We've stayed many times at the Days Inn in Novato and have been pleased each time. Found that the rooms on the back of the property are much quieter. The garden/pool area is very nice. The breakfast included with the room was pretty good. More than just bagels and yogurt. Rooms are a little aged but clean. Our only complaint from our last stay was the blankets on the beds. They were a very wierd foamy, rough, scratch plastic type of material. Other than that, it was another very comfortable, quiet stay. Very friendly staff.

We booked three nights and enjoyed it so well we added another night. The staff was excellent and knew the area very well. The room was nice and clean and very reasonable. We really enjoyed the amenities especiallly the breakfast. The pool was clean and refreshing and we even used the small fitness room a couple of times. The area around the hotel is clean and seemed safe and there were even hiking/biking/running trails with-in 1/2 mile of the place. The manager was very good and helpful with all questions. Great location, we took advantage of wine country, a side trip to the coast, and San Francisco on seperate days all with-in 30-35 miles of the hotel. Would certainly recommend it to anyone. Now if they could only fix the traffic! LOL!!

My friend and I were headed to Muir Woods and wanted a cheaper place to stay outside San Francisco that was still convenient to our destination. This fit the bill. The room was clean and the wifi was fast. The breakfast array was really good, not just wrapped pastries and juice but a waffle iron, toaster, etc. The beds were comfy - I remember sleeping well. The pool and jacuzzi looked clean and inviting but we didn't end up using it. Would recommend.

We stayed here 3 nights. We needed an affordable place to stay. We walked in with no reservations and payed about $75 with taxes for 2 Queen beds. Very affordable considering similar hotels in the Novato/San Rafael area. We spent all day everyday out of the room. We generally always stay at a Days Inn when traveling.

PROS: We were given a room in the back facing the garden and pool area, with hills behind us. We did not hear any freeway noise from there. We found the staff super friendly. The kids always are happy with the free breakfast. Waffles, poptarts, juice. There was adequate TV channels. Bathroom was OK with a bath tub. Good WiFi signal.

CONS: The beds were horrible. We usually stay at Days Inns when we travel and these beds were really awful in comparison to others in the chain. One of them was lopsided.
The carpet was very old and stained. We were warned about this upon check in. We noticed new rolls of carpet waiting to be installed near our room. I think we would have gotten a better nights sleep camping at Samuel P Taylor park....the overall feel of cleanliness was affected by the dirty carpet and awful beds. The beds also had old, flat pillows, old warn blankets and bedspreads. Again, not up to the standards of the Days Inns we have stayed at in Portland and Seattle....Also the pool was dirty and unheated. The hot tub was questionable. Although my kids did use it.

Bottom Line: Expect cheap and basic....for Marin anyway. Bring your own pillows and blankets...we did (thank goodness)