CA, Simi Valley, The Courtyard Hotel

Simi Valley’s main claim to fame is that it is the home of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Whatever your politics the library is worth a visit if only to feast your eyes on the magnificent view across the valley from the gardens and to walk through the Boeing 707 Reagan used as Air Force One.

The Courtyard hotel in Simi Valley is conveniently located at the Madera Road exit off the Ronald Reagan highway (CA 118) in a shopping center that includes a Wal*Mart, Bev Mo liquor store, Home Depot and casual dining or fast food at Applebees, Subway, Fune Sushi, Garlic Jims Famous Gourmet Pizza, Panda Wok Chinese, Panda Express Chinese and It’s a Grind Coffee or across the road a Taco Bell, Chili’s or Marie Calendars Pies.

The rooms are comfortable and reasonably large. Each room contains one or two beds, a couch to watch TV and a desk with high speed internet. The beds are comfortable and the sheets soft, but sometimes the towels don’t quite reach the same standards. Each room has it’s own air conditioner / heater that can be a little noisy when the fan is working on high.The staff are friendly, competent and helpful. Breakfast is not included in the room price, the selections include both hot and cold buffet items and at night there is a cash bar serving bottled beer, wine by the glass and mixed drinks during the week. Behind the hotel in a small garden between the hotel and the Wal*Mart is a small swimming pool and Jacuzzi tub. Overall rates are reasonable for the business traveler at $170 - $200 a night.