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Brand new, much nicer than your average Best Western
Cons: Limited services.
The Bottom Line: I will definitely stay here again without hesitation. Clean comfortable rooms with a decent rate. Can't beat it.
|
|
|
| belynch's Full Review: Best Western Galleria Inn, Roseville, California |
UPDATE: 3/19/07 - This property reflagged right after I stayed there as a Holiday Inn Express (and upped their prices considerably). This explains why I couldn't find the hotel information on bestwestern.com when I was writing this review. I'm sure it's still worth a visit as a HI-Ex.
This review is based on a one night stay at the Best Western Galleria Inn, in Roseville, CA. The room was booked through bestwestern.com for a rate of $95/night + taxes. The purpose of the trip was business.
Background
Whenever I ask cr01 to post new reviews for me he likes to make the joke of “looks like another place I won’t be staying” because they tend to be on the higher end. The majority of my travel is subsidized by my work expense account, and when it’s for personal, I generally use points built up from traveling so much. I really didn’t think I was becoming a hotel snob until this trip.
I called my colleague in Roseville and told her I’d be coming to visit and asked if our company had any corporate rates at a nearby hotel, and if she could recommend anything. She explained that they had just moved locations and the hotel with the corporate rate was now pretty far from the new office. But, a few coworkers had stayed at the Best Western Galleria and it seems to have the “best rate in the area” (her words, exactly).
I thanked her for the advise, hung-up the phone, and found myself in a quandary.
Generally when I travel for business, all I want is clean, comfortable, and quiet. Best Westerns can be real hit or miss when it comes to their cleanliness and comfort levels. Generally overseas Best Westerns are a safe bet, but in the US the vast majority are older road-side motels.
I did a quick search and the reviews on a competing site to epinions where not kind to the hotel. But, I did find pictures and it looked brand new (opened in Oct, 06). Seeing there was really no other option in the area I went ahead and booked it.
Location
Finding the hotel was not very easy, because mapquest led me astray. The location is convenient to interstate I-80. Driving from the Sacramento airport, it took about 30 minutes once I got my rental car.
For those going to the hotel, take the Eureka / Taylor Rd. exit off 80. Proceed straight through the intersection at the top of the exit (In ‘N Out Burger is located here). The next stoplight is Roseville Pkwy. Make a right on that, and the hotel will be off there about a block down. Very easy. But my mapquest sends you in the wrong direction, one can only guess.
The hotel is located near HP, Intel, and of course the Galleria Mall. There is also an amusement park nearby (I could see it from my room).
From Sacramento, it is probably about 20 minutes from downtown, so you can definitely find a better place, closer in if you want it.
Checking-in
I checked-into the hotel late, around 11:30pm. The gentleman checking me in was probably 7’ tall and absolutely huge. I mention that only because it was the most vivid thing I remember from the entire trip.
He was efficient in checking me in, and confirmed my rate, requested room type, and check-out (the next day). I asked if he could add my frequent flier number to the folio and he said he didn’t now how to do it. Oh well.
First impressions of the hotel are that it’s obviously brand new. The front desk was immediately to the left when entering (sliding glass doors and a vestibule, which were not locked this late at night). To the right was the “breakfast room” and beyond are meeting rooms.
The elevator to the rooms is just beyond the front desk and on your left down what I can best describe as a little alcove.
The lobby is white marble and conservative, but modern.
Self-parking was free in the lot surrounding the hotel. There is no valet or bell service.
The room
I promise you this is probably the nicest Best Western room you’ll ever stay in. It would even be considered on the upper end of a Hampton Inn or Fairfield.
There were a few things that made it branded Best Western, but if the owners decided to rebrand it, with minimal investment, they could bring the hotel up to a 4 points standard.
The focal point of the room was the king bed which was plush and comfortable. On each side are night stands, complete with phone and alarm clock. Against the opposite wall was a dresser and table for TV. Immediately to the left of that was a desk which had free high-speed internet (which requires a log-in from the front desk, but no charge).
HVAC was controlled by an individual unit near the wall and apparently I’m an idiot as I didn’t set it properly the night before and woke up freezing. A quick flip of a switch however turned the heat on and the unit worked fine with minimal noise.
There was a 27” CRT TV (a plasma would have put this room over the top) with remote control. Standard cable channels were offered.
The bathroom featured a tub and shower as well as your standard vanity area and sink, and of course a toilet. The shower pressure was decent, not great, and temperature control was fine. The shower curtain was on one of those rods that give you “elbow room”, which was great. Plenty of towels were provided. There was a coffee maker in the bathroom. Toiletries are provided and are Best Western branded.
Iron and ironing board are located in the closet, near the bathroom.
Everything in the room was functioning properly including all lights and remotes, as well as the internet connection.
The design of the room was clean and modern and everything about it was new and shiny.
I am also happy to report that the fire-alarm works well and would wake the dead (it went off around 7am). So, sleep securely knowing that they’ll get you up if there’s a problem.
Food and Beverage
Food and beverage at the hotel are limited to the complimentary breakfast buffet, which is limited, but not bad. There are pastries, bagels, and Belgium waffles as well as juice and coffee. Cereals and yogurts are also available.
It looked like the room could easily be made into a full service restaurant, but I’m not sure if the kitchen facilities could accommodate that.
The breakfast attendant was nice and attentive.
Recreation
There’s not much to this hotel except an outdoor pool and a small fitness room. If you want to be entertained, you’re going to have to leave the property.
There are on-site meeting rooms.
Overall
With the exception of the fire alarm (which wasn’t a big deal) my stay was flawless. The room was superbly clean and comfortable. The staff was nice and accommodating, although you could tell they were still feeling their way through the new property. I rated this hotel as a 4 star, not because it is a 4 star hotel, but compared to what you'd expect from a Best Western, it's well above average.
I don’t have any hesitations in recommending this hotel to anyone.
A quick note, in doing research for this review, I hopped onto Best Western’s website and couldn’t find the hotel listed. Perhaps it has been “unbranded” or is being rebranded as something nicer (it deserves it). I’ll update the review if I can figure out a name change.
As it is, the hotel is still bookable via online resellers, selling it as a Best Western.
Travel safe.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
belynch
|
|
Location: Nyack, NY
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 17 members
About Me:
A full-time consultant, a part-time writer, and a volunteer EMT.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.