Beachwood Bliss: Unbeatable Deals at IHG's Extended Suites!
Beachwood Bliss: Unbeatable Deals? More Like Unexpectedly Delightful! IHG's Extended Suites - A Rambling Review
Okay, so I booked Beachwood Bliss (or whatever they charmingly call it these days – let’s just stick with that for this review) expecting your standard, beige IHG extended stay. You know, the kind of place you mentally budget for, bracing yourself for… well, okay-ness. But guess what? I was genuinely surprised. And not just mildly surprised. Like, "huh, this is actually… kinda nice" surprised. Let's get messy with it.
First Impression: Accessibility & Getting There (and a Slight Mishap)
Right off the bat, the wheelchair accessibility looked solid. Elevators? Check. Wide hallways? Check. I did have a friend with me who uses a wheelchair and he gave me the thumbs up. And I saw a couple of families getting around with strollers, so clearly, they're pretty accommodating. Okay, good start, Beachwood Bliss. Now, getting to Beachwood Bliss… that's where things got interesting. I took the free airport transfer (score!), but my flight was delayed. Like, DELAYED, delayed. I landed at like, 3 AM. The 24-hour front desk was a lifesaver. That’s just…good service. Especially because, at that hour, my brain was practically fried.
The Room: Comfort Zone Activated (and a Small Coffee Catastrophe)
My room? Standard extended stay fare, but honestly, it was clean. And – praise be! – the Wi-Fi was free and actually worked. (A pet peeve of mine, seriously. How can you be a "business hotel" and charge for Wi-Fi in the 21st century?!) They even had free Wi-Fi in all rooms! The bed was comfortable, and the blackout curtains were a godsend after that red-eye. The mini-fridge was a godsend for my late-night snacks (don't judge me). They did have a coffee/tea maker, but the coffee tasted like…well, let’s just say it wasn't exactly Blue Mountain. I tried to brew a cup, and nearly choked. Note to self: bring your own coffee next time. (Speaking of which…they should really up their coffee game.) They did, however, have complimentary tea. Points for the tea, Beachwood Bliss.
Food, Glorious Food (and a Vegetarian Revelation - Kinda)
Now, the food. This is where things get a little…scattered. There’s a pretty basic breakfast buffet, which, honestly, was better than I expected. I was expecting cold, pre-packaged muffins, and rubbery eggs. Instead? Decent scrambled eggs! And, get this, they had a vegetarian restaurant! I found this interesting. I’m not a vegetarian myself, but you know, options. I didn’t actually eat there, but it was there, and that counts for points in my book. They also had a snack bar and a coffee shop, but I avoided both after the aforementioned coffee incident. Okay, I did order a bottle of water, because I had to stay hydrated somehow. I'd have some salad in restaurant. Some desserts to.
Relaxation Station: Spa, Pool & the Elusive Peaceful Moment
Okay, the swimming pool? Beautiful. A pool with a view. And it was outdoors. This has nothing to do with me, as I'm terrified of water, but I saw some people who really enjoyed it, the kids splashing, having a blast. The fitness center was also pretty decent. I used the gym, and it was…fine. It’s no Equinox, but hey, it's free. And the spa…well, I didn’t get a massage, but the option was there. I did spy a sauna and a steamroom, which sounded divine to me. Maybe next time. The foot bath? I’m intrigued.
Cleanliness & Safety - The Sanitization Symphony (with a Minor Quibble)
Alright, this is where Beachwood Bliss really shined, especially in these post-pandemic times. They’ve clearly taken hygiene seriously. Daily disinfection in common areas, individually-wrapped food options, hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff trained in safety protocol. I saw people, disinfecting all the things. Felt pretty safe! They also had rooms sanitized between stays. The staff trained in safety protocol was a nice touch, and I felt like I was in pretty good hands. They even had anti-viral cleaning products. My only quibble? The room sanitization opt-out. I mean, I guess it's nice they offer it, but… why would anyone opt-out? Anyway, I'm being overly critical and should shut up.
The Extras: Services & Conveniences (and a Slight Hitch)
The services were pretty standard for a hotel. They had a concierge, daily housekeeping, laundry service, and dry cleaning. I didn't need any of those things, but it was nice to know they were there. They also had a convenience store, a gift/souvenir shop, and a doorman. The meeting/banquet facilities looked quite snazzy, and it seemed like it could be a great business hotel location.
I did love the contactless check-in/out. So convenient. If I had to select one thing I liked the most, it would be that. They had a cashless payment service. The elevator, was also convenient. A problem for me however, I did have some issues with the elevator taking too long. Like, I’m on the 10th floor and the elevator took like 5 minutes. Five minutes! I almost took the stairs once and had to do a double take. The luggage storage was convenient, too.
For the Kids and the Little Ones: Babysitting? Maybe Next Time
I didn't travel with kids, but I noticed they had kids facilities and even offered a babysitting service. Good on ya, Beachwood Bliss! It’s a family/child-friendly place to be, as well.
Getting Around: Car Park, Airport Transfer, and the Mysterious Bike Rack
The car park [free of charge] was a huge bonus. Big points for that, Beachwood Bliss! They also had a taxi service, if you don’t feel like driving, and a car park [on-site]. The airport transfer? A lifesaver! They even had bicycle parking. I have no idea why you would need it, but hey, the option's there.
Final Verdict: Would I Stay Again? Heck Yeah! (But Bring Your Own Coffee!)
Look, Beachwood Bliss isn't perfect. But it’s a solid, reliable place. The free Wi-Fi and cleanliness alone make it worth the price. If you’re looking for a comfortable, convenient extended stay, this place delivers. And hey, the unexpected delights? Priceless. Just…bring your own coffee.
Key Takeaways (in bullet points because I can't stop rambling):
- Accessibility: Excellent!
- Cleanliness/Safety: Top-notch. Seriously, impressive.
- Food: Decent buffet, veggie restaurant (interesting!), and bring-your-own-coffee policy recommended.
- Amenities: Solid, with pool/spa being the highlights.
- Overall: Surprising pleasant and a great value.
- Emotional Reaction Overall: Delight.
- Will I Stay Again? Absolutely, with a bag of my favorite coffee.
- Things to do: Plenty of things I didn't explore and I am looking forward to!
SEO & Metadata (because, you know, I have to):
- Keywords: Beachwood Bliss, IHG, extended stay, hotel review, accessible hotel, free Wi-Fi, pool, spa, clean hotel, safe hotel, airport transfer, free parking, family-friendly, business hotel, [Your City/Region] hotels, [Specific amenities like "wheelchair accessible pool", "pet-friendly hotel" if applicable]
- Meta Description: A candid and honest review of Beachwood Bliss, an IHG Extended Suites property. Find out if it's worth the hype, with a focus on accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, and the (sometimes quirky) reality of travel. Learn about the swimming pool, the spa options, and food reviews!
- H1 Title: Beachwood Bliss Review: More Than Meets the Beige! (An IHG Extended Suites Rambling)
- H2 Titles:
- First Impression: Accessibility & Getting There (and a Slight Mishap)
- The Room: Comfort Zone Activated (and a Small Coffee Catastrophe)
- Food, Glorious Food (and a Vegetarian Revelation - Kinda)
- Relaxation Station: Spa, Pool & the Elusive Peaceful Moment
- Cleanliness & Safety - The Sanitization Symphony (with a Minor Quibble)
- The
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your polished, sterile travel brochure. This is the real deal, the Beachwood Extended Suites by IHG – with my brain as the itinerary. Get ready for a wild ride…
Beachwood, Ohio - The Extended Stay of My Dreams (and Nightmares?)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Grocery Gamble
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown Cleveland (CLE). Okay, Cleveland. Let’s see what you’ve got. Airport to… Beachwood. Honestly, it's all a blur after a red-eye. The car rental place - felt like I was haggling over a camel in a Moroccan bazaar. Eventually, victory! A Prius. Good for the planet, good for my wallet – less good for my image, but who's looking?
- 2:30 PM: Check-in to the ahem "Extended Suites." Honestly, it’s… beige. Beige everywhere. It’s like the architects thought, "Let's create a space that actively discourages any emotional response." I'm already craving a splash of colour. Seriously considering buying a neon flamingo to liven up the place.
- 3:00 PM: The Grocery Gamble. I need sustenance. My stomach is a growling tiger. Google Maps directs me to a nearby grocery store. Turns out, it's a sprawling behemoth. Navigating those aisles feels like a competitive sport. I, a lone shopper, versus the endless shelves of possibilities. I emerge, sweating, with a bag of essentials: instant noodles, bananas (the only things I could immediately identify), and a questionable jar of kimchi. Wish me luck.
- 4:00 PM: Unpack and… survey the room. Let’s be real, I’m going to be stuck here for a while. This is my life now. I rearrange the furniture, which is a futile exercise, because you can’t really improve beige. I start a new Netflix series – the ultimate commitment to my new life of solitude.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. The kimchi. It's…an experience. Let’s just say my taste buds are having a minor revolt. The instant noodles are a welcome, if bland, reprieve. I text my friend, and she makes me laugh.
- 8:00 PM: The quiet of the night settles in. This solitude, I'm realizing, is both incredibly freeing and a little terrifying. I find myself staring out the window, contemplating the meaning of life, the purpose of beige, and whether I should order pizza.
- 9:00 PM: Pizza it is! I may regret this tomorrow, but right now, the cheesy goodness is a siren song.
Day 2: Retail Therapy, Botanical Bliss, and a Questionable Dinner
- 9:00 AM: The extended sleep in. I love it. Nothing like a hotel bed, it's like sinking into a cloud of enforced laziness.
- 10:00 AM: Retail Therapy (Part 1: The Outlets). I'm not usually one for shopping, but, desperate times etc. An outlet mall looms, promising bargains. I wandered the stores, feeling slightly lost and overwhelmed. I see a pair of boots. Suddenly, I must have them. Impulse buy. No regrets (yet).
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a generic fast-food place. The place is empty, or at least, it was before me, and a group of people of all races came in. The place got crowded and the food was pretty bad, but the friendly smiles of the people there made more than tolerable.
- 1:00 PM: The Cleveland Botanical Garden. Okay, time to get some colour in this monochrome life. This place is amazing - a total sensory overload after the beige. The greenhouses are like mini-jungles. The flowers are ridiculously vibrant. I find myself actually feeling… happy. I even take some photos.
- 4:00 PM: Afternoon. The after-bliss of walking around. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. More than the amount of people I saw today, it’s everything I saw today. I need down time. That's not me, though.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. This time, I attempt to cook. The kimchi incident still haunts me, so I opt for something supposedly simple. Turns out, I’m not a simple cook. The food is edible but…let’s just say, not Michelin-star worthy.
- 8:00 PM: Staring at the beige. The boots gleam. I'm starting to feel settled, which is…odd. This is becoming a home, of sorts. A temporary, beige-walled, kimchi-scented home, but a home nonetheless.
- 9:00 PM: Contemplating the next day. Maybe I'll try to make it up to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I'll have to make a decision. I feel sleepy…
Day 3: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (and a Deep Fried Odyssey)
- 9:30 AM: Wake up, slowly. The boots are calling to me. I try them on. Still like them. Success!
- 11:00 AM: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This is why I came (partially). The energy here is contagious. The music, the history, the sheer volume of rock and roll artifacts is incredible. I lose myself for hours. Seriously, I could live in the exhibit dedicated to The Beatles. Maybe I will.
- 2:00 PM: Lunch. I wander aimlessly, and then the aroma hits me: deep-fried deliciousness. I find a quirky, hole-in-the-wall place. The food is…well, it’s deep fried. But, it tastes amazing. I regret nothing.
- 3:00 PM: Post-food coma stroll through a park. I need to walk this off. The sky is grey, but for once, the grey works. It creates a moody, atmospheric feel.
- 5:00 PM: Back at the beige base. I feel… oddly content. The whole trip so far has a strange feeling to it. A feeling of happiness for this moment and this situation.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. The kimchi has been banished. Tonight, it’s a simple salad. I'm actually learning to embrace this whole "living alone" thing.
- 8:00 PM: Packing up. I'm leaving tomorrow. I'm not quite ready to go, but I am. I'm also surprisingly… relaxed. The beige will be left behind.
- 9:00 PM: Staring out the window again. This time, the beige doesn't bother me. I'm actually going to miss this place, and the whole experience. It's been odd, wonderful, and messy. And, a tiny part of me, that wants it to continue, wishes I could stay.
Day 4: Departure (and the lingering scent of kimchi)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. The Prius beckons. There's a faint, lingering scent in the room. I think it might be… kimchi. Oh dear.
- 10:00 AM: Check out. Goodbye, beige. Goodbye, Extended Suites. You were… an experience.
- 11:00 AM: Airport. Cleveland, thanks for the memories. Mostly good ones. I'll be back. Maybe.
- 12:30 PM: Flight home. Back to reality. Back to a life of…less beige. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll even try making kimchi. One day.
So there you have it. The unfiltered, messy, and very real Beachwood experience. Hopefully, you enjoyed the ride! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and wash the smell of kimchi off my hands. And consider the fact that I actually considered adding some flamingo's to the room. Cheers!
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Beachwood Bliss: You Want the Lowdown on Those IHG Extended Stays? Buckle Up.
Okay, spill. Beachwood Bliss... is it actually blissful or just another hotel name that's lying to me like a used car salesman?
Okay, deep breaths. "Bliss" is a stretch, alright? Let's be real. But...
Extended Stay, huh? What’s the *actual* difference between a regular hotel and this extended stay business? Is it just the longer-term discount they promise?
Alright, so the whole *extended stay* thing? This is a crucial question, because I almost messed up big time. You get more space. Like, a *lot* more. Think of it as a tiny, sad apartment. My "suite" at Beachwood Bliss had a kitchenette (and I actually used it a LOT. More on that later...), a separate living area with a desk (thank god... work, ugh), and a bedroom. Think of it as a slightly upgraded prison cell with more opportunities for snacks. That's the biggest difference. Beyond the discounted rates for longer stays, you get a little more freedom. You can cook, do laundry (another lifesaver), and spread out your stuff without looking like a complete slob, since you have *some* semblance of space. It's a trade-off; you get the space, but it’s not fancy. You live in it. You eat in it. You have to bring your own sanity.
The kitchenette! Don't leave me hanging. Tell me more about these culinary adventures in your sad little suite.
Oh, the kitchenette… Let’s just say it became my second home. I am not exactly a chef. I’m more of a "nuker of things" and "eater of pre-made meals." But! I saved a small fortune on food, and it vastly improved the experience. There was a mini-fridge (crammed with diet coke – don’t judge), a two-burner stovetop (used *once*... for scrambled eggs... which I promptly burnt), a microwave (my best friend), and a coffee maker (essential for survival). I bought a little electric skillet and made quesadillas every other night. Yep, that was my life. I saw the other guests carrying in Costco-sized pizza boxes and huge containers of chili. The kitchenette is the key to your happiness at Beachwood Bliss. Food makes anyone happier, no matter where they are staying.
Let's talk about the *actual* rooms. What’s the furniture vibe like? Is it… clean?
Okay, "clean" is relative, right? It’s not a five-star hotel. Think 'functional' and 'mostly clean'. The furniture? Definitely seen better days. My sofa looked like it had been through a few wars, with a weird stain that I tried *really* hard not to think about. The bed was… fine. Not cloud-like, but not back-breaking either. There were the standard essentials: a desk (crucial for working), a TV, and, praise be, adequate storage. Honestly, the cleaning staff worked HARD. My room was usually spiffed up. It never felt *gleaming*, but it was definitely habitable. I’m more concerned about the stains *I* put on things.
Amenities! What's important, even if it's a weird amenity? Did you check the pool?
Okay, here is the deal. Pools? Pass. I'm not a pool person. If it's not heated and indoors, I usually skip it. Laundry facilities? A godsend. They have coin-operated washers and dryers, and they worked, which is a win. The gym was... well, it existed. Tiny. Like, two treadmills, a bike or two, and some weights. I went ONCE. Once, people. The complimentary breakfast? Meh. Standard continental fare: bagels, muffins, sad-looking fruit. I’d rather make my own oatmeal in my kitchen. There was free Wi-Fi, which was crucial for my work (and for Netflix binges, let's be honest). Oh, and the *really* weird amenity? The "pet-friendly" status. I'm highly allergic, so I was a little terrified. The cleaning staff do an exceptional job though.
The location, Location, LOCATION! Is it actually in Beachwood? And… is parking a nightmare?
Okay, the name is spot on. It *is* in Beachwood. Which is… fine. It's a perfectly fine area. Easy access to the highway, which was important for my commute. There are restaurants and stores nearby. Parking? Easy peasy. Loads of free parking. That's a huge win, when you have been staying at the hotel for weeks. I remember a hotel in Chicago where I had to pay $60 a night for parking. That was a hard pill to swallow. Okay... beachwood. It’s not a booming nightlife scene, but it does the job. No complaints whatsoever. You’ll be fine in the parking department.
The customer service experience. Is it a constant battle? Do the staff even care?
I had a situation. I checked in, and there was a problem with my room. Of course there was. There was a leak in the ceiling. I think I was about to cry. I'd been on the road for hours, and just needed a bed. I went to the front desk, and they immediately assigned me another room. They were very apologetic and moved my stuff. No fuss, no drama. Another time, my key card stopped working. Again, no big deal. I was a little miffed, but they fixed it quickly. All in all, the staff were friendly, helpful, and seemed genuinely concerned about making my stay… bearable. They are underpaid, and probably overwork. In my experience, customer service was pretty good.
Okay, the bottom line. Should *I* book Beachwood Bliss at IHG?
It depends! Are you looking for a luxury vacation? Hell no. Do you need a cheap, functional place to stay for an extended period? Yeah, it's a solid option. Especially if you're on a budget and can handle a little "lived-in" charm. Seriously, the kitchenette and the laundry facilities alone were worth it. Just don't expect rainbows and unicorns. Expect slightly-stained couches, slightly-burnt toast, and a decentDelightful Hotels
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