Fort Walton Beach's BEST Extended Stay? (Select Suites Review!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into the murky, glorious, and sometimes slightly-off-kilter world of extended stays at Select Suites in Fort Walton Beach. Forget the glossy brochure promises, I'm going to give you the REAL scoop – the gritty, the glamorous and the questionable. Let's do this.
Fort Walton Beach's BEST Extended Stay? (Select Suites Review!) – The Honest Truth
First off, SEO. That's what you're here for, right? So, here we go: Extended Stay Fort Walton Beach, FWB Hotels, Select Suites Review, Long Term Stay, Beachfront Hotels, Pet Friendly Hotels, Wheelchair Accessible Hotels, Free Wi-Fi, Kitchenette Hotels, Condo Style Hotels. Got it? Good. Now, let's actually talk about the place.
Accessibility – Bless Their Hearts (Mostly)
Okay, listen. I'm not using a wheelchair, but I'm always keeping accessibility in mind because, you know, life happens. And Select Suites? They try. The elevators work! That's HUGE for folks. The hallways seem wide enough alright. I saw a couple of guests with mobility aids navigating around, and they didn't look like they were fighting a losing battle. Didn't see a massive ramp of doom or anything, but it's not something that screams "perfectly accessible." I'd recommend calling ahead and asking specific questions about the room you're booking. They do have Facilities for disabled guests, which is a plus, but the details, you know, specifics are important.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges – Ummm…
Okay, so, Select Suites doesn’t have a restaurant or lounge on-site. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Which, honestly, for an extended stay, is a bit of a bummer. The good news? The beach is right there, so you can theoretically pack your own picnic and enjoy ocean views. That's the upside, right? No navigating a crowded restaurant if you don’t want to.
Internet Access – Praise the Wi-Fi Gods!
FREE Wi-Fi in all rooms. YES. Hallelujah! Because seriously, in this day and age, trying to work or even just stream your favorite show on a crappy, expensive Wi-Fi connection is a form of torture. Select Suites delivers on this front. The speeds seemed decent. I didn't experience any major buffering disasters. Thank the internet gods. There's also Internet [LAN], but honestly, who uses that anymore?
Cleanliness and Safety – The Sanitizing Crusade
Alright, let's get real. COVID-19 happened. Select Suites seems to be taking safety seriously. They tout “Anti-viral cleaning products,” “Daily disinfection in common areas,” “Rooms sanitized between stays,” and “Staff trained in safety protocol.” I saw the staff members wiping down surfaces. Did they have a hazmat suit on? No. But they were wearing masks, and it felt like they were making an effort. I noticed Hand sanitizer dispensers around, too. They also offer “Room sanitization opt-out available,” which is cool, because hey, some of us are more comfortable with the germ-y realities of life.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Kitchenette Gambit
Okay, so no on-site dining, we covered that. But… this IS an extended stay, baby! The rooms have little kitchenettes. Mini-fridges, microwaves, stoves (sometimes – double-check!), and enough counter space to… well, attempt to cook something. Look, I’m no chef. But the fact that you can buy groceries and actually store them? HUGE. My advice? Bring your own seasoning and a few non-stick pans. The provided stuff might be…basic.
- Breakfast in Room: Not exactly a provided service, but consider the kitchenette. You can make your own!
- Alternative meal arrangement: The kitchenette again!
- Essential Condiments: It’s up to you.
- Food Delivery: Yup – they have a list of local delivery options waiting for you.
Services and Conveniences – The Unexpected Perks
Here's where Select Suites kinda shines.
- Daily Housekeeping: Yes, please! Especially on a longer stay, the thought of making your own bed after a week is just… depressing.
- Elevator: See above
- Concierge: They have one, but it is dependent on staff availability, but hey, the front desk is there 24/7.
- Laundry Service: Yup! Essential for extended stays.
- Car Park [free of charge]: Free parking! That's gold in FWB.
- Cash withdrawal: If you need it.
- Dry Cleaning: Yup.
- Doorman: Depending on availability.
- Luggage storage: They have a spot for it.
For the Kids – The Family Factor
Okay, so I didn't have a kid, but I saw a few families. Select Suites is definitely family-friendly.
- Family/child friendly: The rooms seemed pretty spacious, ideal for corralling toddlers.
- Babysitting service: Well, that's actually not stated.
Available in all rooms
- Air conditioning: Thank goodness!
- Alarm clock: If you remember how to operate it.
- Bathroom phone: Okay, a little old-school, but there nonetheless.
- Bathrobes: Not sure.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for those sunshine-filled FWB mornings.
- Carpeting: Yes.
- Closet: Plenty of storage for suitcases and all your clothes.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes!
- Complimentary tea: Yes, a few tea bags.
- Daily housekeeping: See above!
- Desk: Yup, a good workspace.
- Extra long bed: Well, it's a bed. Maybe.
- Free bottled water: Maybe?
- Hair dryer: Yes.
- High floor: It's not a skyscraper, but there are rooms on higher floors.
- In-room safe box: Good for valuables.
- Internet access – LAN & Internet access – wireless: Well, duh.
- Ironing facilities: Yes, bless their hearts.
- Laptop workspace: Desk.
- Linens: Yes.
- Mini bar: No, but fridge.
- Mirror: Yup.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- On-demand movies: Often.
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Reading light: Thank you for that.
- Refrigerator: Essential.
- Safety/security feature: Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels: Yes.
- Scale: For when you need to face the music after those buffet meals.
- Seating area: Yes.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Depends on the room.
- Shower: See above.
- Slippers: Nah.
- Smoke detector: Essential.
- Socket near the bed: Yes, and very important!
- Sofa: Some rooms.
- Soundproofing: Mixed results.
- Telephone: Yeah, landlines.
- Toiletries: Basic.
- Towels: Yes.
- Umbrella: They better.
- Visual alarm: Probably.
- Wake-up service: They'll likely wake you up.
- Wi-Fi [free]: YES!
- Window that opens: Not all. Check.
Getting Around – Location, Location, Location
- Airport transfer: Not mentioned.
- Bicycle parking: Probably.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yup.
- Car park [on-site]: Yes.
- Car power charging station: Unclear.
- Taxi service: Sure.
- Valet parking: No, but free parking!
The One Experience That Stood Out (and the Messy Rambling that Followed)
Okay, here’s where it gets personal. I booked a room with a balcony overlooking the pool. I pictured myself, book in hand, sipping coffee, the gentle Gulf breeze…etc., etc.. The reality? The balcony was TINY. I mean, tiny. One chair barely fit. The view? Mostly other rooms. The "gentle breeze"? Was there at times, yes, but it was hard to catch. I did get to watch a kid launch a beach ball into the pool from the balcony below. Success!
And that's when I realized something. Select Suites isn't about opulent luxury. It's about practicality. It's about a decent base of operations. It's a slightly messy, a bit of a work-in-progress, extended-stay location. But, with free Wi-Fi, a kitchenette, and, let's be honest, a relatively good
Unbelievable Asanjo Villa: Your Kolvan, India Escape Awaits!
Okay, buckle up Buttercup, because this ain't no pristine, laminated itinerary. This is the truth. The whole truth. And nothing but the truth… as I remember it, anyway. We're talking Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Extended Stay America Select Suites. Let's get messy.
Itinerary: Fort Walton Beach - The Unfiltered Edition
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Fridge-Gate (aka, Welcome to Chaos)
Time: Around 3 PM (ish, give or take. I'm notoriously bad with time zones, especially after a flight)
Event: Arrive at Extended Stay America. Okay, expectations: low. My luggage, however, seem to have taken on a life of their own, dragging me towards the front desk.
The Rundown: The lobby…it was kind of drab, but hey, at least there was a vaguely floral scent, masking, I suspect, the ghosts of a thousand forgotten microwave dinners. The clerk, bless her heart, looked like she’d seen some things. The key card… oh, that key card. It was the kind that's always about to stop working, right?
The Real Story: This is where it gets ugly. The fridge. I swear, it was running on a different planet's energy source. It sounded like a small, angry, frozen-food monster. And the temperature? Lukewarm. My carefully packed (and desperately needed) beer? Warm. I swear, I silently cursed the architect, the manufacturer, and anyone else even remotely involved in that appliance. I called the front desk to complain, and the maintenance guy showed up, smelling vaguely of bleach and resignation. He jiggled some wires, declared it "fixed," and left. The fridge? Still mocking me. I considered sleeping with the beers outside.
Food: After my frozen-food monster confrontation, I decided to find a beachside restaurant. The waitresses were all very friendly, and the food was your average seafood, but, the view was gorgeous. It was a great way to end my (slightly stressful) day.
Evening: I decided to wander to the beach. But it was just a bit later than I'd planned, and the sun had already started to set.
Day 2: Beach Day, Sunburns, and Existential Dread
- Time: 8 AM (sort of. Again, time is a suggestion)
- Event: Beach Day! Got my sunscreen, a giant, slightly threadbare towel, and a delusional sense of optimism.
- The Rundown: The water was gorgeous, clear as glass. Spent the day lounging, taking pictures, and being a basic tourist. I did get a little too much sun, and as a result, I felt awful. I should have known better, I always forget my hat.
- The Real Story: The beach was crowded. I'm talking, people-on-top-of-people crowded. I found a spot, set up my towel (it was a good towel, alright?), and promptly got sandblasted by a rogue gust of wind. Then I got a sunburn. Then I started questioning all my life choices while watching the endless parade of perfectly tanned people. Why, oh, why, do I have to be so pale?
- Food: I decided to get some take-out from the restaurant again. The fries and burger were exactly what I needed, and I could enjoy them at the beach.
- Evening: Tried to sleep. The sunburn was itching. The fridge was still making that infernal noise. I gave up and watched some bad TV. (There was a particularly awful shark movie on… perfect.)
Day 3: Aquarium, Regrets, and the Quest for Decent Coffee
- Time: 9 AM (ish. Coffee is crucial at this stage)
- Event: Okaloosa Island Pier and Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. I'm an animal person, even if I'm also a little terrified of the sea.
- The Rundown: The aquarium was actually pretty decent! The dolphins, those intelligent creatures, were mesmerizing. I could've watched them all day. The exhibits were well-maintained. The staff were great. But… the coffee at the aquarium cafe? Horrendous. Liquid despair. I almost cried.
- The Real Story: The dolphin show was amazing, and that made me feel a little better. The jellyfish were beautiful, in that slightly unsettling, alien way. I spent an embarrassing amount of money in the gift shop on a plush seal. Then, there was the coffee.
- Food: I have been drinking bad coffee all week. I decided to search up a new place, and I was not disappointed. It was a great and delicious change of pace.
- Evening: Back at the hotel, I finally gave in. I unplugged the infernal fridge. Silence. Pure, blissful silence. I went out to enjoy the sunset.
Day 4: Departure and the Echo of the Fridge (aka, Goodbye, Chaos)
- Time: 10 AM.
- Event: Check out of Hotel and start the journey home, and the journey to a new adventure.
- The Rundown: The front desk clerk was the same one, and she remembered me! She gave me a sympathetic look. (I may have complained… repeatedly… about the fridge.) She said, "Have a good trip, honey!"
- The Real Story: The goodbye was bittersweet. I'd survived. I'd seen some things. I'd embraced the chaos. And, as I drove away, the nagging suspicion that I'd left something important behind… the key card. The fridge. My sanity. Well, maybe not my sanity. That was long gone. But I looked forward to my next adventure.
- Food: During my drive home, I stopped at a classic diner, where I ordered a delicious burger and fries. It was a great end to a great trip.
Postscript:
Extended Stay America Select Suites - Fort Walton Beach? It wasn't perfect. It was a bit rough around the edges. But, I survived. And maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't trade it for a flawless vacation. The little imperfections - they somehow made the trip more memorable. And the memory of that fridge? Well, it's a story I'll be telling for years to come.
Hoi An Dream Villa: 3BRs, Pool, Breakfast Included!
Okay, spill the tea. Is Select Suites *really* the "BEST" extended stay in Fort Walton? Don't hold back!
Alright, alright, settle down. "BEST"? That's a loaded word, isn't it? Look, did I love every single thing? Nope. Did it feel like living in a five-star resort? Absolutely not. But... and this is a big but... for the price point and the *needs* of an extended stay? Honestly? Yeah, it's pretty darn good. Let's be real, we're talking about a budget, a need for a kitchen, and a place to, you know, *exist* without constantly feeling cramped. Select Suites nails those things. And let's not forget the fact that it's a pretty short drive from the beach. That's a massive plus.
The Rooms - what's the deal? Clean? Spacious? Like, can I breathe without claustrophobia?
Okay, the rooms. This is where things get interesting. "Clean" is relative, right? Look, they're *generally* clean. I mean, they aren't sparkling like a surgical theater, but they're livable. I'm a bit of a clean freak, and I found myself running a quick wipe-down of the counters and bathroom upon arrival, but that's just me. They're decently spacious, especially compared to a cramped hotel room. You've got a separate living area, a bedroom (kinda), and a kitchenette. That kitchen is a GAME CHANGER. You can actually cook, which saves you a *fortune* on eating out. I have a confession, I once made a questionable attempt at baking a cake in the room. The smoke alarm went off. The fire department *did not* need to come. It was definitely my fault. And my cake.
Oh! And the beds? Comfortable enough. Not cloud-like, but they provided a decent night's sleep.
Kitchens! Give me the lowdown. What's included? Are they fully functional?
The kitchens are the reason to call Select Suites home for a bit. Expect a microwave, a stovetop (usually two burners), a refrigerator (standard apartment size, which is awesome), and basic cookware. They provide plates, utensils, and glasses too – all the essentials. Now, it's not a chef's kitchen, let's be clear. Prepare to bring a few of your own supplies (like a decent knife, can opener, and a spatula), but you can definitely cook. I made some pretty amazing meals, and some, well, let's just call them "learning experiences." I think I remember the time I tried to make oatmeal... I would advise against it.
The staff – are they friendly? Helpful? Or do they give you the side-eye?
The staff is a mixed bag, like any place. Some are super friendly, bending over backwards to help. Some... well, let's just say their focus is more on efficiency. I'd had an issue with a flickering lightbulb once, and one of the staff went above and beyond fixing it. That was nice. Honestly, I didn't expect that.
Remember, be nice to them, they'll be nice to you. That's generally been my experience.
The Location! How is it? Close to things? Beach? Etc.?
Location is a HUGE win for Select Suites. You're in a pretty central spot in Fort Walton Beach. The beach is just a short drive (depending on traffic, of course – and let's be real, Florida traffic is a whole other animal). Restaurants, grocery stores, and shops are all nearby. Convenience is a major factor when you're staying for a while. I *loved* being able to pop down to the beach whenever I felt like it. Evening walks on the sand were a sanity saver.
Amenities – what’s available? Pool? Gym? Laundry? Etc.?
Okay, amenities. This is where Select Suites isn’t exactly a luxurious haven. There’s a pool - it's fine. Sometimes it’s packed with kids, sometimes it's blissfully empty. Just be aware. There's laundry facilities on-site, which is a godsend. You will probably want to bring your own detergent. Gym? Nope. You're on your own for that. Get outside and walk!
Noise levels? Can you actually sleep, or will you be driven insane?
Noise levels can vary. Sometimes, it's blissfully quiet. Other times, you'll hear your neighbors' conversations, the occasional car alarm, or the joyful shrieks of children in the pool. I mean, it's an extended stay, not a silent retreat. Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. Honestly, it’s nothing unmanageable, and I'm a pretty sensitive sleeper.
Is there a catch? What are the downsides? What did you *hate*?
Okay, the downsides. Here's the unvarnished truth. Like everywhere, there are trade-offs. It's not a five-star experience. The furniture is a bit dated. The Wi-Fi can be spotty. You might encounter *occasional* maintenance issues. Honestly, I once had an incident where water started dripping in my bathroom... from the *ceiling*. It was a bit alarming, but the maintenance guy was there in a flash. The important thing is, that the drip was fixed.
The biggest downside? It's not the Ritz. But hey, you're getting value for your money.
Value for Money? Is it worth it?
Here's the bottom line. Yes, it's good value for the money. Especially for an extended stay. You're getting a kitchenette, space, and a decent location. You're not paying a fortune. If you're looking for a comfortable, affordable place to call home for a while in Fort Walton Beach, Select Suites is definitely worth considering. Just pack your own spatula. And maybe some sanity.
