So basically I stayed here for 5 days (4 nights). The outside location was very safe. It is I'd say a 25 minute walk to El Cerrito Bart. The service staff was some of the nicest I've experienced ever and I've been in many hotels.

The inside was much nicer than I had anticipated. No problems with anything and the overall decor was such that one would think they were staying in a high end hotel.

Room had a microwave/big screen TV/ fridge and FREE Wireless Internet which was awesome.

I left the hotel overall very impresssed and would reccomend it to anyone looking for an affordable quality stay in the Richmond area. This is a Richmond hotel where you will not be afraid to stay in and I can't say that for many of them in the area.

-J

I have just returned from staying at this place and it was an absolute nightmare. A few months ago I spent almost 2 weeks at the NE Portland location and really enjoyed my stay, so I did not hesitate to book another Best Value Inn for this trip. Both the one in Portland and this one received Best Value Inn's 4-star rating, the highest they offer, and I can't figure out how that is possible. I should have known when I walked into the lobby and there was glass between me and the woman checking me in. But, I let it go, cities are dangerous, perhaps it was just a precaution. But it got worse from there. I had booked a king bed and when I got to my room it was a queen. I went back to the desk and was informed rather rudely that that room WAS a king (as though I were either blind or stupid) and I basically could accept it or leave. As my husband and I had an appointment in less than an hour, we had no time to argue. A few minutes later we got a call offering to move us to a new room. This time we got a king. The room (both rooms) smelled awful and the carpets were stained. There were unsavoury characters (by which I mean strongly resembling drug dealers and prostitutes) hanging out in the parking lot, coming in and out of rooms, and blaring music from their cars.

When we returned from our appointment to have some dinner and go to bed, we were treated to loud music and voices as well as the sound of glass breaking in the parking lot where a group of people were hanging out. After a call to the front desk things quieted down for a time and we went to sleep. All night we were awakened by doors slamming, cars peeling in and out of the lot, loud voices and loud music. At 4 am we were awakened by a woman screaming loudly on the phone, and it went on for half an hour and two calls to the front desk, before whoever she was arguing with arrived and they argued in person, finally slamming the door several times and leaving. My husband and I hardly slept between the noise and the fear someone was going to break into our car (someone did, in fact, slam their car door into ours and leave a mark). Not to mention the bedsprings in our backs. The pillowcases didn't even fit the pillows!!!

We had to drive home to Portland the next day and were exhausted all the way. I have never had such a bad experience at a hotel. We tried to save some money on this trip (altough with tax we still paid $75 for this horrendous place, WAY too much in any city) and we have learned our lesson. Never again. Avoid this place!!