Denver's BEST Kept Secret: HomeTowne Studios Thornton!
Denver's "Best Kept Secret"? Let's Spill the Tea on HomeTowne Studios Thornton! (Brace Yourselves…)
Okay, folks, let's be real. Finding a decent, affordable place to crash in the Denver metro area can feel like navigating a minefield blindfolded. You're bombarded with gleaming hotel websites promising paradise, only to find yourself in a dusty motel room smelling faintly of despair. But I, your intrepid (and slightly jaded) reviewer, have ventured forth in search of the elusive gem – and landed at HomeTowne Studios Thornton. Now, "best kept secret" is a bold claim, and frankly, I was skeptical. But hey, I'm game for anything. So, pack your bags (and maybe some Lysol wipes…just in case) and let’s dive in.
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Hurdles and the Heroics
Right off the bat, the location is…well, it's in Thornton. Which, if you're not from around these parts, means you're a bit away from the downtown hustle, but perfectly positioned for exploring the northern suburbs and, crucially, avoiding insane Denver traffic (most of the time!).
- Accessibility: Okay, this is important. HomeTowne Studios Thornton claims to be accessible. I didn't roll in with a wheelchair (sadly, my own legs still function), but I did poke around. The elevator is a godsend, and the entryways seem wide enough. I saw a few facilities for disabled guests, which gave me a little hope. But, honestly, I'd love to hear from someone who's actually tested this. It could be a hit or miss!
- Getting Around: Car park [free of charge]. Seriously, a lifesaver. Parking is a free-for-all, which is awesome.
The Room: My Sanctuary (or the Scene of the Crime?)
I snagged a room. Let's just say my expectations were low, like, subterranean low. But I'm gonna say it: the room wasn't terrible. Like, not actively trying to give me the heebie-jeebies.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (essential in Colorado summers!), Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]). The Wi-Fi worked, mostly. Sometimes, it decided to take a little nap, which was annoying when I was desperately trying to stream a rom-com. Which, in retrospect, was not the best idea.
- The Essentials: Refrigerator. Crucial for stashing leftovers (or a sneaky beer). Microwave. You can nuke your meals (or maybe something you shouldn't nuke…I'm not judging). A coffee maker. Okay, it was questionable coffee, but it existed. Desk, Laptop workspace: all basic, but functional.
- The Details: I found a non-smoking room, which was a relief. Blackout curtains (thank GOODNESS for those), and a TV with satellite/cable channels. Don't expect HD, but you'll find something to watch.
And because I'm a sucker for the little things:
- Wake-up service: I needed it. And it worked. Seriously, small victories.
- Hair dryer - Okay. Not the strongest I have used, but a dryer is what you need.
- Mirror - You need it to check your look, no matter how you feel about the motel.
- Seating area - a table with two chairs, and a sofa.
- Extra long bed - I am tall, and I appreciated this a lot.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Never-Ending Battle
This is where things get…a little less rosy. Let's be honest, motel cleanliness is a gamble.
- Cleanliness and safety: The staff appeared to be making an effort. I saw signs about daily disinfection in common areas, and there were hand sanitizer stations. But let's just say I wouldn't have wanted to eat off the floor.
- Anti-viral cleaning products - I have doubts, but in the end, I did not make a full clean-up (as a matter of fact, they did not include some products)
- Rooms sanitized between stays - not sure how well. I was a bit paranoid, but…
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Front desk [24-hour], Security [24-hour]: felt safe enough.
- First aid kit: Always a plus. You never know.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Hunger Games
Okay, this is where HomeTowne Studios falls short. Don't come expecting a culinary adventure.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet] / Breakfast takeaway service. Here's the deal. The "breakfast" included the usual suspects: pre-packaged muffins (dry, but edible), instant oatmeal, and questionable coffee. Let's just say I grabbed a takeaway breakfast and went straight to the nearest coffee shop.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Not Available, or not what you expect.
- Room service [24-hour]: NOT AVAILABLE, because there is actually no "room service"
- Bottle of water - I did not purchase one, because I was suspicious and I had already my personal water.
- Essential condiments - there are no condiments in my order.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things
- Services and conveniences: They offer a convenience store, which would be great if it was not empty.
- Cash withdrawal, Safety deposit boxes: I did not use those services.
- Air conditioning in public area, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests: They are there, at least.
- Concierge, Doorman: Not available.
- Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Luggage storage: I was not brave enough to use these services.
Things To Do / Ways to Relax: Seriously…Relax?
- Fitness center: It's, well…let's say it exists. Don't expect a state-of-the-art gym. Think basic equipment.
- Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor] - THERE IS NONE.
- Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids meal, For the kids: Not applicable, they don't care (or so it seemed)
- Smoking area: I was not the one to search for it.
The Verdict: The Not-So-Secret Secret
So, is HomeTowne Studios Thornton a "best kept secret"? Nope, but it's not a complete disaster either.
- Getting Around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking - They do not offer these services.
- Services and conveniences: 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 center, For the kids - Most of these things were not available.
- Access: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms - The security was fine, but I don't have information about the rest.
The Good:
- Price: Relatively affordable. Let's be honest, that's a major draw.
- Room Size: Decent, you won't feel like you're sleeping in a closet.
- Free Parking: Seriously, a lifesaver.
- Location (for the right person): Convenient for exploring the northern suburbs.
The Not-So-Good:
- Cleanliness: Could be better, for sure. Bring your own wipes.
- Breakfast: Don't get your hopes up.
- Amenities: Don't expect anything fancy.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… well, this is my HomeTowne Studios Denver - Thornton Thornton (CO) Adventure, aka "The Thornton Tango." Don't judge the name, I'm still workshopping it.
Day 1: Arrival and the Dreaded Comfort Zone
- 1:00 PM: Arrival - Okay, so I booked HomeTowne Studios because, let's be honest, my budget screams "budget traveler." My first impression? Well, let's just say the "studio" part made me think of a hip artist's loft, and the reality… not quite. Think more "functional efficiency apartment in a former motel." But hey, the price was right. And the lobby guy? He looked like he'd seen a few things, probably including a rogue chihuahua or two. I have to give him credit for the dry humor.
- 1:30 PM: Room Invasion (and the Search for the Holy Microwave) – The room itself? Let's call it "cozy." The bed looked… adequate. My mission? Find the microwave. Because, as any seasoned budget traveler knows, the microwave is the key to survival. After a frantic search of the mini-fridge and some questionable-looking cupboards, SUCCESS! Found it! Victory! I promptly microwaved a frozen burrito. It exploded. Cue inner turmoil.
- 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: The Thornton Tapestry of Boredom. Okay, this is where the itinerary goes a little haywire. I was picturing… exploring. Adventures! Instead, I kind of… stared at the wall. The TV was on, playing some kind of home improvement show. I considered the sheer volume of dust bunnies under the bed. I briefly contemplated the existential dread of being in a HomeTowne Studio in Thornton, Colorado. Okay, so maybe the "adventure" hadn't quite kicked in yet.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - The quest of food: I walked to a nearby supermarket. The sheer variety of options both excited and overwhelmed me. I think I stood there, contemplating salsa options, for a solid twenty minutes. I ended up grabbing a bag of chips and another burrito (microwave skill level: improved, surprisingly).
- 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner: Devoured the burrito again, this time with a side of chips, at the table. Not the most glamorous of dining experiences.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: The Interrogation of the TV: Bingewatching the TV and feeling lonely.
- 9:00 PM - Midnight: Reading and trying to sleep
Day 2: Denver, Baby! (and Potential Disaster)
- 9:00 AM: The Breakfast Conundrum: Again, the microwave becomes a hero! After nearly causing a fire with some Pop-Tarts, the day begins.
- 9:30 AM: The Great Escape (to Downtown Denver): So, the plan today? Denver! I'm thinking vibrant city life, museums, maybe a beer garden? I get in the car. My car, whose dashboard currently sports a "check engine" light that looks like it's been there since the dawn of time. I glance at it, then put faith in the car.
- 10:30 AM - Midnight: Red Rocks! (or, the day the car almost gave up the ghost): Alright, so I made it to Red Rocks! Holy. Cow. Seriously. The amphitheater? HUGE. The views? Staggering. I took about a million photos. Then, the inevitable happened. While I was trying to find a parking spot, a sudden "CLUNK!" From the car. The engine light started flashing now. I started sweating buckets. This situation was exactly what I feared. I called AAA, prepared for the worst because, with a car like mine, you have to be prepared for absolutely anything. The mechanic said it was just a problem with the engine and that everything was gonna be fine.
- Rant mode: Okay, the car situation nearly sent me into a panic. I spent an hour pacing the parking lot, replaying every bad decision I've ever made, and seriously considering a career change to become a professional car washer. The sheer vulnerability of being stranded in Thornton, Colorado, with a broken-down car… terrifying.
- Recovery mode: I did manage to get the car sorted in the end. The mechanic was nice, the repair wasn't too catastrophic. So, after all of that, I actually took a moment to ENJOY the view. And it truly was spectacular.
- Evening: Dinner & Stargazing: Even got to see the sunset!
- Midnight: Sleep
Day 3: The Unscheduled Finale (and a Confession)
- 9:00 AM: A Hearty Breakfast (of sorts): Microwave and Pop-Tart, level: Pro.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: A Final Walk (of the hotel): The final moments in Thornton, the "Thornton Tango" - I went to the laundrette and started to clean up. There were a lot of people there at the time.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: The goodbyes. One last look at the room. The microwave and the dust bunnies, the mini-fridge and the tiny TV; I was leaving.
- 1:00 PM: Check Out
Post-Trip Reflection (aka, The Soul-Searching)
You know, this trip wasn't the Instagram-worthy adventure I had envisioned. There were moments of boredom, minor car-related crises, and questionable burrito choices. But! There were also moments of pure, unadulterated beauty. Like staring at Red Rocks. The small triumphs, like not completely and utterly failing at operating a microwave. And, let's be honest, there's a certain charm in the unvarnished reality of a HomeTowne Studio in Thornton. It's not fancy, it's not perfect, and it's definitely not glamorous. But, in its own bizarre way, it was real. I can officially say I survived the "Thornton Tango." And maybe, just maybe, I'll be back for the encore. Probably not, but you never know.
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HomeTowne Studios Thornton: Denver's...Alright-est Secret? (Let's Be Honest!)
Okay, spill the beans! Is HomeTowne Studios Thornton really that much of a "secret"? I mean, is it like, *totally* undiscovered?
Secret? Undiscovered? Nah, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's more like a well-kept *budget*-travel secret. Think of it this way: it's the place you tell your friends when they’re really, REALLY tight on cash or need a no-frills extended stay. I've known people who lived there for *months*. MONTHS. One guy I know, a freelance web designer named Kevin (or maybe it was Keith, I'm terrible with names!), practically *lived* there during a huge website project. He said something about "being able to order pizza at 3 AM and no one judging." That's…appealing. But secret? Probably not. Everybody knows *someone* who knows *someone* who's stayed there. It’s a grapevine of practicality.
So, what *exactly* is HomeTowne Studios? Is it a hotel? A motel? A…prison with slightly nicer sheets?
Alright, let's get this straight. It's an extended-stay hotel. Think small kitchenette (and by small, I mean barely enough space to turn around in, and maybe a mini-fridge that sounds like a disgruntled cat), some basic furniture, and a bed. A bed that's probably seen a few things, if I'm being honest. I stayed there once, briefly, when my apartment flooded (Don't ask. It involved a leaky dishwasher and a whole lot of panic). My first thought? "Well, at least it’s *dry*." The air conditioning was loud – like, *REALLY* loud. I had to crank the TV to eleven just to hear it over the incessant hum. But hey, at least water wasn't coming through the ceiling. So… perspective, people. Perspective.
The Kitchenettes! Tell me more! What can I *realistically* cook in those things?
Okay, the kitchens… they’re a thing. Reality check: don't expect to whip up a Michelin-star meal. You're looking at a tiny, often electric, stovetop (if you're lucky!), a microwave, and a mini-fridge that’s seen better days. Think eggs, instant noodles (a LOT of instant noodles), maybe some microwaved veggies. I swear, the last time I was there, the microwave timer looked like something out of the stone age. And the utensils? Bring your own. Just… do it. My advice? Embrace the simplicity. Ramen is your friend. And maybe invest in a good toaster oven. I saw a guy toasting bread with a lighter. Seriously.
What about the Amenities? Pool? Gym? Free Breakfast Buffet (fingers crossed!)?
Okay, let's manage expectations. No. No pool. No gym. And definitely no free breakfast buffet. Maybe there's a vending machine. Maybe. I vaguely remember something about laundry facilities, but use with caution. I hear the dryer eats socks. Amenities are… minimalist. It's all about the basics. A place to sleep. A place to shower. A place to escape your overflowing apartment, let's face it. Or maybe a place to hide from your in-laws for a couple of weeks. I'm not judging.
The Location! Is it convenient? Are there any cool spots nearby?
Thornton’s… well, it’s Thornton. It's not exactly downtown Denver, am I right? It's the suburbs, but I'll give you this: It is a pretty convenient location. Near the highway. Groceries! Restaurants! I'm not going to pretend it's the most happening spot in the world, but it's not a total wasteland. You're not stranded in the middle of nowhere. You *can* actually get around. And hey, sometimes that's all you need. It's functional. It’s drivable. And sometimes… that's enough.
Let's talk pricing. Is this place actually a deal? Do I need to sell a kidney to afford it? (Asking for a friend)
Pricing is a *major* selling point. That's the whole reason this place exists. It's typically much cheaper than your average hotel, especially if you're staying for an extended period. The longer you stay, the better the deal. Renting an apartment is even cheaper in most cases but let's be real, you aren't thinking rationally at this point. I suggest calling to book, because it is much cheaper than booking online - at least, that's my experience. It's a financial lifesaver when you’re between apartments or in a pinch. Like, "living out of your car" or "sleeping on your friend's couch" kinda pinch. So, the answer? No, you don't need to sell a kidney. But you might have to eat a lot of Ramen. (See: Kitchenettes).
Okay, be honest: What's the *vibe* like? Is it sketchy? Is it a haven for… interesting characters?
Alright, real talk time. The vibe…it's…eclectic. Let's put it that way. You're gonna meet folks from every walk of life. Maybe some long-term residents, some traveling workers, maybe some, uh, *temporary* residents. The kind of place where you might see a guy in a bathrobe and flip-flops at 2 PM…and not bat an eye. It's not the Four Seasons. It's not the Ritz. It leans towards the "lived-in" side of things, but I've never felt unsafe. It’s more like…a community. People look out for each other. I’ve heard stories of neighborly acts of kindness. Still... keep your wits about you, and lock your car doors. And probably don't leave your laptop unattended in the laundry room. Just…you know…be smart.
Got any horror stories? Anything I should REALLY avoid?
Horror stories? Well, there was the time I saw a cockroach the size of a small car, but that was probably a nightmare. Avoid? Avoid expecting luxury. Avoid expecting perfection. Avoid being a snob. The internet can be iffy sometimes, so if you need to work, make sure you have a reliable hotspot somewhere. You'll be fine!
Okay, overall. Would youHotel Whisperer
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