Amarillo Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Extended Stay America Suites!
Amarillo Getaway: Extended Stay America – Unbeatable Deals…or Unbeatable Meh? (A Totally Honest Review)
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to unleash the unvarnished truth about my recent Amarillo adventure, specifically my stay at Extended Stay America Suites. The promise? "Unbeatable Deals." The reality? Well, let's just say it's a bit more complicated than a straightforward "wow."
The Gut Reaction: Honestly? It's a solid meh. Not terrible. Not amazing. Perfectly… serviceable. But before you roll your eyes and click away, let me explain. I'm not shy about sharing the messy reality, the little things that make or break a stay.
Accessibility - Let’s Get to the Brass Tacks:
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes, thankfully! Ramps, elevators, the whole shebang. Felt pretty confident getting around. (Important: check for specific room details like roll-in showers. I didn't need it, but I always double-check for those who do.)
- Facilities for disabled guests: Present and accounted for. Good on ya, Extended Stay.
Internet, the Digital Lifeline (And My Sanity):
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank God! This is practically a requirement these days, especially for someone like me who's allergic to being unplugged.
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet Services: Yep, included. I didn’t mess with the LAN cable – who even has one of those anymore? – but the Wi-Fi held up.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Present and, yes, also free. Which is a major win when you're sitting in the lobby, pretending to work, while actually people-watching.
Cleanliness and Safety – The COVID Edition:
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer: CHECK! I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this stuff matters. Felt like they were trying to keep things clean, which is saying something in the current climate.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Allegedly. I didn't have a UV light to check, so I had to trust them. (More on that later.)
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed to be. Masks were on, distancing was attempted.
- Safe dining setup: More on that in the food section, but it was… acceptable.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Hold onto Your Hats:
- Breakfast [takeaway service]: This was the killer blow. Breakfast was… basic. Cereal, pre-packaged muffins, coffee that tasted suspiciously like motor oil. Let's just say I was ecstatic for the "takeaway" option, which meant I could sneak it back to my room and medicate myself with the coffee I brought.
- Snack bar: Yep! A vending machine. Think… questionable chips and candy. Not exactly culinary heaven.
- Restaurants / Coffee shop: Sadly, no. This is Extended Stay, not the Ritz.
- Room service: Nope. Don't even ask.
- Bar: Also a resounding NO. This location's not exactly known for its vibrant nightlife.
Now, I gotta tell you about this experience: They claim to have "Individually-wrapped food options". The key word here is "options"; the options they made available were not, as the name suggests, edible. Every morning was the same disappointing routine. I'd drag my butt down to the lobby, eyes barely open, praying for a miracle of a pastry. And what greeted me? The pre-packaged muffin of doom, the shrivelled breakfast bar, the coffee that probably came from the engine in my car. It was almost a performance art piece, a daily reminder of the mundanity of budget travel. But it also became part of the journey. I started to anticipate this routine - like a masochistic pleasure that I would have to have, for 7 days in a row.
Services and Conveniences – The Good, The Bad, and the…Meh:
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, thank goodness! Amarillo heat is… aggressive.
- Elevator: Yes. (Important, as I was on an upper floor)
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, thankfully! But also a bit… intrusive. On the second day, I forgot to put out the "Do Not Disturb" sign, and the cleaning lady walked IN on me, as I made sure to get my coffee ready. It happened in slow-motion. I looked up at her, half-asleep, with my hair a mess, and half a muffin in my mouth. She blinked, and then she just smiled and said "Oops. Sorry". It shook my whole self. After this I put my DND sign up more often.
- Laundry service: Available. Thank goodness!
- Convenience store: A tiny one, with the essentials. But don't expect gourmet options.
- Cash withdrawal: Available in the lobby. Useful!
- Meeting/banquet facilities / Indoor/Outdoor venue for special events: None here, unfortunately.
For the Kids:
- Family/child friendly: Yes!
- Kids meal/ Babysitting service: Not available
Rooms & Amenities – The Nitty-Gritty:
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrooms, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Hair dryer: All present and accounted for. Standard stuff.
- Desk, Extra long bed, Ironing facilities, Mini bar: Yes!
- Non-smoking: Yep, thank god. Smelly rooms are the worst.
- Refrigerator: Yes, and I definitely made use of it for drinks and leftovers.
- Seating area: Provided, which was nice.
- Wi-Fi [free]: The MVP of the whole experience.
- A Window that opens: Woo!
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge], Taxi service: Easy peasy.
- Airport transfer: Not provided.
The Verdict – Unbeatable Deals, or… Manageable?
Look, is Extended Stay America the height of luxury? Absolutely not. But for the price? It's… okay. It's practical. It's clean enough. The "Unbeatable Deals" probably apply, but you're trading things like a great breakfast, a thrilling social scene, and the feeling of being pampered for the most basic of accommodations.
Would I stay again? Probably, if I needed a budget-friendly option in Amarillo. But next time, I'm packing my own coffee maker, and a seriously good muffin recipe.
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Amarillo: Extended Stay America & The Wild West of My Sanity (A Messy Itinerary)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this is less a meticulously planned travel itinerary and more a stream-of-consciousness vomit of my recent Amarillo experience. We’re talking Extended Stay America, the kind of place that feels like temporary purgatory, especially after a twelve-hour drive fueled by stale gas station coffee and sheer existential dread. But hey, Amarillo, Texas! You got guns and roses (probably), and I'm ready (ish).
Day 1: Arrival & The Existential Dread of a Microwave
- 14:00 (ish) - Arrival at Extended Stay America - West Amarillo: Okay, first impression? The lobby smelled vaguely of industrial cleaner and the faint ghost of a previous guest’s questionable cooking. The front desk guy, bless his heart, looked like he’d seen things. "Welcome to Amarillo!" he said, his voice a weary monotone. I'm already picturing my tiny room - the mini-fridge hum, the institutional art, the strategically placed air conditioning unit. Gotta say, it’s a vibe.
- 15:00 - Room Reconnaissance & Unpacking (and the Microwave Incident): The room is… well, it’s a room. Functional, let’s call it. The best thing? A working microwave. The worst thing? The thought of using that microwave to heat up, well, anything. What horrors had it witnessed? The possibilities are endless… and probably involve questionable leftovers.
- 16:00 - Grocery Run & The Quest for Snack Redemption: This is where things get real, and I begin to embrace the "Extended Stay" life. The trip to the nearest grocery store, a sprawling behemoth bathed in fluorescent light. I search for snacks, my comfort food: a family-size pack of Cheetos and a gallon of ice-cream. But just as I was about to checkout someone bumps into me. The Cheetos and ice-cream are broken, and I realize that I'm not alone. The world is full of people as scared as I am.
- 17:00 - Settling In & The First Signs of Hope (Maybe?): Back in the room, I settle in. I know, I know, this is where most itineraries skip ahead, but I'm not most itineraries. This is where the existential dread truly kicks in! I mean, I'm alone in a room in Amarillo with nothing but my thoughts, the faint sounds of traffic outside, and the looming spectre of that microwave.
- 19:00 - Dinner: TV Dinners & Deep Thoughts: Okay, I'm gonna be honest: TV dinners. Yes, I know. I have reached that point in life. But after the grocery store debacle, TV dinners are the only comfort i can find. I eat while reflecting on the deep life, staring at the TV.
- 21:00 - Lights Out & The Sweet Embrace of Exhaustion: Thankfully, my travel has completely exhausted me. Lights are out.
Day 2: Cadillac Ranch & The Pursuit of Instagram Glory (Spoiler: My Feed Is a Mess)
- 08:00 - Wake-Up & The Breakfast Bar That Wasn't: The "complimentary breakfast" at Extended Stay America. I brace myself. One of those, in my opinion, is that the coffee machine is, how to describe it, "questionable", but the bagels are rock-solid and the little boxes of cereal contain sugary, and the yogurt is on the wrong side of sour. I grab some fruit and an ok cup of coffee.
- 09:00 - Cadillac Ranch – The Instagram Fail: Okay, this is a must-do, right? The iconic Cadillac Ranch. Fifteen minutes driving, then I arrive to the sight of those iconic Cadillacs jutting out of the ground. I reach for my phone feeling optimistic. The lighting is dreadful, I can't get a decent angle, and every shot is photobombed by some kid drawing on the cars. Ugh. I feel the familiar burn of Instagram envy. My feed will never be aesthetically pleasing.
- 11:00 - Driving around the city and the finding of random buildings: I got my phone, I got some time to spare, I will not come back here alone.
- 12:00 - Lunch at a Diner (Maybe) & The Questionable Charm of Amarillo: I'm craving a good old greasy burger and fries. I find a diner with a blinking neon sign nearby. The food? Well, let's just say that while it was functional, I'm not sure if I'd call it culinary excellence. But the waitress, she had a smile and genuinely good intentions and that was enough.
- 14:00 - The Room Again & The Deep Sadness of Laundry: Back at the Extended Stay. I see the washing machine and I feel the weight of my dirty laundry hanging over me. I start to feel very sad, very lonely.
- 16:00 - The Netflix Abyss & The Eternal Scroll: What else is there to do? Binge-watching Netflix becomes the dominant activity, a soul-crushing cycle of clicking and scrolling.
- 18:00 - Dinner: More TV Dinners & The Slow Creeping of Despair: I go back to dinner, tv dinner, deep life thoughts and a silent room.
- 20:00 - The Lights of The City & The End of the Day The city lights are very pretty and they give me something to gaze. Lights out.
Day 3: Departure & The Sweet Taste of Freedom (Or, Just the Promise of a Different Hotel)
- 08:00 - Breakfast & The Final Hurdle: The same "complimentary breakfast", the same underwhelming coffee. But today, is different.
- 09:00 - Packing & The Last Glances: The last glances at the room, a place I had been "living" for a while.
- 10:00 - Checkout & Escape: Checkout, and I'm free! The sweet taste of freedom (or, at least, the promise of a different hotel).
- 12:00 - Road Trip & The Beginning of a New Chapter of Sadness: The beginning of my road trip. The promise of a new chapter of sadness.
Quirky Observations & Emotional Reactions:
- The sheer number of trucks on the road is mind-boggling. Seriously, where are they all going? Is everyone in this area hauling something?
- The wind. Oh, the wind. Constantly blowing, making everything feel a little desolate. It's the soundtrack to my loneliness.
- I miss my dog. A lot.
- The staff at Extended Stay America, despite the monotony of their job, seems to genuinely care.
- I'm starting to think I need therapy.
Imperfections & Messiness:
- There's no real structure. I'm making this up as I go, so the itinerary's evolving with my emotional state.
- I'm probably forgetting important things.
- I spent way too much time staring at the ceiling.
- I ate way too many Cheetos.
Overall:
Amarillo? It's a mixed bag. It's definitely a "place." It's not the destination, it's the journey, and the journey is me navigating my way through a place where the only good thing is the escape from my thoughts.
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Amarillo Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Extended Stay America Suites - FAQs! (Seriously, We Need This!)
Okay, spill it. What's the *real* deal with these "Unbeatable Deals"? Because, let's be honest, hotel marketing is usually full of it...
Alright, alright, I get it. "Unbeatable Deals"? Sounds like something my used car salesman uncle would sling. Look, I’m putting my neck out here. Here's the thing: Extended Stay America in Amarillo *actually* seems to have some decent prices. I mean, *decent*. I'm not saying you're gonna get a diamond-encrusted jacuzzi (though, wouldn't that be sweet?), but you might actually get a room for under what you’d pay for a questionable sandwich and lukewarm fries at a truck stop down the road. They usually have something, especially if you're willing to look at the less "prime" times. Think Tuesday afternoons, or, you know, a random Thursday in February. You'll save some serious cash. But remember, I ain't promising you a free pony.
Is it...clean? Because I'm not about to share a bed with Fred the dust bunny and his whole family.
Cleanliness is a big one, I agree. I went once and this room was spotless. Now, let's be realistic: it's not the Ritz. (And let's be honest, the Ritz is probably a bit *too* clean. It’s almost unsettling, no? Like, are they *hiding* something?) But in my experience and I've been to a few Extended Stays now, things are *generally* okay. Like, not actively making-you-want-to-vomit bad. Sometimes, if the place is really busy, you *might* see a stray smudge of something on a wall. Honestly, I'd let you go. I’m not a control freak. Just carry some wipes! Seriously, always pack wipes. Never leaves home without them.
What about the amenities? Got anything beyond a bed and the existential dread of being alone in a hotel room?
The *amenities*. Right. Brace yourself. Okay, a lot of Extended Stays have kitchenettes. Which, honestly, is kind of amazing. Got a fridge, a microwave, and a stovetop which is good because you have to have somewhere to use their plates, otherwise you'll just have to clean up your cereal bowl in the bathroom sink. It's fantastic if you're trying to eat healthy on the road. You can actually avoid eating fast food for three days straight...or you could just bring a whole pizza and bake it in the oven. No judgement here. The laundry usually works, which is a lifesaver. Wifi can be spotty, so I’d download podcasts ahead of time. Just…stay positive. Don't expect a spa.
Is the location decent? I don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere, praying for rescue.
Location, location, location! It's Amarillo, people! Okay, look, the ones I've stayed at haven't exactly been smack-dab in the heart of the action. You will need a car. You might be near a highway, or in an industrial-ish area. Which...isn't ideal. It depends on the specific Extended Stay. (Check those reviews! Pay close attention to the word “noise” and “trucks”.) But Amarillo isn't a huge city, so things are usually a reasonable drive away. Just… plan accordingly. And for God's sake, don't get lost. (I once took a wrong turn in Amarillo; ended up in a cow pasture. True story.)
Any horror stories? I'm a little wary now after…well, after the cow pasture incident.
Oh, buddy, you want horror stories? Okay, here's one. I was once staying at an Extended Stay in... let’s just say, a *different* state. The lock on my door was *broken*. Actually cracked. I’m not even kidding. I reported it multiple times, and... nothing. It took me leaving a note on the door that I’d written in crayon saying "I know you're in there, fix the lock!" before anybody did something about it. (I was really that fed up). So, yes, things can happen. But I can say I've not had any such experiences at extended stays in Amarillo, they seem to have a better grasp on these things. Still, always, *always* check the door before you actually settle in.
Okay, fine. What about the parking? Is it a free-for-all?
Parking? Ah, the silent killer of many a weary traveler. Usually, it's fine. Plenty of space. I mean, it's Amarillo, not Manhattan. You're probably not going to be fighting for a space. Unless... it's some kind of convention weekend. Then, all bets are off. Check the reviews again. See if anyone's complained about parking. And if they *have*, well, you've been warned. Just get there early. Bring a book. Embrace the potential for… *waiting*.
This is all very…unspecific. Are there any specific locations that are better than others? Should I just flip a coin?
Okay, okay! I'm trying to be as objective as I can, but if you want better answers maybe search for some reviews on the specific location. Some Extended Stays in Amarillo are located near decent restaurants or not too far from things like the Cadillac Ranch (which you *have* to go to). Others might be a bit further out which is better if you need some peace and quiet. Check the distance to the attractions you want to visit. That said, flipping a coin isn't a bad strategy. Sometimes, you just gotta roll the dice. Good luck, you'll need it!
How do they feel about pets? I’m traveling with Winston, my chihuahua, who’s basically my emotional support tiny tyrant.
Ah, the age-old question of pets. Most Extended Stays are pet-friendly, but *read the fine print*. There are usually pet fees. (Winston's little paws are gonna cost ya!) And there might be breed restrictions. They’ll have designated pet areas for doing their, um, business. Be a responsible pet owner, please. Clean up after Winston. Please. Seriously. I don’t want to be the one walking into a biohazard zone. I'll be traumatized for days.
Alright, last question, what's the *one* thing I should pack if I stay at an Extended Stay in Amarillo?
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