Milwaukee's BEST Extended Stay? Wauwatosa Suites Await!
Milwaukee's BEST Extended Stay? Wauwatosa Suites Await! - A Messy, Honest, and (Hopefully) Helpful Review
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I just hauled my weary self out of the Wauwatosa Suites "Milwaukee's BEST Extended Stay" (their words, not mine… yet). And, listen, I'm not gonna lie, this review is gonna be more like a chaotic, caffeinated stream of consciousness than a perfectly polished travel brochure. So, expectations managed, right? Let’s dive in… and maybe I'll emerge relatively unscathed.
The Vitals: SEO & Metadata (Gotta appease the algorithms, right?)
- Keywords: Milwaukee Extended Stay, Wauwatosa Hotel, Extended Stay Milwaukee, Accessible Hotel Milwaukee, Fitness Center Milwaukee, Free Wi-Fi Milwaukee, Spa Hotel Milwaukee, Business Travel Milwaukee, Family Friendly Hotel Milwaukee, Pet-Friendly Hotel Milwaukee (well, sort of…)
- Metadata: (Imagine a bunch of HTML tags here, because I'm too lazy to actually DO that. But you get the idea) Keywords, Description (detailed and snappy), Author Name, etc. Basically, all the stuff that makes Google happy. And now, let's get REAL…
First Impressions & Accessibility: Not Exactly Smooth Sailing (But Hey, It's Wauwatosa!)
Finding the place wasn't a drama – it's right there in Wauwatosa, kinda tucked away but not too hidden. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I did take a gander at the accessibility situation. The website boasts "facilities for disabled guests." Great! The entrance seemed alright – ramps, no crazy steps. Inside, the elevators are a must (especially with extended stays and luggage). They seemed accessible. No major speedbumps on the surface, but I always think a true test is seeing how functional things are when push comes to shove. Let's just say, it LOOKED okay. I didn't have to fight my way through a maze of stairs or anything. So, a cautious thumbs-up, but seriously – always call ahead and double-check if accessibility is a major concern.
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (With a Few "Minor" Quirks)
I booked a suite, because, well, extended stay. And honestly, it was spacious. "Extra long bed," nice! I could actually sprawl out without feeling like I'd fall off. There was a separate seating area, which was a godsend for working (or, let's be honest, pretending to work). The "desk" wasn’t the most ergonomically sound thing I’ve ever seen, but it did the job of holding my laptop.
- The Toiletries: Basic, but they were there. I packed my own stuff, though. Always do.
- The Internet: Free Wi-Fi in my room? Yes! And it actually worked! (Miracle!) BUT… the speed? Let's just say I wasn't streaming any 4K documentaries. I think I might have seen dial-up faster. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but not by much. Remember LAN internet? Yep, they have it too, so you can choose your poison, with all the pros and cons of each system.
- The Blackout Curtains: Saved me! I need these.
- The Refrigerator: Useful! Stocked up on snacks and drinks.
- The Smoke Detector: Present. (Phew!)
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitization Symphony (or Absence Thereof)
Okay, let's get real about the "Cleanliness and Safety" aspect. The hotel website blares about "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Rooms sanitized between stays," and "Staff trained in safety protocol." Sounds fantastic, right? Well, maybe. I’d love to see the "professional-grade sanitizing services" in action, because let's just say, I've stayed in cleaner hospital rooms. I did see hand sanitizer dispensers in the common areas, which is a bonus. But I'm a germaphobe, so I still went full-on Lysol on everything before I settled in. Room sanitization opt-out available? Didn't ask, didn't see. My advice: bring your own sanitizing wipes. Seriously.
Food, Glorious Food (or Lack Thereof) : The Breakfast Blues
Breakfast is… an experience. They claim to have a "Breakfast service," but it was more like a continental breakfast buffet. You know the drill: stale pastries, questionable coffee, and the occasional fruit that looks like it's seen better days. There are "Individually-wrapped food options," which is good, I guess? But it lacked… soul. Maybe some hot food?
I'm not a big fan of Asian breakfasts, so no comment on that, but I would have killed for a decent omelet. There is a coffee shop here, as well as multiple restaurants.
- The Snack Bar: Present. Overpriced.
- Room Service (24-hour): Didn’t try it. Couldn’t face it.
- Restaurants: Mostly the kind you’d expect in a hotel – not necessarily destinations in themselves.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Didn't notice, and given the breakfast situation, I’m not holding my breath.
Amenities: Fitness, Fun, and a Bit of Disappointment (or the Lack Thereof)
- Fitness Center: Okay, here's where things get tricky. They have a "Fitness center." I peeking through the window - it looked decent enough with some treadmills and weights. But I never actually used it. Because… well, the thought of sharing equipment in a hotel gym during a pandemic fills me with dread. But, hey - it was there.
- Pool with view: No. Just a standard indoor pool, and I did not spot an outdoor one.
- Spa/Sauna: Nope. No sign of a spa, sauna, or steamroom. False advertising? Perhaps a bit. Or I looked in the wrong places.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh"
- Daily Housekeeping: It happened. Pretty standard.
- Laundry Service: Present. Convenient.
- Cash Withdrawal: Available. Always useful.
- Concierge: Didn’t interact with them.
- Business Facilities: Didn’t use them, but they seemed to be there.
- Dry Cleaning: Present.
- Luggage Storage: Yep.
- Pets allowed: This is where things get… interesting. They have a policy about pets. Which is good. But "pets allowed unavailable?" So do they or don't they? I'm not sure. Call ahead if you have a furry friend!
- Valet parking: Nope. Self-park.
Getting Around: The Wauwatosa Shuffle
- Car Park: Free. Bonus!
- Taxi service: Available.
- Airport transfer: Didn’t use it.
- Bicycle parking: I think I saw some. Honestly, didn't pay too much attention.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Family "Friendly-ish"?
- “Family/child friendly," “babysitting service,” “Kids meal.” Okay, there's a little bit of a disconnect here. Yes, the place allows kids. But there's nothing particularly geared towards them. No play areas, no splash pads. Babysitting? I doubt it.
My Overall Verdict: The Verdict Is… Mixed. (But I Survived!)
Look, Wauwatosa Suites is… okay. It's not the Ritz-Carlton. It's not a disaster. It's… a solid, if somewhat uninspired, extended-stay option.
The Good:
- Spacious rooms.
- Free (albeit slow) Wi-Fi.
- Free parking.
- Generally clean-ish.
The Bad:
- Breakfast. Oh, the breakfast.
- Spa/Sauna? Nope.
- The sanitization could be better.
- The Wi-Fi speed will test your patience.
The Quirks/Anecdotes:
- I spent a solid ten minutes trying to figure out how to dim the lights in my room. Eventually, I gave up and just used the blackout curtains. Victory!
- I overheard a heated discussion about the "correct" way to operate the coffee machine at breakfast. Apparently, the "correct" way involved a level of engineering expertise I did not possess.
- The elevator music? Awful. But, hey, it's free entertainment, right?
Would I stay here again?
Honestly? Probably. Wauwatosa isn’t exactly overflowing with amazing hotel options. It's acceptable for an extended stay. I'd bring my own breakfast, my own cleaning supplies, and maybe a good book for the inevitable Wi-Fi-induced downtime. And definitely call ahead to clarify that those amenities are available. If you're looking for luxury, keep looking. If you're looking for functional, and you have realistic expectations? It's a solid,
Panama City Beach Oceanfront Getaway: Days Inn Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, ‘cause we’re doin’ this Milwaukee thing, Expanded Stay America style! And trust me, after this… well, let’s just say I might need a vacation from my vacation. This is going to be a glorious, messy, unfiltered look at my time in Wauwatosa. Consider yourself warned.
The Extended Stay America Saga: Milwaukee Edition (Or, My Attempt to Avoid a Complete Meltdown)
Day 1: Arrival & the Quest for the "Couch of Comfort"
1:00 PM: Arrive at the Extended Stay America in Wauwatosa. Okay, first impressions? It’s… beige. Lots and lots of beige. It’s the color of lukewarm oatmeal, the beige of a thousand forgotten beige dreams. But hey, at least it’s clean-ish, right? (Deep breath). Check-in is… efficient. The front desk lady seems like she’s seen some things. Probably a lot of me.
1:15 PM: The Room Reveal! Okay, not gonna lie, I was expecting a dungeon. I'm not a fan of the term Select suites as it leads you to believe that it will be an upgrade. There's a fridge, a microwave, a goddamn stove (which I will NOT be using, unless forced by the end of the world or an unexpected Taco Bell craving – both of which are equally likely). The bed? The real test. It's… acceptable. Not the cloud-like experience I crave, but it is a surface to crash on. The couch… the couch is the key. Will it be a haven? A place to sink into after a long day of tourist adventures (or, let’s be honest, existential dread)? Pray for me.
2:00 PM: Unpack. More like attempt to unpack. I'm the kind of traveler who throws everything in a suitcase and hopes for the best. This leaves me with the problem of where I can put all my stuff. After an hour I give up and let my belongings be.
3:00 PM: Food! My stomach is rumbling like a disgruntled bear. Gotta find sustenance! I contemplate an escape plan… a quest for something delicious. I'm dreaming of a deep-fried cheese curd escape, but the sheer hassle of driving, parking, and interacting with humans is… a lot. Maybe the vending machine? (Don’t judge me.)
3:30 PM: The Vending Machine. It has a snack bar, with the usual suspects, but the real star? A bag of "Party Mix" – the kind with the tiny pretzel sticks and those weird, oddly-colored bread snack things. It’s a beacon. Comfort food at it's finest. I am a god.
4:00 PM: Settle in. Couch assessment. Okay, it’s… firmer than I’d hoped. But it’s the only place that is made of a material different than beige. I attempt to watch TV. The channel selection is… limited. Again. I settle on a documentary about squirrels. They know how to live. (I suddenly have a strong desire to become a squirrel.)
6:00 PM: Dinner. I venture out! I’m thinking about grabbing some Pizza at somewhere. I wander into a nearby pizza restaurant. The smell of garlic and pepperoni is intoxicating. The pizza is… fantastic. Perfectly cheesy, with a crispy crust. My initial bad mood melts away.
7:30 PM: Return to the hotel, feeling surprisingly content. The couch is now… adequate. I take a shower, and attempt to organize my things. I feel so overwhelmed I decide not to and fall asleep with my clothes on.
Day 2: Culture, Chaos, and the Quest for the Elusive Parking Spot
9:00 AM: Wake up. Ugh. My back hurts. Must be the couch. Coffee is made. I hate how the coffee maker is beige too.
10:00 AM: Okay, time for culture! (Insert forced enthusiasm.) The Milwaukee Art Museum is on the agenda. Famous architectural wonder, right? But before I get there… the parking lot. Oh, the parking lot. It’s a parking lot, and it's a nightmare. It's as if someone deliberately designed it to induce panic and despair. I circle for what feels like an eternity, finally snagging a spot that’s probably haunted.
11:00 AM: The Art Museum. Okay, the building is stunning. Like, really stunning. I wander through the galleries, pretending to understand abstract art. I secretly judge people who are aggressively "deep-thinking" in front of paintings I think are just splodges of color. But hey, art is subjective, right? (And maybe I’m just uncultured swine – don’t tell anyone.)
1:00 PM: Lunch. There is a cafe at the museum, yay! Expensive but great.
2:00 PM: I am starting to feel the need for an adventure. I have decided to find something fun.
3:00 PM: I find a local brewery. I'm not a HUGE beer person, but… the atmosphere is great!
4:30 PM: Back to the hotel. I flop on the couch! It is starting to feel like home.
Day 3: The Rundown and the Great Escape
9:00 AM: Packing. The worst part of any trip. The sheer act of getting all my things back into that suitcase feels like an impossible feat. I have a moment of panic. Will I ever get out of this beige box of a room?
11:00 AM: Breakfast! Leftover pizza. Because, why not?
12:00 PM: Check-out. Smooth, thankfully.
12:30 PM: Get in the car and drive. Freedom!
Okay, so maybe this wasn’t a perfectly polished travel itinerary, but it was mine. It was messy, honest, full of weird observations, and maybe, just maybe, a little bit hilarious. And in the end, isn't that what travel is all about? Embracing the chaos, the unexpected, the slightly uncomfortable couches, and the moments of pure, unadulterated joy. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a vacation. From my vacation. And maybe… a new couch. (Preferably not beige.) Goodbye, Milwaukee. For now.
Elkhart's BEST Hotel Deal? Microtel Inn & Suites Review!
Alright, alright, so Wauwatosa Suites... Are they REALLY the "BEST" extended stay in Milwaukee? Don't hit me with the corporate-speak, I need the *real* deal.
Okay, deep breath. "Best" is subjective, right? Like, what's 'best' if you're a lonely business traveler who lives on takeout and cable? Probably different from "best" if you're a family fleeing burst pipes and need a place with a decent pool for the kids. I've heard both sides of the story. Some people *swear* by Wauwatosa Suites. I remember talking to this woman Karen, who was there with her cat, Mr. Whiskers. She was positively *glowing* about the pet policy. Said nobody batted an eye at his late-night zoomies. She was there for like, three months, waiting for her roof to get fixed. Said the staff felt legitimately like family. She even baked them cookies! (Okay, maybe that's a *little* too much family... maybe the cookies were a bit much, Karen. Just sayin'.)
On the flip side... I know a guy, let's call him "Dave". He was stuck there due to a sudden job loss. Dave, let's just say he… well, he *challenged* their policy on quiet hours. He wasn't thrilled with the Wi-Fi (blamed it on "the gnomes in the router" - apparently, he had a strong imagination). So, the "best" part is… well, it depends on your tolerance for gnomes, basically. If you're looking for a solid, clean, reasonably priced place, with some nice extras, you probably can't go wrong. If you're looking for the Ritz? Keep looking. If you happen to have issues with gnomes in your router, might wanna bring your own.
Okay, so let's talk location. Is Wauwatosa Suites actually *in* a good location? Like, close to stuff, or am I going to spend my entire stay stuck in Milwaukee traffic? (Shudder).
Location, location, location! It's everything, right? Wauwatosa's a pretty sweet spot to be, I'll give you that. It's kinda… *tucked away*, which can be a good or a bad thing depending on your personality. Lots of parks. Pretty safe. It's close to the Mayfair Mall, which is a blessing and a curse. Blessing if you love shopping, curse if you hate crowds of people. (I'm firmly in the "curse" camp, myself.) And the medical complex there is massive, so, tons of doctors and hospitals. So, that's handy if you need it.
Traffic? Yeah, that’s Milwaukee. It can be a beast. Commuting in the morning from a bad side of Milwaukee can be the bane of your existence. I mean, it's not *horrendous*, but I'm not going to lie to you. During rush hour, be prepared to… well, let’s just say you'll get to know the inside of your car pretty well. Plan your escapes accordingly. If you're planning a weekend in Milwaukee, great! Weekdays? Consider off-peak hours. You might find yourself adding more time to your overall visit, which might be great for you, or not.
The other thing? Walkability. Not the greatest, honestly. You’re not going to stroll to a bunch of restaurants, but you’re also not going into the middle of nowhere either. You'll probably need a car. Walking around is... possible, but might not be the funnest thing. You have to decide if that's a deal breaker with the locations.
What kind of amenities are we talking about? Free breakfast? A pool? Do they have decent coffee (because, let's be real, that's important)?
Ah, the all-important amenities! It's like the icing on the cake... or the questionable sprinkles you find at some hotels. So, Wauwatosa Suites *generally* delivers on the basics. I think they all do. The details, though? Ah, that's where things get interesting.
Let's start with the good stuff: Free breakfast? Yep. Is it going to be a gourmet experience? Probably not. Think continental with some hot options. You know the deal: cereal, toast, maybe some sad-looking scrambled eggs. But hey, it's free! Pool? Yep, usually. I'll tell you a story about that later. Gym? Again, generally. Don't expect a state-of-the-art fitness center, more like the essentials. Enough to pretend you’re working out. Laundry? Crucial with an extended stay! Yep. The machines might not always be the newest, but they'll get the job done, usually.
The coffee? This is key. Some places skimp on the coffee. At Wauwatosa Suites, I'm going to guess, based on my experience and some friends? It's… decent. Not *amazing*. But drinkable. I highly recommend bringing your own French press and some really good beans, just in case. It's a life-saver.
OH! The pool. Okay, this is a confession. My sister wanted to stay at one of the Wauwatosa Suites hotels. She wanted a pool. Booked it, showed up, saw the pool. It was *closed* for "renovations". She was furious. She'd counted on that pool. She almost moved states. So, call ahead and make sure the pool is actually *open* before you make your decision. Learned my lesson for her.
Alright, spill the tea. What are the potential downsides of Wauwatosa Suites? What should I be REALLY be prepared for?
Okay, let's get real. It's not all sunshine and roses. Here's the unvarnished truth: they're *extended stay*. Not the Four Seasons. You usually get what you pay for.
First, noise! Walls *might* be thin. Really thin. You'll hear your neighbors. Their TVs, their conversations, their… well, you get the idea. Pack earplugs. Trust me. They're a lifesaver. You might be next to a family with small children, which is great, but it also might mean constant screaming. No shame to them, of course, But the situation doesn't always lend itself to a relaxed nap.
Second, room condition. It's not a new hotel, so expect some wear and tear. Things might be a little dated. The furniture might be a little… tired. Don't be surprised if you find a stain or two. It's part of the extended stay experience. I've seen some things, and let's just say, my life is better, mostly because I haven't had to see them again. If you are overly particular (and I am, at times), maybe bring some cleaning supplies.
Third, the "vibe." You'll find a wide variety of people. People going through tough times. People between houses. People on business trips. People like my sister who needed a pool. This can lead to… interesting encounters. Be patient, be kind. Because you're probably in the same boat, too.
Okay, I HAVE to ask. What about the staff? Are they helpful? Friendly? Or are they going to be a source of stress?
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