Escape to Comfort: Des Moines' Best Extended Stay Suites!
Escape to Comfort: Des Moines' Best Extended Stay Suites? A Review That's Honestly, All Over the Place. (and a bit of a love affair)
Okay, deep breath. Here goes. I’m about to dive headfirst into a review of "Escape to Comfort: Des Moines' Best Extended Stay Suites." And honestly? I’m already a bit overwhelmed. There's SO much to unpack. Let’s just see where this rambling rollercoaster of a review takes us, shall we? Because, like… extended stays… they're a journey, right?
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First Impressions (and a confession):
Right, so the name "Escape to Comfort" is ambitious, isn't it? Expectations are high. I’m thinking fluffy towels, a silent butler, and a never-ending supply of artisanal coffee. In reality? Well, let's just say I've had experiences. I've had journeys. And I'm going to share them, the good, the bad, and the slightly embarrassing.
Accessibility: (Gotta Start Here, Folks)
Okay, serious mode. Accessibility is HUGE. So, they list "Facilities for disabled guests" which is a good start. But… details, people! Do they really understand accessibility? I'm talking about dedicated parking spots (and are they close to the entrance?), ramps, elevators (essential!), accessible rooms with grab bars in the bathroom, and hopefully, a roll-in shower. Without specific details, I have to give them a cautious thumbs up. More information needed, Escape to Comfort! Let's be better here!
Rooms & Amenities (The Real Deal)
Available in all rooms: This is where a long-term stay either makes you feel right at home or slowly drives you insane. Okay, let's break this down:
- Air conditioning: Check. Crucial in Iowa!
- Alarm clock: Definitely check. Unless you're rocking a ridiculously fancy phone.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: Hmmm, a touch of luxury? Possible. (Fingers crossed!)
- Bathroom phone: Okay, a little… extra.
- Bathtub: Good for a soak. Essential if you're me and like to pretend you are Cleopatra for a few minutes a day.
- Blackout curtains: THANK YOU! Sleep is precious.
- Closet: Gotta have space to live!
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: YES! Immediate brownie points. I need my caffeine ritual.
- Daily housekeeping: Crucial for sanity. (But what if you don't want daily housekeeping? Hmm…).
- Desk, Laptop workspace: Important. Gotta work somewhere.
- Extra long bed: For us taller folk!
- Free bottled water: Always appreciate it.
- Hair dryer: Check.
- High floor: Preference thing. I love views!
- In-room safe box: Necessary for protecting my precious valuables (mostly snacks and maybe a slightly embarrassing novel).
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: YES, YES, YES! Free and reliable Wi-Fi is a must. If the LAN, I'm curious.
- Ironing facilities: Score.
- Linens: Duh!
- Mini bar: Interested.
- Mirror: Check.
- Non-smoking: Essential.
- On-demand movies: Nice treat.
- Private bathroom: Check.
- Reading light: Crucial for late-night bookworms.
- Refrigerator: Great. Leftovers, anyone?
- Satellite/cable channels: Check. For mindless entertainment.
- Scale: Uh oh.
- Seating area, Sofa: For relaxing!
- Smoke detector: Safety first.
- Soundproofing, Soundproof rooms: Amazing!
- Telephone: In case I need to call the front desk (or order room service… more on that later).
- Toiletries: Check.
- Towels: Check.
- Umbrella: Good thought.
- Visual alarm: Important for safety.
- Wake-up service: Helpful.
- Window that opens: Fresh air! Unless it's winter in Iowa…
Additional toilet?: Interesting. But more space for me, lol!
"Interconnecting room(s) available": Sounds potentially chaotic if you're not in the connecting rooms.
Cleanliness and Safety: (Post-Pandemic Anxiety, Anyone?)
Okay, this is HUGE right now. Like, really huge. And this is where I get picky. These days, I want MORE than just a clean room. I want to know the details.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, 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, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: This list gets my heart racing (in a good way). All of these things are seriously reassuring. The opt-out is a nice touch, too; I want to feel some control! And how they make me feel with the information is amazing!
Cashless payment service: Smart.
Shared stationery removed: Good move.
Hand sanitizer, First aid kit: Essential!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
Ah, the hunger portion. This is where extended stays can truly make or break your happiness.
- Restaurants, Room service [24-hour]: Crucial for those late-night cravings or when you're too exhausted to venture out. 24-hour is amazing!
- 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, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Holy. Moly. This is packed! If the food is good, this could be paradise. The sheer variety is impressive. The buffet, however, if they follow all the COVID protocols…
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter)
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential. Always.
- 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, 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, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: This is a lot. It's like they've thought of everything. The invoice and the meeting options are big wins for business travelers. The gift shop is always dangerous for me.
- Food delivery: Huge win.
For the Kids (Bless Their Little Hearts)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: This says they are trying to make it family-friendly.
Getting Around (Navigating the Territory)
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Solid array of options. Free parking is a massive bonus, especially if you're staying for a while.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax (The Zen Factor)
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Okay, now this is what I'm talking about. If they actually deliver on any of these, Escape to Comfort might just have my heart. The pool with a view? SOLD.
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this itinerary isn't just a schedule, it's a vibe. We're going to Extended Stay America Select Suites in West Des Moines, Iowa, and frankly, I'm already picturing the complimentary breakfast (or lack thereof) and the sheer beige-ness of it all. Let's dive in, with all the messy humanity I can muster.
Trip: Des Moines, Iowa - The Quest for… Well, Something
Hotel: Extended Stay America Select Suites - Des Moines - West Des Moines. (Ah, the name rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it?)
Duration: 3 Glorious (or maybe not-so-glorious) Days and 2 Nights.
Pre-Trip Anxiety & Packing Shenanigans (or My Pre-Trip Mental Breakdown):
Days Before: Panic sets in. Did I book the right dates? Did I pack enough socks? Did I remember to water the damn plants? (Spoiler alert: Probably not). I'm already picturing myself staring blankly at the gas station coffee maker at 6 AM because I haven't slept a wink, fueled by a lethal combination of excitement and the fear of forgetting my toothbrush. Packing? Ugh. It's a skill I'm pretty sure I'll never master. It's just a collection of anxieties wrapped in hastily folded clothes.
The "Essentials" Debate: Do I really need that extra pair of jeans? (Answer: Probably). But more importantly… will the hotel have decent Wi-Fi? (Because, priorities). And what kind of coffee maker will be gracing my suite? Will it be the French press of my dreams… or a sad, single-serve, pod of despair? This is what keeps me up at night.
Day 1: Arrival, Beige-ness, and the Eternal Search for Food
Afternoon (Around 2:00 PM): Arrive at the Extended Stay. Okay, deep breaths. First impressions… well, it's beige. Lots and lots of beige. The kind that you just know will have a faint scent of cleaning products mixed with… something else. Is that… old pizza? (I swear, I’m not judging, but it's just a truth). Check-in. Pray for a room on a higher floor. Pray for a view that isn't another beige brick wall.
The Suite Inspection: The Suite! Enthusiastically (sarcasm dripping off my tongue). Okay, it’s… serviceable. Kitchenette. (Microwave! Fridge! Bonus Points!). Did I bring a proper wine opener? (Panicked mental check). Is there at least a little light? Oh, please let there be good lighting. I have a picture to create for documenting this trip!
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (Around 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): The Hunger Games. Time to explore the local food scene (or at least, the nearest options). My stomach is already growling. Maybe some fast food? Or, if I'm feeling ambitious, I might try to find a REAL restaurant. You know, a place with actual plates and silverware. Fingers crossed they're not all closed.
Evening (7:00 PM onwards): Dinner (hopefully something other than gas station snacks). Then, collapse on the bed. If the Wi-Fi gods are smiling, Netflix and chill, and prepare myself for a night of tossing and turning, trying to silence the voice in my head that says, "Did you remember to pack your phone charger?"
Day 2: Culture (Maybe?), Brunch, and the Unexpected Detour
Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): The Breakfast Battle. Okay, let's be honest. I'm not expecting gourmet. But please, dear lord, let there be coffee. And maybe… just maybe… a single, sad, lonely muffin. Try to act like I'm not judging by the lack of fresh fruit.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Cultural endeavors! Time to face it: the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Let's put on some shoes, and embrace the tranquility within and wander through the floral displays. Take photos! That's what I'm here for!
Mid-Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM) The Brunch of Champions: The ultimate quest: finding good brunch. I’ve got a few places in mind, depending on if I'm feeling fancy (then maybe a mimosa or two). This is where I will give in to my desires.
Evening (5:00 PM onwards): The Unexpected Detour. Let's be honest, I'm probably going to get lost. Embrace the chaos. Maybe get pulled over. If that happens, it's not my fault, I'm new here.
Day 3: Farewell, Beige, and The Existential Dread of Departure
Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Another Breakfast Battle! Suffer through whatever is offered, and trying to make it look like I'm enjoying it for the sake of politeness.
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Last-minute souvenir shopping (because I love the chaos of impulse buys). Maybe a Des Moines t-shirt. Or, if I'm feeling adventurous, some locally sourced… something.
Afternoon (12:00 PM onwards): Checkout. The final goodbyes to the lingering scent of cleaning products. The final glance at the beige walls. The long walk back to the car (or maybe the airport shuttle? Honestly, I haven't decided yet).
Departure & Self-Reflection: Driving home, a whirlwind of memories (mostly of beige). Did I enjoy myself? Honestly, I don't know yet. Maybe. Maybe not. But hey, at least I have a story to tell, and that, my friends, is all that really matters, right? Just remember next time: pack the charger!
Important Considerations & Real-Life Interruptions:
- Mood Swings: Guaranteed. There will be moments of pure joy, moments of existential dread, and probably a few meltdowns over the Wi-Fi situation. Embrace it. That's the beauty of it!
- Local Weather: Check the forecast. Pack accordingly. Because Iowa.
- Transportation: Car. Embrace the open road.
- Dietary Restrictions/Preferences: I eat whatever I want! But be sure to get coffee.
- Flexibility: This is a guideline. Spontaneity is the spice of life (and travel).
- The Big Question: Did I ever find the perfect coffee? Probably not. But the quest continues!
So there you have it. My meticulously (or rather, hastily) crafted itinerary. Wish me luck! I'm going to need it. And, hey, if you see a disheveled person wandering around West Des Moines, desperately searching for decent coffee, that's probably me. Don't be afraid to say hello. Just… maybe bring your own coffee.
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Escape to Comfort: Des Moines' Extended Stay Suites - Your Burning Questions (and My Unfiltered Answers!)
Seriously, are these suites *actually* comfortable? The name is a bold claim!
What kind of amenities are offered? Gimme the lowdown!
How's the location in Des Moines? Is it convenient or am I gonna spend my life in the car?
Is it safe? Any creepy vibes?
Can I bring my pet?
Tell me about the housekeeping, is it even a thing?
What's the deal with the price? Are we talking budget-friendly or 'sell a kidney' kinda expensive?
Can I extend my stay if I need to?
Okay, but the *vibe*? Tell me about the vibe!!!
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