Not a bad stay overall, but definitely a few things worth mentioning...!
First impressions are everything, right? Well, mine got off to a slightly rocky start. I walked in and was greeted by a rather somber, goth-styled young man with black fingernails who seemed less than thrilled to be checking me in. Not particularly friendly, not particularly welcoming, and honestly, he gave me the impression that helping guests was a chore he'd rather avoid. Not exactly the warm hospitality you hope for after a day of traveling!
Fortunately, things improved once I got to my room.
The room itself was actually quite decent! Not enormous by any means, but spacious enough for a comfortable stay. It featured a king-size bed, couch, TV, a couple of movable ottomans, and a nice little workspace.
There was also a convenient kitchenette-style area with a countertop, coffee maker, sink, microwave, and mini fridge. Perfect for a one or two night stay! Really, what more do you need?
One thing noticeably missing was a luggage rack. I eventually requested one, and our less-than-enthusiastic front desk "gentleman" delivered it to my room, although he still didn't seem particularly happy about it. Oh well...!
The room has an interesting sliding barn-style door that moves left or right depending on whether you want access to the bathroom or closet. Clever use of space, although the closet itself is TINY! If you're traveling with a substantial wardrobe, good luck...!
Now, the bathroom actually impressed me!
Clean, bright, modern, and thoughtfully designed. Plenty of fresh towels, a glass-enclosed shower, and something I particularly appreciated: several conveniently placed wall hooks near electrical outlets. As someone who travels with business clothes and likes to steam out wrinkles, that's a surprisingly useful (and rare) feature...!
The shower featured large, wall-mounted pump dispensers for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. And here's where Hampton Inn & Suites deserves a special shout-out...! THE HAND SOAP!! How many times have you stayed at a hotel where the shower has beautiful pump dispensers, but the sink still gets one of those ridiculous little bars of soap?!
NOT HERE!
They actually installed a pump dispenser for hand soap next to the sink! Such a simple thing, but THANK YOU for getting this right! It's the little details that make a difference and why waste and throw away a bar when I'm going to use it a half dozen times...?
Parking was easy and plentiful, although whoever painted the parking spaces apparently thinks everyone drives a compact car! Those spaces are pretty narrow. If you're driving a large truck, you might find yourself wishing for a little extra breathing room. Just be that guy. Take two spaces. Nobody wants door dings!
Another big plus is the LOCATION!
You're surrounded by restaurants, grocery stores, shopping, and just about anything else you could possibly need. Wood Ranch Grill, Vietnamese, Thai, Italian, Chinese, Sushi, Fast Food (yuck) and plenty of other dining options are just a short drive away. There's even a BevMo nearby!
For anyone traveling on business to the local military bases, it's also conveniently situated for visits to Naval Air Station Point Mugu and Naval Base Ventura County at Port Hueneme.
PRO TIP: When booking, pay attention to the hotel's location relative to the freeway and request a room facing AWAY from the traffic! Road noise can make a big difference in how well you sleep. Some folks can sleep through anything. Me? I'm a country boy, and I appreciate my peace and quiet!
So, would I stay here again?
Actually, YES!
Despite the rather chilly welcome, the room was comfortable, the amenities were good enough, the bathroom was nicely stocked and the location is excellent. A friendlier front desk experience would have gone a long way toward earning that fourth star.
A solid 3.5 stars from me! A perfectly reasonable place to stay for a night or two, especially if you're visiting the Camarillo area for business.
Just give me a quiet room away from the freeway, a luggage rack, and maybe a smile at check-in next time...!
Peace out! read more