Comfortable Stay Marred by Poor Check-In Experience
03 Mar 2026
I stayed here for several nights after a long 12-hour drive, arriving early in the morning. I had specifically requested a ground-floor room near an exit/end of the hall due to mobility/disability needs. Overall, once settled, the property delivered a solid, comfortable experience, but the check-in process was deeply frustrating and unprofessional.The front desk clerk greeted me but immediately and repeatedly shouted “No no no, check-in is not until 3 pm” the moment I said I was there to check in—like a broken record. She then read my entire reservation comments out loud in the lobby (including my accessibility request) while a line formed behind me: “I see here you requested ground floor near an exit, no no, those rooms are all dirty… you’ll have to come back at 3 pm.” It felt tactless, loud, and lacking any basic manners or empathy—especially disappointing for a chain like Best Western that prides itself on hospitality. She offered an upstairs room if I wanted to check in immediately, which I took out of sheer exhaustion. (Note: There is no elevator, but it was only about 20 steps up—manageable, though not ideal for everyone.)The room itself was a pleasant surprise and the highlight of the stay. The bed was incredibly comfortable—you practically melt into it—and the TV setup was fantastic: You can set an alarm to wake up to any channel at any time, with a great package including various third-party apps I actually used. Amenities included a coffee maker, fridge, microwave, desk, side chair with ottoman, closet (curtain instead of door), and two nightstands. The AC worked well, and there was even a connecting door to the next room (which I usually avoid for security but overlooked after a good rest). Minor gripes: Pillows flattened quickly and needed replacing, lighting was harsh white LED (not cozy), shower had very low water pressure (step-down tub/shower combo in a dated bathroom), sink separate from shower/toilet area, and hot water was a morning battle. The extra connecting door was an eyesore but forgotten after sleeping. One window opened fully to a backyard view, but leaving it open too long brought in a dog urine smell from outside.Bath products were sensational—nice scent and quality (brand escapes me now). Housekeeping was abundant and thorough; I saw maids everywhere keeping things spotless, though a couple were a bit clumsy (e.g., knocking on my door with a privacy sign up, then yelling “sorry wrong room” while running away—awkward but minor).Breakfast was a strong point: Fresh waffles, scrambled eggs (pre-cooked not fresh), yogurt on tap, hard-boiled eggs (great for snacking), and rotating items (Sunday had biscuits and gravy, though gravy had pork). Bananas were often green, coffee a bit dark/cheap, but the attendant did an excellent job stocking everything—tip her if you enjoy it! Service ran 6-9 AM.The property is huge (three long connected buildings, not lodge-like), dated in spots, but very quiet and clean overall. Ice and vending machines available (one ground-floor ice machine was out). Some areas (like the dog waste patch and astroturf spots) reeked of urine and could use enzymatic cleaning or hosing. I noticed occasional beer bottles near exits/cars and a few suspicious lingerers in the parking lot—nothing major disrupted my stay, but worth noting for safety-conscious travelers.Location is convenient: Central with fast food, restaurants, grocery, Walmart, premium outlets, and even a dispensary nearby.Check-out was seamless via phone—no need to face the front desk again.Would I return? Probably yes, mainly for the comfy bed, excellent TV/alarm feature, solid breakfast, and quiet vibe—especially if I could avoid peak check-in crowds or get early check-in confirmed. But the front desk experience left a bad first impression; better training on hospitality, discretion (especially with accessibility requests), and professionalism would go a long way. 4 stars because the stay ultimately improved a lot after check-in.
User:371maryh
Trip type: Family
This is the place you need to stay.
22 Apr 2025
Clean, no odor, low noise, pool for kids I saw and nice, Free parking big lot, Free complementary breakfast, Eggs, bacon, potatoe's, sausage, biscuits gravy, each day dif meat and some days biscuits and gravy. Waffles, cereals, all breads, juices, very nice choices, fruit, yogurts, I was very pleased with the restaurant and their help. Just off hwy 99 and very close to town and shopping and if you dont want the comp breakfast then Apple Annies is couple doors down close by. The breakfast was great. These are exceptional big rooms and bathroom was nice. Did I say clean, it was very clean and the beds were great. Was not crazy about the big fat pillows but that is just me. Husband was impressed also. Will stay there again. Also the parking was lit well. Staff was wonderful I rate it a 9 or 10 for all we experienced. Coffee and tea in rooms, fridg and nice set up. Had a comfortable chair with ottoman along with a desk chair and quite a few chargers in the many lamps they provided. Bright and pictures of the Sequoias were just beautiful. I dont give review unless the place deserves them. I had a small problem with the washer but i think it will be fixed soon. The door did not close easy, The adjustment was off a bit. Just need to lift the door and push and it is fine. I told management. They have 2 washers and dryers and they are in the exercise room and you can see the pool area when your doing laundry out the window. Was a very nice visit.
Tony Cota, General Manager at Best Western Town & Country Lodge, responded to this review
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a detailed and thoughtful review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your husband had such a positive experience with us. It’s great to know you found the property clean, quiet, and comfortable, and that our complimentary breakfast met your expectations with its variety and quality.We appreciate your kind words about our spacious rooms, helpful staff, convenient location, and well-lit parking. It's also great to hear you enjoyed the room amenities and the beautiful décor inspired by the Sequoias. Your feedback on the washer door has been shared with our maintenance team, and we’ll make sure it gets resolved promptly.We’re happy to hear you plan to stay with us again – we look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
User:Nancy A
Trip type: Friends getaway
Great hotel and customer service
16 Feb 2025
Great customer service, hotel really nice and clean . Also they have lots of shopping centers and lots of restaurants around. I really do recommend this place. Then the price of the night it Great for everything they have not bad at all . .....
Tony Cota, General Manager at Best Western Town & Country Lodge, responded to this review
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your stay and appreciated both our customer service and the convenience of the surrounding area. It’s great to know that you found the price to be just right for everything we offer. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back soon!
User:3CatMom
Trip type: Couples
Wonderful Thanksgiving stay
29 Nov 2024
We were tired. It was late. But when we walked in the door, I felt welcome. The woman at the front desk was so nice. We had a handicapped suite. Two BIG separate bedrooms. The king bedroom was larger than our primary bedroom at home. The room was spotless. Bathroom comfortable with a REAL working fan. Hot breakfast with bacon, eggs, potatoes and waffles is free. Coffee was awful. We'd definitely return!
Tony Cota, General Manager at Best Western Town & Country Lodge, responded to this review
"Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re so glad to hear that you felt welcomed as soon as you arrived, and that our staff made a positive impression. It’s great to know that you enjoyed the spacious handicapped suite, the comfortable bathroom, and the hot breakfast. We also appreciate your feedback about the coffee, and we'll work on improving that for your next visit. We can’t wait to welcome you back!"
User:blakef27
Trip type: Couples
Two thumbs up
11 Oct 2024
My wife and I spent 3 nights at this BW. We selected it primarily based on its ratings. The ratings were accurate. This is a nice, quiet, clean, and comfortable stay. The staff was friendly and helpful. The hotel was conveniently located relative to shopping and eating establishments in Tulare. Be sure to inquire about the 10% discount offered to BW guests at nearby restaurants. The breakfast offering were Fair, not Poor or Good. Offerings were limited, e.g. eggs and breakfast meat choices, cereal choices, and yogurt choices. Overall, we give his BW a Thumbs-up and would stay again in the future!
Tony Cota, General Manager at Best Western Town & Country Lodge, responded to this review
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We're delighted to hear that you and your wife had a pleasant stay and found our hotel clean, comfortable, and conveniently located. It’s great to know our staff made a positive impression as well!I appreciate your feedback on the breakfast offerings. We always strive to improve, and your suggestions will help us enhance the experience for our guests.Thank you for the thumbs-up! We look forward to welcoming you back in the future!