Staybridge Suites is a chain hotel situated in a five-story building with a red-brick facade accented with stone on the entry level. Inside, a cozy lobby extends into a dining area, complete with a two-story stone fireplace, dark wood accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Though perhaps a bit generic, decor overall feels clean and contemporary. Sitting areas in the lobby include the carpeted living-room-like gathering near the fireplace, with a sofa and coffee table, and granite-topped bars in a tiled dining area. The hotel’s daily breakfast buffet and evening receptions (held on select days) are hosted in this space, enabling guests to mix and mingle, something appreciated by the extended-stay travelers who frequent this property. Other value-added amenities -- including free laundry facilities and full kitchens in the units -- make this hotel attractive to business travelers and vacationing families alike. 

This hotel is located about a 10-minute drive of downtown Wilmington in a busy, mixed-used area that includes apartment complexes, car dealerships, restaurants, and other businesses. Guests can walk to several restaurants and shops in five minutes or less, and a Target and Walmart Supercenter are both a two-minute drive. The hotel is near the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus (an eight-minute drive) and is about 13 minutes driving from the Atlantic Ocean at Wrightsville Beach. Wilmington International Airport is 10 to 12 minutes away by car. It’s a three-minute walk to the nearest public transit stop, but bus service typically takes much longer than driving in the city -- public transit to the airport takes over an hour, for example. Local destinations are also accessible by car, including Carolina Beach State Park (30-minute drive), Topsail Beach (50-minute drive), and Myrtle Beach (90-minute drive).

Rooms here offer the space and amenities of an apartment, making them a popular pick with extended-stay business travelers and vacationing families. Earth tones are used throughout their interiors including cream walls and beige Berber carpet accented by cherry wood-finished furniture and brown coverlets and drapes. The look is more forgettable than fashion-forward, but it's pleasant nonetheless. Stainless steel appliances, granite bar and countertops, and wood floors in the fully equipped kitchen add an elegant touch. While the bathrooms are small with standard white tiling, roomy granite-topped vanities placed outside the bathrooms give extra space. Bathrooms may have walk-in showers or combination showers and tubs. Guests find the beds comfy and rooms fairly quiet, though light sleepers might select accommodations on upper floors. 

With the exception of the studio, the rest of the units have separate living rooms with brown upholstered sleeper sofas (studios have sleeper sofas in the bedrooms) and second flat-screen TVs. Every suite has a kitchen that includes a bar with two upholstered stools, a sink, and a full set of dishes and cookware. Appliances include full fridges with ice-makers, stove tops, toasters, dishwashers, coffeemakers, and microwaves. The 42-inch flat-screen TVs are accompanied by DVD players, and DVDs are available for rent at the front desk. Each suite has a spacious work desk with media plug-ins and an ergonomic office chair. Wi-Fi is free. Light housekeeping comes daily, with deeper cleans once per week.

Staybridge Suites has amenities geared toward its main clientele -- extended-stay travelers. Though there's no full-service restaurant or bar, the free evening reception, hosted Monday through Thursday, is a fan-favorite, featuring a full dinner and two free drinks. A nice, free breakfast buffet, with hot and cold options, is offered daily, and the hotel has picnic tables and grills outside.

Wellness facilities include a heated indoor pool (it's not huge or very deep, but big windows let in lots of natural light) and a small workout room with cardio machines, weight-training machines, and free weights. Guests are also offered free access to Anytime Fitness (four-minute walk). For business travelers, there's a 24-hour business center with computers, copying services, office supplies, and printers. The hotel also has meeting spaces and free Wi-Fi. 

Dry cleaning and laundry service are offered (or guests can make use of the self-service laundry facilities), but there's no concierge or room service. The front desk has a safe deposit box for guest use. Parking is free, and pets are allowed for an extra fee.