- Odessa's BEST Hotel? SureStay Plus Review Will SHOCK You!
- Odessa's "BEST" Hotel? SureStay Plus Review Will SHOCK You! (Spoiler: It Depends)
- 1. So, what's this "SureStay Plus" place anyway? It SOUNDS promising... or is it?
- 2. The Location! Is it actually... in Odessa? And is it convenient? Because sometimes these places are out on the highway to nowhere.
- 3. Okay, the Room. The meat and potatoes of any hotel stay. What's the room really like? (Don't sugarcoat it.)
- 4. And The Bed? Because after a long day of... whatever you do in Odessa... a comfy bed is key!
- 5. Let's talk about the bathroom. The bathroom can make or break the experience. What's the deal there?
- 6. Breakfast? Free breakfast is a hotel staple! How's the free breakfast? (Be brutally honest)
- 7. The Staff - Are they helpful? Did they go above and beyond? Or did they just make you feel like you were interrupting them?
- 8. Okay, the REALLY important question: Is it clean? Like, actually clean? And what about the "smell"?
Odessa's BEST Hotel? SureStay Plus Review Will SHOCK You!
Odessa's "BEST" Hotel? SureStay Plus Review Will SHOCK You! (Spoiler: It Depends)
Okay, so I'm finally back from Odessa, and you know what that means: the inevitable hotel review. This trip was supposed to be all romance, exploring the Black Sea coast, you know, the works. But let's face it, the "works" often hinge on a decent place to crash, and after pouring over the options, the SureStay Plus by Best Western (let's just call it SureStay Odessa, for brevity) was, well, the "best" of a somewhat limited bunch. Now, "best" doesn't always mean "amazing," and trust me, this review is going to get real about that.
First Impressions (and the Lobby Drama!)
Walking in, it's…fine. Cleanish. Modern-ish. The lobby has a certain sterile gleam, like a freshly disinfected hospital waiting room. (Which, hey, given the current climate, maybe that's a good thing? More on that later.) The check-in was, thankfully, contactless – a small victory in a foreign land where the language barrier is REAL. And thank god for the elevator, because dragging my suitcase up multiple flights of stairs after a 12-hour travel day would have been a crime against humanity. (Accessibility? Check! Thank god for that.)
The Room: My Humble Abode (and its Quirks)
My room? Okay, here we go…
The Good: Free Wi-Fi! Yes! Free Wi-Fi available in every room! (I mean, it's 2024, but you’d be surprised how many places still charge extra for that essential service.) The bed was, I’ll admit, comfortable. Not five-star hotel comfortable, but hey, after a day navigating Odessa’s chaotic streets, anything that cradled my weary body was a win. Air conditioning? Praise be! Because Odessa in July is HOT. And the blackout curtains? Absolute lifesavers. Though, those were kind of too blackout, making it feel like I was sleeping in a soundproof tomb in the middle of the day. It's the little things… like is there a window or not???
The Not-So-Good: The "view" from my high-floor room (another plus, I thought initially) was… overlooking a less-than-picturesque part of the city. Okay, more like a grey, utilitarian parking lot. The decor? Functional, let's call it that. But the TV channels! Mostly local news and… well, let’s just say I couldn’t quite figure out the plot of the… uh… Ukrainian drama it was showing. (I could have used some on-demand movies for those late nights alone!)
The Minor Annoyances: The in-room safe box was tiny. Good luck trying to stuff your laptop in there. The coffee/tea maker was…well, it was there. But the coffee tasted suspiciously like dishwater. Complimentary tea? Nope. You get a complimentary packet of instant coffee, if you're lucky.
Cleanliness and Safety: Germaphobe Approved-ish
Okay, this is where SureStay Odessa really tries to impress. (And, honestly, it mostly succeeds.) They’re clearly obsessed with cleanliness. There were signs everywhere about their enhanced protocols:
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Yep.
- Rooms sanitized between stays? You betcha.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Absolutely.
- Staff trained in safety protocols? Definitely.
- Hand sanitizer? Everywhere!
- Individually-wrapped food options? Thank god!
They even had a doctor/nurse on call. I never needed one, but the sheer existence of that option was reassuring.
My room definitely felt clean, but the devil is in the details, right? The corners of the bathroom still had a little… patina. So, not perfection, but a solid effort. (And, I’m not going to lie, the knowledge that they were taking things seriously helped me relax.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Mixed Bag
The on-site restaurant…well, It’s a bit of a trip.
Breakfast: The Breakfast [buffet] was the highlight. A pretty decent array of options: Western breakfast, Asian Breakfast, International Cuisine. You could get a decent breakfast [buffet] with the usual suspects: eggs, sausage, pastries, yogurt. There was even a dedicated vegetarian restaurant corner, which was a nice touch. Although, the buffet was chaotic.
Lunch/Dinner: Let's just say, the quality dropped off considerably after breakfast. The menu was, shall we say, ambitious but ultimately lacked heart. Think "generic international cuisine" done somewhat blandly. Room service [24-hour]? Yes, but I suspect it all came from the same kitchen. The bar had a decent selection of drinks. The poolside bar? Not great, and not really worth the effort. I did spy a few people enjoying the pool with view, but I didn't want to compete with those that already were.
Overall: Coffee/tea in restaurant was available with a premium. There was no desserts in restaurant. There was happy hour but it never seemed to be very happy. There was no snack bar either. It was an okay experience. It was never a memorable experience.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Limited & Lacking Charm
Okay, the spa situation? Non-existent. Nada. Zilch. There's a Fitness center, but I didn’t dare venture inside. (Gyms in foreign countries are a gamble, you know?) No sauna, no steam room, no massage. Forget about a Spa/sauna. Just, a pool. That’s it. A swimming pool [outdoor], with a view of a parking lot. (I told you, it’s all context!)
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things Matter
- Internet access – wireless? Absolutely! Free Wi-Fi. A godsend!
- Cash withdrawal? Yes. Concierge? Yes, but they weren't particularly helpful. They seemed more interested in keeping things moving efficiently than offering actual insight.
- Dry cleaning, laundry service, and ironing service? Available, but a bit pricey.
- Elevator? Thank GOD.
- Daily housekeeping? Efficient, but not always thorough. (Back to those bathroom corners…)
- Safety deposit boxes? Yes. Always a good idea.
- Meeting/banquet facilities? Yes, if you're into that sort of thing.
- Business facilities? Present and accounted for, including Xerox/fax in business center.
Getting Around and Parking:
- Car park [free of charge]? Yes! Car park [on-site]? Also yes! So, if you’re driving, that’s a major bonus.
- Airport transfer? Yes, but I didn’t use it.
- Taxi service? Available, of course.
For the Kids:
- Family/child friendly? I didn’t spot many kids, but the hotel did have babysitting service!
The Verdict: The "Shocking" Truth
So, would I recommend SureStay Odessa? It’s complicated.
- The good: It's clean, safe (well, relatively), convenient, and the location isn’t terrible. The free Wi-Fi is a huge win. The accessibility is a plus.
- The bad: The ambiance is a bit sterile. The food is…meh. The amenities are lacking. It’s not romantic. It’s not particularly charming.
- The very honest truth: If you want a comfortable, clean, and safe base of operations in Odessa, and you're not expecting luxury or a memorable dining experience, then SureStay Plus is perfectly adequate. It’s a decent option. But don't expect to be shocked in a good way. Let's call it "functional." And sometimes, in the grand scheme of travel, functional is enough.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your sanitized, pre-packaged travel brochure itinerary. This is me, wrestling with the logistical beast that is a stay at the SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western in Odessa, Texas. Prepare for some serious realness.
The Great Odessa, TX Experiment: A SureStay Plus Odyssey
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Lobby
- 1:00 PM - Landing in Midland/Odessa Airport (MAF): Whew. Made it. The flight was bumpy, I'm pretty sure the guy next to me was judging my choice of airport snacks (pretzels, people, pretzels!), and now I'm standing on the tarmac, squinting at the vast expanse of Texas, thinking, "Okay, Odessa. Let's do this."
- 1:45 PM - Shuttle to SureStay Plus: Okay, the shuttle driver… bless his heart, he looked like he hadn’t slept since the Reagan administration. Radio blasting, but hey, at least he got me there.
- 2:15 PM - Check-in: The Gauntlet: Now, the lobby of this hotel… let's just say personality is present. The air conditioning is fighting a losing battle against the Texas heat, the carpet is a tapestry of questionable stains, and the faint aroma of chlorine and despair hangs in the air. The front desk clerk? Sweet as pie, trying to keep up with a million things. My room key didn’t work the first time. Classic.
- 2:45 PM - Room Reconnaissance (aka the Moment of Truth): Okay, here's where things get real. I open the door, and… well, let's just say the interior design budget appears to have disappeared into the desert. Beige. Beige everywhere. The bedspread is…well, let's be polite and say it's "functional". But you know what? There's a working TV, and a mini-fridge, and the AC is kinda doing its job. We're in business. (Emotional Reaction: Mild relief bordering on cautious optimism).
- 3:00 PM - Nap Time (needed ASAP): After a long day of travel, a nap is essential.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Reconnaissance (aka the Quest for Edible Sustenance): Right, time to find food. I'd heard whispers of a decent Mexican restaurant nearby called "Rosa's Cafe & Tortilla Factory". Crossing my fingers it's not a culinary wasteland.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at Rosa's Cafe & Tortilla Factory: This place was seriously buzzing! I got the enchiladas, which were honestly, pretty darn good. The salsa was flavorful, the tortillas were warm. Definitely a win. Odessa, you're not so bad after all. (Quirky Observation: The sheer speed at which those tortillas are being made! It's a tortilla-making factory floor, I swear.)
- 8:30 PM - Back to the Hotel, and the Evening TV Ritual: Now, for some chill time. The television keeps me company as I'm chilling after a long day.
Day 2: Oil Fields, Broken Dreams, and Breakfast Burritos (Oh My!)
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast at the Hotel (the Grim Reality): Hotel breakfasts. Let's be honest, it's a lottery. Today's offering: stale pastries, lukewarm coffee, and a vague attempt at scrambled eggs that probably started life as a powdered substance. I went for the danish. It was… edible. (Emotional Reaction: Sullen Ambivalence)
- 8:00 AM - Exploring Odessa (aka the "What is There to Do Here?" Factor): Okay, so I'm not going to lie, Odessa isn't exactly overflowing with tourist destinations. But apparently there's a thing called the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. I figured, hey, embrace the local culture, right?
- 9:00 AM - Permian Basin Petroleum Museum: Well, this was actually pretty fascinating. I learned way more about oil derricks and the history of the industry than I ever thought I would. The sheer scale of it all is impressive. Plus, I'm pretty sure I overheard a couple of seasoned oilmen discussing some serious business deals. I felt like a fly on the wall of a Texas-sized boardroom. (Quirky Observation: The gift shop had a surprisingly excellent selection of cowboy hats).
- 11:00 AM - Exploring Odessa (The Art Galleries): I decided to walk along a few streets for more sightseeing, and found a few art galleries nearby.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at a Local Diner: I found a classic old diner, the kind with the red vinyl booths and the waitress who calls everyone "honey." I got a burger and some fries, and it was perfect. Seriously, sometimes the simple things are the best.
- 1:30 PM - The Pool (or, Lack of Pool): Okay, so the online pictures promised a pool. I looked. There wasn't one. (Emotional Reaction: Subtle sadness. I really wanted a swim!).
- 2:00 PM - Room Rest: Back at the room. It's hot outside, and I'm a little fatigued from the exploration.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner: I heard they have a good Mexican restaurant on the other side of town.
Day 3: Departure and Reflections (Spoiler Alert: I Survived!)
- 7:00 AM - Hotel Breakfast Revisited: Coffee, danish…same old, same old.
- 8:00 AM - Check-out: Relatively painless. The front desk clerk was asleep on the job.
- 8:30 AM - Goodbye, Odessa: Heading back to the airport. The shuttle bus is late.
- 9:00 AM - Airport Delays and Final Thoughts: The flight is delayed. I'm looking out the window at the Texas landscape, reflecting. Odessa wasn't fancy, it wasn't glamorous, but it had a raw, authentic charm. The people were friendly, the food was pretty good, and I survived. And hey, the hotel, while not exactly luxurious, served a purpose. It offered a place to rest my weary head (and watch TV). (Emotional Reaction: A mix of amusement, a touch of gratitude, and a renewed appreciation for the comforts of home).
- 12:00 PM - Arrive back home
Final Verdict: The SureStay Plus in Odessa, TX? It's… an experience. It's a place. It's a starting point. It's not the Ritz, but it's got a certain character, a certain "Texas grit" that you can't find everywhere. Would I recommend it? Well, if you're looking for a budget-friendly base camp and don't mind a few quirks, then sure. Just pack your own coffee and lower your expectations… and maybe bring a good book (or two).
Luxury Al Eairy Apartments Dammam: Your Dream 7-Star Stay Awaits!
1. So, what's this "SureStay Plus" place anyway? It SOUNDS promising... or is it?
Okay, here's the deal. SureStay Plus is, on paper, supposed to be a step up from the regular SureStay. Think of it like... well, like paying extra for the "premium" burger that still tastes faintly of cardboard. It's *kinda* better, but not exactly mind-blowing. The signage outside? Shiny. The online photos? Carefully curated. The reality? Well, let's just say my expectations were... tempered. Let's just say, I saw the word "plus" and expected a spa, but got a sink so small I could barely wash my face.
2. The Location! Is it actually... in Odessa? And is it convenient? Because sometimes these places are out on the highway to nowhere.
Yes! It is, miraculously, actually *in* Odessa. Now, "convenient" is a subjective term. It's not *in* the bustling heart of downtown nightlife. (Because, let’s be honest, Odessa nightlife is probably... an experience.) But I would say that it's decent. It’s near the highway, which means it's easy to *get* to, which is… something. Close to restaurants? Well, close-ish. Remember, you're in Odessa. This ain’t the Ritz. It’s like... halfway between the highway and, ya know, civilization.
3. Okay, the Room. The meat and potatoes of any hotel stay. What's the room really like? (Don't sugarcoat it.)
Okay, deep breath. The room. Let's be honest here. It’s… functional. Think of it as a clean (I *think* it was clean) box with a bed, a TV (which may or may not have worked consistently), and the aforementioned tiny sink. My first impression? "Well, this isn’t as bad as that motel I stayed in during my college road trip." Which is… a low bar. The lighting was fluorescent and unforgiving. The decor screamed "budget motel, but with a slightly nicer paint job." And the air conditioning? Let's call it "sporadic." Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. Basically, you’re either freezing or sweating.
4. And The Bed? Because after a long day of... whatever you do in Odessa... a comfy bed is key!
Ah, the bed. My nemesis. Look, the mattress *looked* okay. Looked. And at first, fine! I slept. Then, the middle began to gently... give way. Like a slow-motion sinking into a marshmallow pit. The support, or lack thereof, left me contemplating the merits of sleeping on the floor. Then, the sheets. They felt like they had fought a war with a sandblaster. Like sleeping on sandpaper. After about the third night, I started getting a backache that felt personal, and I swear to God, the damn pillows were like bricks. Overall? The bed was the MOST disappointing part.
5. Let's talk about the bathroom. The bathroom can make or break the experience. What's the deal there?
Oh, the bathroom. Where the tiny sink makes its glorious debut. First of all, the water pressure in the shower was… anemic. Like a sad, little drizzle. Showering was less "cleansing" and more "dampening". The towels were… functional, but not plush. I swear, they’d seen better days. And the drain? Forget it. I had to time my showers carefully to avoid standing ankle-deep in lukewarm water and existential dread. But hey, at least there was hot water... most of the time. The shower curtain also had a mysterious stain on it, and I, a person who is usually non-plussed, found myself intensely curious about its origins.
6. Breakfast? Free breakfast is a hotel staple! How's the free breakfast? (Be brutally honest)
Oh, breakfast. Where the buffet dreams go to… well, not die, exactly. More like… exist in a state of quiet despair. Let's just say it was… adequate. There were the usual suspects: pre-packaged pastries (which may or may not have been stale), watery coffee, a waffle maker, and some sad-looking fruit. Then there was the cereal station. I swear to God, half the cereal boxes were empty. The other half? Probably close to the expiration date, and frankly, it all looked like it was put out by a person who wasn’t even TRYING. And the coffee… oh sweet Lord, the coffee. It tasted like it had been brewed with regret. The whole thing was a masterclass in the art of disappointment. But hey, it was free, so I ate it. Mostly.
7. The Staff - Are they helpful? Did they go above and beyond? Or did they just make you feel like you were interrupting them?
The staff… okay, this is going to be a mixed bag. Some of them were genuinely friendly and helpful. Others… well, let’s just say they seemed to be going through their own personal version of "Odessa hotel hell" and I wasn't sure how to help them or what to feel. I encountered a slightly grumpy woman at the front desk, who seemed more interested in watching her phone. I asked for extra towels and she, frankly, barely seemed pleased. But then, there was this one guy who, bless his heart, tried. He was always smiling, and he even tried to assist with the broken coffee machine at breakfast (which didn't work, despite his efforts). So yeah, the staff… it varied.
8. Okay, the REALLY important question: Is it clean? Like, actually clean? And what about the "smell"?
Okay… the cleaning. Ah, the existential dread of questioning the cleanliness of a hotel room. It *appeared* clean, mostly. No visible horrors. But I'm a bit of a germaphobe (and trust me, staying at this hotel didn't help) so I examined EVERYTHING with a suspicious eye. The floors seemed okay. The surfaces… hmmm. There was this lingering "something" though. A sort of vaguely chemical, vaguely… "old room" scent that just hung in the air. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn’t pleasant. It was the kind of smell that makes you question everything you know about sanitization practices. I brought my own Lysol spray. Trust me. You'll need it.
Where To Stay Now
