Ames' BEST Kept Secret? GrandStay Hotel & Suites Awaits!
Ames' BEST Kept Secret? GrandStay Hotel & Suites Awaits! - A (Very) Honest Review
Okay, folks, let's talk GrandStay Ames. Forget the perfectly polished travel brochures, I'm here to give you the real deal. I recently took a trip, and trust me, I've got opinions. And honestly, I'm still trying to untangle the sheer amount of stuff this place offers. This isn't just a hotel; it's like… a mini-city. Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up; it's gonna be a wild ride.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Good!)
Right, first things first: Accessibility. Thankfully, GrandStay actually seems to care. They have facilities for disabled guests, which is a HUGE plus. I didn't personally need them this time, BUT I took a peek and saw elevators – crucial! – and, and this really got me excited, the option for rooms with specific accessibility features. That's thoughtful. Getting around seemed pretty doable, but honestly, I was more focused on the breakfast buffet, so I wasn't taking notes on wheelchair maneuverability. Sorry!
Cleanliness and Safety: Breathe Easy (Mostly)
Look, post-pandemic anxiety is REAL. Nobody wants to catch anything! GrandStay gets a big gold star for Cleanliness and Safety. The website boasted about Anti-viral cleaning products. That, coupled with the Daily disinfection in common areas and rooms sanitized between stays, gave me serious peace of mind. I even saw staff diligently wiping down stuff. Plus, there's Hand sanitizer everywhere. Seriously, it's like they're squirting it at you when you walk in.
And the whole contactless check-in/out thing? Genius. I’m all about avoiding human interaction when I'm cranky post-flight. They also had Staff trained in safety protocol, and you could tell. They weren't just going through the motions; they actually seemed concerned. This is a huge relief in this day and age.
Rooms: Comfy (If You Like Options)
Okay, the rooms. Where do I even begin? They’re ALL listed in my review's prompt, but I'm going to remember what actually mattered. First, the space. Plenty of room, even with my luggage. The Air conditioning worked amazing (thank goodness), and there was a good amount of space with the desk. A Coffee/tea maker, and yes, Free bottled water (always a win). Wi-Fi [free] was a MUST, and it was fast enough to not make me rage. Good blackout curtains, because I hate the morning sun.
However… (here comes the honesty), I'm not sure which room type I had, but the room I was in didn't seem "new." No complaints, but not quite sparkling fresh.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Food! OH, THE FOOD!
Okay, this is where GrandStay really shines. The Breakfast [buffet]. Oh. My. God. I mean, it’s a buffet – and you know what you're getting: Western breakfast, Asian breakfast. I will say, the coffee/tea situation was good. They had Fruit as well. It's a great start for the day.
They had Restaurants, (I'm sure with A la carte options and Vegetarian restaurant options too, who knows??) and a Poolside bar. I didn't use the Room service [24-hour] but knowing that was an option, was comforting! The best part? The Happy hour. Need I say more?
Ways to Relax: Spa Day… Almost
Okay, listen. I am all about a bit of pampering. GrandStay is offering a spa experience. Sadly, I was too busy stuffing my face with breakfast. However, the Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool [outdoor]. I'm a big fan of all of those things.
Services and Conveniences: They've Thought of Everything (Almost)
Here’s where the list goes on and on: Air conditioning in public area, Business facilities, which includes Meeting/banquet facilities. Daily housekeeping was great. Concierge on site. This is just a convenience minefield.
For the Kids: Family Fun!
They seem to be Family/child friendly – which is a big selling point. They had a Kids meal option.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
They have Car park [free of charge]! Taxi service and Airport transfer. It's all there.
Booking Recommendation: Get Yourself to Ames!
So, here’s the deal, folks. GrandStay Ames has a lot going for it. Is it perfect? No, but what is? Does it have everything? Probably. It's clean, the staff is friendly, the food is plentiful, and there's something for everyone.
Here's my pitch:
Tired of the Same Old Hotel Routine? Escape to Ames and Discover the Jewel that is GrandStay Hotel & Suites!
Here's why you NEED to act NOW:
- Unbeatable Breakfast Bonanza: Wake up to a breakfast buffet that will power your entire day. (Seriously, the coffee alone is worth a trip!).
- Relax and Recharge: Unwind by the pool or soak in the hot tub.
- Safety First: They take cleanliness seriously, offering real peace of mind.
- A World of Options: From dining to spa, they've got you covered.
Book your stay at GrandStay Ames today! Don't just visit Ames, experience it!
P.S. – Don't forget to hit up the happy hour. Trust me. You won't regret it. 😉
Nashville's Hottest New Hotel: Tru by Hilton Franklin Cool Springs!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my chaotic Ames, Iowa adventure staying at the GrandStay Hotel & Suites. This ain't your glossy travel brochure, honey. This is the real, unvarnished, "did I pack enough snacks?" version.
The GrandStay Gambit: Ames, IA – A Week of Questionable Decisions (and Hopefully, Some Decent Breakfast)
Day 1: Arrival & Questionable First Impressions
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown in Ames. (Okay, technically, I flew into Des Moines and endured a surprisingly long shuttle ride. Who knew Iowa was so… vast?). Initial impression of the GrandStay: Clean. Stark. Very…hotel-y. The kind of place where you expect the Gideon Bible to be staring back at you from the nightstand. Found the front desk guy friendly and he gave me directions with no problem.
- Observation: The lobby is inexplicably dominated by a massive, slightly terrifying painting of generic farmland. I think it's supposed to be aspirational. I'm aspiring to a nap.
- 2:00 PM: Checked in. Room is…functional. Two double beds. Am I meant to be sharing this with someone? Suddenly, I'm questioning all my life choices. I’ll be honest, there was a tiny, tiny part of me that hoped for a suite upgrade. No such luck. Sigh.
- 2:30 PM: Unpacked. Found my emergency chocolate stash. Victory! (Important life lesson: Always pack emergency chocolate. It's a lifesaver, especially in a slightly-sterile hotel room).
- 3:00 PM: Briefly contemplated the hotel pool. Decided against it. The chlorine smell was a bit intimidating. And besides, I'd rather judge people anonymously from the window.
- 4:00 PM: Exploring the area.
- Anecdote: Tried to find a decent coffee shop. Ended up at that Starbucks. You know, the one with the "live, laugh, love" sign and a half-hearted attempt at a local vibe. Ordered a latte that tasted suspiciously of…nothing. My first Iowa disappointment.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. This is where things went south. The hotel restaurant was…closed. Apparently, it's only open on select days. Who knew? So here I am, stranded without a pre-arranged meal at my hotel. Called Uber Eats.
- 7:30 PM: Uber Eats: Pizza and a side of pure, unadulterated loneliness. (Okay, the pizza was actually pretty good. Just sayin'). Ate it in bed while watching a truly terrible rom-com on TV. Feeling a little bit sorry for myself.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. Trying to sleep early in preparation for exploring Iowa State University tomorrow.
Day 2: Cyclone Country – and the Battle of the Breakfast Buffet
- 7:00 AM: Woke up, heart of the hotel, the breakfast buffet. Rant: I swear, hotel breakfast buffets are a microcosm of the world. They're often a mess. But, the GrandStay's was surprisingly organized, offering the standard fare: Cereal, toast, fruit, and the holy grail – waffles. (And yes, I did use the waffle maker. Three times.) The coffee was… passable.
- 8:00 AM: Explored Iowa State University. Okay, campus is HUGE. Seriously, I got lost, several times. But it's beautiful, with red brick buildings and a real sense of history. Went to the Memorial Union.
- 11:00 AM: Found a coffee shop on campus. Finally, something resembling a decent brew. The coffee shop was crowded with students, all hunched over laptops. Made me miss my own college days.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a campus diner. Got a burger. It was… fine. (Okay, I'm starting to sense a theme here with the food).
- 1:00 PM: Went to the ISU bookstore, where I bought a Cyclone t-shirt. Regret the purchase immediately, but it's fine.
- 3:00 PM: Spent an hour wandering in and out of a few different museum. Enjoyed a particular historical exhibit.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Napped. Needed it after all that walking and general existential dread.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at some place that's supposed to be a local favorite. (More on this later, since I'm still deciding if I liked it).
Day 3-6: The Blur of Ames – Peaks, Valleys & Questionable Food Choices
- The "Blur": These next few days were a mishmash. Lots of walking around, local shops, etc.; I saw a movie, tried to get into the Iowa State campus recreation. I even visited the local farmers market. The highlight, the very very very best part was the local brewery.
- Observation: The local brewery was a genuine delight. They had amazing beers! The atmosphere was low-key and welcoming.
- Emotional Reaction: The brewery made me very, very happy. Almost the entirety of the visit revolved around it.
- Undone by the hotel. I went back to the GrandStay and ordered a pizza.
- The Downsides: I'm not going to lie, Ames… it gets a little…monotonous. The food is either really good, or really meh. Found myself craving something… more. That more was the brewery.
- A Few Highlights: Found a used bookstore that I loved. Spent WAY too much time browsing and buying books. I found a cool local art gallery, but didn't buy anything.
- The Hotel: Still functional. Still clean. Still the setting for some excellent people-watching. Oh, let's not forget the breakfast buffet. That waffle situation? Still going strong.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: By the end of day 6, I'm oscillating between enjoying the quiet, the small-town vibe and sheer, unadulterated restlessness. Iowa is a place that you have to kind of grow to like. I wasn't fully there yet.
Day 7: Departure – An Unexpected Farewell
- 7:00 AM: The hotel breakfast buffet, again. Three waffles. No shame.
- 8:00 AM: Checked out. The front desk guy was the same one as the day I arrived. He smiled. I almost felt a twinge of…connection?
- 9:00 AM: Headed back to Des Moines.
- Anecdote: On the way to the airport, I saw a billboard for the World's Largest Truck Stop. I considered it… but decided against it. Perhaps next time, Ames.
- 10:00 AM: Boarded my flight.
- Quirky Observation: Realized I'd spent an entire week in Ames without once leaving its city limits. And you know what? I'm okay with that.
The Verdict:
The GrandStay Hotel & Suites was… fine. It was clean, the staff was friendly, it had a decent breakfast buffet. It wasn't glamorous, but it did the job. Ames? Well, Ames is a place you have to experience. It's quiet, a bit quirky, and definitely not for everyone. But if you're looking to escape the noise, to wander a bit, drink a decent beer at a brewery, Ames might surprise you. Just be sure to pack your own snacks. And your emergency chocolate. You'll thank me later.
Escape to Comfort: Your Rolla, MO Getaway Awaits!
GrandStay Ames: Best Kept Secret? Maybe... Let's Unpack This Mess!
Okay, Okay... What *IS* This "BEST Kept Secret" Deal They're Talking About?
Alright, alright, settle down. The GrandStay Ames... they call it a secret. Honestly? Depends who you ask. It's not like hidden in a labyrinth, you know? It's right there on South 16th Street. But maybe the *feeling* is the secret. It's like... a reliable comfort zone, a place where you can, like, breathe. Especially after a chaotic drive from Des Moines during rush hour (don't ask). Think: clean rooms, decent breakfast (more on that later, trust me), and a price that won't make your bank account weep. That sense of "I *can* do this" after a long day. That's the secret, I think. Or maybe I just needed a nap.
Is the Breakfast Actually Edible? Because Hotel Breakfasts Are Often... A Tragedy.
Okay, FINALLY a real question! Look, I have standards. I'm not talking Michelin star, you know? But I've seen hotel breakfasts that resembled something excavated from a prehistoric swamp. The GrandStay? Better. Way better. They usually have the standard stuff: waffles (and yes, you *can* make your own!), scrambled eggs (sometimes a little… watery, I'll be honest), sausage (hit or miss, depending on the day, it’s like a roulette of meat), cereal, fruit. And COFFEE. The coffee is… serviceable. Not life-altering, but gets the job done. My personal tip? LOAD UP on the (usually) decent yogurt and the fruit. That’s always a win. One time, the sausage was *amazing* - I swear I saw angels. Then the next day? Well, let's just say I stuck to the yogurt.
The Rooms... Are They, You Know, NOT Gross?
Okay, deep breaths. I’ve stayed in some rooms that looked like crime scenes... and, like, maybe *were* (kidding… mostly). The GrandStay? Clean. Generally. I've never found anything that makes me seriously question the cleaning crew's methods--a few stray hairs here and there, sure (it happens!), but nothing that made me want to sleep in my clothes. The beds are comfy enough after a long day of wandering around Iowa State. Bathrooms are decent. The air conditioning? *Bless*. Especially in the summer. They have different room sizes, too! One time, I got a suite with a *separate* living area. Felt like royalty. (Okay, maybe not *royalty*, but definitely a step up from my usual motel experiences.) Just… don't expect the Ritz. You're in Ames, people.
Is the Pool Worth It? Asking for a Friend… Who Is Secretly Me.
The POOL. Ah, yes. This is a critical question. Let's be honest, the pool is… a solid B. It's not the Olympic-sized extravagance of a resort. It's a perfectly fine indoor pool. Often, there are kids. Kids *everywhere*. Mostly joyful kids, but occasionally, you get the ones who see the pool as their personal splash zone. So depending on your tolerance for splashing, yelling, and the general chaos of childhood, it’s either a relaxing dip or a mild form of aquatic torture. I went once when a birthday party was going on. Let me tell you, I felt like I was floating in a sea of screaming, sugar-fueled gremlins. But, hey, I survived. And sometimes, when it's quiet, and the sun is streaming in, it's… peaceful. Just be prepared. Bring earplugs if you’re easily startled.
Okay, But What About the Location? Is It Actually Convenient?
Location, location, location! This is a BIG YES. The GrandStay is conveniently, dare I say, perfectly located. Close enough to the Iowa State University campus without *being* on campus (which, trust me, is a good thing sometimes). Plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. Quick access to the highway. The grocery store isn't a world away. And it's easy to find. Which, after a long drive, is a major plus. I remember one particularly awful trip...I was driving, I was tired, the GPS was failing, and I needed a place to crash FAST. And there it was, a beacon of hope on 16th Street. Pure relief. Seriously, the location is a huge selling point. It's… functional. And sometimes, "functional" is all you need.
Let's Talk Parking. Is It a Nightmare? Because Hotel Parking Can Be a Nightmare.
Parking. Oh, the agony of hotel parking. I've seen it all. Valet parking that mysteriously disappears. Spots so tight you need a contortionist to get out of your car. But the GrandStay? Pretty darn good. Free parking (always a plus). Plenty of spaces. Never had a problem, even when the hotel was bustling. You can literally just pull up, park, and walk right in. No circling the lot desperately, no desperate negotiations with other guests. Just… parking. It's the little things, people, the little things. Parking is a small victory. A quiet triumph over the chaos of modern life.
What Was Your *Worst* Experience There? Spill the Tea!
Alright, alright. Okay, let's go there. The WORST...Hmm...Look, I've had some minor hiccups. A slightly grumpy front desk clerk once. A slightly undercooked bagel. Things like that. But the *worst*... Okay, it was a while back. I was there for, um, a very important conference. (Let's leave it at that). Needed a good night's sleep. I requested a quiet room, away from the elevator. They gave me a room…right next to the ice machine. The ICE MACHINE. That infernal, metallic, clanking beast that never sleeps. And, of course, people used it ALL NIGHT LONG. "Clink, clunk, whirrrrr" all night. I, of course, was tired, grumpy, and in serious need of my beauty sleep. I called down to the desk and they were very apologetic. Offered me another room, but at that point, it was 2 am, and I just wanted to cry. Eventually, I fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. The next morning, I looked like I'd been through a war. But hey, at least the breakfast was good that day. Learn from my mistake: always, *always* confirm your room's distance from the ice machine. And maybe pack earplugs. Just in case.
