My wife and I stayed at the Vagabond Inn on our way to Phoenix, wanting some place that was cheap and clean since we were getting in late and leaving fairly early the next morning. We found a GREAT rate on line - about $50 for the night - and despite reading several negative reviews, gave it a go.

I think the other reviewers are being unfairly harsh on this property, and some, like the one saying they'd rather have stayed at the Madonna Inn down the road are being just plain ridiculous. Who in their right mind compares a $50 room to a $200 room, right? C'mon!

So we checked in kinda late, and yes, there is a somewhat gruff guy from India at the front desk, but after chatting with him I found him to be fine. I don't expect a motel front desk person to be my best friend for the night, I just want someone to efficiently check me in, get me my key, tell me how to get on the internet, and let me go sleep. He did this, so I was happy.

The rooms themselves are not great, but also not terrible. The bathroom was spartan but clean, the TV worked, the sheets and towels modest in quality but clean. This was not like staying at a Hampton Inn where you could eat off the floor things are so clean, but we also didn't find anything off-putting or any thing that made us think we'd rather sleep in the car. It was similar to the Super 8 we've stayed in on Monterey street... serviceable but not luxurious, but at $50 a night, we're okay with that. Now if I was paying $100 a night, I would have some issues, so I guess it gets down to how much you are paying on any given night. I think this place is definitely worth $50 to $80 a night depending on when in the week you are staying.

The location is really good and actually getting better - Everything you might need is nearby including the Dennys next door and the Starbucks across the street, but they are also opening a Panera Bread across the street that to me makes is a really great location.

So... the critical questions are this: would we stay there again? The answer is a somewhat unenthusiastic yes. Is it a great motel and a place we'd like to spend a week on vacation or for some special romantic getaway? No, its not. But if you are looking for a serviceable place to stay, this is not a bad place and I think the other reviewers are being too harsh.

After all, the Best Western next door charges an extra $40 for a slightly nicer room. You'll have to decide whether its worth the extra money, or if that money is better spent on a nice dinner downtown. As for us, we'll go for the dinner...