Allentown's BEST Hotel? Sonesta ES Suites Review (Shocking!)
Sonesta ES Suites Allentown: Is This REALLY The Best? A Rambling Review (Spoiler Alert: Maybe…Maybe Not!)
Okay, folks, buckle up, because I’m about to spill the tea on Sonesta ES Suites in Allentown. You know, the one that claims to be THE place to stay? I've just finished my stay, and I’m still sorting through the luggage of thoughts, feelings, and… well, let’s just call them experiences. This isn’t your typical dry, bullet-point review. I'm talking raw, unfiltered, human-grade opinions. I'm talking SEO-riddled madness (because, hey, I want you to find this!): accessibility, Allentown hotels, Sonesta ES Suites reviews, Pennsylvania travel, family-friendly hotels, pet-friendly Allentown – you get the idea.
Let's dive in, shall we?
First Impressions (and the Terrible Smell of… Expectations?)
Pulling up, the exterior is…fine. Not spectacular, not ghastly. Standard hotel-ish. Parking? Plenty, and free, which is a huge win in my book. Car park [on-site], Car park [free of charge]: Check and check. Car power charging station: I didn't notice one, which, in this day and age, is a slight letdown. But hey, small potatoes.
Now, the Accessibility! This is huge for me. My grandma travels with a wheelchair. The lobby was definitely Wheelchair accessible, which was fantastic. Facilities for disabled guests were advertised, and I did see accessible rooms. Huge thumbs up on that front. The real test, for her, is always the bathroom. I didn't see that particular accommodation, though.
Internet Access & The Wi-Fi Saga…
Okay, let’s talk Internet. The website trumpeted "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" and "Wi-Fi in public areas", which is absolutely crucial in 2024. In reality? The Wi-Fi was… temperamental. In the room, it kept dropping out, which made trying to work/stream anything a total pain. Internet [LAN] was a possibility, but who still uses LAN?! I really, really needed reliable internet. The Internet services in the lobby were better, but, you know, I don’t want to hang out in the lobby all day! This was a serious flaw for me. Like, seriously, I could pull my hair out.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Mixed Bag…
The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, a buffet. Standard hotel fare. Cereal, pastries, the usual suspects. It filled a hole. The Breakfast takeaway service was a good option if you're rushing. I wasn't blown away, but I wasn’t expecting Michelin Stars. Coffee shop was also there if you need a quick fix.
Restaurants: Not really much to speak of. The hotel claimed to offer a few options. Room service [24-hour]? Yep. I did not test drive the A la carte in restaurant, instead ate the breakfast and did the Breakfast service because of time constraints. Snack bar? Yep. Poolside bar, and it was not as good as I would have prefered, which was only open "sometimes", depending on the season and… well, who knows. The options felt limited. I was hoping for more. The Bottle of water was appreciated, but I never saw the Desserts in restaurant.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax… Where’s the Spa?!
Alright, this is where things get… interesting. Sonesta ES Suites isn’t really a “resort” hotel. It claims a Fitness center, and it had the basic machines. Nothing to write home about, but sufficient for a quick workout. I saw the Swimming pool [outdoor] and it looked appealing. But… no Spa, no Sauna, no Steamroom, no Massage, no Body scrub, no Body wrap, no Foot bath. ZERO spa-like amenities. Frankly, I was disappointed. I wanted a spa! This definitely wasn't the “relaxing getaway” I was hoping for. Pool with view: Not really. It was a… pool. Surrounded by…stuff.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Sanitizer Obsession
This is where Sonesta really shined, especially considering the current climate. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere? Absolutely. The staff seemed genuinely committed to cleanliness, and that gave me some peace of mind. They also had Staff trained in safety protocol. They were also practicing Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. I’m a bit of a germaphobe, so I appreciated this. It's good to see them making sure the hotel is safe. Rooms sanitized between stays, too .
The Room – The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Strange…
My room… well, it was a Non-smoking room, thank goodness. Air conditioning? Yup, and it worked. Alarm clock? Present. Bathrobes? Nope. Bathroom phone? Nope. Bathtub? Yes. Everything was clean.
The Bed was comfy. Free bottled water? Yes! The Coffee/tea maker was a lifesaver. The Refrigerator was a bonus. The Mini bar? Not exactly, but you could stock your own with the quick trip to the store. Desk, Ironing facilities… all there.
But the Blackout curtains… oh, the blackout curtains. They were fantastic. Slept like a log.
Services and Conveniences – The Extra Stuff
They had a Concierge, who was friendly and helpful. A Convenience store on site, which was super handy for snacks. Dry cleaning and Laundry service available. Luggage storage, too. Doorman? No. Elevator? Yes, thankfully. Daily housekeeping was spot on.
The also had Facilities for disabled guests, Facilities for disabled guests, and Facilities for disabled guests; it would have been nice to see the fully-functional bathrooms.
For the Kids (or the Lack Thereof?)
Family/child friendly? Yes, I'd say. I didn’t see a ton of kid-specific amenities, but the vibe was generally welcoming to families. However, I wouldn’t come here if you are bringing your kids and want a lot of family activities and fun. But with the Babysitting service unavailable… maybe I'm wrong. The Kids facilities looked a bit lacking.
Getting Around – The Transportation Triangle
Car park [free of charge] wins again! Airport transfer? I didn't use it, but it was advertised. Taxi service was available.
The Overall Vibe – So, Is It "Best"?
Honestly? It's a solid, reliable option for a stay in Allentown. For the price, the cleanliness and accessibility are HUGE plusses. But the lackluster amenities and the Wi-Fi struggles knocked it down a peg. It's not a "luxury" experience, more like a comfortable, functional one.
The Shocking Conclusion?
Here is the raw honesty about my experience
The "best" is a subjective descriptor, and it depends on what you're looking for.
Would I stay here again? Yes, but with tempered expectations. I'd bring my own spa kit. Seriously! And pray the Wi-Fi cooperates.
Metadata Time!
- Keywords: Allentown hotel review, Sonesta ES Suites review, Pennsylvania travel, accessibility, family-friendly hotels Allentown, pet-friendly hotels Allentown, free parking, breakfast included, clean hotel, good value, near attractions, travel hacks.
- Meta Description: Unfiltered review of Sonesta ES Suites Allentown: Accessibility, Wi-Fi woes, amenities & more! Is it the best? Find out if this Allentown hotel is right for your trip!
- Title: SONESTA ES SUITES ALLENTOWN REVIEW: The GOOD, The BAD, and The Truth! (Honest!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a Sonesta ES Suites Allentown Bethlehem Airport adventure. Consider this less a meticulously planned itinerary and more a… well, a suggestion of how things could go, complete with my internal monologue, anxieties, and the occasional existential crisis. Prepare for rambling, tangents, and the undeniable allure of room-service nachos at 2 AM.
Day 1: Arrival, Expectations, and Existential Dread (Bethlehem, PA)
1:00 PM - ARRIVAL & CHECK-IN: The Lobby Struggle
- Ah, the sweet, sweet promise of air conditioning after navigating the Allentown airport. Finding the Sonesta isn’t hard, thankfully. It's right there. Easy peasy, right? Nope. The front desk guy seems nice enough, but he's also clearly struggling. Forms, key cards… the usual rigmarole. I'm pretty sure I mumbled something about "long flight" and "just wanting to breathe." He probably just wants me gone. Success! I have a key. Room number? 317. Oh boy, three flights of stairs? Sigh…
- Quirky Observation: The lobby has a strange, comforting smell. Is it… cleaning products? Or… despair? I can't quite place it.
- Emotional Reaction: Relief! I finally escaped the airport. The room is… adequate. I’m not expecting the Ritz, but clean sheets are a victory.
2:00 PM - ROOM UNPACKING & ACCUMULATED LAUNDRY CHAOS
- Unpack. Pretend I’m someone who brings a steamer on business trips. Attempt to hang the very wrinkled shirt. Fail.
3:00 PM - THE GREAT GROCERY STORE RUN.
- Okay, I need snacks. And coffee. And maybe, maybe some actual food that isn't airline pretzels. Google Maps tells me a Giant is nearby. I hop in the rental car.
- Anecdote: I got stuck in a parking lot for like, 30 minutes to find out my front bumper was stuck on a curb…
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, first the TSA, then the stairs, now this. I'm starting to question all my life choices. Especially the rental car.
4:00 PM - EXPLORATION: The Bethlehem Steelstack Views and a dose of history
- Fine, I should probably experience some of Bethlehem. The Steelstacks are apparently a thing. I pull up. Okay, these are impressive, and huge… I take in the views.
- Quirky Observation: You know, seeing these industrial giants and thinking about the people who built them is… strangely moving. Who knew a steel mill could be so evocative?
- Emotional Reaction: Yeah, this is good. I need some history and a perspective check.
6:00 PM - DINNER: A Quest for Edible Sustenance
- I'm starving. Google says there’s a place called "The Brick" that serves pizza. I drive over.
- Anecdote: The pizza was delicious. The service? Well, let's just say it was… "authentic." The waitress seemed to have seen things. I tipped generously.
- Emotional Reaction: Finally, food. And it's good food. I feel vaguely human again.
8:00 PM - THE SONESTA SUITE: HOME SWEET… TEMPORARY HOME
- Back at the "suite," (which is a fancy way of saying "studio apartment with a kitchenette"), I plop onto the bed. The TV remote is a mystery. After thirty minutes of trying to work it, I eventually give up, and spend my night in the dark
- Quirky Observation: Is it just me, or do hotel room beds always have this weird, mattress-shaped depression in the middle? Like, they're designed for exactly one person to sleep in, and they've already been used.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, the day has, after much chaos. I’m tired, and I just need to sleep.
Day 2: The Lehigh Valley, Coffee, and Cranky Beginnings
7:00 AM - COFFEE, COFFEE, GLORIOUS COFFEE
- I had to go out and find some. Because hotel coffee is a lie. (See Day 1, 8:00 pm, re: TV remote).
- Anecdote: I found a cute little place called The Colony. It's exactly what I needed.
- Emotional Reaction: A small act of kindness to get me through a day.
8:00 AM - The Crayola Experience
- I had to go here. I. Had. To.
- Anecdote: It was absolutely for me. I'm a child, and I loved every second. The crayon-making machine was pure magic.
- Emotional Reaction: I cried. I laughed. I almost got into a bidding war for a giant crayon. It was the best thing ever.
11:00 AM - Lunch & Bethlehem's Main Street.
- Grabbed a burger and walked around the cute shopping area.
- Quirky Observation: Every shop has something I want, and I would have lost my wallet. This is a dangerous place.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm finally feeling some joy?
2:00 PM - "Free Time" & Existential Crisis Revisited
- Back at the hotel. I should probably work. Or explore more. Or… maybe just stare at the ceiling. The options are daunting.
- Anecdote: I spent an hour trying to connect to the hotel Wi-Fi. Then I gave up and took a nap.
- Emotional Reaction: Does anyone else feel like their life is a series of unfinished tasks and half-baked plans? Or is it just me? Probably just me.
6:00 PM - DINNER (Round 2): Takeout Temptation
- Room service? Too cliché. Cook something in the kitchenette? Too effort. I got some sushi.
- Quirky Observation: Eating sushi in a hotel room is…a unique experience. Tiny soy sauce packets, flimsy chopsticks… the whole shebang.
- Emotional Reaction: Sushi is delicious, and I am happy.
8:00 PM - THE END OF THE DAY: The Final Countdown to Sleep
- I try the TV again. Still a mystery. Eventually, I give in and read.
- Anecdote: I almost fell asleep holding the book, but the plot was good.
- Emotional Reaction: The day is coming to a close. Maybe tomorrow I will go for a walk.
Day 3: Departure & Unresolved Questions
7:00 AM - Final coffee (The Colony) & the Check-Out Shuffle:
- I get out the door early. I will be at the airport in time, yes… right?
9:00 AM - DEPARTURE: The bittersweet goodbye
- Back to the airport, back to the real world.
- Quirky Observation: The airport gift shop still has the strange allure of last-minute purchases.
- Emotional Reaction: I think I saw some history, and I'm tired of the hotel. Still, I will be back.
Throughout the Trip:
- The Laundry Situation: I mean, I intended to do laundry. But the thought of figuring out the hotel laundry machines… let's just say my suitcase is now a biohazard zone.
- The "Perfect" Photos: Every picture I took has a bad angle, or a blurry face, or both.
- The Eternal Question: Where are all the good coffee mugs?
This, my friends, is the Sonesta ES Suites Allentown Bethlehem Airport experience. Imperfect, messy, and hopefully, a little bit relatable. Now go forth, and embrace the chaos!
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