Unbelievable Glendale Stay: Extended Stay America Suites - LA Luxury!
Unbelievable Glendale Stay: Extended Stay America Suites - LA Luxury? … Or Just Extended? (A Messy, Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a real review of the Extended Stay America Suites in Glendale, California. They call it "LA Luxury," which, let's be honest, already sets the bar… low. But hey, a roof over your head is a roof over your head, right? Let’s dive into my slightly chaotic, and definitely opinionated, experience.
First Impressions & Accessibility (The Okayest of Okay):
Finding the place was a breeze. The entrance? Well, let's just say if you're expecting a grand hotel lobby, you're in for a surprise. It's more… practical. Functional. Let's go with "efficiently utilitarian".
- Accessibility: They do list "Facilities for disabled guests". I saw an elevator, which is always a win. But beyond that, I didn't personally scrutinize the accessibility features. I'd definitely advise checking with the hotel directly if you have specific needs.
- Check-in/out: Express. Honestly, in these times, I appreciate that. I just want to get to my room (or, you know, a room).
- Exterior Corridor: This is a classic Extended Stay move. It’s like, "Here's your door, and the vast expanse of the parking lot. Have fun!"
Rooms: The "Suite" Life (Questionable Luxury):
Alright, the rooms. They're… fine. Think of a typical Extended Stay America, but with a slightly fresher coat of paint (maybe).
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank god), alarm clock (who uses those anymore?), coffee/tea maker (essential!), free Wi-Fi (that actually worked!), hair dryer, mini bar (mostly empty, but hey, it's there!), refrigerator (crucial for my emergency snacks), satellite/cable channels (binge-watching potential!), and Wi-Fi [free] (did I mention that?). So many essential things!
- Internet access: Okay, there's "Internet access – LAN". Who the heck uses LAN anymore? Let’s be real, it's all about the Wi-Fi. Thank goodness for the Wi-Fi - it was pretty reliable for streaming some trashy reality TV. I mean, research.
- Soundproofing: Let's just say my neighbors’ late-night phone calls were audible, even with the TV on. So, not perfect.
- Bathrooms: Basic, but clean. Provided they have a bathtub, or at least a shower after a long tiring day. The provided toiletries were… adequate.
Cleanliness & Safety (The Somewhat Reassuring Bits):
This is where Extended Stay stepped up, and I appreciated it.
- Anti-viral cleaning products - Good! Very good!
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Not that I’d want to opt-out considering the current climate, but ok.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: They seem to be taking it seriously. I definitely felt safe knowing my room had been properly cleaned.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Always a huge plus. We are all scared of germs these days!
- Hand Sanitizer: Yes!
- Smoke detectors: Yes!
- Fire Extinguisher: Yes!
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Slightly Grim Reality):
Extended Stay isn't known for its gourmet dining experiences. Prepare to be underwhelmed.
- Kitchen and Tableware items - Sanitized!: Phew… I was worried there for a bit!
- Breakfast (a Joke): They offer a "breakfast takeaway service". Don't expect Michelin-star quality, though. Think pre-packaged muffins, instant coffee, and maybe some sad-looking fruit. I survived with a trip to the nearest market.
- Snack bar: Non-existent. Learn to pack your own.
- Restaurants: Nope. Unless a vending machine counts.
My Most Memorable Moment (The Toilet Paper Crisis):
Okay, this is where things get real. Day two. I'm settling in, ready to unwind, when… the toilet paper… runs out. Completely. Now, I know this sounds like a small thing, but when you're in a hotel, stranded, and the toilet paper situation goes south, trust me, it's a crisis.
So, I call the front desk. And wait. And wait. After a significant amount of time (long enough to contemplate the meaning of life… and run through my limited supply of tissues), someone finally arrives with a roll. The whole experience was a testament to the hotel's… let's say, "relaxed" approach to guest service. The fact that I was able to laugh about it, weeks later, speaks to the experience.
Things To Do & Ways to Relax (Maybe Don't Expect Much):
- Fitness center: I think they had a tiny, sad fitness center. I didn't venture in, but the thought of sweating in there didn’t exactly fill me with joy.
- Swimming pool: They have an outdoor pool. I didn’t use it, but it looked okay.
Services and Conveniences (The Bare Bones):
- Daily housekeeping: This was actually pretty good despite the toilet paper fiasco.
- Laundry service: They offer laundry service, which is a serious convenience.
- Cash withdrawal: This is always a plus!
Getting Around (Car is King):
- Car park [free of charge]: Free parking is a HUGE bonus in LA.
- Car park [on-site]: Yes!
- Taxi service: Available, but didn’t use.
For the Kids (Not Exactly Kid-Friendly):
- Family/child friendly: I didn't see many kids, but it feels functional rather than particularly welcoming to families.
My Verdict (The Real Truth):
Would I stay here again? Maybe. Look, it’s an Extended Stay. You get what you pay for. It's functional, relatively clean, and in a decent location. The toilet paper incident was memorable (and might shape my future hotel choices), but honestly, for a quick trip? It'll do. It won't blow your mind, but it will, probably, provide a place to sleep and watch some terrible TV. Just… bring your own toilet paper, just in case.
SEO & Metadata (Because, you know, Internet):
- Keywords: Extended Stay America, Glendale, LA Luxury, hotel review, accessibility, affordable hotels, clean rooms, free parking, budget travel, Extended Stay, California, travel, lodging, accommodation, family-friendly hotels,
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Extended Stay America Suites in Glendale, CA. Unpacking the good, the bad, and the toilet paper (or lack thereof!). Budget-friendly, accessible? Find out if this hotel lives up to the hype.
- Title: Unbelievable Glendale Stay? Extended Stay America Suites - LA Luxury Review (Honest & Messy!)
- Focus on a single experience: Toilet paper!
- Quirky Observations: The "exterior corridor" experience, the slightly grim breakfast, the state of the tiny fitness center.
- Emotional Reactions: Annoyance at the lack of phone calls. Relief at the clean room. Amusement over the toilet paper crisis.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sterile travel brochure. This is the REAL DEAL. Here’s how I, your intrepid (and slightly scatterbrained) traveler, plan to tackle the Extended Stay America Suites in Glendale, Los Angeles. And by "plan," I mean "wing it with a loose framework and a whole lotta hope".
Extended Stay America Suites - Glendale, LA: My Temporary Home (and Likely My Biggest Adventure)
(Day 1: Arrival & The Imposter Syndrome of Suburban Los Angeles)
- 1:00 PM: Land at LAX. (The airport equivalent of a cattle call. Pray for no delays…or at least short ones). I’m already picturing the chaos, the stressed-out families, the guy in a "Hollywood or Bust" t-shirt who's clearly been "busting" his budget since he left his hometown.
- 2:30 PM: Uber/Shuttle Shuffle to Glendale. Okay, first hurdle. Will the Uber driver understand "Extended Stay America - Glendale"? Or will I end up halfway to Bakersfield because I mispronounced something? (Highly likely. My geography is, shall we say, impressionistic).
- 3:30 PM: Check-in. The moment of truth. Will the room be a depressing beige box of misery? Or will it have that strange, almost hopeful, "someone actually cleaned this at some point" vibe? Emotional reaction: Prayer circle that the air conditioning works. I’m a desert-dweller at heart, but Los Angeles heat is… intense.
- 4:00 PM: Unpack. (Or, more accurately, toss my suitcase contents onto the bed in a vague approximation of organization). I'll then stare at the bleak kitchenette, wondering what culinary horrors I can concoct with a microwave and a desperate hope that I remembered to pack instant coffee.
- 5:00 PM: Reconnaissance Mission: The Grocery Store. This is crucial. This is where the real adventure begins. Finding a decent grocery store in a strange land is the true test of a traveler. I'll be looking for the essentials: coffee, snacks (because, when is it not snack time?), and something, anything, that resembles vegetables. If I can get some local fruit, all the better, but realistically, I can't be too picky, because it's the only place I know!
- 6:30 PM: Dinner: Embrace the Microwave. Or, if I'm feeling ambitious (which is unlikely), I'll brave a local fast-food joint. Quirky observation: The first fast-food meal in a new city is always a cultural experience. It's like a litmus test for the local vibe. Am I going to get judgey looks for my order or will I get a warm welcome?
- 7:30 PM: Room Service - TV. If I'm able, I'll watch some old show I've seen a hundred times, because the unfamiliar channels are too much to handle.
- 9:00 PM: Fall asleep. The first night in a new place is always weird.
(Day 2: Disneyland & The Triumph of the Human Spirit…or At Least My Ability to Stand in Line)
- 7:00 AM: Wake-up (or, more accurately, drag myself out of bed). Coffee, vital.
- 8:00 AM: Trip to Disneyland!!! Okay, this is the big one. The reason I'm even in LA in the first place. Emotional reaction: EXCITEMENT! And, let's be real, a hefty dose of anxiety. Theme parks make me simultaneously thrilled and overwhelmed. My plan: rope drop, hit the big rides first, and try not to break down from sensory overload.
- 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM: DISNEEEEEEEYLAND!!! (Stream of consciousness here, get ready): Rides! Lines! Churros! The sheer volume of people! The forced smiles! The little kids who look like they're about to spontaneously combust from joy! The adults who are clearly more invested in the experience than the actual children! Ugh.
- My biggest struggle: Staying hydrated. I swear, I'm going to turn into a raisin if I don't keep guzzling water. Also, navigating the park map. Why do they make these things so convoluted?!
- The Unexpected Joy: Watching the parades. I always get a little teary-eyed when the characters go by. Don't judge me. It's magic, dammit!
- The inevitable breakdown: Probably at the end of the day when I'm hangry, exhausted, and my feet are screaming.
- Dinner: Eat somewhere in the park. Overpriced but necessary.
- 7:00 PM: Head back to the Hotel to sleep and prepare for another day!
(Day 3: Retail Therapy & The Crushing Weight of Consumerism - Also, Maybe the Getty?)
- 9:00 AM: Sleep in. Because I'm not a morning person and I need it after Disneyland.
- 10:00 AM: Breakfast at the Hotel's Kitchenette. Prepare for more microwaved joy.
- 10:30 AM: Venture forth! Today, I will be conquering the shopping malls of Glendale. Maybe. Or maybe I will get lost in a parking garage and give up. I'm not sure.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Find a restaurant. Opinionated language: I'm going to try to find a local spot and not just eat at a chain. I will resist the urge to go to a place I know!
- 1:00 PM: The Getty (Maybe). I have always wanted to see some of the art. This may be the time. Messier structure: If the shopping doesn't kill me.
- 4:00 PM: Rest, Maybe, or more shopping?
- 6:00 PM: Dinner (Whatever I feel like)
(Day 4: Farewell & The Glorious Return to Reality (and Instant Ramen))
- 8:00 AM: Pack. The most depressing part of any trip. I will try to organize my stuff, but let's be honest, it's going to be a frantic scramble to get everything back in the suitcase.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. Say goodbye to my home for the last few days, because, despite its flaws, it has become a temporary haven.
- 9:30 AM: Airport Shuffle.
- 11:00 AM: Fly home.
- 1:00 PM: Back home.
- 3:00 PM: Reflect on the trip. I survived! I saw some things! I ate some food! I maybe even enjoyed myself!
- 4:00 PM: Make some instant ramen.
Important Considerations:
- Traffic: Oh, the traffic! I am mentally preparing myself for hours spent inching along on freeways.
- Parking: I am a terrible driver. Finding parking in LA is a sport. Wish me luck.
- People Watching: Essential. I'm going to soak up the California culture like a sponge.
- Mood Swings: Expect them. I'm human.
So, there you have it. My slightly unhinged travel itinerary. Wish me well. I'm going to need it. And, if you see a frazzled-looking person wandering around Glendale, wearing a slightly bewildered expression and muttering about churros, that's probably me. Come say hi. But bring coffee.
Unbeatable Buffalo Airport Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites Perks You Won't Believe!
Okay, spill. Is "LA Luxury" REALLY in the name of this place? And if so, how… uh… luxurious is it *actually*?
Alright, buckle up. Yes. "LA Luxury" is, in fact, part of the name. And let me tell you, the marketing department must've been on something *fantastic* when they came up with that. "Luxury"? Honey, *maybe* if you're used to living in a shipping container. It's more like "Glendale Functional." Don't get me wrong, it gets the job done... if your "job" is to stay in a place with a working (sometimes) air conditioner and a bed that doesn't completely swallow you whole. I went in expecting a red carpet, and I got… a rather well-trafficked rug. But, hey, at least it was a rug, right? There's a certain… *charm* in the low expectations, I guess.
Extended Stay America? Is it… you know… *extended*? Like, am I going to be shackled to this place for… ever?
Ha! Don't worry, you're not signing your life away (probably). "Extended Stay" just means they cater to folks who need to crash for more than a night or two. I stayed there for a few weeks while renovating my kitchen – a whole *saga* in itself. You can book for as short as a week, or, you know, until you finally find that apartment that *doesn't* have a leaky roof. The staff is pretty chill about it. Just, you know, don't forget to pay your bill. That might complicate things. I almost did forget once, and the look on the manager’s face…priceless. Like, "Oh, *you* again? Seriously?"
Let's talk about the rooms. What's the lowdown? Are they… clean? And, like, is there a kitchenette to try and make a budget?
Okay, the rooms. They ain't five-star, but they're decent. Cleanliness is… *mostly* there. Let's just say I learned to embrace the "live and let live" philosophy when it came to dust bunnies under the bed. The kitchenette *is* a lifesaver. Microwave, mini-fridge, stovetop (sometimes functional), that's your meal ticket. I basically lived on instant ramen and microwave popcorn, saving me a fortune. Okay, and maybe some takeout pizza. Oh, and the coffee maker? Hit or miss. Sometimes brewed, sometimes…just decorative. Embrace your inner MacGyver, and you should be fine. Just *don't* expect to host a dinner party. Unless your guests are particularly understanding.
The location. Glendale. Is it… you know… safe? And what's nearby?
Glendale is… fine. It's not the Hollywood Hills, obviously, but it's also not Skid Row. Generally, felt safe enough. The parking lot is well-lit, which always a plus. You're close to the Americana at Brand, so, if you crave retail therapy or chain restaurants it's easy to get to. There is the whole thing with the Galleria too! The traffic is a *beast* – seriously, plan your routes carefully. Rush hour becomes a slow crawl of existential dread. But when you do get out, there are pretty good places to eat. Got some Armenian food I now dream about! The surrounding area is pretty normal... a little bit of everything. It's not like you're going to fear for your life walking to get groceries, but still!
Okay, the *really* important stuff: the Wi-Fi. Is it garbage? Because, you know, gotta get that Netflix fix.
The Wi-Fi. Oh, the Wi-Fi. It's… a relationship. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes you're blessed with blazing speeds, and sometimes you stare at the buffering wheel until your eyeballs bleed. I think the biggest connection I had, to be honest, was with the *other* residents of the hotel. We'd all sit near the lobby, desperate for a reliable signal, staring at our screens like zombies. And at some point, there's that shared feeling of pain… it created a sort of… camaraderie. So, yeah, have a backup plan for your streaming. Download shows ahead of time. Or just… you know, talk to people. (I even found it hard to find good food nearby, and had to resort to ordering pizza, so the Wi-Fi situation was a huge deal.)
What was the *worst* thing that happened during your stay, and don't say "the Wi-Fi!"
Alright, alright. The Wi-Fi was bad, yes, we get it. The *worst* thing? Okay, so one night, and I’m not kidding here, the fire alarm went off at 3 AM. For, like, a full *hour*. I was in the middle of a really good dream involving a pizza and a unicorn, and it was just… gone. We all had to stumble outside in our pajamas, bleary-eyed and grumpy. Turns out, it was a false alarm. Apparently, someone burned their… pop-tart. A *pop-tart*! Seriously? That was an entire hour of sleep I'll never get back. I almost lost my mind. Had to go back in, just to realize my door was locked, so that meant, I had to wake up the manager, who did *not* look thrilled. Let's just say, my relationship with pop-tarts is… complicated now.
The pool. Is there one? And if so, is it actually *usable*?
Yes, there’s a pool. It's… there. I saw it. Once. It wasn’t exactly a shimmering oasis of relaxation, but it *looked* like it held water. I never got around to swimming, frankly. Between the Wi-Fi woes, my ramen diet and that unfortunate pop-tart incident, I was too stressed to even *think* about putting on a swimsuit. But hey, on a hot day, it *could* be nice. Maybe. Don't expect the Four Seasons, though. It's more like… a slightly-better-than-public-pool vibe, I'd guess.
Would you go back? Be honest!
Honestly? Probably. Listen, it got the job done. It's not the Ritz, but it's affordable (ish) and convenient. If I ever find myself needing a place in Glendale again, I wouldn't rule it out. It's got a certain… grittiness. A character. And the memory of that pop-tart incident? Well, that's a story for the ages. Plus, the staff, despite some quirks, were pretty cool. They never judged my ramen consumption, nor my constant complaints about the Wi-Fi. So, yeah, I would recommend it, provided your expectations are, shall we say, *tempered*. Just pack your own Wi-Fi router, a pop-tart-Hotel Finder Reviews
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