Candlewood Suites Bloomington - Normal, an IHG Hotel — Hotel in Normal

I call to set a reservation and the man working the front desk says that since I am only staying two days it is a certain rate. Fine that is ok with me. Then I find out that I will be staying there for over a month in the Normal area. While at work I call and get the same man who states that there are no rooms available and that I will have to check out and then return a few days later if I want to stay that long. Told him I would think about it. I show up a few hours later and go to reserve a room and a different man tells me that they have plenty of room and it is not an issue. Gets me a room. But says that he is not too sure of the rate since I will be there so long and to come back the next day. So when I go there it is the original man that tells me the rate. Ok fine if that is what it is. So I am there two weeks or so when I have other co-workers showing up. I told them to stay here as well. So they checked in and we decide to go have dinner. They tell me what their rate is and it is cheaper than mine. So I go ask the man for the same rate and he blows up that they are going to have to get their rate increased cause they told me. I explained that is not fair. But does not change my rate. So then I have another co-worker coming to town and I tell him to stay there as well. They give him the same rate as the other two. So then I go ask again that I get the same rate since I have been there the longest and told the other two to stay there as well. Finally they change it but will not credit me the days I have already stayed to the lower rate. Talk to three different people and then the manager finally decided to change it all to the same rate. During the stay they accidentally charged me 5900.00 dollars. My credit card company called and asked me if it was correct. So we put a stoppage on the payment. After work went to the hotel and asked them about it. The man at the front desk canceled the charge cleared the card off the account and told me to come back in the morning to make sure everything was ok. In the morning of course get two women at the desk who have no idea what happened. He did not leave a note. Explained to them what happened and they just said that never happened and that I do not have a credit card on file and need one cause I need to pay for the week. Are you kidding me! They actually told me that it never happened. Then say I need to pay. I feel like the one front desk guy was rude towards me the whole time and almost had it out for me in particular. Once all the issues were resolved then the staff was more than nice to me and would even call me by my first name. Which of course they learned over time with all the issues. But I really do not want to get to know the staff that way. Would rather do it in a friendly way not in a complaint way. To make matters worse in the last 9 months I have been in Candlewood Suites 6 months in 3 different cities. But that does not...

Felt I had received a good value in booking this room 6 weeks ahead of a work conference. The clerk was very friendly and helpful at check-in. Though the elevator was a little slow, the room was neat, clean, and well laid-out. There were places to sit, to eat, and to work (as a solo traveler); as well as a full sized refrigerator, a stove top, a coffee maker, and a microwave. (Thoughtful to leave coffee packets and a bag of microwave popcorn for the guest as well.)

The room was clean, but it was a little noisy. The inconsistent cycle hums of the refrigerator took some getting used to; as well as the various buzzes, beeps, clicks, and whooshes of the heating/cooling unit under the window. The bed was softer than I expected, but was able to adapt. There were adequate spaces on either side of the bed for medication, a book, a CPAP device, or other smaller bedside table needs.

Though there was wi-fi network available, I could not get my devices online trying to use it. (Hard to tell if it was a building wide problem, a device problem, or just my room...) Thankfully, they had many stations on the television as well as an option for a personal streaming device to be used. (I didn't; and seeing as how the wi-fi was working for me, am uncertain if it would've worked.

Having the refrigerator really did help as I was able to keep several cold drinks as well as keeping restaurant leftovers from spoiling. Being able to use the light on the microwave was a bonus as well.

Bathroom was also well positioned, featuring a solid handrail/handle to help step in and out of the tub. Water pressure in the shower was offset by a wider dispersal pattern that was still strong enough to get the soap and shampoo lathers off of me. The back corners had 3 surfaces on each side to put your own soap, shampoo, conditioners... The shower also had pump bottles of shampoos, conditioner, and body wash in the event that you forget yours... as well as handwash next to the sink... A little perfume-y to me, but still a thoughtful touch.

I did not use any of the other amenities offered by the hotel; but saw an exercise area and a lending area with other cooking devices, books, and board games that I may have looked into if I were staying with guests. I do feel the staff was friendly, and I wouldn't have been uncomfortable approaching them about this if I had had a use for anything.

Overall, it is a very good hotel for a 2-star category; and I would stay here again should I ever have reason to stay in the...

I've been staying at the Candlewood Bloomington for an average of 3 nights a week, nearly every week since January 2013 and so got a good sampling of the rooms. The property is relatively new; the corridors and rooms specious, light and very clean.

The rooms are pleasantly decorated and you can open the windows a bit, which is great as there is nothing like I like better than fresh air in a room. There are transparent as well as totally opaque curtains so you can enjoy natural sunlight while it's there, and block outside light, natural or artificial, for sleep. The thermostat controlled AC is quiet and adequate. The beds are very comfortable with a selection of pillows, from soft to dense which helps a lot. There is a comfortable armchair, and the flatscreen TV is attached to the wall feeing up space.

All rooms are equipped with a fully functional kitchen: Full size refrigerator, electric stove with 4 plates, dishwasher, microwave, toaster. free). The appliances as well as the dishes are always spotless clean. Toaster-ovens and electric grill as available upon request. The hotel is very close to Veterans Parkway, but far enough and very quiet. There are several large supermarkets and a Fresh Market in a walking distance. My preference is the Jewel because I can get packages in smaller quantities. There is also a small but fairly well equipped mini-store in the hotel. Free, clean and large washers and driers, a small but acceptable gym.

The free wireless has been recently upgraded - it is fast! The rooms are equipped with a comfortable multi-purpose dining-work space and there are ample outlets. The lighting is good. The bathroom is always spotless. This is important.

Last but most important: When you stay often in the same hotel you notice the small things such as consistency of service and hospitality - This is where the staff, which has been always welcoming, helpful and flexible since my first stay is really outstanding!!! Ana, Meghan, Dan and Tyler at the front desk; Matt, the operations manager; Amelia, the guest service manager; Denise, the director of sales and last but not least -- Whitney, the general...