Gave an "above average" because the Extended Stay family of hotels worked with us.

Had booked an Extended Stay (in Malvern), but upon checking in and looking at the room, found it to be poorly vacuumed and run down. It just didn't look like a great place to stay, so I was happy to notice the poster in the elevator that showed the Extended Stay hotel chain had the "more upscale" Homestead Suites just down the road. I told the front desk clerk about the room, we went up and looked, then asked if I could 'transfer' my reservation to the Homestead, and she agreed. Called and they had room, for onlu $10 more a night. It was well after 6pm, and they could have said 'no' and charged me for the room anyway, so I appreciate them working with me.

So, on to the Homestead review...

It was certainly nicer and, if everything had been in good repair, would have been Excellent. The front desk clerk was very nice and accomodating when I requested sheets for the pull out sofa bed and extra towels. The room was nicely appointed and colorfully decorated. It was very nice to have a full sized refrig, as we like to bring our lunch with us when we travel, so making ice and refrigerating the food was nice.

So, I'll just list the things that were out of sorts. Again, if these had not been like this, I would have rated it higher.

- The TV remote was missing the battery door.
- Maid service only once a week. (it does say this on their literature, but still...)
- The refrigerator door handle was missing.
- Refrig was kind of dirty. Could have used a cleaning with hot water to get some gunk out.
- The continental breakfast was very weak - some light pastries and oatmeal. drinks were OK. Muffins were bad.
- Elevator floor very dirty (just looks bad - lack of attention to detail)
- Bathroom could use updating, plus the bathtub had very old grime on the walls (my wife brought scrubbing bubbles and some of the grime came off.)

So, overall, I'd say it wasn't bad...my wife would say it wasn't great. Stay there again...yeah, if the Homewood Suites next door was too expensive.

As I sit in the studio room on my last night of 4 nights stay at Homestead Studio Suites, the first thing that comes to mind about the stay was …. GE, good enough.

I really wanted to stay at Staybridge Suites Malvern since everywhere I read their reviews, the customers raved about them. Someone said he got a great deal on Hotwire for about $45/night. When I chose Malvern and 2.5 stars accommodation on Hotwire, I thought I was getting Staybridge. They happened to be down the street from Homestead. Guess what? I got Homestead instead. I read mixed reviews about them so I was a little hesitant about my stay.

From the outside, Homestead looks good. Modern and tidy landscaping. Entering the lobby, it still looked good. I smelled something unsanitary by the check-in desk but I let that one pass. The front desk clerk was nice enough but not overly friendly or talkative. She gave me 2 key cards and I headed towards the elevator.

The hall ways had decent carpet and looked clean except for the scuff marks on the walls. I didn’t see any trash being left out in the hall.

Once I entered my room, my first impression was, not bad. Newer looking drapes and bed spread. Even though I asked for non-smoking room, the carpet had some cig-burn marks. No cig smell, though. There’s a tired looking recliner and 2 desk chairs for a long desk/dining table.

Kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures looked pretty new. Even though I reserved and paid for the room a week in advance, the AC wasn’t turned on so it was really, really hot and stuffy. The AC has a wall control but it’s one of those things that makes a wicked loud noise and attached to the wall. After I figured out how to turn it on, it kicked my buttocks. The temp averaged about 80+ the entire time I was here but the AC kept the room cold. Humidity in PA is ridiculous.

My number one complaint about the room is, it can be cleaner. The cleaning job resembles something a teenager would do just to say he got it done but isn’t really clean. It feels like my house when I know I need to clean it soon. That goes for the bathroom and the kitchen. Everything is in place but upon close inspection, it’s not clean.

What is up with the hair? I see a strand here and there in the tub, bathroom floor, and the bed. I even sniffed the bed to see if the sheets were changed. Sheets are thin and not pressed but it seemed clean. I don’t think it’s the cleaning lady’s hair since it had different texture. I don’t really want to think about the hair anymore.

Behind the furniture and big kitchen appliances, I see funk. Housekeeping needs to vacuum behind and around the furniture since there’s build up of dust and other funk ( like toe nail clipping, how did it get there? ). Small kitchen appliances also have funk around it. Even the bathroom had the same feel, it needs a real good cleaning. Not just changing towels and taking out the trash.

If you want daily housekeeping service, it’s not going to happen at Homestead. They offer “refresh service” if you stay 4 days or more. If less, nothing. “Full service” if you stay 7 days or more. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your own shampoo. They have small bar soaps, dish soap, and dish washer soap but no shampoo.

For complimentary breakfast, they had bagels/mini-Danish and one morning, I saw some yogurt. Juice machine ( apple, orange, cranberry ) was stocked with super sweet juice with a hint of fruit juice. Coffee was awful. That’s something else they need to clean or empty out once in a while. I’m a heavy coffee drinker but I drank tea the entire time. They do provide in room coffee but the coffee machine looks scary. They need to clean that, too.

Homestead offers wireless internet access for one time fee of $3.99. The desk clerk gave me a username/password and also a help desk number in case I needed it. The quality of wireless access was good. I didn’t get cut off and it was fast.

OK, here are some up side. Their clientele seemed pretty good. I saw a lot of business men checking in and felt pretty safe. Being a single gal traveling alone, that was a big concern. They do have some personable staff and if you ask them for something, like I wanted to know where I can get a decent Philly cheese steak sandwich, they would help you out.

Across the board, Homestead screams out C+/B-. As long as you are not paying full price, it’s worth it. The full size kitchen went a long way for me. I paid about $53/night including taxes on Hotwire ( $48 + tax/fee ). For the same amount of money, the better bet is probably go with Staybridge.

Upon check in, you would be notified that if you stay more than 4 days and less than 7 days, you would have one time refresh service that means they would give you clean towels, dump the trash, and make your bed with existing linen. They did not clean the bathroom or vacuum the room during 5 nights I stayed there. I found fingernails and dirt in the room between the lamp table and the bed. :( Since each room has a kitchen, it seems that a lot people take advantage of it, and they would share the smell of their foods with others by cracking the door open when cooking. The hallway always had unpleasant smell. And of course, when people were done with their cooking, they would put the trash out in the hallway or right in front of the only elevator. I did not use the kitchen or need to use it, so next time, I would definitely find another hotel.

The desk clerk announced every guests hotel room upon check in. The internet access was low quality and cut off many times. The express breakfast was mainly sweets and juice. Trash was left by many guests outside their rooms to smell up the hallways. The exercise room equipment was all under repair. Try another hotel-