Vagabond Inn Los Angeles at USC

There's not much scene at the Vagabond Inn. The lobby is compact and bland, with tile floors, a simple wood and linoleum reception counter, and a wood-framed couch and chair. Breakfast -- donuts, bread, and oatmeal, typically -- is laid out in the lobby and guests are expected to stand or take the food to their rooms. The only place to congregate is the pool, which has some of plastic chairs surrounding it on the basic concrete deck, but isn't ever especially lively. Many of the guests are visiting the nearby USC campus. 

The Vagabond Inn is most convenient for those visiting the University of Southern California campus, as it sits on the outskirts of the school. The neighborhood is fairly bland; the motel is surrounded by cheap family restaurants and fast food chains. It sits right on Figueroa, a heavily trafficked street, and guests must be careful of speeding cars. The motel is within walking distance of the Exposition Park and Shrine Auditorium is about a mile away. The sights of Hollywood and Beverly Hills are a 30-minute car ride or more, but the trendy Downtown neighborhood is just a couple miles up Figueroa. The 23rd Street metro station about 10 minutes down the road also puts much of the city within easy reach. LAX is about a half-hour drive away in normal traffic.

The rooms at the Vagabond Inn are surprisingly spacious, with either two queen beds or one king. All have a small wooden table with cushioned or wooden chairs, depending on the room, as well as a microwave, mini-fridge, and flat-screen TV. Unfortunately, the motel does not provide coffeemakers. While the furniture may have some nicks, rooms are generally in good condition. The bright green bedskirts add a livelier touch, and there are a few art prints hanging in each room (though they are often off-center), but otherwise the rooms are rather plain and typical of a budget motel. Bathrooms are clinically bland, but also fairly large, and come stocked with soap, shampoo, and lotion. Some guests report musty smells and the remnants of cigarette smoke scents, even though there are only two smoking rooms. Rooms can also get street noise from Figueroa.

The no-frills, budget Vagabond Inn does not have many features, though the rooms are welcoming enough. There is a simple free breakfast of donuts, bread, and oatmeal, served daily in the small lobby, but there isn't much seating. The motel has free Wi-Fi and a computer in the lobby for guest use. The outdoor pool is surprisingly large and includes handicap access.