Candlewood Suites – Pittsburgh Airport

In standard chain hotel fashion, the three-story Candlewood Suites – Pittsburgh Airport is a bland beige-and-white building surrounded by a parking lot. There’s not much of a lobby, it's more of a small front entrance with a reception desk carved out of the wall, though the space is set with two modern armchairs and a large photograph of downtown Pittsburgh at night. Wood floors in the lobby open onto green floral carpet in the hallways. The hotel’s clientele is a mix of all types of travelers, though guests often have long-term stays or choose the property for its proximity to the airport. 

This Candlewood Suites is located between I-376 and Highway 30 on the western edge of Pittsburgh. It’s a convenient 10-minute drive to the Pittsburgh International Airport, to and from which the hotel provides a free shuttle service during limited hours. But it’s about a 25-minute drive to downtown and places like Heinz Field or the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The Mall at Robinson is a seven-minute drive away, and a variety of big-box stores like IKEA, Walmart, and Target are within walking distance. Multiple dining options can be reached on foot from the hotel. Settlers Cabin Park is 12 minutes away by car; it has pools, fishing, outdoor activities, farms, gardens, and winter-themed activities like tubing and ice skating. Outdoor parking is free and convenient at the hotel and park-and-fly packages are reasonable. 

Guest rooms at the Candlewood Suites have a modern look and are done with a largely neutral color palette of creams, tans, soft blues, and grays. Beds are made up in simple, patterned bedding with green throw pillows and a tan headboard placed against a soft blue wall. Furniture consists of standard grayish-brown wood-patterned pieces and coordinating chairs, though some of the items look a bit dated. Nature-themed photographs give the place a homey feel. Living and sleeping areas (separated in One-Bedroom Suites only) are carpeted, while the kitchen areas have laminate wood flooring. All kitchens come standard with full-size refrigerators, two-burner stove tops, coffeemakers, microwaves, and dishwashers. Each is stocked with pans, dishes, and utensils. One-Bedroom Suites have living rooms with couches. All rooms have large business desks, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are spacious and include plenty of shelving and storage, and shower/tub combos. Free toiletries and laundry baskets in the closets are a thoughtful touch. Note that there’s only weekly housekeeping and there have been minor complaints of cleanliness issues.

The Candlewood Suites – Pittsburgh Airport offers a solid array of amenities for short and long-term guests. There’s a modest fitness center with three cardio machines and two weight machines. It’s oddly located in the same room with the free daily coffee and free DVD lending library. The lending locker allows guests to borrow kitchen appliances like slow cookers or blenders, books to read, or board games to play at no cost. There's a public computer with a printer, plus free Wi-Fi throughout. A free on-site laundry area with five washers and six dryers is convenient for long-term guests. Although there’s no restaurant or breakfast option, the hotel has a small provisions store that sells snacks, frozen food items, and drinks -- it runs on the honor system. This is a dog-friendly hotel.