Oklahoma City's BEST Kept Secret: Fairfield Inn & Suites NW Expressway!
Oklahoma City's "Best Kept Secret"? Let's Talk Fairfield Inn & Suites NW Expressway (and My Chaotic Stay) - SEO-fied Review!
Okay, buckle up, because I just got back from a stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites NW Expressway in OKC, and honestly? It's a bit of a whirlwind. "Best Kept Secret," huh? Well, secrets are meant to be spilled, so here's the lowdown, warts and all. I'm gonna be honest; things aren't always picture-perfect, and I'm here for the real experience. Let's get into it, and hey, let's make sure the Google bots can find this review, too – Accessibility, On-site accessible restaurants / lounges, Wheelchair accessible, Internet access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Things to do, ways to relax, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, 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, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Dining, drinking, and snacking, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Whew!
First Impressions: Cleanliness, Safety, and Being Actually Able to GET Online (Thank God!)
Okay, so let's be real. Post-pandemic, "clean" is the new gold standard. The Fairfield Inn & Suites NW Expressway mostly delivered on that front. The lobby smelled pretty fresh, and I saw staff constantly wiping down surfaces. Daily disinfection in common areas, professional-grade sanitizing services, and hand sanitizer everywhere. I'm a little cynical, but the anti-viral cleaning products did make feel slightly reassured. They also had individually-wrapped food options at breakfast, which, honestly, is a relief. I'm still weirded out by buffet lines! Rooms sanitized between stays – that's a big check for me, big time. They had CCTV in common areas and outside the property, which always eases my mind a little. And, a HUGE win: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (And it actually worked! Unlike some other places I've been…). Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, and Wi-Fi in public areas all seemed good, though I mostly stuck to the room Wi-Fi.
The Room: Functionality and the Quest for Sleep
My room? Pretty standard Fairfield Inn fare. Air conditioning worked like a charm (thank goodness, Oklahoma!), and the blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in (and hiding my terrible eye bags). I definitely appreciated the free bottled water. The desk was functional, and the internet access – wireless was, as mentioned, solid. I'm always grateful for a coffee/tea maker in the room. Small things, but they all add up. The bed was good, no complaints there. And the separate shower/bathtub? That's always a plus for me – I love a good soak.
Here's where it got a little…chaotic. Or maybe that was just me.
I'm not gonna lie: the first night, I had trouble sleeping. I could hear some soundproofing efforts going on, but it wasn't perfect. I was on a lower floor, and there was a bit of…activity in the hallway. Definitely not the hotel's fault, but I'm a light sleeper. So, maybe ask for a high floor, like, right away, or if you're me, get a Soundproof rooms? Consider bringing earplugs.
Dining and Drinking: Breakfast Battle Royale and the Poolside Bar (Maybe?)
Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was a hotel buffet. The usual suspects were there: scrambled eggs (a little sad looking), some kind of sausage (questionable provenance), cereal, pastries, and the like. They did have Asian breakfast options, which was a nice touch – some kind of rice porridge was a welcome treat! I grabbed some coffee/tea in restaurant—thank goodness, I needed a caffeine jumpstart.
They also had a poolside bar, which was appealing, except… it was closed during my stay, which was a total bummer. No poolside drinks for me! Disappointing, so if that's your jam confirm it's open or prepare to be sad (like I was, slightly).
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Forgot-My-Toothbrush
The basics were covered. Daily housekeeping was prompt and efficient. Laundry service was available (although I didn't use it), and the front desk [24-hour] was always staffed, helpful, and smiling. They had a convenience store with the all-important forgotten toothbrush– thank goodness! (Seriously, always happens to me.) They had a fitness center too (I meant to go every day, but let's just say my intentions were better than my execution). Elevator? Definitely present. I didn't see a concierge, but then again, I didn't need one.
The "Secret" - The Swimming Pool (And My Unexpected Spa Day)
The Swimming pool [outdoor] was lovely. Clean, well-maintained, and a genuinely nice place to unwind. It wasn't anything extravagant, but it definitely made the stay a lot better. I got a bit sunburnt, so I went to the spa, which had Spa/sauna and Steamroom capabilities. I went for a Body scrub and a Massage – yes, I really did treat myself! It's not listed, but there was a small, very simple, massage area, so that was pretty exciting.
For the Kids: (I Didn't Have Any, But…)
They seemed family-friendly. I saw a few families, and they seemed happy folks.
The Verdict: Worth a Stay, With a Few Caveats!
So, is the Fairfield Inn & Suites NW Expressway an actual "best-kept secret"? Honestly, it depends on what you're looking for. It's a solid, reliable hotel with
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's pristine itinerary. This is a Fairfield Inn & Suites Oklahoma City NW Expressway/Warr Acres itinerary, but with a whole lotta me thrown in for good measure. Prepare for turbulence. (And maybe a slightly burnt coffee smell – that's just me, folks).
Day 1: Arrival, Awkwardness, and the Allure of Automatic Doors
1:00 PM – Arrival at OKC Airport & Check-in at the Fairfield Inn: Okay, so I thought I booked the airport shuttle, but apparently, my brain decided to go on vacation earlier than my body. Taxi it is! The drive involves the usual level of existential dread about paying extra, but hey, the driver had some killer Garth Brooks playing, so…win? Check-in was your typical hotel dance: "Name? ID? Credit card? Okay, have a great stay!" (Said with the robotic cheerfulness that always makes me suspect they secretly hate everyone). The lobby smelled vaguely of chlorine and…hope? I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the promise of the complimentary breakfast.
2:00 PM – Settling In & Room Inspection: My room. Oh, my room. It’s…fine. Beige. Standard. The kind of room that says, "You’re here. Now what?" Immediate priorities: locating the coffee maker (essential), inspecting the bed for questionable stains (always a concern), and testing the Wi-Fi password (because, hello, world!). Okay, bed seems…cleanish. Coffee maker is present and accounted for. Wi-Fi: connected! I can breathe. My brain is just so excited I can check emails.
3:00 PM – Target Run (Because, Duh): I swear, Target is the vortex of my life. Needed snacks, a weirdly specific brand of toothpaste (don’t judge), and maybe, just maybe, a new fuzzy throw blanket. I got distracted by the seasonal aisle (of course), and ended up accidentally buying… well, let’s just say I have a problem with impulse buys. And I love the fact that automatic doors are still amazing to me. If I had my way, everything would automatically open for me.
6:00 PM – Dinner at a Local Eatery (Possibly a Disaster): Okay, this is where it gets interesting. I planned to go to this highly-reviewed BBQ joint, but I'm feeling a bit… socially awkward today. So. I’m going to my comfort zone, possibly a chain restaurant. And maybe, just maybe, I'll get the courage to strike up a conversation with a stranger. Don't hold your breath. If I remember this, and if this happens, I'll be here to tell you what happened. If I get there, I’ll be sure to make a note of the service. Fingers crossed it's not a catastrophe.
8:00 PM – Back to the Room: The TV and The Dreaded Pillow: So, dinner was…fine. The waiter was a little too attentive, which is my personal nightmare. Back in the room, I collapsed on the bed. The TV remote is my only companion at this point. Should I stay up? Should I sleep? I feel a sudden urge to do laundry. And the pillows. Oh, the pillows. Hotel pillows are either too fluffy or not fluffy enough. Then I try to find some way to fall asleep.
Day 2: Breakfast, Bliss of Coffee, and the Oklahoma City Adventure!
7:00 AM – The Glorious Breakfast (and the Quest for Coffee): This is what I live for. Complimentary breakfast. The promise of lukewarm scrambled eggs, questionable sausage, and, most importantly, free coffee. Okay, so the eggs were exactly as I anticipated…but the coffee? Divine, probably caffeinated. Maybe, just maybe, tomorrow I'll be willing to try that waffle maker.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: - The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum: This is heavy stuff. I can feel my emotions bubbling up. The memorial is beautiful, but the museum…it's raw and painful. I spent a good chunk of time just staring and crying. I don't know why, but I took a long, long walk.
10:30 AM – Back to the Fairfield Inn: I needed a break. I went back to my room. Then, I started second-guessing myself, was I supposed to be upset? What if I was supposed to be happy? This is when I decided all of this was too much for me.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: - The Oklahoma City Museum of Art: After all this, I needed something to lift my mood. So I went to the Museum of Art. I spent a good amount of time. I don't think I ever understood art, but the art museum was fun.
1:30 PM – Lunch: Okay, I'm starving. I think I'll go somewhere cheap. I've been thinking about everything.
2:30 PM – Afternoon Adventure (Museum of Art): I am back at the Fairfield Inn. I got bored. There is nothing to do here. I will go back to the Museum of Art.
6:00 PM – Dinner: I'm thinking of eating something fun.
8:00 PM – The Hotel Room Again: I'm so tired. I think I will just go to bed.
Day 3: Breakfast, Departure, and General Existential Dread
7:00 AM – Breakfast, Again: Yup. Eggs. Sausage. Coffee. I am a creature of habit.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM – Last-Minute Packing & Existential Crises: Do I really need all these souvenirs? Should I have seen something else? Did I pack enough socks? Am I going to be late for my flight? Deep breaths.
9:30 AM – Check Out and Farewell to the Fairfield Inn: Goodbye, beige haven. You were…sufficient. Thanks for the coffee.
10:00 AM – Airport & (Maybe) a Smooth Flight Home: Let's hope, for the love of all that is holy, that my flight isn't delayed. And that the guy sitting next to me doesn’t try to talk to me the entire time. Wish me luck, because I will need it.
Fairfield Inn & Suites NW Expressway: Oklahoma City's (Sometimes Not-So-Secret) Secret! My Messy FAQs
Okay, spill it! Why is this place a "secret"? Is it *really* that good?
Alright, alright, fine! "Secret" might be a *slight* exaggeration. More like, it's a place you find yourself returning to when you're, let's say, *over* staying at the "big name" hotels that feel more like a sterile corporate hug and less like a comfy crashpad. I've been coming here, off and on, for years, driven mostly by price and proximity to, well, everything. Honestly, it's NOT always perfect – we’ll get to that – but when it *is* good, it's REALLY good. Think perfectly brewed coffee in the lobby, a surprisingly comfy bed after a long drive... I once spent a week there during a work trip. By the end, I felt like I belonged. Kind of like a slightly worn-out, well-loved sweatshirt.
Seriously, what's actually *good* about it? The location? The free breakfast? Lay it on me!
Okay, first, the location is GOLD. NW Expressway puts you smack-dab in the middle of things. You're five minutes from a decent steak at Mickey Mantle's (RIP, though!). You're a quick hop to the highways, making exploring OKC itself a breeze. And yes, the free breakfast. Look. I'm a breakfast person. I'm also... occasionally lazy. The Fairfield Inn breakfast buffet is a lifesaver. Waffles? Yes! Scrambled eggs that haven't been sitting under a heat lamp for *too* long? Often! The coffee is usually decent, and that's the most important thing, honestly. I've spent some bleary-eyed mornings there, fueled by caffeine and the promise of something edible before I face the world, and it's gotten me through.
What's the *bad* news? Come on, there's always a downside...
Alright, here's the dirt. Sometimes, and I mean *sometimes*, things aren’t pristine. Once, the elevator went out for HALF A DAY. Half a day! I was stuck on the fourth floor, desperate for a breather, and forced to take the stairs like I was a contestant on the biggest loser. Seriously, it felt like a marathon carrying my suitcase. And look, the pool… it's a pool. It’s not exactly the Bellagio fountain show. It's small. Sometimes, there are way too many screaming kids. The gym? Well, let’s just say it's more of a 'cardio-adjacent' situation but hey, I managed.
What's the vibe like? Is it a party place? Family-friendly? Or somewhere in between?
Definitely more family-friendly, but a chill, low-key vibe overall. Think business travelers, families on road trips, a few couples looking for a getaway without breaking the bank. It’s not the kind of place where you're going to find a wild rave going on in the lobby at 2 AM. Thank goodness! I like my sleep. Or, you know, the *attempt* at sleep.
The rooms. Tell me about the rooms! Are they clean? Are they comfortable?
Okay, the rooms… Generally, yes. Clean. Usually. I’ve had some experiences, though. One time, I swear I found a rogue sock under the bed. A *single* sock. Where did it come from?! I don’t know, and I don't want to know! But the beds are usually really comfortable! The pillows are fluffy enough, and I appreciate that. And hey, they have a mini-fridge, which is a lifesaver for keeping those leftovers from that AMAZING BBQ place down the road. They're decent! Nothing fancy, but they get the job done. And they almost always have a good A/C.
Okay, you mentioned a "single experience". Do tell! I need some juicy gossip!
Alright, fine. Here's the single most memorable, and slightly mortifying, experience. Picture this: I'm there on a business trip. Early meetings, you know the drill. Got the usual room, checking in, the works. I get to the door, swipe my card, and... nothing. Door won't open. Multiple attempts. I'm starting to sweat. So I go back down to the front desk with my tail between my legs (and feeling like a total idiot). Turns out, the *entire* lock system for my side of the building was down. All the doors! The poor receptionist (who was SO helpful, bless her) had to manually open every door with a master key. She's running up and down the hallways while I’m standing in the lobby, red-faced, feeling like a total inconvenience. The whole thing took... an hour? Felt like an eternity. They ended up comping my stay, which was nice. But yeah. That’s burned into my memory. Every time I check in, I make sure to ask about the lock system! Ha!
What about parking? Is it a nightmare?
Parking? Surprisingly easy! It's a big parking lot, and I've never really had trouble finding a spot, even when the hotel's packed. It’s a godsend. The one time I struggled was around Christmas. Obviously everyone was heading to the outlet mall nearby. I had to park a little further away. But generally, no complaints there!
Is there anything *else* I should know? Any hidden gems or pro-tips?
Okay, pro-tips! Sign up for Marriott Bonvoy! Even if you're not a frequent hotel-goer, it's worth it for the points. They are really great about honoring your rewards. Also, if you're a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the elevator. Seriously. And… okay this is probably not a secret, but take advantage of the free coffee refills in the lobby. I swear, one time I thought they'd run out! I almost had a meltdown. And finally? Be patient. Things happen. They all mess up. (See previous elevator incident.) Just roll with it. It's not the Ritz-Carlton, but for the price and convenience, the Fairfield Inn & Suites NW Expressway is a solid, sometimes slightly flawed, gem. And hey, you might even form a weird, slightly codependent relationship with the place and its quirks, just like I have. Don't be surprised because that might happen.
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