Best Western Plus Humboldt House Inn

The customer service at this hotel is ATROCIOUS! My husband called the 1-800 number and used his Best Western Rewards points to book a room for myself, my little sister, and my 3-year-old daughter to stay on a mini-road trip. Prior to arriving we called the hotel to confirm our reservation (it was confirmed). Upon arriving I waited in the lobby for 10 minutes while the counter attendant shamelessly flirted and whipped her hair around while checking in another customer. When it was my turn I gave her my name and told her that Best Western Headquarters had directly sent the Humboldt House Best Western a voucher for our stay, using Rewards points. She said that they had chosen not to accept the voucher since my husband was not staying at the hotel with us. I told her that Headquarters had clearly understood that my husband was not staying with us, and had allowed us to make the reservation (and were very polite and encouraging). The attendant told me that each Best Western was privately owned, and they “strictly protected” their rewards members and use of their points. She said that I was welcome to discuss the issue with her manager, who would be returning to the hotel on Tuesday (this was a Saturday evening). In the meantime, I was welcome to stay at their hotel for the standard nightly rate of approximately $200.00. For the Best Western. In Garberville. I told her that it did not seem as though I had a choice, since I had an exhausted 3-year-old with me and I had been planning a stay in Garberville, and I had driven one hour out of my way in order to use my husband’s rewards points on the room. The next morning I went back to the lobby to ask that, at the very least, they apply the night’s stay to my Best Western Rewards account. The (different) attendant told me that she could not help me and suggested that I call the 1-800 number. Thank you, Humboldt House Best Western, for a completely disappointing experience. I work for the State of California and travel often for work. I will be sure and let my 10,000+ coworkers know how well I was treated at your hotel. less

Let me put things in perspective: Garberville has a population of fewer than 1,000 people. Were it not for the fact that it is near the southern entrance to the "Avenue of the Giants" redwoods forest, Garberville probably wouldn't exist. Yes, the town has a "seedy" feel to it. You're not going to find chain restaurants and big-box stores. Having said that, this BW needs lots of TLC. The "hotel" is more like a motel. There are outside corridors, and an elevator. Our room, #309, has a balcony with small table and 2 chairs, overlooks the pool. The room is large, and clean, with a king-size bed, sofa and small table, small fridge, 2 sink bathroom (2nd sink in separate room). The staff was very helpful giving us suggestions for a place to eat and directions to the "Avenue of the Giants". At 5:30P, they serve wine, cheese, crackers; the buffet breakfast is adequate: eggs, waffles, etc. If Garberville is your starting point to see the redwoods, this BW may be your only option. Give it a try. less

The motel was fine. Rooms were clean, though a bit sparse. But the area was so seedy and scarey. Lots of homeless and people living out of old cars. Couldn't understand why the town had so many homeless in their 20's. Read up (after the fact). The town is famous for marajuana growing and harvesting. They hire 20 somethings to trim the marajuana leaves. Unfortunately this culture brings lots of homeless. We were scared the entire time of our car being broken into. Homeless were skateboarding in the parking lot and having a party until 2 am outside. It tainted our entire experience. Would NEVER go back. There was a marajuana store 2 doors down from the motel. Feel bad giving the hotel a bad rating based on the area, but it was so sketch. If you must stay in Humboldt, stay at the Benbow Historic Inn--and don't go into the town. less

The front end staff at check-in were great. She went out of her way to make sure we had all of the information we needed to make our stay great. She also provided information about the town and the area. less

This hotel was okay for the price. Hard to find a parking spot. Rooms old and dark. But comfy and clean. Breakfast was no good, coffee was good donuts were store bought and that's what I mostly ate. Toast and cereal where good too. less