Brentwood Getaway: TownePlace Suites St. Louis - Your Perfect Missouri Escape!
Brentwood Getaway: TownePlace Suites St. Louis - My Unfiltered Missouri Meanderings
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a "perfect" getaway that was anything but perfectly curated. It was…well, it was Brentwood's TownePlace Suites in St. Louis. Let's unpack this, shall we? And trust me, there's a lot to unpack.
Accessibility: The Good, The Okay, and the Ugh…
First things first, accessibility. Look, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I'm always looking out for my travel buddies, and honestly, this is where things got a little…uneven. The hotel claims to be wheelchair accessible, and they do have elevators (praise be!), but navigating some of the common areas felt a bit cramped, a little like trying to squeeze through a crowded bar during happy hour, blindfolded. The information about the hotel's accessibility is available upon request. I'd also recommend reaching out to the hotel directly and asking detailed questions before booking if accessibility is truly critical to you, you know? I'm talking ramps, accessible restrooms, the whole shebang.
Cleanliness and Safety – A Sigh of Relief (Mostly)
Okay, this is where TownePlace Suites almost redeemed themselves. Given the world's current state of (gestures wildly) gestures wildly, I was thrilled to see the emphasis on cleanliness. They're talking about daily disinfection, staff trained to the gills in safety protocols, and more hand sanitizer than I could shake a stick at. The rooms themselves looked clean, and the anti-viral cleaning products gave me a little dose of peace of mind. A shout out to the use of professionally-grade sanitizing services. The room sanitization opt-out option is good too--I didn't have to worry about them spraying my stuff if I didn't feel comfortable with it.
My only slight concern? The sense – and it's a subjective one – of perhaps overdoing the cleaning. Felt a little… sterile at times. But hey, I'll take sterile over skeevy any day!
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (and occasional frustration)
Now, the rooms themselves. They’ve got what you'd expect in a TownePlace Suites: a functional kitchen, a comfy bed (extra long, bliss!), and a desk big enough to actually work at. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in, and the in-room safe box was appreciated. But… and there's always a but, isn't there? The bathroom…well, the bathroom was a bit of a tight squeeze. Not the biggest, but it worked. And hey, I appreciate an extra toilet in the room! The lack of natural light in the bathroom was a bummer though, and the water pressure sometimes felt like a polite trickle.
Internet – A Love/Hate Relationship
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Yes, please! But the Internet itself sometimes felt like a cranky old turtle trying to climb a mountain. At times, the connection was lightning-fast; other times, I swear I was watching my emails crawl along like a snail on a sugar rush. They also have Ethernet connections if you want to go that route. If you require reliable internet, or are planning to do a lot of work, I'd recommend investigating a mobile hotspot as a backup.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Great Buffet Caper (and Other Adventures)
Breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. It was a buffet. A buffet. I love a buffet! It had the standard continental breakfast fare (bagels, muffins, cereal, the usual suspects), and also an Asian breakfast option. The coffee was…well, it was coffee. Drinkable, but nothing that would make you write home about it.
On-site Restaurant/Lounge?
Unfortunately, there was no full-service restaurant or a dedicated lounge area on-site. This was a bit of a bummer. I did use the convenience store, which was handy, but I did miss the ease of grabbing a burger or a craft beer on site after a long day of sightseeing. There are restaurants nearby, though, from a la carte restaurants to international to even some vegetarian options.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax) – Beyond the Walls
Right, now, about relaxing… The hotel has a fitness center. shrugs I didn't use it. I’m on vacation, people! There’s also a pool. An outdoor pool. I would have loved to have taken a dip, but the weather was uncooperative during my stay (it rained the whole time). I'm not sure on the quality of the pool's view. So I did not take the opportunity. Maybe next time.
Services and Conveniences – The Good, the Bad, the Forgettable
They had a laundry service, which was a total lifesaver after I accidentally spilled coffee on my favorite travel shirt. Daily housekeeping kept things tidy, but I’m not sure if I needed it. The staff were friendly, but the service could be a little slow at times. There's also a concierge service, which I honestly didn't use.
For the Kids (and Their Tolerant Parents)
Family/child friendly? Sure, why not. A babysitting service is on offer. If you're traveling with youngsters, this is a solid choice.
Getting Around – Drive, Drive, Drive! (and Maybe Consider a Taxi)
Free car park? Fantastic. That’s a big plus for me, especially when traveling. I drove myself everywhere, which worked, as the hotel is located close to everything. Taxi service is available, too. I'd recommend a car if you plan on exploring the area.
My Overall Verdict – It's…Okay. (With a Few Caveats)
Look, the TownePlace Suites in Brentwood isn’t perfect. It's not a luxury resort. The internet can be temperamental. The dining is limited. The accessibility is a bit of a mixed bag. But it’s clean, generally comfortable, and the price is right. And hey, it's in Brentwood, which is a great location for exploring St. Louis.
I'd recommend it for a practical, budget-friendly stay. Just go in with realistic expectations, maybe bring your own snacks, and definitely check the weather forecast before packing!
Unbelievable Makris Hotel: Your Olympian Escape Awaits in Greece!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary is less "precision-engineered Swiss watch" and more "slightly-used jalopy chugging towards a vaguely defined destination." We're talking Brentwood, Missouri, baby! TownePlace Suites, here we come! And trust me, it's going to be a WILD ride.
Day 1: Arrival and the Eternal Struggle Against Hotel Breakfast
1:00 PM - Arrival and Check-In: Whew. Made it. Traffic from the airport was, predictably, a soul-crushing exercise in existential dread. Found the TownePlace Suites. It's… perfectly… fine? The lobby has that generic "beige-and-brown-with-a-splash-of-abstract-art" aesthetic that screams "business travel" and whispers, "You've seen this before." The front desk lady was blessedly friendly, though. Score! Now, where's the elevator? Oh, and praying the room doesn't smell like stale air freshener and the ghosts of previous travelers.
1:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance and Immediate Regret(s): Okay, the room… it's… fine(ish). Clean, which is a win. Basic kitchenette, which I almost got excited about until I remembered my cooking skills peak at microwaving leftovers. The view? Let's just say it's a testament to the architectural achievements of… well, I'm not entirely sure what the building across the way is. But hey, at least it's not a parking lot. And now the realization that I forgot to pack my phone charger. Ugh.
2:00 PM - The Great Grocery Gamble: Needed to go to a grocery store to find a phone charger and some snacks. That thing that everyone says about always forgetting one of the essentials when you’re traveling? It's true. Decided to brave the local supermarket, a place where I felt like I was having a showdown with the cashier.
4:00 PM - The Afternoon Slump and the Call of the Couch: Back in the hotel room, and the post-grocery-store fatigue is hitting hard. Decided to embrace the hotel-room-couch-potato life after I found out one of the grocery bags tore. I flopped on the couch with my snacks and the charger. It was glorious.
6:30 PM - Dinner Disaster (or, How I Ate Pizza in My PJs): Okay, so my plans for gourmet dining in Brentwood went straight out the window. All that grocery shopping left me exhausted!. The only thing I had the energy for was ordering pizza delivery and crashing. No shame. Just me, my pizza, and the flickering glow of the TV. A perfect, imperfect evening.
Day 2: Exploration and the Unforeseen Delights of… a Strip Mall?
7:00 AM - Breakfast, The Scourge of the Traveler: Okay, time to face the continental breakfast. This is always a gamble. I was hopeful, but I was also prepared for disappointment. It was the usual suspects - lukewarm eggs, sad-looking pastries, and that coffee that tastes like it was brewed in a sewer. I choked down a bagel.
9:00 AM - Brentwood Boulevard Browsing: Found Brentwood Boulevard. I figured I'd do some local exploring. It's a town with plenty of shops and restaurants. It felt kind of… normal. Which, in a way, was a nice change.
12:00 PM - Lunch and the Art of the Accidental Discovery: Okay, so here comes the part where I will let my true travel habits shine! I always stumble onto something completely unexpected when I leave the hotel. I'm never sure what a restaurant will be like. Decided to enter into a place that looked like a diner. It ended up being a surprisingly good lunch experience. Small, but nice!
2:00 PM - The Great Outdoors (Sort Of): Thought I'd try to find a park. Found one! It was pretty relaxing.
6:00 PM - Dinner with the Ghosts of Delivery Drivers Past: I'm tired, and I'm starting to understand why people become regulars at chain restaurants. I found a decent restaurant this time.
Day 3: Departure and the Bitter Sweet Farewell to (Kind of) Brentwood
7:00 AM - Breakfast: Round Two of the Continental Catastrophe: Faced the breakfast bar. My stomach churned.
9:00 AM - Packing and The Great Purge: Time to pack. I'm a terrible packer. I usually throw everything in a suitcase.
11:00 AM - Check-Out and The Final Goodbye: Found the front desk, and checked out.
12:00 PM - Farewell Brentwood and the Road Ahead: Time to go. Brentwood, you were… well, you were a place. And that, I've learned, is sometimes enough. Now, back to the airport for another plane ride.
This is my honest take on TownePlace Suites in Brentwood, Missouri. It's all right!
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Brentwood Getaway: TownePlace Suites St. Louis - Your Perfect Missouri Escape? (Maybe... Let's See!)
Okay, Okay, So What *IS* This Brentwood Getaway Thing? And Why St. Louis?
Alright, put down the map, friends! Brentwood Getaway is just my overly dramatic name for my recent trip to the TownePlace Suites in Brentwood, Missouri. And St. Louis? Because, you know, arch! And... well, honestly, I needed a break from my tiny apartment. Plus, I had a hankering for some good BBQ (which, spoiler alert, I found!). And the hotel? Well, it looked clean online. Always a good start, right?
The Room! Tell Me EVERYTHING About the ROOM! (Did it have bed bugs? I'm paranoid.)
Bed bugs! Ugh, don't even *say* the words! Okay, so the room... It was a suite, technically. Which means a separate little living area with a (admittedly slightly dated) sofa. The couch? I may have judged it silently. Looked comfy enough, but… it screamed, “I’ve seen some things.” (And I mean that in a “hotel couch who's-seen-it-all” kind of way.) The bed? Pretty decent. Pillows… well, I'm picky about pillows. These were… adequate. No bed bugs, though! Checked religiously. Because, you know, paranoia. The kitchenette was handy (microwave, mini-fridge, the works). I basically lived on microwave popcorn and leftover ribs. Good times.
Speaking of the Food... Did the Complimentary Breakfast Save the Day? Or Was it a Disaster?
Oh, the breakfast! Okay, full disclosure: I'm a breakfast person. I *crave* the morning sustenance. The TownePlace Suites breakfast… It was better than I expected, which, honestly, is a good bar to clear. Think: make-your-own waffles (always a win, even if I’m no culinary artist), scrambled eggs (a little… rubbery, but edible), and those little pre-packaged yogurts (the bane of my existence, but a necessary evil). The coffee? Drinkable. Barely. But hey, free coffee! And honestly, in the grand scheme of things? It fueled my adventures. And saved some money. Which is always fantastic, because St. Louis ain't cheap, not by a long shot!
The Location - Brentwood. What's the Vibe? Is it Convenient? Is it... Boring?
Brentwood! Okay, the vibe is… suburban. Clean. Pretty. Think upscale strip malls and lots of well-manicured lawns. Convenient? YES! It's super close to the highway, which made getting around St. Louis a breeze. (Well, a breeze *compared* to navigating the city's labyrinthine streets, which I did try, once, and almost swore off driving forever. Google Maps is a liar, sometimes.) Boring? Not necessarily. It's within easy driving distance of everything the city has to offer. Forest Park? Close. The Gateway Arch? Close. That AMAZING BBQ place I found? (Okay, I'll get to that.) Also close! So, yeah, convenient. I didn't find it boring, but I'm not sure I'd want to *live* there. Too… perfect, maybe? Give me a little grit, people!
Okay, Spill the Beans! What was the BEST Part of the Trip? Don't Hold Back!
Alright, alright, you twisted my arm! The BEST part? (Drumroll, please...) The FOOD! Specifically, this mind-blowing BBQ joint called… wait for it… Pappy's Smokehouse. (Shoutout to the internet reviews that led me there!) Seriously. I'm still dreaming about the ribs. Fall-off-the-bone tender. Smoky, saucy perfection. I may have ordered a second rack. I *definitely* took leftovers back to the hotel (and microwaved them, repeatedly). It was a religious experience, people. I'm not even exaggerating. Pappy's. Go there. Now. (And maybe bring some Wet Naps because, oh boy, things get MESSY!) My mouth is watering just thinking about it... And the slaw! Don't forget the slaw!
The Little Things! What "Amenities" Did You Actually Use? Like, Did You Hit the Gym? (Be Honest!)
The amenities… Okay, let's be honest here. Did I hit the gym? No. I fully *intended* to. I packed my workout clothes. But the siren song of the hotel bed (and the allure of more BBQ) held a strong pull. I did, however, bravely stroll to the little pool. It was… fine. Clean-ish. Slightly chlorinated, a bit cold. Not exactly the resort of my dreams. I did use the laundry facilities, though! Because, let's face it, packing light is a skill I have yet to master. And the free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver. Because, you know, streaming… and obsessively checking social media (don't judge me!). So, yeah, I utilized the essentials. The gym? Maybe next time. (Probably not.)
Any HUGE Red Flags? Anything I Should REALLY Avoid?
Red flags? Hmm… Nothing *major*. The only real issue I had was the occasional… door slam. You know, the people-trapped-in-hotel-rooms-and-forgetting-to-close-the-door-quietly situation. Which, fine, I get it. People. But it's annoying when you're trying to enjoy your quiet, microwave-popcorny, rib-fueled getaway. Also, the elevators were a little… slow. But honestly? Those are minor quibbles. Nothing that would stop me from going back.
Would You Go Back to the TownePlace Suites Brentwood? And, More Importantly, Would YOU Recommend It?
Would I go back? Yeah, probably. It was a solid, reliable choice. Comfortable enough, convenient location, good price. Would I *recommend* it? Absolutely! If you're looking for a clean, reasonably priced place to stay in the St. Louis area, with easy access to the city and, of course, that glorious BBQ, then yes. I do recommend it. Just… pack some Wet Naps. And, whatever you do, try the ribs. You won't regret it. I still have cravings!
