Gallup's BEST Kept Secret: Budget Inn Motel Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Gallup's BEST Kept Secret: Budget Inn Motel Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - A Real Stay, A Real Review.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I just crawled out of the Budget Inn Motel in Gallup, New Mexico, and let me tell you… it's an experience. Forget your pristine five-star fantasies. This is real life, folks. And I’m here to give you the unvarnished truth, the good, the bad, and the slightly-questionable-but-ultimately-charming. This review is long, because, well, it's a motel. There's a lot to unpack!
SEO Alert! (Because, you know, gotta play the game): This review will cover Accessibility, Cleanliness and Safety, Dining, Services, Room Features, and, of course, the all-important Getting Around section. We’ll also hit on Things to Do (because, let's be honest, you're in Gallup. You need to know).
First Impressions: The Arrival (And the Elevator… or Lack Thereof?)
So, pulling up, the Budget Inn isn't exactly… eye-popping. Think "classic roadside motel," with a faded sign and the promise of a comfy bed. Exterior corridor access – check. Which, honestly, I kind of love. It's got that old-school charm. Now, for those of you who need it, let’s talk Accessibility. There’s a Car park [free of charge] – always a win. But the Elevator? Nope. Not a thing. So, if you're relying on that, you might want to specify a ground-floor room. The Facilities for disabled guests are… well, let’s just say this isn’t the Four Seasons. Check-in/out [express] – yes, and actually quite efficient. Front desk [24-hour] - a definite plus.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Big Question
Okay, let's get real. This is the part where you're probably holding your breath. Cleanliness and safety are paramount, and I was genuinely pleased. The room was, well, clean. I saw evidence of Professional-grade sanitizing services in action (or at least, the Staff trained in safety protocol were trying their best), although I'm pretty sure they weren't using Anti-viral cleaning products exclusively. But, hey, Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. I even saw a little Hand sanitizer dispenser by the front desk. Daily disinfection in common areas seemed to be happening, or at least, Daily housekeeping was doing its best. Safe dining setup was visible in the breakfast area. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property offered a bit of peace of mind. Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms – present and accounted for. I even noticed Smoke detector in the room. It felt… safe enough.
Room Rundown: My Humble Abode
Alright, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of the room itself. Available in all rooms? Well, Air conditioning – yep, and it worked! Air conditioning in public area – also a thing. Alarm clock – present. Bathtub and Separate shower/bathtub – I had both! (Although, the water pressure was a little… optimistic). Blackout curtains? Thank goodness! Gallup is a bright place. Coffee/tea maker? Yes! Complimentary tea? Not that I could find. Desk? Yep, perfect for… well, for writing this review, actually. Free bottled water – a nice touch. Hair dryer – check. Internet access – wireless (and Wi-Fi [free]) – absolutely! Ironing facilities? Yes, but I didn't test them. Laptop workspace? Yep. Mini bar – sadly, no. Non-smoking? Thankfully. Private bathroom? Of course. Refrigerator? Yes! Satellite/cable channels? Plenty. Seating area? A chair, at least. Slippers? Nope. Socket near the bed? Thank you, modern world. Soundproofing? Let’s just say you could hear the occasional truck rumbling by. Telephone? Yes. Toiletries? Basic, but present. Towels? Clean and fluffy enough. Wake-up service? Available. Window that opens? Absolutely! (Needed some fresh air after that long drive!). Extra long bed? Yep!
The Internet: A Love/Hate Relationship
Let's talk Internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! The Internet itself was… well, it worked. Sort of. It was a bit temperamental. I'd give it a solid "B-" for reliability. There was no Internet [LAN] or Internet services beyond the Wi-Fi, but honestly, for the price and the location, I wasn’t expecting anything crazy.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Breakfast Saga
Okay, Dining, drinking, and snacking… Let's be honest. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was Breakfast [buffet]. Think continental, with the usual suspects: cereal, toast, bagels, some questionable fruit. Coffee/tea in restaurant – yes, and it was hot. Breakfast service happened. Bottle of water available. Snack bar? Nope. Restaurants? There are a few nearby, but you're not coming here for a culinary adventure. The Asian breakfast wasn't an option. I'm not sure if there was a Vegetarian restaurant. A la carte in restaurant, Happy hour, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Soup in restaurant… all no. It was Western breakfast.
Things to Do – Gallup’s Got a Vibe
Now, Things to do. Gallup is a gateway to some seriously stunning scenery. You’re close to the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park, and the Red Rock Park. You need to explore. Shrine? Maybe. Proposal spot? Possibly, if you are into quirky. Bicycle parking – probably. Car park [on-site] – definitely. Car park [free of charge] - yes!
Services and Conveniences – Beyond the Basics
Let's cover the Services and conveniences. Cash withdrawal? Not on-site, but nearby. Concierge? Nope. Contactless check-in/out? Yes, for the most part. Convenience store? Not on-site. Currency exchange? Nope. Dry cleaning, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service? Nope, nope, and nope. Luggage storage? I’m going to say yes. Safety deposit boxes? Not that I saw. Smoking area? Yes. Terrace? Nope. Taxi service? Probably. Valet parking? Absolutely not. Food delivery? I’m not sure, but I didn’t see any. Babysitting service? No. Family/child friendly? I didn't see any evidence of it. Kids facilities? No. Kids meal? No.
The Verdict: Who is this Motel for?
Look, the Budget Inn isn't a luxury resort. But it is a clean, safe, and reasonably priced place to crash for a night or two while you explore the area. It's perfect for road-trippers, budget travelers, and anyone who's more interested in the adventure outside the hotel than the hotel itself.
The Budget Inn: Your Home Base for Southwestern Adventures
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This is NOT a paid advertisement. This is just one person's honest experience.
Fels Three Crown Motel: Your Clarence, NY Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're about to embark on a whirlwind tour of… Gallup, New Mexico! And not just any Gallup, mind you. We're talking about the budget-friendly, slightly-dusty, and utterly unforgettable Gallup, as experienced from the hallowed halls (and questionable carpet) of the Budget Inn Motel. Let's get this train wreck… I mean, adventure rolling!
Day 1: Arrival & the Great Motel Mystery (and immediate regret)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Gallup. The drive from… well, let's just say the drive was long, and I'm already regretting that extra large iced coffee I chugged. My bladder is screaming. And so is my GPS. This place is… brown. Like, a lot of brown. The landscape, the buildings, even the sky seems to be a slightly faded shade of brown.
- 1:30 PM: Check into the Budget Inn. First impressions? Let's just say the paint job is… "vintage." And by vintage, I mean, "last-updated-sometime-before-the-internet-was-a-thing." The guy at the front desk, bless his heart, looks like he's seen things. Things I probably don't want to know. And the lobby smells faintly of stale cigarettes and… something else. Something… floral? I'm not sure I want to know.
- 2:00 PM: Room inspection. Oh dear. The carpet. The carpet is a whole situation. I swear, I think I saw a small tumbleweed roll across it. The bedspread? Questionable. But hey, at least the air conditioning works! That's a win, right? I'm already mentally calculating how much bleach I can get away with using.
- 2:30 PM: The Great Motel Mystery begins. I'm unpacking, and I'm pretty sure I hear… mice. Or maybe it's just the wind whistling through the cracked window. Or maybe I'm just losing it. I'm going to pretend it's the wind. For my sanity.
- 3:00 PM: I venture out for supplies. Water. Snacks. And maybe a hazmat suit. Just in case. The local Dollar General is an experience. The aisles are crammed, the fluorescent lights hum, and I feel like I'm in a time capsule. I grab some chips, a bottle of water, and a whole lot of hand sanitizer.
- 4:00 PM: Back at the motel. I barricade myself in the room. I'm starting to think this trip was a mistake. I mean, really, what was I thinking?
- 5:00 PM: Okay, I've calmed down. I can do this. I will do this. I pop open the chips, and settle in for a night of TV and sheer determination. Maybe the "things" I heard earlier are just in my imagination.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. I'm feeling brave. I venture out and find a hole-in-the-wall diner. It has a retro vibe. The waitress is a sweetheart. The food? Surprisingly good! A greasy burger and fries never tasted so good. I'm starting to get a feel for this place.
- 9:00 PM: Back at the motel. I'm exhausted, but strangely, also a little… hopeful? Maybe Gallup isn't so bad after all. Maybe. I'm going to need a really good sleep. The mice, the carpet, the general sense of impending doom… I need to be ready for Day 2.
Day 2: Culture Shock & the Turquoise Trail (and the revelation that some things are just better left unsaid)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Surprisingly, I survived the night! The mice (or the wind, still not sure) were quiet.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the motel. Okay, the free continental breakfast is… well, it's free. And I'm grateful for the coffee. The stale bread is a bit much.
- 10:00 AM: Time to explore! Gallup is known for its Native American culture and the Turquoise Trail. I decide to start with the Visitor's Center. It’s a small place, but full of amazing information.
- 11:00 AM: Okay, I should have read up on the history of this city. I find myself staring at beautiful local crafts and a small museum.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I find a local place with authentic food. It's spicy and delicious!
- 1:00 PM: I'm driving the Turquoise Trail. The scenery is breathtaking. The red rocks, the vast open spaces… it's stunning. I stop at a few roadside shops.
- 3:00 PM: I'm in a local store, admiring the jewelry. I start talking to a local artisan. He's telling me about the history, the craftsmanship, the… well, let's just say he's very passionate about his work. And then he starts talking about his… unique views on politics. And religion. And… well, let's just say I politely excused myself. Some things are just better left unsaid.
- 4:00 PM: Back at the motel. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I need a break. I crack open the water, and watch some TV.
- 5:00 PM: I'm starting to feel better. I'm going to take a walk. I need to clear my head.
- 6:00 PM: I'm walking around Gallup. I see a lot of things. Poverty. Struggle. Resilience. It's a stark contrast to what I'm used to. It's a humbling experience.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. I find a different diner. This one is a bit more… rough around the edges. But the food is good. And the people are friendly. I'm starting to appreciate the realness of this town.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the motel. I'm exhausted. But in a good way. I'm starting to think I might actually survive this trip. I'm still not sure about the carpet, though.
Day 3: The Long Road Home (and the lingering scent of adventure)
- 8:00 AM: Another day, another free breakfast. The bread is still stale.
- 9:00 AM: Pack up and check out. Bye-bye, Budget Inn! I won't miss you. Well, maybe I'll miss the… character.
- 9:30 AM: One last walk around Gallup. I buy a small piece of turquoise jewelry. A reminder of my trip.
- 10:00 AM: Hit the road. It's a long drive. I crank up the tunes.
- 12:00 PM: Stop for lunch. Grab a burger.
- 2:00 PM: Keep driving. The scenery is still beautiful.
- 4:00 PM: I'm starting to feel reflective. I didn't love everything about Gallup. In fact, I probably hated a lot of it. But… it was an experience. A real one.
- 6:00 PM: I'm almost home.
- 7:00 PM: Home. Finally. I unpack. I do laundry. I put the experience behind me. Until the next time.
- 8:00 PM: I'm already thinking about going back.
Final Thoughts:
Gallup, you were… something. You were dusty, you were quirky, you were sometimes a little scary. But you were also real. And in a world of polished hotels and sanitized experiences, that's worth something. I'll never forget the Budget Inn, the questionable carpet, the mice (maybe?), and the sheer audacity of it all. Would I go back? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing my own bleach. And maybe a hazmat suit. Just in case.
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Okay, spill the tea. What's the deal with this "BEST Kept Secret" Budget Inn Motel in Gallup? Seriously, is it *actually* a secret?
Alright, alright, settle down. The "secret" part is a bit… exaggerated. Let's be real, Gallup isn't exactly overflowing with luxury accommodations. Budget Inn is a *known* quantity, but… it's a *vibe*, you know? It's the kind of place you find yourself at after a long, dusty drive, your expectations already scraping the bottom of the barrel. And honestly? Sometimes, that's exactly what you need. I mean, I've been stranded in worse, and the Budget Inn… well, it's got character. Think of it as a time capsule of 80s motel chic, complete with that slightly-musty smell that's somehow both comforting and alarming.
The "character" you mentioned... what does that *actually* entail? Like, what's a typical room like? Is it, you know, clean?
Clean... well, let's say "lived-in." You're not getting Four Seasons pristine, okay? Expect floral-patterned everything. The bedspreads? Guaranteed to be a riot of color, probably with a hint of fading. The carpet? Might have seen a few things. And the bathroom... Ah, the bathroom. It's functional. The showerhead might have a mind of its own, oscillating between a gentle drizzle and a full-on firehose. But, and this is key, it *usually* works. I've stayed in places where the water pressure was a mere whisper. At the Budget Inn, you get *something*. That's a win in my book after a long day. I remember one time, the shower head was *completely* sideways. I had to use the wall like a backboard, and the water just bounced off. It was hilarious in retrospect, though I was cursing the whole time.
What about the staff? Are they, like, friendly? Or are they the kind of people who make you feel like you're inconveniencing them just by existing?
Okay, this is where it gets… interesting. The staff can be a mixed bag. You might get a super-friendly, chatty person who genuinely seems happy to see you. They might even offer you a fresh-baked cookie (I'm not kidding, this has happened). Or… you might get someone who looks like they've seen a few things and are, frankly, a little tired of it all. The key is to be polite, don't make a fuss, and accept whatever level of interaction you get. I once asked for extra towels, and the guy at the desk just sighed and pointed me in the direction of a broom closet. I found them, though. It's all part of the experience, right?
Is there a pool? Because after a long drive, a pool is *essential*.
There *might* be a pool. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure. I've never actually *seen* it. I think it's one of those mythical things, like the Loch Ness Monster. I vaguely recall a blurry photo of a slightly-green rectangle on their website, but… take that with a grain of salt. Maybe ask at the front desk. But be prepared for disappointment. Or, you know, the potential for discovering a hidden oasis of chlorinated joy. It’s a gamble. I’m going to be honest, I'm not a pool person, so I tend to gloss over this bit.
Okay, let's talk about the parking. Is it safe? Do you have to worry about your car getting broken into?
Parking... well, it's parking. It's a motel, so you're right there. I've never personally had any problems, but Gallup isn't exactly Beverly Hills. Use common sense. Don't leave valuables in plain sight. Lock your doors. That's the general advice for pretty much *everywhere* these days. I once saw a guy trying to jump-start his car at 3 AM, and the whole thing seemed… shady. But it wasn't the motel's fault. It's just... stuff happens.
Breakfast? Is there breakfast? Because a free breakfast can make or break a motel experience.
Breakfast... Ah, the elusive breakfast. Okay, here's the deal: expect the bare minimum. Think pre-packaged muffins (possibly slightly stale), instant coffee that tastes like sadness, and maybe, *maybe*, a waffle maker. Don't go in expecting a gourmet experience. It's fuel. It'll get you going. I remember one time, the waffle maker was actually *working*, and I was so excited. I made a waffle, and it was… fine. Perfectly mediocre. But it was a waffle! And in the context of the Budget Inn, that's a small victory. It's all about managing expectations.
What are the *real* downsides? What should I actually be prepared for?
Okay, let's be real for a second. The downsides? Well, the noise. Motels are notoriously noisy. You're going to hear everything. Trucks rumbling by, doors slamming, people talking loudly in the hallway at 2 AM. Bring earplugs. Trust me on this. Also, the Wi-Fi can be spotty. Don't count on streaming anything. And, like I said before, the cleanliness isn't perfect. If you're a germaphobe, this might not be the place for you. I've encountered more than one errant hair on a towel. And the air conditioning... it might be ancient. It might be loud. It might just blow warm air. So, pack accordingly.
But the BIGGEST downside? The *location*. Gallup itself isn't exactly a bustling metropolis. The Budget Inn is… well, it’s in Gallup. So, if you're looking for excitement, you might be disappointed. But if you're looking for a cheap, functional place to crash after a long drive, and you're not expecting the Ritz, then the Budget Inn might just surprise you. It's a slice of Americana, warts and all.
So, would you recommend it? Seriously, would you actually STAY there?
Look, it depends. If you're on a budget, absolutely. If you value a unique experience (and aren't afraid of a little… character), then yeah, go for it. If you need a place to crash for a night and you’re not expecting luxury, the Budget Inn can do the trick. It's not a romantic getawayWeb Hotel Search Site
