Before arriving at Rodeway Inn, we were worried by the evident poverty and rundown appearance of the area. Upon reaching the hotel, its old look made us question its safety for our family during a cheerleading/dance event. However, the front desk staff was friendly and let us check in early. The elevator to our third-floor room was old, small, noisy, and frightening; my husband identified a hydraulic problem. Fortunately, our room was nice, equipped with double beds, a TV, microwave, and refrigerator. We chose to use the stairs instead of the elevator during our stay, despite the mildew smell. Walking in downtown L.A. at night felt unsafe, especially for women, due to visible drug use among the homeless population. Despite our initial concerns, our stay was comfortable with no issues, and we were grateful it exceeded our expectations.