My wife was raised in Taft, and we've traveled there quite a few times for school reunions and "Oildorado" events. This Best Western was built and opened since our last visit, and is by far superior to any other lodging we have experienced. The facility still has a new look and feel, and the staff with whom we dealt were all helpful and friendly. It did seem to be somewhat under-staffed. Front desk staff, for example, were occupied with other tasks at other places, and the breakfast room was out of certain items. No great deal that, since the breakfast food was horrible. And the area around the BW is, well ... Taft. Oil towns aren't often pretty, and Taft is definitely an oil town.