Candlewood Suites Santa Maria by IHG

Having a little kitchenette in the room makes this sort of hotel feel like a home away from home. We boiled water in the pot for instant noodles, and honestly, nothing hits the spot more than instant noodles in a hotel while you’re traveling. :)

From the roomy rooms to all the amenities and friendly staff, this is easily the best hotel I’ve stayed at for the money. Candlewood, you nailed what travelers need in a hotel. I almost don’t want to post this because I’m worried so many people will discover it that it’ll be booked solid next time I come.

My one-bedroom suite had a comfortable bed and a clean kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, but the sofa needed some work. The rooms were very quiet. Housekeeping only comes at check-out, so even though I didn’t use it, don’t expect service during your stay. Maybe this place is set up more for longer visits. It also looked dated, without the bright, airy feel shown in the website pictures. There’s a free laundry area you can sign up to use, but you have to bring your own soap. The small convenience store is good. There’s a nearby strip of shops with fast food, but you’ll need to drive farther for a good sit-down restaurant. It’s just off the highway, in a handy spot between the coast and wine country. A good value for CA. No pool or hot tub, and the front desk staff were nice and helpful.

I had to live in this hotel from May until September with two dogs on palliative care and a one-year-old infant. I’ll never forget those months, or how little help I got from the staff. For most of my stay, the washing machines were broken, which made it almost impossible to keep up with basic daily cleanliness. Staff lied to me about the machines, making an already difficult situation worse, and they often ran out of things like dishwasher detergent. The service and comfort were the opposite of convenient. I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy. USAA, my insurance company, paid the hotel handsomely for my stay, but I didn’t receive the services I should have, and the hotel made things significantly worse instead of better. I took multiple notes and contacted the Better Business Bureau and the owner. I’ll always remember how I was treated, and I’ll always be available to talk about it.