The Grand Hotel

Pros

• The landlord Albert Monta is praised for ensuring tasks get done.
• The building is described as affordable senior living in a beautiful setting.
• The elevator is a positive feature that provides accessibility for residents.

Cons

• The elevator is very old (nearly a hundred years) and often stops working for days or weeks.
• Senior citizens have to use the stairs because of frequent elevator outages.
• The building has five floors, making it next to impossible to climb with groceries on the top floor.
• The apartments are very small.
• There is only one window in the tiny living room.
• The windows look out at the building's walls, offering little view and unclear weather visibility.
• There are smokers in the building.
• The air conditioner sends air into all the apartments.
• The AC filter is never changed.
• Rent went up four times in one year.
• Signing a lease does not guarantee that the rent will stay the same for the entire term.

Review

This building comes across as a place that some residents really grow to like, even though there are clear drawbacks that shape daily life for many who call it home. One reviewer highlights a sense of belonging and a landlord who is active and conscientious. In particular, they point to Albert Monta as someone who makes sure to get things done, a quality that adds a sense of reliability and responsiveness to the neighborhood. The praise for this landlord and the general atmosphere suggests that, for some people, the building has a welcoming, lived-in feel and a management presence that feels tangible and helpful.

Yet beneath that sense of a place that can feel like home, there are persistent practical challenges that affect everyday living. The elevator, a central feature of the building, is described as ancient - nearly a century old. Its frequent outages have become a regular part of life for residents, sometimes lasting days or even weeks. The consequences are especially acute for older residents who rely on it, because when the elevator is out of service, they must climb stairs. The building has five floors, and reaching the top floors with groceries becomes a daunting, if not near-impossible, task for those who are physically limited or carrying heavy loads. This creates a pattern of unequal access to the higher apartments, where the burden of movement falls most heavily on seniors and those with limited mobility.

The interior layout compounds these accessibility concerns. Apartments are described as very small, with only a single window in the compact living room. The windows face the walls of neighboring buildings, meaning there's little of a view and little natural light to brighten the space. The weather is thus a factor residents can't always avoid: the window situation leaves people uncertain about rain or snow and adds to a sense of confinement inside the unit. These living conditions - tiny rooms, minimal light, and an overlook that doesn't offer much in the way of scenery - can feel claustrophobic, especially for residents who spend a lot of time at home.

Air quality and comfort in the building are also flagged as areas of concern. Smokers are present in the building, and the air conditioner is described as blowing air throughout all the apartments. An important caveat is that the air conditioning filter is never changed, which raises understandable health and comfort worries for residents who might be sensitive to pollutants or who simply want a fresher, cleaner living environment. When combined with the small, poorly lit spaces, this factor can make long days indoors feel less comfortable than they should.

Another major point of contention is the financial side of living there. Rent is not a fixed promise: it has gone up four times in a single year. The reviewer makes a cautionary note that signing a lease does not guarantee that the rent you agree to at move-in will be your rent for the duration of your stay. This volatility means prospective tenants should approach the process with careful scrutiny, understanding that the rate could change significantly over time. The practical takeaway offered is to visit several of the units before deciding - checking the size of the bedrooms, the quality of the views (or lack thereof), and whether you can realistically navigate the stairs repeatedly, especially on days when the elevator is out of service.

There is a final juxtaposition that colors the overall impression: on one hand, the property is framed as "Has an elevator" and "Affordable Senior Living in a beautiful building." These phrases present a positive, almost promotional view of the place, suggesting that for some residents the building offers accessible, budget-friendly housing in a well-maintained, aesthetically pleasing shell. Yet the fuller picture painted by the surrounding observations reveals a more nuanced reality. The elevator's unreliability, the small and dim units, the air quality concerns, and the frequent rent increases temper the seemingly attractive fa?ade. It's a space that can work for people who value management responsiveness and lower upfront costs, provided they are prepared to contend with upkeep gaps and the realities of living in an older building.

Taken as a whole, the dwelling emerges as a mixed bag - one that can be a viable home for seniors who are adaptable and who appreciate a proactive landlord and an accessible location, but who are also ready to endure significant maintenance and affordability uncertainties. For anyone considering moving in, the message is clear: visit multiple units, inspect the bedrooms and windows, test the stairs in daily scenarios, and weigh the realities of elevator downtime and occasional air quality concerns against the promise of affordability and a hands-on landlord. This snapshot portrays a building that can offer community and value, but only with a clear eye toward its enduring maintenance and accessibility challenges.

This part of Yakima, Washington offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for convenience and accessibility. With several restaurants within walking distance, such as Olive Garden and Cowiche Canyon Kitchen & Icehouse Bar, seniors can enjoy dining out without having to travel far. In terms of healthcare, there are multiple physicians' offices in close proximity, including Neighborhood Connections and Central Valley Vascular Center, providing easy access to medical care. Additionally, there are pharmacies like Epic and Walgreens nearby for medication needs. For leisure activities, parks like Miller Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. Overall, this area provides a balance of essential services and recreational options that would be appealing to seniors looking for a convenient and comfortable living environment.

Restaurants

• Olive Garden (0.1 miles)
• Downtown Yakima (0.1 miles)
• Cowiche Canyon Kitchen & Icehouse Bar (0.1 miles)
• E.Z Tiger (0.1 miles)
• Main Stop on the Ave (0.1 miles)
• Second Street Grill (0.2 miles)
• Golden Wheel (0.2 miles)

Physicians

• Neighborhood Connections (0.1 miles)
• Yakima Neighborhood Health Services (0.1 miles)
• Memorial Occupational Health & Speech Service (1.1 miles)
• Central Valley Vascular Center (1.1 miles)
• Central Washington Orthopedic Surgeons (1.1 miles)
• Nova Health (1.1 miles)
• Yakima Surgical Associates Ps (1.1 miles)

Transportation

• Greyhound Station (0.2 miles)
• Bnsf Railway (0.4 miles)
• Critter Cab (1.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Catholic Charities Housing Services - Diocese of Yakima (0.3 miles)
• Foundation Stone Ministry (0.4 miles)
• Morning Star Church (0.5 miles)
• Templo La Hermosa (0.9 miles)
• First Baptist Church of Yakima (0.9 miles)
• Wels (1.5 miles)
• Grace Temple Ministries (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Miller Park (0.5 miles)
• Yakima Greenway Off Leash Dog Park (2 miles)
• Harlan landing (2.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Epic (0.6 miles)
• Genoa Health Care (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• Barton's Center Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Sav-On Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Safeway Food & Drug (1.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Health Management Associates (0.6 miles)
• Yakima Hma (1 miles)
• Yakima Ambulatory Surgical Center (1.1 miles)
• Happy Time (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• Cafe Amore (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Tom Tom Espresso On Washington (2.4 miles)
• Cruisin Coffee (2.7 miles)