Shasta Dam Motel — Hotel in Shasta Lake

I was excited to visit this quaint little motel on my visit. I came with my children, and checked in the afternoon of my 1 quick night stay, then returned to visit my family that lives in Shasta in order to not have to do all of it I need the dark late at night. We looked around and saw the beds made tight, and visible dust and trash behind the bed, ( oh well, our expectations were not high, this a Shasta motel for Pete's sake) and peeked into the bathroom to find towels on the rack, and a paper cover on the toilet, that said "sanitized." So of course we thought it was cleaned and we were good to back to be with family before returning to sleep. When we returned, we enjoyed walking around the property, BUT THEN, my daughter washed her face and grabbed the towel...attached was a huge tuft of long black hair. (For the record, we both have blonde hair.) Then we pulled the covers back to see sheets that appeared not to be washed, oh and another hair sighting on the back of the pillow. :/ The next morning we took a shower, (wearing our shoes because it's that kind of place) and found a disgusting bar of the soap they provide, used, and full of black hairs. I looked up, and also found someone else's bobby pins and a used bar of Irish spring left also! Obviously the shower was never even opened to clean it. We left really early in the morning and I didn't want to the family owned place, but I knew I needed to let them know of my experience. I called the office the next day, only to have the woman yell at me that I should have told them and they would have given me another room. Well, I certainly didn't want to go to a different room, this obviously was their idea of a cleaned and sanitized room! I just wanted out of there as fast as we could. She also told me she would talk to her "manager" (her husband) and get back to me. Days later I called to speak to them, and the man was so rude and accused me of putting my own hair everywhere...crazy. I have NEVER complained or written any negative review about a place before, but I felt people need to know what they are in for if they decide to give this filthy...

I just left this place 10 min. ago on 8/20/2025.

I am 59 years old and recently had knee replacement surgery. I use a walker at times just to take the pressure off so I don't get too sore.

I walked into the office and immediately noticed it looked like someone took a leaf blower and cleaned the parking lot by blowing it in there; pine needles, leaves, & dirt covered the floor.

I rang the bell and as soon as the guy came out, he looked at my walker dismissively and in a heavy Indian accent he goes, "I do not have handicapped rooms. I cannot help you."

I told him that it was fine. I had just had a knee surgery and that I use the walker only occasionally then he agreed to give me a room.

I had called ahead and was told pets were ok but required a $20 deposit.

I explained this to him and said is it 20 flat or 20 per pet to which he replied, "How many do you have? " I told him I had 3 and he goes, "No. Sorry, I cannot help you here."

So I said wait. So it is apiece? And he says he didn't think I'd be willing to pay 60 bucks and I said sure I am. I'll get it back tomorrow after he verifies the room is clean and he then states again he cannot help me.

So I guess it wasn't a deposit but a shakedown.

I didn't see the rest of the place%, but judging by the filthy lobby and crummy attitude of the, I assume, owner, and by some of the more recent reviews, I'd say this place needs to be shut down & at least have a visit from the folks who levy fines for not having access for the disabled.

Seriously.

Who tells a person on a walker (or wheelchair even), "I don't have disabled rooms, I cannot help you."

Take note that many of the great reviews were written years ago before the current owner took over.

Google shoukd delete all those old 4 & 5 star ratings.

This place...

First let me say that I am rating Shasta Dam Motel as a "5" in comparison to other motels of it's same type--old motor court type motels from the 1940 & 50's. As you exit off Interstate 5 to get to this motel, you come to an intersection with a recently built modern McDonald's and Rite Aid. But as you turn right at that intersection, the road dips down and you go over a creek and up over a rise into a wooded area and arrive at the motel, it is just like you went through a time warp and went back in time about 60 years!! My wife and I loved this place! Nice circular drive around a green area with a picnic area. Then into the room which we found to be very clean, contrary to what some people have posted here. Comfortable bed. And I really liked that it had a little kitchenette room off you the main hotel room with fridge, microwave, and small dinette table and chairs. The shower was not huge, but I could turn my 200lb body around in it without hitting the walls--but if you are over 6'2'', you might have to duck in the shower as there is not much headroom in there. But nice hot water with plenty of water pressure. The gentleman that runs the motel is very friendly, both the evening we arrived and again in the morning. Also spoke to his wife on the phone before we arrived, and she was also very friendly. And what a deal--made our online reservation for $54 a night!! The best price for a motel room on our entire Northern California/Southern Oregon road trip. Closest motel to Shasta Dam. If you love the sterile feeling, all the same corporate type motels/hotels, this might not be the place for you. But if you love a nostalgic feel of a time past, this could be a great...