June 3, 2014 – First impressions are important and from the street this Super 8 looks fine. Pulling into the drive and under the porte cochere was tight. I felt I needed to park or others couldn’t get in or leave. This also didn’t seem good if I was driving a U-haul or pulling a trailer (which I often used to do). The pool looked tiny behind the fence.
The Lobby
The lobby was OK but I really don’t like all the signs with rules and we don’t… The person behind the desk was helpful and informative. She, Linda, was a plus. There was the breakfast bar and several tables (very small) but it looked adequate for the 68 room hotel. There was a tiny flat panel TV and a small business center (computer).
The Rooms
I asked to see a couple of rooms and Linda obliged, both were close to the front office (within eyesight) and I left my ID. I checked out a room that had two queen beds.
I also checked out another room with only one a queen bed. The rooms were almost identical. The rooms had secure doors and good functioning electronic locks. The single queen had a desk and office chair and the mini refrigerator and microwave were in the bathroom. All rooms have a refrigerator/microwave. They also all have a flat panel TV which is about a 37”. WiFi is also included.
The Beds
The furniture was typical economy hotel: cheap-looking. The beds were the no pillow top, very firm hotel type mattress. Not my favorite way to sleep. The carpet was OK and the drapes were blackout, but didn’t match even the older spreads in the double queen room. The new look “throw” on the single queen is the trend and looks cleaner and would show any stains more. That is a good thing.
Bathrooms
The bathrooms had “granite” vanities, but the double queen bath was very crowded with the ice bucket and coffee maker. Nevertheless, a coffee maker earns extra points from me. The luggage rack and closet rack were also in the bathrooms. The two big negatives for me were the plastic tubs. They never look clean after a couple of years of use. Typical of these tubs was the walls needed repair on the side by the shower head … something else that gives the impression of not being clean although the cleanliness seemed good throughout.
Breakfast
The breakfast is Continental with coffee, juices, hot chocolate, breads, cinnamon rolls, toaster waffles, cereal & oatmeal. With seating in the lobby this is also a plus. It’s not a Holiday Inn Express breakfast, but hey, it’s not priced as such either. The Super 8 breakfast is enough to get your day off to a good start.
The Rates
My overall impression was it is better than average and I would stay here if I was on the road without a truck or trailer for a night. It meets all basic needs and offers few extras. The negatives kept me from a higher rating. The prices were fair with rate currently in the low $50 dollar range increasing to the low $60 dollar range in the fall and winter. They offer the normal discounts like AAA, AARP etc.
Given this Super 8’s proximity to the Gem Show, their reservation page showed no availability for those two weeks. They probably have rooms but the only way to be certain is to call. The rates will be double, you can count on that.
The Conclusion
The Super 8 Tucson Convention Center is a definite step up from Motel 6. I really don’t see the attraction many have for the Motel 6 brand other than a great slogan: “we’ll keep the light on for you.” I’ve worked for their corporate office and run one of their properties and I won’t stay at most of them. However, like all brands, Motel 6 does have some good ones.
Some Free Advice That Will Save You $$$
Keep in mind that no matter what Expedia, Priceline or any other OTA (online travel agency) says, all their contracts require rate parity with all the others. You can find an occasional lower price, but the hotel usually gets a nasty e-mail from the others when they get out of parity. This policy includes their corporate websites as well.
Also remember that they pay anywhere from 15% to 30% for the privilege of doing business with the OTAs. I always check prices online, Tripadvisor reviews and then call to see if they will negotiate a rate. Some will; some won’t. It often pays to ask. Also, all hotels fluctuate in business with special events, groups, buses etc. I check several hotels before I accept the price range that’s being offered. Last, some brands prohibit negotiating, Marriott being very strict. I’ve run several of these as well.
Super 8 Motel – Downtown Convention Center
Starr Pass Blvd. & I-10.
AAA rated: 2 Diamonds
Tripadvisor: 78 out of 127 Tucson hotels: rated 3 out of 5 points by travelers
Gary’s rating: 3-1/2 prickly pears
