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Motel Thoughts

I’m doing a lot of motel stays on this trip so that I can work. I don’t have the kind of work that can literally be done from anywhere. I need to sit at a proper desk and quiet surroundings, so working out of a coffee shop or even my truck isn’t an option. With the way I’m being paid for my current contract, it’s really worth it for me to take a motel room to work. With other clients in the past, the profit margin would have been too slim to make the expense worthwhile.

My motel stays have thus far been at super inexpensive economy places. I could afford more if I needed to, but the rooms I’ve had so far have perfectly met my needs. The most important thing is that the room needs to feel and look clean, especially for an extended stay. I know that a place can be worn and clean, but it’s hard to get past the mental barrier that grunge does not include filth. I have stayed at higher end locations, but, really, I don’t appreciate the difference and I’ve had actually had less for a lot more money. Inexpensive doesn’t have to mean the roach motel. I have in the past only been able to afford something like that, and it’s fine for one night, but I wouldn’t put up with that for an extended stay nowadays.

I’ve stayed in three motel rooms on this trip and they’ve all been very fresh. The two for extended stays have even included a fridge and microwave, which means being able to stay in for some meals, bring back leftovers, and, most important, make my own coffee. These lower end motels have even had super nice pools!

The only thing these lower end motels don’t have that I got at a more upscale hotel in Vegas in ’07 is a cute cabana boy in tight red shorts who hands you towels and margaritas. I only ended up at that hotel because I got an insane online deal. Gorgeous as he was, he wasn’t worth the $100 plus the room would have normally been worth. 😉

6 thoughts on “Motel Thoughts”

  1. Do you check for a fast WIFI or ADSL connection before renting? Some hotels are good and others not so much. This would be a major consideration for you.

  2. No, I don’t. I’d rather have everything else and need to schlep to a McDonald’s than have super fast wifi and a gross room. Also, my speed needs are considerably different from someone who is used to being hard wired all the time. The flaky internet in Idaho Falls was better than my normal, for instance.

    With my work last week, I got my files downloaded between McDonalds and the motel in West Yellowstone, so I didn’t need fast internet when I got to Idaho Falls except for Netflixing, and I had my phone for doing that (use it as a wifi hot spot). Here, the room was too good for internet to be a deal breaker, and it turns out the wifi is outstanding.

  3. I will be really interested to see how you make out with Internet once you get settled in Mexico. I am heading down in January and will need access too.

    Lynn

    • I’m going to start with mobile service and a public connection while my landlady gets me hard wired. Hopefully, that won’t take toooo long.

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