Towne Place By Marriott Suites Fresno

"Comfortable in convenient location"

This has become my go-to hotel in the Fresno Area.  As a large city, there are a lot of hotels that may be closer to where you're headed, but this is one of the few that is considered Extended Stay in the not-completely-creepy sort of way, reasonably priced and who has a good cancellation policy.  So you get actual bedrooms with full size doors and TVs in each room.  You get a full kitchen with drinking glasses (not plastic-wrapped plastic cups!), a pot and a pan with lid and storage containers, even ice trays and wine-opener.

We have stayed in both one and two bedroom suites.  The bathroom in the 2bd has an odd layout, and I've found I sort of prefer the 1bd.  The 1bd tends to be more updated with a desk that has storage cubbyholes built in -- great for keeping electronics out of my 24mo toddler hands. Plus, the bathroom is attached to the living area rather than the bedroom so adults staying up later don't have to sneak by a sleeping baby.

The 2bd have more of an apartment feel and I've seen other families fit two cars or an RV worth of people into the spaces -- more power too 'em but the sounds are only muffled if the door is closed.  Unfortunately people often leave their doors slightly ajar and it can get loud, especially with a light sleeping child trying to nap. I was also disappointed at the reception quality in the bedrooms TVs.

The continental breakfast is okay-ish.  Heavily waxed fruit, cereal boxes (including Cheerios!), granola bars, and individually wrapped pastries.  Everything looks and tastes pretty plastic with ingredients that match.  The brands of frozen and instant dinners in the store are what you'd find in any convenience store across the country.

The hotel shares a parking lot with IHOP and a Sweet Tomatoes is right across the street.  There are a ton of restaurants within a mile radius but the freeway cuts the hotel off from most of them so it doesn't really feel walkable.  If you arrive late, you'll find a regional Mexican fast food place wildly tastier than Taco Bell called Robertito's tucked next to the Costco right on the other side of the freeway.  They are open very late.

It's an excellent location if you are visiting someone at Kaiser or St. Agnus hospitals.  For activities near the hotel, check out Woodward Park or shopping at Riverpark. It has easy access to the Freeway 41.  

One warning about finding the place: if you approach from the Herndon, you'll need to either turn on to the access street and enter the parking lot from the back, or make a u turn to enter through the IHOP driveway.  It is easier to spot driving south on Fresno St.