Cincinnati's BEST Stay Near UC? MainStay Suites Unveiled!
MainStay Suites Unveiled: Cincinnati's "Best Stay Near UC"? Buckle Up, Buttercup! (A Humorous, Unfiltered Review)
Okay, so you need a place to crash near the University of Cincinnati, eh? Well, I just survived a stay at the MainStay Suites. And "survived" might be the operative word here. Let's break it down, folks. Prepare for a rollercoaster… with some potholes.
Accessibility: The Good, The Okay, and The Slightly Confusing…
First, let's talk about getting in. The MainStay Suites does, to its credit, seem to understand the word "accessible." We're talking elevators (thank the heavens!), and rooms that are… well, designed to be accessible. But let's be real, "accessible" doesn't automatically mean "smooth sailing." Finding the right door to the right room was a bit like a scavenger hunt at times. It's there, it’s just… gestures vaguely… you understand.
On-site Amenities: Where the "MainStay" Meets the "Maybe-Stay?"
Now, for the truly important stuff: the stuff available.
- Restaurants/Lounges: "On-site accessible restaurants," they brag. Well, I didn't exactly find a hopping culinary mecca. The whole dining thing felt… a little sparse. More on that in the "Dining" section.
- Wheelchair accessible: Yep! Definitely. Check.
Internet: Wi-Fi or Wi-Fail?
Okay, so the internet. This is where I might have lost my mind a little. Free Wi-Fi in every room! Woohoo! That's the promise. The reality? It was sometimes so slow, I felt like I was dialing into the internet with a rotary phone, and this isn't a dig on the accessibility. I get that hotels struggle with this, but come on. I think I sent a message from a cave ages ago that got there faster. Internet [LAN] was available, but who even has a LAN cable anymore? (Me, apparently, after trying everything else). Okay, okay, it worked eventually. But, the initial frustration? Real.
Things To Do and Relaxing: A Bit of a Desert, Honestly…
Let's cut to the chase: the "things to do" situation in the hotel was, shall we say, underwhelming.
- Fitness Center: Yes, there was a fitness center. And I walked past it. Once. Let’s just say, it gave off a distinct "stuck in 1998" vibe. I was more concerned about the dust bunnies than my biceps.
- Pool with View: Ah, a pool! Sadly, it was an outdoor pool, and it was closed most of the time I was there. The view from the pool… I guess could be nice, if the weather cooperated.
- Sauna, Spa, Steamroom: Nope, nope, and nope. Forget it. This ain’t the Ritz, people. This is functional.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Great Sanitization Race?
This is where MainStay shines. I was actually impressed. They really seem to be taking things seriously, thank goodness.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Awesome.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. I felt like I'd fallen into a vat of Purell, in the best way possible.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yep! I saw the staff doing the work, and that was a good sign.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to know what they were doing. Which is… essential.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Food Fight
Alright, let's talk about the food. This is where things got… interesting.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfast. Dear lord, the breakfast. It was the usual hotel fare, and I can’t say it was bad, but it was also, well, basic. The buffet itself was functional, sure. It was there. But, oh man, the lack of options was real. One morning, I was desperate for something, anything besides a rubbery egg. I may have considered taking a walk, but I had to get to UC, and it was hard to get motivated.
- Coffee shop I think they had one. Could not find it.
- Snack bar: I vaguely remember a vending machine.
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Suspects
The usual stuff was there… mostly, but maybe a little less than I expected.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yeah, thankfully.
- Business facilities: Didn't need them but likely present.
- Concierge: Nope.
- Elevator: Yes, and a lifesaver.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Yes, a big win!
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, and they did a good job.
For the Kids:
Hey, I didn't schlep any kids with me. Seemed family friendly, if you are looking for some basic accommodations for them.
Access, Getting Around, and The Rest:
- Car park [free of charge]: Yay! Free parking, a massive plus.
- Taxi service: Available, I think. They have the phone.
- Front desk [24-hour] Always helpful.
- Exterior corridor: Kind of meh, honestly.
- Hotel chain: Sure.
- Non-smoking rooms: Thank goodness.
- Getting around: Easily accessible to campus.
Available in All Rooms: The Nitpicky Details
- Air conditioning: Yes!
- Coffee/tea maker: Standard.
- Desk: Yep. Helpful for, you know, working.
- Refrigerator: A lifesaver.
- Wi-Fi [free]: When it worked. See earlier rant.
- Alarm Clock: Yup.
- Bathroom Phone Who the heck uses that anymore?
My Overall Verdict: A Mixed Bag… But Okay.
Look, the MainStay Suites isn't going to win any awards for luxury. It's not the Four Seasons. But it's functional. It's close to UC. It's safe. The staff is friendly. The rooms are reasonably clean. The free breakfast is there, even if it's not exactly Michelin-star worthy.
Would I stay there again? Possibly. If I needed to be near campus and the price was right, I'd probably suck it up. It's not perfect, but it’s a decent launching point for exploring Cincinnati and attending UC. Just… pack an extra dose of patience and maybe a LAN cable.
Unbelievable Ohrid Luxury: Villa St. Sofija Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dissect a trip, a journey, nay, a saga at the MainStay Suites Cincinnati University - Uptown Cincinnati. And trust me, it’s gonna be less "smooth sailing" and more "slightly leaky raft in a moderate chop".
The Premise (AKA: Why am I here?):
Okay, so, Cincinnati. Why Cincinnati? Honestly? Partially because I was supposed to be at a conference. But also, and this is important, I had some… stuff going on. Let's just say I needed to escape reality, and a conference on "Advanced Widget Optimization" seemed as good a distraction as any (spoiler alert: it wasn’t).
The MainStay Suites: My Humble Abode (Or, "Where I Laid My Weary Head")
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Unpacking Fiasco
- 2:00 PM: Arrive. The outside looks… fine. Beige. Like a very beige, slightly disappointed accountant. Check-in. The woman at the desk, bless her heart, looked like she’d seen some things. We shared a silent, understanding nod that screamed, "We both know what's coming."
- 2:15 PM: Found the room. Okay, it’s… big. Too big? Definitely too big when you're alone. The kitchen area is a beacon of empty potential, mocking me with its lack of actual grocery shopping.
- 2:30 PM: Unpacking. Or, attempting to unpack. My suitcase is a black hole of crumpled clothes. I found a shoe I thought I’d lost in 2018. Victory! But also, existential dread.
- 3:00 PM: Tried to microwave a sad, pre-cooked chicken breast. Failed. Burnt. Smoke alarm. Ugh. Already making friends with the fire department. The whole situation felt vaguely reminiscent of a bad breakup and a lukewarm pizza.
- 3:30PM: Decided to nap. Woke up an hour later, drenched in sweat and convinced I'd aged a decade. This is the life, people! (Said with dripping sarcasm).
Day 2: A Conference… and an Unexpected Revelation
- 9:00 AM: Forced myself to the "Advanced Widget Optimization" conference. Surprisingly less excruciating than anticipated. Turns out, widgets are… complicated. And the presenter had a really good tie.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Ate a dry sandwich and eavesdropped on a conversation about the ethics of AI-powered squirrels. This conference is a goldmine of bizarre.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the room. The cleaning staff had, blessedly, left a tiny, single-serving container of peanut butter. My god, the joy! The small victories, people.
- 4:00 PM: Went exploring nearby. Walked around exploring some pretty cool public parks, I like to sit under a tree and observe people passing by, not for any particular reason, I just like to let the world move onward, I always feel I learn something by observing.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Found a place with actual, edible food. Celebrated with an oversized portion of… well, I don't even remember. It was delicious though.
- 7:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Realized I had left my phone charger. Sigh. The universe is testing me.
- 8:00PM: Had a long chat with my mom (long distance call), and I remembered why I came in the first place.
- 9:00PM: Watched a movie, as I had forgotten my charger, and I would be off to the conference the next day.
Day 3: The Cincinnati Zoo and The Existential Bison
- 9:00 AM: Skipped the conference. Sorry, widgets. Something about zoo animals appealed more to my soul.
- 9:30 AM: Made it to the Cincinnati Zoo! The zoo was amazing, the animals were beautiful, the weather was incredible, and I felt like a kid again.
- 12:00 PM: Found myself staring for a solid thirty minutes at a bison. A BIG bison. It just stood there, perfectly still, contemplating… something. Maybe the futility of life? The meaning of bison-ness? I don't know, but I felt an odd connection. We shared a moment.
- 2:00 PM: The zoo's gift shop. This leads me to the most important part of this whole trip. I was going through a rough time, and needed to escape. So I did the most illogical thing, I bought 3 plush animals! Not just any animals, no. A ridiculously fluffy panda, a perpetually grumpy-looking sloth, and a majestic, albeit slightly dusty, eagle. This was my emotional support animal team, and I was not ashamed.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the room. Snuggled with my new furry friends. It's a bizarre comfort, but hey, whatever works.
- 6:00 PM: Ordered pizza. Ate pizza. Life is, for a moment, perfect.
Day 4: Departure and the Lingering Aroma of Freedom (and Maybe Some Burnt Chicken)
- 9:00 AM: Checked out. Said a silent goodbye to my temporary home, the MainStay Suites.
- 9:10 AM: Found my phone charger. The universe giveth, the universe taketh away, and then occasionally, it randomly throws you a bone.
- 9:15 AM: Driving out, I felt… lighter. Less burdened. Still a little burnt on the bottom, like that chicken… but less. Maybe. The conference was gone, my emotional support zoo animals in tow, and I think I'm ready to go back home.
Minor Observations & Rambles:
- The free breakfast at the hotel had a questionable fruit cocktail situation.
- I think I saw the same lady at the front desk all three days. She deserves a medal.
- Cincinnati has a surprising number of hills. My calves are screaming.
- The cleaning crew needs a raise. They put up with my mess.
- I'm pretty sure the bison and I are soulmates. Don't judge.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. It was messy, a bit chaotic, and at times, downright depressing. But it was also… real. It was a reminder that sometimes, escaping reality means embracing the imperfect chaos. And the occasional burnt chicken. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some panda-cuddling to do. Until next time, Cincinnati! (And the slightly beige MainStay Suites… I miss you, in a weird way).
Escape to Paradise: Cocoloco Beach Resort, Boracay's Hidden Gem!
MainStay Suites Cincinnati: Your UC Basecamp – Seriously, Is It *Really* That Good? (Let's Get Real)
Okay, let's be honest... is this place *actually* a good place to stay near UC, or is it just hype?
Alright, alright, deep breaths. Hype, schmipe. Look, I've stayed in some *real* dumps (and paid handsomely for the privilege!), and I've stayed in some surprisingly decent places. The MainStay Suites? It's... good. Like, unexpectedly *good*. The "near UC" thing is a big draw, and it's genuinely close. We’re talking easy walking, maybe a quick Uber if you’re feeling lazy (I am). But is it perfect? Nah. Is anything ever perfect? (Don't answer that, it'll start a whole existential crisis.) But for the price and location? Yeah, it's a solid contender.
My first time there? I was skeptical. *Another* chain hotel? Yawn. But my friend, a seasoned UC parent, swore by it. And you know what? She was right (and she'll never let me live it down). The free breakfast? Not gourmet, but waffles! Waffles are never a bad thing. Though, one time, the waffle maker was *down*. The horror! But hey, life happens. Luckily, there was still cereal.
What's the deal with the free breakfast? Is it actually edible? (Asking for a friend...who is me.)
Okay, the free breakfast. This is crucial. Let's be realistic: it's not going to be Michelin-star quality. Don't expect a hollandaise sauce that'll bring you to tears. But it's *perfectly* acceptable. Think continental with a few hot options. The aforementioned waffles are the star, providing a much-needed sugar rush to get you (or your college student) moving. They usually have the standard eggs, maybe some sausage or bacon (don't get *too* excited – it's not a bacon-palooza), and your usual muffins, pastries, fruit, and cereal. The coffee is… well, it's coffee. It’ll wake you up. Believe me, it's better than driving to a coffee shop bleary-eyed at 7 am.
One time, though… oh, the sausage. Let's just say it tasted vaguely like cardboard and had a texture that was… unsettling. I'm pretty sure it was still a food item, but barely. I quietly salvaged a waffle and moved on with my life. A true test of character.
Are the rooms actually *suites*? Or just a glorified hotel room with a slightly larger footprint?
Good question! The *suites* part is important. It’s not just marketing fluff. You get a separate living area with a sofa, which is fantastic for spreading out those textbooks (or your laptop, if you're pretending to study). There's usually a kitchenette with a microwave, mini-fridge, and sometimes a stovetop. This is *huge*. Microwaving leftovers can save you a fortune on takeout (trust me, that college budget gets tight!). It's also great if you have picky eaters (like, you know, your college student). The bedroom itself is usually separate, which is a godsend if you're trying to get some sleep while your student is cramming for exams... or maybe just playing video games at 3 AM.
I remember once, I stayed there with my significant other (we were visiting our daughter). We had a disagreement (as one does), and because the sleeping area was separate we didn't have to stare at each other. That's a win in my book.
What about the parking? Is it a free-for-all, or does it actually work?
Parking is usually free (hallelujah!). It's a real bonus, especially near a university. Finding parking in Cincinnati can be a nightmare, but I've never had a problem finding a spot at the MainStay. However, during big events, like the UC Bearcats football games, it can get a little... lively. You might have to circle the lot a few times, but I've always found *something*. Just be prepared for the occasional rogue tailgater.
My advice? Get there early, especially if you have a lot of bags or a car full of "essentials" (aka, all your kid's stuff). And pack your patience. Because patience is a virtue, and also because parking at college events is a contact sport.
Is there a pool or gym? (Because, you know, gotta stay fit-ish.)
Yes! There is a pool. Sometimes. Okay, let’s be honest, it's not the kind of pool you'd write home about. It's a small indoor pool, but it's great for a quick dip or some exercise. The gym is… well, it exists. Don't expect state-of-the-art equipment. It's got the basics: treadmills, elliptical, a few weights. It's enough to break a sweat and maybe ward off the inevitable vacation bloat. (Speaking from experience!)
The pool is more fun in my book. I remember splashing around with my kids, and the hotel didn't seem to mind. It's not the Ritz, but it does the trick in a pinch.
How's the Wi-Fi? Because, internet... essential.
The Wi-Fi is… generally okay. It's not lightning-fast fiber optic, but it's usually reliable enough for basic browsing, email, and streaming. During peak hours (when, you know, everyone is trying to stream Netflix) it can get a little sluggish. But honestly? I've never had a complete meltdown. Just pray you don’t get a room right next to the router when your college student is there, because then you'll hear the game. Loudly.
Pro tip: If you're a serious workaholic or need ultra-reliable internet, you might want to consider tethering to your phone's hotspot. Just in case.
Anything else I should know before I book? Any hidden secrets?
Okay, here's the real tea. The staff is generally friendly. Don't be afraid to ask for extra towels or if you need anything. The location is key – you can walk to many places on campus (UC is huge!). There are restaurants nearby… from budget-friendly to slightly nicer. And you are close to the hospital.
Now for MY biggest bugbear, which is *not* specific to this hotel, but to all hotels everywhere: Ask for the room away from the elevator. The incessant "ding" of the elevator can drive you bonkers. Or, even better, ask for a room on the top floor.Hotel Finder Reviews
