Economy Inn Buttonwillow Bakersfield I-5

This has to be the best hotel deal on the face of the planet. I stayed here for $42 on the date of this review and everything inside the hotel room worked. It had a mini fridge a microwave good HVAC plenty of different lighting options that all worked and turned on every outlet worked the shower didn’t quite get that hot, but it still did the job on top of it all it was very very clean when I entered the room and they had a working icemaker, a short distance from my door and plenty of parking. I used no specific discount or program to get this $42 night rate. I booked it right through Expedia and it was fully automated and everything worked smoothly. I also checked in at 2:30 AM and there was someone there to be able to check me in. I’m not sure how they’re pulling this off but if I ever ever need to stop halfway between Southern California and San Francisco, this will be the only hotel on my mind.

Note this review is from September 2025. This place used to be an Econolodge and likely had horrible reviews. However, this rebranded name comes with newly remodeled rooms. Room cooled by a mini split unit, which means the air is free of excessive dust/allergens that wall mounted ACs often have. Room was clean with a big enclosed shower and windows that could let in plenty of sunshine. The area is a travel rest stop, so there’s plenty of fast food and gas stations within walking distance. Minimal homeless in the area, only saw 2 during my stay. My only concerns were that no fresh towels were provided even though my stay was longer than 3 days. Also if checking in late at night, the older gentleman on duty did not wake up when ringing the buzzer. Got there at 120am and didn’t get serviced until almost 2am (I got desperate and started banging windows until he came out). Unacceptable. Overall though, I would still highly recommend this budget hotel, just get earlier in the day if possible.