Amarillo's BEST Kept Secret: Econo Lodge East! (Luxury on a Budget!)
Amarillo's BEST Kept Secret: Econo Lodge East! (Luxury on a Budget!) - Or, My Unexpected Love Affair with a Motel
Okay, so, Amarillo, Texas. Let's be honest, it's not exactly on everyone's bucket list. But, let me tell you, after a recent road trip pit stop at the Econo Lodge East, I'm officially a convert. Forget what you think you know about budget motels. This place… this place is a vibe. And I'm not just saying that. This isn’t even the most luxurious hotel in Amarillo, but for the price? It's a steal. A downright steal!
First Impressions (and a Little Bit of Anxiety - I mean, It IS a Motel, Right?)
Pulling up, my initial thought was, "Okay, it looks like an Econo Lodge…" But then… then I saw the gleam. Seriously! The place seemed cleaner than my kitchen (and I'm a stickler, people!). The exterior corridor actually looked… welcoming? Yeah, I said it. Welcoming. And this, my friends, is where my preconceived notions started to crumble.
Accessibility & Peace of Mind - They Got This!
Listen, I didn't travel with anyone in a wheelchair, but I did notice. And I noticed good things! They have genuinely facilities for disabled guests, which is a huge plus in my book. Seeing things like elevator access and what looked like accessible rooms made me smile. They clearly care. Plus, CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property are a total win for feeling safe, especially when you're traveling solo or with family. They even boast a 24-hour front desk and security. This is important – I'm a nervous traveler.
Cleanliness & Safety - My Inner Germaphobe Was Calmed!
This is where Econo Lodge East truly shines. Remember that gleam I mentioned? It wasn’t just a trick of the sunlight. The entire place felt immaculate. They clearly use anti-viral cleaning products and the daily disinfection in common areas was evident. They even offer a room sanitization opt-out if you're feeling extra cautious. The hand sanitizer dispensers are strategically placed (thank you, Econo Lodge!), and the fact that the staff is trained in safety protocol gave me serious peace of mind. They even have professional-grade sanitizing services. Okay, Econo Lodge, you win. You conquered my germ-related anxieties.
The Room: More Than Just a Bed!
Okay, let's be real. You book an Econo Lodge… you expect a bed. Which, by the way, was comfy! But this room… this room had more than I expected. The air conditioning blasted ice-cold air (essential in Texas!), and the blackout curtains ensured a blissful sleep. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! I needed to catch up on some work, and the Internet access was reliable. They even had an Internet access – LAN option. Bonus points for the desk and laptop workspace – essential for a travelling writer like myself who actually, you know, need to work at some point. The satellite/cable channels kept me entertained. They even had a Refrigerator (cold drinks are life!) and a coffee/tea maker for the morning. And, crucially, a clean private bathroom with towels and toiletries. Basic, yes, but good basic.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You)
I didn't have my kids with me, but I did see a few families. They have family/child-friendly rooms, which is a massive convenience.
Food, Glorious Food (and Caffeine!)
Okay, the breakfast [buffet] wasn’t precisely a Michelin-star experience, but it was free! And it had Coffee/tea in restaurant! Real coffee, folks! They offer Breakfast takeaway service if you're in a hurry. They also have restaurants nearby which can deliver with Food delivery options. The Snack bar was stocked just in case the urge hit, and they even have a coffee shop. I also loved the bottle of water left in the room.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: More than Just a Motel Breakfast
Okay, okay, maybe there wasn't a Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Econo Lodge East. But, there's a Bar, and a great spot to grab a bite in proximity.
Services and Conveniences: Because Sometimes You Need More
Another area where this Econo Lodge exceeded my expectations. Daily housekeeping kept the place spotless. They had a laundry service (huge win for road trippers!), a convenience store in the lobby, and luggage storage. I was also pleased to note the cash withdrawal option, because you never know!
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
Free car park [on-site]! Which is a godsend. It’s Amarillo, which is more driving destination and less public transport destination.
The Quirky Extras (The Little Flecks of Genius!)
Okay, this is where the Econo Lodge East really got me. I walked into the lobby, and there was a tiny gift/souvenir shop. A tiny! And adorable!
The Verdict: Seriously Consider Booking!
Look, I'm not going to lie, my expectations for an Econo Lodge were low. But this place? This place is a game-changer. It's clean, safe, comfortable, and affordable. It’s a surprisingly good option for anyone road-tripping through Amarillo or just needing a budget-friendly haven. It's a secret I really don’t want to share.
So, if you're looking for a place that won't break the bank, but still offers a decent level of comfort and cleanliness, then the Econo Lodge East in Amarillo is where you need to be. Book it. Seriously. You won't regret it.
India's #1 Luxury Escape: The Golden Crest Hotel Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, ‘cause this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is… my Econo Lodge Amarillo East, Texas, experience. Prepare for a wild ride. And by wild, I mean… well, let's just say it's gonna be more "rusty pickup truck" than "sleek sports car."
Day 1: The Arrival (and the Existential Dread)
1:00 PM - Touchdown in Amarillo! Okay, so I’m flying in. I hate flying. Always have. Always will. Each takeoff is like a mental performance review I didn’t ask for. “Did you remember to pack enough underwear? Did you REALLY tell your ex you blocked her number? Did you leave the oven on?” Anyway, arrived in Amarillo. Sun’s blazing. Feeling… oddly… calm? Maybe it's the pre-trip exhaustion kicking in.
2:00 PM - Shuttle to Econo Lodge (Prayers for Comfort) The shuttle driver, bless his heart, looked like he'd seen some things. He also smelled faintly of stale cigarettes and… peanut butter? I wasn’t complaining. Just… observing. He dropped me off at Econo Lodge Amarillo East, and the first thing that hit me? That sweet, sweet smell of… well, I'm pretty sure it’s a combination of industrial cleaner and… something decaying. But hey, character!
2:30 PM - Check-In Chaos (or, "Where's My Room, Dammit?") The front desk guy was… well, let’s just say he was radiating the energy of a man who’d answered the same five questions for the last decade. "Yeah, your room's ready… eventually. Key cards… they… they can be tricky." He gave me a key card that looked like it’d been run over by a truck, three times. The room? Let's just say it had seen better decades. The air conditioner was a beast from the 80s, and I'm pretty sure the carpet was a breeding ground for… things. But hey, cheap thrills! I’m not complaining. I’m not. (Lie).
3:00 PM - Room Inspection (and the Unseen Guests) Okay, I did a thorough check. Bedbugs? Nope. Roaches? Not yet. (fingers crossed). One questionable stain on the wall above the bed. I’m not going to dwell on it. Just… not going to dwell on it.
4:00 PM - Grocery Store Raid (Survival Mode) Needed snacks. Desperately. Fueled by panic, I hit a nearby grocery store. Snagged chips, soda, something vaguely resembling fruit, and a box of… wait for it… ding dongs. Judge away.
5:00 PM - Existential Crisis #1 (and Room Relaxation) Back in the room. A/C roaring, and the ding dongs are calling my name. Sat on the bed, which gave a concerning creak, and stared at the dusty lamp. Maybe I should have taken a different trip. Maybe I should have spent my money on something… more… enriching. But then I looked around and thought: I'm here now. Might as well embrace the suck. Plus, the ding dongs are pretty good.
6:00 PM - Dinner (or, "I Regret Nothing") Pizza. Cheap, greasy, and delicious. Ate the entire thing in bed. No regrets. Ate it like a wild animal. Barely looked up from the television.
7:00 PM - TV Time (and the Quiet Roar of the A/C) Channel surfing. Ended up on a channel showing vintage commercials. Found myself strangely charmed by the retro advertisements, the hairstyles, the ridiculousness. The A/C was still chugging like an ancient engine, but I think I’m slowly starting to accept it.
9:00 PM - Lights Out (Praying for Sleep) Okay, I admit it. My mind is racing. The bed is lumpy. The room is… something. But finally… sleep. Hopefully. … or not
Day 2: Cadillac Ranch & The Big Texan Steak Ranch!
9:00 AM - Wake up call of a nightmare? The sun is not shining, the birds are not singing. I am hung over as hell.
10:00 AM - Cadillac Ranch Drove the rental car to the Cadillac Ranch. Okay, this is iconic. This is… well it's a bunch of half-buried Cadillacs covered in graffiti. It's weird. It's random. But it’s cool. Took a can of spray paint I bought at the grocery store and added to the collection. Left my mark! (Literally). Felt a little… rebellious.
11:00 AM - Lunch Took a bite to eat at a run-down restaurant named "The Diner" - the food was okay. The waitress was nice.
1:00 PM - The Big Texan Steak Ranch (Brace Yourself) Okay, so I've heard about the Big Texan. 72-ounce steak? Free if you can eat it in an hour? This is… a challenge. I consider it not a meal, but a test of man. My stomach is already protesting.
2:00 PM - The Steak (And the Sweat) The ambiance of the Big Texan is… intense. Everything's BIG. The portions, the hats, the personalities. The steak arrives. It's HUGE. I made it 10 minutes, and my stomach just… gave up.
3:00 PM - Post-Steak Debrief A lot of regrets.
4:00 PM - The Room (Again) Back to the room. The carpet is still questionable. The A/C is still chugging. And I’m now in a food coma.
6:00 PM - More TV-time (and the Quiet Roar of the A/C)
8:00 PM - Sleep Day 3: Amarillo & Departure (Farewell, Friend)
8:00 AM - Breakfast I woke up.
9:00 AM - Packing and the Final Goodbyes Trying to leave this room. It feels weird, as if some kind of magic has happened and now I feel like I have to go.
10:00 AM - Goodbye Econo Lodge Amarillo East The front desk guy gave me a key-and said… "Have a good day." The words sounded empty. I smile and wave.
11:00 AM - Airport One last existential crisis.
Departure Goodbye Amarillo.
Amarillo's BEST Kept Secret: Econo Lodge East (It's… Surprisingly Okay!) - FAQ!
Okay, spill it. Is Econo Lodge East *really* the "Best Kept Secret"? What's the deal?
Look, let's be honest. "Best Kept Secret" is a *bit* of a stretch, especially when you're comparing it to, like, the Taj Mahal. But, for the price and the location, Econo Lodge East in Amarillo… it's surprisingly decent. I've stayed there a few times. Once, I was stranded. Flat tire, middle of nowhere, Amarillo was the closest city. Truthfully, I was bracing for the worst. Dirty sheets, strange smells, you know the drill. Instead? Well, it was… fine. I mean, the bed wasn't a cloud, but it *was* clean. The shower had hot water, *and* the TV actually worked. That's already a win in this budget-hotel game.
It's the budget friendly option, and honestly, if you're just passing through, like me, and need a place to crash? You could do a *lot* worse. A *lot*.
Location, location, location! Where is this supposed oasis of budget glory?
East Amarillo, baby! Right off I-40. Super convenient if you're on a road trip like I was. Easy access to… well, a lot of things. Lots of fast food, gas stations, that giant Cadillac Ranch thingy. It's not exactly a scenic wonderland, but it's practical. And hey, practical is sometimes beautiful, right? Or at least a solid B-minus.
What are the rooms *actually* like? Don't sugarcoat it!
Okay, deep breath. They're… clean-ish? Expect standard motel fare. The furniture is probably dated (I swear, the TV might be from the early 2000s, but hey, again… *it works!*). The decor is, let's say, *functional*. Think neutral walls, maybe a slightly questionable painting of desert scenery, and a bed that MIGHT attempt to swallow you whole, but for sure it'll allow you to rest. On my last visit, I ended up in a room with a view of a parking lot that had maybe 2 cars. Pretty wild...
Honestly, what do you *expect* for the price? It's not the Four Seasons, people. But it’s a roof, a bed, a shower. That’s enough for me when I am just looking for a place to sleep, and sometimes…that’s enough.
Amenity Armageddon! What's included? Is there a pool? (Please say there's a pool...)
Okay, brace yourselves… the pool situation is… *variable*. Sometimes it's open. Sometimes it looks like a murky swamp. I’m not even joking, I've seen it. It’s like a lottery. Check before you go if you're a pool-or-bust person. Breakfast? Continental. Think: questionable pastries, instant coffee that tastes vaguely of coffee, and maybe some sad-looking fruit. It's free, though! And that's the key. Free. They do have Wi-Fi, which usually works, but don’t expect lightning-fast speeds. You're there to sleep, not stream, right? Right. (That's what *I* tell myself.)
The "Continental Breakfast" - Tell us more! Is it… edible? And the coffee situation needs *specific* attention.
Alright, the coffee. Let's just say it's… *consistent*. Consistently caffeinated but not consistently delicious. It’s the kind of coffee you drink because you *need* coffee, not because you *want* coffee. They also always had some kind of pre-packaged pastry... usually a stale donut or a muffin that looked like it'd been sitting there since the Cretaceous period. Don't get me wrong, I *ate* it. Desperate times, desperate measures. And again, free. Did I mention free? If you're a breakfast snob, pack your own. I highly, HIGHLY recommend it.
What about the staff? Are they… friendly? Helpful? Or ready to throw you out at a moment's notice?
They're… fine! They're usually there, they usually greet you. Once I had a situation where my key didn't work (classic!), and they fixed it with a smile. No complaints there. I didn’t ask for help with anything complex, and the front desk wasn't jumping with joy when I asked for extra towels. So... mixed bag. But again… affordable, and they do the job.
Alright, let's get specific: what was YOUR worst experience? What went horribly, tragically wrong?! Spill!
Okay, brace yourself. This is a story.
One time, I was there during a *massive* windstorm. I mean, the wind was howling, the rain was sideways, and my rental car was probably getting blown into Kansas. I went to bed, exhausted from driving all day. Around 2 AM, I woke up to… a dripping sound. *Drip, drip, drip.* I looked up, and... the ceiling was leaking. Water was literally dripping onto my bed.
I mean, I was PISSED. Like, full-on, "I'm going to complain on every single social media platform" pissed. I called the front desk (thankfully, someone was awake) and they said, "Oh yeah, we've had some leaks." SOME LEAKS?! My bed was a puddle!
They moved me to another room, which was thankfully dry. But the whole experience… it was just the perfect storm of "This is why I love and hate budget travel." It was a reminder that sometimes, you get what you pay for. But hey, at least they *did* move me. And the new room… well, the TV worked. And that, in the grand scheme of things, was a victory.
Is there enough parking, what's the security situation like?
Parking? Usually plenty! It's a motel, not a downtown skyscraper. You should be fine. Security? It's a motel in a fairly standard area. I didn't feel particularly unsafe, but I'm also not the type to leave valuables in plain sight. Use common sense, lock your doors, you know the drill.
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