Candlewood Suites Raleigh Crabtree by IHG — Attraction in Raleigh

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Candlewood Suites near Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh for 28 nights, and I can confidently say it was an overall excellent experience. From the moment I checked in, I felt welcomed and well taken care of, making my extended stay much more enjoyable than I initially anticipated.

Accommodations The room itself was spacious, clean, and well-appointed. I appreciated the fully equipped kitchen, which included a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and all the necessary utensils. This feature was particularly helpful as I could prepare my own meals, saving both time and money during my long stay. The comfortable bed and ample storage space made settling in easy, allowing me to feel at home.

Staff One of the standout features of my stay was the staff. They were friendly, professional, and always ready to assist. Whether I had a question about local attractions or needed help with laundry, they were just a phone call away. The warm, inviting atmosphere created by the team at Candlewood Suites truly enhanced my experience.

Laundry Facility The laundry facility was a highlight for me. Having access to free laundry services was incredibly convenient and saved me from the hassle of finding a laundromat. The machines were well-maintained, and I never had to wait for a washer or dryer. This amenity is a significant plus for anyone considering an extended stay, as it allowed me to keep my clothes fresh without interrupting my routine.

Areas for Improvement While my experience was largely positive, there are a couple of areas where I believe Candlewood Suites could enhance the guest experience further. Firstly, updating the TV in the room to include streaming apps such as YouTube, Netflix, and others would be a fantastic addition. Many travelers enjoy unwinding in front of a screen after a long day, and the ability to access their favorite shows and movies would greatly enrich their stay.

Secondly, I would recommend implementing a housekeeping service at least every three days. While I appreciated the option to forgo daily cleaning for the sake of privacy and convenience, a more regular housekeeping schedule would help maintain cleanliness and refresh supplies like towels and toiletries. It would also provide peace of mind, knowing that the room is being attended to regularly.

Location The location of Candlewood Suites is another significant advantage. Situated near Crabtree Valley Mall, guests have easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual meal or a fine dining experience, there are plenty of choices nearby. Additionally, the proximity to major highways made it easy for me to explore other parts of Raleigh and the surrounding area.

Overall Experience In summary, my 28-night stay at Candlewood Suites near Crabtree Valley Mall was incredibly positive. The combination of comfortable accommodations, helpful staff, and convenient amenities like the laundry facility made my time there enjoyable. While there are a couple of areas for improvement—specifically the need for updated TV options and more frequent housekeeping—the overall experience was highly satisfactory.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Raleigh, especially for an extended period, I wholeheartedly recommend Candlewood Suites. It strikes a good balance between comfort and convenience, making it an excellent choice for both business and leisure travelers. I look forward to returning on my next...

Checkin: Arrived after 11pm. Reservation found but business credit card not on file. Required to run personal credit card for $680 instead of waiting to handle the situation in am. Wheeled cart too small, made several trips from car to 3rd floor. Elevator out twice, once before flying home-had to carry 3 large suitcases down 3 flights of stairs. Second time was after a weekend trip-had to carry 2 large suitcases and several bags up to 3rd floor. Lost count of how many times I got to my room and key did not work. Very frustrating to have to go back downstairs for replacement. Kitchen not stocked with essentials. Only 2 forks, 1 spoon and a butter knife. Had to purchase necessary items such as silverware, kitchen knives, cutting board, plates, bowls, cups. Upon arrival icemaker turned off in room and no ice. I understand the policy, however, no ice machine on premise. Had to wait for ice to be made. Bathroom was DIRTY! Vent full of dust. Numerous black hairs above doorway threshold in bathroom upon arrival. Left note for housekeeping to please wipe down but request ignored. Still there. Shower curtain too short with rod curved out. Soaked the floor and several towels before purchasing a cheap longer curtain. Response from staff “the curtain goes in the tub”. Oh really?!?! 🤦🏼‍♀️ Upon check in, toilet dirty with black splash stain around rim. Request for cleaning. Not cleaned after 1st week therefore, had to buy my own cleaning supplies and do it myself. Only given 1 roll of toilet paper/week. Requested more from housekeeping. Stated “there’s none on this floor but we will make a note”, request ignored. After second request, I purchased my own. Wash clothes not replaced during weekly clean. After requesting replacements, housekeeping stated “none are available at this time. There’s an issue with laundry”. Requested 2nd time at front desk but told I had to exchange dirty linens for clean ones. Explained the situation and was given 2 wash clothes for the week. Floors not mopped during weekly clean. Only vacuumed open area but not around nightstand/chairs/other furniture. Housekeeping staff not flexible with cleaning time. Not everyone works during the day and sleeps at night. After knocking on door at 9am, I requested for her to come back after 2pm at which time I would be out. She knocked again at 1:40pm. I told her I would be leaving within next 1/2 hr. Another knock at 2pm, informed her I needed to make my lunch and I’d be out. At 2:05pm her supervisor knocked on the door and rudely stated “she needs to clean your room now or wait until next week when we can get to it”. Room not cleaned the week of Thanksgiving. Asked housekeeping to have towels restocked and paper products replaced until then. Pretended not to understand English so I had to hunt down linen/supply cart for replacements. Several working washing machines but only 2 working dryers. Slow to repair. Not notified of mail or package deliveries. Staff had to look through piles of old mail/pkgs daily for new arrivals. Thin walls no privacy. Able to hear full conversations coming from individual rooms when walking...

The consumer friendly amenities this hotel hotels is quite awesome. COVID precautions are evident begin at the checkout. There is a hand washing at the checkin desk. The customer service representative courteous. Use room key for entrance after 11p. The front entrance is the only access to the rooms, except the emergency stairwells. There is a clean bathroom noted in the lobby area- the clerk was exhibited positive communication skills by speaking clearly and on eye level. The one bedroom suite offered a full-size kitchen with dishwasher, dishes, two eye flat top stove linens, coffee maker- a decaff and regular coffee pak. The refrigerator makes ice readily. In the bathroom- bath products. Towels. wash clothes all available. This suite could be an accessible offering. It has bars to be used when using the toilet or low step down tub. Spacious dresser drawers and closet space. Things I need and would want in an accommodation is offered. The suite very clean. This is so an extended stay facility. The location is convenient to travelers on #70, #50 highway and the Raleigh/ Durham 540 and 440 byways Conveniently placed for travel to the RTP. A mall offering many stores is nearby as different choicest eateries. Easy travel to Major Trauma Centers.This hotel will be my choice for accommodation when I’m in this area. I requested an accessible- first floor room and Close to the elevator- no requests granted. I was told -even making reservations about six weeks prior. There is a fitness/ washing machine and dryer located on the first floor. The property itself is nestled off the road surrounded by some beautiful trees...