Wichita's BEST Kept Secret: TownePlace Suites East Wichita (KS) Review!
Wichita's Best Kept Secret? Let's Spill the Beans on TownePlace Suites East Wichita! (KS) - The Real Deal!
Alright, alright, folks, let's talk Wichita. Specifically, let's dive into the (alleged) best-kept secret: TownePlace Suites East Wichita. I just had to stay there, because, you know, a little birdie (aka a friend who's a local) whispered sweet nothings about it. And honestly? I've got some thoughts, and they're ALL over the place. Buckle up, buttercups, because this is gonna be a wild ride.
First Impressions (Before the Mess):
The website makes it look… well, perfectly fine. Clean lines, smiling stock photos, all the usual suspects. Classic Marriott, right? Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of clean and crisp. But the soul… where's the soul? It’s missing on the website, anyway.
Accessibility - Did They Actually Think About This?
Okay, yes. Massive gold star to TownePlace Suites for this. The website claims accessible rooms. I didn't personally need one, but I took a peek at the layout and the common areas. Wheelchair accessible, check. Elevator, check. Facilities for disabled guests, double check. Kudos! This isn't always a given, and it's something I appreciate immensely. The signage seemed clear, and even the lobby looked pretty easy to navigate with a mobility device. So, thumbs up.
Rooms - My Nest for a Few Nights (and the Weird Obsession with Extra Long Beds):
Okay, my room was… comfortable. Honestly, it was. Non-smoking, air-conditioned, Wi-Fi [free], all the basics were there. The extra long bed? I’m 5'8"! I’m not sure who these beds are designed for, but I’m sure there’s a basketball player somewhere who appreciates them. I appreciated the clean linens, the perfectly adequate desk, and the surprisingly decent internet access – wireless.
But let's get real, this isn't the Ritz. There was a distinct lack of… personality. The room decor, while not offensive, screamed "beige". A splash of color, a quirky print, something would have been nice. I didn't come across any room decorations, and I was starting to get worried I was trapped in a corporate cube.
I will say, the blackout curtains were a lifesaver. Wichita sun can be brutal! And the coffee/tea maker was a godsend. Essential.
Speaking of Essentials (or the Lack Thereof) - The Bathroom Saga:
The bathroom was fine. Standard hotel bathroom. The shower had decent water pressure. The toiletries were… well, they were there. I did appreciate the mirror (for obvious reasons!), and the hair dryer, a necessity for anyone with even a sliver of style. The bathtub. I did not test that.
Cleanliness and Safety - Did They Survive the Pandemic?
Okay, this is where TownePlace Suites actually shined. I'm a bit of a clean freak (okay, a lot), and the cleanliness and safety measures really impressed me. Anti-viral cleaning products, room sanitization opt-out available (though I didn't), and staff trained in safety protocol? Top marks!
Daily disinfection in common areas (which I spied happening constantly!) really put my mind at ease. I'm talking individually-wrapped food options at breakfast, and the staff were really good about physical distancing of at least 1 meter. This was a major plus, and it made me feel genuinely comfortable. I saw hot water linen and laundry washing. The whole place felt… safe. And that's priceless.
The Breakfast… Oh, the Breakfast (and My Chicken Sausage Trauma):
Okay, breakfast. This is where things got… interesting. Breakfast [buffet] (as advertised) was the main event. The food? Pretty standard. The usual continental suspects: bagels (dry), cereal (uninspired), fruit (meh). Fine, I can survive the generic breakfast.
But… and this is important… the chicken sausage. I took one bite. Just one. And it was the most aggressively bland, texture of Play-Doh, flavorless… thing I think I've ever encountered. I swear, it's still haunting me. I won't be too harsh, but I would have taken a sausage of my dog's food at that point.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Beyond the Sausage Incident (and a Plea for Actual Coffee):
Aside from the breakfast buffet (and the chicken sausage incident which MUST be addressed), the options were limited. The coffee shop? Nonexistent. The bar? Nope. Poolside bar? Laughable.
I did appreciate the bottle of water they gave me. But I'm a coffee person, and real coffee is a must. No coffee/tea in restaurant, either.
I did not take part in anything, so I can not give feedback.
Services and Conveniences - The Good, The Bad, and the Surprisingly Useful:
The front desk [24-hour] service was a lifesaver. I had a question at 2 AM (don't ask). The staff were very polite, even if I was a zombie. Cash withdrawal? No ATM on site. Concierge would be nice! The convenience store was a decent vending setup.
Getting Around - Easier Than You'd Think:
The car park [free of charge] was a huge win! I always appreciate free parking. And it was on-site, easy peasy. I didn't need airport transfer, but it was listed as an option, so, neat.
For the Kids - Family/Child Friendly, but Limited:
They mentioned being family/child friendly, but the amenities for kids weren't exactly bursting. No playground, no dedicated kids’ activities. It was, at least, a non-smoking environment.
The Verdict - Secret's Out?
So, is TownePlace Suites East Wichita a "best-kept secret"? Honestly? Maybe. It's not a glamorous secret. It's more of a "reliable, clean, and safe" secret.
The Good: Excellent cleanliness, good accessibility, free parking, friendly and helpful staff, and that extra long bed (for someone).
The Bad: Bland decor, tragically bad breakfast sausage, and a lack of personality that borders on the corporate.
The Quirks: The extra-long beds, the aggressively average breakfast, and the almost sterile environment.
The Recommendation: If you're looking for a clean, safe, and reliable place to stay in Wichita, TownePlace Suites is a solid choice. Just… pack your own breakfast sausage. Or, you know, skip breakfast altogether. Maybe bring your own coffee pot. And try not to get sucked into the beige vortex. Overall, yeah, I'd probably stay there again, especially if they fix that sausage situation.
**London's Hidden Gem: Courtyard Marriott Luxury Awaits!**
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-packaged itinerary. This is me, wrestling with the chaos of Wichita, Kansas, and a stay at the TownePlace Suites East. Prepare for flight delays, questionable food choices, and the existential dread of another hotel breakfast. Here we go…
Wichita, Kansas: A Love-Hate Story (and a Hotel Stay)
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the "Welcome" of a Thousand Screws
Morning (aka: the Pre-Trip Freakout): Ugh, let's just say packing is not my forte. I'd swear I shoved a whole laundry basket in there. My cat, Mittens, gave me this look, like, "You're leaving ME?! Again?" I'm fairly sure I packed three different types of moisturizer and forgot my phone charger. The impending doom of forgetting something essential is already settling in. Airport chaos is a certainty, flight delay is likely. This trip is gonna be a god damn mess…
Afternoon (Arrival, and a Prayer to WiFi): Finally, Wichita! The plane landed. I'm pretty sure I saw a tumbleweed roll across the tarmac. I'll take that as a sign that this trip is to be epic. TownePlace Suites Wichita East. Okay, the lobby's… clean. Which is a good start, right? The room…well, it's a room. Neutral tones, generic art. I'm instantly reminded of every other hotel room I've ever been in. The first thing I do, after dropping my bags and judging the thread count of the sheets (standard, of course), is connect to the Wi-Fi. Success! Now, the real test: can I actually access the internet without wanting to throw my laptop out the window? Fingers crossed, people!
Late Afternoon (The Great Grocery Heist and Dinner Fiasco): Time for a grocery run. Because I'm on a budget and I'm not trying to face the perils of hotel vending machines (which are clearly designed to prey on the emotionally fragile). I need snacks. And maybe, just maybe, some real food. The local supermarket, let's call it "MegaMart," is…a place. I spent way too long staring at the cereal aisle, overcome with indecision. I end up with a bag of chips, some questionable-looking pre-made salads, and a pint of ice cream for… emotional support. Back at the hotel, I attempt dinner. The salad is…fine. The chips are magnificent. The ice cream is gone. This is gonna be a long trip.
Evening (The TV Struggle and Sleep's Embrace): The TV remote. An age-old enemy. I spent a solid twenty minutes trying to figure out how to change the channel. Victory! Eventually, I succumb to the siren song of the bed, watching something utterly inane, and drifting off to sleep. God bless hotel beds.
Day 2: Exploration (Kinda) and the Heartbreak of Pancake Machines
Morning (Breakfast – The Ultimate Test): Okay, the free breakfast at TownePlace Suites. This is where things get…interesting. The coffee looks like motor oil, but I need it. The fruit is suspiciously perfect. And the pancake machine? Ah, the pancake machine. The promise of fluffy, golden discs of goodness. But the reality? A sad, misshapen circle of…something. I try. I fail. I silently mourn my inability to operate a simple machine. I settle for a bagel, because that's a mistake I can live with more easily.
Mid-Morning (Attempted Culture: Exploration in Wichita): I aim for a bit of culture. I'm told there is a zoo in Wichita. It's a good zoo… I did enjoy seeing the animals so I will count that as a win.
Afternoon (The Wind and The Wound: A Whirlwind of Feelings, Maybe a Park): I'm at a park. I don't know how I got here; I think I simply went down a road and found myself at a well-kept park. The wind in Wichita is… relentless, yanking at my hair, making my eyes water. I sit by the fountain, watching the water, and feeling… something. It's a mix of the wind, the water, the general vibe of the place. Some vague regret washing over me, then, I feel a momentary burst of…hope? Life feels good in the moment.
Evening (The Dinner Dilemma and the Unexpected Delight): Dinner again! Another solo meal. I had to get creative. Do I eat at the chain restaurants again? I'm tired of them, and the thought of it makes me want to cry. So, I take a deep breath. I decided to find a local greasy spoon diners. It was a perfect choice and I loved every bite.
Day 3: Departure (Relief and a Touch of Sadness? Nah.)
Morning (The Goodbye and a Last Glance): The final breakfast. I eat a bagel and drink more coffee. I check out. The staff is nice enough, but everything seems so bland.
Late Morning (Airport Antics and Home Thoughts): Flight delayed (surprise, surprise!). Airport people-watching: a classic. I see a man wrestling with a suitcase, a toddler throwing a tantrum, and a woman knitting by the gate. Humanity in all its messy, beautiful glory. I smile. The Wi-Fi here is surprisingly good.
Afternoon (Homeward, Somewhat Changed): I'm home. I'm safe. My cat is happy to see me. I unpack. I'm still a little unsettled. But, you know, at least the bed at TownePlace was okay. That's high praise, right?
Final Thoughts:
Wichita, you were… an experience. A mixed bag of flat landscapes, friendly faces, and questionable pancake machines. But hey, it gave me something to write about. And sometimes that's all you can ask for. Next time, though, I’m bringing my own pillow. And maybe a spare phone charger.
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TownePlace Suites East Wichita (KS): Your Guide to the "Almost-Perfect" Secret (Review) - Let's Get Real!
Okay, Spill the Tea: Is TownePlace Suites East Wichita REALLY a secret? Or am I just late to the party?
The Rooms! What's the deal? Are we talking cramped, sad hotel room vibes, or something more?
The Kitchen. Let's get to it: It REALLY has a kitchen? Is it just a microwave, or what?
Breakfast. The Holy Grail of hotel stays. What's the grub situation?
The Pool. Is it a sad, chlorine-smelling rectangle of despair, or a place to actually RELAX?
The Staff. Are they friendly? Competent? Do they actually *care*?
Location, Location, Location! Is it actually convenient?
The Downsides. Because nothing's perfect, right? Let's hear the dirty laundry.
The Verdict: Should I book it? Tell me straight!
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