Omaha's BEST Extended Stay? (Southwest Location Review!)
Omaha's BEST Extended Stay? (Southwest Location Review!) - Brace Yourself, It's a Wild Ride!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the beans (and probably some coffee) on Omaha's BEST Extended Stay? Southwest, baby! Let's be real, extended stays don't exactly scream "vacation of a lifetime," right? They whisper of relocated jobs, unforeseen house renovations, or maybe just needing a serious escape from life. But finding a decent extended stay that doesn't feel like a prison cell… that's gold. So, after an, shall we say, extended period bunkered down at this place, I'm armed with more than just room keys. I’ve got opinions, observations, and enough memories to fill a small, slightly-used suitcase.
(DISCLAIMER: This review is raw, unfiltered, and possibly a little unhinged. Prepare yourselves.)
First Impressions (and the All-Important Accessibility):
Finding the place was surprisingly easy. GPS, you know, the usual. The location? Southwest. Makes sense, right? Parking? (Car park [free of charge]) - A HUGE win! Unlike some hotels where you’re circling like a vulture looking for a parking spot, here… plenty of space. Big relief because let's face it, after a day of driving, the last thing anyone wants to do is search.
Accessibility - (Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator) - Look, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I made sure to peer at things with a critical eye. Ground floor access is easy. Elevators? YES! Seriously, a life-saver.
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly-Grungy Linen:
Alright, let’s dive into the heart of the matter: (Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens)
The rooms? They're… spacious. Like, “could probably do yoga in here without knocking over furniture” spacious. I loved the (Extra long bed) because I'm a tall gal. You'll get the basics: a decent bed (comfy enough!), a small desk (great for working, not so great for art), a fridge, a microwave (essential for late-night microwave dinners). The (Coffee/tea maker) was a lifesaver. Seriously, coffee is life. The (Complimentary tea) was a nice touch, too. Oh, and the (Free Wi-Fi)! Thank heavens. Got to have it.
Now, the downsides. The décor is… functional. Let's call it that. Think beige. Lots and lots of beige. And the occasional slightly suspect stain on the rug. Let's be real – it’s an extended stay. Perfection isn't the goal. Survivability is. I'm not going to lie, though, some days the (Daily housekeeping) didn’t quite reach the level of sparkling. Still, the staff are all super friendly and happy to help.
Cleanliness and Safety - A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Good!).
(Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment)
Okay, let's talk about the C-word: Cleanliness. During my stay, the whole COVID-19 thing was still looming. They claim to use (Anti-viral cleaning products) and go all out in the cleaning department. I saw them disinfecting common areas. (Hand sanitizer) stations were everywhere. I felt fairly safe, but I will admit, even with all the precautions, I'm not sure I'd opt out of the (Room sanitization) if I ever go back -- better safe than sorry. The (Breakfast takeaway service) was nice too.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Fueling the Extended Stay Life:
(A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant)
Here’s where things get… interesting. There is, in some capacity, a (Breakfast [buffet]). It's not gourmet, but it’s there. Cereal, toast, maybe some questionable scrambled eggs. Let's just say it's fuel. Coffee? Available. And that's all that matters. Room service? I’m pretty sure I saw that on the menu as well. The (Snack bar) is a life-saver for those late-night cravings.
Things to Do (Or, "How to Avoid Utter Boredom"):
(Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor])
Okay, this is where it gets kinda good. There's a (Swimming pool [outdoor]) - and it's pretty decent! I spent a lot of time there, trying not to think about the fact that I was still there. (Gym/fitness) is available if you are that type. I, however, am not.
Internet - Essential for Modern Survival
(Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Wi-Fi in public areas)
Thank. Goodness. For. (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!). This is CRUCIAL for an extended stay. I needed it for work, for streaming, for everything. Connection was reliable. No complaints here!
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter:
(Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center)
The (Laundry service) was a godsend. Doing laundry in a hotel room is a nightmare. Having a (Convenience store) nearby for snacks and sundries? Genius. I didn't use the (Business facilities), but they're there!
Staff - Friendly and Helpful
The staff were consistently friendly and happy to help. That goes a long way after feeling like your hotel room is your new office.
The Verdict: Should You Stay?
Alright, here's the bottom line. Omaha's BEST Extended Stay? Southwest, while it's not a luxury resort, is a solid choice for an extended stay. It's clean-ish, it's comfortable-ish, and it has enough amenities to prevent you from completely losing your mind.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars.
Things the Hotel COULD Do Better:
- Upgrade the décor. Please.
- Take the egg salad on the breakfast bar and put it where it belongs: in the trash, not on the buffet.
The MOST Unique Benefit? The Price!
Let's be real. Prices here are very good.
The Really Honest Take:
It's not perfect, but, after my extended stay, I know I'd recommend this place to anyone who needs a home for a while. You'll survive. Maybe even thrive.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is… my attempt to navigate the concrete jungle of… uh… Southwest Omaha, Nebraska. And I’m doing it from the comforting, slightly-smelly (bless you, pet-friendly hotels!) confines of an Extended Stay America. Here we go…
Day 1: Arrival and the Questionable Allure of Omaha
- 14:00: Touchdown at Eppley Airfield. Okay, let's be real, "airfield" sounds way more exciting than it actually is. It’s… small. But hey, I'm in Omaha! Land of… well, I'm not entirely sure yet. That's the adventure, right? My inner monologue is screaming, “Why Omaha?!” but my practical side whispers, “Cheap flights, cheap hotels. Gotta start somewhere.” Grab the rental car (silver, because, clichés).
- 15:00: Check-in at Extended Stay America Southwest Omaha. The lobby smells faintly of industrial cleaner and… desperation? Kidding! (Mostly). The lady at the front desk is a saint, navigating my bleary-eyed arrival with a smile. My room? Predictable. Functional. The fridge hums softly. I immediately unpack my emergency stash of gummy bears (priorities).
- 16:00: Reconnaissance mission. I need food. Desperately. Google Maps is my friend. My quest: find something not a chain. This proves… challenging. I end up at a place called "The Boiler Room." Ambitious name. The pizza's… thick-crusted. I eat the whole thing. (The shame!)
- 18:00: Back to the room. Instant regret about the pizza. Contemplate a walk. Change mind. Watch bad TV. The channel selection is… sparse. Discover a fondness for a show about competitive hot dog eating. Don’t judge.
- 19:00: Attempt a "relaxing" bath. The water pressure is… optimistic. The bath itself is… small. The tub is kind of rusty. Sigh. Embrace the imperfection!
- 20:00: Stare at the ceiling and write in my journal. Journaling is my therapy. Venting. Being a moody traveller. My thoughts are like, "This city is… quiet. Too quiet. Where's the drama?"
- 21:00: Sleep. Or… attempt to. The hum of the fridge is joined by some kind of intermittent… click… click… from the AC unit. Is this the sound of my sanity slowly unraveling?
Day 2: The Quest for Culture (And More Food!)
- 08:00: Wake up with a stiff neck and a yearning for something other than instant coffee. The coffee machine in the room is a beast that spits out tepid brown water. Fail. I consider going out anyway!
- 09:00: Decided to visit the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Yes, I know. It's touristy. I'm a stereotype, I get it. But everyone raves about this zoo. Gotta see the hype, right?
- 10:00: Zoo time! Oh. My. Goodness. This place is incredible. The Desert Dome is like stepping into a different planet. So is the aquarium. You know what's weird? The penguin exhibit. I'm standing there, watching the penguins and start to feel like there is some serious penguin drama.
- 13:00: The zoo has a food court! But after the zoo, I need real food. I drive around. I find a place called "Block 16." Apparently, this place is the best, and the line is long.
- 14:00: More food! I had to! It had a burger called "The Croque McBlock." (Seriously, that's the name.) That burger had everything you could ask for, even a fried egg on top. The food was so good it's making me excited. I ate slowly, tried to take it all in.
- 16:00: Museum time! I had to go to the Durham Museum. It was a train station. Historical. The architecture was astounding. And I like trains. I'm not sure what it says about me, but there you go.
- 18:00: I'm tired. I should probably go back to the hotel. But, no! I decided to drive around.
- 19:00: Drive around and find a place to eat that has a patio and a beautiful view. I find a place along the river, with a very romantic setting. This is nice.
- 20:00: Back at the Extended Stay. The click-click of the AC unit is driving me crazy. I call down to the front desk. They send someone up, the click-click doesn't stop. It's a cycle.
- 21:00 - Till Death: Try to sleep. Try really hard. Fail. Write. Complain. Watch more bad TV. The AC is still click-clicking away.
Day 3: Escape! (And Maybe Some Redemption?)
- 07:00: Wake up, exhausted. The AC unit continues its assault on my sanity. Shower, pack, and check out. Thank goodness.
- 08:00: Breakfast somewhere in town. It's got to be good. I need a big burger. I'm thinking a place, on the way out of town, called "Stella's Bar & Grill." I've heard good things. Pray for me.
- 09:00: Stella's! It's AMAZING. Best burger of my life? Maybe. Definitely top three. Maybe the burger has redeemed this trip. Maybe.
- 10:00: Drive away from Omaha, into the sunrise. I have mixed feelings: sadness, relief, a weird sense of accomplishment.
- 12:00: Reflect on the trip. Omaha: Not what I expected. The zoo and the burgers were great. Everything else? Meh. It was quiet. Slightly boring. But hey, I survived. And I have a story!
- 12:01: I resolve to book the next trip somewhere far more exciting. Perhaps with less click-clicking AC. Maybe somewhere with actual drama.
- 12:02: End. Or is it the beginning?
Omaha's “BEST” Extended Stay? (Southwest Location – Let's Talk Real!)
Okay, spill it! Is this place REALLY "BEST"? (Because seriously, extended stays can be a *nightmare*.)
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercup. "Best"? Look, I've lived in worse. *Way* worse. Remember that roach motel in Des Moines? Shudder. But "BEST" feels... optimistic, doesn't it? It's more like, "Decently Adequate With Occasional Perks And A Whole Lot Of 'Meh'." The Southwest location, specifically, is a whole mood. It has its high points and its "Why am I doing this to myself?" moments. Let's just say, don't expect the Ritz, expect... well, we'll get there.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they, like, habitable? (I’ve heard stories...)
Habitable? Yes. Luxurious? Absolutely not. The rooms are generally… functional. You've got your basic necessities: a bed (comfortable *enough*, after a long day), a mini-fridge that probably needs some serious TLC, a microwave that's seen things, and a TV that might or might not pick up more than five channels on a sunny day. I swear, my first room had a lingering smell of… something. I never quite placed it. Maybe sadness? Maybe old pizza. Either way, it was a good reason to start my day with a can of air freshener. You'll find a bathroom that gets the job done, maybe. And occasionally, you'll find a functioning iron. A rare treat. BUT (and this is important) make sure to check the bedding immediately! Once, I found a rogue, rogue, *rogue* hair in the bed. Like, long, thick, and definitely not mine! That was… a moment.
Speaking of 'things seen things', how's the cleanliness? I'm a clean freak, okay?
Cleanliness. Ah, the eternal struggle. I’m not going to lie; it’s… variable. Some days, it's sparkling. Other days, you're questioning what exactly *is* on that countertop. I’d suggest bringing your own cleaning supplies. Seriously. Lysol wipes are your best friend. And a good vacuum cleaner. You'll probably need to buy one. It's the kind of place where you feel like you're participating in a public service by cleaning it. (I swear I found something sticky, definitely NOT honey, near the curtains in one room.) On the flip side, the staff *does* seem to make an effort. Just… keep your expectations tempered.
What's the internet like? Because I need to work/stream/exist in the 21st century.
The internet. The lifeblood of modern existence. And here? Well, it's... a wildcard. Some days, it's blazing fast, and you can binge-watch every season of *The Great British Bake Off* without a hiccup. Other days? You're tethered to dial-up speeds, praying to the gods of buffering. During the peak of the holidays, I remember trying to download an important work file and nearly pulling my hair out. It took forever. Forever! So plan accordingly. Bring a backup hotspot. Learn to embrace the Zen of waiting. Or just head to a coffee shop. Your sanity will thank you. AND, you better have a backup plan for a charger for your phone, because there were more than a few days I couldn't charge it!
What's the deal with the staff? Are they friendly? Helpful? Or hiding from you?
The staff... it's a mixed bag, like a box of chocolates. You might get the genuinely helpful, super-friendly person who remembers your name and tries to fix any issues with a smile. Those folks are absolute treasures. Then you get… the others. Look, they're working at an extended stay in Omaha. Let's not expect miracles. But generally, they seem to try. Just be polite, be patient, and maybe bring a little something to tide them over. I once left a giant box of Halloween candy at the front desk. It bought me some good will for a serious Wi-Fi situation.
Is there anything good about this place at all? (Besides the potential for a good nap.)
Okay, okay, I'll be positive! Yes. There are good points. The location is decent. Near a few restaurants, a grocery store (essential!), and it's generally pretty accessible. The price is usually… manageable. Let's be honest, if you're looking for an extended stay, budget's probably a factor. And finally, the quiet. Even if the internet fails you, the walls are quiet, and you are away from the world. Also, in a pinch, it provides a roof over your head. And sometimes, that’s all you need. Also, there is a small, little exercise room that contains a treadmill. It's better than nothing.
What about the amenities? Does it have a pool? A gym? Breakfast? (Asking for a friend… who is me.)
Alright, let's temper those expectations. Pool? Not in the Southwest location. Gym? Technically, yes. It's that tiny, soul-crushing room with a treadmill and some weights that look like they've been around since the Mesozoic Era. Breakfast? Oh yeah, they have a continental breakfast, but it's the kind where bagels are stale, the coffee's weak, and the fruit looks a little… defeated. It's better than nothing if you're in a rush, but plan on grabbing something more substantial elsewhere. (Pro-tip: there is a fantastic bagel place near the hotel.)
Are there any serious downsides I should know about? Like, anything that would make me flee in terror?
Okay, here's the real talk: yes, there are potential deal-breakers. First, noise. Depending on where your room is located, you might hear a lot of traffic, or loud neighbors. The walls are THIN. I once thought I was watching a movie with my neighbor, and I had to turn my TV WAY up. Second, potential for… interesting characters. Let’s just say, extended stays attract a diverse group of people. You might encounter some colorful personalities in the hallways. Keep your wits about you, and lock your door. Finally, and this is a big one, cleanliness can be a challenge. Be prepared to do some of your own cleaning and be vigilant.
So, should I book it? What's your final verdict?
