Name: Vagabond Inn Costa Mesa
Address: 3205 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, Orange County, US
Price range: $78–$90 per night
Rating: 6.15

What guests think

At Vagabond Inn Costa Mesa, reviews are highly mixed: travelers like the budget price, convenient 405-side location, and the pool and spa, but many report serious cleanliness problems, dated rooms with maintenance issues, and noise or safety concerns.

Staff feedback is split, with some praising friendly help and others reporting rude or unresponsive service and difficulty securing refunds. Breakfast and coffee are very basic and inconsistent, with some guests finding no breakfast despite listings. Policies and responsiveness, including deposits and manager availability, also frustrate several reviewers. Best for price-focused travelers willing to accept trade-offs.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

The pool area is a common highlight when open, but several guests found the hot tub cold or not working, and occasional closures. Parking is straightforward, though the shared In-N-Out driveway can back up the entrance.

Related guest reviews

10

Taylor

Jul 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I gave this property a very high rating and itnis because for the price you pay this is as good as it gets. The rooms are certainly older so they have their wear, but the pool and hot tub are very nice and the property while maybe not updated is well kept, the service is nice, and they have coffee, cereal, snd assorrwd breads in the office in the morning. It is also right next to tbe freeway and not too far from Newport Beach.

2

SCOTT

Jul 22, 2023

·

I picked out the property because it was close to a venue/event we were going to. It also said it had a Jacuzzi. The Jacuzzi did not work. There were no towells in the hotel unit when we arrived and none at the pool area. They were still cleaning them!! The general condition of the inside of the unit was dirty and many things were in unsatisfactory condition in need of repair! The shower was leaking the whole night. Cigarette butts all over the exterior. Just very uncared for. Never again!!

6

Bahaa

Aug 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Location is what made me book this hotel. Close to where I needed to be and next to the freeway. Rooms are very outdated, but clean. AC is an on/off switch only, you don’t get to control the temperature! Bed mattress is pretty thin and uncomfortable Their definition of breakfast meant not so fresh Costco croissants and some cup cakes. At least they had coffee! At night they close all entrances but one that is shared with in n out burger! Yes you will be standing in the famous in n out line to be able to enter the hotel. During the day they open other gates which makes it easier.

8

Deborah

Jul 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It has a great pool and Jacuzzi! Also provided pastries for breakfast.

8

Joe

Oct 16, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly fast check-in. Clean room, nice comfortable bed with crisp bedding. Micro, fridge & coffee maker in room. Large clean pool and pool area, with plenty of comfortable loungers, some are padded wicker. Also, tables and chairs in pool area. Loads of your regularly eating places all with in really close distance, 3 or 4 are only minutes walk. A reall nice good value hotel... would highly recommend as a central base from Oceanside to Santa Monica 👌👍👏

2

John

Jun 24, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Bugs were in our first room, and both rooms smelt like cigarettes even tho they were "non-smoking". The jacuzzi was broken and the pool had dirt on the bottom.

10

Travis

Nov 22, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Hottub was just the right temperature to get the job done. The room was older, but clean, and I was able to get a decent nights sleep. In fact, it was comfortable enough for me to have trouble getting out of bed.

6

Allan

Jun 1, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

When i booked the site said breakfas t included, but it did not. The site also said restaurant was on site. There was none. Also i booked this site due to having a pool and hottub. Went to use the hottub, but it was totally cold. The wife complained that the room smelled and that the TV was way to small. Was not happy.

4

Tabitha

Apr 28, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

When we checked in the front desk wasn't friendly at all. He barely said anything to us. It didn't say online the pool area was closed. I was looking forward to the hot tub so that sucked. It was the dirtiest room I've ever stayed in. The bathroom had black mold! Water wouldn't stop running from bath tub faucet. Very poor maintenance. I tried to speak to a manager but of course there wasn't one on site. We asked to be contacted and never heard anything. Stay away from this place!

10

Travis

Nov 22, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The hot tub was the perfect temperature.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is a recurring problem, with many reports of cockroaches and other bugs, musty or moldy odors, stained linens, and dirty floors and bathrooms. A minority of reviews noted clean rooms.

Related guest reviews

4

Latasha

Oct 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Stain on the sheets, no heat, had to switch rooms twice. Please refund 10%

4

Ashley

Jul 17, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

This place was disgusting! There were live and dead roaches on the bathroom floor and walls.

2

Hector

Oct 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It smelled really moldy and I feel like I got sick because of the stinky moldy smell. I would request a refund and request the city to inspect it because it’s not healthy breathing mold

2

dusti

Oct 11, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was run down and dirty. The toilet seat had chips on it and floors had dirt all over.

2

Meagan

Jul 2, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The room was disgusting. We asked them to come clean the floors and she did a quick sweep and used a towel to wipe the floor. The floor was still black. We had to wear shoes the entire time. There was mold in the shower. There were stains on all of our towels. We asked for new towels and those had stains too. House keeper came the next day to clean while we were gone and nothing was cleaned, they made one out of the two beds and put new towels in the room and nothing else. The floor was still disgusting. The continental breakfast was some store bought mini donuts, cereal and juice.

2

Ricardo

Sep 19, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Mold, roaches and smelly,

2

Allison

Aug 9, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

MOLD!! ZERO stars. Since I was not able to get a refund I unfortunately had to stay here for a few nights that I booked before looking at the reviews (big mistake!). I woke up every morning unable to breathe. The AC smells like mold, and the walls, baseboards and bathroom were covered in mold. VERY dirty, unknown substances on floor and walls. Looked like there was blood on the curtains along side some brown goop. Very loud neighbours who were yelling and fighting with each other. Water stains all over the ceilings. Also there were stains on the sheets/pillows. I will never stay here again, so gross. The mold in this place is not worth it at ANY price.

2

Richard

Jun 27, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Stay away unless you like bugs and filth! Checked in and found gross stains in tub and toilet in room. Complained and was given new room and found mold in bathroom but. settled in because we needed sleep. Next day received no cleaning or amenity replacement and was told service was only in morning so requested new towels and was given towels that had stains. Next day slept-in and requested no cleaning but new towels and had to argue with maid who didn’t want to provide new towels since we had not yet used towels from previous day yet and finally received new towels when explained we were about to shower and wanted new towels for next morning. Went out and, upon returning, found large roach inside room and evidence of other previously killed roach inside room as well as large roach outside room as well as other creepy-crawlers inside room. Feeling uncomfortable staying and it being last night, demanded refund and booked different motel but was told attendant could not provide refund but only a request for manager to call us. Still waiting for that call. Complained on Vagabond corporate website but still no response.

4

Bryson

Aug 20, 2025

·

Stayed 10 nights

Floors were filthy. Not swept nor mopped. Socks were black after walking around in the room for a few minutes. Shower head was cracked so showering with water just trickling out or putting shower on all the way and flooding the floor. Bath tub looked as though they never scrubbed since installation. Coins were on the floor in the bathroom so you know floor wasnt clean after prior guest. Its a non smoking room but smells like cigarettes were smoked in there. The hotel did try to fix by showing us different rooms but one room smelled like marijuana, one room's bed was sagging in the center. Location was good. A lot of places to eat. I would not recommend this place.

4

Katherine

Nov 25, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

The room seemed clean enough upon initial inspection. However, we laid down for a nap and noticed several hairs that belonged to none of us underneath the pillows in both beds. There was no AC in the room so it became humid and hot very fast (even in November). The stripping around the doorway was gone, so bugs were able to come in. Pretty sure we saw some kind of drug deal in the parking lot AND the stairwells. The worst of it was the roaches. Roaches on my pj's that I put down on the table by the microwave just to use the bathroom. Roaches in the bathroom. Roaches in the nightstand and in the plastic protector over the lampshade. Roaches on my pillow. The one good thing I can say is that the pool looked nice (we didn't stay long enough to swim) and the front desk people. They did not seem surprised that there was a roach problem and offered to switch us rooms. With the drop ceilings and forced air vents, we knew the problem was going to be widespread. We declined moving rooms and they gave us our money back without hassle when I told them we would like to cancel the rest of our reservation.

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Rooms

Rooms are dated and basic, with frequent complaints about inconsistent or centrally controlled AC/heat, thin or uncomfortable mattresses, odors, and general wear. Some guests also mention noise from neighbors or the area and unreliable Wi‑Fi.

Related guest reviews

2

Zack

Apr 14, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Only go here if you’re so tired you can’t drive anymore. Rooms haven’t been updated since the 80s. WiFi only works in the rooms near the lobby. Ask for that if you do go.

6

Joe

Jul 7, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

There is no air conditioning thermostat to control temperature so the room was stuffy and hot at times. When I asked it the temperature could be turned down it was suggested I open my window. There is no channel guide for the TV and when I went to change channels I had to press down really hard. I had no idea there was a free breakfast until I walked into the lobby the morning I was leaving. The construction going on limited the amount of parking spaces. The staff was somewhat friendly but not always available. So it was overall just "meh"

6

NGUYEN

Sep 7, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Too much noise from the next door. Body wash and shampoo only enough for one person, the room too dark and too small

6

Bahaa

Aug 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Location is what made me book this hotel. Close to where I needed to be and next to the freeway. Rooms are very outdated, but clean. AC is an on/off switch only, you don’t get to control the temperature! Bed mattress is pretty thin and uncomfortable Their definition of breakfast meant not so fresh Costco croissants and some cup cakes. At least they had coffee! At night they close all entrances but one that is shared with in n out burger! Yes you will be standing in the famous in n out line to be able to enter the hotel. During the day they open other gates which makes it easier.

2

Michael

Jun 29, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

No rooms had thermostats. Centrally controlled and freezing. No vent cover. Could not sleep. Front desk no help and of course no refund.

8

Maria

Jun 11, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The place is perfect if you just need a place to sleep. Beware there’s no AC.

4

Thomas

Feb 18, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

This property is super noisy and there are people partying almost every night. The staff were of little to no use for help

6

Jean

Dec 28, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The place was clean however the internet was horrible/ not working. Also room smell smoke even though non smoking room.

10

Marilyn

Apr 19, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Clean, quiet, comfortable.

4

Tim

Sep 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

There homeless living in the parking lot, people wandering parking lot all night that are questionable, traffic from inn and out makes Friday Sat night traffic jams to get in, room is very dated. Mattress is good but pillows are worthless. Shower bathroom are very dated but work ok. Lot of noise from in out burger till 1am. Price dictates what you get.

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Service

Service is inconsistent: some guests describe friendly, accommodating staff, while others report slow or unhelpful responses, rude interactions, refund difficulties, or manager unavailability.

Related guest reviews

10

David

Jan 30, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient property, located off the 405. The staff is very friendly and accommodating! The rooms are tidy and parking is right out front. Nothing fancy by any means but clean and well located near the freeway.

8

Mike

Jul 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Check in was smooth and the host was pleasant. It has a great location. Coffee (complimentary) is available at all or most hours and the breakfast of fresh baked goods is decent. The grounds are well maintained and very pleasant. A nice, comfortable stay.

8

Mary

Aug 2, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Check in was fast! That's always MONUMENTAL! We booked two days and decided to stay two more without checking out of the room --- and mind you, the first two days --- we chose NOT to have housekeeping enter our room. We exchanged towels and cleaned the room ourselves. The final two days, we booked with Expedia again and we had to pay another deposit for the final two days! Makes no sense, so now I have to monitor my account to make sure my two day deposit money gets put back! Yes, I've had to call 2 hotels during my travels when it wasn't put back! But on the second deposit, the amount was $60 and the front desk guy said, the extra $10 was because we didn't change rooms. Okay, next time I know --- if/should we do come back here! Well check out for five hours and get (supposedly) a totally clean room!

2

saul

Oct 17, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

STAFF VERY RUDE!

10

Alex

Aug 29, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly and Welcoming Service

2

Paula

Jul 15, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The pictures doesn’t match the room at all, and the staff weren’t friendly or had any customer service skills.

10

Scott

Mar 24, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very well kept property and friendly staff. Thanks Scott

10

Roswell

Jul 10, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I really enjoyed the professional and knowledgeable - personal staff - front desk & housekeeping,you can see from the smiles on their faces that it's a great place to work.

4

Tabitha

Apr 28, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

When we checked in the front desk wasn't friendly at all. He barely said anything to us. It didn't say online the pool area was closed. I was looking forward to the hot tub so that sucked. It was the dirtiest room I've ever stayed in. The bathroom had black mold! Water wouldn't stop running from bath tub faucet. Very poor maintenance. I tried to speak to a manager but of course there wasn't one on site. We asked to be contacted and never heard anything. Stay away from this place!

10

Linda

Sep 19, 2024

·

Stayed 7 nights

Every staff member from front desk to housekeeping to maintenance is particularly responsive whenever an issue comes up that needs attention, invariably carrying out their duties cheerfully, with enthusiasm. It makes my stay here so much more enjoyable.

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Location

Very convenient off the 405 with many dining options nearby, including In‑N‑Out next door, and access to venues and beaches. Some guests felt the immediate environment could be noisy or uncomfortable.

Related guest reviews

10

David

Jan 30, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient property, located off the 405. The staff is very friendly and accommodating! The rooms are tidy and parking is right out front. Nothing fancy by any means but clean and well located near the freeway.

8

Jennifer

Jun 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Property grounds were beautiful and well kept. The rooms were nice, the bathroom was clean but it could use a revamp. Stayed here because it was close to The Observatory (went for a concert) and for the price I paid, I would 100% stay here again.

10

Taylor

Jul 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I gave this property a very high rating and itnis because for the price you pay this is as good as it gets. The rooms are certainly older so they have their wear, but the pool and hot tub are very nice and the property while maybe not updated is well kept, the service is nice, and they have coffee, cereal, snd assorrwd breads in the office in the morning. It is also right next to tbe freeway and not too far from Newport Beach.

6

Bahaa

Aug 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Location is what made me book this hotel. Close to where I needed to be and next to the freeway. Rooms are very outdated, but clean. AC is an on/off switch only, you don’t get to control the temperature! Bed mattress is pretty thin and uncomfortable Their definition of breakfast meant not so fresh Costco croissants and some cup cakes. At least they had coffee! At night they close all entrances but one that is shared with in n out burger! Yes you will be standing in the famous in n out line to be able to enter the hotel. During the day they open other gates which makes it easier.

8

Rimah

Jul 30, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Convenient location and friendly atmosphere.

6

Bernadette

Dec 9, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Important to know: the hotel is next door to an In-n-Out Burger, which makes it a bit busy to get in. Moreover, if this will bother you, it’s across the street from a cemetery, but that makes it quiet on one side, at least. We just wanted an inexpensive, decent place to shower and sleep and this did fit the bill. The pool and spa looked very inviting, but we were exhausted. Our shower/tub faucet would not shut off (we told the front desk upon checkout) and there was a huge, dead palmetto bug inside the bathroom light/blower (forget to tell the front desk that), but those were my only complaints. Yes, the property is old with some cosmetic blemishes; however, it was decent.

8

Joe

Oct 16, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly fast check-in. Clean room, nice comfortable bed with crisp bedding. Micro, fridge & coffee maker in room. Large clean pool and pool area, with plenty of comfortable loungers, some are padded wicker. Also, tables and chairs in pool area. Loads of your regularly eating places all with in really close distance, 3 or 4 are only minutes walk. A reall nice good value hotel... would highly recommend as a central base from Oceanside to Santa Monica 👌👍👏

4

Muhammed

Jun 29, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

convenient Dirty and feeling unsafe

8

Marie

Mar 28, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

quiet area. close to in-n-out.

10

Rodrigo

Nov 30, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very convenient to fine restaurants,very close to amazing mall and very close to freeway!!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast is minimal (pastries, cereal, coffee) and its availability is inconsistent; several guests said it wasn’t provided despite listings or that items were stale. A few appreciated the simple coffee and baked goods.

Related guest reviews

8

David

Mar 4, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Everything was fine but there is no more free breakfast and it used to have it.

8

Mike

Jul 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Check in was smooth and the host was pleasant. It has a great location. Coffee (complimentary) is available at all or most hours and the breakfast of fresh baked goods is decent. The grounds are well maintained and very pleasant. A nice, comfortable stay.

6

Bahaa

Aug 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Location is what made me book this hotel. Close to where I needed to be and next to the freeway. Rooms are very outdated, but clean. AC is an on/off switch only, you don’t get to control the temperature! Bed mattress is pretty thin and uncomfortable Their definition of breakfast meant not so fresh Costco croissants and some cup cakes. At least they had coffee! At night they close all entrances but one that is shared with in n out burger! Yes you will be standing in the famous in n out line to be able to enter the hotel. During the day they open other gates which makes it easier.

8

Deborah

Jul 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It has a great pool and Jacuzzi! Also provided pastries for breakfast.

6

Yolanda

Aug 10, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

They had a Continental Breakfast. We had to ask for them to put out more pastries . The toilet was cracked on the top. The staff was friendly. Good location. Best priced with 2 beds and the location with Continental breakfast

6

Wyvona

Jul 31, 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

The service was excellent. The room was a typical 2 star hotel. The mattress was hard and uncomfortable. I was in a single queen room. My bed had a single, skinny mattress on a platform. Each of my sisters were in a room with two queens, and they had comfortable, regular mattresses with box springs in their rooms. The pillows were awful. The television had a lot of channels, but the remote was terrible. You could not enter a channel number, but had to scroll through the entire list to go from one channel to another. The channel list was illegible. I went to the office to get another, and the clerk said I had one of the best she had ever seen. She asked to take a copy of mine. Breakfast was sparse: apples, bananas, oranges, cereal, mini-muffins, mini-donuts, croissant cut in half, juice, coffee, and milk.

2

Mikael

Nov 2, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We booked it because it where including breakfast... but when we checked in they let us know they just skiped serving breakfast for the next morning...

8

Paul

Jul 27, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Genuinely comfortable for under $100.00 dollars, compared to some that do not have Swimming Pool. Breakfast could be better, coffee and Orange and Apple Juice hit the hunger spot, thank you !!!

2

Darjah

Aug 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

to start the property was dirty and had shoe prints in the bathtub. when checked in and settled a man came into do construction with no notice. the hot tub did not get warm or have jet covers. the staff was unhelpful and lacked the knowledge to assist. no management on site ever. The cereal was stale and the food was rotten that they did supply.

6

Wyvona

Jul 31, 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

The hotel is a typical 2 star hotel. The service was excellent. The breakfast was very sparce--apples, oranges, bananas, mini-muffins, mini-donuts, cereal, juice, and coffee. The bed was very hard and the pillows were terrible. I was in a room with a single queen bed. My sisters were in roo.s with two queens and their beds were much, much better. The pool was heated and nice. Only one of the ice machines worked. The television had lots of available channels, but the remote was terrible. You could not enter a channel number, but had to scroll through the entire list to get from one channel to another. The list of channels was illegible. I took it to the office to get a better one. The staff said I had the best one she had ever seen and made a copy of it.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$94
February	$84
March	$84
April	$86
May	$88
June	$86
July	$98
August	$91
September	$83
October	$84
November	$81
December	$86

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15 $82	16 $82	17 $82	18 $90	19 $90
20 $82	21 $82	22 $81	23 $81	24 $82	25 $90	26 $90
27 $82	28 $82	29 $82	30 $82

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $78	2 $87	3 $87
4 $78	5 $78	6 $78	7 $78	8 $78	9 $87	10 $87
11 $78	12 $78	13 $79	14 $78	15 $78	16 $87	17 $88
18 $79	19 $78	20 $78	21 $78	22 $78	23 $87	24 $87
25 $78	26 $78	27 $78	28 $78	29 $79	30 $87	31 $87

Select dates to see prices and availability

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Single Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible

Guest reviews

Pleasant

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Security deposit

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Vagabond Inn Costa Mesa

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Considering this hotel for your Costa Mesa trip?

Prices for upcoming dates