Holiday Lodge — Hotel in Los Angeles

I was going to stay in room 229 for four nights (Monday, August 29th - Friday, July 2nd), to attend SIGGRAPH in 2019, but ending up leaving early - not even sleeping there one night. The older man at the front desk was courteous, nice, and helpful with getting the WiFi password. He gave me the option of choosing rooms between an older building and a newer one, where there was not hot water at the time (but that was temporary, due to some maintenance going on) and nicer rooms. I went with the newer building lacking warm water (for a day) and having nicer rooms. Room 229 looked as the hotel advertises online, and like the photographs of other online reviews. The room was clean, the bed made, no stains in the microwave, and the bathroom had fresh toilet paper in a matte paper wrap. I settled in, putting my items down, and went out to eat. Coming back is when alert arose. Not too long after returning (quite soon rather), I was sitting at a chair next to the bed, charging my phone, when a knock was heard. I called out "hello?" and no one answered. There was more knocking and more hellos from me, but still, no response. I went up to the door from the inside and asked who was there, calling my sister was I headed to the door, as the felling was not right - one ready for 911. A man claimed to be looking for a "Kyle," and I informed the man that there was no Kyle there, especially not I (female). He wanted to come inside the room, then claiming that "Kyle's" phone number was inside the room, presumably written down. Told the man that there was no such number in the room, that it was clean when I got there. Also suggested that he go ask the front desk about this "Kyle," letting him know that I was not comfortable letting him in the room. He would not go to the front desk and claimed that he understood that I was not comfortable letting him in the room, but was still insisting on coming in. It was difficult to get a good look at him through the peep hole. It sounded like there was someone else with him. He and they sounded mumbled in a quick talk, like acknowledging my stance and essentially giving up, leaving. Maybe they did not truly leave, but stayed in the shadows or at a distance, away from evident sight. After the incident, I texted and called friends about it, also the front desk. The worker who picked up stated that they would check it out, but I did not dare open the door and check to see if they actually did. I waited for a trusted friend to pick me up and ended up staying with her at the Sheraton Grand in downtown LA instead - much more secure. It was dark out, but less frightening when help came. I called Expedia, whom the stay was booked with, about the incident on the 29th and got an email on the 30th, in the AM, that they were still in the process of contacting the manager about getting a refund. Called Expedia the next day, the 31st, and was told that a full refund was going to be issued. Proceeded to drop off the key at the hotel, but the new, younger front desk guy initially did not want to issue a full refund, saying that I had been keeping the room hostage. He also said that the hotel believed I checked out earlier, as they checked the room, and there was no sign of life. Still, a full refund has been issued. Terrifying incident. What if the man had forced his way in through the door, climbed around and got through the balcony (it was closed, but he could have busted through; even if that would have been commotion), or the man and his accomplice waited until the door would be opened without force (not that I would have opened it for them, but staying in the room for the whole trip was not on my itinerary). Wonder what the guy wanted...theft, murder, rape, or other maleficent acts? I, a slim female in her early 20s, was staying alone. I lack physical strength and don't look frighting at all - not a stranger to know what sexual harassment is. Having been in heels would have been a disadvantage in the scenario that the duo had taken further action. What could I have done to have taken down a man...

I was going to stay in room 229 for four nights (Monday, August 29th - Friday, July 2nd), to attend SIGGRAPH in 2019, but ending up leaving early - not even sleeping there one night. The older man at the front desk was courteous, nice, and helpful with getting the WiFi password. He gave me the option of choosing rooms between an older building and a newer one, where there was not hot water at the time (but that was temporary, due to some maintenance going on) and nicer rooms. I went with the newer building lacking warm water (for a day) and having nicer rooms. Room 229 looked as the hotel advertises online, and like the photographs of other online reviews. The room was clean, the bed made, no stains in the microwave, and the bathroom had fresh toilet paper in a matte paper wrap. I settled in, putting my items down, and went out to eat. Coming back is when alert arose. Not too long after returning (quite soon rather), I was sitting at a chair next to the bed, charging my phone, when a knock was heard. I called out "hello?" and no one answered. There was more knocking and more hellos from me, but still, no response. I went up to the door from the inside and asked who was there, calling my sister was I headed to the door, as the felling was not right - one ready for 911. A man claimed to be looking for a "Kyle," and I informed the man that there was no Kyle there, especially not I (female). He wanted to come inside the room, then claiming that "Kyle's" phone number was inside the room, presumably written down. Told the man that there was no such number in the room, that it was clean when I got there. Also suggested that he go ask the front desk about this "Kyle," letting him know that I was not comfortable letting him in the room. He would not go to the front desk and claimed that he understood that I was not comfortable letting him in the room, but was still insisting on coming in. It was difficult to get a good look at him through the peep hole. It sounded like there was someone else with him. He and they sounded mumbled in a quick talk, like acknowledging my stance and essentially giving up, leaving. Maybe they did not truly leave, but stayed in the shadows or at a distance, away from evident sight. After the incident, I texted and called friends about it, also the front desk. The worker who picked up stated that they would check it out, but I did not dare open the door and check to see if they actually did. I waited for a trusted friend to pick me up and ended up staying with her at the Sheraton Grand in downtown LA instead - much more secure. It was dark out, but less frightening when help came. I called Expedia, whom the stay was booked with, about the incident on the 29th and got an email on the 30th, in the AM, that they were still in the process of contacting the manager about getting a refund. Called Expedia the next day, the 31st, and was told that a full refund was going to be issued. Proceeded to drop off the key at the hotel, but the new, younger front desk guy initially did not want to issue a full refund, saying that I had been keeping the room hostage. He also said that the hotel believed I checked out earlier, as they checked the room, and there was no sign of life. Still, a full refund has been issued. Terrifying incident. What if the man had forced his way in through the door, climbed around and got through the balcony (it was closed, but he could have busted through; even if that would have been commotion), or the man and his accomplice waited until the door would be opened without force (not that I would have opened it for them, but staying in the room for the whole trip was not on my itinerary). Wonder what the guy wanted...theft, murder, rape, or other maleficent acts? I, a slim female in her early 20s, was staying alone. I lack physical strength and don't look frighting at all - not a stranger to know what sexual harassment is. Having been in heels would have been a disadvantage in the scenario that the duo had taken further action. What could I have done to have taken down a man...

Don't waste your money because it's probably easier to sleep in your car. Almost every aspect of this motel is sketchy. First, at check in they'll took a photo copy of my driver's license and credit card and did so for incidentals. And while I understand why this is done, they seem to be rather disorganized and I am concerned about the safety of my information. Now, I was at the hotel because my school booked that hotel. If I am left to decide, I will never go to this motel again. Let me move onto the room. I was in an upstairs room in the main building. The moment I cracked the door there was a tremendous odor. I was told it's a smoking room and that's all they had available. There was only a few pieces of furniture. The bed was uncomfortable, the sheets had various stains (I think one had blood), and there were visible cigarette burns on most of the bedding. There are two nightstands and one table, but no chairs. Zero chairs. Not a single place to sit down, because of the no chairs thing. I asked the first night and was told they would bring one up, but it never happened. I asked on the second day and by the time I was packing on my third day they finally delivered a nearly broken chair. The mini fridge didn't work. The toilet requires multiple flushes. The sink drain stays closed unless you reach under and manually hold it open. Then there's just the lack of attention to detail once you look closer. Screws randomly placed on the door and sticking out to destroy clothing, stains on carpet, lack of towels in shower area. Again, if given the choice, I'll...