Budget Suites of America — Hotel in Irving

Greetings,||||I am writing on behalf of myself, Donna Davis and my family - Texas residents who reside at a local Budget Suites. The following information I am submitting is in regard to Budget Suites and a series of incidents in which I feel should be not only highlighted but with actions taken.||||On March 6, 2020 - I emailed management with several concerns, one expressively pertaining to the mold in my unit. It is my belief that a place of residence is responsible for the upkeep of sanitary conditions; however, mold is a repeated offense. As I addressed this concern in my email - I stated the following, ||||“Mold Concern: I was also addressed about the mold that grows in the window seals. This is the second unit I’ve been in, and as far as I can remember - the units themselves are prone to grow thick mold. We were told to clean this ourselves with bleach. However, to my understanding that should be the responsibility of professional staff here. It was well noted also that we were trying to keep the mold and mildew controlled in the shower tiles, along with the fact that the shower tiles are weak and breaking. I have two concerns: a) If it’s the responsibility of the property to maintain sanitary and livable conditions (required by law) and it’s understood that because of the structure of the complex (the position of the air conditioner as stated by management) mold is inevitably going to grow - why is it not a mandatory concern for maintenance each month? b) Secondly, bleach is just as hazardous to respiratory health as mold is; we use toxic-free cleaning supplies therefore IF you decide to take responsibility for the mold problem at hand - please give notice enough for us to vacate the unit so that we are not placed in the atmosphere of toxic chemicals. If fumes will be present for longer than 8 hours, (and therefore hazardous to our health) please make accommodations in regards to our housing options. Thank you in advance.”||||I did not receive any response to this email; note - I have several emails that I have sent over the past few months and management has never responded directly to the email - instead, I have received a phone call or an unannounced visit to the apartment unit. ||||On this day, March 6, 2020, at approximately 5:51 pm - I received a missed call and then voicemail from manager Scott Sharr, to return his phone call. I returned his phone call in anticipation of a response to my email. Instead, Sharr informed me that their maintenance man had entered the apartment unit - without prior permission - to “treat the mold” and my family’s pet companion, Noah, “escaped.” He continued his statement by saying that Noah was chased after and then ultimately hit by a car. My husband and I were minutes away from the complex and rushed home. When we made it, our companion dog was laid in their chair, in a t-shirt with blood on it. He was unresponsive. ||||I am writing this review to bring exposure to this incident for many reasons. Over the past several months, I have made contact with local and regional offices concerning customer service and management issues. To date, I have no response for anyone other than the office manager at the site. We have, over the last several months, experienced harassment, threats, and even had our doors unlawfully locked! ||||I feel as though the property managers feel completely alleviated from responsibility, and as a result of their negligence and disregard for us as residents, my family (husband and three children) and extended family (mother in law, father in law, and brother in law) are grieving the loss of a what we considered a family member at the expense of Budget Suites. Scott Sharr verbally said that they (Budget Suites) have the right to enter our unit whenever they desire. I asked him to provide me with the policy on paper as proof and his only response was that he would find it. However, this is not the policy that we signed and have initials on. Further than that, we asked to see the footage from their cameras to verify the account of what happened to Noah and were instantly denied. We were told it would need to be requested by the manager himself.||||My children are in emotional distress and hurting severely; showing extreme signs of post-traumatic stress and grief. As homeschooled children, Noah was a part of their morning and daily routine. He was, in their eyes, their protector, their brother, their friend. They are now uncomfortable in the home that my husband and I have tried to provide for them, in tears even walking to the door to enter because they won’t hear Noah’s alerting bark. As parents, we are concerned with our safety here and the lack of respect and responsibility to respect our privacy. What if my two daughters would have been home upon forced entry and the maintenance had caused harm to them? What if my private property had been stolen? There was no excuse to enter into the apartment and per the email - I specifically stated a request to be notified.||||These managers and this company have a comfortable attitude in neglecting their responsibilities for safe and sanitary conditions. Not only that, for six months, I went without a fully working stove, and have documented proof of that. Just as well, a bordering neighbor requested a new carpet and was accommodated almost immediately. The business advertises a laundry facility, however, the washers do not clean the clothes, and the dryers do not fully work. We have been forced for months to simply choose to travel an extra ten minutes to have well-working laundry machines. When directed to be reimbursed, we do not see this reimbursement - which is a rip off because the machines are not free! These are simple, yet significant examples of the magnitude of this problem and why I feel as though awareness needs to be made to this establishment. Though we are grieving severely at the loss of our companion Noah, we want to make sure no other family suffers what we feel at this moment. No other family should have to endure what we...

This hotel has gotten a bad wrap from a few reviewers and rightfully so, due to the fact that someone that has not had a lengthy stay has written a review... Hopefully I can fill in a ton of blanks for future travelers.||Well I actually lived in this hotel for an entire three months (For business). ||First I will explain the location , because you will not find the correct "inner city" That this hotel is located in on trip advisor. The actual location of this hotel is in a small city called "LAS COLINAS:||Las Colinas is a 12,000-acre master-planned development located within the city of Irving. Founded in 1972 by Ben Carpenter, the area was known only 40 years ago as El Ranchito de Las Colinas, "the little ranch of the hills," and served as a weekend getaway for the Carpenter family. Today, Las Colinas is a model of visionary planning and the envy of cities and developers around the world.||||Located only a short 15 minute drive to downtown Dallas, 15 minutes to North Dallas and 20 minutes to downtown Fort Worth, Las Colinas’ central location positions it as one of the most convenient areas to reach from anywhere in North Texas. And its proximity to two major airport hubs, immediately adjacent to DFW Airport and only ten minutes from Love Field, makes it easily accessible from both coasts and within a three and a half hour flight from anywhere in the country. The recent completion of the Orange Line now provides a direct connection to Las Colinas with both downtown Dallas and DFW Airport and other points throughout the region.||||With an urban center boasting more than 2,000 corporations and 400 corporate headquarters, including the global headquarters of multiple Fortune 500 and 100 companies, it is one of the country’s preeminent corporate addresses. In addition to blue chip corporate neighbors, Las Colinas is home to one of Texas’ top-rated resorts, the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, as well as the PGA Tour’s AT&T Byron Nelson Championship.||||A true live, work, play environment, there are 56 small lakes and water amenities throughout the development, jogging trails, public and private parks, museums, colleges, hospitals, country clubs, and cultural and recreational institutions. Northlake College, the University of Dallas and the Las Colinas Medical Center have all established campuses and several museums including the Irving Arts Center and the National Scouting Museum are located nearby.||||The 125-acre man-made Lake Carolyn is located at the core of the urban center and is a true town lake. The Mandalay Canals, unique system of Venetian style canals, flank one side of Lake Carolyn and meander through the nearby offices, shops, restaurants and residential areas.||||Now... All of the aforementioned being said, I will continue my review:||This hotel will be the cheapest and most secure location that you will stay in , within this area (All things considered)|| PLEASE UNDERSTAND: This establishment mostly houses long term tenants/residents. Don't worry! I highly doubt you will see any drifters wandering around causing problems. They do a background check on anyone that lives,visits or rents a room here. If you have someone come and visit you for more than a couple of hours, they will need to get a parking pass from the office, along with showing their photo ID, If the person does not want their vehicle towed. ||They do not take too kindly for having random people entering/leaving this property.... ||||I had no trouble while I was here. The living area has a pull out couch, table, television, which is an open area to the kitchen that has an oven,full sized refrigerator. The bedroom is spacious and there is an opening to see directly into the living area... ||Pets are allowed, but there is a fee. The property does have security along with cameras.||||To be honest, If you were working for one of the companies within Las Colinas for an extended period of time, I would take a look into this property. The property is right off the major highways as well... Leaving the property and you will find a Walgreens/CVS (I can't remember which one was there) @ the end of the street. This street is the main road to get around in Las Colinas/ Irving(Dallas). ||In ending: This establishment is well priced (Considering the area/location), rooms are clean and staff members are professional (Some are a little off kilter, but its easy to make them smile!)||FYI:||It is Virtually impossible to get a room on the first floor, due to long term residence living in...

Not Really A Hotel - See My Review

Pros:

Desirable location in a walkable neighborhood near hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, national and local businesses, parks, etc. An Orange Line DART rail station is close by and only a few stops from DFW airport and UTD and not too far from major Irving venues and downtown Dallas. Easy move in with a background pass without credit or rental history check and possible same day move in. Furnished 1 and 2 bedrooms available. A lot of long term residents and a pet friendly property. The property is maintained with trimmed shrubbery and grass and pickup of litter in parking lots. Most office staff are friendly and helpful and the office is open until 9 pm. This property's rent is on par with nearby studio/1 bedroom apartments (currently around $1300 - $1500 mo.) and includes electric, water, trash, local phone use, and cable with HBO channels. Wi-Fi is available for $7.50 per week. Monthly rates are cheaper than some other nearby extended stay properties albeit this property is not remodeled. Pool and hot tub for summer time use.

Cons

People walk around the property a lot during late hours and trash (i.e. fast food bags and debris, beverage bottles and cans) is often thrown on the grounds. Some individuals blast loud music and hang out talking loudly at late hours. There is little security presence on the grounds. Google reviews show this company's tenants often mention crime including drug dealing, theft, car break ins, prostitution, assaults and even murders on BSA properties. There are also several lawsuits against BSA including one for failure to notice and report the 2023 Allen Premium Outlet shooter (a BSA Empire Central resident) while he was transporting and assembling his weapons arsenal. Dated units with basic, older appliances and furniture. Towels, sheets, a shower curtain, dishware and cookware are not provided . There is no house cleaning service offered and the breeze ways are not checked routinely for trash and debris. Windows have vertical blinds without curtains. The bathroom was not well cleaned and carpet and couches were not cleaned either. The aged bathtub has patches of paint to likely cover rust. No kitchen counter space and very limited cabinet space. You're charged extra for a flat screen and microwave totaling over $70 per month and the available property Wi-Fi only covers 1 device for $30 a month. Noticable roaches after a few days; so spray for insects and check for bed bugs before moving in. Appliances, furniture and finishes are dated. Units are small with very limited closet space and no extra storage, no elevator, gym or other amenities besides a seasonal pool and hot tub. There is also no 24 hour or emergency overnight service and the office closes at 9 pm.

Finally, neither Pro or Con (depending on the individual); oddly there are many children living here and some are very loud and noisy during after school and weekend play. Seems most residents are blue collar and lower/limited income persons (including many seniors) and include a lot of chain smokers who leave cigarette butts all around.

This property is more for a long term stay than a short, comfortable stint. If you're looking for that find other accommodations. If you're looking for a modern, clean and well maintained property with professional type guests/residents, amenities, detest noisy children, don't want a lower class living environment, and want an onsite security presence; this property is not for you.

In summary, weigh the pros and cons and know BSA is a lower quality property and not ideal for a short stay. In an otherwise nice neighborhood, this property's environment has more of a projects/trailer park vibe and has the accompanying noise, litter and crime. Look elsewhere if possible and believe the realistic reviews. Take the 5 star reviews (many w/o comments) with a grain of salt; they're either fake or posted by those who've lived in a deprived...