About Howard Johnson by Wyndham San Marcos
Conveniently situated right off I-35, Howard Johnson San Marcos, is a pet friendly property offering elegant chain hotel style accommodation and good leisure amenities.
The rooms are elegantly furnished and decorated. They feature all the practical amenities, from alarm clocks to ironing boards, as well as mini-fridges and microwaves to allow you to enjoy all your favourite drinks and snacks.
While the outdoor pool is undoubtedly the star amenity, techies may be more impressed with the high speed Wi-Fi, accessible throughout the property. Motorists will find ample onsite parking, including bays for trucks and buses.
A very simple continental breakfast is available every morning. Guests will not go hungry the rest of the day, with a number of chain restaurants and fast food joints nearby, including Sonic Drive In and Spud Ranch.
Downtown San Marcos and the Texas State University are just two miles from Howard Johnson San Marcos, while San Antonio is 51 miles drive away.
Positive Reviews
positive:
Handy roadside location near eateries
Drivers were pleased that this hotel was so close to Interstate 35 as it paved the way for easy access to San Antonio and Austin plus local attractions, shopping malls, academic institutions, amusement parks, beauty spots and downtown San Marcos with its Amtrak station. Another bonus was the proximity of filling stations, bus stops and roadside dining options in the surrounding area. Motorists also welcomed the free truck parking.
positive:
Good customer care and free continental breakfast
Many travellers said they experienced good customer service provided by pleasant, helpful and professional employees, who also offered a hassle-free check-in. Those travelling with their furry friends loved the pet-friendly policy. Diners often commented that the free continental breakfast was simple but convenient and filling.
positive:
Spacious rooms were affordable
Although the spacious rooms at this budget property were reportedly nothing to write home about, many reviewers described the accommodation as more than sufficiently clean and comfortable for a stopover. Guests also liked the way the rooms were well-equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges and microwaves. Guests aiming to keep costs down frequently felt they got decent value for money thanks to the relatively inexpensive room rates.
Negative Reviews
negative:
Irritating smells and noises
Road noise was reportedly audible in some rooms facing the freeway and caused a nuisance for several light sleepers as did noisy air-conditioning units. Musty smells bothered travellers in several rooms.
negative:
Cleanliness and maintenance issues
Maintenance and cleanliness standards could have been raised, according to several reviewers. These included inadequately cleaned bathrooms and carpets, aging mini-fridges and microwaves, stained bedding, dated decor, clogged drains and leftover litter. Several critics called for pest control measures to be beefed up.
negative:
Free Wi-Fi grumbles
The free Wi-Fi network reportedly underperformed at times. Some critics claimed there were sluggish speeds or a weak signal.