Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Lakeland - I-4

The pool and grab-and-go breakfast were great, and the room was nice. The couch was peeling a bit, but after what we'd dealt with at another motel, that didn't bother me. There's laundry on site and a vending machine, both handy. We'd had a bad experience at a motel in Auburndale and were desperate to find somewhere to finish our work time in Florida. I loved this place. I probably won't return to Florida, but if you're in the area, I recommend it.

Check-in was quick, and the lobby and hotel looked clean and inviting. The room was another story. The AC blew a strong smell through the vents, so we turned it off and cracked the windows because the weather was cooler. The carpets felt dirty, and the bathroom door wouldn't shut or latch. We booked for six people but got just one extra pillow and one blanket. The kitchen had completely empty cabinets, so we had to ask for supplies. People smoking cigarettes and marijuana by the entrances and next to the pool made it unpleasant to be outside there with kids. I wouldn't recommend staying here.

The rooms are a bit dated, but they were clean, which matters more to me. Everything in ours worked fine. The staff were the best part of the stay, always friendly and helpful. The building, breakfast areas, and pool were all kept clean. It's close to restaurants and stores, just off I-4. I'd come back and recommend it to others.

I had a fourth-floor room booked for three weeks, but left a week early because I couldn't keep going up and down the stairs. The elevator broke after a few days, and the staff didn't seem to care.