Geneva's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Finger Lakes Getaway!
Geneva's "Best Kept Secret"? Well, Let's Spill the Beans on Days Inn Finger Lakes Getaway! (Spoiler: It's… Complicated.)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the sometimes-charming, sometimes-quirky, and always-an-experience that is the Days Inn Finger Lakes Getaway in Geneva, NY. Forget those perfectly polished travel blog reviews; this is real talk. I'm here to give you the lowdown, the high notes, and the slightly-off-key melodies of this "best kept secret." And by the end, you'll know if this place is a hidden gem or just…hidden.
Metadata, Baby! (Gotta Play the Game):
- Keywords: Days Inn Finger Lakes, Geneva NY, Finger Lakes Getaway, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Cleanliness, COVID Safety, Wi-Fi, Family Friendly, Pet-Friendly (Maybe?), Finger Lakes Travel, Geneva Accommodation, Cheap Geneva Hotels
- Description: A brutally honest and detailed review of the Days Inn Finger Lakes Getaway in Geneva, NY. Covering everything from accessibility and cleanliness to dining and amenities, with personal anecdotes and unfiltered opinions. Find out if this "best kept secret" is worth the stay!
Accessibility: Can Everyone Get In? (Emphasis on "Can")
Okay, let's start with a crucial point: Accessibility. The website claims to have facilities for disabled guests. This is where I started to get that "yikes" feeling. I didn't need specific accessible features on this trip, but I always look for them, out of principle. The information was vague, and the photos… well, let's just say they weren't exactly crystal clear. I'd seriously recommend calling ahead and asking specific questions, like "How wide are the doorways in the accessible rooms?" and "Is the pool lift working?" Because the vague assurances on the site could easily translate into "Well, technically we have a ramp…" and that's not good enough.
Internet: Wi-Fi Wonderland, or Wireless Waste of Time?
The promise of a "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" is a big selling point these days. And, bless their hearts, they did deliver. I actually got decent Wi-Fi in my room and in the public areas. No more of that agonizing buffering! I could actually stream my guilty pleasure shows. The Internet [LAN] was available, too – for those of you who still dig the wired life. I'm more of a Wi-Fi kinda gal, but again, they offered it. Internet services were surprisingly decent.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitization Nation?
Alright, let's talk about the elephant in the room (or the virus in the air): COVID safety. This is where I was, frankly, most interested. They claim to be on top of things. The Anti-viral cleaning products were a relief, the Daily disinfection in common areas was a plus, the Hand sanitizer stations were prevalent. Rooms sanitized between stays? Allegedly. I didn’t see any of the staff in hazmat suits or anything, but I also didn't get a bad feeling, the smell wasn't overpowering from the cleaning products and I slept without fear. I didn't see evidence of Shared stationery removed, but I did see a staff trained in safety protocol. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter was mostly observed. As for Room sanitization opt-out available? I didn't ask, but a nice touch! I'd consider this a decent score on the Covid front.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Maybe?)
Okay, so it's a Days Inn, not a Michelin-starred restaurant. Let’s be realistic. The Breakfast [buffet] was…well, it was breakfast. The usual suspects: questionable scrambled eggs, lukewarm sausage, and the never-ending quest for a decent waffle. Coffee? Let's file that under "functional."
- Asian breakfast: Not sure what this even means in the Finger Lakes.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Again, a stretch.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes, but don't expect anything that will blow your mind.
- Restaurants: You're better off exploring Geneva's offerings.
The Poolside bar? Non-existent. Snack bar? Also, a no-go. Room service [24-hour]? Nope. Happy hour? Haha! Okay, I'm being harsh. There is a general Bar and a Coffee shop that's pretty basic. My advice is to keep your dining expectations low.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams?
This is where the "Getaway" part of the name comes in. The hotel has a decent Swimming pool [outdoor] which was a big plus, even if it wasn't exactly the most stunning pool I've ever seen. It was clean and refreshing and I actually really enjoyed it, which is awesome. There's also a Fitness center, which I didn't brave (too much time spent eating questionable breakfast!), but it looked…fine.
- Spa: Listed as having Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Spa, and Steamroom is great. But I have no idea of the quality. Honestly, I'd consider looking beyond the hotel for spa treatments.
- Pool with view: Honestly, it wasn’t bad
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh"
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes. Necessary.
- Concierge: Non-existent, you're on your own.
- Convenience store: Probably overpriced snacks and drinks.
- Daily housekeeping: Yep, they keep the place tidy.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Listed, but check availability.
- Luggage storage: Probably available (this is a Days Inn, after all).
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Seminars: Fine if that's what you need.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a good idea.
- Terrace: There is one!
For the Kids: Family Fun?
- Babysitting service: Listed, but call ahead.
- Family/child friendly: Sort of. It's a Days Inn, not a Disney resort.
- Kids meal: Unlikely.
- Maybe?
Access: Getting There and Staying Safe
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Plenty of parking, which is a bonus.
- CCTV in common areas, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher: These are all good things.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a plus.
Available in all rooms: The Nitty-Gritty
Okay, we're getting down to the room details. The basics are there.
- Air conditioning: Essential, especially during those Finger Lakes summers.
- Alarm clock: Check.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes! Thank goodness.
- Free bottled water: Nice touch.
- Hair dryer: You better believe it!
- Internet access – wireless Yes!
- Ironing facilities: Yes!
- Mini bar: No.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Yes, another good thing.
- Satellite/cable channels: Got 'em.
- Shower: Yep.
- Wake-up service: If you need it.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Indeed!
The Bottom Line: Is it Geneva's "Best Kept Secret"?
Honestly? No. But is it a bad option? Not necessarily.
The Good:
- Convenient location (close to a lot of the Finger Lakes attractions).
- Cleanliness seemed decent.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Good pool!
The Bad:
- The breakfast could be better.
- The spa experience could be disappointing.
- Some info could be misleading (accessibility).
- Meh ambience, a little "hotel-y" and not something special.
The Verdict:
The Days Inn Finger Lakes Getaway is a functional, reliable hotel. It's not luxurious, and it's not the most exciting place to stay, but it’s a practical option for exploring Geneva and the surrounding Finger Lakes region. It's the kind of place you'd book because it's convenient, affordable, and gets the job done.
Would I go back? Probably. I'd temper my expectations, and maybe pack my own breakfast snacks. But hey, for the price, and with the right attitude, it's a decent home base. So, not a "best
Manhattan Getaway: Unbeatable Super 8 Deals!
Alright, here's my shot at a "messy-human" travel itinerary, centered around a stay at the Days Inn in Geneva, NY. Buckle up, buttercups. This is gonna be a ride.
Days Inn By Wyndham Geneva/Finger Lakes, Geneva, NY: A Chronicle of My (Mostly) Pleasant Existential Crisis
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Motel Carpet Revelation
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at the Geneva Days Inn. Okay, first impressions… the pool is definitely not open. That's an immediate emotional gut-punch. I'd been picturing a languid afternoon of… well, languishing. Instead, it's a brisk, slightly-too-early fall day.
- 1:15 PM: Check in. The woman at the front desk had that weary, seen-it-all look that I admire and secretly envy. She's probably seen more interesting things in a day than I have in a week.
- 1:30 PM: The Room. Ah, the room. It smells faintly of cleaning product and… something else. Something… motel-y. You know the scent: old air, a hint of chlorine, and a dash of desperation. But hey, the bed looks comfy enough. Let's check the carpet… Oh my god. It's a tapestry of forgotten crumbs, questionable stains, and a pattern that my brain can't quite resolve into something cohesive. This carpet has stories. I bet it's seen some things.
- 2:00 PM: Brief exploration of the hotel grounds. There's a picnic table. It looks… neglected. I think there might be some discarded wrappers under the leaves, but I'm not going to get too close. I'll live to tell the tale.
- 2:30 PM: A wander towards Seneca Lake. Took the wrong turn and ended up at the back end of a car repair shop. The air smells of gasoline and regret. Turning around.
- 3:00 PM: Finally, down to Seneca Lake. It's GORGEOUS. Seriously, the Finger Lakes? They get it. Stunning. The water is a deep, moody blue. I feel a moment of quiet contemplation. This justifies all the motel-carpet anxiety.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the Days Inn for a nap. Because, honestly, the carpet is a bit unsettling. And the lake is tiring in a good way. I'm exhausted.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local place (TBD, I'm feeling adventurous). UPDATE: Ended up at Red Newt Bistro. The food was good, but the service was aggressively friendly. Like, they were trying to be my best friend. I prefer my waitstaff to be slightly detached, you know? Let me gaze out the window at other people and their dinners.
Day 2: Wine, Wine, & More Wine (and Self-doubt)
- 9:00 AM: Woke up, slightly hungover. Damn you, Red Newt! That Riesling was delicious, though. Breakfast at the Days Inn: The continental breakfast. Standard. The bagels are… well, they're there.
- 10:00 AM: Wine Tour: This is the big one. Going to hit three wineries, because why not commit to a full day of boozing? I'm pretty sure I'll need a designated driver. Starting with Hermann J. Wiemer.
- 10:30 AM: First winery. The view? Spectacular. The wine? I'm not a wine snob, but it's good. I feel awkward pretending to know what I'm doing, but also, everyone else seems to be having fun. I’m pretty sure one of the people clinking glasses is having a full-blown argument with someone online and they don’t know it yet.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at a winery. Suddenly, I'm a wine connoisseur. Or at least, I'm pretending to be. I ordered the cheese plate. Cheese, bread, wine. Could this be the life I've always dreamed of? Maybe. I'm surrounded by couples, I'm alone. Sigh.
- 2:00 PM: Second winery. This one has a shop. I buy way too many bottles.
- 4:00 PM: Third winery. Everything is a blur now. I'm starting to laugh for no reason. I forgot to put on sunscreen and may be slightly red.
- 6:00 PM: Back at the Days Inn. The room looks almost… inviting. I'm questioning all my life choices. And the carpet… it's still there, watching me.
- 7:00 PM: Ordered Pizza. Passed out on the bed before I could make a dent in the pie.
Day 3: Regret, Departure, & The Carpet's Legacy
- 9:00 AM: Woke up with a massive headache and the lingering scent of Chardonnay.
- 9:30 AM: Packing. This is always an exercise in “where did all this stuff come from?”. I discovered the random souvenirs I picked up (wine coasters, a keychain shaped like a grape) are a metaphor of self-loathing.
- 10:30 AM: Trying to check out and get my things together. I can't find a thing!
- 11:00 AM: Check out. The woman at the front desk is still there, still weary. I almost feel like I want to apologize to her for being slightly drunk the night before.
- 12:00 PM: Departure. As I leave, I can't help but look back at the Days Inn. This place has been a microcosm of life. The imperfections, the beauty of Seneca Lake, the wine-fueled moments of joy and misery. And, of course, the carpet. That will forever be etched in my memory.
- 1:00 PM: The End. On the way home already planning the next trip. And this time, I'll bring my own rug.
Geneva's Best Kept Secret (Maybe): Days Inn Finger Lakes Getaway - FAQ (With a Heaping Side of Hilarity and Honesty)
So, is this Days Inn *really* a "Best Kept Secret"? Because...Days Inn?
Okay, look. Let's be real. "Best Kept Secret" is a *strong* claim. It’s like promising the world on a lottery ticket you haven't bought. But hear me out. Geneva, New York, is gorgeous. The Finger Lakes are breathtaking. And the Days Inn, while not the Ritz, is…well, it’s positioned perfectly to take advantage of all THAT. Think of it like this: you're buying a really reliable, slightly-used car. It's got a solid engine (clean sheets!), gets you where you need to go (wine tours!), and doesn't break the bank (affordable!). Secret? Maybe not. Smart choice for a home base to conquer the Finger Lakes? Absolutely. (Just manage your expectations on the pool's cleanliness. Let's leave it at that.)
What's the deal with the free breakfast everyone raves about? Is it *actually* free and edible?
Free breakfast! Ah, the siren song of budget travel! Yes, it's *technically* free. The "ravings" are…well, your mileage may vary. I've had days when the waffles were suspiciously…plastic-y? And then other days the scrambled eggs were actually…passable! (Miracles do happen, people!). It's a grab-and-go situation. Cereal, yogurt (sometimes!), those weird little pre-packaged muffins that vaguely resemble actual baked goods, and the aforementioned waffle maker that's the centerpiece of the whole operation. My strategy? Load up on the fruit (if it looks fresh!), the coffee (always hot!), and maybe a yogurt. And then sneak a muffin for the road. Don’t judge me. Breakfast before wine tasting requires fuel, okay?!
Okay, but the rooms? Are they…bearable? Are there…*things* under the beds?
Alright, honesty hour. The rooms are…classic Days Inn. Think beige. Think possibly slightly dated linens. Think…well, let's just say I always do a quick sweep under the bed with my flashlight just in case. (Don't judge *me* this time - you learn things from experience, alright?!) They're *generally* clean. The beds are…fine. Sleepless nights? Probably not. Comfortable luxury? Absolutely not. My biggest gripe? The air conditioning. Sometimes it’s a blizzard, and sometimes it just wheezes at you and doesn’t seem to do much of anything. Pack layers! And earplugs, just in case your neighbor is practicing their opera singing at 3 AM – which happened to me ONCE. ONCE!
What's there to *do* in Geneva and the surrounding area? Wine, obviously, but…what else?
Wine! My God, the wine! Geneva and the Finger Lakes are a wine wonderland. Seneca Lake, especially, is packed with wineries. The Pinot Noirs will change your life! The Rieslings are crisp and refreshing! You'll need a designated driver...OR a shuttle service. And PLEASE, for the love of all that is holy, SPIT! (Or at least have a plan.) Beyond wine? Hiking! Watkins Glen State Park is stunning. There are boat tours on Seneca Lake. You can visit Hobart and William Smith Colleges (they’re preeeetty). And…there's the Seneca Lake Wine Trail Passport. GET IT. It’s your key to unlocking discounts and exclusive tastings. It’s also a *serious* commitment. We got one once and I'm pretty sure we were still tasting wine five days later. Worth it? Absolutely. Regrets? Maybe a couple. But hey, the Days Inn's a safe haven after a day of indulging!
The pool...is it a selling point?
About the pool...Let's just say it's a *feature* that *exists*. It's indoors, which is a plus, especially if you're visiting when the weather is less-than-ideal. But... and this is a big but... I once saw what I *think* was a small family of ducks swimming in it. Just kidding! (I hope.) The water might be a bit cloudy, and the chlorine smell is strong enough to peel paint. It's… an experience. Not a *particularly* pleasant experience, mind you, but an experience nonetheless. If you crave a refreshing dip after a long day of vineyard-hopping, maybe stick to the lake, or a bottle of wine. The lake is likely cleaner. And if the Duck Incident *was* real...well, at least the ducks are happy?
Parking? Any issues? Are there hobbits in the parking lot?
Parking? Good question! Generally, ample parking. No problems. Unless…you arrive late on a weekend during peak season. Then things can get a little…tight. Hobbits? No, I have not seen any hobbits. Although, after a particularly grueling day of wine tasting…well, let's just say my perception of reality can get a little…fuzzy. But no, no hobbits. Just cars. And the occasional minivan full of screaming children. (Soundproof rooms are a bonus!). And I once struggled to find a space, and got stuck in a conversation with this guy who insisted he knew how to make the *perfect* martini. He didn't. But the parking situation was so bad, I listened. Anyway. Parking: Generally okay, though.
Would you stay there again? Be honest.
Honestly? Yes. Absolutely, yes. Am I going to pretend it's a luxury experience? No. Am I going to call it the most glamorous hotel I've ever stayed in? Again, no. But it's clean enough, it's cheap enough, it’s centrally located, and it's a perfect launching pad into the glorious chaos that is the Finger Lakes. It's like that comfortable old pair of jeans you always reach for. They might have a hole or two, but they fit right, and they get the job done. Plus, the proximity to wine is *everything*. And you know what? Sometimes that slightly plastic-y waffle, and the questionable pool, and the slightly dated decor, they all add to the charm. It’s a low-key, no-frills, let your hair down kind of place. And in a world that's often too fancy, that’s sometimes exactly what you need. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm suddenly craving a Finger Lakes getaway…and a waffle.
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