Howard Johnson Express Inn - San Mateo

It was definetly better than my expectation. Looked like it was recently renovated, felt comfortable like home.

I would not recommend anyone stay at this hotel.

The Howard Johnson on Elcamino in San Mateo is no 2 star properties by far.

You had no hot water to shower and the hot water would only be available on an intermittent basis. This was a totally unacceptable motel, hotel. In all my traveling years I can not remember a hotel without hot water available at any predictable time. ...read more

Overall, this hotel probably gets a 2-star rating due to the amenities offered as well as the cont. breakfast. Also, the staff is friendly. Still, it seems in need of a remodel, the rooms aren't the cleanest & have kind of a "cheesy" feel. ...read more

After reading several reviews about the hotel I was a little hesitant in staying here. Some of the reviews are very misleading. I would definitely stay here. The price was cheap and the beds were very comfortable. Would recommend to others. I enjoyed my stay at Howard Johnson Hotel. ...read more

We received a smoking room, which was fine. Initially the room looked nice, but upon a few steps in I realized there was blood on the blankets and pillows. I threw them on the floor. Then I walked to the bathroom where there was spackling on the back of the door, and a huge splattering from waist high to the top of the mirror behind the bathroom door that also had blood and a mysterious white substance. The toilet paper dispenser was out, so I put the new roll on. Then I looked to the floor where there was trash. We stepped out of the room to grab dinner and I asked the front desk to have someone change the bedding because of the stains. They replaced the blanket only, not the pillows. The 'new' comforter had rips in it and was obviously quite old, with it's own stains and grossness. I accidentally dropped my keys behind the nightstand and when I pulled it out I found a lot of trash, sunflower seed shells, bottle caps etc. We turned on the TV and couldn't even see the letters on the ads because the quality was so blurry. I have never, ever, ever stayed in a hotel room that was so run down. ...read more

Overall ok.