Durham's BEST Extended Stay? (Select Suites Review!)
Durham's BEST Extended Stay? Let's Dive Into Select Suites (And Pray!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this is going to be less "objective review" and more "honest, slightly chaotic account" of my recent stay at Select Suites in Durham! I'm talking the good, the bad, the slightly-too-much-information – all delivered with a generous helping of rambling and genuine human feelings. This is not just a review; it's a DESPERATE plea for a decent extended stay.
First, the SEO nonsense, because, gotta pay the bills, right?
Meta Description: A brutally honest review of Select Suites in Durham, covering accessibility, dining, amenities, cleanliness, and… well, everything! Find out if this extended-stay option is truly the best, warts and all. #DurhamHotels #ExtendedStay #SelectSuites #HotelReview #Accessibility #Fitness #Dining #Cleanliness
Keywords: Durham hotels, extended stay, Select Suites, accessibility, wheelchair accessible, Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center, spa, restaurant, breakfast, cleanliness, safety, pet-friendly (hopefully, I didn't check!), business facilities, family friendly, reviews.
Now, let's get messy!
Accessibility: Is It Wheelchair-Friendly, Really? (Accessibility Section)
Alright, first off, accessibility. This is CRUCIAL. I'm not personally wheelchair-bound, but I've got friends who are, and it's a pet peeve (a big, angry cat of a pet peeve) when hotels claim accessibility and then… don't deliver. Select Suites claims to be accessible. Here’s the deal: The website says it, I didn't independently verify it from the perspective of someone that might require a wheelchair, so I can't give a definitive YES or NO. They have elevators, which is a massive plus. The reception area seemed okay. But, honestly, until someone with firsthand experience gives a thumbs up, I'm cautiously optimistic about this one. I'd recommend calling and getting the exact measurements of doorways, and checking if they offer all of the things they say.
Internet. Oh, the Internet. (Internet section)
Free Wi-Fi? YES! Wi-Fi in ALL rooms? ABSOLUTELY, YES! That's a HUGE win. You know how important that is for extended stays because you're often working! (I tested the speed. Pretty good, didn't die of frustration. Score!) Internet [LAN] is also listed… but did anyone REALLLY use LAN cables recently? The internet was solid, and I had zero issues with my ahem important work-related activities.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Extended-Stay Grind (Dining Section)
Okay, let's be real. Extended stays mean you're eating at the hotel more than you ideally should. Select Suites has a restaurant. They advertise a la carte, buffet (breakfast) and a bar. I had breakfast. I gotta say, the buffet was… okay. No Michelin stars here. But hey, it's something. There was a buffet. It involved carbs and a questionable interpretation of "fresh" fruit. The coffee? Weak. Very, very weak. I ended up resorting to instant stuff in my room. (That's life, friends. That's extended stay life). There was also a snack bar, which was a lifesaver at 3 am when that existential dread hits and you NEEEED a chocolate bar. I survived. Barely. They offer room service [24-hour]! (that's a huge plus.) It was tempting! And what is better than a good midnight snack?
Cleanliness and Safety: Is it Virus-Proof? (Cleanliness and Safety Section)
Alright, the post-COVID world, right? Are you scared of getting a germ? They claim to have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and Professional-grade sanitizing services. HUGE PLUS in my book, especially after being out in public for so long. They also boasted about Hand sanitizer, and Staff trained in safety protocol. All that, in theory, is great. It seemed reasonably clean. And the staff did look like they knew the basics. They also offered Room sanitization opt-out available.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Glitches & Perks (Services Section)
- Cash Withdrawal: Yes, thank goodness.
- Concierge: Present, and reasonably helpful, but not one of those "knows everything" concierges, you know?
- Daily Housekeeping: YES! Thank the stars. It’s great coming back after a day!
- Dry Cleaning & Laundry Service: YES, HUGE YES. Extended stays mean more clothes to clean.
- Elevator: YES.
- Food Delivery: Yeah, for when you are sick of the buffet.
- Luggage Storage: Yep.
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities: They have them. I didn't use them. You're on your own there.
For the Kids (For the Kids Section)
I didn't travel with kids, but they claim to be family-friendly, with things like babysitting service and kids meals. Let's take this with a grain of salt, shall we?
Getting Around: Driving, Parking, and Airport Runs (Getting Around Section)
- Airport Transfer: Listed!
- Car Park [Free of Charge]: Yes. You pay for the room, and that's it.
- Taxi Service: Available.
Available in All Rooms: The Essentials (Available in All Rooms Section)
- Air Conditioning: Praise be!
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes, and thank God for that, because I need caffeine.
- Hair dryer: Check.
- Free bottled water: The small things…
- Internet access – wireless: Oh, yes, darling.
- Mini bar: Yes, but expensive, so hit the convenience store.
- Non-smoking: Thank you!
- Refrigerator: Essential for extended stays.
- Satellite/cable channels: The usual, nothing special.
- Wake-up service: Yep.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Again, yes!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Is There Even a SPA?? (Relaxation Section)
- Fitness Center: There was a fitness center. I didn't go. Guilty. (Okay, maybe I'll try tomorrow.)
- Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool had a view. I could see the neighborhood from the pool.
- Spa/sauna: I didn't see a spa.
The Verdict:
Look, Select Suites isn't perfect. The breakfast is… well, it's there. And there's room for improvement, especially on the "spa" front. HOWEVER, considering the price point and the essentials – clean rooms, reliable internet, decent parking, and some basic amenities – it's not a bad choice for an extended stay in Durham. It's convenient, generally clean, and the staff are friendly enough. Would I stay again? Yeah, probably. Would I be thrilled? Probably not. But will I survive? Absolutely.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is a REAL trip, potentially fueled by way too much coffee and a healthy dose of existential dread, all centered around a stay at the Extended Stay America Select Suites in… checks notes… Durham, North Carolina. Let's get this disaster… I mean, adventure… started.
Trip: Durham Delight (and Possibly Disappointment)
Hotel: Extended Stay America Select Suites - Durham - University Durham – the place where dreams go to… well, not exactly die, but maybe take a nap in a slightly stained armchair. We’ll get to the room later.
Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious Quest for Food
- Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Arrive in Durham. Oh joy. I'm a travel cliché, flying into a city I know NOTHING about. (Cue the existential dread.) The flight was delayed, naturally. Because, life. This immediately sets the tone. Good start, universe.
- Imperfection Alert: Luggage? Found. But, my noise-canceling headphones? MIA. Cue internal screaming. Guess I'll experience Durham in all its auditory glory.
- Quirky Observation: The airport smells faintly of… sadness? Maybe it's just me. Or the stale coffee.
- Transportation: Taxi/Uber to Extended Stay. God, I hope the driver doesn't try to make small talk. I’m still recovering from the airport.
- Time: 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Check-in. Pray to the hotel gods that I don't get the room overlooking the dumpster.
- Emotional Reaction: Check-in was… fine. The receptionist looked like she'd seen things. I am not alone here.
- Rambling: Okay, let's talk about expectations for this hotel. I'm not expecting the Ritz, obviously. But please, just a clean bed and working television. And PLEASE, no… shudders… bed bugs.
- Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Unpack, survey the room (fingers crossed it's habitable), and assess the damage. This is when the real judging begins.
- Opinionated Language: Okay, the room. First thoughts… it’s fine. Really fine. A little… beige. I mean, the color of beige has to be a metaphor for something, right? Like, the bland mediocrity of… life! (Okay, maybe I need a nap.)
- Time: 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM: The most crucial mission: Finding food. Starvation is a real threat, friends. I am hangry (hungry and angry. Don't judge.)
- The Food Odyssey: I looked up the best restaurants. I actually did read the internet reviews. But I'm a human, and I'm easily distracted. I want a good meal, okay? Something delicious. Something that makes me forget about my existential dread for at least 45 minutes.
- Food Stop 1: Found an amazing restaurant with a great review. And I swear, it's the best taco I've ever eaten.
- Food Stop 2: (Don't judge.) This is all part of the adventure! Dessert at a local bakery. I may have purchased enough pastries to feed a small village. Again, I'm a traveler. Don't judge.
Day 2: Durham's Heart and Soul (and Maybe an Identity Crisis)
- Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast. Or, more likely, a sad granola bar and lukewarm coffee from the hotel lobby. The hotel lobby itself offers a full breakfast but it's all the same, and I only want the coffee.
- Emotional Reaction: The coffee was… surprisingly okay. This trip may be turning around!
- Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Explore the downtown area.
- Opinionated Language: Downtown Durham is… charming. In that slightly-rough-around-the-edges way that I inexplicably love. It's got character. And it's overflowing with… checks notes… coffee shops. (Yes!)
- Event: I found a great coffee shop and sat there for hours reading.
- Imperfection Alert: Tried to take a picture of a cute dog. Failed miserably. (See, I told you I was a travel cliché!) The dog was just too cute.
- Transportation: Walked, mostly. God, I love walking.
- Emotional Reaction: I don't usually get to see a lot of historical landmarks. But I saw some! I liked the architecture a lot.
- Rambling: Okay, I need to be honest: I’m a bit overwhelmed. So much new, seeing things. I've never traveled, maybe I'm having an identity crisis. Durham, you're messing with my head!
- Event: I went to see the Duke Center for Documentary Studies this afternoon.
- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at a local eatery. Had a fantastic burger. Worth every calorie.
- Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Continued exploring.
- Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: (The Evening)
- The Dinner Dilemma: Restaurants again! I checked out some more restaurants and ended up at the fanciest restaurant I could justify.
- The Restaurant Experience: The service was nice. The food was good. I could have stayed there forever.
Day 3: Departure and Reflections (Mostly on Beige)
- Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Okay, I'm not going to lie. I'm kind of sad to leave. Maybe Durham isn't so bad after all.
- Emotional Reaction: The beige of the room seems… less beige.
- Transportation: Head to the airport.
- Rambling: I actually liked staying in Durham. I wonder if everything is beige there. Maybe. I would definitely come back to Durham.
- Time: 12:00 PM: Departure. So long, Durham.
- Final Thoughts: Overall, Durham was a solid trip. The hotel was fine. The food was amazing. I survived. Now, back to real life.
This is just a messy, honest, and totally un-curated travel experience. Remember, every trip has its ups and downs, its beige moments, and its epic taco triumphs. Embrace the chaos!
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Durham's BEST Extended Stay? (Select Suites Review!) - My Brain Thinks Out Loud
So, is Select Suites actually "BEST"? Let's be real, okay?
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because the "BEST" title? It's a bold claim. Let's just say, my experience at Select Suites in Durham was less "five-star resort" and more... "lived-in charm," shall we? I'm talking, like, the kind of charm where you're pretty sure someone spilled coffee on that carpet... weeks ago.
Honestly, if you're looking for pristine perfection, maybe keep scrolling. But if you're on a budget, need a place for the long haul, and can tolerate a little… *let's say* “character,” then Select Suites *might* be your jam. Emphasis on *might*. I'm not ruling anything out here, which is just how I roll.
What's the deal with the rooms themselves? (Size, cleanliness, you know...)
The rooms are... spacious! Seriously, I'm pretty sure I could have done yoga in that living room. And let's be honest; after a long day, spacious is a *gift from the heavens*. That being said, "cleanliness" isn't exactly a top priority at Select Suites. I wouldn't go as far as saying it was *dirty*, but… let's just say my first order of business was a deep dive with some Clorox wipes. I found a stray Cheerio under the couch that was basically fossilized. That's heritage, people!
The bed? Yeah, comfortable with a capital "C". The blankets were heavy enough that I didn't need a weighted blanket which was a win, I guess. The bathroom? Functional, no complaints there. Just remember to bring your own soap, because what they supply might as well be water-based hope at times. Okay, I am getting a little bit dramatic.
What about the kitchen? Can I actually cook?
Oh, the kitchen! Alrighty... This is where things get a little... *dicey*. They have the basics: a fridge, a stove, a microwave... but the *quality* of those appliances? Well.... I don't know how well they keep up the maintenance of these things, but the fridge struggled to get my milk cold enough.
Also, if you're planning on whipping up a gourmet feast, lower your expectations. The cookware situation is... sparse. I'm pretty sure I cooked my entire dinner in a single, sad-looking pan. And the silverware? Better bring your own, because it's like they took the budget for utensils straight to a casino. I had to ask for a knife.
Are the staff friendly? I need some support, man.
Okay, let's talk staff. This really can vary depending on the day, but overall... they're alright. I had one experience that really left me feeling so confused and a bit silly. I'd gone down to ask for more towels (running low, you know?) and the man looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. It took a minute! I was surprised. They usually were pretty responsive whenever I had a problem. They are all very professional that is for sure.
I'd say the hospitality ranged from "friendly" to "business-like." They may not always greet you with a smile, but they *do* try to get things sorted quickly. So, yeah... depends on the day, frankly. Definitely not winning any awards for charm, but they do get the job done.
Amenities!! What kind of perks are we talkin'?
Okay, so... amenities. This is another area of "low-budget living". They have a basic gym... I'm not going to tell you what to expect but don't get any hopes up. The WiFi is functional... most of the time. And the pool? I didn't even bother. To be honest. It's not a major perk.
Don't get me wrong, the free parking is great, and the laundry room (with, like, one broken machine out of four!) is a lifesaver if you're on a long-term stay. Still, the perks aren't exactly the main selling point here. Really, it's the price, location, and the room size.
Is the location good, though? I need to be near stuff!
Location, location, location! This is where Select Suites actually shines, in my opinion. It's close to a lot of different things. It's a short drive to the main attractions in Durham. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. Honestly, I didn't mind the area one bit, you know? It's not in the middle of nowhere or anything like that. I was pleased. Location is a big win!
Would you recommend Select Suites? Be honest!
Alright, the million-dollar question! Would I recommend Select Suites? Okay, here's the deal: If your budget's tight and you need a place for an extended stay, then yeah, it is a solid option. It's not glamorous, it's not luxurious, but it's functional and, let's be honest, sometimes that's all you need. You might have to lower your expectations slightly, maybe pack a bottle of disinfectant and a good attitude, but hey, you can find a home there.
If you're expecting a 5-star experience? Run, don't walk. You will be disappointed. But if you're looking for a place to crash, cook basic meals, and explore Durham without breaking the bank? Give it a shot! You might find you love it, just like I did, quirks and all. I mean, it wasn't perfect, but it was home. And sometimes, that's all that matters.
Okay, tell me about the worst thing that happened. Lay it on me.
Alright. Fine. One day, I went to use the laundry room. I put my stuff in, put in my money, and the machine... just... died. Complete standstill. I had a whole load of clothes swirling around, and this machine was acting like some kind of metal monolith I couldn't comprehend. I went to find the staff, and I swear they looked at me like I had two heads. Eventually, they told me to try another machine. I had to re-wash my clothes, lose even more money, and wait around for forever... it was a whole drama. This happened more than once too.
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