Candlewood Suites Lake Mary by IHG

The bed was comfortable, and the sheets and towels seemed clean. Beyond that, I found the property well below average. The elevator area smelled like urine, the room had a strong masking scent, and traffic from the interstate came right through the window. Shower pressure on the third floor was extremely weak. The front doors don't open on their own, so guests have to pull them apart by following the printed signs. A couple of parking lot lights need maintenance, too. At night, the clerk stayed seated instead of greeting guests, and had customers reach for their own paperwork and room key. Those are just a few of the problems I noticed.

If you're on a tight budget, maybe, but I wouldn't recommend staying here otherwise. I chose it based on the photos, which was a mistake. My first room smelled awful, had a big hole in the carpet, and the bathroom was dirty from the floor to the toilet. The tub even looked like someone had just used it, and the sink was cracked in several places. I asked for another room, but found several strands of hair across the supposedly clean sheets. I left right away and went to Home2 by Hilton, where I could finally feel comfortable and at peace.

That quiet, winding drive in is a nice place to walk or run, and the highway behind the property gives off steady white noise that helps me sleep. Top Golf is nearby, too. The staff are wonderful, housekeeping is top-notch, and maintenance is good quality. It's a great option for a long stay. Like most extended-stay suites, the bathroom has no counter space for toiletries. There is a sturdy hook, though, where I can hang a foldout toiletry bag.

The free coffee is the one reason I'm giving this place two stars instead of one. There were so many problems it's hard to know where to start: the floors were extremely dirty, and the whole hotel had a strong moldy smell. For four days in a row, they couldn't provide Kleenex, saying they were out of stock. I don't understand how a hotel can be without such a basic item for that long.