Not that it was bad BAD and we know we didn't pay for a luxury spot. But when you arrive in the dark, and you're cold and tired, and the crusty old gnome at the reception doesn't say a word of hello and barks "CREDIT CARD!" at you - it doesn't speak wonders for Txxxxxlodge (note: 'T' is not for 'Tranny' - although we were staying pretty near the Castro.)

There was no heating in the room. We had sheets stapled to the window for curtains, cos all the motel was undergoing renovation works. And of course, the room being renovated HAD to be the one next to ours. The safe didn't work. We found out only upon checking out that continental breakfast was served daily (where in the world was the brekkie place?!) And whenever we needed a favour from Mr Crusty the Crankeroo, he yells "TAHHN YEEEH LIHHHNN?"... "I NEED I.D!!!"

But what really took the cake was the bath and shower. On our first night in Txxxxxlodge (note: 'T' is not for 'Tarzan' - he of all people wouldn't have been able to figure out the shower), we twisted and turned the water lever a gazillion times but just couldn't make the water come out of the shower head instead of the tap. So we gave up and looked for something to use as a scoop. The only option was.... the coffee pot.

And so, for 5 freezing nights in San Francisco, two clueless Singaporeans wallowed in a very strange makeshift Japanese bath with a coffee pot. What would we have done if Txxxxxlodge (note: 'T' is not for 'Tissue' nor 'Tablas' nor 'Thrush') did not offer coffee and tea-making facilities in the room?

We invented the coffee-pot bath.

So don't anyhow go making free coffee using the pot in your hotel room. You never know where it has been. Drink Starbucks.

Afternote: This Very Nice Inn which we're staying in now has the same shower system. But This Very Nice Inn provided clear instructions on how to use the shower so that poor freezing ignoramus guests from Mars need not bend so low as to use cooking utensils for bathing. We very simply had to pull down on the mouth of the tap to activate the shower. How were we suppose to know that? Or see any pullable thingamajig UNDER the a knee-level tap? Our eyeballs aren't on our toes for god's sake.

Still. Stay safe. Drink Starbucks.

YL

written by  DanYilin on April 8, 2009 from San Francisco, United States
from the travel blog: go.
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Thankfully my experience at Melbourne Travelodge was much better! Warm, friendly reception. Room came with kitchenette and merrino wool blanket!

written by  Yeepster on April 11, 2009

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