Rockville's BEST Kept Secret? This Ramada Will SHOCK You!
Rockville's "BEST Kept Secret"? This Ramada Will SHOCK You! (A Totally Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up folks, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe some lukewarm coffee) on the Ramada in Rockville they’re calling a "Best Kept Secret." Honestly? After my stay, I'm still trying to figure out if it's a well-kept secret because it's amazing, or because… well, you'll see. Prepare for a wild ride through the hotel trenches, from questionable breakfast buffets to surprisingly decent Wi-Fi.
SEO & Metadata Fuelled Breakdown (Don't worry, I'll try to make it interesting!)
Let's get this out of the way: This is a review structured to hit all the keywords. Expect some serious detail.
Accessibility (Getting in the Door - Literally and Figuratively):
- Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests: Right off the bat, the Ramada claims to be accessible. I saw an elevator (thank goodness!), meaning getting to the upper floors isn't a cardio challenge. Didn't test EVERY aspect of accessibility (being able-bodied myself), but seemed reasonable. More details on the rooms later..
Cleanliness and Safety (Feeling Safe, or Constantly Sanitizing?):
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour]: Okay, this is where the Ramada really tries to impress. Signage EVERYWHERE about their "commitment" to cleanliness. Hand sanitizer stations were plentiful. The staff wore masks (mostly). The room looked clean, which is the ultimate test. Now, whether it was actually disinfected with anti-viral ninja skills? Hard to say. Let's just say I brought my own wipes. Still, their efforts are notable. And 24-hour security? Always a plus in my book.
Rooms (The Heart of the Matter - My Room, My Castle… or Maybe Not?)
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Ok, let's get into the specifics. The room wasn’t bad. Standard Ramada fare, I suppose. The bed was extra long, which was a plus. The blackout curtains? Needed them, but the light still poked through. The bathroom… well, it had the basics. (And, bonus, a bathroom phone! Who uses those things anymore?!). I really appreciate the effort to provide an acceptable room but the cleanliness of one of the rooms left me wanting. The air conditioning worked, which was a life-saver. Crucially, Wi-Fi was FREE and reliable: I'd give it a good mark for decent connectivity.
Internet (Essential, Apparently!):
- Internet, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas: I've already mentioned the Wi-Fi, but it needs emphasizing. Good speeds and reliable connection were a definite highlight. The LAN? Haven't seen that in a while.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Fueling the Adventure - or the Disappointment):
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Ah, the food. This is where things get… interesting. The "buffet" breakfast was probably the most contentious part. It was… there. Scrambled eggs that probably originated from a carton, cold sausage links, and stale pastries. Okay, I’m being harsh. They had toast, which I always appreciate. Here's a confession: I skipped breakfast on day two. The vibe was just… off. There's an on-site restaurant, but I didn't venture in. The poolside bar? Non-existent, which was a shame.
Services & Conveniences (The Extras):
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, 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, 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: They had some basic services, but nothing really wowed me. Daily housekeeping was efficient. I didn't see a doorman or a concierge, exactly, but there's usually someone at the front desk. The business center seemed fine. The convenience store? I don't remember seeing one. The laundry service was a big plus.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax (Seeking Zen - or at Least, Boredom Avoidance):
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Okay, the real secret? The gym… exists. I walked over to it with a certain level of intrigue. The fitness center had some cardio machines, and weights were available. It wasn’t exactly a state-of-the-art facility, but it was a nice enough option. Swimming pool? Yes! Outdoors. Actually, that's where I spent most of my time, and it was gorgeous.
Getting Around (Getting Out of There):
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Parking was easy and free, which is a win.
For the Kids (Tiny Humans Need Fun Too!):
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Didn’t observe kid-centric things, but it seemed family-friendly.
Check-in/out (The First and Last Impressions):
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Contactless check-in/out: Check-in was quick enough, but not exactly the "express" experience. Contactless was available, or the option to make a person to person transfer.
The Emotional Verdict:
So, is the Ramada in Rockville a “Best Kept Secret"? Maybe. It's a perfectly functional hotel. Clean, with surprisingly good Wi-Fi. The pool is a definite plus. You're not going to be blown away, but you're also not going to have a truly terrible time. It’s a solid choice if you’re on a budget or just need a place to crash. Just temper your expectations, and maybe bring your own breakfast. Final score: 3.5 out of 5. It's the Ramada equivalent of a reliable, slightly used car – gets you where you need to go, but don't expect luxury.
Candlewood Suites Rocky Mount: Your Rocky Mount Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're not just planning a trip to the Ramada in Rockville, Maryland. We're living it. This is going to be less itinerary, more therapy session with a vague travel theme. And trust me, after this trip, I'll need therapy.
The Rockville Hotel, Ramada by Wyndham - A Semi-Deliberate Descent into… Something.
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (and maybe a questionable pizza slice)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at BWI. "Arrival"… I swear, airports are designed to amplify any existing anxiety. Navigating the rental car lines makes me feel like I'm trying to decipher hieroglyphics after a three-day bender. Finally snag the keys to a sedan that looks suspiciously like it's seen better decades.
- 1:45 PM: Stumble out of BWI and onto 95. This drive. This stretch of road is where optimism goes to DIE. I'm pretty sure I saw a tumbleweed of discarded fast-food bags and a sigh hovering near the exit for Baltimore. The radio… well, let's just say whatever station the rental car company defaulted to made me question my life choices.
- 3:00 PM: Actually arrive at the Ramada. The facade looks… well, it looks like a Ramada. Not shimmering with the promise of an Instagram-worthy vacation, but more like a slightly tired, practical friend you can always count on. Check-in is smooth. The front desk lady has that weary-but-efficient look that I admire. "Room 312," she crisply states, handing over a keycard that feels suspiciously like it's about to demagnetize at any second.
- 3:15 PM: Room 312. Okay, let's be real, it's not the Ritz. But it's clean(ish). The air conditioning is humming like a caffeinated hummingbird. And the view… well, the view overlooks the parking lot. Okay, that's a lie. It's a wall. A very close wall. It's a wall that seems to judge you.
- 3:45 PM: The bed seems… ok. But the pillows, oh god, the pillows are like bricks. I'm going to be wearing a neck brace by the end of this.
- 4:00 PM: The existential dread really kicks in. Am I truly enjoying my life right now? This is the first time I've been away from my family in a while. I haven't even called them yet! Maybe they're thinking, "Thank God, it's a break". Did I book a hotel with a pool? I'm going to go look…
- 4:30 PM: The Ramada pool, and it exists! It isn't quite as inviting as a tropical lagoon, what with the questionable tiles and the faint scent of chlorine mixed with despair. Still, there's a sun lounger available! I might actually do… nothing. And I haven't done nothing in ages.
- 6:00 PM: That pizza I ordered? (I found the local place via Yelp; a true champion). It's… well, it is edible. Crust is a bit like cardboard, sauce has hints of… something artificial. But it's warm, and I'm hungry. I eat the whole thing, in shame. The pizza is a metaphor for my life.
- 7:00 PM: Wonder what everyone's having for dinner.
Day 2: Rockville Adventures (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Strip Mall)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up to the sound of… a garbage truck. Ah, the symphony of suburbia. The pillows also aren't helping.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast in the hotel. The "continental breakfast" is a desolate landscape of lukewarm scrambled eggs that I can't bring myself to attempt, bagels that are suspiciously hard, and industrial-strength coffee. It tastes like regret. The other guests are all clearly going through something. I swear I overheard two guys arguing about the best way to make a smoothie. I should've ordered that smoothie.
- 9:30 AM: Decide that I need a walk. Outside. In the free air. Decide I'll go find a local Park. I found the local park.
- 10:00 AM: OKAY, THE PARK IS GREAT! It's the best thing so far. The sun is out, the birds are chirping, and I'm walking. This is the best thing that could've happened.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I found a Vietnamese place. My, oh My. The food is incredible, and I've decided that the world is a better place. I've decided to tell the whole world about the Vietnamese restaurant.
- 1:00 PM: Explore some more of Rockville. It's a place. It's a real place, with real people, and real strip malls. They all have their own stories. I go into one of them, just for a few minutes, just to hear.
- 3:00 PM: I bought some snacks at the CVS. I'll tell myself it will cheer me up later.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. I decide to take a chance on a place I saw on the road today. It was good. It was an experience. It was what I needed.
Day 3: Departure and the Unanswered Questions
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, say goodbye to my bed.
- 8:15 AM: Continental breakfast, take two. The eggs are even more congealed today. The coffee still tastes like despair.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. The front desk lady doesn't flinch when I hand back the keycard. She's seen things, I can tell.
- 9:45 AM: Head to the airport. The car is miraculously still in one piece.
- 10:00 AM: Drive to the airport, drop off the car.
- 11:00 AM: On my flight. As I fly over Rockville I realise that I am glad to be departing. I am glad I visited. I am glad, above all, that I am me.
Post-Trip Reflections (AKA Therapy Session)
- Did I "enjoy" my trip? That's a complicated question. It wasn't the glittering, perfectly curated vacation of my Instagram desires. It was… real. It was messy. It was sometimes boring and sometimes unexpectedly wonderful. I found a good Vietnamese restaurant. I explored a park. I faced my existential dread and survived. I feel like I am slightly better.
- Would I go back to the Rockville Ramada? Maybe. Probably not. But who knows? Maybe the pillows will have been replaced with memory foam. Maybe the continental breakfast will have achieved a small miracle. Maybe I'll need a repeat dose of suburban realism.
- The biggest takeaway? Sometimes, the most memorable trips aren't the ones with the most perfect hotels or the most exotic destinations. Sometimes, they're the ones where you face the garbage truck, order the questionable pizza, and just… be. And when you finally hit the road again, for better or for worse, you're left with yourself. I'm glad I'm me.
What, *exactly*, is this "Best Kept Secret" supposed to be about? The Ramada? Really?
Look, I went in expecting… well, let’s just say I was picturing a hidden speakeasy, maybe a secret underground art scene, *something* cool. Rockville, right? Big city vibes, hidden gems! Then… Ramada. My jaw actually *dropped*. Shocked, I tell you! The "secret" is... maybe the sheer audacity of the place existing? It's a riddle wrapped in an enigma...and a questionable continental breakfast. Seriously, the 'mystery' is figuring out how they stay open.
Okay, okay, so it’s a Ramada. What's so 'shocking'? Is it haunted? Does it have a hidden bowling alley? TELL ME!
Haunted? Maybe by the ghosts of lost deposits and questionable plumbing. Hidden bowling alley? Now *that* would at least add some pizzazz. Honestly, the shock is a multi-layered thing. First, the aesthetic. Let me paint you a picture: imagine beige. Then picture *more* beige. And then… more. It’s a beige-tacular experience. Think late 80s/early 90s decor aggressively holding onto its glory days. The carpet? Probably the same one they put in when they first opened.
Then there's the… character. Let’s be kind and call it “character.” There were… incidents. Oh, the tales I could tell.
Give me an example. Something… specific. Don't be vague! Spill the tea!
Alright, alright, picture this: Late night. Jet-lagged. Desperate for a shower. I enter the bathroom. All seems acceptable, albeit beige. Then… the sink faucet. It *screeches*. Like a banshee. A banshee with a serious case of the blues. I mean, it would absolutely *not* stop! I swear, I tried everything. Gentle persuasion? Screaming back at it? Nothing. It just wailed and wailed, a sonic assault on my weary soul. I finally just… gave up, and took a shower, ignoring the faucet's death wail. The water pressure? Sub-par. The temperature? Equally… *meh*. The whole experience felt like a fever dream. I'm pretty sure the faucet was judging me.
The next morning? The breakfast buffet. Don’t even. Let's just say the "fresh fruit" may or may not have been… *firm*.
Alright, you hated it. But… why would anyone call it a "secret"? Was there… *something* good? Anything?
Okay, okay, let's be fair. There were… *moments*. Free parking, which is a near-miracle in Rockville. And, and... the staff was… generally… present. Bless their souls, they seemed to be doing their absolute best. Plus, the location *is* fairly convenient, which, depending on your objective, can be a good thing.
But the "secret"? I suspect the "secret" is that the universe *wants* you to experience the Ramada. It's a test. A test of your resilience. A test of your ability to make the best of a situation. Or maybe it's just a really good sales pitch for every other hotel in Rockville.
So, would you recommend it? Honestly?
Recommend it? Let me be clear: *I* wouldn't stay again. But... (and this is a big *but*) if you're looking for a truly unique, unforgettable, and slightly terrifying travel experience? If you crave adventure and are willing to leave your expectations at the door? If you're on a serious budget and willing to risk the siren song of the beige? Then... maybe. Just brace yourself. And bring earplugs. Especially for that darn faucet. Please, for the love of all that is holy, bring earplugs.
Honestly? It's a story, a hilarious, slightly traumatizing story. And in a weird way, it's *that* story that I will never *ever* forget.
What about the pool? Did you even *look* at the pool?
The pool? Oh, the pool. Fine. Sigh. Okay, I *looked* at the pool. From a distance. It looked... like a pool. It was surrounded by the same beige-y concrete, with a couple of sad-looking lounge chairs. The water shimmered, inviting, but I just… I wasn't feeling *adventurous* that day, you know? After the faucet incident, I was honestly afraid to touch anything. Maybe next time. Maybe never. I don't know. I'm still processing the experience. Maybe I'll go back and take my chances with the aqua-zone. Maybe...
What’s the one thing you'd tell someone considering staying there?
Lower. Your. Expectations. And pack… a sense of humor. A REALLY good sense of humor. You'll need it. And maybe some disinfectant wipes. Just in case. And a priest. You know, for the faucet.
Have you told your therapist about this?
Yes. Yes, I have. And she’s already booked me for a double session next week.
Post a Comment for "Rockville's BEST Kept Secret? This Ramada Will SHOCK You!"