Escape to Paradise: Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Chandler Fashion Center

Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Chandler Fashion Center United States

Escape to Paradise: Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Chandler Fashion Center

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling vortex of the Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Chandler Fashion Center! Forget the polished brochures, this is the unfiltered, slightly-caffeinated truth. Let's see if this place truly lives up to its "Escape to Paradise" moniker.

First Impressions & Quirky Observations:

Pulling up, the Drury looks…well, like a Drury. Clean lines, familiar architecture. Nothing screaming "PARADISE!" but hey, I'm trying to stay open-minded. The sign, though, is strategically placed, making it easy to find. Which is good because I'm directionally challenged, especially in the Arizona heat.

Let's Get Down to the Nitty-Gritty:

• Accessibility: (Almost) Paradise for Everyone? They advertise facilities for disabled guests, which is fantastic, and a must-have for some. But I didn't specifically check them out.

• Internet & Tech Stuff: (Phew!)

  • Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Yes! I can live blog my whole trip in real time!) And the Internet access [LAN] is on tap for some extra punch.
  • Internet Services: They've got all the usual: business center, printing, etc. Not world-shattering, but definitely necessary.

• Cleanliness & Safety: (Okay, This Matters!)

  • Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays: This is crucial, especially lately. They seem to be taking it seriously, which is a HUGE relief. They even have room sanitization opt-out available. That's flexibility I like.

• Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: (The Heart of Any Good Escape!)

  • Breakfast [buffet]: This is THE Drury Inn trademark. And let me tell you, their Western breakfast is seriously solid. Scrambled eggs, sausage, waffles…it's the fuel you need for a day of…well, mostly air conditioning. My personal favorite? The fresh fruit selection. A little slice of heaven. It's not gourmet, but it's plentiful and consistently good.
  • Happy hour is a bonus. Free drinks and snacks? Yes, please!
  • Restaurants: More than you might think. They have a coffee shop which is good for a quick hit of caffeine.

Now, The Real Good Stuff: Relaxation & Fun (Or, Trying to Find Paradise!)

• Pool with view: The outdoor pool is the absolute star. Sunshine, water, and the Arizona sky – it's what you came for! I spent a solid afternoon just floating, letting everything else melt away. Pure bliss!

• Fitness center & Gym/fitness: Decent, but nothing to write home about. I skipped it. Vacations are for relaxing, not punishing yourself, right?

• Spa & Spa/sauna /Steamroom: Now, this is where the "escape" promise gets tested. There actually isn't a spa on-site, not at the time of this writing. So, no Body scrub, no Body wrap, or Massage unless you go somewhere else. Big disappointment.

• For the Kids: They advertise Family/child friendly, and there are Kids facilities, which is great for families.

• Services and conveniences: (The Little Things)

  • Cash withdrawal: This is a nice touch, since I often forget to hit the ATM.
  • Daily housekeeping: Crucial. I'm a slob, and I appreciate a clean room!
  • Laundry service: Perfect for longer stays.
  • Meeting/banquet facilities: If you're here for work, they've got you covered. Meetings, Seminars, Audio-visual equipment for special events.

Room Rundown: My Oasis or a Hotel Room?

Alright, the rooms. Air conditioning that actually works (thank god!), and blackout curtains, which is essential for sleeping in. They also have High floor rooms available. Desk, extra long bed, mini-bar, and Free bottled water. Coffee/tea maker. Satellite/cable channels and that Internet access – wireless. Bathroom was clean and functional, with your standard toiletries. The separate shower/bathtub was nice. But the real test? The bed. Comfortable is an understatement. I could easily have slept for days. And I did sleep in a lot.

• Available in All Rooms: Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.

Getting Around:

• They have a Airport transfer. Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service.
• Valet parking, and Car power charging station

Minor Annoyances (Because Nothing is Perfect):

• No real spa facilities. Seriously, Drury? Missing a trick here.
• A little too much "hotel-y" vibe. A few more personal touches would be nice.

The Verdict: "Escape to Paradise"… Close, But No Cigar

Does the Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Chandler Fashion Center live up to the "Escape to Paradise" hype? Mostly. It's a solid, reliable choice. The breakfast and pool are definitely highlights. But the lack of a true spa and maybe a little character prevent it from reaching full-on paradise status.

My Final Takeaway: This is great for families, comfortable, clean, and convenient. It’s a great base for exploring Phoenix, and it’s especially ideal when you're hitting the Fashion Center shops, because it's right there.

But here's the deal…

I'm not gonna lie, it's a tad…generic. It's more like a reliable, well-oiled machine than a dreamy escape.

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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're diving headfirst into my Phoenix-Chandler Drury Inn & Suites… adventure? Let's call it that. Be warned, this ain't your perfectly manicured itinerary. This is real travel, with all the spilled coffee, questionable decisions, and emotional meltdowns (maybe just a tiny one…) it implies.

Day 1: Arrival & Pre-emptive Panic

• 1:00 PM: Arrival at Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX). Okay, smooth (ish) landing. My carry-on, a glorious piece of luggage that’s seen better days, survives the conveyor belt demolition derby. First win! Now, the rental car chaos. I'm pretty sure I agreed to the "insurance package that covers intergalactic alien abduction," but the rental agent's voice became a blur of legalese. So much for a stress-free start. I'm already anticipating a lost key, a dead battery, or, you know, a sudden meteor shower.
• 2:30 PM: Road Trip to Drury Inn & Suites, Chandler Fashion Center. Google Maps estimates 20 minutes. Ha! That's if you're a seasoned Phoenix driver, which, let's be honest, I am not. The shimmering heat haze, the sheer volume of cars, the aggressive lane mergers…it's a sensory overload. I swear, I saw one pickup truck with a bumper sticker that said, "I brake for nobody!" I manage to arrive, slightly shell-shocked but intact.
• 3:00 PM: Check-In & Room Reconnaissance. Drury Inn always delivers on the promise of a solid room. It's clean, the beds are comfy, and the air conditioning is blasting. This is crucial. I unpack my essentials (phone charger, emergency chocolate, and a book I'll probably only glance at). I briefly consider the pool. Maybe later. Definitely later. Okay, maybe never. Poolside socializing isn't really my jam. Plus, I'm already envisioning sunburn and chlorine hair.
• 4:00 PM: First Attempt at "Relaxation" (and a Minor Meltdown). I crack open that book. Nope. My mind is still whirring. I try meditating. Fail. My internal monologue is currently comprised of anxiety-fueled questions: "Did I lock the car? Is my phone going to die? Do I need that giant churro I saw at the airport?" I close my eyes. I take a deep breath. This is supposed to be a vacation. Sigh. This is harder than it looks.
• 6:00 PM: The Free Dinner Gambit. This is truly the golden ticket of the Drury Inn experience. Free hot dogs? Popcorn? Pasta? Yes, please! It's a glorious, slightly chaotic melee. I grab a plate, load it up with all the carbs, and head back to my room. Comfort food is my friend.
• 7:30 PM: Netflix & (Attempted) Chill. I settle into the comfy bed, feeling slightly less like a tightly wound spring. Netflix, here I come. I end up watching three episodes of some trashy reality show. Don't judge! It's mindless escapism at its finest.
• 9:30 PM: Sleep (or the illusion thereof). My brain finally quiets down. But I'm still battling jet lag. Fingers crossed for a decent night's sleep.

Day 2: Chandler Exploration and the Great Churro Debacle

• 7:00 AM: Breakfast – The Drury Inn Buffet Battle. Oh boy. The buffet breakfast is a war zone. Kids running amok, people elbowing for waffles, and the perpetual question: "Is that sausage actually cooked?" I manage to snag a yogurt, a banana, and a heavily-laden waffle. Fuel for a day of adventure (sort of).
• 8:00 AM: Chandler Fashion Center Stroll. This is the real reason I chose this hotel. (Aside from the free dinner, of course). Big stores, little stores, fancy stores. And I need some retail therapy. I get lost in a sea of shiny things. I end up wandering around, finding nothing I really need. I feel my wallet breathe a sigh of relief.
• 10:00 AM: The Churro Incident (and Deep Reflection). Remember that giant airport churro? It haunts me. Today is the day. I find a supposed "amazing churro" stand near the mall. It's a promise of crispy, cinnamon-sugar goodness. The reality? Let's just say it was…disappointing. Soggy. Overpriced. A profound letdown. This sends me into a mini existential crisis. "Is this how my life is playing out? Lots of promise, but often ending in a churro-shaped disappointment?" I need a better churro. Or, you know, a therapist.
• 11:30 AM: Re-grouping & Poolside Observation (from a Safe Distance). I retreat back to the hotel. From the safety of my balcony, I watch the pool scene. Families splashing, people laughing, someone reading a book. I feel a pang of envy, quickly followed by relief that I'm not out there, battling the sun and forced conversation.
• 1:00 PM: Lunch at a Local Spot I try to find a local diner, I am lucky enough to find a spot of heaven, with a friendly staff and great food.
• 2:30 PM: Back to the Room & Unplugging. This is a good day. I am able to unwind a bit. I'm finally starting to relax. I read my book, do some writing in my journal, and just…be. It's glorious.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner Again Free food again! This time, I load up on the pasta. No regrets.
• 8:00 PM: Another Early Night This time I aim for sleeping early.

Day 3: Departure (and a Final, Slightly Melancholy Churro-less Goodbye)

• 7:00 AM: Last Drury Inn Breakfast, Embrace the Chaos. Another buffet blitzkrieg! This time, I'm a pro. Waffle in hand, avoid eye contact, and power through.
• 8:00 AM: Room Check-Out. Success! No forgotten belongings, no surprise charges. I hand over the key, feeling a strange mix of relief and sadness. This place, with all its quirks and imperfections, has been my temporary home.
• 8:30 AM: Drive to the Airport The final drive. The last time I see the desert landscape. I begin to think about my trip and begin to plan for the next one.
• 1:00 PM: Home I make it home. I am exhausted but happy. I can’t wait to go again

So, there you have it. My Drury Inn adventure. Messy? Yes. Honest? Absolutely. Funny? I hope so. And most importantly, a reminder that even the most curated plans can be upended by a subpar churro and the sheer, wonderful unpredictability of being human. Now, where's the next trip?

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Escape to Paradise: Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Chandler Fashion Center - Because Life Doesn't Always Go Smoothly, Folks!

Okay, so… is it *actually* paradise? Like, are we talking pearly gates and harp music paradise?

Alright, let's be real. Paradise? Probably not. Look, I’m just back from a stay and, trust me, I've stayed in some dumps. This place is… good. *Really* good for a Drury Inn. Think less harp music, more… complimentary hot breakfast buffet chaos (in the best way). You know, people spilling juice, a kid face-planting in a waffle… you get the picture. It's a solid escape, though. Especially if you're coming from, say, a week of fighting with your printer. That *feels* like hell, believe me.

The "complimentary hot breakfast." What's the deal? I'm a picky eater. Am I doomed?

Doomed? No! But… let's just say the breakfast is a *mixed bag* of culinary experiences. There's a waffle maker – the heart of any good Drury Inn breakfast, in my opinion. And the waffles? Mostly solid. Sometimes they're a little… undercooked in the middle. I saw one dude just GIVE UP on his waffle! He just walked away! I almost offered him mine. Anyway, there's also eggs (usually scrambled, sometimes oddly rubbery), sausage (sometimes good, sometimes… questionable), and a plethora of pastries that’ll either make you ecstatic or… well, not. Oh, and the coffee? Drinkable. But not necessarily *memorable*. But listen, it's FREE. And free is a beautiful thing, especially when you're staring at your credit card statement the next day.

The pool! Is it any good? Because if that pool's a disaster, I'm out.

Okay, the pool. This is important. It's… decent. Not Olympic-sized, obviously. More like… a very well-maintained, rectangular pond of happiness. The water was clean, the loungers were plentiful. I even saw some people actually *swimming* laps! I was just lounging, naturally. I had a book and a cocktail, you know? You know, the kind you make yourself at the *free* happy hour. But about the pool, though… be warned. There were kids. Lots of kids. Splashing, screaming, generally having a BLAST. If peace and quiet are your priorities, you might want some earplugs. Or maybe just schedule your pool time for when the kids are *supposed* to be sleeping (like, after 9 pm, haha).

Happy Hour! Tell me about the free drinks and snacks, because that's the only thing that matters.

Dude, RIGHT?! Happy hour is LEGIT. It's what makes Drury Inns… Drury Inns. Free beer, wine, and cocktails. Don't expect top-shelf liquor, but hey, it's free! There's a decent selection of appetizers too. Think hot dogs, chips and salsa, maybe some random pasta dish. Nothing gourmet, but hey, it's free! I went one night and… well, let's just say I enjoyed myself. I met this lady, Marsha, who clearly knew the deal. She had a *system* for grabbing the best snacks first. It was impressive. I almost asked for her strategy, but I was too busy… strategizing my next happy hour. The only real downside? It can get CROWDED. Like, elbow-to-elbow crowded. So get there early! Or, you know, be like Marsha.

Let's talk about the location. How is it? Convenient? A complete pain?

The Chandler Fashion Center is right there. Like, *right there*. You could basically roll out of bed (after the *ahem* happy hour, obviously) and be shopping in minutes! Which is a huge plus if you're into shopping. I, personally? I get overwhelmed by malls. But hey, it's a GREAT location. Restaurants galore. Movie theaters. Everything you could need. The downside? Traffic. Phoenix traffic, even in Chandler, can be a beast. Plan accordingly.

The rooms! Are they clean? Do they smell like… anything?

Okay, the rooms. Mostly clean. Mine was. But, you know, you can always find *something* if you look hard enough. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I always pack Lysol wipes. But I wouldn't say it was *filthy* by any means. The beds were comfy. The air conditioning worked. Crucially important. And no, thankfully it didn't smell like anything other than the standard hotel smell which is usually, in my experience, is the ghost of a thousand cleaning products past. It was pleasant, generally.

Is there a fitness center? Because, okay, I *try* to be healthy. Occasionally.

Yes, there is. I peeked in. Looked… functional. Treadmills, elliptical machines, weights. Standard hotel gym stuff. I didn't use it, because, you know… happy hour. But if you're into that sort of thing, it's there. Honestly, if *I* had used it, I'd be even *more* impressed. It's the thought that counts, right? Right?.

Okay, last question. Would you recommend it? Be honest.

Honestly? For the price, absolutely. It's not *perfect*. You know, the breakfast might be a little hit-or-miss, the crowds can be intense, traffic can be brutal, and the pool is, well, a pool. But the free food and drinks alone make it worthwhile. And, let's face it, sometimes you just need a break, even if that break involves slightly rubbery eggs and a whole lot of screaming kids. It’s a solid, reliable escape. It’s not paradise, but it’s a darn good getaway. Just… pack your own waffle iron, okay? Just kidding. (Mostly.) Go. Enjoy. And don’t forget the happy hour.

Okay, so I’m SOLD. One last thing, tell me about the elevators!

Right, the elevators. Ah, yes… this is where things get a little… dramatic. Let me tell you, the elevators at The Drury Inn are a *journey*. First of all, there’s two of them. Which seems like enough, until, you know, everyone decides to go somewhere at the same time. And then? It becomes a quest. A battle of wills. A test of patience. I remember one time… itStarlight Inns

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