We have had the opportunity to travel and visit family and friends as well as do business in Southern California for the last five years traveling from our home in Terry, Montana. My wife and I lived and worked in Southern California most of our lives prior to our move to Big Sky Country Montana about five years ago.
We typically bunk up at the home of a family member or friend but did not do so on our recent trip in the beginning of August 2013. This time we planned mixing business with a little pleasure since we hardly seem to make time to visit museums and amusement parks while we are “in town”.
Our daughter recommended the Extended Stay America in Simi Valley being in close proximity to our various stops scheduled during our stay. We reserved a room with a queen size bed, kitchen (with utensils) and a desk to get some work done. The price quoted was under $100 per night for a 4-day stay. The short of it is they exceeded all of our expectations and then some.
Upon checking in the desk clerk recommended the king size bed and even gave my wife the key to the room so she could check it out. My wife decided it met our expectations and we finally got some much needed rest after our travels to the hotel.
The “Wow’ factor is the friendliness of the staff at this hotel. Verica Weikal, the Manager of the hotel, took time to greet her guests and patiently answered any questions posed her. I had two exhausting days of work during our stay but each time was relieved to see the insignia of the hotel ahead knowing I was at my home away from home.
The run and grab morning continental breakfast was helpful in keeping me on schedule for my early morning appointments along with having Freeway 118, right next to the Kearns exit, easing my traffic concerns. The shopping center next to the hotel has a variety of fast foods and to our great surprise an In ‘N Out Burger restaurant is located just on the other side of the 118 from this hotel. a
Two supermarkets are within a mile of the hotel with many more restaurants with foods of any choice of which you might want to eat when you’re hungry. It made our stay even more comfortable and we did not have to cook with the inexpensive places to eat out or bring-in so close by.
Dogs and cats are allowed at this hotel and guests were polite as they brought them in and out of their rooms for their regular walks.
After two hard days of work came the “pièce de résistance” visiting the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum located close by this hotel as well. Again Verica Weikal came to our rescue and informed us about the ins and outs and does and dont’s to make our visit to the site easier and spend time on the most worthwhile exhibits since we were on a limited time schedule.
Our trip to Simi Valley was made even more comfortable by being able to sleep on king size bed as well as not getting that cooped up feeling whenever we stay at a place where we did not have time to check reviews before booking our room.
I give Verica Weikal, her staff as well as the hotel two thumbs up and will be back soon to stay there again on our next visit to Southern California.
Bob van der Valk is the Managing Editor of the Bakken Oil Business Journal as well as Petroleum Industry Analyst living and working in Terry, Montana. He can be reached at editor@bakkenoilbiz.com