Escape to St. Louis: Your Perfect O'Fallon Extended Stay Awaits!
Escape to St. Louis: My Unfiltered O'Fallon Extended Stay Experience (and Did I Survive?) – A Review That's Honestly Messy
Okay, people, let's be real. Booking an extended stay anywhere feels like a commitment. You're not just popping in for a quick weekend; you're practically moving furniture. So, when I saw “Escape to St. Louis: Your Perfect O'Fallon Extended Stay Awaits!” I was intrigued. Perfect? In O'Fallon? My expectations were… well, cautiously optimistic. Let me just say, it was a journey. Buckle up, because this isn't your average cookie-cutter hotel review. I'm gonna spill the tea, throw in some shade, and maybe even shed a single, dramatic tear.
First Impressions: Accessibility and That "Perfect" Promise
Right off the bat, the SEO keywords are practically screaming at me! Let's get this out of the way, because good Lord, I needed to make sure it felt right.
- Accessibility: They claim to have facilities for disabled guests. That's good. I didn't have a specific need for it, but it's a huge plus. Wheelchair accessible? They say yes, but I didn't measure the doorways, you know? The website mentioned elevators (thank GOD), so I knew I wouldn’t have to haul my luggage up some creaky staircase like a modern-day Atlas.
- Check-in/out [express]: My first interaction was fine. The front desk was there and ready; didn't feel rushed or like I was inconveniencing their day. Nice beginning.
- Check-in/out [private]: Didn't get a private experience, but not a major complaint.
The Room: My Temporary Kingdom (or, My Miniature Fortress of Solitude)
Alright, let's dive in because I spent considerable time in this space.
- Available in all rooms:
- Air conditioning: Phew. St. Louis summers are no joke.
- Alarm clock: Essential because I am useless at waking up.
- Bathroom phone: Okay, a little unnecessary, but hey, options.
- Bathrobes: Luxurious. I approve.
- Bathtub: Yes! My relaxation spot.
- Blackout curtains: Saved me from the blinding morning sun.
- Carpeting: It was clean, but I'm not the biggest fan of carpets in hotel rooms.
- Closet: Adequate.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: Crucial. I'm a caffeine addict.
- Desk: Perfect for my laptop workspace.
- Extra long bed: Thank god. I'm tall.
- Free bottled water: Nice touch. Hydration is key.
- Hair dryer: Yes, thank you, no more wet bed-head.
- High floor: Not sure, could have been but I didn't notice and it's not a priority.
- In-room safe box: Useful!
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: All good. I needed to work.
- Ironing facilities, Ironing service: Necessary as I'm a wrinkle-magnet.
- Laptop workspace: As mentioned, it’s great.
- Linens, Slippers, Towels: Fine. Nothing mind-blowing, but they were clean and functional.
- Mini bar: Tempting, but I resisted. Mostly.
- Mirror, Reading light: The mirror was in my face. Reading light was useful.
- Non-smoking: Excellent.
- On-demand movies Always a win.
- Private bathroom, Shower, Separate shower/bathtub: Yep, the shower was great.
- Scale: For those moments of truth we all face.
- Seating area, Sofa: Good for lounging.
- Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Soundproofing: Important.
- Telephone: I don't use it anymore.
- Toiletries: Meh. As expected.
- Umbrella: Surprisingly useful, given the St. Louis weather rollercoaster.
- Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Window that opens: Didn't try these, but good to see.
- Additional toilet: Not applicable.
- Room decorations: Not really a thing.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Not sure, but maybe?
- Internet access: Got it, easy as pie.
- Additional toilet: Not applicable.
So, the room was… decent. Functional. It didn't scream "luxury," but it also didn't feel like a prison cell. It was, however, mine for the foreseeable future, and I liked that.
Cleanliness and Safety: My Inner Germaphobe's Approval (Maybe)
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms: Okay, I felt… safe.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, 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, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They took the whole mess to the cleaners. Good. I appreciated the efforts, especially with the whole, you know, world health situation.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Adventures in Calories
Okay, this is where things got interesting. And by interesting, I mean, I ate a lot of food. My pants are probably regretting this whole stay-cation.
- Restaurants, Coffee shop, Snack bar, Poolside bar I ate in the restaurants.
- A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: I did it all, and sometimes ate them all together. The breakfast buffet was a glorious, carb-laden affair.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes, I gave in to the temptation. More than once.
- Happy hour: Sadly didn't attend.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: The restaurant offered a decent variety.
- Bottle of water Always appreciated.
Look, the food wasn't Michelin-star quality, but it was convenient, and sometimes, that's all you need.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (or, How I Tried to Avoid Going Stir-Crazy)
This is where the "perfect" part of the hotel's tagline was truly tested. Extended stays can be a mind-numbing grind!
- Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The outdoor pool was nice. It was a great way of relaxing, even if I didn't do it as much as I should have.
- Gym/fitness, Fitness center: I was great at planning to use the gym, and uh… there wasn't much more to it than that.
- Spa, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage: I didn't partake.
- Things to do, ways to relax: The options were there; I just didn't take advantage of them as much as I could have.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference (or Don't)
- Air conditioning in public area, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests Made sure it felt right; I wasn't worried about it.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Essential condiments, 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: I feel like a lot of these weren't utilized, but good to know.
- Food delivery: I indulged.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: The parking was plentiful.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange Needed at some point.
- Doorman I didn't know the doorman.
For the Kids (Because, You Know, Life Happens)
- Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal I didn't
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-organized itinerary. This is my St. Louis-O'Fallon, IL adventure, and it's gonna be more train wreck than bullet train. We're talking messy, real, and probably fueled by a questionable amount of gas station coffee. Prepare thyselves.
The Extended Stay America Saga (O'Fallon, IL - St. Louis Edition): My Temporary Castle
Pre-Trip Anxiety (Yes, I get it too!): Okay, so, the whole leaving-the-house thing? Never easy. Packing? Always a disaster. I swear, my suitcase resembles a black hole, swallowing things whole. I'd forgotten my toothbrush AGAIN. And that feeling you get when you're convinced you've left the stove on? Yeah, that's been a constant companion since planning this trip. Did I double-check that passport? Triple check? Ugh.
Day 1: The Arrival and the Mystery of the Microwave
- 1:00 PM: Landed… or, more accurately, crawled into the Extended Stay America. Okay, first impressions… it’s a chain. It smelled faintly of… something. Definitely not roses. Think a mix of cleaning chemicals and… history. But hey, it's a roof, and I'm exhausted. Checked in - bless the woman at the front desk, probably the sweetest motel employee I've ever met. She looked like she'd seen some things. (Didn’t get her name, but I will never forget her kind face)
- 2:00 PM: The room! Clean enough. Gotta say, I'm already judging myself for not upgrading to the "penthouse suite" (which probably just means a larger closet). The kitchenette… a marvel of modern minimalism. The microwave? Okay, the microwave is the true star. It’s one of those industrial-sized ones and I'm already suspicious. It's like the hotel knew I was going to use it to make a frozen pizza at 3am.
- 3:00 PM: Grocery run. Because, adulting. The local grocery store was a goldmine of regional snacks. Pickles, cheese, and about a million different BBQ sauces. I stocked up… you know, for sustenance. And maybe a little bit of comfort. I spent entirely too long in the chip aisle.
- 4:00 PM: Pizza time. Microwave showdown. The instructions? Non-existent. The pizza? Slightly less cooked than it said it would be. Ate it anyway. #WorthIt.
- 5:00 PM: Settled in; Netflix and "relax." Except, well, jet lag. And the relentless hum of the air conditioner. Which, oddly, is growing on me. It's like white noise, but with a faint, almost… motivational vibe.
- Evening: Attempted to order takeout. Got lost in the app. The pizza scene was better. Passed out mid-show. Woke up at 2 am to the microwave blinking ominously. Decided I probably wouldn't try the pizza again.
Day 2: Gateway Arch and Gatorade Dreams
- 7:00 AM: Woke up. Regretted the pizza. Needed a serious breakfast.
- 8:00 AM: Realized I'd forgotten the coffee maker. Cried briefly. Then, bravely, embraced the instant. It was… a beverage.
- 9:00 AM: On the road! Drove into St. Louis… and promptly got lost. GPS is my friend, until it isn't. Wound up discovering a glorious little diner on the way. The breakfast burrito was legendary. Fuel for the soul. And for the day.
- 12:00 PM: The Gateway Arch! Majestic. Really, really tall. The elevator ride up was a little claustrophobic, but the view? Stunning! Took about a million photos, none of them capturing the sheer scale of the thing. It's one of those "you have to be there" moments.
- The Emotional Bit: I felt a surge of… something. Pride? Awe? Okay, mostly, it was just happiness. To be standing there, seeing history, feeling the breeze, it was… good. Simple, unadulterated good.
- 2:00 PM: Downtown St. Louis. Navigating the traffic. A chaotic ballet of cars and frustration. I may have yelled at a few drivers (under my breath, of course).
- 3:00 PM: Attempted to visit the City Museum… but it was a madhouse. Like, seriously, a full-blown circus of kids and artistic installations. I'm all for art, but not when it comes with a side of toddler stampede. I retreated. Vowed to return another time.
- 4:00 PM: Spent a fortune at a vintage clothing store. Found the coolest jacket ever, worth being broke for.
- 5:00 PM: Drive through the area I wanted to see again. I'd been craving Gatorade all day. Searched every gas station. Not one in sight. I realized the importance of hydration and the cruel injustice of the universe.
- Evening: Back at the Extended Stay. Microwave pizza redux? Absolutely not. Opted for leftovers from the diner. A quiet night in. Maybe I'll try the pizza in the morning… maybe.
Day 3: Museum Mania and the Lament of Leaving
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast failure. Burnt the toast. Instant coffee casualty.
- 10:00 AM: The St. Louis Art Museum! Glorious. I got lost in the light, the colors, the sheer creativity. Spent hours wandering, losing track of time. Found a Monet, and almost lost it.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Tried a recommended restaurant. The food was amazing, but the wait… let's just say I had a good book and a lot of patience.
- 2:00 PM: The Missouri History Museum! Learned tons. It felt… important. To understand where we've been, where we're going.
- 4:00 PM: Packing. Ugh. The black hole suitcase strikes again. This time, I'm pretty sure it ate a sock, a hairbrush, and my sanity.
- 5:00 PM: Last-minute grocery store run. Determined to find those Gatorades. Success! This time I snagged a case. The small victories.
- 6:00 PM: One last pizza (microwaved to perfection, finally!), and watching the sunset.
- Morning: Goodbye, Extended Stay! Farewell Microwave! See you never, jet lag. I have to leave. Part of me feels like I am leaving a tiny piece of myself in this room. It's time, though. Time to head back home.
The Imperfections… and the Awesomeness. Because That's Life.
This itinerary? It's not perfect. It's missing moments, filled with missteps, and probably a few too many naps. But this is real. This is how it felt. This is my messy, beautiful, slightly pizza-fueled adventure in and around O'Fallon, IL and St. Louis, and I wouldn't change a single, slightly burnt, glorious, greasy-cheese-covered, Gatorade-less moment.
Escape to the Hudson Valley: Your Perfect Poughkeepsie Getaway at Residence Inn!
Escape to St. Louis: Your Perfect O'Fallon Extended Stay Awaits! (…or Does It?) - FAQs You *Actually* Need to Know
Okay, so... O'Fallon, Missouri. Why *should* I even consider a long-term stay there instead of, like, I don't know... *anywhere else*?
Alright, deep breaths. O'Fallon. It's not the Eiffel Tower, okay? Let's level with each other. But it *is* perfectly… tolerable, and sometimes even *pleasant*. Compared to, say, spending a month sleeping in your car, O'Fallon looks darned good. Honestly, consider this. If you're working on a project nearby, need to be close to family, or just... need *space*, O'Fallon offers a surprisingly decent balance. Think "suburbia lite" with a good selection of chain restaurants (hey, sometimes you need a predictable plate of greasy goodness!), decent grocery stores, and surprisingly... *quiet*. There are pockets of charming older areas, a ridiculous amount of (admittedly nice) parks, and it's reasonably close to the St. Louis action without *being* in the St. Louis action. That last part's a big plus, depending on your personality (and tolerance for traffic). I once stayed in a *terrible* motel in St. Louis city – the kind where you kept one eye open even while sleeping. So, O'Fallon? Definitely an upgrade.
What *kind* of extended stay options are we talking about? Is it all just sterile hotel rooms? (Please, no sterile hotel rooms.)
Okay, thank goodness. There's a range. You *can* get the standard extended-stay hotel experience. Like, the kind where the free breakfast is stale cereal and questionable coffee. (Been there, suffered through it.) But, thankfully, there are also options that are a *little* more… evolved. Think suites with kitchenettes (key!), maybe even a separate living area. Often, these places have laundry facilities – a GODSEND when you're living out of a suitcase. I once spent a whole month in an extended stay with no laundry and let me tell you, my socks could stand up by themselves. Look for places that, dare I say, *feel* like you could *live* there, not just survive. Read the online reviews! Filter out the ones complaining about the water pressure being low (because, let's be honest, that's a first-world problem) but pay attention to complaints about cleanliness and noise. Those are crucial.
Okay, let's talk about the cost. Extended stays, can they break the bank? Should I just sell a kidney and get an apartment?
Ah, the million-dollar question (or, you know, the *hundreds*-of-dollars-a-week question). Generally, extended stays *can* be a decent budget option, especially if you're savvy. Apartments, especially in the O'Fallon area (which is generally fairly affordable compared to, say, coastal cities), can require a hefty deposit and long-term commitment. Extended stays often offer more flexibility. The price *will* fluctuate depending on the season, the location within O'Fallon (proximity to restaurants, etc.), and the quality of the place. Don't be afraid to negotiate! Seriously! Call the place directly, explain your situation (long-term stay, budget constraints), and see if they can offer a better rate. It's amazing how often they can. And factor in the cost of eating out constantly vs. cooking in your kitchenette. That can make a huge difference. I once ate ramen noodles for a week straight. Never again.
What about the amenities? Are we talking "pool and gym, woohoo!" or "pool that looks like a swamp and a gym with a treadmill that smells faintly of mildew"?
This is where the research comes in. Read those reviews! Seriously, *read them*. Most extended-stay places *will* have a pool. Some are lovely and well-maintained. Others… are not. (I’m still traumatized by that swamp-pool experience, by the way). The gym situation is often the same. Sometimes it's a tiny, forgotten room with a dusty treadmill and a dumbbell set that looks like it's been through a war zone. Other times, you get lucky and score a decent facility. Consider your priorities. If you're a fitness fanatic, a good gym is non-negotiable. If you just want to relax, a decent pool and a clean room will probably suffice. Also, consider the freebies. Some places offer free breakfast (see above: assess the quality). Some do laundry. These extras can add up and save you time and sanity. I once stayed in a place with free laundry, and it was the most luxurious experience of my life.
Okay, but what if I HATE O'Fallon? What's there to *do*? Besides, you know, chain restaurants?
Alright, let's be honest, O'Fallon isn't exactly *Paris*. But it’s not a barren wasteland either. It depends on your interests. If you're a nature lover, there are parks galore. You can cycle, walk, jog, picnic... the usual outdoor things. If you're into shopping, well, you're in luck – there are plenty of retail options. If you're a foodie, the chain restaurants will get old *fast*. But… St. Louis is relatively close! A short drive opens up a world of possibilities: amazing restaurants (from BBQ shacks to upscale dining), museums (the City Museum is a MUST-SEE!), live music venues, and the whole dang thing. The drive there is sometimes a bit of a pain, but the payoff is worth it. I recently went to the Zoo and it was *amazing*. So, yeah, O'Fallon itself might be… a little bland. But you're close enough to the good stuff to escape the monotony. Just embrace the drive, and maybe bring some podcasts. Seriously, podcasts are a lifesaver.
Is it safe? Should I be worried about crime?
O'Fallon is generally considered a relatively safe place. It's a suburb, remember? However, it's always smart to take basic precautions, no matter where you are. Lock your doors! Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Don't flash your wallet (or anything of value) around. Use common sense. Check online crime statistics if you’re *really* anxious, but generally, you should be fine. I’ve never felt particularly unsafe there, but I'm also not naive. Trust your gut. If a place or situation feels sketchy, then walk away. Better safe than sorry. It’s mostly families and the older crowd in O’Fallon. Which means it is *probably* pretty safe, but don't let that lull you into a false sense of security...or start a conversation with a stranger at 3 AM. Just a thought.
Laundry. Really, really important laundry. What's the deal? In-unit? On-site? Laundromats? I need a plan.
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