First impressions are important. Our first impression of the Gaslight Inn was not overly positive.

First, the area. Glendale, AZ appears to have been working on revitalizing the downtown area for the past 15 years. It appears to still be a work in progress. True, there are several antique stores, gift stores in the area. However, there are also several tattoo parlors, thrift stores, etc. that give the area a slightly seedy quality. Maybe, it was just the homeless drunk peeing against the wall of a building.

Next, we arrived around 5 pm, which we thought was pretty prime time for a hotel/inn. The front door was locked. No sign directing us anywhere and no sign of anyone inside. We knock...no answer. Hmmm...I noticed an alleyway when we drove past. Let's check the backdoor. We trudge around the building with our bags in tow, find the backdoor in the alley. Again, the door is locked. But, at least there is a sign instructing us to call a number to be let in. Why am I calling someone during prime check in time?? And, why is everything locked up at 5 pm??

We call and are met at the door. The innkeepers are friendly. The room and inn are nicely decorated and restored. It is a comfortable room. OK, as far as that goes.

Next impression: Tour of the inn was cursory. We asked about dinner possibilities (a standard question for any B&B that we stay at) and were told that there was nothing in the area. Being a Monday, the German place next door was closed. Speaking of being closed, everything shuts down by 5 or 6 in this area, exept for the Subway and the Pizza place across the street that had no customers in it. Being tired, we hit the Subway rather than driving further into town to search for a place to eat.

Breakfast: Light continental would best describe it. Limited pastry, bagels, hard boiled eggs, coffee and juice. The most limited selection that we have ever had at a B&B or Inn.

It appears that they are trying to set up a restaurant/bar of their own? We weren't sure. It was never offered to us. We went out for a drink at the German restaurant next door the second night. We think that the restaurant/bar is only open on weekends, but couldn't guarantee that. The innkeepers never seemed to be around when we came downstairs and as I mentioned the initial show around the place was cursory.

It's not a bad place to stay, but not up to the standards that we have come to expect from B&B/Inns. We have stayed at numerous B&B/Inns from coast to coast and would rank this in the bottom half. It's almost as if the B&B part is an after thought.
And, the area.......apparently, revitalized means something different here in the Midwest. For my money, I'd move on down the road.

There seems to be a dearth of B&B’s and out of the ordinary places to stay in Phoenix.The Gaslight Inn was one we found. It was a fairly good experience, but not exceptional. This appears to be a vintage hotel building that has been renovated. Our room was comfortable, though ordinary except that it had fairly nice antique furnishings.

Jazz did play downstairs til about 11pm, but we kind of enjoyed it, especially the rendition of Summertime from Porgy & Bess. Dinners in the neighborhood are kind of sparse though. We searched around and tried to find a city center, even asking passersby for directions. Glendale has a nice park, a library, a massive visitor center and city office complex, but seems to be an area searching aimlessly for its lost identity. While we were there it was a once a month civic open house with live music, free ice cream, horse drawn carriage and trolly rides, etc. They tried real hard, but somehow it just didn’t seem to catch fire. After much searching, we finally settled on a local restaurant called the Spicery where we had a mediocre dinner with a glass of very mediocre house red wine. On reflection, the German place next to the Gaslight might have been a better choice.

The chocolate factory down the street was an interesting stop the next morning.

I have stayed a some very overpriced, less than terrific places in the Phoenix area. Never again...the Inn is very reasonably priced and great digs. The owners have done a fine restoration job, housekeeping is immaculate, and staff is friendly and helpful. Breakfast was yummy, too.

We stayed here for the 2008 Fiesta bowl and had a wonderful time. The New Years Eve Gala (Optional) was a little spendy, but the food was fantastic and the Jazz Band featuring Nicholas Beard out of the Bay Area was really cool, they played from 8AM until about 1 AM, so in the end it was definitely worth it. As far as the Inn and room, we were pleasantly surprised and it was well worth the money at about $175 per night. The breakfast could best be described as continental....very healthy with fruit, granola, yogurt, hard boiled eggs and the most incredible scones I've had in some time....coffee was tasty too. If you are looking for a decent place to stay in the Phoenix area I would highly recommend this place and if you are going to a football or hockey game the location cannot be beat. Very nice Inn Keepers as well.