I had stayed multiple times at the Mainstay Suites in Plano, Texas and loved it. The staff was friendly, they had a quick and easy check-in process using a self-service kiosk, and the atmosphere was quite cozy.
It was more like a home than a hotel.

Apparently, in June 2003, Mainstay was sold to Homestead Suites. I thought nothing of the changeover, thinking it would be in name only.
Not only is the kiosk gone and the check-in process lengthy, the service has depleted (only some of the original staff remains), and they changed much of the decor of the hotel making it more of a traditional hotel. All the elements that I loved about Mainstay are gone now.

Still, overall, the hotel is still a much better value than many 3 star hotels out there. more