Unbelievable Candlewood Suites Deal in Columbia, MO! I-70 & Hwy 63!
Unbelievable… or Just Believable? My Candlewood Suites Columbia, MO Review - I-70 & Hwy 63 Edition! (Brace Yourselves!)
Okay, let's be real. Hotel reviews are usually about as exciting as watching paint dry. But hey, I just survived a stay at the Candlewood Suites in Columbia, MO (that fancy I-70 & Hwy 63 one!), and I'm kinda compelled to spill the beans. "Unbelievable deal," they said. Well, let's see…
Accessibility & The First Hurdle (aka, My Knees Hate Airports, and This Hotel Almost Helped):
First, the important stuff. Accessibility. This matters, and I'll tell you why. I’m not disabled, but my knees are aging faster than my credit score. Getting around is… well, let’s just say I appreciate a well-placed elevator. Candlewood Suites, you get a thumbs up for the… elevator. Not much else I can say personally, but I did notice ramps, and the whole place seems pretty wheelchair-friendly. That's important, and kudos for that. Now, about the airport transfer… Nope. No airport shuttle. Boo. Taxi it is. This part kinda stunk (literally, that airport taxi smell… you know!).
On-Site Restaurants/Lounges… Or Lack Thereof: The Hunger Games Begins
Okay, this is where things get… sparse. Candlewood Suites is not a resort. It's an extended-stay hotel. Translation: Don't expect a fancy spa or a bustling bar scene. There’s… nothing. Not a restaurant. Not a lounge. Nada. Zip. Zero. Now, I knew this going in, but MAN, after a long drive, I was HOPING for at least a vending machine offering slightly-less-stale snacks! Nope. You're on your own, folks. Prepare accordingly. The hotel does have a convenience store (bless!), but its selection of snacks is… well, let's just say I ended up eating a bag of dust-covered pretzels for dinner. My stomach rumbled a sad song.
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitizing My Sanity
Alright, let's talk COVID. They're trying, bless their hearts. They've got the “Anti-viral cleaning products” schtick, which sounds reassuring. They do "Daily disinfection in common areas," which is good. "Hand sanitizer" aplenty. BUT. And this is a big but, the "Room sanitization opt-out available" thing… well, it feels kinda…weird, doesn't it? Like, are they really sanitizing if you can opt-out? It made me slightly paranoid. I'm just saying. Maybe that’s all the pretzel dust talking. I did appreciate the "Safe dining setup" if you somehow managed to find food.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Epic Food Void
This is where the lack of on-site options REALLY bites you. The hotel offers… a "breakfast takeaway service." Okay, cool. But it's a… continental breakfast. Don't get your hopes up for anything extravagant. I'm talking pre-packaged muffins and watery coffee. My soul wept a little. I opted for a local diner. Which meant… getting dressed and leaving the hotel. Ugh. The "Snack bar" in the lobby wasn't a bar. Again, more pretzels. A total food desert, this place.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Okay, and the "Where's My Laundry?"
Okay, some positives! They have "Daily housekeeping." Thank goodness. "Cash withdrawal" (which I didn’t need, but good to know). A "Convenience store" – see previously mentioned pretzel drama. "Luggage storage" (useful). "Laundry service" – which I REALLY needed after my pretzel-fueled adventure. The one negative was… the laundry service wasn’t free.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly… Sort Of
They say they’re family-friendly. They have “Kids facilities.” I'm not a parent, so I took this with a grain of salt. I DID see what appeared to be a small kids' area, which is a plus. Just remember to bring your own entertainment and, yes, a truckload of snacks.
Available in All Rooms: The Room Itself – My Fortress of Solitude
Now, for the things that truly matter. The room. It. Was. Okay. Cleanish. The "Air conditioning" actually worked, thank heavens. "Free Wi-Fi" – important for a Netflix binge, which I definitely needed. "Refrigerator" – crucial for stashing the leftovers I scavenged from the local diner (because I did learn from my pretzel mistake). "Coffee/tea maker" – essential for survival. The "desk" was… functional. I appreciated the "extra long bed." The "soundproofing" was decent – I didn't hear the neighbor's existential crisis. The "window that opens" was a nice touch, though it wasn't much of a view. The "non-smoking" was great since I don't. The "shower" was fine. Basic, but functional, right? No fancy waterfall showerheads here folks. Just… adequacy.
Getting Around: Parking, Parking Everywhere!
Good news! "Car park [free of charge]!" Huge win! Easy parking, which is a massive relief after driving all day.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: My Quest for Zen (Spoiler: I Didn't Find It)
This is the real killer. No spa. No sauna. No pool with a view. The "Fitness center," I'm told, is available. I didn't partake (after the snack situation and the lack of restaurants… well, let's just say I had "other" priorities). Your options for relaxation are… limited. Basically, it's chill in your room and hope the silence doesn't drive you mad. Or, you know, explore Columbia. Good luck to you.
My Unsolicited Conclusion: Is it "Unbelievable"?
Look, the Candlewood Suites Columbia isn’t horrible. It’s clean, reasonably priced (I think? The "deal" wasn't that earth-shattering), and the rooms are functional. But the lack of… life… is a serious downside. It's a place to sleep, not to stay. If you're looking for a simple, basic hotel for a quick stopover, it's… fine. BUT. Do NOT expect an "unbelievable" experience. Bring your own food, and be prepared for a whole lot of quiet. And maybe, just maybe, bring a friend to stave off the slight feeling of existential dread. Two stars, and they're for the free parking.
Escape to Paradise: San Diego's Downtown Marriott Courtyard Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the glorious chaos that is… my trip to Columbia, Missouri, staying at the Candlewood Suites. And trust me, it’s gonna be a trip.
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread… in a Suite (Probably)
- 14:00 - "Arrival." Haha. Let's be honest, "arrival" is a loose term. More like, "stumbling out of the car, resembling a disheveled tumbleweed, after a six-hour drive fuelled by questionable gas station coffee and the crushing weight of modern existence." I think I know where the hotel is. I hope the GPS isn't playing tricks on me. That’s happened before. Once, in Kansas. I ended up at a… well, let's just say it wasn't the scenic route.
- 14:30 - Check-in & Suite Intrigue. "Welcome, valued guest!" Ugh, right. Fingers crossed for a room that doesn't smell suspiciously of stale air freshener and regret. Knowing my luck, I'll get the room next to the ice machine. Or worse, the one where the cleaning crew seems to have a clandestine rave every Tuesday night. Okay, good, I've unpacked, and the suite's… fine. Feels strangely sterile. Like a hospital room, but with complimentary instant coffee that will probably taste like despair.
- 15:00 - The Hunt for Sustenance. Okay, need food. Real food. Not those sad little granola bars I packed. A quick scan on the trusty phone reveals… a chain restaurant. A lot of them. I'm craving something… authentic. Something that isn't a pre-packaged heart attack. Maybe I'll walk. Explore the, uh, "local flavor." (Spoiler alert: It might just be more chain restaurants. But hey, a girl can dream, right?)
- 16:00 - Dinner (And Potential Meltdown). Okay, so it's a chain restaurant. Sigh. The burger is fine. The fries? Soggy. The waiter asked how my day was. I thought about regaling him with tales of my existential dread, but just mumbled something about "fine." Later, I'm going to buy some Oreos from the vending machine. It's a bad habit. Don't judge.
- 17:00 - Vending Machine Revelations (and Pre-Bedtime Angst). Oreos acquired. The small victory of the day. I'm now considering the meaning of life while simultaneously trying not to spill crumbs on the pristine (ugh) carpet. Maybe I'll read a book. Or watch something utterly vapid on TV. Or stare at the ceiling. This is fine. Everything is fine. Especially the Oreos.
- 19:00 - Bedtime Ritual (or, the Unraveling of My Sanity). Okay, time to pretend to sleep. In my sleepwear. In this room. Oh, the humanity! The hotel room looks so… empty. Time to embrace the dread. The existential dread. Sleep? Hope? Hah!
Day 2: Columbia Calling (Maybe?)
- 08:00 - The Wake-Up Call (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Awful Alarm Clock). Ugh. Alarm clock. The bane of my existence. I'm still half-convinced I'm not even awake. The world is a blur. Coffee, STAT! Oh dear God, the instant is actually drinkable today. Small miracles, people. Small miracles!
- 09:00 - Attempts at "Culture." Okay, time to see what Columbia actually has to offer. Research suggests… a university? A history museum? I think I might try to be interested. This entire trip is a quest to "find myself" (or at least, not lose myself further). So, Museums. Cool.
- 10:00 - Museum Musings (And Mild Existential Crisis #2). The local history museum. It's… something. Lots of dioramas. I'm captivated by the taxidermied squirrel. The squirrels are cute. The information is… interesting. It also makes me think of how time passes. I need to plan more things.
- 12:00 - Lunch… Attempting Local. Found a cute little cafe. It was an adventure! I ordered the special. Turns out… its a little spicy for my taste. I drink a lot of water.
- 13:00 - University Exploration (or, The Illusion of Youth). Wandering around the university campus. So many young people! So much… vibrancy. Suddenly, the creeping onset of middle age feels a lot more… creaky. I wish I were young again.
- 14:00 - Impulse Buy (And Buyer's Remorse). I bought a ridiculously overpriced, yet completely adorable, t-shirt. "Columbia Bound!" it proclaims. I'll probably never wear it. It's just sitting there, mocking me. I probably should have spent money on something more practical.
- 17:00 - Return to the Suite (and Quiet Despair). Back to my sterile, perfectly-square existence. The walls are closing in. I need to decompress. Take a moment to reflect.
- 19:00 - Dinner (and Sweet, Sweet Escape). Another chain. Another burger. This time, though, I got a milkshake. A delicious milkshake. Suddenly, the world feels a little less bleak. Thank you, milkshake, you beautiful savior.
Day 3: Departure (And the Lingering Smell of Unresolved Issues)
- 08:00 - The Final Wake-Up Call (aka, "Freedom!"). Almost time to go. The siren call of home is getting louder. I might actually be excited to leave.
- 09:00 - Last-Minute Packing & Inventory of Regrets. Did I forget anything? Probably. Did I achieve enlightenment? Definitely not. Did I make any meaningful connections? Maybe the Oreo guy. But who knows?
- 10:00 - Check-Out (And a Moment of Unexpected Serenity). The check-out person was actually really nice. She smiled. Said, "Have a good trip!" I almost smiled back.
- 10:30 - The Road (and the Endless Highway of My Subconscious). Goodbye, Columbia! On the road again, baby! The open road. The possibilities. The crushing weight of… wait, is that a flat tire? Are you kidding me?
- 12:00 - Back Home. Everything is the same. The laundry is the same. The world is the same. I am different, somehow.
So, there you have it. My (completely unorganized) trip to Columbia, Missouri. A journey filled with chain restaurants, existential angst, and a whole lot of Oreos. Would I do it again? Maybe. When the siren song of the road calls. But next time, I'm definitely packing more snacks. And maybe a therapist. Maybe. (Probably)
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So, Is This Deal REALLY as Good as It Sounds? Like, For Real?
Okay, let's be honest. Deals? They ALWAYS sound too good to be true, right? I was skeptical. *So* skeptical. I mean, Columbia, MO? Land of the Mizzou Tigers, and… well, not exactly a hub of luxury resort experiences. But… YES. At least the time I was there it was. I got this off-season rate because the NCAA basketball season was in full swing! I saw the deal advertised online, thought, "Yeah, right," but I’d been driving for like six hours and my bladder was threatening a mutiny. So, I took the plunge, and… WHOA. It was actually pretty darn good. Clean, spacious rooms – crucial when you're traveling with, you know, *stuff* - a kitchenette! And even a little "honesty shop" for late-night snack emergencies. That honesty shop saved my bacon (or, you know, a bag of chips and a soda) more than once. So, yeah, the deal was real. *At the time.* But, you know, deals change. Always check the fine print, future travelers!
The Location - Good, Bad, or Just… There? I Mean, I-70 & 63…
Let's be clear: It's not *romantic*. I-70 and 63 are the workhorses of travel, not exactly postcard material. But, and this is a *big* but, it's CONVENIENT. Like, ridiculously convenient if you're just passing through or visiting Mizzou. Traffic? It existed, even with how low a key of a place it is (yes, I am from New York), but not the soul-crushing gridlock you find elsewhere. Plus, you've got restaurants and gas stations galore within a five-minute radius. You're not getting some breathtaking view of the Rockies. But you *are* getting easy access to everything you need. It’s like a reliable, slightly boring best friend. Always there, always functional. And, honestly? Sometimes that's exactly what you crave after a long day of driving / dealing with relatives / generally existing.
What's the Vibe Like? Is it… Clean? Or Like, "Seen Better Days" Clean?
Okay, *this* is important. Cleanliness matters. And the Candlewood Suites, from my experience, was *refreshingly* clean. Okay, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I’m probably more critical than most. But the room wasn’t just “kinda sorta” clean. It was legitimately tidy. No mystery stains on the carpet, no creepy hairs in the bathroom (a HUGE win!). I had a serious moment of relief when I walked in. It felt… well, it felt *safe*. Like a clean, neutral, perfectly fine place to rest your weary head. The place smelled of cleaning solutions, but not the overpowering, chemical-y kind. More like a fresh, sanitized breath. The sheets felt crisp. The bathroom was spotless. I’m a hard-core "check the corners" person, and I found nothing. It was a good start to my stay.
Tell me about the Kitchenette. Actual Cooking Possible? Or Just a Microwave and Hope?
Alright, the kitchenette. This is where Candlewood Suites *actually* shines! It's not a full Michelin-star kitchen, obvi. But it's WAY better than a microwave and a prayer. I mean, you get a fridge (a *real* fridge, not a tiny college-dorm one), a stovetop, a microwave, a dishwasher (yes!), a toaster... and usually, at least when I was there, enough pots, pans, and utensils to actually *make* something. I cooked! I genuinely cooked a meal. Mind you, it was a simple pasta dish. I was *traveling*. But, still! It was a game changer. The dishwasher was a godsend, so was not having to bring all the stuff. The next morning also the coffee machine was great as well. The only downside? The grocery stores nearby weren't anything to write home about. But hey, you can usually make do!
Is it Pet-Friendly? Because My Floof… Is Non-Negotiable.
Okay, I don't have a floofy companion myself, so you'll have to double-check the latest pet policies. BUT. Candlewood Suites is GENERALLY a pet-friendly chain. Like *actually* pet-friendly, not just tolerating your furry friend. Always call ahead, of course, to confirm the fees and any breed restrictions. I saw a few happy doggos during my stay! And honestly? That always makes a place feel more welcoming. It tells me they're catering to *real* people with *real* lives. (Also, pet owners are usually friendlier, in my experience.)
What About the Internet? Because I Work From… Everywhere.
Look, if you’re relying on the internet, *always* check reviews. I've had horrific internet experiences on the road. The Candlewood Suites? The internet was… okay. It worked. I mean, it wasn’t blazing-fast fiber optic. I wouldn’t recommend trying to download a massive video file or host a live webinar, but it was perfectly adequate for checking emails, browsing the web, and doing some basic work. I didn't have any massive interruptions. So, it wasn't amazing, and I'd recommend having a backup plan (a hotspot, maybe?). But it *was* reliable most of the time, and that's half the battle, right?
Any Hidden Fees or Sneaky Extra Charges? Because I Hate Those!
Okay, this is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. Hidden fees are the *worst*. Candlewood Suites, when I booked it, was pretty transparent. The price you see is the price you pay, *plus* the usual taxes and maybe a small pet fee, if applicable. I didn’t get any nasty surprises at checkout. But, and this is important… *always* confirm the total cost before you book. Read the fine print! And always double-check your bill when you leave. It's just good practice. Hotels can be tricky, and I have walked out of places owing money for silly fees.
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The "Honesty Shop" is basically a vending machine/convenience store hybrid. And it's a lifesaver when you're craving a late-night snack and there’Uptown Lodging
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