Hotel needed in Durham this weekend. Recommendations? (Raleigh, Cary: extended stay, to rent)

[goldenmustard]

We are going to come down and check out the area this weekend, and are looking at Durham. Some of the areas included will be in the 27703, 27707, and 27713 zip codes. Do you know of any hotels that you like that are not dumps but not on the high end either?

Also, are most of the new home builders in new residential communities open on Sat. and Sun. in case we want to look at some?

Thanks for your help.

[sneezecake]

Many of the RTP-area business hotels would be good choices.

Marriott has a Courtyard and Residence Inn in 27713 near 54/55 intersection that is a good spot.

When I visited, I stayed at the Wyndham on Miami, also a good central spot...there's a Holiday Inn Express there as well.

If you are looking at those zips, avoid properties in Downtown Durham.

Anything in the RDU/RTP area will be good for you - TONS of chain hotels around...Sheraton has Four Points near Southpoint Mall, Hilton has a Garden Inn.

[goldenmustard]

Thanks so much, Sneezecake. You are very helpful.

[toot68]

We've had folks stay at the La Quinta on 15-501 on the southwest side of Durham. Clean, with a very nice courtyard and good breakfast. Rates as low as $60.

[goldenmustard]

Thanks, Toot. I'll check it out. I have found that the Marriott and Holiday Inn Express rooms, although they look nice, go for over $150 per night and that's more than what we want to spend on this trip. We figure we won't be in the room that much anyway.

[goldenmustard]

Anyone know about the Comfort Suites on Page Rd. in Durham? It goes for just over $105/night and says it's in the RTP area. However, it also says it's in the SE Durham area but in 27703 zip. I thought the areas we were looking at were considered SW Durham. Am I wrong? This hotel apparently is about 12 miles from downtown.

[amcjap]

We stayed at the new Hilton Garden Inn in SW Durham (27713) while we were house hunting. Great location! Right across the street from The Streets at Southpoint Mall. Lots of places to eat and shop right at your footstep.

Centex Grandale is open on weekends, most builders are. Enjoy!

[findingmesomeday]

My husband has stayed at the Best Western in Cary, twice now. He says it's not far at all to Durham.

When I was there I stayed at the Washington Duke hotel but it was on an expense account, not out of my wallet! Gorgeous place, but I wouldn't recommend it if you're trying to be thrifty.

[toot68]

I didn't notice that you are coming this weekend. Sadly, you are totally screwed, as it is graduation weekend for both Duke and UNC. Anything remotely nice is going to be booked or through the roof expensive. Your best bet will be to find something in SW Raleigh/Cary.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[mia78]

We enjoyed our stay at Crossland on the 55/54 intersection when we were. Its an extended stay hotel which includes a mini-fridge, mini-stovetop, plates, sink, and silverware. Its in the 27713 zip code. Actually, I haven't seen any hotels in Durham that are 'dumps' but I could be wrong.

I also wrote an article reviewing this hotel:

Crossland Economy Studios: A Nice Cheap Extended Stay Hotel in Durham, NC

I remember fondly those many hours I trolled the major travel websites looking for a reasonably priced decent hotel for me and my husband to stay for our visit to Durham. We were looking to relocate in the near future and wanted to check out the local housing scene. I drove myself crazy trying to find this hotel and that one. I wasn't finding anything in my price range and was finding hotels with amenities we really didn't need. Then those travel sites always add extra fees. I kept checking the location of the hotel against where we would be traveling often. I had no idea how large Durham was, so looking on the internet was a shot in the dark for me. It was getting closer to our visit and I still didn't have my reservation.

Then, my husband's friend called and asked him about his upcoming trip. He told him that we were looking for a hotel. He said that he had a nice hotel he could recommend to us with for about $40 a night. (Note: That price was the going rate in April '05. Prices are in the $50 plus range at this time of publishing, which is probably reflective of new renovation and technology upgrades to the units). I was ecstatic. That was exactly what we were looking for, something nice and cheap. This hotel is called Crossland and it was located in a perfect spot on Highway 55 (near the intersection with Highway 54), which wasn't too far from where we needed to be going back and forth. Unfortunately, this nice and cheap hotel wasn't on any of those websites I went to. What a shame. Crossland is also in a prime location with a diverse supply of restaurants, a grocery store, dollar store, banks, gas stations, convenience stores, car repair shops, etc. Crossland is also easily accessible to route 40 and 147. Research Triangle Park (RTP), Cary, Apex, and N. Raleigh are also not too far away.

He gave my husband the phone number, and I quickly and easily made my reservation over the phone. That was such a relief after my eyes started glazing over after all the days of looking online for a hotel. I considered myself pretty internet savvy at the time and was rather puzzled that I wasn't able to find this great deal in my searching.

When we finally made our way into Durham and checked into our room we found it to be in good, clean condition and good service from the front desk. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that it was an 'extended stay' hotel. Actually, it is more correct that this place be classified as a 'motel' if you define a motel is a place you enter your room from the outside. This extended stay hotel includes a mini kitchen with a microwave, mini-fridge, mini-stovetop, pots, pans, silverware, dish rack, and sink in addition to a standard double bed, table with two chairs, data port for your laptop, and TV. I couldn't believe we were getting all this for about 40 bucks! They also provide discounted weekly rates and specials for corporate accounts. This was truly the no-frills hotel we were looking for, but with the surprise frill of allowing us to save more money on food expenses with the mini kitchen. Crossland also offers other perks like onsite laundry facilities and vending machines.

Also, the outside atmosphere seemed to be good. It is clean and nobody's loitering on the property. This isn't a seedy part of town with suspicious looking activity going on where I'd concerned about somebody breaking into my car or my room. Nor is this the type of place that caters to people looking for a place to rent for a few hours for certain 'activity' if you know what I mean. Back in NJ, where we're from, the only hotels in the price range of Crossland were those nasty type roach motels with hourly rates that catered to certain types of people that I didn't want to be around. In other words, this is a family friendly establishment with a family friendly environment. It was quiet and we didn't have any problems with other guests. One additional plus is that they do allow pets if that’s what you need.

So, if you're looking to relocate, traveling on business, or visiting family and need a place to stay for a reasonable rate and simple accommodations, consider Crossland or other hotels apart of the Extended Stay Properties network. There are a few other choices in the Durham area if you'd like more amenities during your stay.