Apologies that I am joining this conversation late.....
I do a lot of charters around the country and stay in economy motels all the time. My standards are "pretty relaxed", but even I have some limits. In my opinion, the only thing that Antonito has to offer is convenience. It avoids a long drive to meet a charter that is leaving at oh-dark-30 for a sunrise shot someplace out in the boonies. That's it. The hotels there are nothing to look forward to at all. Someone mentioned Motel 6 in the same sentence as the NG Inn. I have stayed in quite a number of Motel 6s in the last few years, and the average Motel 6 is significantly better than the NG Inn. The latter is a dump. The last time I stayed there in the spring of 2016, half the lights in my room and the TV did not work. Wi-Fi was intermittent. To really use it, I had to go to the lobby. To his credit, the owner did refund half the charged rental fee, but after staying there several times, I had pretty much had it with the place. If the hotel reeks of dope-smoking now, all the more reason to stay away.
I stayed at the Indiana Jones during one of Jay's trips in 2013. The room was warmer and more "homey" than the cinder blocks at the NG Inn, and I did have access to a kitchen to make my breakfast and dinner (cooking it myself), but the place smelled like someone died in my room....and wasn't discovered for a long time. Someone later told me that something like that did happen there. No idea if that is true, but the smell was pervasive. I also noted that they gave me no place but the floor to put my stuff. No dressers, no suitcase stand....nothing. Not worth what I paid for it.
When I get back to NG country for the RGS Charter late this summer, I will probably follow Michael Allen's advice and stay in Alamosa. There is something to be said for a REAL hotel.
/Kevin Madore
