Reasons Not To Stay At A Candlewood Suites
Feb 18, 21, 5:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Marriott Plat, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 778
They tend to be older properties. I personally don't mind it as long as the property is clean and well run but it's not everyone's cup of tea. I find Candlewood tends to be roomier and are usually pet-friendly. I have stayed at Candlewood Suites a few times and will continue to in the future.
Feb 18, 21, 7:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 402
If using ihg rewards - if there is a Staybridge nearby then there is no reason to be staying at a candlewood. Staybridge is superior in every possible way. Nicer more upscale rooms, free breakfast & evening social, pool (some candlewoods have no pool) , the seating den area etc etc...
Feb 19, 21, 3:47 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,505
If using ihg rewards - if there is a Staybridge nearby then there is no reason to be staying at a candlewood. Staybridge is superior in every possible way. Nicer more upscale rooms, free breakfast & evening social, pool (some candlewoods have no pool) , the seating den area etc etc...
I recall that most Candlewoods at which I've stayed had daily housekeeping; that would be a factor for me if they didn't.
Feb 19, 21, 4:17 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,587
Wouldn't it be easier to ask for reasons TO STAY?
I assume that would result in a very short and quickly forgotten thread...
I assume that would result in a very short and quickly forgotten thread...
Feb 19, 21, 11:09 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
Posts: 2,275
Golly, it's been so long since I was on the road, I might not be remembering correctly. I believe Candlewood Suites have a full-sized refrigerator and two burner stove, as well as complimentary laundry. Complimentary laundry is a two-edged sword; it's free, but more people use it because it's free. However, on an extended trip, it's nice to have any customer-facing laundry facilities.
Because there is a full-sized refrigerator, I believe there is often no customer-facing ice machine. This means no ice until the fridge makes it.
Because there is a full-sized refrigerator, I believe there is often no customer-facing ice machine. This means no ice until the fridge makes it.
Mar 20, 21, 12:02 am
#13
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
1. Low rates/low award night points required and they were frequently on the Pointsavers deals;
2. Full kitchen so I can make my own breakfast and don't have to eat the swill the others places are making;
3. Often more convenient locations, away from the city, though Jacksonville had one closer in and one further out, both of which were reasonable;
4. I frequently got a suite UPG at the north Jacksonville one, and the wifi was great; and
5. Convenient to do laundry.
Mar 20, 21, 10:30 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Programs: MR LT Titanium, IHG Plat.,UA Premier Silver, & PA/OH Turnpike Million Miler
Posts: 2,208
I have only stayed at 3 different Candlewood locations. Granted that is a small sample set. Of those 3, one was brand new at the time and I would gladly go back to it if they kept it up well. The other two the property smelled like smoke throughout probably from lots of folks smoking immediately outside the doors. Maintenance of room furnishings was okay but not great. Both of these properties felt rundown.
A couple of weeks ago, I was considering trying a fourth Candlewood location; however, the reviews on TripAdvisor were so bad, I gave it a pass. It just wasn't worth the risk to save $20/night versus a Fairfield Inn or a TownePlace Suites in the same general area. There was also an IHG option for a HIX but it was even more expensive than the Marriott properties, so no compelling reason to chose it.
For me Candlewood is a buyer beware brand. Unless you know a specific location is good, they should be avoided. I used to put Marriott Townplace Suites in the same buyer beware brand category; however, they have improved a lot. Many new properties and the older ones I have been to have also been fine. To be fair even though Candlewood and Townplace Suites are competitors, Candlewood tends to be cheaper in most markets I have checked. I am willing to pay a little bit more to have a better quality property. Each to their own....
--Jon
A couple of weeks ago, I was considering trying a fourth Candlewood location; however, the reviews on TripAdvisor were so bad, I gave it a pass. It just wasn't worth the risk to save $20/night versus a Fairfield Inn or a TownePlace Suites in the same general area. There was also an IHG option for a HIX but it was even more expensive than the Marriott properties, so no compelling reason to chose it.
For me Candlewood is a buyer beware brand. Unless you know a specific location is good, they should be avoided. I used to put Marriott Townplace Suites in the same buyer beware brand category; however, they have improved a lot. Many new properties and the older ones I have been to have also been fine. To be fair even though Candlewood and Townplace Suites are competitors, Candlewood tends to be cheaper in most markets I have checked. I am willing to pay a little bit more to have a better quality property. Each to their own....
--Jon
Mar 20, 21, 12:04 pm
#15
formerly Will Stonehocker
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 560
I have only stayed at 3 different Candlewood locations. Granted that is a small sample set. Of those 3, one was brand new at the time and I would gladly go back to it if they kept it up well. The other two the property smelled like smoke throughout probably from lots of folks smoking immediately outside the doors. Maintenance of room furnishings was okay but not great. Both of these properties felt rundown.
A couple of weeks ago, I was considering trying a fourth Candlewood location; however, the reviews on TripAdvisor were so bad, I gave it a pass. It just wasn't worth the risk to save $20/night versus a Fairfield Inn or a TownePlace Suites in the same general area. There was also an IHG option for a HIX but it was even more expensive than the Marriott properties, so no compelling reason to chose it.
For me Candlewood is a buyer beware brand. Unless you know a specific location is good, they should be avoided. I used to put Marriott Townplace Suites in the same buyer beware brand category; however, they have improved a lot. Many new properties and the older ones I have been to have also been fine. To be fair even though Candlewood and Townplace Suites are competitors, Candlewood tends to be cheaper in most markets I have checked. I am willing to pay a little bit more to have a better quality property. Each to their own....
--Jon
A couple of weeks ago, I was considering trying a fourth Candlewood location; however, the reviews on TripAdvisor were so bad, I gave it a pass. It just wasn't worth the risk to save $20/night versus a Fairfield Inn or a TownePlace Suites in the same general area. There was also an IHG option for a HIX but it was even more expensive than the Marriott properties, so no compelling reason to chose it.
For me Candlewood is a buyer beware brand. Unless you know a specific location is good, they should be avoided. I used to put Marriott Townplace Suites in the same buyer beware brand category; however, they have improved a lot. Many new properties and the older ones I have been to have also been fine. To be fair even though Candlewood and Townplace Suites are competitors, Candlewood tends to be cheaper in most markets I have checked. I am willing to pay a little bit more to have a better quality property. Each to their own....
--Jon
