Escape to Morehead, KY: Your Dream Days Inn Awaits!
Escape to Morehead, KY: Your (Potentially Dreamy-ish) Days Inn Awaits! (A Review From Someone Who Actually Stayed There)
Okay, so, I'm back from Morehead, Kentucky. Let’s just say it wasn’t quite the tropical paradise I’d been daydreaming about online travel brochures. But hey, it was something. And hey, it was the Days Inn. You kind of know what you're getting into with a Days Inn, right? Think… reliable. Think… potentially featuring a complimentary breakfast that could be described as “optimistically buffet-esque.” Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up, buttercups. This is gonna be a long one.
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- Meta Description: Honest review of the Days Inn Morehead, KY. We cover accessibility, amenities (pool, fitness, dining), cleanliness, and overall experience. Is it a dream stay? Maybe. Read on to find out!
First Impressions (and the Initial Panic):
Alright, so pulling up, the exterior? It’s a Days Inn. Let's be honest. No surprises there. Functional, a little…beige. The real test, though, is inside. And immediately, I was scouting for accessibility. My aging knees and the promise of a comfortable stay were heavily reliant on this.
Accessibility - The Nitty Gritty (Because It Matters):
- Wheelchair accessible: They do offer rooms designed for wheelchair access. I didn't personally request one, but I saw one open and available for inspection, so that's promising. Ramps and elevators are present. The elevators seemed a little… sluggish at times, but hey, they were there.
- Facilities for disabled guests: They've tried. The website touts accessible bathrooms with grab bars, etc. My advice? Call ahead and confirm your specific needs can be met. Don’t just assume – trust me on this!
- Getting Around: The exterior corridors gave me some peace of mind. Direct access to my room, no complicated mazes. Bonus points for that.
(Accessibility Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars – Room for Improvement, but a good start, at least on the promise of it.)
Cleanliness and Safety – A Pandemic Era Necessity (and My Biggest Anxiety):
Okay, so the elephant in the room (or, you know, the virus lingering around in the air) is the, shall we say, robust emphasis on cleanliness these days. How did the Days Inn in Morehead fare?
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Promised. Did I see them in action? Didn’t actually see the cleaners, but hey, the room looked clean.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Again, promises. The lobby seemed generally tidy, but I’m a bit of a germaphobe, so I was wiping down everything anyway.
- Professionally-grade sanitizing services: Unsure. I just assumed they were using SOMETHING other than a damp cloth and a prayer.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Couldn’t figure out how to opt-OUT of room cleaning, I only got to decline the turn-down service(really?). I really would have liked to skip it.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Seemed so…
- Hand sanitizer: Yep, found it by the elevator.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Possibly. Hard to tell but every staff member seems to be polite.
- Hygiene certification: Didn't see any actual certifications hanging around, but it was still a comfort.
(Cleanliness/Safety Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars – They’re trying, which, frankly, is a lot better than doing nothing.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Breakfast, the Buffet, and the Questionable Coffee):
This, my friends, is where things get… interesting. Let’s be realistic about the dining situation in a Days Inn. Expect minimalist. Expect functional.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, here's the big one. THE BREAKFAST. It was… well, it was there. Think: waffles you cook yourself, pre-packaged muffins (they had some interesting flavors, I'll give them that), some sad looking fruit, and the inevitable, slightly-too-cold scrambled eggs. The coffee? Let’s just say it was an experience. I needed a caffeine jumpstart, and it delivered. (As in I feel like a caffeine fueled robot.)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: yep.
- Breakfast takeaway service: It's a nice option if you're in rush (like I always am).
- Restaurants: There wasn't one in the hotel, but there were several options within a short drive.
(Dining Rating: 2.5 out of 5 Stars – Breakfast is an adventure. Plan accordingly. Bring your own coffee if you’re picky.)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Pool, Fitness Center, and…?)
Okay, let’s talk about escape. Because isn’t that the point of all this?
- Swimming pool: Yup! Outdoor. It was the end of summer, so the pool was cold. But it looked clean and appealing.
- Gym/fitness: It was a solid effort. A few treadmills, some weights. Nothing fancy, but if you want to work off those breakfast waffles, it'll do the trick.
- Spa/sauna There was no spa, no sauna.
(Relaxation/Things to Do Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars – Pool is a plus. Gym is a bonus. Don’t expect a luxury spa experience.)
Internet, Internet, and More Internet (Wi-Fi Woes and Wins):
This is the 21st century, people. Wi-Fi is a necessity.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Hallelujah! Worked well, mostly. There were a couple of times it went wonky, but I got enough work done to earn my keep.
- Internet access – wireless: The wireless was a-okay!
- Internet access – LAN: Didn't test this.
(Internet Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars – Mostly reliable, which is a huge win in my book.)
Services and Conveniences (Elevator, Laundry, and the Curious Absence of a Gift Shop):
Let's talk about the stuff that makes your stay easier, or, in some cases, makes you scratch your head.
- Elevator: Present and accounted for. See above.
- Daily housekeeping: Yep.
- Laundry service: They offered laundry services.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes.
- Convenience store: Didn’t notice.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Nope, which is a shame. I was hoping to find some bizarre Kentucky-themed trinket.
- Cash withdrawal: Didn’t need it.
- Concierge: Didn’t see one.
(Services and Conveniences Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars – The basics are covered. Don’t expect a ton of bells and whistles.)
Available in all rooms (The Important Stuff):
Okay, essential room features. Let's break it down.
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Good.
- Bathroom phone: I didn't, but it was there.
- Bathtub: Yep.
- Blackout curtains: Excellent for sleeping in after a long day of… doing whatever it is that you do in Morehead.
- Carpeting: Standard.
- Closet: Yep.
- Coffee/tea maker: This, surprisingly, was a lifesaver (especially since I skipped the coffee at breakfast).
- Complimentary tea: Nice touch.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes.
- Desk: Good for work.
- Extra long bed: A must-have for tall people.
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer: A lifesaver.
- High floor: Didn’t specifically request one.
- In-room safe box: Nope.
- Internet access – LAN: As already mentioned.
- Internet access – wireless: As already mentioned.
- Ironing facilities: Yes.
- Laptop workspace: Yep.
- Linens: Fine.
- Mini bar: Nope.
- Mirror: Yes.
- Non-smoking: Great!
- **
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously color-coded itinerary. We're going to Morehead, Kentucky, and we're gonna feel it. Specifically, we're gonna feel the Days Inn by Wyndham Morehead. And trust me, it'll be an experience. Don't expect pristine organization… I'm more "looseleaf notebook tossed in a minivan during a tornado" than "Swiss watch precision."
The Morehead Mayhem: A Days Inn Diary
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Continental Breakfast
1:00 PM: Land in Morehead after a drive that tested my (and the car's) limits. Google Maps lied. "Scenic route"? More like "endless stretches of asphalt dotted with suspiciously slow tractors." Arrive at the Days Inn. Exterior? Meh. Standard beige box, obligatory American flag flapping listlessly. Inside? Ah, the familiar scent of chlorine and vague disappointment. Check-in. The lady at the front desk seems like she's seen some things. Maybe she’s seen me - just a woman, standing in front of a Days Inn, asking for a room.
2:00 PM: Room check. Okay, let's be honest, the room isn't winning any design awards. Fluorescent lighting, the faint aroma of… well, I'm not sure what, but it's definitely a scent. Carpet pattern is aggressively patterned, which perhaps is a good thing, will hide the eventual coffee stain. TV is ancient, but hey, it works. I'm almost afraid to touch the bedspread, which looks like it hasn’t been washed since the Clinton era. But I’m tired. Gotta sleep.
3:00 PM: A walk around the vicinity of the Days Inn, an area not that interesting. There's a gas station, and a place for breakfast.
6:00 PM: Dinner. I stumble upon a local diner, a place they call "The Rusty Spoon." Ordered a burger. Ate it. It was… adequate. The friendly waitress, bless her heart, kept refilling my sweet tea. The locals all seem to know each other. I feel like an outsider, but a hungry outsider, and the burger hits the spot.
8:00 PM: Back at the Days Inn. Watching TV. It's like a time capsule. Watching a channel I can only describe as "Local News & Used Car Commercials." The news anchor looks like he's holding back a yawn. The car commercials go on forever.
10:00 PM: Attempt to sleep. The air conditioner is loud. Keep having to get up and adjust it. Bed isn't great. But I'm worn down.
Day 2: The Elusive "Free" Continental Breakfast and the "World of Books"
7:00 AM: Wake up. That air conditioner again. Decide to embrace the potential for adventure.
7:30 AM: Continental Breakfast. The moment of truth. I venture down to the promised land of processed carbs and questionable fruit. The "fresh fruit" is a sad selection of bruised bananas and apples that look like they've seen better decades. The waffles, however… they’re glorious. Wafflemaker jammed. I’m ready to fight someone. Eventually get it to work, and load up with syrup and fake butter. No regrets.
8:30 AM: Explore the town. There's a library! "World of Books". I spend the morning wandering shelves, inhaling the scent of old paper and forgotten stories. Find a dog-eared copy of a mystery novel from the 1970s. The plot? Uninspired. Characters? Bland. But I read it anyway. What else am I doing? Amusing myself with what I have.
12:00 PM: Lunch. Back to the Rusty Spoon. The waitress is there. She remembers my sweet tea and my name. It’s somehow…comforting. Order the same burger again. (Judge me, I dare you).
1:00 PM: Drive out to the Lake. The lake is pretty, at least. But the wind is picking up. Nature’s a fickle mistress.
3:00 PM: Back to the room to rest. I have spent half the afternoon writing notes on the state of the towels. Are they clean?
6:00 PM: Decide to eat dinner somewhere else. I found a place called "The Pizza Palace." I've always wanted to eat at a place called "Pizza Palace." The pizza? Actually good. Like, surprisingly good. Crust perfectly crisp, cheese gooey, the works. This place is a find.
8:00 PM: Back in my Room. More local news. More car commercials. I cannot believe this is entertainment, but here I am.
Day 3: The Great Escape (Leaving the Days Inn and Morehead)
7:00 AM: Wake up. Breakfast. The waffles again. They are my friends.
8:00 AM: Pack. Inspect the room one last time. I leave the room in a state I'm not ashamed of. No longer feel that way about the towels.
9:00 AM: Check out. The lady at the front desk smiles. Maybe she's seen worse. Maybe she is worse. Goodbye Days Inn. It's been…a thing.
9:15 AM: I drive. Head home. I will not remember anything, but I will never forget the experience.
My Final Thoughts (and a few Rambles):
Look, the Days Inn wasn't perfect. It was…Days Inn. But amidst the questionable decor and the occasional air conditioning malfunction, there were moments of genuine human connection. The friendly waitress, the pizza palace, the books… They were little glimmers of light. And isn't that what travel is all about?
Morehead itself? It's…Morehead. It's not Paris, folks, but it has a certain charm. I'm not sure I'd rush back, but I'm walking away with a few memories, a slightly expanded waistline from all those waffles, and a newfound appreciation for the simple things. And that, my friends, is worth more than a five-star hotel room any day.
And now, I need a nap. Exhausted.
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Escape to Morehead, KY: Your Dream Days Inn Awaits! (Kinda... Mostly...) - FAQs That Actually Matter
Okay, so, Days Inn in Morehead, KY... Seriously? Why would *I* want to escape *there*? Is this some kind of a joke?
Alright, hold on a sec. My first thought *was* a joke when I saw "Escape to Morehead." Escape *from* Morehead, maybe? Look, I get it. Morehead, KY isn't exactly Monaco. But hear me out. Sometimes, you NEED an escape. A hard reset. And you know what? The Days Inn there... it kinda *works*. It's… well, it's a Days Inn. Clean-ish. Affordable-ish. And honestly, if you're looking for a cheap basecamp for exploring Red River Gorge or just… you know… *doing nothing*… it's a decent spot. Don't go expecting the Ritz-Carlton, okay? Think... clean sheets, slightly questionable coffee, and the faint aroma of industrial cleaner. But hey, sometimes that's all you need.
What's the deal with the breakfast? Is it the "free continental" nightmare I'm imagining?
Oh, the dreaded "free breakfast." Look, let's be real. It *is* a continental nightmare, but… it’s *their* nightmare, too, and you're there for the shared experience! Think... pre-packaged muffins (the kind that could survive a nuclear winter), maybe some questionable-looking scrambled eggs that probably came from a carton, the aforementioned coffee that tastes like regret, and those ubiquitous, ever-present, plastic-wrapped mini-cereal boxes. I swear, I’ve seen those Cheerios boxes aging on the shelf. But, here's the thing: it *gets the job done*. You're fueled. You can then go find a *real* breakfast. Or just... get back in bed. No judgment.
What's the wifi like? Because I *might* need to work...or, you know, stream a show.
The wifi... ah, the wifi. This is where things get a little dicey. It *exists*. Let's call it that. It's... functional, sometimes. Don't expect lightning-fast speeds. I once tried to download a movie there, and it took – no joke – approximately three hours. I ended up just pacing my room, feeling increasingly resentful of the internet itself. So, if you absolutely need to work, download everything beforehand. Or, you know, embrace the digital detox and actually *look* at the mountains you came to see. Seriously, it wasn't bad for a change. You might find yourself actually enjoying the silence. Unless the A/C is running. Then it’s just… noisy static and regret.
Alright, alright. What's *actually* good about staying at the Days Inn in Morehead? Besides the low price and the potential for "free" breakfast-related trauma?
Okay, here's where I defend my initial argument. It IS conveniently located. Seriously, you're close to everything. Red River Gorge? Relatively close. Local restaurants? Within stumbling distance. I recall one night where I found myself wandering around with a craving for a simple burger and fries, and I lucked out! The friendly staff. They try. They *really* do. I remember one time, the remote for the TV wasn't working, and the lady at the front desk, bless her heart, brought me a *new* remote and even offered to change the batteries when I was clearly incapable. It's… it's a starting point. A base. And that, in itself, is worth something. It is the springboard of adventure. Also, it's quiet. Mostly. Except for the occasional siren.
What are some things to actually DO in Morehead and the surrounding area? Is it just… mountains?
Okay, *finally*! Morehead and the surrounding area… it's *fantastic* if you like the outdoors. You've got the Red River Gorge, of course, a literal hiker's paradise. Hiking trails galore, climbing opportunities (if you're into that sort of thing, which, if you’re not, it can look incredibly terrifying), and breathtaking views. Seriously, the views… they’re worth the price of admission (and the slightly questionable breakfast). You can also, believe it or not, kayak or canoe on the Red River, a relaxing experience if you’re not prone to panicking in the face of deep water and rogue wildlife. And of course, there's Daniel Boone National Forest, which is just… *more* nature. Don't forget to be careful of bears, I didn't see any, but I was told there was one spotted nearby! Also, don't miss out on exploring the local restaurants, you'll find some true hidden gems. You really will! And maybe even one restaurant, by the way, even had a cute little cafe, and the owner was super nice! I ended up going there three days in a row. So it ended up being a lot of exploring
Okay, so there's *nothing* bad about the Days Inn in Morehead? Like, *nothing*?
Alright, full honesty time. There are definitely… imperfections. The A/C in my room once sounded like a jet engine taking off; it would roar for a few minutes and then just cease for a bit, then start back. I swear, I considered moving the bed to the bathroom just to escape the racket. Then there’s the… let's just call it *varied* cleanliness. It's a gamble. You might find a stray hair or two. Or, you might find… yeah, let's leave it at that. Then, there's the noise. The walls, they're thin. You can hear everything – the people above you stomping around, the slamming doors, the occasional… *ahem*… passionate couple. And the parking lot? Let’s not talk about the parking lot… I once spent a solid 10 minutes trying to find a parking spot, like something that could survive a nuclear war. But again, it's part of the… *charm*? Maybe? I don’t know, it’s a Days Inn, and don’t expect more or less.
Should I *really* stay here? Is it worth it?
Here's the kicker: it *depends*. If you're a seasoned traveler who demands luxury and perfection, then absolutely not. Run. Run far, far away. If you're planning a romantic getaway, choose a different hotel. If you're trying to impress a date, don't bring them here. But, if you're looking for a budget-friendly base of operations for exploring the outdoors, a place to crash after a long day of hiking, or if you just need a place to get away from it all… then, yeah. Maybe. Just set your expectations accordingly. Bring your own pillow (seriously, the pillows are... well, you'll see).Wallet Friendly Stay
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