Escape to Billings: Your Home Away From Home at Extended Stay America!
Escape to Billings: Extended Stay America - My Honest Reality Check (and it's…complicated)
Okay, so I just got back from a trip to Billings, Montana. And let me tell you, the "Escape to Billings: Your Home Away From Home at Extended Stay America" tagline? Well, it's a little overzealous. But hey, where do I even begin? This place is a whole thing. Let’s dive in.
(Deep breath) First off, let's get the logistics out of the way, because, you know, gotta start somewhere.
Accessibility: (The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh")
- Accessibility: They claim to have facilities for disabled guests. Now, I'm not disabled, but I did stroll around a bit, and the elevator was definitely a plus. I saw some ramps, but honestly, I can't give a definitive "yes" or "no" on its total accessibility. Let's call it "potentially accessible, but maybe check with the hotel directly to be sure?"
- Wheelchair Accessible: See above. Depends on what you need. I'd contact them personally.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See above.
Cleanliness and Safety: (Breathing a Sigh of Relief… Mostly)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Okay, good. In these times, you want that.
- Breakfast in room: Now that's convenient, but let's get to that later.
- Cashless payment service: Yep, they had it. Good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: I saw some cleaning happening, so…fingers crossed.
- First aid kit, Hand sanitizer: Check and check.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Whew, good.
- Hygiene certification: Didn't see this explicitly, but I did see people cleaning…
- Individually-wrapped food options: See above…
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried? It's a hotel, so it's tricky, but generally, people were spread out.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays: Okay, this sounds serious. Definitely a plus.
- Safe dining setup: See above (spoiler alert: the breakfast situation needs its own rant).
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Hopefully?
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it.
- Sterilizing equipment: Didn't notice anything obvious, but I didn't go rummaging in the back either.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (Buckle Up, Buttercups)
Alright, here's where things get… interesting. They don’t really have a lot. Mostly, I mean mostly, it's about self-catering, which is the "Extended Stay" part.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Or rather, attempted breakfast. It was…basic. Think pre-packaged muffins, lukewarm coffee that tasted vaguely of sadness, and some sad-looking fruit. Don't get me wrong, I've eaten worse, but it wasn't the highlight of my day. If you're a breakfast person? Pack your own snacks. Seriously.
- Breakfast takeaway service: See above.
- Coffee shop: Nope.
- Snack bar: Nope. Just the vending machine of despair.
- Restaurants: Not really. There's not much on site in terms of food. You're on your own, my friend. Explore Billings! There's some good eats out there!
Services and Conveniences: (Mix and Match)
- Air conditioning in public area, Elevator: Yes to both. Thank goodness for air conditioning, as Billings, you know, gets HOT.
- Business facilities, Meetings, Xerox/fax in business center: They had a business center. I think they had all this stuff, but I mostly just stuck to my room.
- Car park [free of charge]: YES. Huge plus. Parking was easy and free.
- Daily housekeeping: They did a good job. The room stayed pretty clean.
- Convenience store, Food delivery: No on-site convenience store, but delivery seemed readily available.
- Concierge: Nope. You're on your own.
- Laundry service: Available.
- Luggage storage: Yup!
- Wi-Fi for special events: If you're having a…special event at Extended Stay? Bless your heart.
- Front desk [24-hour], Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]: They had a 24-hour front desk, which is always comforting. Check-in was fine; check-out was quick.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: (Crickets)
This is not a spa hotel. Don't expect massages or a heated pool with a view. You’re here for convenience and a bed, not pampering.
- Fitness center: There was a fitness center. I peeked in. It wasn't exactly state-of-the-art, but it had treadmills and weights. I used it a couple of times, and it was… functional.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep! A pool! I didn’t actually use it, but it existed.
Available in all rooms: (The Essentials, And Not Much Else)
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes: Yes, yes, and nope.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes, thankfully.
- Free bottled water: Yes!
- Hair dryer, Ironing facilities, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Wi-Fi [free]: Yup, yup, yup, and, oh yes: FREE Wi-Fi!
- Desk, Laptop workspace, Soundproofing, Telephone: Okay, the basics.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Shower, Toiletries: Yes.
- Wake-up service: Yes.
My Room, My Sanctuary? Maybe Not.
My room was… okay. Clean, functional, but not exactly luxurious. I think that’s the Extended Stay promise, and they largely deliver. The bed was comfy enough, the TV worked, and the Wi-Fi was reliable. But the décor was, let’s say, minimalist. Think beige, and more beige. But hey, I wasn't there to decorate. I'd say this section is pretty okay - and I was thankful for the blackout curtains during a particularly sunny morning!
Getting Around: (Easy Peasy)
- Airport transfer: I didn't use it, but I'm pretty sure they don't offer it.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Easy parking, so big plus.
- Taxi service: They had numbers for taxi services, which was convenient.
For the kids, Pets? (Limited Options)
- Family/child friendly: The hotel does, in fact, welcome families.
- Pets allowed Unavailable
- Babysitting service, Kids meal: No.
The Extra Mile – or Not:
- Internet access – LAN, Internet [LAN], Wi-Fi in public areas: Excellent.
- Cash withdrawal, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings: They had these, as needed. Not a bad hotel, but nothing special
So, What's the Verdict?
Look, "Escape to Billings" might be a stretch. But is it a decent, clean, and functional place? Yeah, it's fine. It's the kind of place you stay when you want a place to park your head and get some solid sleep. Don't expect a spa, gourmet food, or a concierge to cater to your every whim.
Overall, I'd give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars. It's not fancy, but it gets the job done. Would I stay there again? Probably. Especially if I was on a budget and just needed a place to crash. I do suggest bringing your own breakfast. And maybe some extra coffee. You'll thank me later!
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- Title: Extended Stay America Billings Review: Honest Thoughts & Practical Info
- Keywords: Extended Stay America Billings, Billings Montana hotels, budget hotels Billings, hotel review, clean hotel, free parking, free wifi, Extended Stay America review, Montana travel, things to do Billings, near airport
- Meta Description: A candid review of Extended Stay America in Billings, Montana. Read about the pros, cons, amenities, and my real-world experience. Is it a good choice for your trip? Find out!
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Alright, buckle up Buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're talking Extended Stay America, Billings, Montana, and believe me, it's gonna be an adventure. (Maybe not a glamorous adventure, but an adventure nonetheless.)
The "Billings Blowout" - A Journey Through the Unrefined Heart of Montana (And My Sanity)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread in Beige
- 2:00 PM: Arrival at Billings Logan International Airport (BIL). "International" feels a tad generous, tbh. It's more like a regional hub, a place where you can probably get a decent ice cream cone while pondering the meaning of life. My flight was delayed, of course. Because the universe enjoys reminding me that punctuality is a myth. (Sigh). Luggage? Lost it for about an hour. Found it. Smacked it around a bit. Felt better.
- 2:45 PM: The Rental Car Debacle. Pre-booked. Said the magic words ("automatic," "AC," "doesn't burst into flames"). Got… something resembling a car. Let's just say it has character. I've named her "Betsy" – mostly out of pity.
- 3:30 PM: Check-In at Extended Stay America. The Beige Fortress. Okay, here's the deal: Extended Stay is… well, it is extended. It's a LOT of beige. Like, beige-on-beige-on-beige. The room key? It's a physical key. Reminds me of a simpler time, before passwords and digital everything. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a sign of impending doom. The initial emotion: intense, almost overwhelming, disappointment.
- 4:00 PM: Unpacking and the Eternal Struggle Against the Folded Sheet. This is a personal battle. I swear, those sheets are folded with the precision of a NASA engineer. After a lifetime of fighting it, I give up. It's a lost cause.
- 4:30 PM: Grocery Run - The Quest for Civilization. Time for a quick trip to get some water, snacks, and maybe a tiny bottle of something to combat the beige. I am a connoisseur of gas station coffee so the hunt is on.
- 5:30 PM: Dinner and a TV Marathon. Found a local pizza place, which had all sorts of problems but the pizza's pretty good. I end up eating it with the worst TV choices ever. (I'm not even going to bore you with the details - just know that I watched some terrible show about… something).
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime & Fear of the Dark. The curtains block out the sun, which is good. But is that a shadow? I think I need a nightlight.
Day 2: Yellowstone's Whispers and Burgers (Lots of Burgers!)
- 7:00 AM: The Dawn of Regret. Woke up. Thought about the folded sheets again.
- 7:30 AM: Coffee and existential dread.
- 8:00 AM: The Yellowstone Odyssey. (Okay, maybe not an Odyssey.) Yellowstone is within a reasonable driving distance!! Let the pilgrimage BEGIN!
- 11:00 AM: Yellowstone National Park. The Smell of Sulfur and Wonder. Okay, Yellowstone is ACTUALLY amazing. The geysers are ridiculously cool, the hot springs look like alien landscapes, and the sheer scale of everything is mind-blowing.
- 1:00 PM: Picnic Debacle. Planned a delightful picnic lunch. Realized "Betsy" has no air conditioning. Sandwiches melted. Chips were… well, they were still chips. I was too hungry to care.
- 2:00 PM: Bison Jam. Got stuck behind a bison herd. The irony of getting stuck in a national park because of wildlife is not lost on me. It was a legitimate traffic jam, and honestly, a highlight.
- 5:00 PM: The Burgers and Backsliding: Returning from Yellowstone felt like a total success! Dinner at a burger joint. Had two burgers. Probably shouldn't have. Delicious, though.
- 9:00 PM: Exhaustion and the Comfort Blanket of… Nothing Special. Back at the beige fortress. Watched more TV. Went to sleep. I need to sleep.
Day 3: The Montana Vibe and the Search for Something Interesting
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast of Champions. A microwaveable breakfast burrito and the last of the gas station coffee.
- 9:00 AM: Exploring Billings - A Quest for Culture (and Possibly a Decent Bookstore). Went to downtown Billings. It's fine. Got a latte. Walked around. Visited a local art gallery – and found a hidden gem! A few artists in town had some really interesting work, and I had a great conversation with the curator.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch, More Burgers! Okay, maybe I have a burger problem. But they were so convenient.
- 1:00 PM: The Rimrocks - A Glimpse of the Grand. Took a drive up to the Rimrocks, which offer stunning views of the city and the surrounding landscape. It's a reminder that Montana is actually beautiful, even if my hotel room isn't.
- 3:00 PM: The Quest for Relaxation. I'm starting to realize I didn't bring a good book.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner and Contemplation. Went out for food… again! Started mulling over whether or not to stay another day, and if I should just give in and order room service.
- 7:00 PM: The Final Push. I think I've found the joy.
- 9:00 PM: The Abyss. I surrender.
Day 4:
- 7:00 AM: Goodbye, Beige Fortress.
- 8:00 AM: Fly Home.
- Every day after: I will remember Yellowstone, and the terrible food and all the beige.
Post-Trip Reflections:
Billings, Montana, is… an experience. It's not flashy. It's not glamorous. But it has a certain honesty, a certain… vibe. The people are friendly, the landscape is breathtaking, and the burgers are plentiful. And frankly? Sometimes, you don't need anything more. Maybe. Probably. Okay, I'm going to go eat a burger. Bye!
Escape to Comfort: BWI Airport's Best-Kept Secret Hotel
So, like, what *is* Extended Stay America in Billings, Montana? Is it… okay?
Okay is a good start, honeybun! It's basically a kitchenette-equipped hotel, designed for… well, extending your stay. Billings is kinda in the middle of nowhere, so it's a frequent stop for road-trippers, people on work assignments (think those oil rig fellas in the big trucks!), and folks like me who just need a cheap (relatively speaking) place to crash for a bit. The Billings one? Well, let's just say it's… *experienced*. It's not the Ritz, but it’ll do. Emphasis on *will*. I once spent a whole week there, and I'll tell you, the experience was... a series of events.
The "kitchenette" – what's the deal? Can I actually, like, cook?
YES! You can technically cook. There's a microwave, a mini fridge, a stovetop (usually two burners, pray they're working!), and, bless their hearts, a sink. They *almost* always provide basic stuff: pots, pans (hopefully not *too* scorched), plates, cutlery. Don't expect gourmet creations, though. I tried making a gourmet grilled cheese in that kitchenette once. Gourmet went out the window when the smoke detector went off... for like, five minutes. The whole place smelled like burnt cheese for a day. Lesson learned: stick to simple. If you’re a fan of soup, the kitchenettes will embrace you with open arms. And ramen? My friend, it’s your best friend.
What's the room like? Are they clean? (Please tell me they're clean!)
Okay, let's get real. "Clean" is subjective, right? I've seen cleaner, I've seen dirtier (and I once saw a roach the size of my thumb at a different, *worse* hotel. Billings E.S.A. is better than that, praise be). Generally, the rooms are *passable*. Don't go searching for dust bunnies in the corners. The cleaning staff tries. And bless them, they really do. The linen situation can be hit-or-miss. Check the sheets. If they look suspect, ask for a new set. They'll provide. (Pro-tip: Always pack your own Clorox wipes. Just in case.) I once found a stray sock under the bed. It wasn't mine.
Is there Wi-Fi? (Because, y'know, the internet is kinda important.)
Yes, there is wifi. *Supposedly*. Sometimes it's fast. Sometimes it’s slower than molasses in January. Sometimes it disappears entirely, leaving you staring at your screen, cursing the internet gods. It's the price you pay for cheap, I suppose. Download your movies beforehand, just in case. And if you HAVE to get work done? Pray. And maybe bring a mobile hotspot. Just a thought. The one time I really, REALLY needed the internet for a video call? *Poof.* Gone. Cue the frantic scrambling and the desperate search for a coffee shop with decent bandwidth. It was a MESS.
Breakfast? Is there a free breakfast? Because, free food.
Okay, here’s the truth bomb: The "breakfast" is… let's just say it’s a *minimalist* experience. Think: pre-packaged muffins (if you were lucky enough to get there before they were all gone), instant oatmeal (that’s usually rock hard), coffee (that tastes vaguely of burnt tires, honestly), and maybe, MAYBE, a piece of fruit that's seen better days. Don't rely on it. Pack your own snacks. Trust me on this one. I once saw a guy trying to make toast with one of those mini waffle makers... and it was a *disaster*.
Is the staff friendly?
This is probably the biggest wildcard. Some of the staff are *amazing*. Super friendly, helpful, genuinely seem to care. Some? Well, they're working a job, and they might not be feeling particularly chipper at 6 AM. It's hit-or-miss. Just be nice. A smile goes a long way. And if you encounter a problem... well, just try being nice. Repeatedly. It usually gets the job done.
Is there a gym? Laundry? Parking?
Okay, here’s the breakdown:
* **Gym:** LOL. No. Unless you count doing jumping jacks in your room.
* **Laundry:** Yes! Usually a coin-operated laundry room. Bring quarters. And prepare to maybe share the space with some… interesting characters.
* **Parking:** Plenty of parking. It's Billings. You won't have a problem. That being said, be aware of where you're parking if you’re carrying a lot of valuable equipment!
What's the area around the hotel like? Anything to do in Billings?
Billings is a decent enough place, depending on what you're looking for. The Extended Stay is conveniently located near… things. You've got fast food, a grocery store (essential!), and if you're lucky, a decent dive bar within walking distance. Downtown Billings is a short drive away, with some restaurants, breweries, and a few shops. Don't expect a metropolis, though. It's Montana. Embrace the open spaces!
Okay, so the bottom line… should I stay at Extended Stay America in Billings?
It depends. Are you on a budget? Do you need a kitchenette? Are you willing to forgive a few imperfections? If you answered yes to those questions, then, yeah, it's probably fine. It's clean *enough* for the price you pay, it has the necessities, and… well, it’s a roof over your head. It's not luxurious, it's not glamorous, but it's functional. Think of it as a practical choice, not a vacation destination. Personally, I make it work. Just remember, the key to surviving Extended Stay America in Billings is realistic expectations and a healthy dose of humor. And maybe pack your own coffee. You’ve been warned.
Oh! And one very, very final word of advice. Lock your door. ALWAYS.
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