Stillwater's BEST Kept Secret: Hampton Inn & Suites Review (West Stillwater, OK)
Stillwater's Best Kept Secret? Hampton Inn & Suites (West Stillwater, OK) - A Review That’s Actually Real
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're not getting some sterile, corporate-speak review today. You’re getting my real-deal experience at the Hampton Inn & Suites in West Stillwater, OK. Let's be honest, travelling can be a total crapshoot. You roll the dice, hope for the best, and pray you're not sleeping next to a snoring behemoth or dealing with some weird plumbing situation. This… this was a mixed bag, to put it mildly.
First Impressions & Accessibility (Let's Get This Out of the Way)
The Hampton Inn & Suites is…well, it looks like a Hampton Inn & Suites. You know the drill. Standard hotel architecture. Nothing mind-blowing, nothing offensively ugly. Finding the place was surprisingly easy, which is always a win after a long drive.
Accessibility? They seem to have it covered. Wheelchair accessible? Check. Elevators? Yep. Facilities for disabled guests listed? Yep. I didn't personally need any of these, but it's great to see they cater to a broad range of guests. They even had some decent parking options. Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]? Double check! That's HUGE, especially in a college town.
Safety & Cleanliness - Or, Did I Survive the Pandemic?
Alright, let's get to the elephant in the room: COVID. I’m probably overly cautious, but I want to feel safe! They claim to have all the bells and whistles: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Staff trained in safety protocol, Hand sanitizers everywhere (thank god!), and all that jazz. Honestly? It felt pretty clean. It didn't reak of bleach (which is always a plus), and everything seemed to be in order. Front desk [24-hour]: always comforting. Also, there’s CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. Made me feel a bit stalked, but hey, probably safer!
But here's the snag: I'd have preferred more than claims. Real, obvious evidence of extra cleaning. I like to see the sanitizing in action, ya know? Like a little performance art. I wanted them to come and wipe down the entire room in front of me, just to be sure! Just kidding…. mostly. I'm just a paranoid traveler.
The Room - My Personal Sanity Zone…Kinda
Okay, so the room. Non-smoking, yes. That’s a must. I even got a High floor which always makes me feel more secure. And, hey, Blackout curtains? Yes, please! They were actually pretty good. Slept like a log. Speaking of which, the extra long bed was fantastic. I'm tall, and often my feet dangle off the end. Not here! Score!
Amenities were decent. Free Wi-Fi? Absolutely, and it works! The Internet access – wireless was strong. Refrigerator, coffee maker, a decent-sized desk (Laptop workspace), hair dryer, and iron/ironing board (Ironing facilities). All the essentials except maybe a masseuse that could show up at 3 AM.
The bathroom was… fine. Private bathroom? Sure. The shower was average, the toiletries were standard hotel fare (nothing to write home about), and it was clean, which is the main thing. However, I did notice a small, lingering smell of…something. Not unpleasant, but definitely there. It made me wonder what kind of deep cleaning was actually happening.
Now, something weird happened: I woke up at 5 AM to a loud knocking. Turns out, it was the fire alarm testing or something. I was a little shaken. Smoke detectors? Absolutely. Fire extinguisher? Of course. But 5 AM is early, man! Not ideal.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking - The Quest for Sustenance
Okay, so I’m a foodie at heart. I’m also lazy sometimes. So, let's see:
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yes, it's included. And it’s… adequate. Buffet in restaurant? Yes! Standard hotel breakfast fare. Waffles (yay!), scrambled eggs (meh), cereal, fruit, and all that jazz. I ate enough to keep me going. They even offered Vegetarian options – a plus! Plus, Coffee/tea in restaurant and Coffee shop, which is always appreciated.
- Restaurants/Poolside Bar: Sadly, I don't think they had a bar. Or any options within the hotel. Room service [24-hour]? I don’t think so.
- Snack bar: Didn’t see one. Convenience store: Nope. So, if you're expecting gourmet dining options, lower your expectations. They did have a selection of Essential condiments, at the grab-and-breakfast spot.
- Happy Hour: I didn’t see any happy hour deals.
- They had a decent Breakfast takeaway service. Breakfast in room wasn't an option.
- Bottle of water: Provided – small, welcome.
- Alternative meal arrangement: I believe they'd try to cater to dietary requests, so you had options.
- Cashless payment service: Yes, they accept digital payments.
Things to Do (and NOT Do) – Can You Actually Relax?!
Here's where things are REALLY mixed. "Things to do" at this Hampton Inn? Well, mostly, you were there to be.
- Fitness center (Gym/fitness): Yes, it's there. I intended to use it, but I'm also incredibly lazy. It looked relatively well-equipped, though (treadmills, weights, etc.). I’ll give them a tentative "thumbs up" based on appearance.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: YES! A pool! It wasn't the biggest, but it looked clean and inviting, and it was certainly a bonus. Pool with view? Kinda? It was a nice enough pool view.
- Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, Spa/sauna, Foot Bath, Body scrub, Body wrap, Sauna, Massage, etc. Nope. None of that. This isn't a luxury spa resort, folks.
- Ways to relax: I was hoping for some serious downtime. I brought a book. I ended up just melting in my bed.
Services & Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter?
The staff seemed friendly enough. Front desk [24-hour]? Yes. Concierge? Well, they didn't have an official concierge, but I'd say the front desk did a pretty good job of answering my questions. Daily housekeeping, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Luggage storage. Check, check, check. Cash withdrawal? I didn’t need one. Doorman? No. However, Facilities for disabled guests are listed.
Business Facilities - The Grind Never Stops, Apparently?
I don’t know much about business. But, they at least have Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Wi-Fi for special events, Projector/LED display, Xerox/fax in business center. So, if you need to get your hustle on, they've got you mostly covered.
For the Kids? - Family Fun (Maybe?)
Family/child friendly? Yes. They're a hotel. Babysitting service? Nope. Kids facilities? Not really. Kids meal? I did not see it.
Getting Around & Other Bits & Bobs
- Airport transfer: Not sure.
- Bicycle parking: Didn’t see it.
- Car power charging station: Didn’t see it.
- Taxi service: Available.
- Valet parking? No.
- They had Smoking area, if that’s your thing.
- Pet friendly? No (bummer!)
- Gift/souvenir shop? Nah.
- Invoice provided? Yep.
- They had Couple's room and Proposal spot? No.
The Verdict: Stillwater’s BEST Kept Secret? Maybe…But With an Asterisk
Look, the Hampton Inn & Suites in West Stillwater is a perfectly acceptable hotel. It's clean-ish, the beds are comfy, and the location is convenient. The free Wi-Fi works! It's not going to blow your mind. Don’t expect the Ritz.
The Good: Clean, good location, friendly staff, free Wi-Fi. The pool is a nice bonus!
The Not-So-Good: Nothing particularly memorable. The breakfast is average. No real wow factors.
Final Word: Yes, it's a decent place to stay. It
Mansfield's BEST Kept Secret: Hampton Inn & Suites Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned trip to Stillwater. This is me, wrestling with a weekend at the Hampton Inn & Suites Stillwater West. Let's see if I can survive this… intact.
Hampton Inn & Suites Stillwater West - My Stillwater Survival Guide (aka, the Loose Plan with a Lot of Room for Disaster)
Friday: Arrival and Mild Disappointment (and a Hint of Hope)
- 3:00 PM - Arrive in Stillwater, OK. (ish). Let's be honest, "ish" is the operative word here. Traffic, rogue cats, the existential dread of another drive… anything could delay my arrival. My GPS is convinced Stillwater is on a different planet. I'm praying the Hampton Inn actually exists and hasn't mysteriously vanished into a cornfield. Emotional Reaction: Mild anxiety, laced with a healthy dose of cynicism. I need that complimentary coffee, stat.
- 3:30 PM: Check-in (assuming I make it). Okay, so the website said "modern, clean rooms." I'm picturing pristine, zen-like perfection. The reality? Probably a slightly-used room with a lingering whiff of air freshener and a suspicious stain on the carpet. But hey, free breakfast, right? That's what keeps me going. Quirky Observation: I'm betting the elevator will be slow. Always. I wonder if they have a room on the ground floor?
- 4:00 PM: Unpack, tentatively. Explore the Room. (The Battle Begins) Okay, room check. Is the bed comfy? Is the TV bigger than a postage stamp? Does the Wi-Fi actually work? I need to establish home base. I mean, before I start venturing out into the world, I need to see if the hotel room itself is going to break me. Emotional Reaction: A sigh of relief if it's passable. A full-blown existential crisis if it smells like stale cigarettes.
- 5:00 PM: Stroll around the hotel (ish). I need to check out the amenities, just to make sure I don't miss out the pool or the gym.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant I’m thinking some place like "The Garage" or "Mazzio's". The menu is going to be a crucial decision. Do I go for the tried and true comfort food of pizza or venture into unknown territory? I really should try something new, but I'm also terrified of ordering something that makes me want to run screaming from the building. Maybe I'll just stare at the menu for an hour and decide at the last minute. Quirky Observation: The restaurant is going to be full of people, a small town always has its regulars who seem to know everyone.
- 8:00 PM: Evening Entertainment at a local bar or brewery. Time to grab a drink while hanging out with friends. The locals love a good time and a chat with a stranger.
Saturday: The Day of Reckoning (and Maybe a Bit of Fun)
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast at the Hampton Inn. The dreaded free breakfast. The land of lukewarm scrambled eggs and suspiciously-shaped sausage patties. I approach this with the grim determination of someone entering a gladiator arena. I'll take my chances with the "fresh" fruit. Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated skepticism. I need caffeine. LOTS of caffeine.
- 8:00 AM - Explore Oklahoma State University Campus. It's a beautiful campus, and I may spend hours walking around the grounds. Lots of sights to see and experience on the grounds.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at a campus restaurant. Lots of options exist for a quick bite. Time to experience the local foods of the area.
- 1:00 PM - Visit The Edmon Low Library. A great way to relax, read, and get some quiet time.
- 3:00 PM - Time to walk around downtown Stillwater. Time to shop while walking around and visit stores that are in the area. Maybe find something new.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner (attempt number two). Different restaurant - new menu. This time I'm feeling adventurous (maybe). I'm considering steak house; or maybe I would want some spicy food. Stronger Emotional Reaction: Anticipation bordering on dread. What if this place is worse than the last one? What if the only option is deep-fried Twinkies? Can I survive another bad meal?
- 8:00 PM - Evening entertainment One more drink while hanging out with friends. Time to relax and enjoy the area.
Sunday: Farewell, Stillwater? (Or, How to Escape)
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast (the sequel). Here we go again. Praying the breakfast gods have smiled upon me this time.
- 8:00 AM - Check out Maybe some souvenirs before I leave?
- 9:00 AM - Depart I'm making a break for it. I can't wait to go home. I'm done. I'm out. Goodbye, Stillwater. I hope your roads are clear. Emotional Reaction: A mixture of relief and the lingering echo of questionable breakfast food.
Ramblings, Imperfections, and Unfiltered Thoughts:
- I'm packing way too many clothes. Of course.
- I bet I forget my phone charger. Always.
- I'm probably going to get lost at least three times.
- I'm almost certainly going to overspend on something completely frivolous. Probably a t-shirt.
- The bed is probably going to be too soft/too hard. There's no winning.
- Was that a weird smell in the hotel lobby? Am I just smelling my own despair?
- I'm already hungry for a burger.
So, yeah. That's the plan. A ridiculously vague and potentially disastrous plan. But hey, at least it'll be honest. Wish me luck. I'll need it.
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Hampton Inn & Suites, West Stillwater: Your Guide to the Unexpected
(Because, let's be honest, everyone in Stillwater pretends it's the best...but is it *really*?)
Okay, seriously, what's the deal with this "BEST Kept Secret" nonsense? Is it *actually* good?
The Breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. What horrors await?
**Pro Tip:** Avoid the scrambled eggs after 9 AM. Trust me.
**Anecdote:** One morning, I swear I saw a tiny rogue piece of sausage escape a plate and make a daring dash across the buffet. I almost cried laughing. It was a long night.
What's the pool like? Because, frankly, Oklahoma summers are brutal.
**The Catch:** During peak times (hello, holidays and college move-in weekends), it can be utter chaos. Expect splashing, screaming, and a general sense of confined energy. I kid you not, I once witnessed a water balloon fight that nearly resulted in a lifeguard intervention. Good times. Or maybe not.
Is it noisy? I'm a light sleeper, which, in a hotel, is a curse.
The location? Is it convenient or a trek into the abyss?
What about the staff? Are they friendly? And is there something I have to watch out for?
Okay, Let's Talk About This One Incident. You Seemed to Mention It.
Reluctantly, I went down to the front desk, ready to complain. Now, the staff (bless them, again) were apologetic and immediately offered me a new room. Thankfully, the second room was better. However, the experience made my whole trip a little… *off*. Every time I walked past the original room, I couldn't help but wonder what, exactly, had gone down, and that slightly off-putting smell... ugh. It was enough to make you question the entire Hampton Inn existence. It was a dark day in my Oklahoma travels. Lesson learned: ALWAYS check the room, and be prepared for the occasional… surprise.
So, the final verdict: Would you actually recommend it?
