Atlanta Duluth's BEST Extended Stay Hotel: Unbeatable Deals!
Atlanta Duluth's BEST Extended Stay Hotel: Unbeatable Deals! - A Messy, Honest Review
Alright, folks, buckle up. I just spent a week at Atlanta Duluth's "BEST Extended Stay Hotel: Unbeatable Deals!" and let me tell you, it was a ride. This isn’t your perfectly curated travel blog post; this is the raw, unfiltered experience from a guy who just wants a decent bed and maybe, just maybe, a free breakfast. So, let's unravel this thing, shall we? (And yes, I'm still slightly traumatized by the vending machine situation.)
First Impressions (and the dreaded front desk):
Okay, so the name is a mouthful. "BEST Extended Stay Hotel: Unbeatable Deals!" Sounds like someone just crammed every keyword they could think of into one sentence. The deals were definitely… present. Let's just say my wallet breathed a sigh of relief. The lobby? Standard. Functional. About as exciting as a Tuesday afternoon. The front desk? Well, that’s where things got interesting. The staff were friendly enough, but there was a certain… relaxed energy. Let's call it "Southern Hospitality Lite." A few times, I felt like I was interrupting a very important conversation about who makes the best sweet tea. But, hey, at least they were there. 24-hour front desk? Check. Express check-in/out? Sort of. It felt express-ish.
Accessibility & Safety - The Good, The Okay, and the "Huh?":
- Accessibility: They do have facilities for disabled guests, which is fantastic. I'm not personally in that boat, but seeing an elevator? Huge win.
- Cleanliness & Safety (My Obsession!): Listen, I'm basically a germaphobe in disguise, so this was crucial. They touted anti-viral cleaning products and daily disinfection in common areas. I have to admit, the place did smell clean. Like, you could practically taste the bleach (though, maybe that was just my imagination). They also had hand sanitizer everywhere. Seriously, I think I used a gallon. This made me feel… reasonably safe. Rooms sanitized between stays? Fingers crossed.
- Safety Features: Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, security? Check, check, check. CCTV in common areas and outside the property? Good. I saw them. Didn’t see anyone getting into a fight, so that’s a win in my book!
- Room Sanitization: This is where it got a little questionable. They offered a room sanitization opt-out. Opt-out? Shouldn’t that be the other way around? This left me wondering… anyway, I didn't opt out.
The Room - My Temporary Fortress:
Okay, so… the room. It was… a room. As you can probably see from the list below, they offer a lot of the standards. Carpeted, definitely. The bed? Extra long! Which was great for my giraffe-like legs. The air conditioning worked like a champ, which was essential in the Atlanta humidity. Here's a more detailed breakdown, because, well, I paid attention after all:
- Available in All Rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Blackout curtains (THANK GOD!), Carpeting, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping (more on that later…), Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water (essential!), Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar (I’m still looking for it!), Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels (a lifeline!), Seating area, Shower, Slippers (didn’t use them!), Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella (didn’t need it!), Visual alarm (didn’t need that either!), Wake-up service… and the all-important free Wi-Fi [free]!
- What I Loved: Blackout curtains. Seriously, a godsend. Desk space was decent for working. The water pressure in the shower was surprisingly strong.
- What was Okay: The decor was… neutral. Beige. It reminded me of a hospital room, which is not ideal, but functional.
- The Mildly Irritating: The TV remote was a relic of the 90s.
- The "Huh?" Moment: The mini-bar didn't exist!
Food & Drink - A Culinary Adventure (Mostly for the Survivalist):
- Breakfast: Advertised! Breakfast service! (Buffet in Restaurant, Buffet in Restaurant). The buffet itself was… well, it was there. There was a buffet and a menu!
- Restaurants & Lounges: Restaurants. plural. I didn’t see any! There was a very basic, no-frills, "restaurant" area. The coffee was passable, and the pastries looked like they had been there since the hotel opened. They had a coffee shop too.
- The Vending Machine Incident: This is the moment that defines my stay. Picture this: I'm starving, it's late, and the sweet, siren song of a vending machine beckons. I put in my money, select my snack… nothing. I try again. Nothing. I kick it once (don't judge me). Still nothing. I ended up going to bed hungry!
- Other Food Notes: There were some, VERY limited, alternative meal arrangements. They offered a snack bar, but I am still not sure where it was. They offered bottled water, and I did find it.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Because Who Doesn't Need a Sauna?:
- Fitness First: There was a fitness center. I peeked in. Looked like a collection of dusty, slightly-used equipment. I did not enter.
- Relaxation Station: They had a sauna, a pool, and a spa. I went to none of them. (I spent most of my time trying to figure out the TV remote.) Oh, and there was a pool with a view. Not a bad view, I saw a couple of trees and a bit of sky.
- "Body" Treatments: Body scrub, body wrap? Seriously? At this hotel? You might want to check the pricing.
- Things for the kids: Babysitting service? Kids meal? Hmmm. I didn't see many kids.
Services & Conveniences - The Good, The Bad, and the "Just Try to Use It":
- The Good: Free car park and even a car power charging station! Elevator (again, yay!), Luggage storage, and a convenience store (for the vending machine-less nights).
- The "Could Be Better": Laundry service. Daily housekeeping technically happened, but sometimes I felt like it was a quick once-over. Dry cleaning service existed, but was, well, expensive.
- The "Good Luck": Invoice provided? Maybe. Concierge? I think there was a pamphlet. Food delivery? Maybe through a third party.
Internet - The Lifeline (and the occasional dropout):
- Wi-Fi in all rooms!: YES! And it worked. Mostly. Sometimes it would hiccup, but hey, it was free.
- Internet access: Check. No LAN access, that I could see.
Getting Around - Easy Peasy (If You Have A Car):
- Free Car Park/Car Park [on-site]! (I loved this.)
- Airport transfer? Probably, if you asked.
- Taxi service? Yes.
Overall - Should You Stay Here?
Look, Atlanta Duluth's "BEST Extended Stay Hotel: Unbeatable Deals!" isn't the Four Seasons. But it's clean-ish. The bed is comfy. The Wi-Fi is free. The price is… well, unbeatable. If you're on a budget and need a place to rest your weary head, I'd tentatively recommend it. Just keep a can of snacks in your bag, in case the vending machine lets you down. And maybe bring your own remote.
SEO & Metadata Considerations (Because, you know, I need to get paid for this):
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Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars. (Could be 4 if they fixed the vending machine.)
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Alright, strap in, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-planned travel itinerary. We're going full-blown chaotic, real-life, "did I pack underwear?" kind of journey through Extended Stay America Select Suites in Duluth, Georgia. Buckle up, it's gonna be a bumpy, glorious ride.
The "Escape from Reality, Or, How I Spent My Week in Duluth (Without Getting Eaten by a Bear)" Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival of the Undaunted (a.k.a. Me, Stressed but Alive)
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Okay, let's be honest, first thought: "Did I actually pack my phone charger this time?" A frantic pat-down of the backpack ensues. Success! Crisis averted. Now to navigate the confusing, beautiful, and soul-crushing labyrinth that is ATL.
- 1:45 PM: Finding the rental car. This, friends, is where the adventure begins. I'm not talking about scenic routes, oh no. I'm talking about the existential dread of parallel parking in a minivan. (Why did I choose a minivan? Don’t ask). After a solid 20 minutes of sweating and apologizing to a very unimpressed elderly gentleman, I finally escape the clutches of the airport.
- 2:30 PM: Arrive at Extended Stay America Select Suites - Atlanta - Duluth. "Select Suites"? More like, "Suites that Select You Out of Your Comfort Zone," am I right? First impression: It’s… beige. A lot of beige. But hey, at least it's clean(ish). The check-in process involved a mildly confusing conversation about parking permits and a complimentary coffee packet. Score!
- 3:00 PM: Unpacking. This is the moment of truth. Did I forget something crucial? (Narrator: She did). Shoes. I forgot shoes. Well, this will be interesting.
- 4:00 PM: The "Grocery Store of Despair" Expedition. Gotta stock up on the essentials: Diet Coke, questionable microwave meals, and enough snack-sized chips to fuel a small army. Publix, here I come. (Side note: the sheer variety of potato chips is overwhelming. Why so many flavors?! I am now emotionally attached to the "Sweet Heat" chips.)
- 5:00 PM: Back at the Suite. The existential dread of another evening in a beige room. And a sudden craving for cheese.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Prepared a pre-cooked pasta meal as part of meal-prepping, which turned into a minor culinary disaster involving a smoky microwave, a slight burn mark on my left hand, and a deep, abiding affection for take-out menus.
- 7:00 PM: Attempting to watch TV. Channel surfing. The same old shows, the same old commercials. Ended up watching a marathon of infomercials about kitchen knife sets. Considered buying all three… for a moment.
- 8:00 PM: Journaling (or, more accurately, a rapid-fire brain dump). Capturing my thoughts and feelings before the sheer boredom of the week starts its inevitable descent.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. Dreaming of shoes. And pizza.
Day 2: Duluth and the Search for Excitement (Spoiler: It's Rare)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up to the glorious sound of…nothing. Dead silence. No rooster, no traffic, just the gentle hum of the air conditioning. I'm oddly content.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Another culinary triumph! (Said with heavy sarcasm). Instant oatmeal. Fueling the body for the day.
- 10:00 AM: Exploring downtown Duluth. (Google Maps: "Things to do in Duluth"). This town is sweet, but…it's sleepy. Found a cute little coffee shop. Bonus points - the barista has green hair and a fantastic playlist.
- 11:30 AM: The "Accidental Art Gallery" stop. Happened to stumble upon a tiny art gallery. Some of the art was…interesting. Others had me questioning the artist’s life choices.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Quick bite at a local diner, attempting to mingle with local populace.
- 2:00 PM: Back at the hotel room to contemplate the meaning of life while cleaning the room.
- 3:00 PM: Trying to find out how to spend the rest of the day.
- 4:00 PM: Watch more TV.
- 5:00 PM: Make sure the pasta meal is still alive.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. More pasta.
- 7:00 PM: Another show tonight.
- 8:00 PM: Another journal entry.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. Dreaming of adventure.
Day 3: The Gwinnett Place Mall Experience (A Descent into Retail Therapy)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. Another routine!
- 10:00 AM: The call of the Gwinnett Place Mall. I ventured in. It's… a portal to another time. A time of questionable fashion choices and the lingering scent of Auntie Anne's pretzels. It's like a museum of obsolete consumerism.
- 11:30 AM: Lost in the labyrinth of stores.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at the food court. The smells are intoxicating. The people are… a spectacle. (A beautiful, chaotic spectacle).
- 2:00 PM: More shopping. And the constant nagging voice in my head, “Do you really need this? (Narrator: She did.)
- 4:00 PM: Stumbled upon a hidden gem of the mall. A karaoke bar.
- 6:00 PM: Debriefing and reminiscing.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner is a hot mess.
- 8:00 PM: Journal.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 4: Unexpected Culinary Delights (and a Mosquito Attack)
- 10:00 AM: Woke up late, feeling fantastic.
- 11:00 AM: Brunch. I decided to be a little adventurous and tried the local barbeque restaurant. The ribs were phenomenal. The sides were…forgettable. But the ribs! Oh, the ribs!
- 1:00 PM: Exploring the nearby park. Attempted a peaceful stroll through a park.
- 2:00 PM: Mosquito attack! (They tasted good, though!)
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel. The itchiness begins.
- 4:00 PM: Attempting to alleviate the insect bites with a homemade concoction. (A mixture of baking soda and prayer.
- 5:00 PM: Order take-out from the local sushi place.
- 6:00 PM: Sushi
- 7:00 PM: Try to catch the entire series of a TV show.
- 8:00 PM: Journal session.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 5: The Great Escape (AKA, Departure)
- 8:00 AM: Waking up.
- 9:00 AM: The final breakfast. I’m surprisingly sad to leave my new beige sanctuary.
- 10:00 AM: Packing. The shoe situation resolved itself when I found an old pair of sneakers in the trunk of the car.
- 11:00 AM: Checking out of the hotel. The receptionist smiles. I smile back. I wonder if she’ll miss me. (She probably won’t).
- 12:00 PM: Driving back to ATL. The usual traffic, of course.
- 1:00 PM: At the airport, waiting for my flight. Reflecting.
- 2:00 PM: Boarding the plane.
- 3:00 PM: Take off. The sweet, sweet freedom!
- 4:00 PM: Looking back.
- 5:00 PM: Landing at the place, back home.
- 6:00 PM: Reflecting on this week.
So, there you have it. My week in Duluth. It was… an experience. Would I go back? Probably. But next time, I’m bringing all my shoes. And maybe some mosquito repellent. And a better sense of adventure (or, at least, a better ability to embrace the
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Okay, so, "BEST Extended Stay Hotel: Unbeatable Deals!" ... is that, like, *actually* true? Because hotels always say that.
Alright, look, I'm not gonna lie. I walked into this place with the same skepticism you're probably feeling. "Unbeatable Deals"? Sounds like marketing B.S., right? But hear me out, because, *damn*, the deals here… they’re… well, they're *okay*. Seriously. I mean, I’ve seen worse. I stayed at a place once, a "luxury" hotel, that charged me extra for a coffee *filter*. A FILTER! I’m still not over it. This place, though? The price is… manageable. For an extended stay, like, weeks at a time? Yeah, you can actually breathe. I'm not exactly rolling in dough, and I haven't been eating ramen for a week. So, yeah, "unbeatable" might be a stretch, but “significantly less likely to bankrupt you after a month” is a more accurate description. And in this economy, that's practically a win! It's probably the best place in Duluth. I'm not kidding.
I need to stay for, like, three months. Is this place… livable? Like, am I gonna be sharing a cockroach with the guy next door?
Okay, deep breaths. Three months? That's a commitment. And trust me, I get it. I was here for a month. And I'm actually *still* here. I've heard stories of extended stays that turned into living nightmares. The "shared cockroach" scenario? Yeah, it’s a fear. So, let's break it down. The rooms… they're… well, they're decent. Not palatial. Not, like, "Instagrammable." But they're clean-ish. My room's usually clean. I've only seen a few... a couple... small ones. I might be a little dirty, too. My room's never been dirty enough to be the cockroach's fault. There is a kitchenette, which is a godsend because, well, you're gonna need to cook, honey. Eating out every night for three months? Your wallet (and your waistline) will hate you. So, yeah, livable? Absolutely. The staff is nice. The internet is… internet. It usually works. And hey, at least it *has* Wi-Fi, unlike that place in the mountains I once stayed at. That was a horror show. I felt like I was living in the stone age. So, yeah, it's livable. Just… don't expect a spa suite.
What amenities are included? Does it have a pool? Because I LOVE pools.
A pool? Oh, honey. Don't get your hopes up. Nope. No pool. Sorry. And I get it. Pools are the *best*, I dream of pools, and I did at this hotel. But there isn't one. There isn't a fancy gym. No free breakfast buffet (which, let's be honest, often ends up being stale pastries anyway). But! There *is* free parking, that's a huge plus. They may throw in a complimentary fruit basket. Sometimes. (Maybe. Don't hold me to it.) Oh, there's a laundry room! Which, for a long stay, is a lifesaver. But here's a pro tip: go early. Like, *really* early. Otherwise, you'll be fighting over the machines with the same people who are also there for the long haul. And you'll find out who has the loudest dryer. (Seriously, I can hear Steve's dryer's *all* the way down the hall.) They do have vending machines, but again, don't expect to find anything gourmet. And you should know that sometimes the change machine eats your dollar bills, this is a real problem. So, manage your expectations on the amenities front. But, hey, at least there's not a "resort fee," right? That's always a win.
Is it close to anything interesting? I don't want to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere.
Okay, location, location, location! This is where this place actually shines (sort of). It's in Duluth, so it is relatively easy to get to the highway if you're feeling ambitious. In some places in the Atlanta area you might be far away from everything. Is it in walking distance to, like, a bustling nightlife scene? No. Not really. But you get a good view of the road and you're close to some good restaurants. I mean, you have your chain restaurants of course, and some awesome local spots. I feel that you're okay.
What's the biggest downside? Tell me the *truth*.
Okay, here's The Truth™, delivered with a healthy dose of honesty. The biggest downside? The... other *people*. Yeah, it's an extended stay. You get a mixed bag of folks. Some are awesome, some are... well, let's just say they have interesting life stories. Then you've got people who are just... *there*. They're always in the laundry room. They always take the last parking spot. They're always making weird noises at 3 AM. And sometimes, it just gets… *crowded*. I mean, it's not a five-star resort. It's a place to *live* for an extended period. So, be prepared to co-exist with various personalities, questionable fashion choices, and the occasional whiff of something… interesting… emanating from a hallway. That, and the internet can be a little dodgy sometimes. I am not kidding, I got a migraine from the WiFi the other day. But look, it's all part of the experience, right? (Deep breaths. Remind myself why I’m here...) And really, at this price point? I think it's a fair trade-off.
OK, one last thing… anything *really* weird happen there? Like, seriously? Spill the tea.
Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because I've got a story... It involves the fire alarm, a rogue pizza, and a whole lot of pajamas. It was, like, 2 AM. I was exhausted. I was trying to order a pizza after I've been working on my laptop for 8 hours. I was in my pajamas, and I kid you not, a fire alarm blared. The ear-splitting kind, the kind that makes your heart leap into your throat. Everyone started rushing out. I pulled on the nearest things (a sweatshirt, a pair of flip-flops…style icon right here). I got outside and immediately realized: *fire alarm test*. I had a pizza coming so I looked around and decided to wait. I wanted that pizza. I mean, a fire alarm test? That's just cruel when you're starving. So I stood around, watching people. People in various states of undress. People clutching teddy bears. People muttering about the joys of being woken up at 2 AM. Then, a pizza showed up. For someone else, I think. That's the moment I realized I was living in an extended-stay sitcom. Is it weird? Yes. Is it memorable? Absolutely. Do I regret it? Not one bit. My real regret? I didn't get any pizza. I waited for that pizza, but I'm still not sure it was worth it. But yeah, things can get weird around here. Get used to it.
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