So, as we all know (or maybe you don't), the Army has some sort of contract to where all Army…read moreinstallations have IHG hotels. For those unfamiliar with IHG, IHG is the parent company that owns Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza, The Indigo, Kimpton, Regent, Voco, Hualuxe, Even Hotels, all Holiday Inn variations, Staybridge Suites, and of course, Candlewood Suites. Normally, ok most installations, it's simply branded as "IHG Army Hotels", but this one is very new (less than 2 years old), and is actually labeled as Candlewood Suites (all though the stationary in the rooms still say IHG Army Hotels lol).
This is the second hotel on Ft Bliss, here in El Paso Texas. The first one has been around for almost 10 years now, and it's on "main post", and is IHG / Holiday Inn. This location however, the Candlewood, is on East Bliss and DIRECTLY inside of the SGM gate. Super easy to find. Close to the Biggs Shoppette / Gas Station. Easy access on/off post. Serves full breakfast 7x week. Has a small store for snacks and drinks to purchase. Decent swimming pool. Elevators. 5 floors. Free washer and dryer in the laundry rooms on floors 2/4.
The rooms are suite-ish. However, they are set up perfectly for extended stays of 10+ days during your PCS in or out. Each room, while varying in size and beds etc, has a dishwasher, full cabinets with dishes and silverware, 2 burner stove, microwave/oven, pots+pans, coffee pot and cups, FULL size fridge and freezer, toaster, cutlery, plates and bowls etc... along with ghat, there's very large desks that double as a table (I'm guessing) with additional shelves and drawers. My room has a full size bed, office/desk chair, dinner chair, recliner chair, and all of the kitchen stuff I mentioned above... and it's designed for one occupant. I can imagine when a family goes through PCS, their rooms are much larger, perhaps even multiple rooms (like a traditional suite).
This hotel is very pet friendly... however, make the 10 minute drive to main post, aka WEST Bliss to their large dog parks coincidentally located in close proximity to the IHG hotel on that side. Because while this location is incredibly pet friendly, the closest "grass" is about a mile away. And my dogs aren't real big on hanging out in a field of rocks.
There are a few frustrating things however.... the rooms are equipped with a smart, energy savings systems (the climate control). There's a sign that states "it" knows when you have left the room, and knows when you're back. So allow it about 15 minutes upon return to get back to normal. And after messing with it, and watching it's light patterns etc, it's true, it does "know" when I'm here and not. Problem is, it doesn't know the difference between me leaving, and turning the lights out and laying in bed. There's been a few uncomfortable nights, and this is December. Speaking of, the room I'm in is incredibly humid. It's the strangest thing. Anyone that knows El Paso, knows this is one of the least humid places ever lol... and this room I'm in is muggy. The whole floor is a actually. Just muggy. And it has a certain smell here. Is it because it's so new? The elevators and especially 4th floor have this.... smell..... it smells like wet wood, mixed with like, fresh, uncooked vegetables .... and maybe a newborn child. I dunno, it's just a strange smell. Not necessarily bad, just.... strange.
Anyways, it's a hotel and most likely if you're here, the Army is paying for it, so, score... rack up FREE IHG points for your next vacation and it could be worse - could be in the barracks. I'm on my last day here. I get the keys to my house tomorrow morning. So it's see ya later Candlewood. It's been a fun 13 days.