Wilmington's BEST Extended Stay? (New Centre Drive Suites Review!)
New Centre Drive Suites: My Extended Stay Saga (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Microwave)
Alright, alright, so I've just wrapped up a pretty extensive stay at the New Centre Drive Suites in Wilmington, NC, and let me tell you, it's been a journey. Forget perfectly polished travel reviews; this is the raw, unadulterated truth, warts and all. Consider this your Wilmington hotel review for the real people. Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up, buttercups.
(Metadata time! Because… SEO, baby! Keywords: Wilmington Extended Stay, New Centre Drive Suites, NC Hotels, Accessible Hotels Wilmington, Long Term Stay Wilmington, Family Friendly Hotels, Pet Friendly Hotels Wilmington)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Okay (and a Little Frustrating)
I’m not claiming a disability, but accessibility factors heavily into my partner and I’s requirements. Now, the website promised a lot, but reality…well, it’s always a little different. Accessibility seemed pretty decent overall. There was a decent amount of car parking on-site which was super convenient. The main entry, lobby, and even the elevator, were all reasonably accessible. However the website said it had facilities for the disabled guests, but provided no details. I’m assuming this refers to the whole “accessible” concept, with ramps, and grab bars in the bathrooms… I definitely saw ramps!
My big complaint: Clearer information on specifics would be a huge win. Like, are the rooms truly wheelchair-accessible? What about the pool? (More on that questionable pool later.) I’d also appreciate knowing if the TV screen can have a visual alarm for fire hazards etc.
Rooms: Comfort, Chaos, and the Eternal Quest for Wi-Fi
Okay, let's get real about the rooms. I lived in mine, and that's the truth. First, the good news: they’re surprisingly spacious. The extra long bed was an absolute godsend after a long day of… well, whatever the hell I was doing. The sofa became my dedicated Netflix zone. And hey, a little refrigerator and microwave? Game changer. I've cooked some of the most questionable meals in that microwave, and I’m not ashamed. My highest achievement was a slightly-burnt-but-still-delicious frozen burrito. And hey, there’s a desk to work on if you do that kind of thing (I never did)
Now, the Wi-Fi saga… Free Wi-Fi in all rooms is a selling point, and normally a good one, but it was, at times, a complete and utter MESS. I'd be in the middle of a Zoom, and bam! Dropped. The worst; for me, a writer, is no internet. At one point, I seriously considered stringing a LAN cable (hello, old school Internet [LAN]) out the window because the Internet access – wireless was so unreliable. I'm not sure if this was my fault, or if these issues need a review. It's important to note this internet access is crucial if you have any of your business needs, as listed in the Internet, Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas and can lead to quite a problem otherwise.
Here's another real-life observation: The soundproofing wasn’t quite as good as advertised. I could still hear the delightful symphony of passing cars, and the occasional exuberant conversation from the hallway. But, hey, a set of earplugs, a window that opens for some fresh air, and blackout curtains, and I mostly managed to block things out.
Cleanliness and Safety: They Tried
The cleanliness and safety protocol was… well, let's just say it felt like they were trying the best they could. I witnessed the staff trained in safety protocol, and the Daily disinfection in common areas was visible. However the rooms sanitized between stays and the Room sanitization opt-out available were less obvious.
I did notice a lack of excessive use of Anti-viral cleaning products, and Hand sanitizer stations sprinkled throughout, but I'm not convinced the Professional-grade sanitizing services were exactly that. There were plenty of Smoke alarms and CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, which helped the safety part of the equation.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Limited Options, But Decent Enough… Mostly
Okay, the "dining" situation was a little… thin. You're not expecting a five-star dining experience at an extended-stay hotel, and that's okay. The options were fairly limited. There was no Restaurants as such, but there was the Coffee shop, a Snack bar, and Breakfast [buffet]. The Breakfast service had the usual continental fare: the kind of dry cereal that sticks to your teeth, muffins, and pre-packaged pastries. I tried it once and then gave up.
Also, The Poolside bar was sadly not an option.
I'll be honest, I ended up doing most of my eating elsewhere. But the Convenience store on-site was a lifesaver for last-minute snacks and the occasional Bottle of water. Plus, having that in-room Refrigerator and Coffee/tea maker gave me some control over my own food situation, which, let's face it, is a win.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Wins and… Meh
The hotel offered a reasonable range of Services and conveniences. Daily housekeeping was a welcome touch, and the Laundry service was essential for a long stay. Finding the Front desk [24-hour] available at any time meant I never got stranded.
Getting Around: Easy to Get Around
Car park [free of charge], Airport transfer, Taxi service and overall the hotel was in a decent location. I found that getting around was super easy, or it could be attributed to the Car park [on-site] and Car power charging station (I don't drive a car, so I couldn't tell you).
Things to Do, and Ways to Relax: The Pool… and The Lack Thereof
This is where things get… tricky. The website boasted a Swimming pool [outdoor]. My idea of relaxing involves a pool. So I was pumped. Upon inspection however, the pool was… small. I get it, it’s a budget extended-stay place. But it felt a little… neglected. The Pool with view was a joke. There was no view.
The Gym/fitness facilities were also minimal, but at least they were there.
For the Kids: Not Sure, But Probably Okay?
I didn't see a ton of evidence either way. There were no Kids facilities directly, but there was Family/child friendly available.
Final Verdict: Worth It? Maybe. But with Caveats.
Look, the New Centre Drive Suites isn't perfect. The Wi-Fi can be spotty. The pool is a bit of a letdown. There are a few areas that could be improved, but can't be compared to a luxury resort.
But for an extended stay? For the price, the space, that glorious microwave? With a good dose of realistic expectations, you could do a lot worse. The Facilities for disabled guests seems promising. It can be improved, but that can be done!
So would I recommend it? Eh, probably . But make sure you pack earplugs, a good book, and maybe your own Wi-Fi router… and for God's sake, keep expecting the microwave. Okay, and I’m not sure if this is what I was expecting, or what I thought I was expecting. The hotel chain is reliable, and the whole Hotel chain concept feels like you know the basics. It’s a decent option for getting the basics out of the way.
My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Could be better, could be worse, but it wasn't terrible. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a burrito to microwave.
Escape to Barrie: Your Perfect Travelodge Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your glossy brochure itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL. We're talking Extended Stay America – Wilmington, NC – New Centre Drive. And frankly? I'm already picturing the slightly-too-firm mattress and the faint smell of… well, let's just say "previous guests." Let's get this show on the road.
Day 1: Arrival (and the existential dread of hotel living)
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Arrive at the Wilmington Airport. The first order of business? Surviving baggage claim. Lord, I swear, every time I travel, my suitcase morphs into a sentient being with its own agenda. This time, it may have taken a detour through a swamp. Smells a bit… fragrant.
- 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Check-in at Extended Stay. The front desk person seems nice, but I can feel the corporate drone. She also looks like she’s seen some things. I give her a forced smile, because, well, I need a room. The key card… will I figure it out the first time or repeatedly jam it into the door like a barbarian? Place your bets!
- 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Room assessment. Okay, let's be honest, it's… a room. Beige, functional, with the faint aroma of what-happened-here-before. The kitchenette is a marvel of compact efficiency. I wonder what crimes have been committed in this microwave. I unpack. Briefly. I'm sure my packing skills will disintegrate as the week wears on.
- 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Grocery run. Gotta stock up on essentials. Coffee. Snacks. Wine. Because, let's face it, hotel life, especially extended hotel life, requires fuel. The local grocery store is a goldmine of people-watching. I snag some questionable-looking (but hopefully delicious) pre-made salads and bread.
- 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner and existential crisis in the room. I microwave my salad and stare at the TV. The channel offerings are abysmal, so I watch a documentary about… wait for it… the history of beige. My life is currently beige, I guess. This is the moment I truly understand the meaning of "vacation loneliness."
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Stare at the ceiling while contemplating the meaning of it all. Is this a vacation? I'm not sure I can tell the difference between a "getaway," a "work trip," and my usual life. I realize I have to book the next day’s activities, so scroll on my phone for inspiration.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Try to sleep. Fail. The AC unit sounds like a dying walrus. The mattress… yeah, it's still firm. Consider swapping the pillow for a rolled-up towel.
- 10:00 PM: The existential dread gets worse. But I have to turn off to the world, so I start again.
Day 2: Beach Bliss (and unexpected drama)
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Wake up. Regret everything. Except that coffee. The instant coffee is the nectar of the gods, though it tastes suspiciously like burnt tires.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast. Cereal out of the box (because who uses the provided bowls?). Stare out the window at the beige parking lot. Plan the day: Beach. Beach! I deserve this.
- 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Head to Wrightsville Beach! The drive is pleasant, if you ignore the fact that I'm navigating using a combination of Google Maps and sheer, unadulterated hope. The sun is shining, the ocean is glistening, and I feel… alive!
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Beach time. Bliss. I find a spot, set up my tiny beach chair (that I'm pretty sure is designed for a toddler), and slather myself in sunscreen. Reading a trashy novel, listening to the waves. This is IT. This is what I came for.
- 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: A minor disaster. A rogue wave, a rogue seagull, and a rogue… well, let’s just say I'm now soaked to the bone and sand is everywhere. INCLUDING my book. The drama!
- 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Drying out. And feeling slightly pathetic. I'm a mess. I decide a celebratory ice cream is required.
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Wandering around, trying to scrub the sand out of my everything. It’s in my hair, my toenails, places I didn't know existed! And did I mention the sunburn creeping in?
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Food. I have to find dinner, and fast. Decide on some terrible, calorie-loaded burger. The only acceptable answer after a day of mishaps.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Head back to the hotel. The sun goes down, the drive feels long, and I'm mentally preparing myself for another night of beige.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Hotel room and existential dread. I was wrong, it's not getting better, it's getting worse. I binge-watch a terrible reality TV show. Am I becoming a cliché? I almost cry.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Sleep. It's like I'm in a time capsule.
Day 3: Exploring History (and a potential ghost sighting?)
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Wake up. That mattress is officially a nemesis. The coffee is, as always, a lifesaver.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Downtown Wilmington. The historical district is gorgeous. Cobblestone streets, old buildings… It's all very picturesque, though I suspect the ghosts of past ship captains are judging my fashion choices.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at a cute little cafe. Order a crab cake sandwich. It should be delicious, it's not.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: A walking tour of the city. I'm obsessed with the stories. The guide is a bit… enthusiastic, but the stories are great, so I'm on board.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The ghost tour. Yes, of course, I signed up for a ghost tour. Because I’m a sucker. It was… atmospheric. Maybe too atmospheric. I think I saw something. Or maybe it was just the overly dramatic lighting and the rumbling in my stomach. I swear, I heard a whisper. I'll be sleeping with the lights on tonight.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: I explore one of Wilmington's many antique stores. I look for souvenirs, or maybe just a distraction. I find some lovely things (and a few things I really shouldn't have touched).
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Return to the hotel, where the inevitable existential dread ensues once again.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Decide to order some Chinese food. Because. Self-care, right?
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Still processing the history. The ghosts. The food. This place is truly haunted.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 4: The Battleship (and realizing I'm really just a big kid)
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Wake up. Realize I haven't showered in a few days. I'm not sure if the hotel has even seen a hot water since I arrived, so I skip the shower.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Battleship North Carolina! This is the big one! The highlight of the trip! I'm practically giddy with excitement. I spend 2 hours and 16 minutes inside this thing.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at the Battleship. Greasy, delicious (and overpriced) hot dogs.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Exploring every nook and cranny of the ship. I crawl through tiny passages, imagine life on the ship, and get a bit choked up imagining the people who lived here. A moment of genuine awe, actually.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The gift shop. Because,
Oof. That's a loaded question, isn't it? Let's just say… it depends. Depends on your priorities. Depends on your budget. Depends on your tolerance for… let's call it 'rustic charm.' In my experience, and after a loooong, extended stay, it's a strong contender. Like, a *very* strong contender. But 'best'? We'll see.
Here's the deal: If you're expecting the Ritz-Carlton, you're in the wrong place. If you're expecting something clean, convenient, and with a surprisingly comfy bed? You might be in the right place. I mean, I spent three months there. THREE MONTHS! That should tell you something.
Okay, 'suite' is a bit of a generous term. Think more 'spacious studio apartment' with a kitchenette. But hey, I'll take it! Having a separate living area from the sleeping area was a godsend when I was trying to work remotely. The kitchenette? Basic. Like, really basic. But it has a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a two-burner stovetop. Enough to get by. I managed to whip up some surprisingly edible meals in that tiny kitchen. Don't ask about the time I tried to bake a cake, though… let's just say the smoke alarm got VERY friendly with me.
It was a little rough around the edges, though. The furniture? Let's just say it had a good life before it ended up in my room. But it was functional. And the bed? Surprisingly comfy. Seriously, I slept like a log. That's saying something, because I'm a light sleeper. The air conditioning, though? A bit erratic. Some days it was a tropical paradise in there, and other days… well, let's just say I became intimately familiar with the concept of "layers."
Okay, let's be brutally honest. 'Immaculate' isn't the word I'd use. 'Clean enough' is probably more accurate. The cleaning staff are friendly and work hard, but it's not a hotel where you're going to find every nook and cranny sparkling. I always brought my own cleaning supplies, just in case. Honestly, I found a weird stain on the ceiling once. Didn't bother me much, to tell the truth, I was too busy trying to figure out how to keep my coffee from spilling. I did run into a little dust bunny convention behind the TV once, but hey, who hasn't? The point is, if you're a germophobe, maybe look elsewhere. But if you're okay with a little bit of… character… you'll be fine.
Oh! And the bathroom? It was… functional. The water pressure wasn't amazing, and the grout in the tiles could definitely use some love. But the hot water was always hot, and that was a big win in my book.
YES. Absolutely yes. New Centre Drive is a total win for location. You're right in the heart of everything. Restaurants, shops, you name it, it's all within a short drive. Even walking distance for some. I could walk to the grocery store, which was a HUGE plus. And the access to the main roads? Spot on. Seriously, this is a huge selling point. Need to get to Wrightsville Beach? Easy peasy. Downtown? No problem. Okay, sometimes, traffic can be a NIGHTMARE, but that's Wilmington in general. But for getting around, it's pretty darn fantastic.
And the best part? Cracker Barrel is RIGHT THERE. Okay, that’s more of a *me* thing. But you get the idea, you're close to EVERYTHING. I'm so glad I had that proximity!
Alright, this is where things get a little…My Hotel Reviewst
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