Hobbs, NM's Hidden Gem: Econo Lodge Review & Booking!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into… the Econo Lodge in Hobbs, New Mexico. Yeah, I know, sounds glamorous, right? Don't judge a book by its… budget-friendly cover. This place… well, it is a hidden gem, but mostly because it's hidden. Let's get messy, real, and see if this Econo Lodge is worth your hard-earned pesos.
First Impressions (and the Internet… Oh, the Internet!)
Okay, so, accessibility. Let's be real, Hobbs isn't exactly known for its cutting-edge infrastructure. But! Accessibility seems to be… okay. Wheelchair accessible is a thing, which is a huge plus. Didn't get a chance to try it myself, but from what I saw, it seemed reasonable. Now, for a rambling, slightly-off-track observation… I always appreciate an elevator. Because, you know, stairs are the enemy. Especially after a long drive.
And the internet. Oh, the internet. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms! Thank the digital gods! The Internet access was… adequate. Let's just say I wouldn't depend on it for streaming a 4K movie marathon. Internet [LAN]? I didn't even bother. My brain hurts thinking about it. It's 2024, people! Who uses LAN anymore? I’m guessing you could connect an old Ethernet cable if you are that type of person. But kudos to them for the option! Internet services offered what you'd expect: basic connectivity, nothing fancy. Wi-Fi in public areas felt a little… spotty. But hey, free is free, right?
The Room: A Hodgepodge of Comfort and Quirks
Alright, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. In my room, I had…an Air conditioning. Thank goodness. It was HOT. Air conditioning in public area? Yep, felt it. Thank the Lord. Available in all rooms: Yes, thank goodness. Alarm clock: Yep. The kind that glitches and wakes you up at 3 am. Bathroom phone: Why? I don't know. No one will understand you, and it won't work anyway. Bathtub: Yep. I soaked in it. Bathrobes: Nope. Blackout curtains: Crucial. Carpeting: Standard motel fare. Closet: Check. Coffee/tea maker: Surprisingly functional. Complimentary tea: Okay, that was nice. Daily housekeeping: Definitely appreciated. Came back to a clean room. Desk: Fine for laptop work. Extra long bed: Yes! Big enough for a restless sleeper like yours truly. Free bottled water: Okay, I guess. Hair dryer: Worked. High floor: Nope. In-room safe box: Nope. Interconnecting room(s) available: Probably. Internet access – LAN: See previously mentioned rant. Internet access – wireless: Works. Ironing facilities: Didn't try. Laptop workspace: Fine. Linens: Clean. Mini bar: Nope. Mirror: Yes. Non-smoking: Phew! On-demand movies: Probably, but who watches those anymore? Private bathroom: Yep. Reading light: Needed more. Refrigerator: Okay, it kept my beer cold. Safety/security feature: Standard stuff. Satellite/cable channels: Yep. Scale: Nope. Seating area: Nope. Separate shower/bathtub: Yes. Shower: Worked. Slippers: Nope. Smoke detector: Yes. Socket near the bed: At least one! Sofa: Nope. Soundproofing: Surprisingly decent, considering. Telephone: See bathroom phone. Toiletries: Basic. Towels: Clean. Umbrella: Nope. Visual alarm: Probably. Wake-up service: Worked. Wi-Fi [free]: The savior of the modern traveler. Window that opens: YES!
Cleanliness and Safety: The "Is This Place Actually Safe?" Checklist
Now, for that critical bit… Cleanliness and safety. This is where the Econo Lodge really surprised me. It was actually… pretty clean. Not sterile-hospital clean, but definitely clean-motel clean. They had, what I understand, Anti-viral cleaning products, the rooms were Sanitized between stays, and there was Daily disinfection in common areas. I saw staff actually wiping things down, which is a good sign. Hand sanitizer was readily available. Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed like it. First aid kit: Probably. Hygiene certification: I didn't ask, but everything looked… okay. So yeah, felt relatively safe.
A major point in their favor: Cashless payment service. Always a plus these days.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food… or the Lack Thereof
Here’s where it gets a little… weak. Breakfast [buffet] was… a buffet. Scrambled eggs that probably came from a carton, stale pastries, and watery coffee. Breakfast takeaway service: Nope. Buffet in restaurant: Yep, that buffet. Coffee/tea in restaurant: See: Watery coffee. There was a Coffee shop… off-site. Desserts in restaurant: What restaurant? Snack bar: Nope. Restaurants: Technically, yes. But they were outside of the hotel. Room service [24-hour]: Hah! Like I said, you get what you pay for. Bottle of water: See earlier. Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant? Nope, nope, NOPE.
Services and Conveniences: The 'Meh' Factor
Okay, the services. Air conditioning in public area: (I mentioned this, right?) Business facilities: Probably. Cash withdrawal: Nope. Concierge: Nope. Contactless check-in/out: Probably? The front desk guy was far away. Convenience store: Nope. Currency exchange: Nope. Daily housekeeping: Done! Doorman: Oh, please. Elevator: Yes. Facilities for disabled guests: Seemed okay again. Food delivery: Probably, but from outside. Gift/souvenir shop: Nope. Ironing service: Probably. Laundry service: Nope. Luggage storage: Yeah, probably. Meeting/banquet facilities: Highly doubtful, though there might be a very sad Meeting. Safety deposit boxes: Nope. Smoking area: Yes, like every other place in New Mexico, which is great. Terrace: Ha!
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Don't Expect a Spa Day
Alright, this is Hobbs. Don't expect the Ritz. Fitness center: I think there was one, but I didn't go near it. Gym/fitness: Refer to the above. Pool with view: Nope. Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep. Looked… inviting. I was too lazy to swim. Sauna/Spa/Steamroom/Spa/Sauna/Massage/Body scrub/Body wrap/Foot bath: HA!
For the Kids: Not Exactly a Disney Resort
Babysitting service: Nope. Family/child friendly: Probably. Kids facilities: Nope. Kids meal: Nope.
Final Verdict: The "Econo-Logic" of It All
Okay, let’s cut to the chase. The Econo Lodge in Hobbs, New Mexico, is… well, it’s exactly what you’d expect. It's simple, it's basic, and it's cheap. But here's the kicker: it’s surprisingly clean and safe. The staff were genuinely friendly, which is always a bonus. But it's not going to win any awards. You're there for a quick stay, and you are not trying to be fancy.
The Imperfections are Fine
Look, it’s not the Four Seasons. You might find the décor a little… dated. You're not going to be pampered. You probably won’t want to spend too much time in your room. But for the price, it's hard to beat.
The Quirks
One time, the elevator got me to the wrong floor. I took one look at the room numbers and said goodbye. I didn't want to be there.
The Emotional Reaction
At first, I was, “Oh boy, another Econo Lodge,” but after a long day, the basic necessities won me over.
Overall Opinion
I'd stay here again. I'd recommend it… with the above caveats.
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- Cleanliness Champion: We're talking spotless rooms
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. You're in for a whirlwind tour of… Econo Lodge Hobbs, New Mexico. Emphasis on the "Econo" and the "Hobbs." This isn't gonna be the Four Seasons, folks. This is real life. Buckle up.
Econo Lodge Hobbs: A Love Story (Maybe?)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread in the Desert
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown at Hobbs Municipal Airport. (Yes, it's a thing.) My flight was… delayed. Naturally. Already sighing. The baggage carousel coughed up my bag like a grumpy old man with a nasty cold.
- 1:30 PM: The rental car – a suspiciously dented compact car named "Bertha" – is acquired. Bertha and I are already questioning our life choices together, staring off into the vast, flat expanse of New Mexico. I feel like I'm in a Clint Eastwood movie, but instead of a showdown, it's a battle against the fluorescent lights of the rental car office.
- 2:00 PM: Drive to the Econo Lodge. The drive is… uneventful. Lots of oil derricks. Oil derricks EVERYWHERE. My brain is starting to wonder if this is all a simulation. Am I just a digital construct, forever doomed to observe oil derricks?
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. The clerk, bless her heart, looks like she's seen things. I swear, I saw a flicker of recognition when I mentioned my name – perhaps she'd witnessed a similar look of despair on a previous guest's face. The key card… works! A small victory. The room… well, it's a room. Smells faintly of… something. Possibly bleach, possibly regret.
- 3:00 PM: Exploring the room. The bedspread is aggressively floral. The TV is a tiny, retro boxy thing. The phone has actual buttons, and if I'm brutally honest, I’m kinda digging that (I'm a sucker for nostalgia and a good rotary phone). The vending machine situation is… bleak. Chips, candy bars older than my niece, and something that looks suspiciously like a fossilized Twix. I pass.
- 3:30 PM: Decided to venture around the Econo Lodge. Found a small pool (turquoise and tempting) and a very sad, very lonely-looking fitness room. I take a deep breath and head to the room before I even start to unpack.
- 4:00 PM: Nap. I'm already exhausted, and the air conditioning is humming a lullaby of cheap plastic and broken dreams.
Day 2: The Thrill of Hobbs
- 8:00 AM: The complimentary breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. Don't get your hopes up, folks. We're talking cold cereal, sad-looking pastries, and coffee that tastes like gasoline mixed with vaguely coffee-like substances. I manage a questionable waffle. And a banana. I'm fueled for… whatever Hobbs throws at me.
- 9:00 AM: I decide to explore Hobbs. I will say, Hobbs is… compact. 1 hour of driving to see most of what there is. The town is clean. The people are friendly (they smile a lot, which is a nice change). I can feel the grit of the desert land.
- 11:00 AM: I stumbled upon a car wash. Seriously, I found myself mesmerized by the spinning brushes and rainbow soap. It was one of the most exciting moments of my day.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch: The local Mexican joint. Let me tell you, it was the best meal that I had in Hobbs. I ordered the enchiladas, and even though I wasn't expecting much, the dish was superb. The cheese was melted perfectly, and the salsa was so fresh and flavorful. I am still thinking about it.
- 3:00 PM: The Pecos River Nature Trail. Ok, so the Pecos River itself isn't exactly the Amazon. But finding a little bit of nature was a nice break from the endless oil derricks. I almost ran into a tumbleweed, the iconic desert plant.
- 5:00 PM: Back at the Econo Lodge. I make a second run at the vending machine. Still no luck.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local diner: Hamburger. Fries. Milkshake. It was simple, comforting, and exactly what I needed. I was starting to feel less like a digital construct and more like a human being.
Day 3: Farewell & Existential Musings
- 8:00 AM: Another attempt at the complimentary breakfast. Same results. My waffle skills have not improved.
- 9:00 AM: Checkout. Saying goodbye to Bertha, the rental car.
- 9:30 AM: Last look at the room. This is not an experience I will forget, I was at least happy that I was able to sleep in a bed, and have a place to be for a few nights.
- 10:00 AM: Waiting for the plane, thinking about where I'll be next.
- 12:30 PM: Boarding the plane. Goodbye, Hobbs. You were… an experience. I'm not sure if I'm a changed person, but I've definitely got a story to tell.
Final Thoughts:
Hobbs isn't glamorous. It doesn't have the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum. But it has its own quirky charm. It's a place where you can get a good, cheap meal, ponder the meaning of life while staring at oil derricks, and discover the simple joys of a well-made hamburger. Would I go back? Maybe. Would I recommend it to a friend? Possibly. It depends on how much they enjoy existential dread and questionable motel decor.
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