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Howard Johnson Express Inn
2110 S El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 341-9231
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 341-9231
- Price Range:
-
$$
4 reviews for Howard Johnson Express Inn
The price was average, not too bad for what my boyfriend and I got in my opinion. I felt like everything was in good condition and very clean.
The sheets were very clean looking and feeling. The carpet was okay, not dirty like most hotels. The shower is only a shower stall but it has large sheet tiles on the walls so you can easily tell if it was clean or not (it was). I love the Howard Johnson soaps because they smell like orange creamsicles. All the furniture looked very nice, there's even a nice desk. Air conditioner was old, air vent direction things were broken and it was noisy.. but it worked.
Free wireless internet that was fast. They even have a computer and printer you can use in the lobby.
Free breakfast of cereal (2 choices), toast, bagels, pre-packaged pastries, orange juice, coffee, tea, hot cocoa and some hand fruit.
Pool was average size and pool area had cushioned lounge chairs, plenty of seating and tables with umbrellas.
My key card kept deactivating, probably because I put it next to my phone. You need to reactivate both keys at the same time.
We were on the second floor next to the conference room so we didn't hear many people noises.
If I had another chance, I would stay here again. Only a few minutes drive to downtown (tons of great restaurants).
I just stayed here for the 2008 Bar Exam. It's definitely walkable to the San Mateo Expo Center (about 4 or 5 regular sized blocks), but I drove to the test site everyday because I had a lot of stuff (laptop, pillows, lunch, drinks, snacks) and I liked that I could sit in the car and review or listen to the radio until they opened the doors to the testing area.
Ok, back to the HoJo -- Free internet. Free parking. Free basic breakfast (cereal, bagels, pastries, coffee, milk, hot water for tea). Mini-fridge, coffee maker, safe, and cable TV in the room. The shower was fine. No issues with the water pressure or the temperature. They have these wooden blinds... it felt like a game of how far I could open them so that I could have some sunshine, but peeping toms wouldn't be able to peer in. I think I prefer the regular blackout curtains/opaque sheets to these wooden blinds. My room smelled a little and I noticed some stains on the hand towels, but overall, pretty clean for a motel.
If you're a light sleeper, request one of the back rooms. I was in a room on the second floor near the entrance to the motel. It's pretty quiet at night except every few seconds you'll hear a car speeding by on El Camino. It drove me nuts. After the first day of testing, though, I was so tired I slept through the noise on the 2nd and 3rd night.
I came here to take the Bar exam. The exam is just down two blocks at the Expo Center, so I really chose this because it is close - and cheap.
From the outside, it looks like some dumpy little motel. I was dismayed to think I'd have to spend the next three horrific days here. It's bad enough I have to take the Bar. But to stay at a place I don't find comfortable? I should have considered comfort over money on this one.
So I walked in, and the guy at the front desk was really nice. OK, good start. He checks me in, asks if I'm here to take "the exam." Yup, I say. So he gives me a little "good luck" flyer they printed up, and chocolate chip cookies. Wow! This is excellent. The lobby is also pristine. I'm liking this place.
I go up to my room. I requested one away from the street. Inside, it's very nice. It's no the W, but it's nice. Furniture looks good, walls are clean, bathroom is clean. The room even has a work desk, which is great for last minute refreshers... or to post a Yelp review.
Also free WiFi. That's a great new amenity not all hotels offer.
For future Bar examinees who choose San Mateo (if the place is offered again) and happen upon this Yelp review, come and reserve a room here. It's well worth the money.
Five stars for "will search this place out" next time. Although, I hope there not to be a "next time" for taking the Bar.
edit: After the full stay at the hotel, I've got a few warnings:
1. The walls are thin. Fortunately, when taking the bar, pretty much everyone is sleeping early and waking up early so it didn't matter to me.
2. The towels are thin. Even by hotel standards, they got some pretty skimpy towels.
Otherwise, I'd still recommend it.
Also stayed here to take the Bar Exam. Location was great and staff was friendly, but the quality of the rooms was very disappointing. Paid for a room with a queen bed which was certainly not a queen in any way or the absolutely thinnest one I have ever seen.
Wireless internet is a plus, but doesnt work well and staff had no idea how to set it up so it would work.
Previous poster was right, walls were thin and you can hear every footstep that someone takes outside. Air conditioner doesn't work very well. Hot water took FOREVER to start up (10 minutes running it at full blast to get warm water).
Bed was dirty and towels were paper thin.
At least it was cheap
