HomeTowne Studios Denver - Lakewood West

The hotel primarily functions as an extended-stay facility, offering large rooms equipped with kitchenettes, which is a notable feature for budget-conscious travelers or those in transitional housing seeking affordable, self-catering accommodations. This setup provides a more apartment-like feel, making it a practical choice for longer stays. However, the overall guest experience is significantly impacted by pervasive issues related to cleanliness and the general condition of the rooms. Many reviews highlight concerns about safety and the presence of questionable activities on the premises. While some individual staff members are consistently praised for their friendliness and helpfulness, the hotel's operational model, including limited office hours, often leads to challenges with staff responsiveness. This establishment is generally not recommended for families or couples expecting a traditional hotel environment. Guests considering a stay should be prepared for a very basic experience, as the property often falls short of standard hotel expectations. To enhance comfort, it is advisable to bring your own cleaning supplies and linens, and be aware of the limited on-site support.

Facilities & Amenities
Many rooms feature kitchenettes with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave, which is appreciated by guests for self-catering. However, the functionality of these appliances can be inconsistent, with some reports of refrigerators being dirty or broken, and microwaves missing plates. The laundry facilities are often described as not user-friendly or out of order. A recurring issue is the lack of hot water, which many guests experience. While TVs are present, they frequently lack working remotes, have poor reception, or are non-functional, and Wi-Fi is often unreliable or unavailable. The elevator is a significant point of concern, frequently reported as dirty, smelling bad, broken, or even unsafe, leading to guests having to use unkempt stairwells.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The most prevalent feedback concerns the extreme lack of cleanliness throughout the rooms. Guests consistently report filthy conditions, including dirty floors, stained linens, and uncleaned bathrooms. Issues such as mold on walls and in bathrooms, blood stains on bedding and walls, and cigarette burns on blankets are frequently mentioned. Many rooms are described as smelling strongly of urine or tobacco smoke, even in non-smoking designated areas. A significant number of reviews detail the presence of cockroaches and bed bugs, creating an unhygienic environment. Beyond cleanliness, rooms often suffer from poor maintenance, with holes in walls, broken furniture, non-functional air conditioning or heating units, and dirty vents. Bathroom facilities are particularly problematic, with reports of dirty tubs, broken toilets, and a general lack of basic amenities like toilet paper or clean towels.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is a major source of concern for many guests, who describe the surrounding area as unsafe and prone to criminal activity, including loitering, drug use, and even gunshots. The parking lot is frequently mentioned as a place where questionable activities occur, and some guests report their vehicles being towed due to strict and sometimes unclear parking rules, such as backing in. A significant operational challenge is the limited office hours, with the front desk often closed, especially after 7 PM and on Sundays, making check-in and check-out difficult and leaving guests without immediate assistance. Many guests feel the pictures advertised online are highly misleading and do not accurately represent the property's run-down and unkempt appearance, contributing to a sense of disappointment and insecurity upon arrival.

Staff & Service
Guest experiences with staff and service are highly mixed, though often leaning negative. While some individual staff members, particularly at the front desk, are consistently praised for being friendly, kind, and helpful, many other reviews describe the staff as rude, unresponsive, and unhelpful when issues arise. Guests frequently encounter difficulties with the check-in and check-out process due to limited office hours and a perceived lack of willingness to assist. Strict and inflexible policies, such as not allowing check-in if the reservation name doesn't match the guest present, lead to frustration and financial loss for some. There are numerous complaints about management refusing refunds, even for uninhabitable rooms, and a general lack of accountability for the hotel's poor conditions.

Additional Information
Guests frequently note that the online pictures of the property are highly misleading and do not accurately reflect its actual condition, leading to significant disappointment upon arrival. The hotel operates with a strict 28-day stay limit, requiring guests to vacate for 48 hours before returning, which impacts long-term residents. There is conflicting information regarding the pet policy, with some guests mentioning it as pet-friendly while others report issues with barking dogs and unsanitary conditions due to animal waste. A common point of contention is the security deposit, which guests often struggle to get refunded, even when rooms are left in good condition or stays are cut short due to unacceptable conditions. The presence of security guards is noted, but their effectiveness in maintaining a safe environment is debated, with many guests still feeling unsafe due to ongoing criminal activity and loitering on the premises.