Escape to Philly: Unbeatable Deals at Mt. Laurel's Extended Stay America!
Escape to Philly… and Survive Mt. Laurel's Extended Stay America: A Review So Real, It's Practically a Confession!
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you’re about to get the unvarnished truth about the Extended Stay America in Mt. Laurel, just a hop, skip, and a slightly confused Uber driver away from the City of Brotherly Love (and cheesesteaks, glorious cheesesteaks!). I've stayed here. I've survived here. I'm here to tell the tale.
First off, let's be real. You’re not coming here for a luxurious getaway. You’re coming here because you're either: a) on a tight budget, b) in town for a long-term project, or c) both. And you know what? That's okay. We've all been there. So, let’s dive headfirst into this extended stay adventure.
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the "Could Be Betters"
Okay, so in terms of pure accessibility, the Extended Stay America in Mt. Laurel… they try. The elevator is a godsend, especially if you're lugging a mountain of luggage (which, let’s be honest, most people staying here probably are). They have facilities for disabled guests. Now, I'm not disabled, so I can’t personally vouch for how well those facilities work, but the fact that they exist is a win. CCTV in common areas and outside property gives a slight sense of security, even if the lighting outside sometimes feels like it was designed by a committee obsessed with shadows.
Internet? You Betcha… (Mostly)
Alright, let’s talk internet. This is a big one. And while the promise of Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a significant draw, let's just say my connection was… temperamental. One minute it was blazing fast, allowing me to binge-watch cat videos (crucial research, obviously), the next it was buffering like a dial-up modem from the '90s. The Internet access – wireless was more reliable, but I also had access to Internet access – LAN, which is a throwback but potentially useful, and I’m all for options. The Wi-Fi for special events I didn't see, so I'm guessing it's not a thing.
Rooms: Your Home Away From (a Slightly Questionable) Home
The rooms themselves are… functional. Think "minimalist dorm room chic." My room had Air conditioning (thank God!), a refrigerator (essential for stashing those cheesesteak leftovers), and a coffee/tea maker (because caffeine is life). Free bottled water. Nice touch! They're Non-smoking rooms, which is a huge plus for me, even though the faint scent of… something… occasionally lingered in the hallway. There was daily housekeeping, which was a blessing (especially when you're living out of a suitcase for days on end). And the air conditioning in the public area helped a lot.
The bedding: Not luxurious, but clean enough. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for fighting off the jet lag. I appreciated the extra long bed, though it became a little too roomy at certain times of night. I'm also a sucker for a window that opens, so that was a definite positive. I also had a desk area, which was a lifesaver that allowed me to write this review in the first place!
Cleanliness and Safety: A (Cautious) Thumbs Up
Okay, this is where I get a little more… persnickety. Cleanliness is key, and the Extended Stay America in Mt. Laurel has clearly upped its game since the pandemic. The Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas were reassuring. The Rooms sanitized between stays (presumably) felt good! The staff seemed genuinely committed to Staff trained in safety protocol, and there were Hand sanitizer dispensers strategically placed. They even had Hygiene certification, which is a good sign, although I didn't exactly have the time and resources to test the claims.
But… (there’s always a but, isn't there?)… I kept my own hand sanitizer handy, just in case. The smoke alarms were present, but I sure hoped they worked properly, and while there were fire extinguishers, I also hoped I wouldn't have to find out if they worked either.
The Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Individually-wrapped food options, and Shared stationery removed was good.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Limited, but You Get By
Don’t expect a culinary paradise. There are no restaurants, or bars on-site. You're pretty much on your own. They do offer a Breakfast takeaway service, which is basically a grab-and-go situation, featuring things like pre-packaged muffins and instant oatmeal. (Meh.) But hey, bottle of water is always cool. The real dining scene revolves around the convenience store, which is good for things like coffee, snacks, and the occasional emergency chocolate bar.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag
The doorman? Nonexistent. Concierge? Nope. Cash withdrawal? I didn't see it. The elevator was helpful though. The front desk [24-hour] was staffed, thank god, and that's a huge plus!
- Cashless payment service: Fine by me.
- Daily housekeeping: Huge plus.
- Ironing service: I didn't use it, but it was there.
- Laundry service: The machines… worked. Eventually.
- Luggage storage: Available, though I didn't trust it with anything valuable.
- Safety deposit boxes: Provided, which I also found helpful (though I also didn't trust them).
- Smoking area: A small, depressing patch of concrete.
- Terrace: Didn't see one.
For the Kids: Mmm, Maybe Not
I didn't see much in the way of kids facilities or babysitting service. Extended Stay America is generally built for adults.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Don’t Expect a Spa
Fitness center? I think there was one, but I wouldn’t call it a state-of-the-art gym. Think one treadmill and a few dusty weights. No pool with view, no sauna, no spa, no steamroom. There were no special amenities in this area.
Getting Around: Cars, Cars, Everywhere
The Car park [free of charge] is a definite plus. The Airport transfer is a joke. Plan your own transit. Car park [on-site] is a go, and they have a Car power charging station and Valet parking.
The Anecdotes: Stories from the Trenches
Okay, so here's a moment of brutal honesty: I'm a writer, and I was in town for a (long) writing retreat. Days blurred. Cheesesteaks were consumed. Deadlines loomed. The Extended Stay America became my sanctuary. I spent hours in the room, which felt as much of a refuge.
It’s not perfect, but it's functional. It's cheap. It's near Philadelphia. It’s a place to lay your head, and sometimes, that's all you need.
The Verdict: Should You Stay?
If you're looking for a luxurious escape, turn back now. But if you're budget-conscious, need a place to stay for a while, and don't mind a bit of bare-bones functionality, the Extended Stay America in Mt. Laurel is a decent (if imperfect) option. Just pack your own entertainment, your own snacks, and maybe a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. And for the love of all that is holy, order a cheesesteak. You won't regret it.
Rating: 3 out of 5 cheesesteaks (with extra onions, of course).
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly polished travel blog. This is real life, extended-stay edition from a Philadelphia-adjacent hellhole… I mean, Mount Laurel, NJ. And it's gonna get… interesting.
The Extended Stay America Endurance Test: Philadelphia & Surroundings (Plus, My Sanity’s Slow Descent)
Day 1: Arrival & the Quest for Groceries (aka, Fueling the Fear)
- 1:00 PM: Touch down at Extended Stay America - Philadelphia - Mt. Laurel - Crawford Place. "Crawford Place." Sounds posh. It’s not. It’s beige. Beige everything. The lobby smells vaguely of stale coffee and… something else. I'm not gonna analyze it further.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. The front desk person seems vaguely inconvenienced by my existence. Same, pal. Same. Got the key. Room is… well, it's a room. With a kitchenette. Which is all I’ve got for supplies.
- 2:00 PM: The Great Grocery Hunt begins. My stomach growls ominously. The fridge. Oh, the fridge. It's a joke. A tiny, pathetic joke. This is where my culinary adventures will begin? Pray.
- 2:30 PM: Found a ShopRite. This is where I’m going to spend all my money and consume all the ice cream. I’m going to fail miserably. I already feel like I’m failing.
- 3:00 PM: Purchased: frozen pizza (obvious choice), instant oatmeal (gotta pretend I’m healthy), a family-sized bag of chips (because, reality), and enough ice cream to drown a small mammal. Oh, and bottled water. Gotta stay hydrated so I'm not a complete vegetable.
- 3:30 PM: Back at the beige abyss. Unpack (or throw everything randomly onto a surface). The pizza is calling my name.
- 6:00 PM: Ate the pizza. Regret set in.
- 7:00 PM: Reality check. I'm by myself and in New Jersey. Should I cry?
- 8:00 PM: Attempt to watch TV. The selection is…limited. Ended up watching “Forensic Files.” Appropriate.
Day 2: Philadelphia’s Charm…and My Existential Dread
- 9:00 AM: Awaken, slightly less afraid. Oatmeal! I can DO this! Takes one bite, throws it in the trash. Nope. Pizza for breakfast.
- 10:00 AM: The Philadelphia trip. I got a map.
- 11:00 AM: Drive into Philly. Traffic is…alive. Almost got into an accident. Philly drivers are maniacs.
- 12:00 PM: Independence Hall! Saw the Liberty Bell. It's cracked. Like my spirit. Saw, the building. The people were great!
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in Reading Terminal Market. Overwhelmed. So many choices! Ended up with a cheesesteak. Because when in Rome…or Philadelphia…eat the cheese. It was amazing. Just sayin'.
- 2:30 PM: Elfreth's Alley. Cute. Quaint. Made me feel like a tourist…because I am.
- 4:00 PM: Walked. That's all I did. Just walked. Got lost. Found some cool murals. Got lost again. Realized I’m terrible with directions.
- 5:00 PM: Found a bar. Needed a drink. Had two drinks. Needed a third…but drove back.
- 6:00 PM: Back at the beige palace. Watched more TV.
Day 3: The Overwhelming Museum Experience & A Breakdown Over Laundry
- 9:00 AM: Woke up.
- 9:30 AM: Okay, no more pizza. Coffee, black. And then another coffee. Need the caffeine.
- 10:00 AM: Drive to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The steps! Rocky! I ran up them. Felt…something. Triumph? Exhaustion? Probably both.
- 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Museum. Museums. Art. Too much art! So many rooms! So much to see. Started strong. Then, the art blurred. My brain went numb. I walked through rooms, vaguely nodding at things. Eventually, I just sat on a bench, staring blankly at a painting of a horse that looked smug. Why was the horse smug?!
- 3:30 PM: The thing that broke me? LAUNDRY. I tried to do laundry. The machine ate my quarters. I looked like a crazy person trying to get the door open. My shirt is now unwearable. I nearly lost it. I called the front desk. Got a blank stare. "Yeah, the machines are… temperamental."
- 4:00 PM: I cried. In the laundry room. Over a shirt and quarters. It was the straw that broke the camel's back.
- 5:00 PM: Pizza and Chips.
- 6:00 PM: More TV.
- 7:00 PM: Realization: I really need to be home. I miss my dog.
Day 4: The “I’m Done” Day & The Jersey Shore Escape (Kinda)
- 9:00 AM: Okay, no. Just…no.
- 10:00 AM: Decided to escape. Jersey Shore! Beach! Sand!
- 11:00 AM: Drive to the shore (well, a part of it). Traffic. Always traffic. The air turned salty. I felt better
- 12:00 PM: Found a beach. Walked. Watched the waves crash. Closed my eyes. Breathed.
- 1:00 PM: Ate a hotdog. It was good.
- 2:00 PM: Sat on a bench. Watched people. Laughed at a kid trying to eat a cone of ice cream. Made myself laugh.
- 3:00 PM: Drove back. Traffic. The air, now of exhaust.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Back at the beige. Pizza. Chips. TV. Therapy.
Day 5: Goodbye, Beige! & The Realization
- 9:00 AM: Packed.
- 10:00 AM: Checked out. Didn’t even make eye contact with the front desk. Good riddance.
- 10:30 AM: In the car, driving back. The traffic wasn’t that bad, ironically.
- 11:00 AM: Looking forward to being at home.
- 12:00 PM: Lesson learned: Philadelphia is great, but I am not an extended-stay person. Or maybe I am just a crazy person who doesn't like beige.
Okay, that's it. This whole experience… it was a mess. It made me feel more, and less, at the same time. But hey, at least I have a story. And a fridge full of pizza boxes. And a slightly cracked spirit.
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