401 Motor Inn

If you have a large breed dog options can be pretty limited! But they allow them here and we had a good stay. Not super cheap and average rooms but service is good, you an pay cash and I personally loved the little porch. Stood out there watching traffic and sunset with my dog :)

We needed a room for one night, this inn looked like it was one of the least expensive in the area. For $ 140 per night, we got one of the crappiest room I have ever slept in. The carpet looked like it was at least 40 years old, stained all over the place, it was stinky like if they used to allow smoking in the room. The bathroom ceiling was in construction, with grey duck tape sealing the drywall joints and covering the screw holes. There was a kitchenette with a leaky faucet, and the bed were so soft I woke up with a back ache. And to finish it all, they were refurbishing a few of the rooms until at least 10pm, drilling and hammering. Also, at some point, we complained about the construction noise which, we were informed, was actually the noise from the plumbing from the room above us…
You’d think that they’d give you a discount for staying in a place that obviously, they know needs an upgrade and with construction going on everywhere… Definitely not recommending and not going back. There’s a few AirB&B places next to this shit hole that’s ¼ the price and probably way cleaner and comfortable.

We give it 3* for the motel but 4* for being helpful and courteous. We knew not to expec tmuch for an «inn» esp when it’ was so cheap.
We had drastic change of plans due to unfavorable and changing weather, which caused some conflict in our travel plans. The bnb we were to stay with had fallen through, leaving us in a big dilemma. Since we had limited internet access and no phone access, we decided to just settle for any place, and we found the online.
Room was in Burnaby. Very close to the freeway. Spacious room w/​microwave & frig, which we didn’t need. Room was fine for our very short stay as we checked in in the evening and was out of there by 7:30am. Didn’t have a hair dryer or water kettle in the room;however a phone call and they sent me the items I needed.

I set up my b/​f and his best friend at the 401 inn for 2 weeks while they waited for their permenant suite to be ready to move into. I looked for sublets relentlessly for weeks and eventually found an ad on Craigslist advertising the 401 inn for an outrageously good price. I had seen the inn on boundary and granview before and it didnt look like an ultra sketchy dive, so I went for it. Turns out ownership was being transfered on the day the boys were to take up temp residency. I met Al, the new owner, who was extremely accommodating and understanding of the situation at hand. We paid cash and a deposit and they guys into the room. It was room 28, a smoking room with 2 beds, a mini fridge and a microwave.
Al mentioned that with a long term stay that maid service would be offered once per week. That never occured but any time one of the guys ran out of TP or needed anything small they’d just ask the house keepers in the hallways. Al stopped me several times while I was in visiting to ask me how things were and if the guys needed anything.
It was mostly a quiet stay but the guys had neighbors bang on the walls at night when the TV was on at an acceptable level. I think the new owner filled up all the rooms on one side rather than spreading them out and its possible the walls are not so thick. The guys were never diturbed by noise from other clients.
The shower was great with good water pressure.
One major highlight was that the guys had a cat which was welcomed. Not many affordable places accept pets so please, if you bring a pet in with you TAKE CARE OF IT and CLEAN UP after it so they’ll be allowed back.
Price per night is 70, longer stays means better rates and if you are looking for multi-​week stays this place is a good option.
Free wifi!
I give this place a ⁴⁄₅ not because it is a luxury hotel, but because we were treated with respect, the place was clean, privacy was respected, the front desk staff were polite and lovely, the price was perfect for what we needed and both check in and check out were smooth. I never found any other guests to be ‘sketchy’ or bad news in any way.
From what I can see I think Al has bitten off a bit more than he can chew. I think it is possible that the previous owners simply walked out of the business and said good-​luck. When i first met Al he seemed excited to take posession of this hotel, mid way through the stay it became apparent that the hotel needed more work than he predicted and by the end of our stay he seemed excited again to maintain and improve the building and its suites to hopefully turn it into a boutique style hotel with a garden courtyard. He is a great, reasonable guy and will treat you with courtesy and respect if you do the same.
Al, if you read this, I am sure one of the former guests in room 28 would gladly take on a position to assist with with your garden! Fresh complimentary fruit and veg for your walk-​in customers? Would be a nice touch, jus’ sayin.