La Quinta Inn Tucson Downtown

This is probably my worst hotel experience in twenty years. I selected the downtown LaQuinta based on price, location and relatively favorable online reviews. I knew that the Gem Show would be going that weekend, but with no interest in gems or jewelry, wasn't aware of the details.

Much to my horror, when I pulled up to the LaQuinta Inn I discovered it was at the heart of the Gem Show. Many of the rooms were rented to vendors for use as showrooms, selling their wares. There were tents set up in the parking lot as part of the show, and there were box trucks, vans and trailers everywhere. I circled the parking lot twice (a) looking for the lobby, and (b) trying to find a place to park. The lobby was filled with jewelry vendors as was the "breakfast area" as well as every other nook and cranny. The fitness room was closed (gee, why not rent that to another gem merchant?), potential show customers wandered throughout the building, doors were propped open, room furnishings were dumped outside (in the rain!), groups of surly looking men lingered in the hallways speaking in foreign tongues, posters and handbills were pasted everywhere directing you to showrooms set up in hotel rooms. It was like something out of a Fellini movie.

I was tempted to leave immediately, but wasn't sure I could find another hotel and didn't want to deal with the hassle of trying to cancel my reservation. The first room they booked me into was already occupied, but no one was there when I walked in. What a perfect opportunity for theft! The next room was adequate, so I spent an apprehensive night but couldn't wait to leave and will never go back...in spite of there v-e-r-y generous offer of $5 (yes, five whole dollars!) off on my next stay because of my dissatisfaction.

Now I have no problem with LaQuinta capitalizing on the Gem Show, but if that's how they want to do business, then do the general public a favor and close the hotel to unsuspecting tourists.

Unique Quality: The chaos due to rain and construction on adjacent I-10 was kind of outstanding...but not in a good way.

Directions: Directions: (1) Turn around. (2) Go the other way.