Best Western Alamo Suites

“Multiple visits and I'm still coming back. FREE PARKING”

This would be my third visit/review of this property, and they are doing a good job of maintaining quality.. There are a tiny few parking spaces up front, leaving the most of the guests coming in the back door only to be greeted by STAIRS. Baggage carts refuse to climb stairs, and they don't empl… more

This would be my third visit/review of this property, and they are doing a good job of maintaining quality.. There are a tiny few parking spaces up front, leaving the most of the guests coming in the back door only to be greeted by STAIRS. Baggage carts refuse to climb stairs, and they don't employ a bell captain. This needs updating in the worst way, unless you are that traveler that brings nothing, and doesn't mind climbing stairs. As I walk through the common areas of this place, I first notice the age of the building. Everything about it is being cared for, such as no burned out light bulbs, and detail repairs being made. I was pretty disappointed I can't use the hot tub, as I had the highest hopes of cooking food in it. The swimming pool area is indoors, and appears to be working fine, unless you're that customer trying to start skin cancer baking your skin like a lizard. Usually by the age of this building arrives, the innkeeper starts short-changing maintenance, and leaving things broke. That's not happening here. System wide BW needs to increase the pillow size. They are about the size of Chiclets chewing gum, and one needs a half dozen for two guests to sleep comfortably. I bought a two-room three-bed suite, and one of the HVAC units would not heat. It was a bit brisk, but I did not report the problem because I didn't want to be interrupted by maintenance. The house phone receiver cord has the plastic tab broken off leaving the guest having to use the speaker phone. No more than I use their phones, I didn't report that either. They have big screen televisions that are working right, even though they are South Korean which I passionately hate. I passionately love architects that specify light switches with pilot lights leading the guest toward it in total darkness. On every visit the staff on duty seems to be more kind, courteous, and professional than what I expect most everywhere. EVERY interaction with them has been prompt, courteous, fast, and efficient. Access card systems seem to come with an aggravate feature requiring a visit to the desk during your stay to keep them working. I did have to get them fixed one time, which is just not a big deal compared with other brands. I still prefer brass keys with "drop in any mail box return postage guaranteed" on the key tag. There's nobody left in the world that's totally honest and this technology was more of a requirement than desire. The bathtub drains properly, which i always notice and it's very common to find slow drains. The stool, tub, vanity, and plumbing all functioned properly, and were fresh and new. Their bed and sheet quality is quite the opposite of the Chiclets pillows being in perfect condition, and sparkling clean. I just don't like do-it-yourself breakfast, but given there was a marathon in town, I did partake and it was plenty good. I had a waffle, sausage, and fake scrambled eggs, and they all tasted good, but their table service (me) sucks. I have never had a table server job, and the world is a safer place because of it. I own an urban assault vehicle, which makes their parking lot a little difficult. If I would join the rest of the world and drive something smaller things would be easer. I would not recommend trying to get a car/trailer in or out of their parking lot, and definitely no tractor-trailer rigs. In closing this is a good place at the right price, and I would stay with them again (I have.) For me the single biggest calling card is no-charge parking, as downtown here has gone crazy with new ways to gouge the customer such as valet-only $60 parking charges, and they still take 30 minutes to bring your car back. That palace on the river just East of here has a worst example of available parking offerings in this city. For me the most expensive is hugely inconvenient and all those services actually inhibit a pleasant stay.

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“Middle of the road place that's old but well cared for”

My first impression of this property was that the archcitect was an idiot putting stairs immediately inside the back entry. More than that, this is Texas where everyone has to drive, and this place has almost no parking near the front entry. This leaves the ADA guest with ‘barely accessible’ acco… more

My first impression of this property was that the archcitect was an idiot putting stairs immediately inside the back entry. More than that, this is Texas where everyone has to drive, and this place has almost no parking near the front entry. This leaves the ADA guest with ‘barely accessible’ accommodations, although it does meet ADA standards. Minimally it’s hugely inconvenient if the customer is carrying more than a ladies purse. This building is not young, but it does look like the ownership cares about it, and has made an effort to keep it looking new. The front desk agent, Jose, was more than courteous, accommodating, caring, and welcoming. The outside of the building is multi-colored stucco, and it needs a fresh coat of paint. But, for what they are charging it’s plenty acceptable. When I got into my sleeping room it was I good condition. In the bath they have used those very low toilets which need to be taller. I wish I knew why any manufacturer of bathroom stools makes those that are slow the men have to hang onto their junk to prevent it falling in the water. For obvious reasons I find this to be unacceptable, but that’s on the maker of the porcelain. They have also modernized their bathrooms with vessel sinks. Although that’s obviously a new trend, I don’t see any value in them. The rest of the bath was sparkling clean, and everything in it working correctly. The beds, sheets towel, etc were in great condition, except for their pillows which are about the size of Chiclets™ chewing gum. One needs at least 3 of them to even read a book in bed. The HVAC system was new and working perfectly, as was their big screen TV, which was wall-mounted to give more counter space. There is a micro-refrigerator, and a micro-microwave oven in the room that were clean and working correctly. The floors had carpeting which I personally hate, but clean and new condition. For you smokers they do have a working outdoor balcony on floors 2-3 where you can step outside and smoke. It’s sad there’s no view to look at on either side of the building, but hey…they do have balconies. When breakfast time came I took one look at it and declined. As is quite common they had cooked the sausage in the oven, and I just don’t like the stuff. They had plenty of those fake scrambled eggs, plenty of breads, cereal, and of course all the juice and coffee someone wanted. It would be a very welcome thing for a family with kids, but I prefer to have cooked-to-order breakfast, and I’m willing to pay for it. The parking in this city everywhere is at a premium, and although this place has just enough, I wouldn’t bring a trailer or exceptionally large vehicle. They have one elevator which is working well, as well as drinks and snacks in a vending machine. There is no food within walking distance, or convenience stores, but plenty of both available with only a short ride. For what they are charging I would use them again, and I do recommend them with an asterisk concerning the issues mentioned above. For my needs they did the job well enough. While this place wears the label of “Alamo,” don’t kid yourself into thinking it’s close. If you want to visit that you’ll need to take the car, but it’s not far.

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