Sonesta ES Suites Flagstaff

The property has the look of a townhouse condominium complex, which isn't that far off the mark, as the apartment-style units here are readymade for long-stay guests. This fact aside, this chain outpost -- part of Sonesta's ES brand (as in, "extended stay" -- has lots of personality thanks to its colorful, upbeat interiors. In fact, the bright blues and teals, an abundance of white and oak, and accents like sculptural dividers made of rods and beads all have a bit of playful mid-century style to them. Seating includes a tech-friendly area with tabletop electrical outlets for those looking to catch up on a bit of work, or long stay guests wanting to extend the realm of their "home" office outside of their rooms. Facilities match up with most upmarket condo complexes in suburban spots around the country, with features like basketball, tennis, a pool, and communal grills. Expectedly, business travelers make up a good chunk of guests here, though plenty of families are drawn to the extra space in the rooms, and couples frequent this hotel as well.

The hotel is located just one minute by car from the on-off ramps to Interstate 40. The road on which the hotel sits is busy, but the immedaite area is residential and quiet. There's really nothing to do within an easy walk, though a country club sits just across the road. It’s about a 10-minute drive into downtown Flagstaff, which is packed with quaint, locally owned shops and restaurants. Lowell Observatory can be reached in 15 minutes, while the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort is a 35-minute drive. It's a 45-minute drive to Sedona's red rocks, and Grand Canyon National Park can be reached in an hour and 20 minutes. Expect a 15-minute drive to the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, though service is limited and the closest major airport is in Phoenix, about two hours south.

The 102 rooms include studios with king beds and two-bedroom suites, and across the board things are more stylish than many travelers familiar with the Sonesta brand might expect. Decor is bright and modern, with light-colored wood furniture, gray striped carpeting, and blue, aqua, and peach fabrics. The look blends beachy, Scandinavian, and retro styles quite seamlessly, and wall art consists or cheerful graphic prints. Every category comes with sleeper sofas in separate living rooms or small sitting areas, plus full kitchens with refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Some rooms have fireplaces that can be used in the colder months. Vanities off the bedroom lead to separate small bathrooms with curtained shower/tub combos equipped with wall-mounted soap, shampoo, and conditioner dispensers. Guests are allowed up to two pets per room with a non-refundable cleaning fee.

As a condo-style property there's a good number of expected features here, plus some additional nice-to-haves in a hotel of this category. A free buffet breakfast with hot dishes kicks off the day in a bright, colorful room off the lobby, though reviews are mixed and dishes skew carb-heavy. There's also a bar serving beer, wine, and coffee, and on some weeknights free drinks and appetizers are available. For those in need of on-the-go items, a 24-hour convenience store sells snacks, drinks, frozen foods, and toiletries. Additionally, the hotel has an outdoor pool and small hot tub with a concrete deck and a few cafe tables. Guests can use two gas grills that sit next to a gazebo and a grassy area with picnic tables -- there's even space to walk dogs outside behind the hotel. Basketball and tennis courts are both available, and there's a simple fitness room. For an extended stay hotel, the room is tiny, and options are limited to a few cardio machines and free weights, though it's passable for a simple workout. Coin-operated laundry is also available around the clock. The small business center has a desktop computer and printer, while Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.