OK, I'm going to depart from the pack here a little...yes, this hotel is dated, and yes, it's got some issues with carpet needing cleaning and the like. However, it also gets extra points for a few amenities you often don't find in hotels with price tags twice this high. I stayed here twice - on both ends of a scuba diving liveaboard trip out to see some great white sharks, long story - and my review applies to both rooms.
As I've mentioned in other reviews, certain things usually score extra credit points from me: good ventilation and water pressure, a comfy bed, a quiet room, and access to snacks and soft drinks. This place scored high on all those counts, honestly. Air conditioning worked great, the rooms were comfortable, the bathrooms had recently been remodeled and were quite spacious. One room was just average size, but one was huge!
This place actually is something of a flophouse for several companies that run trips out to see the sharks, and some outfits that do sportfishing, so you may want to call ahead to double check room availability. I screwed up my travel plans, then called at 8 AM to book a room for an extra night and it turned out to have been a great thing...I heard later the place filled up shortly thereafter.
A couple of real extra credit points to this hotel: There was a fridge and a microwave in each room; the drink and snack machines were amply stocked, not broken, and conveniently located in the lobby - and, oh joy! A change machine!
Best of all, this hotel was silent as the grave. I stayed up super late one night and was not awakened early the next morning by loud talking, slamming doors, any of that nonsense.
Also, there's plenty of parking, and the hotel is located very near some really wonderful restaurants (we liked the Fish Grotto and, aw heck, another one the name of which escapes me right now...but seriously, there are several outstanding joints within easy walking distance. There's also a Denny's a block away and I had no trouble ordering a pizza late one night.) The neighborhood was just fine, not frightening, and you're within sight of the incredibly beautiful harbor. You're also right on top of the airport, and yet somehow not within the flight path...I didn't hear much jet noise.
The Internet worked great!! This one gets REAL points from me...I've stayed in "luxury" hotels where the wireless signal was terrible, or they charged $30 per night or something absurd. At the Ramada, I got a strong, clear signal, no trouble logging on, and no need for a "bridge" for rent from the front desk or similar foolishness.
I'd stay here again in a hot second. I think the value is actually pretty good for the price paid. My only real complaint was with the tiny elevator - I had to rearrange my bags a few times to get them onto the cart so it all would fit...
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