I stayed at the EconoLodge Ft. Bliss over the two nights of 25-26 December 2006, using it as a base of operations for travel around the area.

To reach this Econo from the El Paso airport, exit the airport, go through a couple of stoplights, turn right onto Montana Avenue, go less than a mile, and turn right into the motel's entrance about a block past the KMart. From Interstate 10, one may take Exit 25 (Airway) or Exit 24 (Geronimo). The motel is simple to find and to get to. There is plenty of parking in front and back of the motel, with two entry driveways -- one off Montana, one off a cross-street.

It's easy to see how this Econo was named an "Inn of the Year" for 2006.

Although December 25 was Christmas Day, the front desk was manned by the desk clerkette and the maintenance man. My reservation was in order. As always, I had requested "highest floor" (in this case, 2nd) and "quietest room possible." I was given room 201 directly over the lobby. Check-in was as speedy as I've ever experienced. Both personnel gave me accurate, understandable local and area driving-directions to where I needed to go.

The very spacious bedroom comprised two full beds with an end-table between them, a work desk with chair, two other chairs, a large TV inside a wooden console, a microwave, and a small fridge. A rack on the work desk held motel stationery and useful literature.

My room was excellent in every way except three: [1] There were NO electrical outlets in the entire bedroom (I unplugged a lamp from the corded outlet tap that the hotel itself used in order to plug in all of its own appliances). [2] The bathroom countertop consisted of a little space around the basin and a narrow ledge above the toilet. Because I leave toiletries spread out, I pulled a chair from the bedroom to set some of them on. [3] The shower head was quite low (perhaps 5'6"), which obliged me to contort my 6'2" body in order to shower.

Everything was immaculately clean. Lighting was ample. The bed was comfortable. The bath linens, typical of a mid-budget chain motel, were small and on the thin side, but they did the job. The bathroom contained a hair-dryer, a single-use packet of shampoo, and empty bags for used sanitary napkins. The water pressure was very good. The shower-curtain rod is curved outward so that the curtain won't get sucked inward during one's shower.

Breakfast in the motel lobby involved coffee, orange juice, a hot/cold water machine, and a fresh box of doughnuts on both days. There may also have been some fruit. A public computer and laser printer in the lobby are extremely handy to have. Free copies of the local newspaper are provided in the lobby. Outside the lobby are two soft-drink machines and a newspaper machine. There are plenty of trash cans and ashtrays along the exterior corridors of both floors. The desk staff and the shuttle drivers are exceptionally friendly, helpful, and courteous. I saw some guests walking their dogs, so this motel is pet-friendly.

Checkout was as swift and slick as check-in had been -- a "blink of an eye" compared with the tedious-or-worse productions that even top hotels can put guests through.

Normally, I'm tormented by the slightest hotel noise. The only noise came from the maintenance and airport-shuttle staff closing the office door below me, and from an occasional aircraft banking overhead during takeoff climb, and once from the door of the room next to me. Otherwise, there was NO noise of any sort. I slept soundly both nights, which is really something for me to be able to say. Also, none of the room doors squeaked!

Montana Avenue is a fairly busy thoroughfare, with fast food (Arby's, Burger King) and several small Mexican restaurants mainly to one's right upon exiting the motel. The KMart a block to the left is very good to be near.

Summary: With the exception of the three comparatively minor observations above, everything about this motel is appealing. I strongly recommend that you consider staying here for one night or longer.