Crimson Hotel (Manhattan Beach, USA)

This is an affordable location, complete with free parking, an outdoor courtyard and swimming pool. Excellent proximity to Manhattan Beach, various restaurants and shopping with a Target store within five minutes' walking distance.

Rooms are in the process of a gradual renovation, with some still awaiting their transformation. Most are spacious and clean with good showers, comfy beds and large bathrooms.

The complimentary continental breakfast offers the basics of cereal, pastries, yogurt, juice and coffee. Nothing to write home about, but it's okay and will fill you up until lunch.

You may be disappointed to find that many of the advertised perks of this locale are no longer in working order. Air conditioners leak profusely making carpeting wet, Jacuzzis won't turn on, and vending machines don't work. Breakfast attendants often pack up shop at least half an hour earlier than posted. Twenty-four hour reception staff are only available during daylight hours because they apparently sleep on the job at night. Television remote controls often don't work, even when you bring them to staff to fix for you. The sauna doesn't work and the hot tub is iffy on cleanliness. The Wi-Fi hardly ever works. The free airport shuttle only runs for two hours in the evening, so if your flight isn't near those times - tough cookies! Don't trust the staff to remember your wake up call, either - they very likely won't.

Get a room facing away from the main road and far from the ice machine - both are very noisy.

The pool, hot tub, windows, carpeting, and rooms in general could all use a good scrub. Also, most of the bedding has stains and cigarette burns.