Candlewood Suites Mesa Phoenix East by IHG

The kitchenette was great, with cookware and utensils, which would be handy for a longer stay. There's no breakfast, but they do offer free laundry, which we didn't use. The room was clean and the bed was really comfortable. We only stayed one night and everything suited us. Just know they charge $3.25 for parking and put a $50 hold on your card for incidentals. It wasn't a problem, but paying the parking fee at check-in seemed strange.

I worked in the hotel and resort business for 13 years, built hotels from the ground up, and managed several at once, so I was disappointed by this property. I don't think it's even a year old, but the interior already looks like it's been open for years. The room had an amazing view, but needed work. There was no closet, just a floor basket with hangers and an iron. The bathroom floor and counters looked rough and dirty, though that came from the hotel build-out. The hall floors were very dirty and weren't vacuumed while we were there. The two front desk men and the maintenance guy stood out for great service. They were all very friendly and personable. There's only one coffee pot for the whole hotel, and it was broken one morning. They don't serve breakfast, which is fine given the full kitchen, but we had to go out to find coffee. The laundry machines were dirty inside, as was the floor. The washer took 90 minutes for a handful of items, and the dryer stopped before its 30-minute cycle ended. Parking was spacious and well lit, with food options across the street. I almost never leave a bad review, but with the current high-season rates I expected better.

The bathroom was roomy and the bedding was cozy. I was here three nights, though the place is meant for longer stays, and didn't need the kitchen, laundry, or in-room desk area. They look like they'd be useful. The clothing rack was flimsy and portable, and too short for full-length dresses. It seems to be a brand-new facility, so I'm giving them a little grace while they work out the kinks. I visit this area several times a year and will probably stay again if the price stays reasonable.

The hot tub worked well, and it was nice to have a beer there one evening. I was here for three nights in December 2025, for work meetings down the 202 and to visit snowbird family in Mesa. The hotel opened in summer 2025. It looked nice and was very clean during my stay, but it's unfinished. See the photo of the room closet: there are hangers but nowhere to hang clothes. Since it's a long-stay place, housekeeping is infrequent or by request, which worked fine for me as a solo traveler. The coffee machine didn't work, and there were no extra coffee packs for the machine in my room. I realize their order was delayed, but IHG's lease for these automatic grinders and brewers should include a next-day technician, especially in the PHX metro. They could've sourced room coffee packs from somewhere like Costco or Smart & Final. The room seemed like a good value when I booked, but next time I need to stay in the East Valley, I might try another nearby location.