Escape to Atlanta: Luxurious Stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites Stonecrest!
Escape to Atlanta: My Stonecrest Staycation – Fairfield Inn & Suites, and OMG, So Much to Say! (A Messy, Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm fresh back from my "Escape to Atlanta" mini-break at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Stonecrest, and my brain is a swirling vortex of thoughts. This isn't your perfectly polished, cookie-cutter review. This is REAL. Expect tangents, occasional typos (blame the excitement!), and probably a few unnecessary exclamation points. You've been warned!
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The Premise: Why Stonecrest? Why Fairfield?
Truthfully? It was a last-minute decision. My brain needed a vacation, and the lure of a pool, a comfy bed, and someone else doing the cleaning was just too strong. Stonecrest felt… manageable. Not downtown chaos, but close enough to Atlanta if I suddenly got the urge to, you know, brave the traffic. And the Fairfield Inn & Suites? Solid reputation. A safe bet. Or so I thought…
Arrival: First Impressions and, Uh, Accessibility (Thank Goodness!)
Right off the bat, the signage was clear, the parking was plentiful, and the exterior looked inviting. More importantly, the entrance was definitely wheelchair accessible (a super important thing to note, since I have mobility issues). The lobby? Bright, clean, and thankfully, not the sterile, soul-sucking experience some chain hotels offer. A definite plus!
- Accessibility: YES! Good ramps, automatic doors, accessible parking, and I believe (though I didn't personally need one) rooms specifically designed for guests with mobility issues. This is HUGE, people. Huge.
- Check-in/out [Contactless]: They offered contactless check-in, which, during these weird times, is a relief. No lingering at the desk, no shared pens. Win!
Room Revelations: My Little Stonecrest Sanctuary (or So I Hoped…)
My room was… well, it was clean. Very, very clean. And that's a big deal, considering the state of the world. I did opt for the "Room Sanitization Opt-Out Available" – I mean, I'm all for clean but having the place smell like a hospital wasn't exactly the vibe I was going for.
- Available in All Rooms: Air Conditioning (duh), Alarm Clock, Blackout Curtains (yes, please!), Coffee/Tea Maker, Desk, Free Wi-Fi (THANK YOU!), Hair Dryer, Ironing Facilities, Laptop Workspace (fine, I guess…), Mini Bar (though I didn't find anything in it…), Private Bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/Cable Channels, Seating Area, Shower, Smoke Detector, Toiletries, Towels, Wi-Fi [Free]
- My Biggest Room Obsession: The Bed! It was comfortable. Not life-altering, mind you, but comfortable enough that I actually got some decent sleep. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver.
- Minor Annoyance Alert: The internet was a bit spotty at times. Not terrible, but definitely noticeable if, like me, you're basically glued to your phone.
The Wi-Fi Whisperer Saga
Listen, I am OBSESSED with good Wi-Fi. I need it for work, for communicating with my life partner, for mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. I mean, it's basically a necessity in 2024, right? So, I immediately tested it. The speed was fine, but the reliability… that's where we hit a snag. It was a little like dating: promising at first, then intermittently disappearing, leaving me with more than a few frustrating moments. I could forgive them for that, it's the nature of the beast, but it got annoying at moments, especially when I was trying to do some work.
- Internet Access - Wireless : Yes, and decent speed when it was working properly.
- Internet/Internet [LAN]: Available, presumably if you needed a wired connection.
- Internet Services: They offer, what else? Internet services.
Things to Do (or, More Accurate: The Lack Thereof)
Okay, let's get real. Stonecrest isn't exactly a hub of vibrant activity. And the Fairfield Inn & Suites? It's not designed to be a destination. However, there were some options if you wanted to exert yourself (or not).
- Things to do / ways to relax: Fitness center (I walked past it), Swimming pool [Outdoor] (gorgeous, and I did spend a blissful afternoon there), and a small selection of shops nearby.
- Pool with view: Yes! It overlooked a little outdoor area, pretty nice.
- Gym/fitness: Present, but I didn't try it out. (See: My inherent laziness).
The "Cleanliness is Next to Godliness" Department
During this pandemic, I was super worried about the cleanliness of the hotel. Fortunately, the staff was on top of this. Good hygiene certifications and cleaning products were a must.
- Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, 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, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
Food, Glorious (or Not!) Food
Breakfast was included. And, well, it was your standard hotel breakfast. Cereal, waffles, fruit, some hot options… nothing to write home about, but it did the job of filling a hole in my stomach.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Restaurants, Snack bar.
- My Foodie Moment: I should be honest, there was a restaurant in the hotel (though its name escapes me now), but I was too lazy to try it. I opted for room service one night, which was… passable. But hey, I did appreciate the 24-hour availability.
The Extras: Services and Conveniences (and a Few Quirks)
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Airport transfer, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace.
- The Curious Case of the "Convenience Store": I’m pretty sure it was just vending machines. Don’t get your hopes up for a gourmet snack selection.
- The Helpful Staff: The front desk staff was friendly and helpful, answering my random questions about the area with good cheer.
For the Kids (and the "Kid-at-Heart")
- Family/child friendly: Yes!
The Verdict: Should You Escape to Stonecrest?
Honestly? It depends on what you’re looking for.
- If you need a clean, comfortable, and affordable base for exploring Atlanta (with easy access and accessibility), the Fairfield Inn & Suites Stonecrest is a solid choice.
- If you're looking for gourmet dining, buzzing nightlife, or a place that'll blow your mind… look elsewhere.
My final, messy, and utterly subjective rating: 7.5/10.
This was a pleasant stay. I'd return if I needed a reliable, accessible place to crash. And hey, sometimes all you need is a clean bed, a decent pool, and a quick escape from the everyday. And for that, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Stonecrest delivered. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find some chocolate.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, chaotic, and gloriously flawed reality of a trip to the Fairfield Inn & Suites Atlanta Stonecrest Lithonia. Prepare for a schedule that’s less "rigid itinerary" and more "suggested guideline for barely surviving a weekend of… well, whatever the heck happens.” Let's get messy.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Stonecrest: A Mostly-Organized Chaos (But Probably Not REALLY Organized)
Thursday: Arrival and the Quest for Familiarity
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Arrival & Initial Panic.
- Land at Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) – pray the baggage carousel gods are kind. Seriously, I've had luggage spend more time in Tahiti than it has with me. This time it was a close call, but thank goodness it made it.
- Uber/Lyft to the hotel, approximately 30 minutes depending on Atlanta traffic (which, let’s be honest, is a beast of mythical proportions with its own weather system).
- Check-in. Pray the room key actually works on the first try. My record is three failed attempts. Fingers crossed, right?
- Quirk Alert: I always judge a hotel room by the quality of the complimentary coffee. It's a high-stakes game, people. This time? Meh. Acceptable, but not life-altering.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance and Snack Stash.
- Unpack (ish). Let’s be real, "unpack" is used loosely here. More like "dump suitcase, locate the important things (phone charger, ibuprofen, emergency chocolate)."
- Scout for the mini-fridge. The foundation upon which all hotel strategies are built.
- Grocery run! Gotta find a Publix or other local store. The one right past the hotel was perfect, and the cashier, bless her heart, saw my frazzled energy and gave me an extra smile. Small victories, always.
- Rambling Observation: Every hotel room has a certain smell. This one smells like… "slightly sterile, but trying to be cozy." An appropriate description.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Dinner and the Dreaded “Dinner Decision".
- The eternal question: Where to eat? Research… scroll… Yelp… Uber Eats? I ended up at a little diner down the road. Comfort food is the only food after travelling.
- Emotional Reaction: The diner was… okay. Not the life-changing culinary experience I crave, but the waitress was super sweet, and that counts for a lot. Plus, they had good sweet tea. Atlanta staple.
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Relax and Regroup/ Stare at the Ceiling
- Back to the hotel. Netflix and chill? Maybe. More likely: A good book, a long, hot shower (heaven!), and the sweet, sweet promise of sleep.
- Imperfection Alert: I tried to work out in the hotel gym. Briefly. Then I remembered I hate working out and went back to my room.
- Quirky Observation: Hotel pillows are either perfect clouds of fluff or bricks of disappointment. This time, it was a brick. I'm pretty sure I could have used it as a weapon.
- 8 PM: Bedtime. I failed. The pillow was my nemesis.
Friday: The Deep Dive – Stonecrest and Beyond (Maybe)
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast Bonanza/Desperate Search for Coffee.
- Free continental breakfast at the hotel. My expectations = low. The reality? Surprisingly decent bagels! Victory!
- Coffee. Always coffee. (See above about complimentary coffee assessment.) This time, it was a little better.
- Emotional Reaction: The woman at the breakfast bar kept trying to be friendly. I was way too tired for that.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Stonecrest Mall Adventures (Or Potential Mayhem).
- The mall. A monument to consumerism and teenage angst. (Maybe? I haven't been to a mall in years.)
- Shopping. Or window shopping. Or just wandering around, getting lost, and marveling at the sheer volume of stuff.
- Brunch at the Yard House. Good choices.
- Messy Structure: Honestly, this whole morning is a bit of a blur. The mall is a sensory overload. Too many choices, too many people, too much… stuff.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch and a (Failed?) Attempt at Culture
- Lunch somewhere nearby? I'm thinking… a small restaurant.
- Rambling Observation: Attempting to feel cultured.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Relaxation and Reflection (Or Nap Time)
- Back to the hotel. Pool time? Maybe. More likely: A nap. A LONG nap.
- Emotional Reaction: The pool was closed. I was very sad. I did not have a back-up plan.
- Imperfection Alert: I'm terrible at relaxing. I'll probably spend the entire time staring at the TV, wondering if I should be doing something "productive."
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Stone Mountain Park, or Bust!
- Stone Mountain. The giant granite dome. A must-see, supposedly. Traffic is my enemy.
- Dinner at Stone Mountain (hopefully something better than the diner). Or, if all else fails, a hot dog.
- Sunset over Stone Mountain? Romantic. Or, realistically, hot and crowded.
- Strong Emotional Reactions: If you get to the top and your vision is blocked by the crowd, you will be sad. If you don't make it because you are stuck in the traffic, you will be furious.
- Quirky Observation: The sky. I hope it is pretty later.
Saturday: Departure – The Aftermath of a Whirlwind
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast and the Awkward Hotel Farewell.
- Repeat breakfast routine (bagels, coffee, the perpetual feeling of vague disappointment).
- Check-out. Attempt to look vaguely presentable while simultaneously trying to remember where I left my phone charger.
- Opinionated Language: Hotel check-outs are always too long.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Last-Minute Shopping (Or Just More Coffee)
- One last quick jaunt to somewhere nearby, to look for souvenirs.
- Imperfection Alert: Forgetting something. Guaranteed. Probably a charger.
- Emotional Reaction: Gonna buy some snacks.
- Quirky Observation: I always lose something whenever i travel.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Travel
- Uber to the airport. Pray for smooth sailing.
- Hartsfield-Jackson. Another airport.
- Flight home. Sweet, sweet… plane food? (Ewww.)
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: I just want to return home.
Post-Trip: The "Post-Vacation Blues" and the Relentless Laundry Pile.
- Unpack (again, loosely). Attempt to ward off the existential dread that accompanies returning to normal life.
- Laundry. The Everest of chores.
- Rambling Observation: The trip was… something. A mix of good, bad, and "I-don't-even-know-what-just-happened." But hey, at least I survived. And now I need another vacation. (Cough.)
And there you have it. My (slightly embellished, wildly inaccurate) travel plan. I fully anticipate things going sideways, plans changing, and me wandering around in a daze. But that's the fun part, right? Now go on, get out there and make some memories (and maybe avoid the hotel pillows).
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Escape to Atlanta: Fairfield Inn & Suites Stonecrest - You Got Questions? I Got Answers (Kinda)!
So, what makes this Fairfield Inn "luxurious" anyway? My expectations are pretty high. Is this some kind of bait and switch?
Okay, okay, hold your horses! "Luxurious" might be a *slight* exaggeration. Let's just say... it's a *well-appointed* Fairfield Inn. Look, I've stayed in some truly depressing hotels in my life, places where the sheets felt like sandpaper and the air conditioning sounded like a jet engine taking off. Stonecrest's version? Not that. It's clean, the beds were actually comfy – I slept like a rock! - and the free breakfast, while not gourmet (seriously, who *really* expects gourmet at a free breakfast?), actually had edible options. There was, like, a waffle maker! And those things are always a win. So "luxurious"? Maybe not. "Pleasant and a solid choice for a quick trip?" Absolutely. Don't expect a marble bathroom, but you won't be crying in a grimy bathtub either. I was happy, let's leave at that.
What's the Stonecrest area actually *like*? Is it safe? Is there anything to *do*?
Oh, this is a good one. Stonecrest... it's, um, *developing*. Think sprawling suburbia with a healthy dose of new construction. Safety-wise, I felt okay. But, look, I'm from a big city, so my safety meter might be a bit skewed. Always be aware of your surroundings, as you should anywhere. The best way to be sure, as usual, use your common sense. What's there to do? Well, there's the Stonecrest Mall, which is... a mall. Like, a *real* mall. They have stores, a food court (highly important, by the way), and a movie theater. I saw a movie there. The popcorn was good. I got a little lost inside. I have a terrible sense of direction. And then there's some restaurants nearby. It's not exactly a vibrant nightlife scene, mind you. I'd say if you're after tranquility, it's great. If you're looking for a party (I wasn't!), maybe look elsewhere. But still, it's better than the alternative... sitting on the sofa at home, right?
The free breakfast. DETAILS! Was it the usual sad hotel fare? Did they have good coffee? Because, good coffee is *crucial*.
Alright, coffee connoisseurs, this is for you. The coffee... was *passable*. Look, it's not going to win any awards, and it's definitely not going to rival your local artisanal roastery. But it was hot, it was plentiful, and it had enough caffeine to get me going. And honestly? Sometimes that's all you need. The breakfast spread, overall, was the usual continental suspects. Cereal, yogurt, those sad little pre-packaged muffins (I may or may not have eaten three of them), and the aforementioned waffle maker. The waffles were actually surprisingly decent! There was also some scrambled eggs and sausage - I am not one for the sausage, so I skipped it. I think the eggs were okay, but I was really focused on the waffles and the coffee. There were apples. And I may or may not have taken some to go. Don't judge me. It's all about survival, right?!
Okay, let's talk about the room itself. Was it clean? Was the air conditioning deafening? Was there enough space to, you know, *breathe*?
The room *was* clean, thank heavens! I'm a clean freak, and I will judge a hotel ruthlessly on this point. The bathroom was spotless. The sheets smelled fresh. There were no suspicious stains on the carpet (always a good sign!). The air conditioning? Surprisingly quiet! I am SO grateful for that. Nothing ruins a good night's sleep like a roaring AC unit. And yes, enough space to breathe. It wasn't a palatial suite, by any means, but it didn't feel cramped. Plenty of space to unpack (important!), spread out my stuff (which, let's be honest, is a feat in itself!), and not feel like I was constantly bumping into things. The TV worked. Wi-Fi was decent. I had no complaints on the technical front. I actually used the in-room ironing board. I forgot my dress. I had to iron. And it worked! So yeah... major plus.
What about the staff? Were they friendly? Helpful? Or were they just going through the motions?
The staff... ah, the human element! They were great! Seriously, every single person I encountered was friendly and helpful. The front desk staff were quick with a smile, and I never had to wait ages to check in or out. They were also super helpful when I needed extra towels (I am prone to spilling). The housekeeping staff were equally as friendly and always said hello. You know, the little things make all the difference. It's nice to feel *welcomed*. Now, I'm not saying they were perfect. Nobody's perfect. They're human! But they definitely seemed to genuinely care about making sure I was comfortable. And that makes a huge difference in the overall experience.
Parking? Was it a total nightmare? Because, let's be honest, finding parking is often a pain in the you-know-what.
Parking was easy. Seriously. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. I drove around the parking lot looking for a spot that wasn't directly next to the dumpster, but that's just me being picky. There was plenty of it, and it's free, which, in this day and age, is a godsend. You park, you walk a few feet, and you're at the door. I could have parked literally right outside the door. But I didn't because I wanted to be a good citizen. No issues. No circling endlessly. Big win. A big, glorious, parking win. I mean, I've seen *parking lots* that were more stressful than war zones. Thank god for this one. My blood pressure thanks you.
Alright, let's get *real*. Any MAJOR downsides? Anything that made you go, "Ugh, I regret this decision!"?
Okay, okay, time for the honesty portion. The biggest downside… and this is a minor one, really… was related to the elevator. There's only one, and it was a little slow. I was on the 4th floor and sometimes I wanted to sprint down. The fire escape wasn't super accessible either. Not a dealbreaker, by any stretch of the imagination, but if you're particularly impatient (like me!), you might find yourself tapping your foot. One morning, I spent a good 20 minutes waiting - it turned out there was something major going on with the elevator, which I didn't know, and I was already running behind. I ended up taking the stairs (fine by me!), but it was a bit of a panic. And ohHotels With Kitchen Near Me
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