Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Charlottesville

The staff made a difficult stay much better. Amanda, the front desk manager, helped me in so many ways, including sticking with me while I figured out the two-burner stovetop and moving me to another room when that one didn't work properly. The stove in the new room did work. Dean from maintenance kept trying to fix things, and Heather, the hotel manager, and everyone else I met treated me kindly, even with all the complaints they were dealing with. ESA Charlottesville is worth what the American Cancer Society pays because of its staff, plain and simple. I was there as part of a new program for cancer patients recovering from procedures at UVA Hospital (Emily Couric Cancer Center). American Cancer Society pays for up to twelve nights. ESA Charlottesville is still working through some issues. My room was lovely and the hotel is new, but the construction was shoddy. The accessible shower had no barrier, so water flooded the bathroom and room every night. Staff had to mop it up. Eventually, I was given a key to shower in a room across the hall while repairs were attempted. Even there, the shower doors slid open and water got onto the floor, though it wasn't a flood. Cancer patients get pots and pans, and you can request an ice cube tray if you need to make an ice pack. I suggested adding things like a heating pad and toaster oven, and hope they can provide them for future patients. Recovery already means packing a lot, so anything the hotel can supply saves patients from hauling it in from the car. You can also bring your dog. I didn't, but kind of wish I had.

The room was clean and dog friendly, and the front desk staff were kind and helpful. Our smart TV had trouble the first evening, but they got it connected the next day. No real issues, and we'd stay again. 👍🐶

The location is handy for groceries, gas, food, shopping, and other needs. Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, a car wash, Wawa, Sheetz, and Charlottesville Airport are just minutes away. UVA is about 30 minutes away. I stayed 24 nights, January 7-31/2026, in a first-floor Standard Studio with one queen bed, non-smoking. I paid $2,731.70 through Booking.com. This newly built, pet-friendly hotel opened in May 2025. The place is clean and modern, and the staff were wonderful, friendly, and professional. The rooms have no carpet, which I liked because it feels cleaner. It was semi-quiet, and I saw no signs of mold with the bathroom exhaust fan running 24/7. My studio was small and compact but functional for a solo traveler on a short stay. It could feel tight for a couple, family, or longer visit. The queen bed was uncomfortable and squeezed between a wall on one side and a chair on the other, making it hard to get in and out. I'd book a room with two queen beds instead. The bathroom was spacious, with a walk-in shower and wide doorways into both the bathroom and room, but it needs a shower grab bar for safety. The white appliances were clean and modern, and the deep kitchen sink was large. No stainless steel appliances to show fingerprints. Some choices felt more budget-minded than “premier”: a small wall-mounted nightstand mostly occupied by the lamp base, no dishwasher, no peephole cover, limited soundproofing, and a lower-quality bed. There is a large laundry room on site, a small gym, limited lobby seating, and well-priced vending machine snacks. Breakfast is free and grab-and-go with prepackaged snacks, not a full hot meal. Coffee is available 24/7. Rates can be good, especially through third-party sites like Booking.com, where I saw $99. Full payment for the whole stay was due at check-in. Prices on the Extended Stay America site were noticeably higher, particularly compared with similar area brands like Hilton, Marriott, and IHG, which have larger rooms and many more amenities. It's a basic budget extended-stay hotel, with no patio or pool. I've stayed in older extended-stay hotels that were 6-15 years old, and this one being new is a plus.

The elevator problem and the long delays set the tone for a terrible stay. Two of my associates got stuck in the elevator, then used the stairs for the rest of the trip because they were afraid of getting trapped again. One associate arrived just after 9pm and didn't get a room until 12:30am. I had booked five rooms for Oct. 11th, 2025. The computer system was apparently down, and check-in took two hours. When my husband and I entered the room assigned to us, someone else's luggage was inside. We waited another hour for a different room, which was poorly cleaned; my son had to clean the bathtub. An associate also found clumps of dirt on their floor. We were told the rooms would be discounted and the latest check-in would be comped, but my card was charged in full. When I called, they said each person needed to call individually to ask for a discount, even though I booked all the rooms and paid with my card. They promised to contact me within a week. It's now been two weeks, and I haven't heard anything. I waited to post this review. The only pleasant people were the young woman and man at the front desk trying to get guests checked in while the system was down and management was ineffective. If the managers were really managing, they wouldn't have left those employees to handle such a huge breakdown alone. In the morning, a different front desk worker yelled at a customer for making coffee while a lobby full of guests waited for a grab-and-go breakfast that wasn't available to everyone. After the night we'd all had, there was no reason to humiliate someone who was trying to help. Even if the night had gone perfectly, a simple explanation would have been enough. The customer apologized repeatedly, while others thanked her for making coffee that should already have been ready. It was a horrendous experience, and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for good service. If I ever get a resolution, I'll update this review.