Hubby and I chose Staybridge Suites for a romantic overnight getaway, a few hours from home. While booking the room, I had requested a quiet room on a high floor away from traffic noise and was pleasantly surprised upon arrival to find that this important detail hadn't been overlooked. I was also pleased to learn that we had been upgraded from a queen to a king room.
Check-in was flawless, and we were offered gourmet chocolates as a welcome gift - another delightful surprise. Then we were informed that the hotel provides complimentary h'ors d'ouevres with beer and wine every evening during social hour, from 5:30-7:00. And the appetizers exceeded expectations - hummus, spinach dip, pita, cheese cubes, crackers, fruit, etc. We've stayed at more than 200 hotels worldwide and I can attest that this is an extremely rare amenity. And all of this transpired before we even got to our room!
Hubby commented several times during our stay about how clean this hotel is. Everything was spotless - even the hallways and the elevators. The outdoor pool area features an inviting, patio-style setting with comfortable seating and umbrella-shaded tables. But if you'd prefer lounging at the beach, the hotel's complimentary shuttle will take you there.
Our room was equipped with every imaginable necessity for extended stays, including a full-size refrigerator, double-burner stove top AND a dishwasher. We could have lived here indefinitely. The dishes and cutlery came in handy for slicing/eating cake we brought to our room. There's dish soap, dish towels, hot pads, cutting board, etc. Coffee and tea are provided in room, as are salt and pepper. Oh, and complimentary microwave popcorn too.
The room was furnished with an L-sofa with ottomans that also served as luggage racks, a 3-drawer dresser, double closet, large flat screen, plenty of lamps, a desk and chair, blackout curtains, full-length mirror, even a laundry basket. Wi-fi speed was acceptable and easily connected.
The bed was divine, as always at IHG brand hotels. l never take for granted the pillow choices offered by IHG - both firm and soft, to accommodate varying preferences.
I liked the bathroom setup, with the vanity area separate from the shower/toilet room. I also liked the wall dispensers for personal care products, which eliminate plastic waste from single-use containers. Hot water was readily available for showering, and towels were plentiful.
We typically don't bother with complimentary breakfasts at hotels because we rarely find anything edible. Again, Staybridge surprised us. Hubby went downstairs to check it out and, along with the usual breakfast fare, he found fresh fruit salad (as opposed to the canned variety), along with whole bananas and oranges, AND organic sugar for the coffee. That never happens. Breakfast is available until 9:30 on weekdays and 10:00 on weekends.
The only minor flaw we noticed during our stay was that a couple of the electrical outlets in our room weren't working. But there were so many other outlets to choose from that it really wasn't an inconvenience.
The staff here was incredibly friendly and helpful . . . every last person we encountered. That kind of positive energy enhances guest visits exponentially. Kudos to management for hiring a great staff and for facilitating a near-perfect guest experience.