Candlewood Suites York: Your Perfect York, PA Getaway (IHG Hotel)
Candlewood Suites York: My Chaotic, Comfy York City Adventure (IHG Hotel) - A Rambling Review
Okay, people, buckle up. This isn't your sanitized, corporate-speak travel brochure. This is me, and I just got back from a whirlwind trip to York, PA, and the Candlewood Suites. So, grab a coffee (or a stiff drink, depending on your tolerance for travel chaos, like mine), and let's dive in.
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- Description: A brutally honest and detailed review of Candlewood Suites York, an IHG hotel, covering accessibility, amenities, dining, cleanliness, service, and more. Read about my real-life experience – the good, the bad, and the hilariously awkward.
(The Arrival – First Impressions and My Inner Critic)
Finding the actual Candlewood Suites York wasn't hard. GPS got me there, but my inner critic? That grumpy old b*tch took a while to quiet down. You know the drill, right? Pulling up always feels like a pre-judgement. "Is it clean? Is it actually what the pictures showed? Will the AC survive Pennsylvania humidity?"
Well, the exterior wasn't thrilling, but hey, it's York, PA, not the French Riviera. The lobby was…functional. Not fancy, but perfectly acceptable. The check-in was painless. Contactless? Hell yes! My germaphobe self was doing a happy dance.
(Accessibility – A Sigh of Relief for Some, a Missed Opportunity for Others)
Okay, accessibility. This is where Candlewood Suites shines, mostly. They do have rooms set up for accessibility. I didn't personally need it, but I poked around. Seems genuinely thoughtful. They ticked the boxes: wheelchair access throughout the property, elevators (thank goodness!), and accessible rooms with wider doorways and adapted bathrooms. Good job, Candlewood.
But… and there's always a but, isn't there? More signage to highlight accessible features could be a win. And, honestly, a ramp to the entrance isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a freaking necessity for a hotel purporting to be accessible. Small touches matter, folks.
(Rooms – Your Home Away From Home…With a Few Quirks)
The rooms are suites. Big ones. I’m talking living area, kitchenette, and a separate bedroom. Seriously, for an extended stay, you're golden. The kitchenette had a fridge, microwave, and a coffee maker (a necessity for me…). The beds? Comfy. The blackout curtains? Glorious. I'm talking serious, blissful sleep.
Everything was clean. Really clean. They touted their cleaning protocols, and I believe them. The air conditioning worked like a champ (vital in the humid York summer!), and the Wi-Fi (yes, free Wi-Fi!) was reliable.
- Things I loved:
- The separate living area. Chilling out on the sofa, ordering pizza, and watching bad TV? Yes, please.
- The kitchenette. Making my own coffee in the morning is non-negotiable.
- The space. You're not crammed in like a sardine.
- Things That made me go, "hmmm":
- The decor. Functional… but could use a pop of color or personality. It feels…a bit corporate.
- A few minor maintenance issues (a loose towel rack, for example). Nothing major, but hey, it's worth mentioning.
(Internet Access – Free Wi-Fi: A Digital Nomad's Delight!)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Thank you, modern gods! I could work, stream, and do all the digital nomad things without spending a fortune. The Wi-Fi was reliable too, making this aspect really great!
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Quest for Sustenance!)
Alright, the food situation. Now this is where it gets…interesting. There's no on-site restaurant. Instead, there's a "Candlewood Cupboard," which is basically a glorified vending machine and a small shop. Snacks, frozen meals, and basic groceries are available.
The Good: It's convenient. You can totally grab a quick snack, pizza or some frozen food to heat up in the microwave. The basics are there.
The (Maybe) Bad: There's no real restaurant. No breakfast buffet, no lunch, no dinner service. You're on your own, folks. This is a HUGE downside for a lot of people. I ended up ordering out a lot or finding local places.
Other Dining Related Things:
- Breakfast in room: Okay, it's not a proper breakfast, but the in-room coffee maker kept me alive in the mornings.
- Happy hour: Nope. Not here.
- Bottle of water: At least they do provide bottled water.
(Cleanliness and Safety – Were My Germophobia Fears Justified?)
Candlewood Suites takes its cleanliness seriously. They were advertising anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, and room sanitization between stays. I'm a bit of a germaphobe (as I mentioned), so this was a huge selling point for me. I felt pretty safe. They seemed to be following all the safety protocols.
(Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Besides Watching Netflix!)
- Gym/fitness: There's a small fitness center. I'm not a gym rat, so I didn't use it, but it looked decent enough for a quick workout.
- Swimming pool: There's an outdoor pool, which looked pretty inviting (especially in the summer heat!).
- Things That Are Missing: No spa, sauna, steam room. No pool with a view.
(Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter)
They offered a decent number of services:
- Air conditioning: Yay!
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, please.
- Elevator: Essential.
- Free parking: Huge bonus.
- Laundry service: Always appreciated.
- 24-hour front desk: Helpful.
- Pet-friendly: Not here.
- Business facilities: They have a little area with a computer and printer.
(For the Kids – Family-Friendly? Maybe.)
While there aren't any dedicated kids' facilities, the suite setup is definitely family-friendly. You have room to spread out. The suites are soundproofed, which is great if you have kids.
(Getting Around – Easy Peasy)
- Car park [free of charge]: Always a win.
- Airport transfer: Nope.
- Taxi service: You can call one.
(The Verdict…In All Its Messy Glory)
Candlewood Suites York is solid. It's not luxury. It's not glamorous. But it's clean, comfortable, and has all the basics you need for a decent stay. Pros: spacious rooms, excellent Wi-Fi, good accessibility, and reliable service. Cons: No on-site restaurant.
Who Is This Hotel For?
- Business travelers: The free Wi-Fi, workspace, and convenient location make it a great choice.
- Extended-stay guests: The kitchenettes and ample space are a huge plus.
- Families: The suites offer room to spread out.
Would I stay there again? Probably, yes. The convenience, cleanliness, and price point are hard to beat. But next time, I'm bringing my own damn snacks. And maybe a travel-sized bottle of personality.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your sanitized, perfectly-polished travel brochure. This is real life, happening at the Candlewood Suites in York, Pennsylvania. I’ll be honest, the very idea of York, PA filled me with a dread I haven’t felt since… well, since the last time I had to assemble IKEA furniture. But whatever. Let's see what horrors – or delights – await.
Day 1: Arrival and the Crushing Reality of Comfort Suites
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Harrisburg International (MDT). Okay, first hurdle: the airport. HILARIOUSLY small. Like, you could probably run across the entire terminal in under 30 seconds. I felt a pang of something… relief? That I wouldn’t get lost. Grab the rental car. It’s a sedan. Sigh. I wanted a Jeep. I wanted to feel free. But the spreadsheet said “sedan”. The spreadsheet is a joyless overlord.
- 2:30 PM: Arrive at Candlewood Suites York By IHG York. The signage looks promising. "Relax. You're home." I'm already mentally composing a scathing review about the parking situation if it's bad. The front desk person… bless her heart, she's trying. There’s a definite “seen-one-too-many-tired-people-checking-in" vibe, but she’s genuinely helpful. So, she’s spared the wrath of my keyboard. Check-in is smooth, which is always a win.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Room. Oh. It's… fine. Clean, which is the most important thing. The kitchenette is… cute. I can almost hear myself microwaving a sad, single-serving lasagna. The bed appears to be… a bed. Let's hope it's a comfy one. I unpack. I always overpack. I always need half of it. Then I remember that my husband has packed his own bags, which are usually organized like a military operation.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: A Quick Drive Around York. Time to get the lay of the land. It’s… a town. An American town. The architecture is a bit… eclectic. There is no singular theme. But there is plenty of light pollution. I go back to the room because I'm tired.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a Local Diner (TBD): I am VERY picky. I'm open to suggestions. I'm hoping for something that isn't chain-restaurant generic. Fingers crossed. The goal is to eat something that doesn't make me question my life choices. I'm already anticipating disappointment.
- 8:30 PM: Back to the (Room). The first night in a new hotel is always an adventure. Will the AC work? Will the neighbors have a rave? Will I accidentally set the fire alarm off trying to heat up a lukewarm cup of instant coffee? Tune in tomorrow, same bat time, same bat channel. (And yes, I brought instant coffee. I'm a creature of habit.)
Day 2: History! Or, Attempts at History.
- 9:00 AM: Sleep! Thank God, the bed was comfy. Maybe I’m a Candlewood convert? Okay, maybe not. But it was adequate.
- 10:00 AM: Breakfast. The “complimentary” breakfast at these places is usually a comedy of errors. It was. Oatmeal, and the kind of bagels that could also be used as building materials. I went for the yogurt. It was yogurt.
- 11:00 AM: The York History Center. Okay, I tried. I really did. I walked in with an open mind and a genuine interest in vaguely historical things. I'm gonna be honest. It was a lot of stuff. Like, too much stuff. Maybe I'm just a philistine, but after an hour, my brain started to glaze over. I'm sure it was wonderfully informative. Really, I'm sure it was. But my eyes started to hurt from the lack of sunlight. Eventually the feeling of emptiness of being an American overwhelmed me. I went to the gift shop.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Needed a pick-me-up. Wound up at a place called "Rooster's Diner" which has amazing sandwiches. Highly recommended.
- 2:30 PM: The Harley-Davidson Factory Tour. I went in as a skeptic, and I left… less skeptical. The sheer size of the place is impressive. The assembly line is mesmerizing. The whole operation is a triumph of engineering and, frankly, a slightly worrying amount of Americana. The smell of engine oil is intoxicating. I felt genuinely a little bit moved, for at least a few minutes. And the gift shop did not disappoint. So. Many. T-shirts.
- 4:30 PM: Back to the Room. Needed a break. My feet hurt. Watched some mindless TV. Thought about ordering takeout.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner! Back to the Diner, Rooster's has won me over.
Day 3: The Aftermath and…Departure?
- 9:00 AM: Sleep, thank God, the bed was still comfy.
- 10:00 AM: Breakfast. The "complimentary" breakfast at these places is still a comedy of errors. This time, the oatmeal was… lumpy? I stuck with the yogurt.
- 11:00 AM: Pack. I hate packing. It's a brutal reminder of how much stuff I own and how I should be simplifying my life.
- 12:00 PM: Check out and goodby Candlewood! You were… clean. And that counts for a lot.
- 1:00 PM: Drive to… (TBD). This is where the itinerary falls apart. Possibly the Gettysburg National Military Park. Possibly. Or maybe, I just say enough, cut my losses, and head home with the memory of a pretty decent sandwich and the faint, sweet smell of engine grease.
- 2:00 PM: Maybe a quick stop at an antique shop… or not. I want to give an antique shop a good amount of time but I'm not sure. I can't seem to find any that's open today.
- 3:00 PM: Head for the airport, or straight home. Decision, decisions.
Final Thoughts:
York, PA wasn’t the most glamorous place I’ve ever been. It won’t topple Paris or even, say, Boise, Idaho from the top of my list anytime soon. But it wasn’t a disaster. The Candlewood Suites was serviceable. The food was… mixed. I saw some things. I learned some things. I survived. And in the end, isn't that what really matters? Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. And maybe a good book. And definitely a stiff drink.
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Why am I even *doing* "it"? Is it a mid-life crisis thing?
I feel like I'm failing at "it." It's HARD. Am I alone?
Okay, so there's failure. But what about the good stuff? What *feels* good about "it?"
How do I deal with the Imposter Syndrome that's definitely lurking around?
What if I just... give up? Because, honestly, sometimes I REALLY want to.
Okay, let's say I'm *still* struggling. Any actual... advice? Like, practical stuff?
What about the haters? People who just don't "get" "it"?
