Hidden Tips

Call the front desk to check on current availability of trailer parking if you are bringing a boat. Normally there is space, but it can get packed and stacked during holiday weekends on Memorial Day or Labor Day. This will also save you from having to scramble for street parking at the last minute. Another hot tip related both to heat and boating: because this is an exterior corridor motel, your car and boat will be parked right outside your room-very convenient for loading coolers into the cars-but do not leave expensive fishing gear or electronics loose in the boat overnight; bring them inside the room-for peace of mind as much as anything else.

The other big factor is dealing with the climate. It gets dangerously hot in Lake Havasu during summer, well above 110°F (43°C). Most of the AC units in these older motels are typically those loud through-the-wall type installations. They do work hard and pretty much effective but can get noisy sometimes. Turn on the air conditioning full blast as soon as you check in to cool down the room since masonry retains heat; do not turn it off when leaving for dinner or else you will come back to an oven! If noise sensitive then surely must have earplugs-for- a-good-night’s sleep because all that hum from AC together with highway traffic makes quite some noise at night.

In terms of food and supplies, use the in-room amenities to save money. The rooms almost always have a fridge and microwave. There is a Smith’s Food and Drug and a Safeway grocery store just a short drive south. Stock up on cases of water (essential in the desert), sunscreen, and breakfast items there. Since the motel’s breakfast is minimal, having yogurt and fruit in your own fridge makes for a much better start to the day. For ice, the motel usually has an ice machine, but serious boaters often buy large bags at the gas station next door to fill their marine coolers for the day.

At the very end, be realistic about what you can do at check-out. Housekeeping is working on a tight schedule to turn over rooms for the next wave of travelers, so there’s hardly ever any leniency with check-out time. If you’re spending your last day on the lake, pack up your room and check out before heading to the water-you cannot leave your stuff in the room past 11:00 AM while you are out boating. However, most times when not too busy front desk staff would allow parking cars or trailers a few extra hours after official check-out time while having lunch.