Staybridge Suites Knoxville-West by IHG

The room was nice, and we loved the location. Our six-night stay was fine overall, but housekeeping didn’t come every day. For what we paid for a two-room suite, we shouldn’t have needed to ask for fresh towels and linens. The counters weren’t wiped down or the room vacuumed either.

The staff were friendly and helpful, from the front desk to the breakfast area, and the desk was open 24/7. I checked out at 2 AM. There was a snack corner by reception for drinks and snacks, plus free laundry, with detergent available to buy. Breakfast was included every day, with waffles, fried eggs, hash browns, sausage, biscuits, bread, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, coffee, and tea. The man working there was sweet and polite and kept everything tidy. Monday through Wednesday, the evening happy hour was excellent, and it was nice talking with other guests. For a week of work in Kingston, the stay was not bad, maybe 3.5 stars. The room was a good size and had an L-shaped sofa, though it was a bit dirty. There was a small cooking area with full-size utensils, which I used to make dinner every night. The bed was comfortable, and Dove shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion were provided. I could open the curtains all day and let the sun in because there were no obstructions. Soundproofing was good, and I didn’t hear much from the neighbors, though that may be because most residents were working class. The room had a retro feel, with birch-colored walls, a brown sofa, and yellow lights. On the fifth day, I noticed something stuck to the toilet bowl, but thankfully it still worked until I left. I also accidentally removed the tub plug and saw a lot of hair stuck at the drain opening. Disgusting.

The WiFi is absolutely awful. I just tested it and got 3Mbs download, and I can barely open YouTube, let alone play a video. I’d be embarrassed to offer customers coverage this poor. If they fixed it, I’d gladly stay for the rest of my time in Knoxville, but I can’t until then. I’ve stayed here a few times and haven’t had any issues with cleanliness, noise, or other annoyances. The only staff member I’ve dealt with is the guy who checked me in, and he’s top notch, cool and polite, and goes above and beyond. The place is nice apart from the WiFi.

I was in town for work for a week, and it was nice being able to come back, grab a drink and a snack, and not have to go back out. My room was clean, quiet, and comfortable, and breakfast was great each morning. The little lady who comes around for happy hour in the evenings is the sweetest. It was fun chatting with the other guests, and everyone seemed happy to be there. Can’t wait to stay again!