Frederick's BEST Extended Stay? Westview Dr. Suites Await!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, ‘cause we’re about to dive headfirst into the… uh… Frederick's BEST Extended Stay? Westview Dr. Suites Await! Sound catchy, right? Let's see if it actually lives up to the hype. Honestly, just the name feels like a promise, a dare even. Let’s see if they deliver.
First Impressions & The Accessibility Angle (or, the elevator saga)
Okay, I’m not gonna lie, my first hurdle was the entrance. I'm not exactly disabled but I appreciate a smooth entry, and the curb situation was… questionable. (Note to self: Investigate exact curb height later. For science!). The lobby itself? Clean. Gleamingly so. Like, too clean? Made me wonder if they were really serious about the anti-viral cleaning. Kinda felt like I should put on a hazmat suit just for fun. But hey, better safe than… slightly less safe, right?
And let’s talk elevator. It’s an elevator, essential for any extended stay, especially if you get stuck on the top floor (which, let’s face it, is a real possibility when you're trying to work and chill, and not walk around like a gym rat). I checked for accessibility features – the buttons were clearly labeled, the spaces seemed passable for a wheelchair * (I'll get more specific later, promise, got to get the feel of the space first!) * – no flashing lights, no blaring alarms (thank the gods!), but it definitely felt like more than a usual wait to move between floors. I was sure this was going to cause me trouble sometime during my stay.
Internet Access – Gotta Stay Connected, People! (And the Wi-Fi that Wasn't Always Free)
Right, internet. In this day and age, it's more crucial than oxygen. Advertised: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Boom, excellent, right? Wrong! Well, mostly wrong. I’d say it was free… intermittently. Sometimes it was lightning fast, other times I was staring at the loading circle, contemplating the meaning of existence. (Again, more elevator time). And the LAN connection? I actually tried that for a bit, just to be a techie, old school. It was faster, sure, but who wants to lug around a cable these days? Retro chic? Nah, I think not. The Wi-Fi in the public areas fared better, but still, I was paying for fast, and sometimes getting molasses.
Things to Do & Ways to… Sort of Relax
Okay, the “ways to relax” section is a bit of a mixed bag. I wasn’t expecting a full-blown resort experience, but the amenities felt… sparse. They list a fitness center, and, yeah, it's there. But calling it a "center" might be an exaggeration. It had a few machines, seemed clean, and the view was… well, you could see things. Probably needed a sauna! Spa, steamroom… Not here. Sad trombone. I did spy a swimming pool – outdoor! – but it didn’t exactly scream “luxury relaxation sanctuary”. More like, “a place to get splashed on a non-rainy day.” I was already expecting much more than that, so I was slightly disappointed.
Cleanliness & Safety – (Do I Feel Safe?)
They’re touting “anti-viral cleaning products,” “daily disinfection,” and “rooms sanitized between stays.” And I have to say, on the surface, it shows. The room was spotless when I arrived. Too spotless, maybe, as I said earlier! But as a germaphobe, I appreciated the effort. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Staff wearing masks. Safe dining setup. Definitely a plus.
As for the staff, I think they needed more training. I'm not calling the cleanliness into question. I'm talking efficiency. I was going to try the cashless payment service, but I had to wait a long time to get the bill, and more to get the invoice. The front desk was constantly busy, and I waited more than 30 minutes to get a simple question answered. The attitude was fine, but the training was not quite there. Still, I felt safe, and that's the main thing, right? They weren't rude or anything.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Where's the Grub? (And the Happy Hour?)
Okay, this is where things get… interesting. They list restaurants, bar, coffee shop, and a snack bar. Wonderful, right? Well… The restaurant was a big, airy space. Offered Asian, Western, and International cuisines. They also had happy hour, which I had high hopes for. The food was… passable, alright? Nothing to write home about, but solid. My first meal was a huge salad and a bowl of soup and the service was kinda slow. I didn't actually get a menu for 15 minutes. The bar had a decent selection, but the happy hour specials were… meh. And the poolside bar? Non-existent. Turns out there was no bar itself. I'm sorry, but… what? The coffee shop was okay, I will give them that.
The room service was 24/7. But the wait! One night, I ordered a coffee at 2 am, and it took a long time. I had to call back and ask if they forgot, and then was told the service was actually at 24 hours. A bit more work on service would be nice.
Services and Conveniences – The Perks and the Quirks
They offer lots of services. Air conditioning, check. Daily housekeeping, check. Elevator, check. Luggage storage, check. Safety deposit boxes, check. And they're also offering dry cleaning and laundry service! Great, right?!
Well… the dry cleaning was slow. And they lost my favorite shirt. True story. It took a week and a lot of phone calls to sort it out (thankfully they had it in the basement, and I got to use it later). That was a major buzzkill.
For the Kids – Where Are They?
I don’t have kids myself, but the "Family/child friendly" part caught my eye. Kids meal. Babysitting. Facilities. Hmm… I didn't see a lot of kids around, to be honest. Maybe they all stayed home? Just a thought.
Getting Around – Wheels, Wheels, Wheels! (And the Lack of Them)
Airport transfer? Check. Car park [free of charge]? Check. Taxi service? Check. But… no bike rentals. No car power charging station. Fine. I’ll just walk everywhere, in the city. I guess. Not ideal for those who depend on transit, though.
Available in All Rooms – The Nitty Gritty
Okay, the rooms themselves. Good. The beds were comfortable. The mini bar was well-stocked. Blackout curtains? Yes! A good soundproofing too. Air conditioning worked. Bathrobes? Yes! Coffee/tea maker? Yes! Internet access – wireless? Yes! Overall the rooms were well-appointed.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
Look, Frederick's BEST Extended Stay? isn't a disaster. It's decent. It's functional. It provides a place to sleep, bathe, and theoretically, connect to the world (when the Wi-Fi cooperates). But it also has its quirks – the slow service, the missing dry-cleaning shirt, and the patchy Wi-Fi, and the lack of bar. It's a bit rough around the edges, but it's trying.
If you just need a place while you're in Frederick, Maryland, and don’t care too much about bells and whistles, it fulfills its purpose. But if you’re looking for luxury, exceptional service, and a truly "best" experience? Keep searching. I'm definitely not rushing to stay here again, though I don't regret my time, and I don't hate it. Which is a pretty good summary for an extended stay.
(Rating: 6.5/10 – Room for Improvement (and maybe some better Wi-Fi))
Metadata (SEO, because why not!)
- Title: Frederick's BEST Extended Stay? A Quirky Review – Westview Dr. Suites Await!
- Keywords: Frederick Maryland, Extended Stay, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Wi-Fi, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Room Service, Dry Cleaning, Cleanliness, Safety, Honest Review, Maryland Hotels
- Description: A detailed and honest review of Frederick's BEST Extended Stay? on Westview Dr. Suites. Exploring accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, dining, and overall experience with a touch of humor and personal observations.
- Meta Tags:
<meta name="description" content="A detailed and honest review of Frederick's BEST Extended Stay? on Westview Dr. Suites. Exploring accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, dining, and overall experience with a touch of humor and personal observations."><meta name="keywords" content="Frederick Maryland, Extended Stay, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Wi-Fi, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Room Service, Dry Cleaning, Cleanliness, Safety, Honest Review, Maryland Hotels"> - H1: Frederick'
Alright, buckle up, Buttercup! This ain't your grandma's pristine travel itinerary. This is my chaotic, caffeine-fueled attempt to navigate Frederick, Maryland, with a generous dose of opinion and a whole lotta heart (and probably a few stray hairs). We're staying at the Extended Stay America on Westview Drive. Pray for me.
My Frederick Fiasco: A Semi-Coherent Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Resignation, and a Questionable Pizza
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at Extended Stay America (ESA): Okay, first impression? It's… functional. Let's call it "beige chic." The lobby smells faintly of industrial cleaner and the lingering ghost of a long-departed microwave. I’m already regretting my life choices. Specifically, the ones that led here.
- 1:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance: Okay, the room… it's… fine. Kitchenette? Check. Tiny fridge that probably won't cool anything properly? Check. The bed looks suspiciously like it was purchased in bulk. I plunk my bag down and wonder if I'm already contracting a travel-induced cold.
- 2:00 PM - Unpacking and the Existential Dread of Extended Stays: I start unpacking, and a wave of loneliness washes over me. Extended stays are a different beast. They're a slow burn of routine, punctuated by moments of… well, mostly boredom. I unpack, and decide to grab my journal and head to the "exercise room"
- 3:00 PM - Attempted Exercise and Self-Deception: The "exercise room" is a sad, sad place. Treadmill that's seen better decades, a single, lonely elliptical, and a weight set that probably used to belong to Arnold Schwarzenegger's little brother. I give myself a pep talk, I tell myself I'm going to do it. I work out, but I'm pretty sure the elliptical is judging me. I walk away after 15 minutes, which is probably how long it would take me to fall out of shape.
- 5:00 PM - Dinner Disaster: Pizza Panic. I'm starving. I order pizza from the closest place, "Pizza Perfection" or something equally optimistic. This is a mistake. The pizza arrives. It's… a pizza. The cheese seems to have a rubbery texture, the sauce tastes vaguely of canned tomatoes, and the crust… well, the crust might be edible. It also looks like they may have taken the extra effort to make it look less appetizing. I eat it anyway. I'm a glutton for punishment, apparently. I vow to seek better culinary experiences, soon.
- 6:00 PM - The TV Abyss and Regret: I turn on the TV. Endless channels, zero appealing options. I flip through the same four news channels and then end up watching some cheesy drama about high schoolers. I hate myself. I head to sleep.
Day 2: Civil War History and a Brewery Breakdown
- 9:00 AM - Wake-Up Call from Reality: I wake up, my body is heavy, still suffering from my evening of pizza. I grab some coffee from the lobby, it isn't good, but it's coffee.
- 10:00 AM - Antietam Battlefield Pilgrimage: Okay, this is what I came for. I can get my dose of history, even if all of the locals are sick of hearing tourists talk about the war. I drive to Antietam National Battlefield. I wander through the fields, imagining the carnage. It's somber, and powerful. I experience a strong emotional reaction. The sun shines, and the air is crisp. I walk around the cemetery and the different memorials. So many lives, gone too soon. This moment of reflection brings me to tears. Damn, this is good.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch & Regret I grab lunch at a local diner. I order a burger. It's fine. I'm starting to realize that maybe my taste buds are slightly off today.
- 2:00 PM - Frederick's Charm (Kinda): I wander around historic Frederick. The architecture is pretty, I guess. There's a lovely brick building, a few cute boutiques, It's charming, which is good. I have some difficulty with the word 'charm'. I walk around and I get lost.
- 4:00 PM - Brewery Breakdown at Monocacy Brewing Co.: Okay, so the plan was to sample some local brews. I arrive at Monocacy Brewing Co. It's loud. There's a long line. I order a flight. The beer is… meh. I realize I'm more of a wine person. Or maybe I just chose the wrong beers. Or maybe it's the lingering pizza-induced funk. I feel a profound sense of disappointment. I may or may not have shed a single tear into my "Flight of the Stout." Definitely my most emotionally charged experience this whole trip.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner and the Quest for Comfort: I'm craving comfort food. I don't want to cook (duh!). I search for a restaurant and find a place with good reviews. I'm not entirely sure I can eat and drink at the same time.
- 7:00 PM - The Dinner. I order ribs I eat, watch tv, and head to bed, exhausted from a day of high emotions.
Day 3: The Escape Plan & Departure
- 9:00 AM - The Sleep of the Weary: I wake up early, I've had a very long and tiring day. I have no plans.
- 11:00 AM - The Escape Plan: I pack my things. I check out of the Extended Stay America. I'm ready to move on. I'm not sad to go, but it's a bit bittersweet.
- 12:00 PM - The Road: I hit the road. I get a coffee. I start driving in the right direction.
Final Thoughts:
Frederick, you were… an experience. The pizza, the beer, the slightly underwhelming charm… But the history, the reflection, and the unexpected moments of beauty? They were worth it. I'm exhausted, a little wiser, and definitely ready for a shower that doesn't feel like a communal experience. Goodbye, Frederick. I probably won't be back anytime soon, but I'll always remember that time I cried into a stout. And that, my friends, is a travel story.
Dunes Village Myrtle Beach: Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
So, is this BEST Extended Stay *actually* "best"? Or just...you know... "okay"?
Tell me about these "suites" on Westview Drive. What are they *actually* like?
What amenities are *actually* available? Don't give me corporate jargon!
- **The Kitchenette:** It's got a mini-fridge (hallelujah!), a microwave (lifesaver!), and a stovetop (I never used it, I'm a disaster in the kitchen, but...it's *there*). Don't expect to cook gourmet meals. Think "ramen noodles" and "frozen pizza." I lived on those for a while. My bank account and waistline suffered equally.
- **The Laundry:** Yep! A shared laundry room. Bring your quarters! And, um, try to be punctual when your laundry's done, because people are *very* protective of those machines. I once accidentally left a sock in a dryer and came back to a note that said "NEXT TIME, I'M BURNIGN YOUR CLOTHES!" (Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating slightly, but the vibe was palpable. Seriously, don't mess with other people's laundry.)
- **The "Fitness Center":** I put that in quotes because it's basically a room with a treadmill and a couple of weights that looked like they haven't been updated in, oh, I don't know, a decade? I saw one guy using it once, and I swear he looked like he was about to die of exhaustion! (He probably was. It was brutally hot in there.) I went once, and swore to myself I'd never go back after I found a spider that was bigger than my hand.... I went with the comfort of the vending machine instead!
- **The Breakfast (or lack thereof):** Okay, so it *says* "continental breakfast." What that *really* means is: stale bagels, pre-packaged pastries, instant oatmeal that tastes suspiciously of cardboard, and coffee that could strip paint off a wall. I eventually just gave up and started bringing my own. Pro tip: invest in a good coffee maker if you value your sanity.
- **The pool:** I think there was one, but I am not sure because I think for the duration I was there it was closed...either that or I just never saw it...
Is it noisy? I need my beauty sleep! (Or at least, some sleep...)
Okay, so tell me about the staff. Are they helpful? Or do they roll their eyes when you ask for extra towels?
Is it safe? Anything I should be worried about?
Post a Comment for "Frederick's BEST Extended Stay? Westview Dr. Suites Await!"