Amarillo's BEST Extended Stay Suites: Extend-A-Suites Awaits!
Extend-A-Suites Awaits!: Amarillo's "Best" Extended Stay? Let's Unpack This! (Brace Yourself, It's Gonna Be a Wild Ride)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the dusty, sun-baked world of Amarillo, Texas, and specifically, the legendary (allegedly) Extend-A-Suites! I'm here to give you the REAL lowdown, the messy, honest, and occasionally sarcastic truth about this place, based on… well, a LOT of hotel room experiences (don't judge, it comes with the job!).
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- Metadata: Title: "Extend-A-Suites Awaits! Amarillo's Honest Extended Stay Review" Description: "A brutally honest review of Extend-A-Suites in Amarillo, TX, covering accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, and the all-important Wi-Fi. Is it really the best extended stay option? Find out!"
Alright, now that the SEO gods are appeased, let's get into it.
First Impressions: The Good, The Bad, and the "Did I Leave My Wallet in the Last State?"
Pulling up to Extend-A-Suites, the first thing you notice is… well, it's an extended stay. Meaning, it's built for lingering. Don't expect the Taj Mahal. But hey, let's be honest, sometimes a functional roof and a reasonably clean space are all you need, right? Right?
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair Accessible: They say they are. And I’m a firm believer in holding places to account, so yes, they claim to have accessible rooms. I didn't personally test this, but if you need this, call ahead and confirm. Don't just trust the website. (See? Already being a cynical hotel reviewer. It’s a gift!)
- Elevator: Present. Thank goodness. Hauling luggage up stairs after a long drive is… well, it’s not my definition of fun.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Listed. Again, verification is key.
Rooms: The Lair of the Long-Stayer
- Available in All Rooms: These are the basic features, so let's breeze through them… Air conditioning (thank GOD, it's Texas!), Alarm clock (blegh), Bathrobes (fancy!), Bathroom phone (who uses these anymore?), Bathtub (luxury!), Blackout curtains (essential!), Carpeting (iffy, see "Cleanliness" below), Closet (useful), Coffee/tea maker (hallelujah!), Complimentary tea (nice touch!), Daily housekeeping (hallelujah!), Desk (yup), Extra long bed (always a plus!), Free bottled water (appreciated!), Hair dryer (essential!), High floor (preference!), In-room safe box (always good!), Interconnecting room(s) available (for the family!), Internet access – LAN (rare!), Internet access – wireless (the real hero), Ironing facilities (wrinkle-free!), Laptop workspace (check!), Linens (hopefully clean!), Mini bar (iffy), Mirror (yup), Non-smoking (hopefully!), On-demand movies (meh), Private bathroom (always!), Reading light (yup), Refrigerator (essential!), Safety/security feature (yes, please!), Satellite/cable channels (probably), Scale (okay, I'm not judging), Seating area (yup), Separate shower/bathtub (fancy!), Shower (yup), Slippers (nope), Smoke detector (VERY IMPORTANT!), Socket near the bed (hallelujah!), Sofa (yup), Soundproofing (pray for it!), Telephone (yup), Toiletries (iffy), Towels (fingers crossed!), Umbrella (Texas weather, people!), Visual alarm (excellent!), Wake-up service (blegh), Wi-Fi [free] (PRAISE THE INTERNET GODS), Window that opens (essential for that Amarillo dust…or for a quick escape, just in case.)
- The Details That Matter: Now, let's get into some actual experiences. The rooms generally felt… okay. Not sparkling, but not actively horrifying. I'm a sucker for a good blackout curtain, and those usually did the trick. The Wi-Fi? Crucial. Did it always work? No. Did it work enough to get some work done? Usually. This is extended-stay, you're not at the Four Seasons. If you're expecting perfection, you're in the wrong place.
- My Personal "Room Rage" Moment: Okay, I did have one room where the AC sounded like a dying walrus gargling rocks. I'm talking constant noise. Couldn't sleep. Called the front desk (lovely people, actually), and they moved me. Problem solved, but… kinda disruptive, ya know? It is a gamble, which is frustrating after a long day.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Zone of Anxiety
- Anti-viral cleaning products: They claim to use them. I saw no evidence, but hey, I'm not a CSI agent.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Maybe?
- Hand sanitizer: Present, which is a good thing. Especially in these times.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: The basics.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Supposedly.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Good to know.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Okay, good. Hopefully.
- Cleanliness, the Elephant in the Room: Here's where things get… questionable sometimes. Look, extended stays get a lot of use. I've found the cleanliness level to be… variable. Some rooms were spotless. Others… let's just say I was glad I brought my own Lysol wipes. The carpeting always seemed a little suspect. I'm not saying there were actual things living in it… but I wouldn't be surprised. (Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating! …or am I?)
- My "What Was That?" Moment: One time, I found a… a thing in the bathroom. I won't go into details (you're welcome), but let's just say it wasn’t part of the decor. I immediately reported it. They apologized profusely and offered me… a free bottle of water. (Really?) I guess it worked, because I didn't make a fuss.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Extended Stay Lifestyle
- Breakfast: They offer breakfast. Usually a sad, sad buffet. Think: generic pastries, questionable coffee, and maybe, maybe, some instant oatmeal. Don't expect gourmet.
- Breakfast takeaway service: That's a nice touch, especially if you're in a rush!
- Restaurants: None on-site. You're on your own in Amarillo, folks. (Which, in a town with some decent Tex-Mex, isn't a bad thing.)
- Coffee shop: No, you'll need your own.
- Snack bar: Nope.
Services and Conveniences: The Bare Essentials (and a Few Extras)
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, thank goodness!
- Cash withdrawal: Yep.
- Concierge: Nope.
- Convenience store: Nope.
- Currency exchange: Nope.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes
- Doorman: Haha.
- Elevator: Yes, thank goodness!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Check.
- Food delivery: Definitely.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Nope.
- Invoice provided: Sure.
- Ironing service: Yep.
- Laundry service: Usually.
- Luggage storage: Probably.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: They have some (see below).
- Outdoor venue for special events: Yes.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yup.
- Smoking area: Yep.
- Terrace: Sometimes!
- For the kids: Nope.
- Pet-friendly: "Pets allowed" and the website is not clear on this one. Call to confirm!
Things to Do / Ways to Relax (Or, How to Survive the Extended Stay Slump)
- Fitness center: Yes! It's basic, but it's there. Which is a huge plus.
- Swimming pool: Outdoor pool - yes! It's… a pool. Not fancy, but refreshing on a hot Amarillo day.
- Pool with view: No.
- Spa/sauna: No.
- Spa: No.
- Sauna: No.
- Gym/fitness: Yes, see fitness center.
- The "Almost" Moment: I thought there might be a hot tub one time (
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is a battle plan for surviving (and maybe even enjoying) a few days in Amarillo, Texas, fueled by questionable gas station coffee and the unwavering belief that any experience can be turned into a story. Extend-A-Suites here we come!
(Day 1: Arrival and the First Blow - Getting the Lay of (a Very Flat) Land)
- 1:00 PM - ARRIVAL & CHECK-IN: (Let's Pray it's Clean) Holy moly, the drive was longer than I anticipated. Stuck behind a truck hauling… well, something unspeakable on the highway. (Maybe it was that smell). Finally, Amarillo city limits! The Extend-A-Suites. Ah, the comforting embrace of budget-friendly. The first thing I always do is sniff test the room (sad but true!). This one…well, it’s not a perfume commercial, let's just say that. But it has a kitchenette, so, bonus points for microwavable goodness. The "free" breakfast sign I see is a very, very thin ray of hope.
- 2:00 PM - GROCERY RUN: Must. Acquire. Snacks. Went to the local grocery store, I mean, you can find almost anything there. I'm not saying I got some chips, cookies, or a soda; as a matter of fact I got all three. Don't judge! Road trips require the essentials.
- 3:30 PM - Cadillac Ranch - A Pilgrimage of Paint: Okay, this is iconic. The picture doesn’t do it justice. The fact that it’s just…standing there, half buried in the ground…is bizarre and wonderful. I brought my own spray paint (obviously). I spent about an hour just wandering around, adding my own little splash of chaos to the legacy. It’s cathartic. Just liberating. You could feel the Texas wind whipping around you, the sun baking your skin, and the sheer, unadulterated weirdness of it all. I was in heaven. Okay, maybe not heaven. But definitely, definitely a good place.
- 5:00 PM - DRIVE-BY PANIC Okay, I'm running around here like a chicken with its head cut off because I don't have a plan B or any idea. The plan was simple, dinner was where I’d take the time to actually plan.
- 7:00 PM - DINNER & EMERGENCY PLAN: Took the advice of the front desk person at the hotel and went to a restaurant. I don’t remember the name, I was just hungry, but the food was pretty good. I am still not sure what to do. I haven't even really stepped foot in any of the places. But at least I got some food.
(Day 2: The Second Blow - Dealing with the Unexpected)
- 7:00 AM - BREAKFAST DISASTER: Remember that "free" breakfast I mentioned? Let's just say my expectations were a little…high. I'd seen that the sign was pretty old, but I still had hopes. It was a disaster. Dry, tasteless cereal and questionable coffee that tasted like burnt battery acid. I swear I saw a rogue piece of bacon that I could have sworn had been running around the hotel. I opted for the grocery store snacks.
- 9:00 AM - PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK: The Grand Canyon of Texas, they say. Okay, maybe not The Grand Canyon, but it is magnificent. The scale of this place is insane, truly breathtaking, and the way the sun hits the canyon walls is magical. Did a short hike. Seriously. The air is crisp, the scenery is stunning. I'm convinced that a few good hikes are the answer to most of life's problems.
- 1:00 PM - LUNCH TIME BLUES: Food truck adventures were next, but they were closed. I wandered around town finding something to eat until I could. What could I do? I don’t have any plans.
- 2:30 PM - THE BIG TEXAN STEAK RANCH: Okay, I'm in, but I’m a little intimidated by the thought of trying to eat the 72-ounce steak. I watch the spectacle unfold. People are trying to eat the steak, everyone around me watching, it’s almost like a sporting event. Then, more people! The person at the front desk told me to skip the steak, so I will skip it. But I can still see it. And be amazed.
(Day 3: The Triumphant Retreat (and the lingering hope that I didn't mess it all up)
- 7:00 AM - BREAKFAST ROUND 2: Nope. Still the same sad breakfast spread. I grabbed some granola bars I had bought earlier.
- 8:30 AM - Route 66 Historic District: A final wander down Route 66 and the shops. It has it's own kind of charm. It does feel a bit ghost-town-y, like it’s clinging to a faded glory, but that's part of the appeal. I stopped in a few shops, bought a few trinkets to bring home, and generally enjoyed the morning.
- 11:00 AM - DEPARTURE: Goodbye, Amarillo, you weird and wonderful place! I leave with a suitcase full of memories, a slightly lighter wallet, and the knowledge that I will survive another trip on the road. And that the Extend-A-Suites, while not exactly the Ritz, provided a perfectly adequate launching pad for my Texan adventures. I am glad I came.
Post-Trip Reflections:
Okay, so maybe my itinerary wasn't the most structured or efficient. There were hiccups, there were moments of feeling completely lost, and there were definitely those questionable breakfasts. But, in the end, this trip was mine. It was a journey of impulsive decisions, unexpected encounters, and the sheer joy of embracing the unknown. Amarillo, you’ve been real. And weird. And I kind of loved it. Now, where to next?
Escape to Truth or Consequences: Your Travelodge Adventure Awaits!
Extend-A-Suites Amarillo: Your Home Away From... Well, Wherever You're ACTUALLY Running From, Basically. A (Mostly) Helpful FAQ
Okay, Seriously, What *IS* Extend-A-Suites? Like, Is It a Prison? (Asking for a Friend… or, You Know, Myself.)
Alright, alright, settle down, drama queen. No, it's not a prison. Though, I’ve definitely felt *trapped* in a hotel room before, staring at the beige walls and questioning all my life choices. Extend-A-Suites is a… well, it's an extended-stay hotel. Think of it as your temporary apartment. They usually have mini-kitchens, which is a GODSEND when you're tired of eating gas station nachos (been there, done that, regretted it profoundly). They're for people who need a place to stay longer than a weekend but don’t want to sign a lease. Think: moving, temporary jobs, or maybe... escaping a particularly enthusiastic holiday family gathering (cough, cough).
What are the rooms *actually* like? Are we talking Motel 6 chic, or, like, something slightly more palatable?
Okay, let's be real. We're not talking Four Seasons. But it’s also *not* the kind of place that gives you the heebie-jeebies just *walking* in. I’ve stayed in a few… they tend to be pretty basic, which is fine, you know? You get a kitchenette - a mini-fridge, a microwave (essential!), and maybe a hotplate kind of thing. The beds are… well, they’re beds. Not the cloud-nine kind, but they'll do the trick for a night or two. Bonus points if you can find a room with a decent couch – that’s where the real living happens. The decor? Let’s just say it leans towards “utilitarian” and sometimes, “stuck in the early 2000s.” Don't go expecting interior design awards. You go for the price and the convenience.
Is it a good option if you're traveling with a pet? My furry friend is a bit… demanding.
THIS IS IMPORTANT. Call ahead and CONFIRM the pet policy! Some Extend-A-Suites ARE pet-friendly. Others… not so much. And believe me, you do *not* want to show up with Fido, only to be told he’s banished to the parking lot. (True story. I saw a man once trying to sneakily coax a chihuahua INTO a tiny backpack. The chihuahua was not amused.) If they *do* allow pets, there’s usually a pet fee, and they often have breed restrictions. Make sure to ask about it. And for the love of all that is holy, clean up after your pet! The staff will thank you, and so will the next guest. (And maybe, just maybe, Fido will thank you too, but probably not.)
What about the location? Are we talking downtown Amarillo, outer space Amarillo, or somewhere in between?
The beauty (or, depending on your perspective, the *slightly* less beautiful thing) about Extend-A-Suites is they are scattered. Amarillo is a sprawling city, so the locations vary. You'll probably find one near major roads and highways, which is helpful for getting around. Think about what you'll be doing in Amarillo. If you’re visiting the Cadillac Ranch (highly recommended, go take a picture!), you’ll want to be relatively close to I-40. If you’re there for business, find one that's convenient to your workplace. Check the map before booking. Don’t, and I cannot stress this enough, don't assume anything. One time, I booked a place convinced it was walking distance to a coffee shop. Turns out, it was a *very* long walk in 100-degree weather. Learn from my mistakes. Seriously.
Is there any kind of… amenities? Like, a pool? Or, you know, a slightly less awful coffee machine?
Okay, let's temper expectations. Don't go in expecting a resort. Some Extend-A-Suites *might* have a pool. Some might even have a fitness room (though, let's be honest, how often are you *actually* going to use it?). Free Wi-Fi is pretty much standard these days, thank goodness. The coffee situation? Prepare yourself. The coffee is usually... well, let's call it "functional." Pack your own, or, better yet, find a decent coffee shop nearby. Trust me on this. The lack of decent coffee is a deal-breaker for me.
What about the price? Is it cheaper than a regular hotel? Because, let's face it, my bank account is currently auditioning for "The Broke-est Person in Amarillo".
Here's the golden nugget: Yes, generally, extended stay suites are more affordable than regular hotels, *especially* if you're staying for a longer period. They base the pricing on a daily or weekly rate. The longer you stay, the better the deal usually is. Seriously, compare prices. Do some research. Check the fine print for any hidden fees (taxes, pet fees, whatever). Look for online deals and discounts. Every penny counts when you're on a budget. I've snagged some killer deals before – it takes a little hunting, but it’s worth it.
Are they safe? Is it a good idea to stay alone as a woman?
Safety is a HUGE concern, and a valid one. I can't give a blanket guarantee on *every* Extended-A-Suites. It's always a good idea to do a little research beforehand. Read reviews! See what other people are saying about safety. Look for things like "well-lit parking lots," "security cameras," and reports of any suspicious activity. Are there front desk staff 24/7? That's a plus. Trust your gut! If something feels *off* when you arrive, don't ignore it! If you're traveling alone, or just feel uncomfortable, let the front desk know if there are any noises, or people loitering around. Take it easy, and stay safe.
Any advice, warnings, or general wisdom you can impart before I book? Like, what's the biggest mistake people make?
Okay. LISTEN UP. Aside from what I rambled about above (coffee, pets, etc), the BIGGEST mistake people make is not reading the fine print! *Always* read the cancellation policy before booking! (This is my biggest regret, not reading this! I ended up stuck in a room I HATED because I was locked in the contract.) Also, inspect the room *as soon as* you get there. Look for anything broken, damaged, or not working (Book Hotels Now
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