Candlewood Suites Safety Harbor - Clearwater NE by IHG

There wasn't much to show for the price. The furniture and decor were old, and parking was shared with the shopping center. They told us about the broken elevators only after we'd booked. At least the building has just three floors, though I was on the third. No breakfast was served.

We slept comfortably, and the staff were very friendly and went out of their way to help. We had an excellent suite, and they let us use the dryer for our bathing suits. The elevator was broken while they waited for a part to be shipped in, which wasn't their fault. The one real downside was how long we had to wait for hot water.

I booked four nights over New Year's Eve for my grandparents, but they arrived to find the only room available was on the third floor and the elevator wasn't working. My grandfather uses a walker and can't climb stairs. The hotel said they'd called to warn me, but I had no missed calls or emails. When I spoke with the manager, Kelly, she said the website had a note about the elevator being out of service, which also wasn't true. They showed no concern about leaving an 80-year-old and an 85-year-old couple with mobility limits without a room they could use on New Year's Eve. They kept saying there was nothing they could do. Kelly was extremely unhelpful and even laughed while I tried to find a solution for my grandparents, who also have a language barrier. The disregard, lack of empathy and unprofessional behavior were shocking and unacceptable.

The desk staff were the best part of our trip. There's a kitchenette, a full-size fridge and free laundry, so this seems better suited to people staying longer. At this price, I expected continental breakfast. The elevator doesn't work, which also makes the four balcony rooms difficult to use. Don't spend extra on a king suite with a balcony, since it just looks out at trees behind the property.