Gilroy Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn Deals! (CA)
Gilroy Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn Deals! (CA) - A Real-Life Review (And It's Kinda All Over the Place)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to subject you to my Gilroy Getaway experience at, you guessed it, the Days Inn. (Spoiler alert: It’s no five-star resort, but hey, we're in Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world, not Monaco.)
The TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read) Version: Mostly decent, especially for the price. Clean enough, got Wi-Fi (hallelujah!), and the pool was… well, it existed. Prepare for a lotta details, though, 'cause I'm me, and oversharing is my love language.
Let's Get Down to Brass Tacks (and Garlic): The Nitty Gritty
First off, Accessibility. I’m not in a wheelchair, so I can only assume things are accessible. Based on what I saw – ramps, elevators (thank goodness!), and the general layout – I'd guess it's pretty good. Still a good idea to call ahead and confirm if you have specific needs; you know, just to be safe.
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: Didn't notice anything clearly marked as accessible specifically for restaurants/lounges. Again, call and double-check. I'm all about accessibility, and I can’t imagine the hotel, with its big open spaces, isn’t up to code.
Wheelchair accessible? See Above.
Internet Access: Alright, the modern world demands Wi-Fi, and the Days Inn delivers. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Yep! Thank the tech gods. I'm a working nomad, and the thought of paying extra for internet makes me want to scream. The Wi-Fi worked consistently (a minor miracle in itself), so that's a HUGE win. Internet [LAN]? Didn't use it, but it's listed, so, cool beans. Internet services? Basically, reliable Wi-Fi and that’s all I really needed. Wi-Fi in public areas? Yes, also functional. So, internet-wise, Days Inn Gilroy is doing a solid job.
Things to do (in the hotel? Uh…) and Relaxation Station:
- Pool with view: Alright, the pool. It was… there. Outdoor, yeah, a standard rectangle, nothing fancy. The "view" was primarily the parking lot. But hey, it was hot, and I went for a swim. So, a win, kinda. "Pool with view" is a wildly optimistic description, but hey, at least it had water.
- Sauna/Spa/Steamroom: Nope, none of that. This ain't the Four Seasons, folks.
- Gym/fitness: Nope. Again, this isn't a luxury spa.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: Nope, nope, and triple nope. This is a Days Inn, not a wellness retreat.
- Ways to relax: Besides the ahem “pool with view” and Wi-Fi, relaxation is what you make it. Bring a book, zone out, drink your coffee (which you'll have to make yourself, of course)…
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitized Spectacle
Okay, this is where things get a little… obsessive in 2024, right? I mean, post-pandemic, everyone's got a hand sanitizer in their purse, and the thought of a germ is enough to make you want to hide under the covers.
- Anti-viral cleaning products & Professional-grade sanitizing services: Listed. I didn’t witness the actual cleaning happening, but the room seemed clean. No visible grime, no questionable smells. (Unless you count the lingering scent of garlic, which, hey, Gilroy!)
- Breakfast takeaway service: Did not attempt
- Daily disinfection in common areas: That seemed to be happening. I think I saw someone wiping down the elevator buttons.
- Hand sanitizer: Yup, there, at the front desk and in various places.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Listed.
- Hygiene certification: Doubtful, but again, seemed pretty clean.
- Individually-wrapped food options: I didn't even eat breakfast.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Good luck with that in the elevator.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Never asked
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Listed.
- Safe dining setup: I did not have the breakfast.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I didn't see the kitchen.
- Shared stationery removed: Didn't notice any stationery.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Probably.
- Sterilizing equipment: Probably.
- First aid kit: Always good to have, which it probably did.
- Doctor/nurse on call: No Doctor.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Adventures in Eating (or Not)
- Breakfast [buffet]: This is where things get interesting. I saw the buffet, a pretty standard affair. Cereal, pastries, fruit, the usual suspects. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, and communal food stations still weird me out. The breakfast seemed… fine. (I'm sensing a pattern here, aren’t you?)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: I'm pretty sure there was coffee, but I did not partake.
- Coffee shop: No coffee shop, not on-site.
- Restaurants: No, not in the hotel.
- Poolside bar: You're kidding, right?
- Snack bar: No snack bar.
- Room service [24-hour]: Nope, nada, zilch.
- Other restaurant selections: None.
Services and Conveniences: The Practicalities
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, thankfully. Gilroy gets HOT.
- Business facilities There's a business center, so yes.
- Elevator: Thank GOD. I hate stairs.
- Facilities for disabled guests See Accessibility above.
- Laundry service: Yup.
- Luggage storage: Sure, probably.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, thankfully.
- Concierge: Nope.
- Food delivery: Didn’t try, but I'm sure DoorDash delivers.
- Convenience store: Nope. Just the gift shop, which basically is a glorified convenience store.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Yes, there’s the usual touristy stuff.
- Invoice provided: Yes, of course.
- Dry cleaning: Probably, at an extra cost.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yes.
- Valet parking: LOL no.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes, plenty of parking.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Not?
- Babysitting service: Doubtful.
- Family/child friendly: Sure, it's a Days Inn. Families are welcome.
- Kids facilities: Not that I saw.
- Kids meal: Nope.
Access: Security, & Other Stuff
CCTV in common areas: I assume so.
CCTV outside property: Probably.
Front desk [24-hour]: Yep.
Fire extinguisher: Yep.
Non-smoking rooms? Yes, thankfully.
Safety/security feature: Yes.
Security [24-hour]: Seems like it.
Smoke alarms: Yep.
Getting around:
- Airport transfer: Nope.
- Car park [on-site]: Free parking.
- Car power charging station: None that I saw
Available in all rooms & Room Stuff
- Additional toilet: Nope.
- Air conditioning: Yes. Essential!
- Alarm clock: Yes. Annoying but effective.
- Bathroom phone: Why?
- Bathtub: Yeah, the usual.
- Blackout curtains: Yes, glorious blackout curtains.
- Carpeting: Yes.
- Closet: Yes.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes. Essential for a morning person!
- Complimentary tea: Probably.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes.
- Desk: Yes.
- Extra long bed: Yes, thankfully.
- Free bottled water: Sometimes.
- Hair dryer: Yes.
- High floor: Not that I cared, but they have several stories.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to really dissect a trip to the Days Inn in Gilroy, California. Let's be honest, it ain't the Ritz, but hey, a place to lay your weary head is a place to lay your weary head, right? And maybe, just maybe, we'll stumble upon some unexpected magic… or at least, some decent continental breakfast. Here we go:
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Day Inn
1:00 PM: Rolling into Gilroy. Google Maps lied. It always lies about how long it takes to get anywhere. Felt like I was stuck in a perpetual loop of the 101. Already hangry, already regretting my life choices.
1:30 PM: Check-in. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and… desperation? The woman behind the counter, Brenda (pretty sure she's seen things), gives me a look that says, "Welcome to the abyss." I'm pretty sure I saw a dust bunny the size of a small chihuahua roll across the floor.
2:00 PM: Room assessment. Okay, here we go. The carpet: a swirling tapestry of… well, I'm afraid to know. The bedspread? A symphony in beige, punctuated by what might be stains. And the bathroom? A classic: the shower curtain that's clinging for dear life, the flickering fluorescent lights, the… well, let's just say I’ve seen cleaner gas station bathrooms. But hey, at least there's a TV! Insert a sigh This is truly the essence of a motel experience.
2:30 PM: Immediately spray everything with Lysol. Everything. My hands sting from the chemical assault, but I'm taking no chances. This is survival mode, people.
3:00 PM: Deciding to venture out. Hungry, feeling the need to stretch the legs. I need coffee. Gotta find coffee.
3:30 PM: The walk to the nearest coffee shop. The Gilroy Premium Outlets beckon. It’s not the vibe I’m going for, but hey, retail therapy is always an option, right? Found some okayish coffee, a bit burnt, but caffeine is caffeine in these dire circumstances. Did a little window shopping, which just made me sad I couldn't afford anything. Okay, let's not go there. Back to base.
5:00 PM: Dinner. The restaurant options from the hotel were less then inspiring. Went for a Pizza, it was… fine. Honestly, it hit the spot after the drive.
7:00 PM: TV time. Deciding I’m going to try and enjoy the moment, enjoy the experience… get some rest. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.
Day 2: Garlic, Giddiness, and God, I Need More Coffee
- 7:00 AM: Continental Breakfast. Okay, so this is where things get real. I walk down to the lobby to find my breakfast. The coffee smells… questionable. The "fruit" is probably older than my grandma. The bagels, though? They're rock-hard, but they do the job. I grab some stale cereal, a plastic-wrapped muffin, and that questionable coffee, and head back to the room. I seriously considered just skipping breakfast.
- 8:00 AM: Garlic Festival! Okay, this is the reason I'm in Gilroy. The garlic capital of the world! I'm going, and I’m ready to embrace the pungent glory.
- 9:00 AM: Garlic Festival Arrival. Boom. The Garlic Festival. The aromas hit you like a wall. Garlic fries, garlic ice cream, garlic EVERYTHING. It's sensory overload, in the best possible way. My eyes start to water, not from emotion, but from the sheer concentration of alliums in the air. My stomach is rumbling and I had to eat.
- 9:30 AM: First Taste. Garlic Fries. Oh. My. God. These are heaven. Crispy, salty, garlicky perfection. The line was long, but totally worth it. I devour the entire plate, my mouth burning, my soul soaring. I think I fell in love.
- 10:30 AM: Garlic Ice Cream. Okay, I'm feeling bold. This is a risk, a culinary adventure. And… well, it’s… interesting. The sweetness of the ice cream clashes hilariously (and strangely satisfyingly) with the garlic's pungent bite. I finish it, even though my taste buds are confused. Definitely a conversation starter.
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Exploring the Festival. Garlic braids! Garlic art! Garlic contests! I'm practically vibrating with garlic-induced energy. I people-watch, laugh at the absurdity of it all, and bask in the camaraderie of fellow garlic enthusiasts. This is a good day.
- 2:00 PM: Regret the garlic ice cream. Okay, maybe it was too much. My stomach rumbles, and I'm now keenly aware of the effects of the garlic. I don't think I'll be kissing anyone anytime soon.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the room. More Lysol. More TV. More… regret? (Mostly the ice cream, it was a risk.)
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Found a local diner that didn't have a garlic theme. Thank goodness. The food was basic, but exactly what I needed. A burger, fries, the works. I ate in peace.
- 8:00 PM: Contemplating the meaning of life while watching reruns of a show I never liked. It’s the Days Inn way, right? The quiet hum of the AC, the distant sounds of traffic… it’s actually kind of peaceful.
Day 3: Departure and a Lingering Aroma
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast… again. I decide to skip the questionable stuff and just have coffee. I figure I’m already smelling of garlic, what’s the point in trying to suppress it?
- 8:00 AM: Packing and checking out. Goodbye, Days Inn. Farewell, questionable carpet. May your dust bunnies multiply and conquer the world.
- 9:00 AM: One last drive-by of the garlic festival. For old time's sake. I can still smell it. Everywhere.
- 9:15 AM: The Drive Home. I leave Gilroy, with a little piece of garlic festival in my heart. And in my pores, apparently.
- 10:00 AM: Thinking about the trip. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't terrible. The garlic festival? Pure, unadulterated joy. The Days Inn? Well, it got the job done. It was a reminder that adventure comes in all forms, even when it involves questionable breakfast and a slightly questionable motel. And honestly? Sometimes, that's enough.
- 11:00 AM: Home sweet home. I’ll need to unpack, do laundry, and probably scrub myself with a brillo pad to get rid of the garlic scent.
- 12:00 PM: Planning the next adventure, for now, I should shower.
And there you have it. My Gilroy Days Inn experience. Flawed, messy, and garlicky, but all mine. Now I will say it, would I go back? Absolutely! But I'd probably bring my own pillow. And a hazmat suit. Just in case.
Uncasville Getaway: Microtel Inn & Suites Casino Deal!
Gilroy Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn Deals! (CA) - FAQs (Because Let's Be Real, You're Probably Curious)
Okay, let's do this. You're thinking of Gilroy, sunshine, garlic (obviously!), and maybe... a Days Inn? Sounds about right. Well, lemme tell ya, I've been there, done that, and bought the slightly-off-center, garlic-shaped keychains. Here’s the real deal on those "Unbeatable Days Inn Deals." (Emphasis mine, because those deals are… well, we’ll get there.)
So… Are these "Unbeatable" Deals, Really?
Look, "unbeatable" is a strong word. Remember, we're talking about *Days Inn*, not the Ritz. But, here's the secret sauce: Gilroy is a pit stop. A necessary pit stop on the way to… well, somewhere cooler, probably. And guess what? They know it. So, yeah, you can *usually* snag a decent price. Think… cheaper than a bottle of fancy wine (and significantly less headache-inducing the next morning). That said, I once saw a “deal” that involved a slightly mildewy-smelling room and a breakfast that looked suspiciously like it had been out since the Clinton administration. So, caveat emptor, my friend. Do your research! (Unlike me, apparently, that one time…)
What's the Vibe? Is it, like, a Party Hotel? (Asking for, uh, a friend…)
Absolutely not. Unless your definition of "party" involves aggressively polite families and people lugging suitcases that have seen things. Think… a perfectly functional, albeit unremarkable, base of operations. I wouldn't expect strobe lights and a DJ. More like… the hum of a mini-fridge and the faint scent of chlorine from the (probably very clean, let's be fair) pool. It's that kind of vibe where you feel like you're temporarily living in a beige postcard. It's not *bad*; it just... is.
Breakfast… What's the Deal with the Breakfast?!
Okay, *this* is where things get interesting. The breakfast buffet is... an experience. Let's just say, your expectations should be firmly grounded in reality. I'm talking pre-packaged everything. Think lukewarm coffee (I swear, it's the same coffee at every Days Inn, nationwide... it's a conspiracy!), a selection of slightly sad-looking pastries, and maybe, *maybe*, some questionable scrambled eggs. The highlight? Probably the waffle maker. That little champion, bless its heart, can sometimes redeem the entire experience. My advice? Lower your expectations, grab a waffle, and then hit up a real breakfast spot in Gilroy (they’ve got some good ones!). Don't go in hungry. Trust me. (My stomach STILL remembers that sausage…).
Are there any hidden fees? (Like, for parking? Because that's a pet peeve.)
Parking? Usually free! Now, that's a win. I *hate* hidden fees. I'm a simple person. I want to know what I'm paying upfront. However... and this is a big "however"... double check! Always. Just because I’ve *usually* not encountered parking fees doesn’t mean it's a guarantee. Read the fine print. Seriously. (I learned this the hard way with a shady car rental company once. Never again.) Otherwise? Expect the standard, like, a resort fee? Probably not at this Days Inn. But ALWAYS double-check. Seriously.
Gilroy is the Garlic Capital of the World... Is the Room, like, *Garlicky*?
Okay, great question. The short answer? Maybe. The slightly longer, more honest answer? Probably not *directly* garlicky. You're not going to walk in and be assaulted by the aroma of freshly-crushed cloves. BUT... if you've been inhaling the Gilroy air for *hours* at the Garlic Festival (you know, when they have it), or at any of the many restaurants in the area, you might carry the scent with you a little. The hotel itself, though, most likely won't be infused with garlic. Unless, of course, some previous guest had a… strong opinion on the local cuisine and decided to express it in an olfactory way. Which, now that I think about it, I *would* pay to witness, but I digress...
Real Talk: What's the Pool REALLY Like?
Alright, the pool. It's…there. Honestly? It's usually smallish. Perfectly adequate for a quick dip to cool off, but don't go expecting Olympic-sized swimming and synchronized diving teams. It’s more of a "splash around with the kids while Dad awkwardly sunbathes in his swim trunks" kind of pool. (I've been Dad. It's surprisingly relaxing.) Sometimes, the water is a little… *chillier* than expected. Brace yourself. And keep an eye out for rogue pool noodles. They're surprisingly dangerous. I almost lost an eye once. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. But still, watch out. And don't forget your towel. (Learned that one the hard way, too. Standing dripping in the lobby, mortified. Good times.)
Okay, But Should I Book It? Like, REALLY?
Look, if you're on a budget, and you need a place to crash while you explore Gilroy, and you're not expecting luxury, then yeah, it's probably fine. It is a very low-effort choice, and low-effort choices can be nice. Don't expect the world. Embrace the slightly-worn aesthetic. The pre-packaged breakfast. The potential for a lukewarm pool. Go in with low expectations, and you might, just *might*, be pleasantly surprised. Or, at the very least, you'll have a story to tell. (And hey, sometimes that's worth more than a fancy hotel room, right? Right? Sigh… yeah, probably not.) But, you know, whatever. Go forth, and embrace the slightly-less-than-unbeatable Days Inn deal! Just… maybe bring your own coffee. You'll thank me later.
Is there a gym, like, a real gym? (Or at least, can I run on that treadmill?)
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