Escape to SF: Unbeatable Deals at Extended Stay America Suites - San Carlos!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving DEEP into a hotel… let's call it "The Grand Splurge-orama" for anonymity's sake. And believe me, after my stay, I've got opinions. And some… questionable memories. Prepare yourself for a review that might not follow any conventional format. Consider this a messy, unedited, totally honest (and a little bit sweary) account of my experience.
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- Keywords: Luxury Hotel Review, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa, Fitness Center, Pool with a View, Free Wi-Fi, 24-Hour Room Service, Anti-Viral Cleaning, COVID-19 Safety, Restaurant Review, Western Cuisine, Asian Cuisine, Meeting Facilities, Family-Friendly Hotel, Accessible Dining, Pet-Friendly Hotel, Best Hotels, Luxury Travel, Hotel Reviews, Travel.
- Meta Description: A raw, unfiltered review of a supposed luxury hotel, The Grand Splurge-orama, covering accessibility, amenities (the good, the bad, and the baffling), dining experiences, COVID-19 safety measures, and whether it's worth the splurge. Honest opinions and quirky observations guaranteed.
The Grand Splurge-orama: My Chaotic Hotel Diary
Right, first impressions. The lobby? GORGEOUS. Marble floors, HUGE chandeliers, enough space to, I swear, park a small car. All very "look at my money, darling." Now, I'm not exactly rolling in dough, but I appreciate a nice setting. Immediately, I was checking for accessibility which is something I always do. I saw the ramps, the obvious elevators, and that made me happy. So far, so good, right? They have what they need to be Wheelchair Accessible, which is fantastic.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag
Okay, so the entrance and lobby were aces in terms of accessibility. The elevators worked (thank god), and the ramps were thoughtfully placed. But then… the restaurants.
On-Site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: A Tricky Tightrope
Trying to navigate the main restaurant in my wheelchair was…challenging. Tables were crammed together like sardines in a can, making it a tight squeeze. They have the Restaurants listed, however. One waiter muttered something about 'rearranging' when he saw me approaching, but it was a clumsy, haphazard attempt. The bar, though? Spacious! And the Poolside Bar was glorious, easy access, with plenty of room to maneuver. This one got a big thumbs up!
Internet: Wi-Fi, God Bless It (and Sometimes Curse It)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! They shouted it, and thank goodness! Because, let's be honest, in this day and age, that's a MUST. And it actually worked! I had a connection that didn't make you want to chuck your laptop out the window. Plus! Internet [LAN] was also available. This is something I always check for.
The only downer? The internet in some public areas got spotty. You’d think in a place like this, ALL the Wi-Fi would be perfect. Apparently not.
Dining: A Culinary Rollercoaster, and My Stomach Still Hasn't Recovered
Okay, so dining. Prepare yourselves.
The breakfast buffet was a sight to behold! They had EVERYTHING. I mean, the sheer scale was almost intimidating. I went for the Asian breakfast, because, hey, I'm adventurous. It was…forgettable. The Western breakfast, however, was an absolute disaster. The eggs were rubbery, the bacon tasted like it had been cooked a week ago, and the coffee was… I'm honestly not sure WHAT it was.
Then there's the restaurants. The restaurants are all there with options: A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant. The food quality fluctuated wildly depending on the restaurant. The Italian place was decent. The seafood place was… okay. (Their soup was particularly disappointing.)
And oh, the room service [24-hour]. This was both a blessing and a curse. It's amazing when you're desperately hungry at 3 am. It’s less amazing when the food is lukewarm and the presentation resembled something you'd find on a hospital tray. The salad? Just a sad, soggy pile of lettuce.
The Spa & Fitness: A Glimmer of Heaven… Then Back to Reality
Okay, the spa. THIS is where The Grand Splurge-orama started to redeem itself.
Things to do, Ways to Relax, Body Scrub, Body Wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]
The spa was seriously gorgeous. The Pool with view was beyond amazing, a shimmering infinity pool that looked out over… well, a view. It was a total escape, and I could get lost sitting there. They had the Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom as well. The Massage was divine, hands down the best part of my trip. The therapists were skilled, the ambiance was perfect, and I actually relaxed! The Fitness Center was well-equipped too, with everything you'd expect from a luxury establishment.
Cleanliness and Safety: A COVID-19 Balancing Act
Let's talk COVID. I'm a worrier, so this was a big deal for me. The hotel touted its commitment to cleanliness, but let's be honest, it's a tricky act to pull off flawlessly.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment
They had the usual stuff: Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff masked up, and signs urging social distancing. They provided Individually-wrapped food options, which I appreciated. Daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring. Rooms sanitized between stays was good to see.
And, yes, they offered Room sanitization opt-out available, which is totally a thing I love!
A couple of minor niggles, though. While the staff were clearly trained, I did see a waiter wearing his mask under his nose… which, come on, defeats the purpose. And let's just say the "safe dining setup" wasn't always adhered to as strictly as it could have been.
Do I feel completely safe? No. But, they're trying.
Rooms: Comfort and Quirks
Okay, the rooms. Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. The rooms themselves were generally lovely.
The beds are a dream. The Blackout curtains were truly blackout, which is a lifesaver for a light sleeper. The Slippers were a nice touch. And the Bathroom was spotless, and the Hair dryer powerful. My room had a view, and there was a nice Seating area. Some things were odd. Why the Bathroom phone? I wouldn’t use it! And I had to call to ask for more Toiletries.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Irritating
**Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business
Spirit Lake Getaway: Unbelievable Wyndham Super 8 Deal!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this San Francisco adventure, based out of the charmingly… ahem… functional Extended Stay America in San Carlos, is gonna be a WILD RIDE. And by wild, I mean filled with questionable food choices, dramatic weather changes, and the constant existential dread of accidentally leaving your phone in an Uber. Let's do this.
Extended Stay America San Carlos - San Francisco: The "Home Base" (and my increasingly stained yoga pants)
Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious Question of "Where Did I Park?"
- 2:00 PM: Arrive at SFO. Jet lag is already a simmering pot of rage and confusion. The rental car? A tiny, aggressively beige SUV. Perfect.
- 2:45 PM: The drive to San Carlos is a blur of Bay Area traffic (which, let's be honest, is ALWAYS a blur). I’m pretty sure I saw a Tesla get overtaken by a very confused-looking bicycle.
- 3:30 PM: Check into Extended Stay. The room? Predictably… extended. It’s clean-ish, smells faintly of… something… and the kitchenette is basically a torture chamber for anyone who enjoys cooking. But hey, free Wi-Fi, right? Silver linings, people.
- 4:00 PM: Unpack. Or, more accurately, attempt to organize the explosion of clothes that erupted from my suitcase. I swear I packed for a weekend… but it looks like I’m prepping for the apocalypse.
- 4:30 PM: Okay, so, the REAL existential crisis of the day: WHERE. DID. I. PARK? This parking lot is a labyrinth of SUVs and the sun is steadily setting. I think I saw a car that looked like mine… but it was surrounded by a bunch of… other beige SUVs. Deep breaths. I’ll embrace the chaos.
- 5:00 PM: Finally found it! (After nearly accepting that I'd have to sleep in the car.)
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Because I'm tired and haven't yet embraced the kitchen. I go to The Dutch Goose in Menlo Park. I thought it would be a quick bite, but that turned into a 2 hour wait for a table. Ordered a burger, which was decent, but felt I needed to be a bit more adventurous.
Day 2: Alcatraz, Fog, and the Crushing Weight of History
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. The hotel "breakfast" is a joke. Seriously, I would like to speak to the manager of the cardboard-like muffins. Thank God I packed some instant oatmeal.
- 9:00 AM: Make my way to Pier 33 for the Alcatraz tour. I'm buzzing with excitement. I've always been fascinated by the stories.
- 10:00 AM: The ferry ride to Alcatraz. The fog rolls in. Suddenly, it's the perfect mood for a maximum-security prison on an island. Spooky, but totally evocative. I take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge for my mom (she loves this kind of thing).
- 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM: The ALCATRAZ ITSELF. This is the moment! Audio tour. I'm listening to the tales of escapes, the brutal life, the echoes of violence. It's absolutely spine-chilling. The cells, the isolation… wow. Suddenly, all the petty annoyances of my life felt utterly trivial. The weight of history, the raw humanity, the sheer, utter grimness of incarceration… It's a serious gut punch, in the best way. I find myself lingering longer in each cell block, imagining the lives trapped here. I don't cry (I swear!), but I get goosebumps. It's hard to shake that feeling.
- 2:00 PM: Get back to the mainland and I'm emotionally exhausted! I have to eat something. I head over to Fisherman's Wharf in honor of the tourist in me and get a sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder. It's touristy, it's overpriced… and it's DELICIOUS. I can't lie.
- 3:00 PM: Visit Pier 39: watch the sea lions. They're smelly, noisy, and hilarious. This is the perfect antidote to Alcatraz. It's a nice reminder to relax and have a little fun.
- 4:00 PM: Drive back to the Extended Stay. The fog followed me the entire way.
- 7:00 PM: I try to make dinner. The stove situation is… tragic. I burn the frozen pizza. It's fine, though. It's been a day.
- 8:00 PM: I have an early night. The Alcatraz experience is still rattling around in my head.
Day 3: Golden Gate and Googleplex - Culture Shock and Coffee Fixes
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast (oatmeal again!).
- 10:00 AM: Head to the Golden Gate Bridge. Drive across it. Absolutely stunning views. The sheer scale of it is breathtaking. I take a million pictures. The wind tries to make me eat my own hair. It's beautiful, but the wind is a total jerk.
- 12:00 PM: I attempt to find the perfect spot for a photo. After wandering down to a popular "vista point," (read: crowded with tourists), I go for a little side trip. I love the solitude.
- 1:00 PM: Googleplex. Yeah, I know it's not technically in San Francisco, but it felt like something for me to see. I drove around. It was weirdly… corporate. And a little bit intimidating. I find I can't stop feeling like I'm being watched.
- 2:00 PM: I needed a coffee. BADLY. I stumble across a cute little cafe in Mountain View. I settle in and have a moment of peace while drinking down a rich latte.
- 3:00 PM: Head back to the Extended Stay. I spend the afternoon thinking about the day's adventure.
- 7:00 PM: I make the same mistake again as the night before, and attempt to cook. I try to get ambitious with chicken, but I just can't get the temperature right. I end up having to eat a microwaveable meal I had in the freezer.
Day 4: Lost in Chinatown, and the End of an Era
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast, same as always: oatmeal.
- 10:00 AM: I'm going to Chinatown! I get lost. But in the most delightful way possible. The smells, the sounds, the energy… it's a sensory overload. I buy way too many souvenirs (a dragon statue for my desk, a few tea sets).
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in Chinatown! Dim sum. The best dim sum I've ever had. I order everything. And I regret nothing.
- 2:00 PM: I wander across to North Beach. So beautiful. I stop to check out City Lights Bookstore. (Jack Kerouac vibes are strong). It's like a haven for bookworms like me.
- 3:00 PM: I get coffee in North Beach. I can't stop thinking about Alcatraz.
- 5:00 PM: I hear news, it feels like fate, not to have any control over my life. I've got this huge opportunity at work. I feel like I'm starting to change the course of my life.
- 7:00 PM: I get sad. I need to be alone. I make an effort to get a good dinner. As I look out the window, I feel like my life is starting to finally come together. I'm able to eat the chicken that I tried to make. The trip is just a side note now.
- 8:00 PM: I feel the need to start planning my next adventure.
Day 5: Departure and the Lingering Taste of San Francisco
7:00 AM: Wake up. Pack up. Check out. I'm leaving the mess behind.
8:00 AM: Stumble my way to the airport.
9:00 AM: Airport.
10:00 AM: Flight.
11:00 AM: Think to myself how my life has drastically changed.
12:00 PM: Back home.
Overall: San Francisco, you were more than I expected. You were beautiful, chaotic, exhausting, and exactly what I needed. Even with the questionable hotel, the traffic, and the slightly burnt… everything… it was worth it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a mountain of laundry to tackle and a very strong urge to buy another dragon statue. California, I'
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