Extended Stay "Deluxe?"
Frankly the Extended Stay wasn't my first choice but my company made the arrangements without any advice from me. But, I've stayed in them before and was generally satisfied with the brand. Unfortunately, this hotel was not on par with the others I've stayed in.
I checked in on a Saturday at approximately 3:00PM. Fairly painless and quickly received my key. I went to the room and was met with a suite that was still dirty from the previous guest. Just a note here...there is no reason for guests to trash out their room. Show some respect for the room attendants! Anyway, I trooped back to the front desk, told her the room hadn't been clean yet and requested a new one. She quickly assigned me a new room, gave me the keys and off I went. Got into the room and noticed there wasn't a bedspread on the bed...just the sheets. Off to the front desk again and told the employee there wasn't a bedspread on the bed. She was obviously embarrassed and took me into the laundry room and gave me one.
I did a quick inspection the room to make sure everything worked. No problems there. The new flat screen TV was great. The "kitchen" area needed some work...the cabinets were chipped quite a bit and the front laminate was peeling and bubbling. But, the room was clean and I was just spending a week there.
Over the next 7 days I noticed some other issues:
1. Ran out of toilet paper (just the one roll that was already in the bathroom on the dispenser). Searched all over for some more but that was it. A single roll. Went to the front desk to visit my new friends there and they gave me a new roll (just one...we don't want to break the budget.)
2. Although the "kitchen" was equipped with dishes and pots and pans there wasn't any soap to clean them. Kind of makes you wonder how clean the dishes were...probably just rinsed.
3. The rug either needs replacement or at least re-stretched.
4. This next issue is scary. I locked myself out of the room and had to go to the front desk to obtain a new one. I hadn't dealt with the employee who was at the desk. Anyway, I told her I locked myself out and could I have another key. Although I was prepared to offer ID to prove I was the occupant, she didn't ask for it. Just gave me the key. This is a dangerous practice and opens the hotel up to lawsuits if a guest is assaulted because the clerk didn't take the time to confirm my identity. I could have been someone off the street. This is wrong on so many levels!
Anyway, I checked out at the end of my stay. I wouldn't stay here again for several reasons other than number 4 above...although the clerks were helpful at the front desk none of them obviously knew how to smile or greet a guest. The act of a friendly greeting was a foreign concept to them. This hotel obviously has a leadership problem. I suggest a supervisor spot checks rooms before releasing them to new guests. Simple things like making sure there is a supply of toilet paper (this would have been a real problem if I discovered the lack of paper after 10:30PM when the desk is unmanned), make sure there is dish soap and check the general condition of the room and note items for repair. The kitchen cabinets were beyond tacky. For management, check out room 111 for a visual of what I'm talking about.
On the up-side, the location of the hotel is great. Everything you could possibly need (toilet paper?) is within two or three miles. Parking is plentiful and free and the area where the hotel is situated appears safe.