I stayed awhile ago, but I'm not sure if much has changed. You get what you pay for. Gross rooms, tacky carpet, roach style.

We stayed at the Econo Lodge Sacto at the end of November for two nights. We chose it based on price, and it is listed in a couple of guide books as the best value in Sacto. I'd go along with that.

The hotel itself is a little rundown. Rooms are on two levels, accessed from outside decks. Check in was no problem. We were assigned a room far back from the street, on the second level. As 16th is a major artery, it was a bit noisy at times, but nothing major. We certainly slept fine.

The room itself was very clean, although the bathroom is a little small. There was a problem with the bath plug, which was fixed eventually by the husband of the couple who run the place. There is a big colour TV with a large number of cable channels, and of course heating and air con. The only thing missing is a coffeemaker, although coffee is available in the lobby at breakfast.

The continental breakfast that they offer isn't much, some pastries and OK coffee. There are some great places for a heartier breakfast within walking distance.

Location was another advantage. Sacto is a very walkable city and the Econo Lodge is well situated. We had looked at hotels closer to Old Sacramento but decided they would be nosier as they are all right next to the Interstate. However, we could walk to the Old town in less than 20 minutes, and most other attractions, such as the Capitol, are even closer. The Governor's Mansion is right across the street.

In fact, when we toured the mansion, which hasn't been used since Reagan was Governor, the guide said that one of the reasons Nancy Reagan declined to stay at the house was the neighborhood, which was full of seedy motels. Well, there are still quite a few motels in the area, but they seem to have cleaned up their acts. If price is your main consideration, the Econo Lodge is a good bet.

Ok, so if you have ever done anything as stressful as studying for a bar exam, you know the importance of the time between tests... after day one, you do not want to worry if the roaches have carried away your luggage or if their will be any hot water for your decompression bath...

Welcome to the Econo Lodge Sacramento. only 4 blocks from the Convention Center, and a block from the old governor's mansion, this was a homey surprise. After getting past the not-so-friendly front desk guy, who should really let his wife talk to the customers, since she is very nice and he is... well, not, you will be happy to find a clean and cosy, and CHEAP place to stay in the downtown Sacramento area.

Maybe I am getting older and do not need as many bells and whistles as I used to, but a mini fridge, hot water, a working A/C and cable made this place like Caesar's Palace to me.

For the money, above average. Could have used a quieter A/C unit, and a better cup of coffee in the lobby, but not much to complain about really.