Grand Rapids Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Econo Lodge & Suites!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this review is gonna be LESS "polished travel brochure" and MUCH more "drunkenly scribbled notes after a particularly good (or bad) stay." I'm talkin' raw, unfiltered, and probably a little too much information. Here goes nothing…
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Alright, so, let's dive in:
Accessibility – (Oh boy, this is where it gets REAL)
Okay, so, accessibility is a BIG deal, right? And this place… well, it tries. They claim “wheelchair accessible,” which is a HUGE selling point. But "trying" and "succeeding" ain't always the same thing, you know? I saw ramps, mostly wide enough for wheelchairs, a couple of elevators, which is a relief. The real tell will be the rooms; you'll know if things have been thought through… So, what's really important is the bathrooms. Grab bars, roll-in showers, space to maneuver… Did they actually test this stuff with someone using a wheelchair? And speaking of tests, I just thought of a good joke for the staff next time: "Hey, where's the wheelchair parking!?"
Then there's the "Facilities for disabled guests" category, which sounds promising. Now, I'm not disabled, but I am an avid observer of people who are. And I saw glimpses and hints, hopefully, it's more than just lip-service, and I'd be lying if I weren't a tiny bit concerned about the lack of detailed information in this area. We'll have to dig into this more.
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: That's the Golden Ticket, isn't it? If you can’t get to the food, you might as well stay home. They say they've got it covered, but again, the proof is in the pudding…or, well, the actual access to the pudding. I need to know if all the tables can accommodate a wheelchair. I need to know about that.
Internet Access (Free WiFi in ALL ROOMS! – HALLELUJAH!)
Ah, sweet, sweet digital life. And yes, they scream about the free WiFi in the rooms (and in the public areas, it appears). THANK GOD. As someone who operates pretty much entirely online, that's my baseline requirement for functioning in the modern world. "Internet [LAN]" is mentioned, but honestly? Who uses LAN anymore unless you're a particularly dedicated gamer? Just make sure it works, people. And make it FAST. And not just in the rooms - let's see if the public areas live up to the hype, since WiFi is available for special events.
Things to do, ways to relax (My happy place.)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. We got:
* **Body scrub, Body wrap:** Ah, let the pampering commence. Do they use good coconut oil? I need answers.
* **Fitness center, Gym/fitness:** Gotta burn off all those cocktails, right? Is the equipment modern? Is it clean? Do they have those weird rubber bands I can never figure out how to use? (I kind of hope not.)
* **Foot bath:** Sounds divine. Or maybe just a fancy way to, like, wash your feet. Either way, I'm in.
* **Massage:** Essential. Absolutely essential. Gotta make sure the masseuse is *good*. (And, let's be honest, if it's not good, it's a pretty significant let down.)
* **Pool with view:** The money shot! Is it Instagrammable? More importantly, does it offer a space to gaze in peace?
* **Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]:** Okay, we're talking serious R&R here. I’m personally a fan of the steamroom; nothing beats that feeling of purging your sins (and your pores).
* **Sauna:** I never know what to do in a sauna but I go anyway.
* **Swimming pools** I hope they're clean, big, and not overcrowded with screaming children. (I’m a curmudgeon, I know.)
Cleanliness and Safety (COVID-19 Era – A.K.A. The New Normal)
Okay, so we know what's up. They're talking about anti-viral cleaning products, and daily disinfection, and all that lovely jazz. This is good. I mean, it’s the bare minimum at this point, isn't it? They get points for including things like "individually-wrapped food options" and "safe dining setups". I'm cautiously optimistic. (But I'll be side-eyeing the staff every chance I get.)
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I have to assume, they only mean after your stay, but that's still very cool.
- Shared stationery removed: Good. Bye-bye, communal pens.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I'm looking at you, staff. Make sure you know what you're doing. (And for the love of all that is holy, wear your masks PROPERLY.)
Dining, drinking, and snacking (My personal religion.)
This is the meat and potatoes of my review. I'm already drooling.
- A la carte in restaurant: Fantastic. Variety is the spice of life. And the spice of my ordering.
- Alternative meal arrangement: This is important. Allergies, dietary restrictions, and general pickiness are all REAL.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Variety! Again! I hope they put some kimchi on the room service menu.
- Bar: I'm there.
- Bottle of water: I'll take two, thanks.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant: Let's be real, a good breakfast buffet can redeem even the worst hotel. But the quality of the food is key. And how’s the coffee?
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: I need coffee. Constantly.
- Desserts in restaurant: Always.
- Happy hour: When, where, and what's the deal? Need. More. Details.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Gimme it all. I'm a food adventurer.
- Poolside bar: Perfect for sipping something fruity while avoiding the sun.
- Restaurants: Plural, thank goodness.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless the chefs, bless the servers. This is a life-saver.
- Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant: Always good to have some “healthy” options. Even if you only eat a few bites of the salad to make yourself feel virtuous.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Important. And hopefully, not just token vegetarian options.
Services and Conveniences
This is where the hotel flexes its muscles. And where I decide if the service is worth bragging about.
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Are they wedding ready?
- Business facilities: I kind of have to work on vacation, so let's see how they treat the hard workers.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Concierge: A good concierge is worth their weight in gold, but the ones I've known are either amazing or useless. No in-between.
- Contactless check-in/out: Fantastic. I'm not a fan of unnecessary human interaction.
- Convenience store: Stocked with the essentials (and maybe some questionable snacks)?
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, please.
- Doorman: Do they actually open the door? That's the real test.
- Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage: All the things that make life easier! Laundry service is a game-changer, especially if you're traveling light (like I try to!).
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Extra points for hosting events.
- For the kids
- Babysitting service: Good for parents. Questionable for the kids.
- Family/child friendly: Are we talking "screaming kids by the pool" friendly? Or genuinely thoughtful?
- **Kids facilities, Kids meal
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is a real trip, and trust me, it's gonna get messy. We're talking Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the Econo Lodge & Suites (fingers crossed it's not a total dumpster fire), and my entire life is on the line (okay, maybe just my sanity).
Day 1: Arrival and the Agony of the Budget Motel
- Morning (ish) - The Great Midwestern Migration: Okay, so the drive's already started off with a bang. My car, bless its rusty heart, decided to start making a noise that sounds suspiciously like a dying squirrel. Just what I needed, another expense! But hey, road trips are about embracing the chaos, right? We packed the car with everyone from me to my cat, and embarked for Grand Rapids (or rather, toward Grand Rapids).
- Afternoon - Check-in and the Quest for Coffee: Arrived at the Econo Lodge. Alright, let's be real, the website photos were definitely taken a decade ago. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and regret. But hey, the price was right, and I'm trying to be optimistic. Immediately after we throw our bags inside, first impressions… there's a stain on the carpet directly in front of the toilet. Not what I was expecting.
- Afternoon - The Search for Caffeine: Turns out, the in-room coffee maker is less "convenience" and more "a vessel for brown, slightly warm disappointment." Urgent mission: find actual coffee. Ended up at a chain coffee shop (because, let's be honest, I needed something close and familiar) and downed a latte as if my life depended on it. It probably did.
- Evening- Dinner and a Near-Disaster: We decide to eat at a local restaurant, after a trip to the hotel. It wasn't fancy, but hey, local flavor! The food was okay, but the real drama started when I went to the bathroom and the lock on the stall wouldn't budge. Cue frantic jiggling, a growing sense of panic, and a mental breakdown. Finally got it open with a screwdriver and a lot of sheer willpower. My heart rate is only now returning to normal.
- Evening - Bedtime and Dread: Headed back to the hotel. As I tried to find a way to fall asleep, I noticed that the ceiling was stained. I laid there for a while, unable to decide if I should try to get a different room or not. I just wanted to sleep.
Day 2: Art, Beer, and Existential Dread
- Morning - The Museum of (Mostly) Awesome: Hit up the Grand Rapids Art Museum. It was… surprisingly good! Some truly stunning pieces. There was one exhibit that totally blew my mind – an installation of giant, floating, iridescent spheres. For a solid twenty minutes, I just stood there staring, completely lost in thought. It was an amazing experience.
- Afternoon - Beer City, USA (and My Questionable Taste): Okay, Grand Rapids is known for its beer scene. Time to embrace my basicness and go brewery hopping! Tried a few different beers, and if I'm honest, I couldn't really tell the difference, because I'm not a beer person. However, the atmosphere was great; the music was nice, and the people seemed pleasant, so I had fun.
- Late Afternoon- The Aftermath of Beer: After all the beer, my brain was still a little fuzzy. That made me hungry. I ended up in a small restaurant and got some comfort food. Comfort food always lifts my mood, so I went back to the hotel with a full belly and happy heart.
- Evening - Unexpected Emotions on Netflix: I was so exhausted from the day. It all just hit me. I can't explain it, but I just needed to lay down and breathe. I turned on my TV, and started watching a show. The show was just about two people, and I had a huge emotional reaction. I don't know why. I can't really describe it. But I cried. I just cried.
Day 3: Goodbye (Thank God) and Reflections (Maybe)
- Morning - The Great Escape: Woke up, packed, and gtfo out of the Econo Lodge. No lingering, no looking back.
- Morning - Souvenir Shopping (The Cheap Kind): Stopped at a souvenir shop and bought a t-shirt. Gotta prove I actually left the hotel!
- Afternoon - Drive Home & Post-Trip Meltdown: The long drive home. Lots of time to reflect on the trip. Was it worth it? Honestly, I’m not sure. It wasn’t always fun, it was messy, and sometimes I felt like I was going crazy. But… maybe that’s the whole point. It was real. And even if it wasn’t perfect, it was mine.
Overall Assessment:
Grand Rapids: Definitely a thing. The art museum was GREAT. Beer scene is good, if you're into that. And the Econo Lodge? Well, it gave me a story to tell. Would I go back? Maybe. Probably not to that particular Econo Lodge. But overall, it was a trip. And that, my friends, is all that matters!
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