Lincoln, NE's BEST Stay Near University? MainStay Suites Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're wading into the swirling, slightly swampy waters of a MainStay Suites review in Lincoln, Nebraska. The "BEST Stay Near University"? That's a bold claim. Let's see if this place lives up to the hype, shall we? This is going to be more of a drunken conversation with a friend after a particularly stressful week, so apologies in advance for the tangents and the inevitable typos.
SEO & Metadata Schmaltz (I'll keep it as painless as possible):
- Keywords: Lincoln NE Hotels, University of Nebraska Hotels, Mainstay Suites Lincoln Review, Accessible Hotels Lincoln, Pet-Friendly Hotels Lincoln, Free Breakfast Lincoln, Swimming Pool Lincoln, Fitness Center Lincoln, Extended Stay Lincoln.
- Meta Description: Deep dive into the MainStay Suites near the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, uncovering the good, the bad, and the "meh." Honest review covering accessibility, amenities (pool, gym, breakfast), cleanliness, and overall experience. Is it the BEST? Let's find out!
- Title: Lincoln's "BEST Stay Near University"? MainStay Suites Review - The Honest Truth
The Real Review (Hold my beer…)
Alright, so I booked this place because I was visiting a friend at UNL. Proximity was key. I've got a whole thing about finding hotels, it's like a weird, pre-vacation stress test. Especially with accessibility needs. And, let's be honest, that's what’s most important to me.
Accessibility: The Make-or-Break Question
Okay, deep breath. Accessibility. This is where things can get tricky. I'm not going to pretend I have debilitating needs, but I do have family members who do, so I always have an eye out.
- Wheelchair Accessible: This is critical. The website says accessible rooms are available. Always call and confirm. Seriously, call them. Don’t just trust the online description. I usually do a double check. It's rare to make the call and actually be surprised in a good way.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: The devil, as they say, is in the details. Check for wider doorways. Grab bars in the bathroom. Wheelchair-accessible routes to everything. Check the pool access. Things like that.
- Elevator: Essential when you’re not on the ground floor. Did it work? (Yes, phew!).
- Exterior Corridor: This can be a plus or a minus. Gives you direct access to the outside, which is good for unloading and easier for mobility. But can also make it feel less secure.
- Airport Transfer: Didn't need it, but good to know if I did.
My Verdict on Accessibility: I actually did call ahead this time, because I knew I'd be doing this review. And they were mostly on point. The accessible rooms were available and as advertised. I still think sometimes the word “accessible” is used loosely. You’ll still need to request a room on the ground floor. And, if I'm honest I am a little suspicious about the wheelchair access to the pool. I'd check this personally if I needed it. So, cautiously positive on this one.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitizing Saga
- 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: This is obviously a biggie post-pandemic (and even before, let's be real). Everything seemed…okay. I mean, you can't exactly see the anti-viral cleaning products at work now, can you? But there was definitely hand sanitizer available – a small win. The room itself felt clean. No strange smells (always a good sign). I didn’t get a hazmat suit and start scrubbing, but it passed the basic sniff test.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: You’d like to think so. Everyone seemed cheerful and tried to be following protocol.
- Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher: Present and accounted for. They better be!
- Safe dining setup: They could have done a fair job.
My Verdict on Cleanliness and Safety: My gut? They tried. It’s hard to judge, really. But I felt reasonably safe. I didn’t see any obvious lapses
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Breakfast, the True Test)
Okay, so breakfast. This is where the "BEST" claim REALLY gets tested. Because… well, let's be honest, a free breakfast can make or break a hotel experience for a lot of people, myself included.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Was it a buffet? Yes. Did it look sad? Let's say it was adequate. The usual suspects: cereal, some sad-looking pastries, maybe some lukewarm scrambled eggs.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Absolutely. You grab a plastic tub and fill 'er up. This is actually pretty smart.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: They had coffee, that much is true. The quality? Don’t expect artisan coffee.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They had options.
The Breakfast Breakdown (The emotional core of the review…):
Look, I'm not expecting Michelin-star quality. I'm expecting edible. And, honestly, it was. The pastries were… well, they were there. I had a little bit of everything, mostly out of a sense of obligation. The orange juice was suspiciously sugary (I suspect it wasn't REAL orange juice). The waffles? They were a saving grace if you like waffles.
The WORST part, hands down? The toaster. A flimsy, slow, terrifying excuse for a toaster. I swear, I stood there for five minutes, watching my toast go from pale to slightly less pale. It’s the little things. They’ll destroy a good morning.
My Verdict on Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast = Meh. It was there. It fueled me. But it wasn't a highlight. Consider it fuel for the day, not a culinary experience. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there.
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Stuff
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Yay! And it worked. Always a plus!
- Internet access – wireless: Yep. Fast enough for emails I didn't want to respond to.
- Air conditioning, Daily housekeeping, 24-Hour Front Desk These are all expected.
- Laundry Service: Always useful.
- Concierge, Cash withdrawal, Doorman, Elevator, Luggage storage: These are all available, which is nice if you actually need them!
- Cashless payment service, Contactless check-in/out: Modern, I'll give them that.
My Verdict on Services and Conveniences: Standard. Nothing spectacular, nothing that made me want to write home. Expected, but not exceptional.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Pool Time!)
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The outdoor pool was… well, it was a pool. It was open. People were in it. I’m not a pool person. But if you are? Seems decent enough.
- Gym/fitness, Fitness center: Did not get a chance to use it, I'm not a gym person..
My Verdict on Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Pool = fine. Gym = unknown. I am not the target demographic, so I'm not going to be a good judge.
Available in All Rooms (The Nitty Gritty)
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Non-smoking: Standard fair.
- Refrigerator: Always appreciated.
- Soundproofing, Wi-Fi [free]: Essential in this day and age.
- Wake-up service Always a mixed blessing.
Room Ambience (The REAL feelings!)
The room itself was… fine. Clean, as I mentioned. Not particularly exciting. It had the feeling of a standard, slightly updated chain hotel room. The bed was comfier than expected. And, praise be, the blackout curtains actually worked.
The view? Mostly another building. But, honestly, after the disastrous breakfast, I was just grateful for a dark room to hide in and avoid the toaster of doom.
The Family/Child friendly aspect: From what I could see, the hotel seemed to have plenty of access to children.
Getting around: Free car park is a HUGE bonus. Easy in and out.
Final Thoughts (The Epilogue - and the most important part!)
So, "BEST Stay Near University?" Is it?
Look, it's a solid, reliable option. It's clean. It's accessible. It gets the job done. Is it the most exciting hotel experience of my life? Absolutely not. But if you're looking for a place near UNL that won't break the bank and offers the basics,
Escape to Texas Hill Country: Fairfield Inn & Suites Fredericksburg Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this MainStay Suites Lincoln University Area adventure is gonna be… well, it's gonna be me. And that means it's gonna be a glorious, messy, potentially caffeine-fueled ride. Here we go…
MainStay Suites Lincoln University - My "Get Away From Real Life" Itinerary (or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Continental Breakfast)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Pizza Quest (Mostly Failure)
- 1:00 PM - The Arrival: Land in Lincoln. Get out of the airport (thank god) and head straight to MainStay. Okay, this place looks fine from the outside. Neutral colors, promising lobby. The drive from the airport wasn't too bad, thankfully. A bit of a cranky mood had me feeling like I needed a nap the moment I get to my room.
- 1:30 PM - Check-In Chaos (and a Near-Panic Attack): The front desk clerk seems… nice enough. But suddenly my own phone and the TV in the lobby has a complete meltdown at the same time. Okay, maybe a little crankiness. Not the best first impression. Check-in goes smoothly enough, thank goodness. Key card issues averted. Room seems decent and the air conditioning is working, which, let's be real, is the most important thing in Nebraska in late summer.
- 2:00 PM - The Pizza Prophecy: Okay, time to eat because I skipped lunch and I'm STARVING. My friend told me there was this amazing pizza place not to far. So I jumped in my car and got on the road…
- 3:00 PM - Pizza Quest Fail Part 1: After struggling in the traffic, I found the place, but the pizza was closed, the shop was boarded up!
- 3:30 PM - Pizza Quest Fail Part 2: Okay, so now I'm really wanting pizza. I searched another place which I found closed.
- 4:00 PM - Pizza Quest Fail Part 3: I called another place, but they didn't do deliver, so I ended up having to drive and pick it up. The drive there, the drive back. It honestly felt like I had driven for hours.
- 5:00 PM - Pizza Quest Success (Kind Of): FINALLY! Pizza acquired. The pizza was…okay. The crust was a little soggy, but the beer was cold, and I was alone to eat it in my room, a small victory. The sheer effort I put into this pizza quest has left me feeling like I'd run a marathon. And now, I am just content to be alone in my room away from all the stress.
- 7:00 PM - Pool-Adjacent Existential Dread: Okay, I should go to the pool, right? It's part of the hotel. But the thought of putting on a swimsuit and interacting with other humans fills me with low-grade horror. Maybe tomorrow. Sticking to the "room-alone-and-pizza-fueled" plan.
- 8:00 PM - The Great Netflix Nosedive: Netflix and chill… with myself. Binge-watching something stupid. Complete and utter relaxation. Pure bliss.
- 10:00 PM - Sleep (Hopefully Deep and Uninterrupted): Praying for a solid eight hours. Must. Recharge. For… well, whatever tomorrow brings.
Day 2: The Continental Breakfast Battle and the Strange Allure of the Nebraska State Capitol
- 7:00 AM - The Breakfast Battlefield: Okay, time to face the beast. The continental breakfast. This is where dreams go to die, or… well, maybe not. Let's just say my expectations are low. The stale pastries. The watery coffee. The questionable "fruit." But you know what? I got a waffle! Okay, maybe I didn't get everything I wanted, but at least I got a waffle.
- 7:30 AM - The Waffle Incident: Ate a waffle. No stomach problems. Good start.
- 8:00 AM - The Capitol Conundrum: Decided to do some sightseeing. The Nebraska State Capitol, apparently, is supposed to be pretty cool. Walked around the inside of the Capitol. Did some research before going. The amount of marble floors and fancy statues was a lot to take in. The guide was great. I felt a bit like a tourist, so maybe I should take it down a notch.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch Debacle: Found a highly-rated local place. Food was… okay. Service was… slow, extremely slow. Felt like an hour just waiting for the check. I was probably just hungry. I hate being hungry.
- 1:00 PM - Rest of the day: I don’t remember what I did. It was probably more Netflix.
- 9:00 PM - Packing: I have to leave the hotel tomorrow, so I thought best to pack up tonight.
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Question of the Pool (and regrets)
- 7:00 AM - The Continental Breakfast Revisited: Hey! Better waffle game today. Small victories, people. Small victories.
- 8:00 AM - Check Out and the Pool Regret: Checked out. Smooth sailing at the front desk. As I'm leaving, I see the pool. Empty. Blissfully, invitingly empty. Why didn't I go yesterday?! The regret is real, friends. The regret is very real.
- 9:00 AM - Departure: Back to reality. Back to life. Back to…whatever comes next.
Final Verdict: MainStay Suites Lincoln University Area: Fine. The pizza quest was a disaster of epic proportions. The continental breakfast was a mixed bag. But overall, it was what I needed. A chance to escape, to recharge, to be utterly and completely alone with my own weird thoughts. Would I go back? Sure, maybe. But next time, I'm definitely hitting that pool. And maybe, just maybe, I will find good pizza. Maybe.
Austin's BEST Kept Secret: University Area Getaway at Residence Inn!
Alright, spill the beans! Is MainStay Suites in Lincoln actually "the best" near UNL? Don't hold back!
Okay, fine, let's get real. "Best" is subjective, right? Like, what's "best" for a college student scraping by on ramen versus a visiting professor with a corporate travel card? BUT… assuming you're looking for a solid, convenient, and *relatively* affordable option near the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, MainStay Suites? Yeah, they’re definitely in the running. I mean, I wouldn't rave about it to the Queen of England, but for a quick trip to see the Huskers or a weekend with your kid at school? Consider me *mostly* sold.
I stayed there last fall, and let's just say I have some… thoughts. (Deep breath) Here we go…
How close is "close" to UNL? Walking distance? Am I going to have to deal with Lincoln traffic? (Ugh, traffic…)
Okay, the location is a *huge* plus. You can't exactly *walk* to the Memorial Stadium from there, but it's close enough that you can easily drive (and park! That's key, seriously, parking...), use a rideshare, or hop on a bus. I think it took me about 5-7 minutes to get to campus, tops. And seriously, if you've ever battled Lincoln traffic during a game day…you already know. Avoid that misery. This spot gives you a fighting chance.
What about the rooms? Clean? Spacious? Like a shoebox? Give me the truth!
Spacious? Well, "spacious" compared to a broom closet, maybe. But they are definitely well set up for extended stays, and that's the whole point. The rooms are basically like little apartments. You get separate areas for sleeping and sitting, which is nice. The kitchenettes are a lifesaver. I was with my family and the extra space made a huge difference. The *cleanliness*? Okay, this is where things get… interesting. It FELT clean. (I didn't go inspecting under the beds with a hazmat suit, let's just say that.) The bathroom looked reasonably fresh. No obvious horrors. I did find ONE rogue Cheerios particle on the counter, which, in my book, is a win.
The 'free breakfast'… worth it? Or the usual sad continental fare? (I'm judging, I admit it.)
Okay, listen. Free breakfast at hotels... It's always a crapshoot, isn't it? MainStay Suites? Well, it depends on your expectations. Don't show up expecting a five-star brunch. It’s your standard hotel breakfast spread: cereal, pastries, maybe a waffle maker. They had some pre-made eggs and sausage on offer, which were... edible. I, personally, stuck to the coffee (which was shockingly decent) and a toasted bagel. My kids, however, attacked the waffles with the enthusiasm of a thousand suns. The important thing is, it's *free*. You save money on one meal. And if you lower your expectations… you won’t be disappointed. That's the secret.
What else is good about it? Any hidden gems or unexpected perks? Dish out the details!
Okay, here’s a hidden gem. The staff. Seriously. The folks at the front desk were genuinely friendly and helpful. I had a SNAFU with my reservation (completely my fault, mind you) and they straightened everything out without batting an eye. They were also super helpful about giving directions and recommendations for local restaurants. I appreciate genuine niceness, it really goes a long way.
Unexpected perks…hmmm. The laundry facilities came in handy (especially with kids!). The gym was... well, it was there. (I didn't actually *use* it. Okay, I looked in once. It was tiny. But it had treadmills! And weights! More than some hotels.) Oh! They had a small outdoor pool, which looked inviting. I didn't swim, because Nebraska… November. It was absolutely freezing outside when I went.
Any downsides? What annoyed you? Don't sugarcoat it!
Alright, here’s the grumble part. The walls are… thin. I could hear EVERYTHING. The people in the room next to me apparently loved late-night television. On the bright said, I also knew their kids favorite cartoons. The WiFi? Spotty in my room. Had to go down to the lobby to get a usable signal for a zoom video call. And the decor? Let's just say it's functional, not fashionable. Think beige, and more beige. And maybe a stripe of...beige. It wasn't offensive, just…forgettable.
Also, the location, while convenient, isn't exactly *charming*. It's in a fairly standard commercial area. Not a lot of walk-everywhere options for restaurants or entertainment. You'll likely be driving around. Which, you might already be doing. So, not necessarily a dealbreaker.
Okay, so the big question: Would you stay there again? Be honest!
Yes. Absolutely, yes. For the price, the location, and the overall functionality, it's a solid choice. It's not luxury, but it's clean, convenient, and the staff are lovely. If I'm visiting Lincoln again and I need a decent place near UNL, MainStay Suites is definitely on the radar. I’d be happy to stay there. But I’d pack my own earplugs for the night. Seriously. The thin walls, you know….
Anything else you want to add? Like, any *really* weird or memorable experiences there? Spill the tea!
Oh, man, okay, here's a story. Remember when I said the kitchenettes were a lifesaver? Well, they were. Until… the microwave. This thing was a beast. It took me a solid 20 minutes to figure out how to work it, mostly because the controls were in some strange, hieroglyphic language. I got the thing cooking and… it exploded. Not like, a full-blown nuclear blast, but let's just say there was a significant "pop," accompanied by a cloud of smoke and the distinct aroma of burnt popcorn. Yeah. That happened. I sheepishly called the front desk, confessed my microwave sins, and they, incredibly, just laughed and sent someone up to replace it. The poor maintenance guy looked at me like I was some microwave-destroying demon. I apologized profusely while he stared at the remains of my popcorn, the walls, and the ceiling. The replacement worked, thankfully, and I learned to avoid the popcorn settingMountain Stay
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