Bessemer's BEST Extended Stay? (Birmingham Select Suites Review!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into Bessemer's BEST Extended Stay… or as they like to call it, Birmingham Select Suites. Honestly, the name's a bit…generic. Sounds like a car dealership. But hey, let’s see what this place ACTUALLY offers before I start throwing shade. This review is gonna be real, warts and all. Because let's be real, nobody wants a perfectly polished, AI-generated hotel review. Blech.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly
Okay, so accessibility. Important. REALLY important. And here's the thing: Bessemer's BEST… they TRY. They say they have facilities for disabled guests. The website mentions it, which is a start. Wheelchair access? I'd call it… cautious. You'll need to check the specific room. Don't just assume. Call ahead, ask precise questions. Don't want to deal with one of those "accessible" rooms where the door is slightly too narrow, or the shower is a death trap. No thank you. Elevator? Yes, thank the heavens. So that part is sorted.
Internet: You NEED it to LIVE!
Oh, sweet Wi-Fi. The bane of my existence and the lifeline of modern life. Bessemer's BEST offers Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! This is non-negotiable these days. I mean, who wants to pay extra for the internet? That's just highway robbery. Plus, you get Internet access – wireless, and Internet access – LAN, so you can connect your whole digital world. Gotta love that. Also, it's important to note that Wi-Fi in public areas is available.
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID-Era Reality Check
Alright, let's get real about germs. These days, you're basically assessing a hotel's pandemic preparedness as much as its thread count. Bessemer's BEST… well, they seem to be taking things seriously. They boast Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They say they have Staff trained in safety protocol, and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. They even have Individually-wrapped food options. That’s nice, but I'm also a bit cynical. I mean, everyone says they're extra clean now, right? You kind of have to take it with a grain of salt. Hand sanitizer stations are everywhere. Good! Masks? The staff were wearing them, which is a plus. I'd say, overall, they get a B grade on this front. Still, I'd probably wipe down everything anyway before settling in. Always trust your gut.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Bring Your Own Snickers
Okay, this is where Bessemer's BEST… falters a bit. They technically have Restaurants. But based on the online reviews, calling them “restaurants” is an overstatement. A la carte in restaurant? Unspecified. Breakfast [buffet]? Likely. Breakfast service? Sure. Coffee shop? Maybe. Snack bar? Possibly. Poolside bar? Doubtful. The whole dining situation feels… vague. It is not a known for its food scene. And the Room service [24-hour]? I doubt. You should just grab a few snacks on the way.
Services and Conveniences: The Stuff That Makes Life Easier (Or Doesn’t)
Here's where the hotel's strengths and weaknesses really start to show. They offer a decent selection of services. Daily housekeeping is a big plus, obviously. Laundry service? YES! Dry cleaning? Double YES! Cash withdrawal? Excellent. Concierge? Depends. Probably only available for the basic things. Doorman? Unlikely. Luggage storage? Hopefully. Safety deposit boxes? Good for peace of mind. Elevator? Check. They also have Facilities for disabled guests. They say they have Car park [free of charge], which is a definite win in my book.
For the Kids: (Maybe) Bring Your Own Babysitter
Family/child friendly? Possibly, but nothing I could find that specifies it. Babysitting service? Don't count on it. Kids meal: Probably non existent. I just see a lot of more basic features if you are needing something with the kids.
Available in All Rooms: The Nitty Gritty
This is where we get down to the details. Air conditioning? Probably. Alarm clock? Probably. Coffee/tea maker? Again, probably. Daily housekeeping? YES! Desk? Hopefully. Hair dryer? Probably. Internet access – wireless? YES! Ironing facilities? Likely. Mini bar? Unlikely. Non-smoking? YES! Refrigerator? A definite check! Shower? Check. Smoke detector? They better have them. Sofa? Maybe. Telephone? Likely. Wi-Fi [free]? YES!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Not a Spa Destination
Let's be real. Bessemer's BEST is an extended-stay. This isn't a luxury spa hotel. There's no Pool with view, no Spa, no Sauna, no Steamroom. They do have a Swimming pool [outdoor], which is nice for a simple dip. There's a Fitness center, which is better than nothing if you enjoy working out. But don't expect any pampering. No Body scrub, no Body wrap, no Massage.
My (Very Subjective) Experience
Okay, let's talk about my own experience. (Remember, my review is messy, honest, and funny!) I stayed here a few nights for a work trip. The room was… clean enough. Nothing fancy, but the bed was comfortable. The Wi-Fi was surprisingly decent (thank goodness!). The staff was, for the most part, friendly. No complaints there. But let me tell you a story about that breakfast buffet…
I wandered down to the "restaurant" one morning (expectations LOW). There was a buffet, as promised. The scrambled eggs looked like they'd been sitting under a heat lamp since the Jurassic period. But hey, I was hungry. I grabbed a plate and started piling on the carbs. Then I tried the coffee. It was…weak. Like, water-with-a-hint-of-coffee weak. I ended up just going back to my room and making my own instant coffee. The whole experience just felt…underwhelming. But you know what? It was fine. It was a place to sleep, and to work, and ultimately…it did the job!
The Upshot: Bessemer's BEST Extended Stay – Who Is It For?
Look, Bessemer's BEST is not a luxury hotel. It’s a perfectly acceptable option for a business trip, a long weekend, or if you need a place to crash for a couple of nights and don't need a lot of bells and whistles. It's clean enough, the Wi-Fi is good, and the price is probably right. Keep your expectations in check on the dining situation, and you'll be fine.
SEO Optimization – The Keyword Salad
- Bessemer hotel
- Bessemer Alabama hotel
- Birmingham Alabama hotels
- Birmingham Select Suites review
- Extended stay Bessemer
- Free Wi-Fi Bessemer
- Wheelchair accessible hotel Birmingham
- Business travel Birmingham
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The Compelling Offer: Book Now (…Maybe)
Alright, here's the pitch, friends. Looking for a clean, convenient, and affordable place to stay in Bessemer or the greater Birmingham area? Need reliable Wi-Fi? Want a decent place to sleep without breaking the bank? Then Bessemer's BEST Extended Stay might be right up your alley.
SPECIAL OFFER: Book a stay of 3 nights or more and get a complimentary bottle of water. Plus, enjoy free parking and access to our outdoor pool. Click this link to book your stay today! [Insert link here]
FINAL VERDICT: Bessemer's BEST Extended Stay is not perfect, but it gets the job done. It's a practical choice for travelers who prioritize value and convenience over luxury. Just don't expect gourmet cuisine or a spa day. And if you need a strong cup of coffee, bring your own.
Escape to Paradise: Nakshatra Resort & Garden Awaits in Ashoknagar, India
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause this ain't your grandma's perfectly-curated travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, probably-slightly-unhinged account of a trip to Bessemer, Alabama, centered around the Extended Stay America Select Suites. Let's see if we can survive this thing…
Pre-Trip Freakout & Bessemer or Bust (Days Before)
Okay, so I booked this thing, right? Bessemer, AL. Let's just say it wasn't exactly a "bucket list" destination. It was more like, "Where’s the cheapest place with a kitchen and a bed that isn't a Motel 6 with questionable stains, and I can crash for a week while I… do stuff that involves… other stuff?" The "stuff" part is still hazy. Anxiety is a bitch, you know? I'm already picturing cracked sidewalks, the slow humid crawl of Southern summers, and the endless expanse of… well, something. I've got a vague plan, some dusty maps downloaded (thank goodness for smartphones, even if I still don't know how to use half the features), and a nervous twitch forming in my left eye. packing is a nightmare, a symphony of indecision and "what ifs." Do I really need six different pairs of shoes? Probably not. Am I taking them anyway? Absolutely.
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (The Extended Stay Saga Begins)
Time: 3:00 PM - "Arrival" (more like, "Stumbling into Reality")
Activity: Checked in. The lobby smells faintly of stale coffee and… possibility? Maybe? Or maybe it’s just the air freshener they're trying to mask. The room is… adequate. Clean enough, I guess. The kitchenette is the size of a postage stamp. The bed looks depressingly comfortable. I unpack, which is a messy affair of crumpled clothes and the lingering scent of whatever airline air I breathed on the way here. Already, I'm questioning all my life choices. Why Bessemer? Why me?
Quirk: The vending machine only has Doritos and some weird brand of generic soda. Options are limited, just like my mood.
Emotional Reaction: A wave of 'meh' washes over me. A big, bland, beige 'meh'. This isn't the vibrant adventure I was hoping for, not yet at least. I shove the key card in the drawer and let out a sigh that somehow sounds like a deflating balloon.
Time: 6:00 PM - Dinner Debacle
Activity: I am utterly, hopelessly lost. I tried to find a decent restaurant using those online review sites, which, I'm starting to realize, are about as reliable as a politician's promises. I ended up at a… well, let's just say a "casual dining establishment" is the kindest way to put it. The air conditioning was blasting Arctic levels, the music was some sort of country-pop hybrid that assaulted my ears, and the food tasted vaguely of disappointment. I swear the chicken fried steak was trying to escape my plate.
Quirk: The server kept calling me "honey," which, in the South, is apparently a standard greeting. I'm not sure if I like it yet.
Emotional Reaction: Resignation. Complete and utter resignation. Am I doomed to a life of bland, beige meals in air-conditioned hellholes? Is this what adulting is all about? I'm starting to understand why people reach for the bottle.
Important Note: Grabbed a microwave pizza from the store. I'm already a culinary failure, but at least I can control the quality of my shame.
Day 2: Bessemer's (Secret?) Charm & The Great Laundry Crisis
Time: 9:00 AM - Attempted Breakfast and "Self-Improvement"
Activity: The kitchenette continues to be a challenge. Scrambled eggs (made with the tiny hot plate!) and instant coffee are the best I can manage. Also, the lack of decent coffee is really starting to wear on me. I attempt some light stretching (yes, I'm that person) in a desperate attempt to ward off the physical manifestation of existential dread.
Quirk: The TV remote feels suspiciously sticky. I guess I know what I'm cleaning before my next round of cleaning.
Emotional Reaction: Mild optimism. The sun is shining. Maybe Bessemer isn't so bad after all. Maybe it's just… quiet.
Time: 10:00 AM - Exploring the Neighborhood
Activity: I venture out. I wander around. I discover… a lovely park (I think it's called DeBardeleben Park). The sheer simplicity is almost unsettling. There is a serene lake and well-kept trails. I walk for an hour, letting my chaotic thoughts melt away with the humidity.
Quirk: So many dogs. So, so many adorable dogs. The park is a doggy paradise!
Emotional Reaction: A flicker of contentment. The quiet peace does wonders. I am a sucker for trees and sunshine. This may be a win!
Time: 1:00 PM - Laundry Day of Shame
Activity: Oh, God, the laundry. I gathered everything I had, feeling a deep sense of loss and regret for every piece of clothing I'd ever owned. The laundry facility is… well, located in the bowels of the Extended Stay. It's a depressing room with flickering fluorescent lights and the faint smell of bleach and regret. The machines eat my quarters. My clothes emerge slightly damp and smelling faintly of despair. I'm pretty sure this is symbolic of my life at this point.
Quirk: A faded sign reads, "Please remove all items from washers and dryers." I think that's the only rule written anywhere. I see some kind of weird sticky residue in the dryer. I probably should have brought some bleach wipes.
Emotional Reaction: Laundry-induced existential crisis. What am I even doing? Am I paying for my sins with quarters and damp socks? Should I have brought more clothes? And how many calories are in a single-serving bag of chips?
Day 3: Birmingham (Finally!) & (Another) Questionable Meal Plus the Revelation of "Stuff"
Time: 10:00 AM - The pilgrimage to Birmingham!
Activity: I'm finally getting out of Bessemer! A short drive to Birmingham. I decide to visit the Birmingham Museum of Art. I wandered through galleries, and felt my brain start to work again. There was a painting I really connected with. I won't bore you with the details, but it involved vibrant colors, a chaotic composition, and a vague sense of longing. It just spoke to me. So much better than the microwave pizza, for sure.
Quirk: I met some lovely people! A couple who were visiting from California. They are as fascinated by Bessemer as I am by its museums. We chatted for an hour about life, art, and the absurdity of existence.
Emotional Reaction: A burst of joy, and the reminder of how much I love art. I feel momentarily renewed.
Time: 6:00 PM - Dinner Round 2
Activity: I bravely decide to try Bessemer's dining scene again. This time, I choose based on online reviews! (Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, the same thing happens.) I select a local diner. The food is… filling. Greasy, but filling. The staff is charming, and the other patrons seem to be having a fine time.
Quirk: The waitress calls me "Sweetheart." I think I'm starting to get used to it.
Emotional Reaction: Slightly less despondent. I am alive and fed. It's a start.
Time: 8:00 PM - The "Stuff" Revelation
Activity: I get an email. It's the task! The thing I came down here to do! The "stuff" part of my trip. I can't share the details (confidentiality, you know?), but it's… demanding. It's probably going to consume most of my time during this week.
Quirk: I'm suddenly very, very glad I have a kitchen and a bed.
Emotional Reaction: A surge of fresh panic. More coffee needed. I’m going to have start early.
Days 4-6: The Grind & The Extended Stay Blues (A Blur of "Stuff")
- Time: All the Time - "Stuff" Happens
- Activity: Days blend. Meetings. Research. Documents. Deadlines. The "stuff" is relentless. The kitchenette becomes my office. The microwave and fridge become the only places I remember, in that room, that aren't just my working "space". I am surviving on caffeine, adrenaline, and whatever quick-and-easy food I can find. The park becomes
Bessemer's BEST Extended Stay? (Birmingham Select Suites Review! - Ugh, Here We Go...)
Okay, Real Talk: Is Birmingham Select Suites... Actually Livable?
Alright, lemme tell you, Birmingham Select Suites in Bessemer... it's an experience. Not always a *pleasant* one, mind you. Livable? Well, that depends on your definition of "livable." I spent a month there last year, and the memories... they're a mixed bag, to say the least. Think of it like a budget-friendly, slightly-haunted-looking apartment building. You get what you pay for, basically. Which, in this case, is... well, keep reading, buddy. Keep reading.
The walls? Paper thin. I swear I knew the entire life story of the dude next door who coughed like a chain smoker at three in the morning. The internet? Let's just say my connection to the outside world was more "glacial" than "high-speed." But, yeah... you *can* survive there. If you have a good pair of earplugs and a huge data plan on your phone.
What's the Deal with the "Extended Stay" Aspect? Like, Is it ACTUALLY for Extended Stays?
YES. That's the whole point! It's right there in the name! "Extended Stay." They're *built* for people who need a place... for a while. I saw people there who'd been there for *years*. And I'm not talking about retirees getting away from it all, no sir. More likely, people between houses, in temporary jobs, or just... well, life. One guy, I swear, he had a whole corner of his room dedicated to his mountain bike. It was honestly impressive. And cramped. Very, very cramped.
The longer you stay, the less they seem to care. Which, honestly, has its ups and downs. Less pressure to be perfect, I guess? But also, less incentive for them to, say, fix the leaky faucet that drove me insane for three weeks. It's a trade-off, folks. A serious trade-off.
The Rooms: What's the Furniture Situation? Is it just... Beds and a Dust Bunny Farm?
Okay, buckle up. The furniture? Let's call it... "functional." You get a bed (probably a full or queen, depending on your luck). A dresser. A small table. A chair that's seen better centuries. And the obligatory, and I mean *obligatory* dust bunny farm. Honestly, I could have named my own dust bunnies. They were practically pets. Well, not cuddly pets. More like, "silent, judgmental roommates."
The general aesthetic? Think "government housing chic," but with a slightly faded coat of paint. My room had this awful, off-yellow hue, the kind of color that just seemed to suck all the joy out of the world. I'm pretty sure the curtains were original to the building, which I'm guessing was built sometime during the Eisenhower administration. One positive? The kitchen, if you can call it that, had a mini-fridge and a microwave. Which, after a while, feels like luxury.
Cleanliness: Tell Me the Brutal Truth. Is it Hygienic? (Or Should I Pack Hazmat Gear?)
Right. Cleanliness. Okay, let's just say... it's not the Ritz. I'm not going to lie. It's… variable. The housekeeping? It's there, sometimes. The frequency? Let's just say, "irregular." I'd go weeks without a cleaning, and then, suddenly, *bam!* – a brief, whirlwind visit that basically just involved them emptying the trash and replacing the towels. Which, hey, is better than nothing, I guess.
I saw a roach. A *big* one. Once. I screamed. Okay, I may have shrieked. I called front desk, and they sent someone over. The guy was super nice, by the way, but seriously, that roach experience... it traumatized me. This is what I mean when I say it's an experience. Pack your own cleaning supplies. And maybe a flamethrower, just in case. Not really, but... you know.
Bugs! Are Bugs a Thing?
Ugh. Bugs. Yeah. Let's not sugarcoat this. Yes, there were bugs. I already mentioned the roach, but let's be honest, there were other creepy crawlies too. The silverfish, the occasional spider... you get the picture. Keep your food sealed, and consider investing in some serious bug spray. It's less a hotel, and more like... a bug buffet. For the bugs.
The Staff: Are They Helpful? Or Do They Just Watch the World Burn?
Honestly? The staff were... varied. The front desk people were generally friendly, or at least polite. Some were helpful. Some seemed utterly indifferent. The maintenance guy, when he showed up (which, admittedly, wasn't always immediately), was usually pretty good. He *tried*. I appreciated the effort. The language barrier was a thing with some of the staff. Sometimes it felt like I was communicating through charades. But hey, they were trying. Or, at least, that's what I told myself.
There was one woman, I think her name was Brenda... sweetest lady. Remembered my name. Always asked how I was doing. She was the real MVP. Without her, I might have actually lost my mind. So bless you, Brenda. If you're reading this, you saved my sanity.
Location: Is it Convenient? Or Am I Trapped in the Boonies?
Okay, the location... It's in Bessemer. I hate to break it to you, but Bessemer isn't exactly the center of the universe. But on the plus side, it is convenient to a lot of things. There are fast food places nearby. Grocery stores. Basic stuff. You're not *totally* isolated.
Getting into Birmingham itself is doable, but traffic can be a bear. Driving times are more like "travel time to the shire, multiplied by..." So, yeah. Factor in extra time. You'll need it. Especially during rush hour. And the sirens? Oh, the sirens. You'll hear them. Constantly.
