Escape to Utah's Hidden Gem: Fairfield Inn & Suites Richfield Awaits!
Escape to Utah's Hidden Gem: Fairfield Inn & Suites Richfield Awaits! (Or Does It?) - A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, so you're thinking of ditching the city grind and heading somewhere… Utah. Specifically, Richfield. And you've stumbled upon the Fairfield Inn & Suites. Well, buckle up, buttercup, because I'm about to give you the unvarnished truth, complete with my inner monologue, occasional tangents, and maybe a tear or two (of joy, hopefully!).
Let's start with the basics. Accessibility. I’m not in a wheelchair, but I did peek around, and they seem to have some effort made. Wheelchair accessible rooms are a thing, which is a good start. Plus, there’s an elevator. Score! More on the specific implementation when it comes to rooms, but at a glance, it seems like they are at least trying to be forward-thinking, which is more than you get at some other places I've been to.
One of the biggest draws, at least on paper, is the promise of relaxation. And the options? Oh, the options. Let's be honest, I booked this trip desperate for a break. So, the pool with a view, the sauna, the spa, the steamroom… It sounded like a bloody paradise.
Honestly? The swimming pool [outdoor] was… well, it was there. Clean, thankfully, and the kids seemed to be having a blast splashing around. But "view"? Not exactly breathtaking. Think… more "adjacent to the parking lot". The spa/sauna/steamroom? Nope. I'm assuming those were services, maybe they have them, maybe they don't. I didn't see them. And trust me, if I had, I would have been all over it. (Where were these relaxing treats??)
Okay, deep breath. Let's regroup.
How about the Fitness center? Yeah, it’s there. I confess I intended to use it, but then my bed called my name, and well… let’s just say the gym experience was limited to visual assessment through the window, and a feeling of "maybe tomorrow." Gyms in hotels, right? They're always there, but… you know.
Speaking of comfort, let's talk Rooms. The all-important Available in all rooms features? They ticked a lot of boxes! Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Coffee/tea maker, (Complimentary tea! - a win for this tea-obsessed traveler), Hair dryer, Desk (necessary for hiding away with my laptop, pretending to be a productive human), Ironing facilities (thank god, because I'm a wrinkled mess without them), Satellite/cable channels, Wi-Fi [free], the usual suspects.
Now, I'm picky about bedding. I need a comfy bed. And the Extra long bed was – dare I say it? – glorious. I collapsed into it after a long drive and it was pure bliss. My room had Blackout curtains which, for me, is a huge win. Hallelujah! It was quiet even though they listed Soundproof rooms. Really, really quiet. No complaints.
And the Internet access – wireless, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! which sounds like a given these days, right? Well, it worked. Phew.
Cleanliness and safety. In the shadow of the COVID era, this is, understandably, paramount. They tout a lot of measures. I certainly observed a lot of Daily disinfection in common areas, and the staff seemed vigilant about Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. They also brag about Anti-viral cleaning products, which, well, I can't exactly see if they’re using them, but it’s reassuring to hear. Rooms sanitized between stays is also what you would hope to hear from the hotel. The Room sanitization opt-out available is fine by me, as long as they are going to clean. Daily housekeeping was attentive and unobtrusive… a total win. I feel good about their commitment to cleanliness.
Now, for my personal obsession, the food! Dining, drinking, and snacking were high on my list. Remember, I was desperate for relaxation.
The Breakfast [buffet] was the morning MVP. I was skeptical, I'm not going to lie. Buffet breakfasts can be a gamble. This one… surprised me. It was well-stocked, not ridiculously crowded, and had a decent range of options. They had Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, the usual Coffee/tea in restaurant and Breakfast service. It wasn’t Michelin-star quality, but it was hot, plentiful, and got me fueled up for the day.
The Restaurants themselves? There’s a Bar and a Poolside bar. Okay, maybe I didn't actually see a poolside bar, but I'm choosing to remain optimistic. There's a Snack bar. And you could get Room service [24-hour]. The details are a bit murky on this one though! Did they really have it? Or was I dreaming?
Services and conveniences. These things are important too, right? The Cash withdrawal was a no-brainer; the Concierge was friendly enough. I appreciated the Daily housekeeping. It’s those little things that can make a big difference, like the free Car park [on-site]. No complaints for me. Laundry service? Yes, please. Ironing service? Yes, please!
There was even a Convenience store, which, let's be honest, is vital for emergency snacks and late-night cravings. It's a win!
For the kids I didn't see any Kids facilities, but I didn’t have any kids with me. There’s no Babysitting service, but they had Family/child friendly. I think that could mean anything from a pool to a room with a TV.
Now, about the location. Richfield, Utah, isn't exactly a bustling metropolis. This place is a jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding natural beauty. So, if you're looking for a base camp to explore Capitol Reef National Park or Fishlake National Forest, then this is a fine choice.
Is it perfect? Nope. Far from it. But for the price point, the comfort, especially the bed, and the convenient location, I'd say the Fairfield Inn & Suites Richfield deserves a solid thumbs up. It's a good, solid, dependable option for weary travelers. It's not the most glamorous, and it certainly has some room for improvement on the "pampering" front, but honestly? Sometimes, you just need a clean room, a comfy bed, and easy access to some adventure. And in Richfield, that's exactly what you'll get.
Escape to Paradise: Courtyard Victorville Hesperia's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're heading to Richfield, Utah, and frankly, I'm already picturing myself staring at the ceiling of that Fairfield Inn & Suites at 3 AM, wondering if I packed enough snacks. This itinerary isn't perfect, it's not pristine, and it's definitely not going to be all sunshine and rainbows. But, hey, neither is life, right?
Richfield Rumble: An Itinerary (Or At Least, A Suggestion)
Day 1: Arrival and the Despair of the Highway
- Morning (ish): The drive. Oh, the drive. We're talking hours. We're talking the kind of drive that makes you question all your life choices and the sanity of road trip playlists. Side note: Spotify, you're a fickle mistress. Why do you suddenly think I love polka? I don't, and I never will. Make sure you have enough snacks and water because gas stations are sparse, and frankly, their hot coffee is probably going to taste like mud.
- Afternoon: Arrive at the Fairfield Inn & Suites. Check in… and hope the room isn't on the third floor with a view of the dumpster. Prayers up, people. Unpack. Immediately raid the complimentary coffee/tea station. Assess the Wi-Fi situation. Decide if you can live without Netflix for a couple of days.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Okay, so, let's be real. Richfield isn't exactly the throbbing heart of nightlife. So, the plan is to hit the local grocery store (probably Macey's or Smith's). Stock up on essentials: chips, dip, something healthy (maybe a lone apple? I always start with good intentions), and, most importantly, a six-pack of something cold. Honestly, I'm half-expecting to be the only one there. What will I do? Embrace it, be an early bird, I guess.
- Evening: Dinner. The choices are… well, they're limited. Google Maps tells me they have a few chain places. We've all been there. I'm going to try and find somewhere local, if it's not too much trouble. I'm secretly dreaming of a decent burger. Or maybe just something edible, to be honest. Back to the hotel. Maybe watch some TV. Probably zone out. Maybe find a good book I can read in the dark before I fall asleep.
Day 2: The Great Outdoors (And My Interior Struggles)
- Morning: The sun is up, is it? I have to get up. I need coffee. A lot of coffee. Okay, time for breakfast. I'll try the hotel's free breakfast. Hopefully, it's not the usual rubbery eggs and stale pastries. Crosses fingers.
- Mid-Morning: Ok, here's where the “adventure” comes in. We're supposed to be exploring. We could try to go to Fish Lake. I've been told it's pretty. But honestly, the thought of driving on winding mountain roads fills me with mild dread. This is where my inner couch potato rebels. I might need a pep talk (to myself, of course). Let's see what the weather app is saying. It's so weird to think about how many people use this app, and there are no other people, so what is going to be the actual weather.
- Afternoon: Okay, let's delve deeper into Fish Lake. Take some pictures. Pretend to be outdoorsy. Fail hilariously. I will attempt to hike, even if I look like a beached whale wheezing for air. I'll probably complain. A lot. But the pictures will look good (hopefully). This could be a disaster. It could be great. It could be both, at the same time, like some crazy tourism portal.
- Late Afternoon: Back to the hotel. Nap time. (Don't judge me.) Read. Try to connect with the world (if the Wi-Fi cooperates). Order a pizza. You know, the essentials.
- Evening: Dinner again. Same dilemma. Maybe the burger place? Maybe a repeat of the grocery store raid. Maybe an early bedtime. Depends on my level of existential exhaustion. The kind of exhaustion that sneaks up on you when you're trying to relax.
Day 3: Departure and The Aftermath
- Morning: Wake, coffee, pack. Sigh. This is the part where I wish I could just freeze time and stay in bed forever. But duty calls. I have to clean up the room. That's always depressing.
- Mid-Morning: Last-minute breakfast. One final look at the hotel room. Did I forget anything? Probably.
- Late Morning: Drive home. The bittersweet feeling of freedom and the crushing weight of "back to reality" hitting me simultaneously.
- Afternoon/Evening: Unpack (eventually). Do laundry (ugh). Start planning the next escape, because, let's be honest, I feel so drained, I am pretty sure this whole thing took ten years off my life.
Final Thoughts:
This trip is going to be messy, honest, and probably a little bit of a flop, and some parts of the trip that I don’t feel like I’m going to love are going to be the best parts! That's the best kind, isn't it? Anyway, wish me luck. And send chocolate. I'll need it!
Escape to Paradise: Fairfield Inn & Suites Mobile Daphne/Eastern Shore
So, Richfield? Really? Why the heck would I go to Richfield, Utah?
Look, I get it. Richfield isn't exactly the Eiffel Tower or the Great Wall of China. My first thought was, "Is there *anything* there?" But hold up! It's a sneaky good base camp. Think of it as a launchpad. It's smack-dab in the middle of some serious Utah goodness. You got Capitol Reef National Park (stunning!), Fishlake National Forest (hello, hiking!), and if you're feeling ambitious you can hit Goblin Valley State Park as a day trip. Plus, it's off the beating path, away from the usual tourist throngs. That's a win in my book.
Okay, I'm intrigued. But is Fairfield Inn & Suites Richfield actually *good*, or is it just... a place to sleep?
Alright, here's the deal. It's a Fairfield Inn. You know the drill. Clean-ish. Competently run. Usually, free breakfast that’s edible. Don't go expecting the Ritz. But it's a perfectly acceptable, predictably comfortable place to crash after a day of hiking and dust. Expect cookie-cutter hotel decor. You're *there* for the outdoors, not the ornate wallpaper, right? Right?! (Unless you're deeply into hotel wallpaper, in which case, let me know, we can discuss. I'm fascinated by the choices they make... sometimes.)
Speaking of breakfast, is the "free breakfast" any good? Because let's be real, that can make or break a hotel stay.
Ah, the breakfast. Okay. So, it was... fine. Perfectly... standard. They had the usual suspects: the pre-made omelets that look a little sad, the little boxes of cereal (Frosted Flakes FTW!), the toaster with the perpetually burnt bagels (seriously, how does that happen?!), and the coffee that'll wake you up but probably won't win any awards. But here's the thing: after a long day of hauling your butt up a mountainside, even a lukewarm, potentially rubbery egg square tastes like a gourmet meal. So, yeah, it's fine. Don't judge it too harshly. Just fuel up, grab a banana to go, and move on.
The rooms. Spill the tea. What are they like?
Rooms? They're rooms! They're clean enough, which is a huge plus in my book. The beds are comfy enough to collapse into after a sweaty day, and the air conditioning works. (Thank the heavens! Utah summers are brutal.) I *believe* they recently did some updates. I remember a decent size TV and a small fridge, which is clutch for storing leftover pizza (essential travel food group). No complaints, really. I wasn't expecting a five-star suite, and I didn't get one. But I *was* expecting to be able to sleep in a room and not feel totally gross, and that need was certainly met.
Is there a pool? Because I need a pool.
Yes! There is a pool! And a hot tub! Ok, let me be honest. It's just not the most "Instagrammable" pool you will ever encounter. But hey, it's perfectly functional. It's clean! And after a day of hiking in the desert, jumping in that pool is *heaven*. I remember one time, I think it was the late afternoon. Just fried from the sun. And this little kid, maybe six, was just *unleashed* in the pool. Splashing, screaming, absolutely loving life. I just sat there and realized that the best things in life are simple: a clean pool, sunshine, and a kid who doesn't give a darn about anything except the joy of water. I highly recommend taking a dip! Especially after coming from Goblin Valley. You'll be gritty.
How about the staff? Are they friendly?
Honestly, the staff were lovely. Utterly lovely. Not overly chatty, but always helpful with a smile, which counts for a lot. I remember one time, after getting totally *lost* trying to find the hotel (my sense of direction is legendary for its ineptitude), I finally stumbled in, red-faced and frazzled. The lady at the front desk didn't even bat an eyelid. She just checked me in with a smile, gave me directions to my room, and probably saved me from wandering aimlessly around Richfield until I died of thirst. Bless her. Good people, I say.
Is there anything *around* the hotel? Restaurants? Things to do?
Richfield itself? Well... that depends what you're looking for. There's a pretty solid selection of fast-food places (hey, sometimes you need a greasy burger fix after hitting the trails!), and a few local restaurants. There's a grocery store. Not a bustling metropolis, mind you. But you're there for nature, remember? The hotel is a great launching pad for exploring the surrounding areas. Honestly, I spent most of my time exploring the parks, so I wasn't too focused on Richfield's nightlife (or lack thereof!).
Would you stay there again? Honestly!
Yes, I would. Absolutely. For the price, the convenience, and the overall decent-ness of the place, it's a solid choice. It's not a destination in itself, but it's a perfectly functional, comfortable, and well-located base for exploring some incredible Utah landscapes! Think of it this way: you're paying for access to *awesome*, not the hotel itself. And remember, you're probably going to be too exhausted from hiking to care about anything other than cleanliness and a good night's sleep. So yeah, I'd stay again and I'd highly recommend it if you are just looking for a quick break from reality.
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