Name: Howard Johnson by Wyndham Salinas
Address: 131 John Street, Salinas, California, United States of America, Salinas, California, US
Price range: US$87–US$204 per night
Rating: 6.63

What guests think

Reviews of Howard Johnson by Wyndham Salinas describe very mixed stays, with frequent concerns about cleanliness, noise, and safety balanced by a few notes of friendly staff and acceptable value for short, no-frills stops in downtown Salinas.

Multiple reviews cite worn furnishings, uncomfortable mattresses and pillows, and maintenance problems like clogged drains or missing smoke detectors. Amenities are limited, with the elevator reportedly shut off at night, machines out of order, and the advertised breakfast often reduced to coffee or a small grab-and-go item. Service is uneven, with reports of unhelpful or unavailable front-desk staff after hours. Expect a basic, budget-oriented stay if location or price is the priority, and verify amenities before arrival.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Facilities are limited or poorly maintained: several reviews note the elevator being shut off at night, missing or nonworking amenities (no hot tub, and ice and vending machines), and a generally worn property; parking was easy for some.

Related guest reviews

6

Joan

5 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

On prior stays at Howard Johnson’s I had no problems, but this time the bathroom sink was backed up, and it took 15 minutes of running the water to get hot water! What a waste. There was mold on our sheets as well.

6

Jose

18 Jan 2023

·

Stayed 19,374 nights

What i dint like is thr false advertising there's no hot tub and the ice machine not working and thers no bending machines .

8

Bryan

4 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Great room. Helpful maids. Easy parking. My only complaint, there was toilet water on the bathroom floor, the first time I used it. I thought it was a leak, but no. It was just there for some reason. Also, if a place serves breakfast, I think they should start early, for those in town for work, and not just travelers passing thru.

2

Denise

26 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

This is misleading, HJ’s may have some hotels but this one is a motel and misleads someone to think they are booking a room at a mid range property. Not. The elevator only operates in the day, the room spelled of pot, no carpet, the Uber driver divulged the ladies of the night work here and minimal amenities. Wouldn’t have stayed if it wasn’t midnight when I arrived.

2

Matthew

30 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Stay away for your safety! I don’t know what they use to clean the rooms, but my room had a very sharp chemical smell, and I got a headache and couldn’t even breathe well! There is no fresh air inside the room and no air conditioner! When I requested to change my room, they said they use the same chemicals for all rooms. I also don’t know what was inside the pillows that made them so hard and uncomfortable! They were so small, and it made my night even worse to stay awake and get neck pain! There is no breakfast; it is a scam! They only have coffee! Be careful if you want to book a place with breakfast included; this is not the place to stay!

4

LaLisha

14 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Floors were covered in dirt/ dust. Very gritty feeling to walk on. The elevators are cut off at 9pm and is a big hassle! Staff was not very polite

2

Gurmika

26 Dec 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

They gave us room on 3rd floor. We saw was garbage outside every room when we got to our room. We went down to get our luggage from car the elevator was shut down but without any sign or warning. There were people yelling in the parking lot. The front desk refused to let us back in from the front door as they told that room doesn't exit. However my partner was in room so I asked front to call my partner in the room so that she can come down to help me haul the luggage through stairs as I am a disabled individual.

2

Sena

7 May 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

There was a car on blocks in the parking lot. The room smelled and looked like a bunch of people smoked weed right before I came in. There was no smoke detector in the room. The shower was dirty at the bottom and the toilet seat was broken.

6

James

9 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

A bit pricy for a place with peeling paint and confusing signage.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is a recurring concern, with reports of dirty floors and bathrooms, hair and stains, mold, and lingering smoke or cannabis odors; a few reviews did find their rooms clean.

Related guest reviews

6

Joan

5 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

On prior stays at Howard Johnson’s I had no problems, but this time the bathroom sink was backed up, and it took 15 minutes of running the water to get hot water! What a waste. There was mold on our sheets as well.

6

Faustino

26 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room cleaning can improve

4

Lisa

19 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very outdated, room was grungy and I saw a roach. I immediately checked out and they would only refund one night!

2

Karsten

26 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The first room we got had a dirty sink and the room smelled like cigarettes. We then moved to a different room and that one had dirty water left around the toilet. The overall state of both rooms did not feel or look clean.

4

Rose

7 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Floor was so dirty. Sink had brown stains. Drain had other peoples hair in it. The morning we checked out, employees were powering washing our door and window, water came into our room. I have a video.

2

Steven

1 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The rooms were filthy. Urine and hair on the bathroom floor around the toilet. Towel rack was broken off the wall. And out of the 5 rooms I reserved 3 of them smelled like cannabis. And after turning on my air conditioner for an hour then my room smelled like cannabis. It smelt like the filters haven’t been changed in years. I’m no hotel manager but I even know that’s not the way a $205/night room should look or smell. When I asked for a refund the child at the front desk said if we had a problem with the room we should’ve said something when we checked in. Who wants to make a complaint about a room at 11:30 pm when just getting off the freeway. For a Wyndham property I expected better and as someone who regularly schedules trips for groups we’ll NEVER stay at this hotel ever again.

4

Jennifer

9 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Various hairs, not mine all over in bathroom, no stopper in sink. No dispenser for toilet paper just sat on ledge, splashes of stuff on the wall. Drug dealsnoutnof another room fri nite and what sounded like a porn shoot above me sat nite for 90 minutes then 4 people left the room empty 1:30 am. Daily breakfast offered was coffee, sunny D and a tiny granola bar. Not doing again there

2

Francisco

26 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Dirty and rusty, tile floor broken, towel rack rusty towels were dirty. Noise all night. Floor were dirty and lamps and hair dry were full of dust. Bed was ok, but sheet had small spots that looked like blood or soiled. Did not used the just pushed them to the side. Not a family oriented place to stay.

4

Jacob A.

26 Feb 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Unfortunately did not a good experience here. The room was tidy but there was mold on the ceilings and bathroom. Image shown on the website is not what the hotel looks like at all. Expedia was great in getting me to a different location the next morning.

4

LaLisha

14 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Floors were covered in dirt/ dust. Very gritty feeling to walk on. The elevators are cut off at 9pm and is a big hassle! Staff was not very polite

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms feel dated, with worn furnishings, uncomfortable mattresses or small hard pillows, old or noisy appliances, and frequent noise from neighboring rooms or outside; some mention layout issues and minor maintenance problems like slow drains.

Related guest reviews

6

Joan

5 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

On prior stays at Howard Johnson’s I had no problems, but this time the bathroom sink was backed up, and it took 15 minutes of running the water to get hot water! What a waste. There was mold on our sheets as well.

4

Vincent

13 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

Constant stomping upstairs in 307

6

Chryl

17 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel was clean, but needs definite updating. It needs a little updating because it’s old.

6

Susan

21 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Serviceable, but worn. Armchair was dirty, some upholstery torn. Threadbare bathmat. Furniture not logically arranged. Desk in front of bed. With someone seated at desk, you can't get past to the bathroom. Would not choose this property in the future.

6

Robert

23 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The rooms need painting and curtains replaced. Outside area needs some cleaning done

6

Jonathan

20 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Paper thin walls and stark industrial neighborhood made this a place we wanted to leave in the rear view. The room was spare but clean. Nice TV. The walls are thin, and the landings echo, hear the

4

Gordon

18 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The matress in our room was completely worn out; the room did not have a smoke detector; the walls of the building are thin and we could hear our neighbors conversations. I would not stay here again.

4

JASON

31 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I'm not sure where to start. We were greeted by a sullen teenager at the front desk who seemed put out by having to check us in. The room, while spacious, was extremely shabby. Torn curtains, dirty air vents, filthy control panel on the heating/air unit (I took pictures if anyone doubts this). Noisy guests above us (which, I realize cannot be controlled by the hotel). Very old appliances that made noises all night. Terrible drainage in the sink. The sink needs to be "snaked" ASAP. I will say the vanity lighting was very good. I didn't realize (my bad) that the hotel was on a highway and there'd be lots of traffic all night. I requested additional pillows and was told there were none to be had (by an even younger front desk person who was probably 15?) This was NOT a pleasant experience. I will not recommend staying here and I will NOT be staying at a Wyndham Hotel in the future.

6

Juan Jose

2 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

the hotel needs remodeling, quite worn out

4

Marisa

6 May 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The pillows were very uncomfortable, strange shape and hard. Bed was very squeaky anytime you move an inch, could hear any little noise other occupants make. Bed was also very uncomfortable. Did not get much sleep. Older place, scruff marks all over walls.

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Service

Service is inconsistent: guests report unfriendly or unavailable front-desk coverage and difficulty getting assistance, while others appreciated friendly interactions and helpful housekeeping.

Related guest reviews

8

Bryan

4 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Great room. Helpful maids. Easy parking. My only complaint, there was toilet water on the bathroom floor, the first time I used it. I thought it was a leak, but no. It was just there for some reason. Also, if a place serves breakfast, I think they should start early, for those in town for work, and not just travelers passing thru.

2

Virgen

14 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff charge 100 deposit and your advertising says 50 no continental breakfast and the refrigerator in the room was making to much noise I was planning to stay another night and I changed my mind I don’t recommend for this price I can stay at motel 6

8

JOHN

26 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel itself was just fine and we liked it but the area was a little depressing. We realize it's on the older part of town but compared to other places we saw up off of Davis Rd, we would've stayed there. Now that being said we did like the young lady that checked us in and the room itself was quite nice.

2

antonio

20 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

THE WHOLE EXPERIANCE WAS TERRIBLE WE ARE A COMPANY THAT HAD OUR EMPLOYEES STAY FOR OUT OF TOWN WORK.THERE IS NOBODY AT THE FRONT DESK TO HELP OR ANSWER PHONES WE CALLLED NUMOROUS TIMES WITH NO HELP THE ROOMS ARE DIRTY AND UNKEPT.

10

maria socorro

14 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good people

4

JASON

31 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I'm not sure where to start. We were greeted by a sullen teenager at the front desk who seemed put out by having to check us in. The room, while spacious, was extremely shabby. Torn curtains, dirty air vents, filthy control panel on the heating/air unit (I took pictures if anyone doubts this). Noisy guests above us (which, I realize cannot be controlled by the hotel). Very old appliances that made noises all night. Terrible drainage in the sink. The sink needs to be "snaked" ASAP. I will say the vanity lighting was very good. I didn't realize (my bad) that the hotel was on a highway and there'd be lots of traffic all night. I requested additional pillows and was told there were none to be had (by an even younger front desk person who was probably 15?) This was NOT a pleasant experience. I will not recommend staying here and I will NOT be staying at a Wyndham Hotel in the future.

2

linda

29 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

bad service front desk

10

Jose

15 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The front desk is always friendly and clean rooms

4

LaLisha

14 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Floors were covered in dirt/ dust. Very gritty feeling to walk on. The elevators are cut off at 9pm and is a big hassle! Staff was not very polite

4

linda

18 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

customer service is bad. can not call hotel or front desk even from room it goes to voice mail and they say 24/7 service . could not check in at right time always delays you but want you out of room come 11a,m right away. need better customer service for the price one pays for a room and front desk clerk is so not professonal .

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Location

Downtown location is convenient for some, but many note a shady or unsafe environment with visible prostitution, late-night disturbances, and nearby traffic or industrial surroundings.

Related guest reviews

6

Michael

30 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It's basically a place for prostitutes to turn tricks and tweakers to get his and be loud all night long, but hey it is Salinas.

10

yvonne

22 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I like staying here i just wish there wasn't so many prostitution here that makes it unsafe

6

Michael

12 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

For the price point in Downtown Salinas, the accommodations were nice and average. Thank You.

2

Martha

23 May 2023

·

Whatever you do, do not stay here. It was gross, unsafe, and there wasn't anyone at the front desk all night.

8

JOHN

26 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel itself was just fine and we liked it but the area was a little depressing. We realize it's on the older part of town but compared to other places we saw up off of Davis Rd, we would've stayed there. Now that being said we did like the young lady that checked us in and the room itself was quite nice.

6

Garry

1 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Decent room for sleep, kinda shady area it seemed like.

10

Daniel

27 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Downtown excellent location hotel.

6

Jonathan

20 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Paper thin walls and stark industrial neighborhood made this a place we wanted to leave in the rear view. The room was spare but clean. Nice TV. The walls are thin, and the landings echo, hear the

6

Thomas

18 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Sunny D and Costco granola bars are not breakfast. Rooms could use a thorough deep cleaning. Mattresses probably cost 80 bucks new 10 years ago. Pillows are small square and stuffed full of ground up memory foam that sounds comfortable in theory but my neck is still sore even 24hrs after checkout. Husband and wife team who run it. The wife was nice. The husband gave the impression that I was bothering him when I asked him for extra towels. Conveniently located two blocks away from Starbucks.

4

Alejandra

21 May 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The property is out dated. The area is not very safe. Office closes at 9pm so you cannot request assistance. Room was dirty, floor was not clean, restroom was dirty and there was no soap. Not worth the price. Property states breakfast is provided but that is false advertisement, they had nasty coffee and a few granola bars. Do not stay here!!!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast is often minimal or not as advertised, typically limited to coffee and a small grab and go item such as Sunny D and a granola bar.

Related guest reviews

8

Bryan

4 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Great room. Helpful maids. Easy parking. My only complaint, there was toilet water on the bathroom floor, the first time I used it. I thought it was a leak, but no. It was just there for some reason. Also, if a place serves breakfast, I think they should start early, for those in town for work, and not just travelers passing thru.

4

Monica

18 Apr 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

1st room smelled like smoke, complained and then 2nd room smelled like weed. In addition, breakfast was in a paper bag?!? Very noisy too

4

Jennifer

9 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Various hairs, not mine all over in bathroom, no stopper in sink. No dispenser for toilet paper just sat on ledge, splashes of stuff on the wall. Drug dealsnoutnof another room fri nite and what sounded like a porn shoot above me sat nite for 90 minutes then 4 people left the room empty 1:30 am. Daily breakfast offered was coffee, sunny D and a tiny granola bar. Not doing again there

4

Hao

13 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Doesn’t serve the breakfast as it posted

2

sonia

18 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The service desk was not friendly she did not say anything not sure if there was a language issue. The room was out-dated and dirty hair was on the side of the bed, the bed frame was dirty, and the bathroom tub was old. No breakfast!! this should be called a Motel on the website. It's giving Howard Johnson a bad name, I been to several different hotels with this name, but this is one should not be listed as it is. Website is deceiving located in a bad area..

2

Matthew

30 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Stay away for your safety! I don’t know what they use to clean the rooms, but my room had a very sharp chemical smell, and I got a headache and couldn’t even breathe well! There is no fresh air inside the room and no air conditioner! When I requested to change my room, they said they use the same chemicals for all rooms. I also don’t know what was inside the pillows that made them so hard and uncomfortable! They were so small, and it made my night even worse to stay awake and get neck pain! There is no breakfast; it is a scam! They only have coffee! Be careful if you want to book a place with breakfast included; this is not the place to stay!

6

Thomas

18 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Sunny D and Costco granola bars are not breakfast. Rooms could use a thorough deep cleaning. Mattresses probably cost 80 bucks new 10 years ago. Pillows are small square and stuffed full of ground up memory foam that sounds comfortable in theory but my neck is still sore even 24hrs after checkout. Husband and wife team who run it. The wife was nice. The husband gave the impression that I was bothering him when I asked him for extra towels. Conveniently located two blocks away from Starbucks.

2

Roger

8 May 2023

·

I booked specifically because it offered free breakfast. After waiting 15 minutes for the front desk "help" to appear from a different part of the hotel (staff had to call him), I was told the dining room was closed "due to Covid" and handed a paper bag which contained a single pastry--the kind bought in a vending machine--and a Sunny-D. It would much better if they simply said they offered no breakfast. Ridiculous.

4

Alejandra

21 May 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The property is out dated. The area is not very safe. Office closes at 9pm so you cannot request assistance. Room was dirty, floor was not clean, restroom was dirty and there was no soap. Not worth the price. Property states breakfast is provided but that is false advertisement, they had nasty coffee and a few granola bars. Do not stay here!!!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$76
February	US$89
March	US$97
April	US$127
May	US$132
June	US$113
July	US$138
August	US$178
September	US$114
October	US$98
November	US$85
December	US$73

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16 $94	17 $94	18 $146	19 $193
20 $92	21 $92	22 $90	23 $90	24 $90	25 $173	26 $204
27 $90	28 $90	29 $93	30 $95

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $96	2 $158	3 $181
4 $90	5 $90	6 $118	7 $98	8 $90	9 $153	10 $190
11 $93	12 $90	13 $107	14 $104	15 $91	16 $140	17 $145
18 $87	19 $88	20 $98	21 $95	22 $87	23 $173	24 $176
25 $87	26 $87	27 $99	28 $93	29 $87	30 $145	31 $171

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Guest reviews

Pleasant

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Security deposit

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Howard Johnson by Wyndham Salinas

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