Its a long haul from Ciudad Juarez to DFW. Not many business line this hot dusty stretch of desert. Being hot and exhausted, this was the only place I could find to call it a day and rest from traveling. Don't expect this to be a great place. Its between a 1 -2 star. It is VERY run down. This family owned hotel is VERY clean and the customer service was good. This isn't the type of place where you WANT to stay, but rather NEED to stay.
I didn't expect great rates, as nothing in the desert is cheap. Add to the fact that there were a ton of cars in the parking lot. They were almost completely filled. I haggled with the friendly proprietor to try to get a cheaper rate (my father taught me this). Proprietor asked me for how long I'd be staying. When I replied, 'just for the night', he gave me a great deal on their 'deluxe' room that included a kitchen, couches and TWO king size beds. Sold! It was @$70 and I was tired of driving.
I found it curious that this run down place was almost filled to capacity. I asked if there was something going on in the small town or if it was some family reunion. He quietly said, "No, we stay filled up all of the time". I found it odd, but didn't press.
Upon my return to DFW, I found out that there is a MAJOR prison nearby. I got myself a small education in how things work for visitors. Some things made sense. I'll give kudos to the proprietor for keeping his mouth shut and not telling the business of his guest.
All of this made sense later why there were so many different license plates. People coming in from all areas. There were people in the parking lot with a barbecue grill making dinner. I found that odd, but figured maybe it was because there were no restaurants nearby. Its probably a lot more affordable to grill some meats.
There were a lot of people standing outside, they all looked friendly and were talking to each other. Again, kinda odd, but at least not dangerous (they stuck there for a week, not much to do but talk to each other). Most ironic thing as when we were moving into our room. They all knew this was the suite. A lady said "Oh so YOU'RE getting the room with the kitchen huh?" I said "Yes Ma'am" and retreated to my room. I heard another woman say to her "Well, they're just checking in, give them a day.
Had I realized what was going on, I would have offered use of the kitchen to them. They probably though maybe I was another prisoner family as they looked puzzled as I left the next day.
As you know, most prisoners don't come from wealthy families (if they did, they'd have a better lawyer and be free). When a family comes to visit their incarcerated loved ones, they generally make almost two week pilgrimage. Visitor days are on weekend. They visit one weekend, hang around and visit second weekend. They then go home. Its a lot of money for these people to come down. They don't always know if something will happen and they wont be able to visit first weekend. Lock downs, not passing through security are more common than you think.
I saw on the news of a elderly/infirm lady visiting her son who set up the drug alarms. She indeed was clean, but because the alarm went off, she was refused admittance. Luckily, she was able to get through the next weekend. I forget her illness, but they had said it would probably be her last visit to see him as her health was so bad she'd perish soon.
If you got a loved one in the Big Springs pen, this place might be great for you to stay. read more