Escape to Jacksonville: Your Perfect Extended Stay Awaits!
Escape to Jacksonville: My Extended Stay Mishap (and Maybe, Just Maybe, It Was Worth It?)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to get the unvarnished truth about my recent “Escape to Jacksonville” experience. They promised a "Perfect Extended Stay." Let's just say, "perfection" is a very strong word. More like… eccentric extended stay.
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- Description: An honest and somewhat chaotic review of an extended stay hotel in Jacksonville, covering accessibility, amenities, dining, services, and the overall experience, complete with hilarious mishaps and heartfelt observations.
The Arrival & Accessibility – A Wheelchair's Whisper of Hope (and Slight Frustration)
From the get-go, things were a mixed bag. Accessibility was a huge factor for me, and the website claimed to offer a lot. The elevator was a godsend; hauling luggage around with a temporary injury is NOT fun. The facilities for disabled guests were… present. Not exactly stellar, but present. The accessible rooms themselves… well, let's just say it felt like they were designed by someone who read about accessibility but never actually experienced it. The bathroom door was a bit snug, but hey, it worked! And the exterior corridor? Gave me flashbacks of a cheesy 80s cop show. Still, no major brick walls!
The accessible restaurants/lounges? That's where the cracks started to show. More on that later.
Internet – The Lifeblood of My Existential Crisis (and Work, Apparently)
Okay, listen. I need internet. My sanity, my job, my entire digital life depends on it. The promise of Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a major selling point. And, technically, they delivered. But the speed? Let's just say I spent a lot of quality time with the buffering wheel. I tried the Internet [LAN] hoping for a more stable connection, but the cable looked like it had been through a war. Internet access was there, yes, but reliable? Debatable.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms (Mostly)
My room? It had the basics, folks. The Air conditioning was a lifesaver. Air conditioning in public areas, thankfully, as well. Alarm clock? Check. Bathrobes? Yep. Bathroom phone made me feel like a mob boss. The Blackout curtains were clutch for sleeping in. The Coffee/tea maker was my savior! It even had a Complimentary tea selection. The Daily housekeeping did a decent job, even if they sometimes skipped the obvious stuff (like… you know… cleaning the coffee stains?). I was grateful for the Desk and Laptop workspace, because work. The Desk was not the highest quality. The Extra long bed was nice for stretching out after all of the work. The Free bottled water was consumed, quickly. Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Ironing facilities, and the Mini bar were all there, ready for use. I appreciated the Mirror and the Non-smoking designation (although the smell of stale cigarettes sometimes lingered, I swear!). Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, and the Seating area were all useful. I liked having a Separate shower/bathtub. Shower was good. Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, and Telephone were all in place. The Toiletries were adequate. The Towels were clean. Umbrella!
There was a weird, distracting thing happening in the Room decorations, though… some strange art. Let's move on.
Cleanliness and Safety – Sanitized, But Still a Little… Sketchy?
Okay, this is where things got a little… uneven. They touted Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and Professional-grade sanitizing services. Great, right? Well… the first few days, I felt super vigilant. But as the stay went on, there were some inconsistencies. The elevator buttons, bless their hearts, were often… slightly less than spotless. Rooms sanitized between stays, yes, but it's hard to say how deep that sanitization went. The Cashless payment service and Contactless check-in/out were appreciated. They’ve also got a Front desk [24-hour], and Security [24-hour]. The Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms were nice to actually see; you know, just to remind you that they have them. They had CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property which was cool.
I did see a person wiping down the surfaces in the gym at like 2 am, and that was kinda weird.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Culinary Rollercoaster
Oh, the food! This is where my extended stay experience took a real turn. The A la carte in restaurant was hit-or-miss. Some dishes were fantastic: I dream of the fish tacos. Others? Let's just say the "steak" tasted suspiciously like shoe leather. They offered Alternative meal arrangement, and I made good use of that after a few disastrous experiences. The Asian breakfast was intriguing, but I ended up with a plate-full of… well, it was food, alright. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was… let's just say, it was a "fusion" that didn't quite fuse. The Bar had potential, but it was severely understaffed and the bartender looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. A Bottle of water was always available, and I actually appreciated it! The Breakfast [buffet] was… chaotic. A Breakfast service was usually available, but not always. The Buffet in restaurant? A free-for-all of questionable culinary choices. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was drinkable. Coffee shop was also an option, but it had limited options. The Desserts in restaurant were mostly pre-made and not worth it. Drinks were available during Happy hour. They had International cuisine in restaurant. The Poolside bar would be great, if it was actually staffed sometimes. The Restaurants offered a range of options, including the previously mentioned food-truck-adjacent buffet. Room service [24-hour] was a blessing and a curse; the food usually arrived lukewarm. The Salad in restaurant was fine. Snack bar served packaged goods. The Soup in restaurant was… okay. The Vegetarian restaurant had so many good options, if you like eating at restaurants that are closed. The Western breakfast was what I'd usually go for. The Western cuisine in restaurant was passable.
I spent one lunch trying to get a veggie burger. It took an hour, and when it finally arrived, I'm pretty sure it was still frozen in the middle. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items was something.
The Amenities – Spa Daydreams (Maybe Next Time?)
Okay, here's where I have my biggest disappointment. The website boasted a full-blown spa experience. I was so looking forward to some Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, maybe a dip in the Sauna or Spa/sauna, and definitely a steam in the Steamroom. They also had a Swimming pool, and a Swimming pool [outdoor]. The fitness center was good, but it was always so full.
…But… the spa? It was… closed. For "renovations." And it "might" open during my stay. So, yeah, no Spa, no Gym/fitness, no Foot bath, no bliss. Just a whole lot of me staring longingly at the closed door. A major letdown!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – More Misses than Hits
They had grand plans for entertainment. Things to do were around the area, I guess. There was a Pool with view, but I rarely saw anyone swimming in it. They had a Terrace which was great for getting away. But the promise of a relaxing escape fell a bit flat.
Services and Conveniences – The Helpful (and the Annoying)
The Air conditioning in public area was appreciated. Audio-visual equipment for special events. The Business facilities seemed fine, didn't use any. Cash withdrawal was a bonus, but I didn't need it. The Concierge was helpful when available. The Convenience store had the essentials. The Currency exchange was never there. The Daily housekeeping was a blessing. The Doorman was nice, though he rarely knew anything. Dry cleaning, **
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the swirling vortex of a trip to Jacksonville, Florida. Specifically, the Extended Stay America Select Suites - Jacksonville - Lenoir Avenue East. And trust me, it's an experience. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram travelogue; this is the unfiltered reality of a slightly frazzled human trying to absorb some sunshine and hopefully, not mess it all up.
Day 1: Arrival and the Questionable Embrace of Lenoir Avenue
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at JAX (Jacksonville International Airport): Okay, so first hurdle: getting here. Flights are always… well, let's just say they are a gamble. Landed, baggage claim was a chaotic ballet of suitcases and bewildered faces. Found the rental car, which, to my immense relief, wasn't the size of a shoebox. Success!
- 2:00 PM - Check-in at Extended Stay America: Lenoir Avenue. Oh, Lenoir Avenue…. The reviews were… mixed. "Basic." "Functional." "A haven for… ahem budget-minded travelers" – Oh boy. Entering the lobby, I was greeted by the faint aroma of… something. Let's call it “institutional cleanliness.” The front desk clerk was perfectly pleasant, but I swear I saw a flicker of resignation in her eyes. I get it. My room key worked! Score!
- 2:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance: The room… was a room. Clean-ish. Everything worked… after a fashion. The bed was firm, the kitchenette was tiny, and the walls were painted in a shade of beige that could induce a coma. This is going to be… interesting. Already plotting my escape.
- 3:00 PM - Grocery Run: The Quest for Real Food: Thankfully, there's a Publix nearby. I swear, going to a grocery store in a new place is a true test of character. Wandering the aisles, completely overwhelmed. Ended up with a sad-looking pre-made salad, some questionable cheese, and a bag of chips that was already half-eaten by the time I got back to the hotel. I blame the Florida heat.
- 4:00 PM - First Observation: The Parking Lot Chronicles: The hotel parking lot is a microcosm of the world. A beat-up pickup truck with a bumper sticker that might say "Keep Jacksonville Weird," a shiny SUV looking suspiciously like it belongs to a timeshare salesman, and my rental car, bravely holding its own. People-watching here is a full-contact sport.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Debacle: Back in the room, feeling a general sense of loneliness. Ordering delivery? I have a craving for something warm. The pizza place took like an hour and a half to deliver. After that, the pizza was cold. I should've gone out, but I am still getting the hang of Jacksonville.
- 8:00 PM - Bedtime Blues: Trying to watch TV, but the channel selection is bleak. Flickering through the channels, ending up with the local news. Jacksonville news. The world as I know it.
Day 2: Beach Bumming and Existential Dread (Plus, Some Sand!)
- 8:00 AM - Wakey Wakey: Coffee! (Or the Attempt Thereof): The in-room coffee maker. Well, it worked. Barely. The result was… coffee-adjacent. Drinking it, I start the day, and try to build up some energy.
- 9:00 AM - The Beach Beckons (Ponte Vedra Beach): Gotta hit the beach! A twenty-minute drive. Parking proved to be a challenge – a good sign it's worth it. The ocean air, the vastness of the water, the sand between my toes… pure bliss. I take a picture. I always take pictures.
- 10:00 AM - Beach Bumming Bliss (with some drama!) I get a beach spot. Sand, sun, water. I set down my stuff. Then, a small seagull decided that my sandwich was his sandwich. So I ran after it. It kept running. This seagull, the little rascal, would probably bite me. I'm not sure if it was a good idea to start that. I didn't get my sandwich back.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch (Round Two): Found a little seafood shack. Really good food, and the smell of the ocean. It was nice, actually.
- 1:30 PM - The Jacksonville Question: I am still getting the hang of Jacksonville, where is everything? The city is wide, and the traffic is, well, the type of traffic that makes you question your life choices.
- 2:30 PM - Afternoon: Beach Bumming. Pt. 2: Another walk along the beach. More waves crashing. I have been walking for hours. Feeling it in my legs, but mostly I am enjoying myself.
- 5:00 PM - Dinner: I could have gone out. But after pizza, I wasn't in the mood. So, I cooked something in the hotel. Not too bad actually. I am getting the hang of the kitchenette.
- 7:00 PM - Existential Reflection: Staring at the ceiling. Realizing that I'm in a hotel room in Jacksonville, Florida, and the world outside is a swirling mess of… well, everything. And somehow, I'm okay with it.
Day 3: Exploring and Embracing the Mildly Mundane… (and a little bit of art)
- 9:00 AM - Brunch and a Museum: There's a cool art museum downtown. The Cummer Museum is supposed to be good. So, I get ready and go there.
- 10:00 AM - Art and the Real World: The museum! I love art and this was great. It was interesting to see different things.
- 12:00 PM - The Real World: The art was over. The hotel was near.
- 2:00 PM - Pool Time: The hotel has a pool. It is not the best pool. But it is a pool.
- 4:00 PM - Cleaning Time: Clean the hotel room. I hate cleaning. But I also don't want to come back to a mess.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner: Out to dinner again. I had some real good food again.
- 8:00 PM - Early to Bed: I am tired. So now I am going to bed.
Day 4: Departure… And a Promise to Return (Maybe)
- 8:00 AM - Farewell Breakfast (of Champions): The last sad cup of coffee. The last of the grocery store breakfast food.
- 9:00 AM - Room Inspection and Check-Out: Checked out of the hotel.
- 10:00 AM - Airport: Arrived at the Jacksonville International Airport.
- 1:00 PM - Homeward Bound: Boarded the flight and closed my eyes.
This trip was… an experience. Jacksonville is… well, it's Jacksonville. It's not perfect, it's a little rough around the edges, and the hotel certainly wasn't the Ritz. But it was a trip, a chance to get away and see something new. And who knows, maybe I'll come back. Maybe. But next time, I'm definitely splurging on a better hotel… and a sandwich that’s safe from seagulls. Florida will get me, but I will get Florida.
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Escape to Jacksonville: Your Extended Stay - Let's Get Real, Okay?
Okay, so *why* Jacksonville? Seriously, is this some kind of extended-stay purgatory?
Look, I get it. Jacksonville. Just the name conjures up images of... well, maybe not excitement. But hear me out because I had a genuinely *amazing* extended stay here. And it wasn't because I was fleeing anything, thank you very much! I was working on a project, and it just happened to land me (and my increasingly caffeinated self) smack-dab in the middle of the First Coast.
Honestly, it’s about a *vibe*. First off, the price. Compared to, say, Miami? Fuggedaboutit! You can stretch your budget here. And the beaches! They're not just beaches; they're *endless* beaches. That feeling of driving along A1A with the windows down, sun in your face and the salt air...pure bliss.
Plus, there's something about Jacksonville that just feels... manageable. Not overwhelming like a huge city. You can actually *breathe*. And the people? Surprisingly friendly. I'm a New Yorker, so I’m naturally suspicious of friendliness, but hey, I learned how to chill. More or less.
What's the best place in Jacksonville to *actually* stay? Hotels? Apartments? RVs? (Asking for a friend... who's me.)
Alright, buckle up, because this one's a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure. It really depends on your vibe and your wallet. I did both hotels and apartments. For hotels, you can't go wrong if you go for a suite, with a kitchenette, in the Neptune Beach or Jacksonville Beach area. You get beach access (hello, sunrise walks!), plus a ton of restaurants and shops in walking distance. Perfect for those "I don't want to adult today" kind of days.
Apartments, on the other hand, are where you can *live* like a local. I scored a sweet deal on a place near Riverside, which is artsy and historic. That’s where I really got into the spirit of things, by the way: the local coffee shops, and the farmers market on Saturdays… It felt cozy, like I’d actually unpacked my life, not just a suitcase.
And RVs? Okay, I didn't do the whole RV thing. But based on the number of awesome RV parks right on the water, I’d say it's a solid choice if you're into that free-wheelin' lifestyle. Just be prepared to maybe, *maybe*, deal with a few more mosquitoes. And if you're thinking of staying inland, maybe consider the humidity. Trust me, my hair has stories.
So, like, what is there to *do* in Jacksonville besides... well, sit?
Okay, okay, good question. And the answer? A LOT. Seriously. I was genuinely surprised. The beaches are a given…duh. But beyond that…
Beaches and Outdoors: First, the beaches. I practically *lived* on them. Surfing, sunbathing (with copious amounts of sunscreen, thank you very much, past me), late-night bonfires, all that jazz. But then there's the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Hiking. Kayaking. The whole deal. I swear, seeing those manatees playing in the river was a spiritual experience. Okay, maybe not spiritual, but definitely memorable.
Eat and Drink: The food scene is surprisingly good. And I'm a food snob, so that's saying something. Check out the seafood shacks on the beach – seriously, fresh fish, perfect sunsets, and a cold beer. If you’re downtown, grab a craft brew at one of the breweries. Or go to the Riverside Arts Market on Saturdays. Food trucks, local art…it’s pure Jacksonville gold!
Culture and History: Downtown has some awesome museums. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is stunning. And if you are into history and architecture, it will blow your mind. I stumbled upon a historic neighborhood (because I got lost...per usual), and I got to see some amazing victorian-era homes and the way the city was built. Totally worth it
Sports: Okay, so I will admit, the Jaguars aren't always winning... but hey, the tailgating is legendary! Even if you’re not a football fanatic, it’s a whole *thing*. And you can usually find some minor league baseball or something going on as well. I even attended a concert!
One thing: you absolutely *must* try the garlic crab at a local seafood restaurant. Don't argue with me on this. Just do it.
Tell me about the food! What should I *absolutely* eat?
Alright, food, my love language! Okay, my first bite? Garlic crab. Seriously. Everywhere. I took a chance on a restaurant in Jacksonville Beach. My first bite was heaven, and while my hands were a sticky mess, I didn't even care! It was the best thing I'd eaten in *weeks*.
Beyond the crab, eat your heart out, people.:
- Seafood: Think fresh grilled fish, oyster bars, delicious tacos, shrimp… It’s the real deal.
- BBQ: You're in the south, people! Slow-cooked ribs, pulled pork, the works. Find a hole-in-the-wall and prepare to be amazed.
- Southern Comfort Food: If you're feeling brave, go for the fried green tomatoes. Also, biscuits with gravy are your friends. Just don't weigh yourself every day...
- Ethnic Eats: Jacksonville has a surprising amount of great international food. From Ethiopian to Vietnamese, you'll find something to tantalize your taste buds.
My *biggest* tip: Don't be afraid to try the local dive bars and restaurants. Some of the best food I found was in unassuming places. And you'll meet some amazing people along the way!
What about the people? Are the locals friendly? (And do they secretly judge tourists?)
Okay, the people of Jacksonville. I started cautiously. As a New Yorker, kindness is often viewed with suspicion. But I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, the locals are generally friendly. Genuinely so. They smile, they say hello, they actually *ask* how you're doing, and they seem to care! It was a bit unnerving at first, I was always expecting the catch, but it never came.
Do they judge tourists? Probably a little. Let's be real. We all judge *everyone* sometimes, in any place. But generally, they're happy to share their city. I found that being respectful, trying to embrace the culture (and not complaining about the humidity) went a long way. And if you're a good tipper, that definitely helps.
My advice? Be open. Strike up conversations. Ask for recommendations. You'll meet some incredible people. I ended up making some amazing friends who showed me the real Jacksonville, the stuff you can't find in a guidebook. And THAT, my friends, is priceless.
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