This was not our first choice when we searched for a hotel for an extended weekend stay to be near family. We needed three rooms and most of Phoenix was booked due to sports events taking place in the area.

We could only find rooms here and at the Hampton on the other side of I-10 that would be anywhere near the area where we needed to be so after sending a family member to scout out the two properties, this one was deemed to be preferable. One reason it was preferable is that while it is close to the interstate it does not sit directly on it, but is located somewhat back from the traffic. There is a row of other budget hotels between this property and the interstate highway--a Travel Lodge and some local extended stay hotel. So you do not hear the traffic noise from the interestate in this property--some noise from McDowell, a five-lane busy street, but not loud enough to be annoying.

The hotel is new as the previous person posted and still had a banner proclaiming it as "Now Open" when we arrived 3/22. Our rooms were listed as suites and we paid $124/nt. for them. They were spacious with a separate sofa, two chairs, a round table, coffee table and desk with leather swivel chair as well as the dresser, two night tables, and the tall wooden cabinet that held the flat-screen TV and contained a fridge and microwave. There were two phones, one portable, and there was ethernet connectivity at the desk. The desk had multiple electrical outlets which was a nice feature.

The bathroom had a single sink in the marble counter and a tub with shower. Good water pressure. There was a coffee pot in the bathroom, and an ironing board and iron in the closet. The closet had a mirrored door and there was a full length mirror on the opposite wall--another thoughtful item.

The furniture appeared to be nicer than that found in many discount hotels and I did not have any problem with the bed or the pillows. Standard thin flowered covering on the bed, thin towels, and basic amenities in the bathroom.

The breakfast in the morning was adequate--two waffle machines to make y our own waffle--pastries, bagels, white bread, cereals, juices (orange, grapefruit, apple), fruit (apples,oranges, bananas), and coffee. There is a loud flat-screen TV in the breakfast area and the breakfast crowd seemed to be mostly young people with their coaches. Despite the large number of what appeared to be sports teams at the hotel the place was very quiet.

There were menus of area restaurants at the front desk and the staff seemed willing to help.

I did not visit the fitness room or business center nor did I notice if the pool was functioning. We did not spend much time at the property except to sleep.

There is a Sonic and a Pollo Loco within walking distance and a large Chevron station with a convenience store at the corner of McDowell and 51st. There is a Waffle House and several small local places across the five lanes of McDowell. There is a Food City Grocery, also across the street and within walking distance if one is up to crossing the busy street. Most of the businesses in the area have Spanish names and it appears to be a very bustling commercial district with what appears to be multi-family housing directly across the street from the hotel. I say appears to be because there is a high concrete block wall separating McDowell from these units.

I saw policemen pull cars over on McDowell on two of my trips back to the hotel at night so it seems to be an area with a lot of police presence, but I did not feel uncomfortable at the hotel.If I had been traveling alone I think I would have still felt comfortable as the parking lot is well-lit and there appears to be a fair amount of pedestrian traffic in the area.

The only problem we experienced here was with the elevator. We were on the third floor and the elevator often stopped on the second floor and refused to go to the third floor. On the day we were checking out with lots of luggage we waited with many others at the elevator. One couple waiting said they had been stuck on the elevator the day before. We finally gave up and walked down the stairs carrying our heavy suitcases. This was annoying.

I booked this particular LaQuinta because the website said it was new. This hotel is new, but they seem to be still working out the "kinks." For instance, the pool is still not open as of March 2007. At breakfast, the same person who was working the front desk also had to keep the breakfast area stocked. Needless to say, one person could not do this job adequately as the hotel was completely booked. Guests had to clean their own tables in the breakfast area, and the food supply kept running out. Other than that, our stay was quite acceptable. I appreciate the free wireless internet, nice clean rooms with a mini-fridge and microwave. The beds were comfortable (but not the pillows). There is a small work out room and business center, but I only looked in; didn't actually use these two rooms. This is a typical close to the inter-state hotel. There's a fast-food mexican food place next door, and also a Sonic, but not much else. Hopefully, they will work out the staffing and get the pool open in the near future. However, for a nice clean new room, this is a good hotel.