No frills, but excellent help, comfortable room with easy main road and freeway access make this hotel a great choice.

I was a bit hesitant about the one star rating. I usually stay in three stars or above, but the deal I got through Priceline couldn't be beat! It was actually $11 CHEAPER to book flight and hotel here than just the flight alone! Having said that, my expectations were not high.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Although the lobby and elevator smelled of cigarette smoke, the halls and room did not. The place looked recently renovated. The desk help were exceptional, and very helpful - even offering to print out a map to a place I was looking for. They gave me tips on where to find items I was looking for, since the weather turned out differently than expected.

The room was neat and clean. Nothing fancy, but I appreciated having the kitchenette so I could save cash by eating in. (Grocery store's just around the corner and down a bit!) The space of the room was adequate, the shower had decent pressure, sink had space to spread out. The bed was comfortable, and had firmer pillows than most hotels, which I actually prefer.

There are not many extras - only a couple bars of soap, nothing more in toiletries, but there's a drug store across the street if you forgot anything. An iron and board are provided. I would have liked some extra hangers, and some with clips for my skirts, but I was able to make do.

Air and heat both worked well (I did need both for my three night stay.) The hotel is pet-friendly. I did hear a dog bark a couple times (not much of a disturbance), and met a cat named Ginger in the hall. If you're terribly allergic, it may not be the best choice for you.

The view wasn't exciting - it was of the freeway - which is rarely busy, and even though I faced it, could not hear a sound coming from it. The hotel is in a mostly business area. The area felt safe (I'm a female in my 30s, and was traveling by myself). Plenty of shopping (both retail and normal daily businesses) were around. The hotel itself is located right behind a large bank.

For the cost (they paid me $11 as I see it, in the Priceline deal), it was a steal! For the regular rates I've seen on the travel sites, it's a very fair price.

Over the years we have stayed more times than we can count at the "Extended Stay" Madison West and it's sister property, the "Studio Plus", which is right next door. Of the two we prefer the Studio Plus, but the Extended Stay can be gotten on Hotwire for the low $40s, so, slaves to frugality that we are, we usually end up here.

We like these properties because of the full kitchens they offer, and we like the west side location. Hotel row on the East side runs more towards seediness. And, this location is extremely convienent to shopping and restaurants. Panera Bread and a nice, sit down Italian restaurant are just a short stroll across the back lawn.

This stay, the good news and the bad news is that the hotel has been recently remodled! The good news is that the floor and furnishings are all fresh and new looking. In fact, the kitchen and the bathroom now have a dandy little faux hardwood finish! The bad news is, nothing matches and the color "scheme" is non existant, with eye strain inducing results! Looks like the whole hotel has been redone from bits and pieces of carpeting, furniture and bedding left over from other projects. The floor is a sandy yellow with green stripes, the bedspread a bold brick red and blue, the chair pinkish red with pink-y lines running hither and fro, the curtains a yellow and green tartan like a skirt stolen from an emmense school girl. It boggles the mind; the only solution is to take off your glasses, dim the lights, and think about something else.

However, the Extended Stay really is the most affordable game in town, and tho offensive to look at, really is clean and well run. The better long stay hotels like the Residence Inn or the Staybridge will run you over twice as much, three times as much if you are staying at the ESA on the hotwire rate! So, we shall keep returning.