This is one of the better Staybridge Suites I've stayed at - cleaner & newer, and staff are pleasant. It's a good choice if you have business in Lake Forest (and don't want to commute to Irvine). Target, grocery, and restaurants are just up the road.

I travel often and I always prefer/try to stay in fully equipped rooms/suites (IE: Residence Inn, Candlewood, etc) as long as I can find a reasonable rate. I had stayed at Staybridge for a day or two a few years ago and remembered really enjoying my stay there. So when the bf and I decided we were coming to town for a week + to visit my mom, over the holidays, this was my first choice.
From the moment of making my reservation (the girl at the front desk was VERY helpful and did everything she could to make sure I was getting the best deal possible) to the last day we left, I was HIGHLY impressed with every aspect of this hotel. Everyone here was always helpful, rooms and common areas are VERY clean and well kept (Im pretty darn picky too), free breakfast buffet and complementary dinner buffet (Tues-Thurs) was always well balanced, stocked well and remarkably thorough....with a very nice salad bar, wine, soda and even beer on tap (yep, all included with your stay).
Being a bit of a neat freak, I was also highly impressed with the housekeeping here. Many extended stay locations dont come in on a daily basis to tidy your room. Here, they do (Mon-Fri and also on weekends, per request) We came back at the end of our day to fresh towels, bed made, kitchen tidy....it was awesome.
I prefer a firmer mattress and was very comfortable and slept well.
The ONLY thing I would say wasnt a notch above everyone else was the amount of options in the "market". Really no big deal given there are plenty of stores within a 2 minute drive and all you have to do is pre plan a bit. But if you are in for the night and don't want to go back out, your options are def limited downstairs. ... Otherwise, I didnt find a single flaw.
I will plan to stay here again ANY time we are staying in a hotel, in the area.

I have worked with the Staybridge Suites Irvine/Lake Forest for a couple of years now. Friendly staff, great rooms, meeting rooms available. Love the BBQ area & pool.
When working on Group travel and meetings the Managers Gloria & Cleo are the most helpful I have found so far. Always ready to assist when needed and eager to make our business trip painless. I strongly recommend this Hotel if you are staying in this area. HOT & FREE breakfast buffet is a plus (you do not get that from other local hotels in Lake Forest). They also have a mini van that can take you and pick you up from a couple of miles around the hotel, so in case you have no rental car or are sharing one... they can take you to local restaurants, grocery store, bank, movie theaters, etc.

Staff was super friendly and on top of everything! Breakfast & week night meals we're fresh and accomidating. Hotel, its grounds & rooms we're clean and well equipped.
The only downfall was the bed we had (room #234) was very hard; painful for those above 40...haha. We had to place the comforter under the sheets/mattress cover for extra cushion and it actually worked great for nights 3 & 4.
Last Staybridge we stayed at in Vancouver, WA., the beds we're worthy of purchase in our own home.
I truly hope they view this as a possible improvement and not considered "just another complainer". There was absolutely nothing else I would improve...meals we're far better here than the Vancouver stay if that helps with healing :)