Shelton's BEST Extended Stay? (Fairfield County's Hidden Gem!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling, occasionally-slightly-sticky, sometimes-surprisingly-delightful world of Shelton's BEST Extended Stay. Fairfield County's Hidden Gem? Hmmm, let's see if the glitterati is warranted, shall we? Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter hotel reviews – this is going to be raw, real, and hopefully, at least a little bit helpful.
First Impressions & the "Accessibility" Gauntlet:
Alright, getting in the door. That's always the test, isn't it? I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I always pay attention. Accessibility is a HUGE deal. Shelton's? Yeah, they've made an effort. Elevator, definitely a plus. Facilities for disabled guests were… present. Let's just say they weren't exactly shining but they were there. This isn't the Ritz, people, but it’s good. CCTV in common areas – not sure I love being watched, but hey, safety first, right? Check-in/out [express] was… well, it wasn't express. More "standard". They were friendly, though. Doorman? Nah. You're on your own, friend. But hey, there was car park [free of charge], a massive plus when you’re surviving on a budget, as I often am.
The Room: My Temporary Lair
Okay, let's face it, the most important part. My room? It had Air conditioning, thank gawd. Air conditioning in public area, also a relief, considering the humidity. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! FINALLY! A hotel that gets it. I needed to run my virtual lemonade stand and survive, you know? The Internet access was… acceptable. Not blazing fast, but enough to stream a little Netflix, which is crucial for extended stays. The Internet [LAN] option was there (for you wired types), and Internet services were… well, they existed.
The room itself was… cleanish. Look, I'm gonna be honest, it's not exactly the Four Seasons. There was Daily housekeeping – thank goodness, because I'm not a naturally tidy individual. The Daily housekeeping made a miraculous impact on the place. Linens were clean, Towels were fluffy-ish, and there were even Bathrobes! A bit threadbare, but still, a nice touch.
The Quirks (Because Let's Be Honest, There Are Quirks)
- The Alarm clock was from the Stone Age. You know, the kind that screams at you. I almost threw it out the window.
- The Blackout curtains were… mostly effective. Some light seepage. Minor issue, but it's there.
- The Desk was functional. And I needed a desk. The Laptop workspace was adequate.
- Coffee/tea maker: Bless. The. Makers. Essential for surviving work trips/extended stays. But you gotta bring your own decent coffee (I'm a snob, I know).
- The Refrigerator was a lifesaver. Leftovers, drinks, emergency chocolate… all good.
- Room decorations? Let’s just say they were…minimalist. Like, “we spent all the budget on cleaning products” minimalist.
- There was an extra long bed – score! Lots of room to throw my crap (and occasionally myself) onto.
- The Bathroom phone was in the bathroom. You know, in case you really want to talk to the front desk from the tub.
- The Mirror… I think it was clean. Let's go with "mostly".
On-Site Amenities & The "Ways to Relax" Realm
Now, the "BEST" part gets a little… fuzzy. I mean, extended stay? You need options.
- Fitness center? There was one. It looked like it was used to dry laundry rather than lift weights. Pass.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes! A glorious outdoor pool. But… was it actually open? Depends on the season. I might (or might not) have sneaked in a pre-breakfast dip.
- Restaurants? Okay, this is where things get a little… interesting. On-site options were limited. Let's just say a stroll to the local pizza joint is sometimes the best option.
- Spa/sauna/steamroom Oh, god bless them, this is for the luxury hotels
- Bar? Ah, yes! The bar was… well, it was there. Cheap beer and salty snacks. Perfect for drowning your sorrows. And yes, they had Happy hour. Which is a game changer.
- Breakfast [buffet]? This is where Shelton's almost redeemed itself. The breakfast was… functional. Not gourmet, not incredible, but it got the job done. Buffet in restaurant? Yeah, it was. Coffee/tea in restaurant? You betcha. Western breakfast? It was there. There was also Asian breakfast, which I thought was an interesting and thoughtful touch. My advice? Lower your expectations and hit the bacon hard.
Cleanliness, Safety & The Pandemic:
Okay, this is where Shelton's gets serious points. They're clearly taking the pandemic seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol? Felt like it. I saw them wiping down surfaces constantly. There was also Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, which made me feel somewhat safe. I felt like they were doing their best. They did a good job.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Surviving Mealtime
I've already touched on the restaurants, but let's dig a little deeper. A la carte in restaurant? Nope. Alternative meal arrangement? Not that kind of place. Asian cuisine in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant? All somewhat absent. The food could get boring after a long time.
But… they did have a Poolside bar which, in my humble opinion, is a necessity. They offer Breakfast takeaway service, and Room service [24-hour].
Services and Conveniences: The Little (and Not-So-Little) Things
- Air conditioning in public area? Yesss.
- Business facilities? They had a Business center with a Xerox/fax in business center.
- Cash withdrawal? Nope.
- Concierge? Hah!
- Convenience store? Nope.
- Currency exchange? Are you kidding me?
- Daily housekeeping? Yes, and bless them for it.
- Elevator? Yes.
- Food delivery? Uh huh. Always a plus.
- Ironing service? Probably. Never used it.
- Laundry service? Yes! A MUST for extended stays.
- Luggage storage? Sure, why not.
- Meetings? It's got meeting/banquet facilities .
For the Kids (A Quick Detour):
Family/child friendly? Yes, they seemed to accommodate them. But mostly geared toward adults.
Getting Around & Parking:
Airport transfer? No. Car park [free of charge]? YES! HUGE! Taxi service? Yes.
What Shelton's BEST Extended Stay COULD Do Better (My Honest Moment):
- Elevate the food: Please, for the love of all that is holy, improve the food options.
- Spice Up the Decor: Maybe add a little personality, some color.
- Level Up the Wi-Fi: While "free" is great, faster speeds are welcome.
- More Amenities: A decent gym, a decent convenience store, something more.
My Final Verdict:
Shelton's BEST Extended Stay? "BEST"? Maybe not, but it's reliable. It's functional. And for the price, it's a decent option. It's Fairfield County's budget-friendly gem, a hidden haven for the weary traveler (or the one who just doesn’t want to spend a fortune on a hotel). It's the kind of place where you can relax, be yourself, and not feel like you're judged for wearing sweatpants to breakfast.
Creating a Persuasive Offer:
Okay, here's the deal. Shelton's needs a killer offer. Something that screams "value". Something that screams "book me now!"
Offer: "The Extended Stay Survival Kit – Your Home Away From Home (Without Breaking the Bank!)"
Headline: *Escape the Hotel Hustle: Your Comfortable, Affordable Home Base Awaits
Escape to Yorkshire's Charm: Weavers Guesthouse in Haworth Awaits!
Alright, here's the messy, human, and hopefully hilarious itinerary for a stay at the Extended Stay America Suites – Shelton – Fairfield County, Connecticut. Buckle up, buttercups, because it’s gonna be a ride.
Extended Stay America, Shelton: Operation "Survive the Week" (and maybe see some leaves)
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for a Decent Coffee Maker (and Sanity).
- Time: 3:00 PM (ish). Check-in. I arrive, slightly crumpled after the drive. The brochure promised 'spacious suites.' My first reaction? "Spacious compared to what? A shoe?" But hey, at least the receptionist wasn't actively knitting a judgemental sweater. That's a win.
- Quirky Observation: The vending machine in the lobby looks like it's been judging my life choices since Y2K. I can feel its disappointment in my lack of healthy snack options.
- Event: Unpack. Fight with the kitchenette. Discover the coffee maker provided is akin to a decorative paperweight. Search high and low for a decent caffeine delivery system. Find… nothing. Panic sets in. (Coffee is a non-negotiable for me, clearly). Resolve: Mission: Coffee - Phase 1: Raid the nearby gas station!
- Dinner: Wander in a daze to the nearest place with edible sounding descriptions. Ended up at a chain, ordered something vaguely resembling food. Did I enjoy it? Meh. Survived.
- Evening: Attempt to watch TV, which is also a battle of wills. The remote and I do not speak the same language. Eventually, I surrender and watch the local news. Small-town news is always entertaining, even when it's just a cat stuck in a tree.
Day 2: The "Maybe I'll be Productive" Day (Spoiler: I wasn't).
- Morning: Coffee. Phase 2: Gas station coffee. It's not great, but it's fuel.
- Event: Attempt to work. Spread out my laptop and papers on the "spacious" desk. Get distracted by… everything. The weird clicking sound the fridge makes. The siren I can hear in the distance, which I’m convinced is aimed directly at me. The squirrel outside my window giving me the side-eye. Productivity? Dips below zero.
- Anecdote: My inner monologue: "Right, focus! You can do this. Okay, first, check email…oh, look! Cute puppy video! Must watch. And another…and another… Wait, what was I doing?"
- Lunch: Leftovers. From the vaguely edible chain restaurant. Contemplate life choices.
- Afternoon: Give up on work. Decide to find a nearby park. Get slightly lost. Finally arrive at a park. The air smells like fall and feels amazing. Take a moment to breathe. Take a mental picture, breathe deep, and feel a bit centered.
- Evening: Order takeout that's probably a little too much. Watch bad TV. Feel slightly guilty. Repeat.
Day 3: The Day of Decisions (Mostly Bad Ones).
- Morning: Coffee. And a desperate plea to the universe for a better coffee situation in the morning.
- Event: Decide to be 'adventurous.' Look up things to do in Fairfield County. Consider driving to New Haven… Realize that involves more driving than I'm prepared for. Chicken out.
- Anecdote: The sheer number of pizza places in the area is mind-boggling. I spend a good half hour just scrolling through Yelp, paralyzed by indecision. My brain starts screaming for a pizza. But…
- Experience Doubled Down On: PIZZA QUEST! After much internal debate, I decide to order pizza. But not just any pizza. This is a mission. I pore over online reviews, searching for The Perfect Pie. I ultimately choose a local place, but my anxiety levels are through the roof until the box arrives. Is the crust crispy enough? Is the sauce tangy? Is it worth the effort? (It was good. But the stress was real.)
- Afternoon: The Pizza Coma. Regret everything.
- Evening: Attempt to watch something "educational" on TV. Fall asleep. Wake up at 2 AM, suddenly ravenous.
Day 4: The "Running Errands and Dodging Reality" Day.
- Morning: Gas Station coffee, again. The shame is real.
- Event: Try to accomplish the things I’ve been putting off: the laundry, grocery shopping (the fridge is looking sad), and something, anything productive. The laundry machine decides to rebel, nearly flooding the laundry room. Groceries are the usual boring ordeal.
- Emotional Reaction: Laundry almost destroyed the world. Not a good way to start the day.
- Lunch: Peanut butter and jelly. A classic, and at least requires no cooking.
- Afternoon: The errand from hell. Attempt to find a specific type of battery. Get lost in a chain store. Finally find the batteries. Realize I bought the wrong size. Curse the universe.
- Evening: Another failed attempt at "healthy" eating. Watch the same episode of something on repeat because I can't pay attention to anything.
Day 5: The "I'm Not Leaving Yet! (But I kinda want to)" Day.
- Morning: Coffee. Consider buying a better coffee maker online, but realize it won't arrive in time. Sigh.
- Event: Force myself to go for a walk outside. The fall leaves are beautiful. Actually enjoy the walk.
- Quirky Observation: I swear, every other house around here has a garden gnome. Seriously, what’s with the gnomes? Where do they even come from?
- Afternoon: Do… more nothing. Or rather, a patchwork quilt of activities to avoid being overly lonely. Watch a movie, write a letter, call a friend.
- Anecdote: I sit and watch the Netflix documentary about the guy who goes on an adventure, and think "Wow, I'd love to have a good adventure." Then remember I can't find my shoe laces.
- Evening: Feel a strange melancholy wash over me. Order more takeout, this time a little better. Watch the stars. Make a mental note to bring my own damned coffee maker next time.
Day 6: Day Before Departure, or "The Last Hurrah (of Boredom)".
- Morning: Gas station coffee. (I am what I choose to eat!).
- Event: Start packing up, which mainly involves shoving everything back into my suitcase with a vague sense of order.
- Emotional Reaction: Mixed feelings. Glad to be leaving. Slightly sad to be leaving. Tired of eating takeout. Tired of everything.
- Afternoon: Clean the room. Leave a generous tip to the cleaning staff.
- Anecdote: I get stuck in the parking lot. My car won’t start. Panic sets in. Eventually, after much swearing, I realize I’d left the lights on. Idiot.
- Evening: One last slightly better takeout meal. Think about all the pizza. Reflect on the week. The world is not all bad.
Day 7: Departure and the Dream of Real Coffee.
- Morning: Final Gas Station coffee. Say goodbye to Shelton.
- Event: Check-out. Drive away. Dream of real coffee.
- Emotional Reaction: Relief! Hope. The promise of a decent cup of coffee. The next adventure.
- Summary (and Rambling): The Extended Stay America in Shelton was… an experience. Not terrible, but not amazing. It exists. I survived. I saw leaves. I ate pizza. I drank gas station coffee. And you know what? That’s okay. Maybe next time I’ll bring my own coffee maker. And maybe I’ll actually do some work. Nah.
So, like, what *is* this whole FAQ thing even *about*?
I'm confused. What exactly is it you do *here*? Like, seriously, what's the deal?
Can I trust everything you say? Are you, like, a real person? Or a robot bent on world domination?
What if I don't like the answer? Can I complain? Is there a Manager I can speak to?
What's the one experience that really defines you? Tell me a story!
Do you make mistakes?
Can I ask you anything?
