Fairwinds Motel

I don’t even know where to begin here. We only stayed here because it was the only room available in a 25 mile radius and it was late at night and we couldn’t drive any longer. It was a non smoking room and I stunk to high heaven and smoke was all you could smell. We stayed here in the summer heat and guess what… the heater was on and there was no way to turn it off. Keep in mind there is no air conditioner in the room. Also there is no smoke detector it had been ripped off from the place it is supposed to be. We flipped a light switch to try and get a light to come on… nope it turned off the tv… I don’t even know. Good news though you get free wall art as people have drawn all over the walls! There were burns in the comforter looking like where someone has dropped cigarette ashes. Stains on the carpet and there is a hole in the call in the closet area. This is just inside the room, the outside there were lots of homeless people sitting outside. I would not send my worst enemy here! I attached a few pictures of the drawings and smoke detector issue. Room needs to be updated badly.

We only stayed because there were no other options. Dirty room, holes in blankets, NO A/C! Way over priced paid over $100 for crappy room with a homeless camp in their back fence. Then we woke up to find items missing from the back of our truck and the owner refused to open door so we could ask him to look at the cameras! Do Not Waste your money keep on driving!!! Seriously dont stop!

The room was substantially large and spacious, however the sheets were stained with unkown fluids of all kinds and the room smelt of urine. Front desk help was not terribly friendly, the parking lot was cramped and dirty, and there was no complimentary coffee as advertised. Overall, terribly overpriced for one night of discomfort.

BED BUGS! Ask for a full refund. Really only need those first two words. I stayed here four years ago on Halloween night, dirty, noisy but not horrible. I'm accepting of transient/trimagents partying all night. This & other seediness I would normally be congenial with. It is very conveniently located near the center of town. However, after coming into town late, just recently, we didn't have so many options & I knew this place would have a room, so we took our chances. The added influence of bed bug infestation is absolutely unacceptable at any price. Travelers, keep yourself & your gear safe, & avoid this place at all costs. Camping is not so far & if you need a shower there is a sauna & hot tub spa in town with hourly rates, & a laundry mat that you can sterilize whatever you may set in the room if you dared to go in. Our room was very special, it even had what appeared to be a 45 cal bullet hole in the wall above the bed, that was stuffed full of toilet paper.

Terrible. Dirty. Smelly. Dark smudges on the doors. Shower did not look like it had been cleaned EVER. Cigarette burn holes on the bedspread. Transients hanging out. It was the only motel with a room for the night, but if we had known I think sleeping in our car would have been better.

So my wife and I were looking for a place in Arcata, just passing through headed up to Winchester Bay. The usual suspects like Comfort In and even Dollar Six were asking $300 night. We were essentially going to bed then leaving at first light. The room was straight out of a Stephen King horror movie. We decided we need a quick bite before for it a night. As we headed for the plaza, maybe ten blocks away I we flagged down a policemen and he pulled over. Longer conversation short he said, "I implore you not to stay there." We raced back, grabbed our stuff hit the road. DO NOT STAY THERE!!! Homeless camp within 20 yards of building, drug use in parking lot. I asked my wife for the first five adjectives she would use----Scary, filthy, disgusting, the worst ever, should be torn down.

Arcata was one of the stops on my bicycle ride down iconic Route 101. I knew it was going to be dumpy and it was, however, the bed was comfortable, the shower was large and had plenty of hot water, and I liked the eastern facing window from the bathroom. Though it was a little creepy that the window has no blinds on it, it faces an embankment and Route 101 is below. The main reason to stay here is the location, close to Humbolt University, Revolution Bicycle Repair, a UPS store, and decent restaurants. Be warned, the room does not have coffee or tea or any cups. There is a microwave and refrigerator, but who needs those when good food is a block away.

This is the most disgusting hotel. Stinks of urine and smoke. Only stayed because there was no other hotel available and it was 11:00 at night and we’ve been driving for 8 1/2 hours. Family and I sleeping in our clothes and no blankets. The sheets looked clean, but the blankets had holes and stains. I will not even take a shower here. So GROSS!!!

Don't go here if you want a clean and comfortable room. I booked the last room that was available through a third party. When I got into the room I noticed how dingy it was but I was so hungry I sat and ate my food I ordered to go after driving for 10 hours. Upon inspecting the room I noticed dirty stain on the wall, burned bedsheets from cigarette butts. A burned sink. When I went to complain to the man at the front desk he was extremely rude and would not refund me my money. He came up to the room and inspected it and accused me of "using" the room because I checked the bedsheets. There's no A/C. It's extremely loud. It's way overpriced. This place needs a compete makeover. Would never recommend and would never return even for a free night stay.

This was by far the dirtiest place I've ever stayed.. spider webs everywhere and mold in the bathroom, thick layer of dust where the floor and wall met.. ..

Summary: Pros: No bugs Free wifi Mini fridge Microwave Good shower pressure Cons: Mattresses you can feel springs Water pipes are loud No AC unit Wall heater wouldn't turn completely off Window wouldn't open all the way Floor squeaks Not enough plugs Dirty parking lot Mold in shower cracks Paint peeling -------------------------- I liked the guy in the office. He was friendly and personable. With that being said, he is the only reason to stop here. We showed up in the middle of the night really tired (I woke up that way too) because this was the place with the room available. The other places we checked were all brooked. The room feels like something that still lives in the 50's (and at night the Bates Motel flashed through my mind). I can deal with it being old, although a remodel wouldn't hurt, but the springs you can feel in the bed, the bad paint, the mold in the cracks of the shower, the heater that wouldn't quite turn off during summer, the lack of an AC unit, the window that wouldn't open more than 2 inches and mess that is the parking lot during the day are not what I look for when I look for hotels. On the plus side, while the room felt like bugs would be crawling everywhere I did not see a single bug/spider. It had a fridge and microwave, although it wasn't plugged in. The shower had decent pressure. It has free wifi. I don't plan on staying here again and I wouldn't recommend it. I would recommend staying on the road a bit longer and paying an extra $20-$30 to get a nicer room elsewhere. The room was $100 but for what you get I wouldn't pay over $50.

I made a right turn into a wrong place, so tired was I, there was no more looking. First, the pros: fair bed confort, polite workers, and a no smoking policy. Second, Cons: broken refrigerator, no cable, dingy room, worn blankets, highway noises, no A/C, and price. Again, grabbed it on an impulse and regretted it...but $89 bucks a night? This place makes Motel 6 look like the Hamptons. Please put some work into renovations for this place.

The room poorly kept. The bedspread was old and very digey. The highlight was the old zenith tube tv from the early 90's. You could sorta hear what was on the channel but the static drowned it out. Do not stay here.

Liked the Fairwinds Motel! We are two explorers from Bavaria roaming around Berkeley and were at the motel to discover the west coast a bit. We were in the hotel only for one night and I can not complain about anything. The room seemed nicely clean to me, which is according to reviews of other places in this town not the case everywhere in Arcata & Eureka. The receptionist was a student from the local university and gave us some good recommendations about bars nearby within walking distance. What is really great about this motel is that you can walk to the small downtown to enjoy a good breakfast or check out the bars. Even though we were there a week after people graduated, there was quite some life in the bar and it's a lot of fun. I would recommend this place, if you need a safe & clean stay and are on a budget like students typically are. Arcata is a nice stay for a day and more interesting than we expected.

Heater didn't work Dirty Uncomfortable bed TV was dang near black and white Towels were damp Chairs were torn and broke Parking sucked Not in the best part of town Box spring was torn Stains everywhere Bathroom window was broke No curtain for bathroom window There's a lot more nicer hotels out there for $90 I would have spent $40 at most for this one.

My boyfriend and I decided to take a drive up highway 101 over Memorial Day weekend, as I had never been further north in California than Mendocino. Arcata isn't very big, but we drove around for a little while looking for something cheap and safe and on the main street. Fairwinds Motel filled all of those requirements. Their price for a basic room (with taxes) was around $70, and the inn manager was very nice, informative, and keeps the check-in office well-stocked with lots of toursity "Discover the Rerdwoods" and "Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride" pamplets. They've also got some seriously cheezy, 80's-lookin' "Tradewinds Inn" postcards that feature images of the inn and guestrooms. (They're free for the taking as well). There's also a pizza place and a large liquor store a few doors down, as well as a supermarket a couple of blocks away. Everything was in walking distance, which was nice

We were in Arcata to visit the campus of Humboldt State University for our daughter a future student. The location could not be better as the campus is only a very-short walk from the motel. We stayed four nights and although the motel is old it did not impact our visit. The service and hospitality were fine and you can not beat the rates. There are several restaurants within a few blocks as well.

Two adults for $80 - I think this was miscategorized as a $ instead of a $$. Nice bed, nice shower, no problems. The towels do not smell like bleach; that's a nice change from many hotels! The biggest problem we had was, when we opened the door we were hit with a hundred-degree blast of funky-smelling air. They turned the heater all the way up (literally, to 100 on the thermometer!) and left it for hours, which really enhanced what would've otherwise been a mild odor typical for an old building. We opened the windows and turned the heat off, and in about an hour, the smell faded. We also noticed a few tiny ants, but they minded their own business. Not a bad place, but not the greatest. Cute and quirky.

Hmmn, this is a toughie. Overall, nothing special. I can't rank it 4 or 5 stars. It is a divey, on the run down side of things place. Very serviceable. The things this place really has going for it: it is the cheapest place walking distance to downtown Arcata. I didn't check the places closer to HSU as I wanted to be able to walk to the common. I guess it is walkable to HSU as well, but I don't know the price comparison there. So, the location/price ratio was the best I found. Yeah, if you want to schlep to Eureka, you can get a much better room for less money... but if you do, you wouldn't be able to party in Arcata without having to drive (which would be unwise).

Inexpensive, comfortable motel, walking distance to everything there is to do in downtown Arcata (and VERY close to the university). I've stayed here a couple of times and have never had any sort of problem with my room, or the service I received. It is what it is... an affordable, perfectly comfortable motel, located in the fabulously-funky, wonderful town of Arcata!

I stayed here for one night on my way from Berkeley to the Oregon Coast. Room was clean, in-room wifi worked perfectly. A good value for the price. Also, the manager was very friendly and directed me to a good burrito shop nearby. The one downside is it's a bit noisy as it's next to the highway.

Nothing special. The room was outdated and divey which is why it get's three stars. Overall it was a decent experience. The rooms were pretty clean but a bit funky smelling and the owner was fairly nice. Fairwinds is within walking distance of the downtown area and Humboldt. Great bargain.

WARNING!!!!!! I would give NO STARS if possible.... Illegally charged my card without consent ! Offered no valid explanation, I called and told him to wait on charging my card, he then charges it before calling me to clarify. I said "wait" that means wait until I give consent not wait until you feel like it's okay. He calls me back 8 hours later saying oh you didn't call me so I charged your card. WOW! Any GOOD MORAL person would have called back a lil sooner to clarify don't you think?? You had my number ...could have called any time ...purposefully chose to wait and call me after he already charged and just to say "welp you didn't let me know so..." Like why even call me at that point ??? Also just not a kind person, DO NOT STAY HERE ! this place is not a good representation of the kind people in Humboldt. VERY DISAPPOINTED.

What a cute little motel. It's located near HSU so it was easy for us to roam around town. Arcata is a small town anyways. The room was clean, they had a fridge and even a little microwave. There was also wifi which is always a plus! The manager was very friendly and asked us how we were enjoying our stay in Arcata and told us a little bit about the town. One bad thing was that it's right next to the freeway so it can be noisy, but i didn't mind it. I'd stay here again!

Awesome hotel with super friendly staff. 70 bucks a night plus tax isn't a bad deal for the perfect location in Arcata. The reviews make the rooms seem like dungeons when they are more like dingy cellars. Sheets are fine, bed is straight, and the Bathrooms could use a refresher since the linoleum In the showers usually have a brownish hue to it. Nothing some slippers or a towel on the floor can't fix. Bottom line, stay at the Fairwinds motel and enjoy the location and price or pay more somewhere else and drive further to town

Wish I could give negative stars, especially after really giving this place a chance. Not only BUGS in the bathroom but bed also....super dirty everywhere- phone didn't work....room smelled and had stains everywhere. People were yelling at eachother, there was barf left in the parking lot all day and some serious drugs were definitely coming in or out of this place. Will NEVERRRRR return to this motel.

Large room & good location but the bathroom was dirty & the floor wasn't vacuumed.

I stayed at the Fairwinds after I read reviews on Yelp. I can't imagine some of these people who liked it actually stayed at this motel. My room was dirty and there was multi-colored mold growing above the shower, on the wallpaper and the edge of the shower. A metal kleenex box had been jammed into a hole in the wall in the bathroom. The bed felt like it was all boxspring and no mattress. The sheets had spots. i never took my shoes off and went to stay at the Hampton Inn.

This was the worst hotel experience I have ever had. The rooms are moldy smelling and hot. The heater would not turn off. The manager's solution to this was to turn off the pilot light and offer to put a fan in the window. The lights did not work. The bathroom was outdated and downright unclean. Do not stay here under any circumstances.

I just stayed there for the second time. As far as I'm concerned, it's the only place to stay in Arcata- everything's within walking distance; the price is very reasonable; the rooms are clean and the shower's got terrific water pressure. The bathroom window that opens onto 101, and the front courtyard window, are double-paned glass, so noise is not an issue.

The rooms were clean enough but this place is loud, as it's right next to the 101. Don't expect a good nights sleep if you're a light sleeper. Also had to listen to what seemed like over an hour of a garbage truck emptying all the surrounding businesses dumpsters, which started well before sunrise. They did have free wifi that worked without a hitch and everything is walkable from here, hence the three stars.

So disgusting. Bedbugs and bitchy employees. Avoid this place at all cost. Checkout is 11. At 10:15 I was in the shower and they forceably entered my room w do not disturb tag on the door. Pregnant housekeeper seen smoking methamphetamine in one of the other rooms and dude at the desk was a dick to us also

My friend and I drove down to Arcata to see the John Prine concert at Humboldt State University. We stayed at the Fairwinds because it has the best location of any motel in Arcata! A pedestrian bridge over Highway 101 connecting the town to HSU is located adjacent to the Fairwinds making walking to the concert easy. Also places like Los Bagels and Wildberries are within walking distance. But our room had ants in the bathroom and one of the beds. The upstairs outside walkway was littered with cigarette butts despite the receptacles for them. The part of the carpet underneath the two beds which desperately needed to be replaced hadn't been vacuumed for months or longer. There was garbage strewn about the planted areas. The clerks who were HSU students didn't seem concerned about the state of the motel. This motel has a lot of potential and simply needs some paint, a thorough cleaning and employees who give a good care. The room was also way overpriced at $95 a night. But when you can walk out of your room at the Fairwinds you are in the middle of things in Arcata which is one great town.

Don't do it find a new spot. We were charge $95 and the room was nasty, smelled, tv was not working and bathroom moldy. The beds need to be replaced it was a bad night. The Bosnian hotel I stayed at was better than this! save yourself the anguish and stay in the next town over it's only 9 miles away.

Very nice motel in downtown Arcata--older but very well maintained, clean and comfortable. Excellent service. Only issue: room was a bit damp--but, hey, it *is* Arcata--and the cleaning smell was quite strong--but perhaps b/c of the dampness. Remember, never stay in Eureka, but always visit the great town of Arcata!

Not sure if I should review based on the standard hotel ranking. This is definitely a standard 2 star bottom of the line motel. It seemed clean enough but total room charge was $85 and I was able to get a much better room in eureka for $10 more.

I checked in, had my key and receipt, but then was denied access because I have a service animal. I explained to deny me was violation of federal law and he denied me anyway. I then returned with paperwork explaining the disabilities act of 1990 and informed him of his violations and he still denied me. Do not stay here! Do not do business with an owner that denies someone's rights based on medical condition.

Great value. About $72 with tax for a clean, basic room walking distance from the action. The plaza is 4-5 longish blocks away--maybe a 10 minute walk if you book it--but it's very close to a great vegetarian restaurant, a burrito joint, a pizza place, Subway, coffee house, a liquor store, and some other stuff. It is located in the crotch of an on-ramp and hwy 101, so you can hear the sound of traffic on the highway all night, but if you can tune out the whoosh of highway traffic, there's not a lot of honking and drunk people yelling like you'd get on the plaza. The room is bare bones. Old TV, no clock, no microwave or 'fridge, no iron or ironing board. The ice maker charges a quarter and is broken. The bathroom was fine, shower only. The bed was perfectly comfortable. Strong free wifi. No breakfast and coffee is available on demand only, and the lobby wasn't open even at 7:00 if I had wanted to demand any. I don't really care about any of this. This place is cheap, clean, and conveniently located. I would stay here again if I was looking for these criteria.