Slidell's BEST Kept Secret: Super 8 Wyndham Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Slidell's "Best Kept Secret"? Hold My Hurricane: A Real Review of Super 8 Wyndham (And Did I Mention the Wi-Fi?)
Alright, buckle up, because I've just emerged from the whirlwind that is the Slidell, Louisiana Super 8 Wyndham. And lemme tell you, "best kept secret"? That's what they're saying. Let's see if that's the truth…or just a desperate plea from a motel holding onto life in the age of Boutique Hotels and Airbnb.
First Impressions… and the Parking Lot Predicament (Accessibility & Getting Around: Car Park [on-site], Car park [free of charge], Car power charging station, Airport transfer, Taxi service, Valet parking, Bicycle parking)
Okay, so pullin' up, the first thing I noticed (besides the Louisiana humidity, which is basically a character in this story) was… the parking situation. Now, they do have a free car park, which is a MAJOR win. Especially for this budget traveler. But maneuvering around felt kinda… tight. It also made me appreciate accessibility options—ramps and such. And honestly, the Super 8 delivered here. Accessibility is decent, with ramps and elevators readily available. Now, a Tesla charging station? Nope. This ain't exactly the Ritz. But hey, there are car park and free car park! And those are already major wins if you’re on the budget and you’re driving around.
Inside the Fortress of… Cleanliness? (Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Hygiene certification, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Individually-wrapped food options, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment)
Before the whole "pandemic" thing, I barely noticed the cleanliness. Now? It's my top priority. And the Super 8 seems to be trying. They're talking the talk with their anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, the whole nine yards. And honestly? The room felt pretty clean. Definitely smelled fresh, which is a good sign. I’m not going to lie, though—I probably spent a solid five minutes checking for dust bunnies under the bed. (Spoiler alert: I think I found one. Maybe.) The point is: they’re trying, and that counts for a lot these days.
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (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.)
So about the room. It was… well, it was a Super 8 room. Let's not kid ourselves. Now, for what they lack in high-end design, they make up for in functional amenities. The Wi-Fi, which is advertised as free, worked reliably (and I spent a lot of time testing it, work-related, of course!) The air conditioning blasted like a hurricane, essential for Louisiana summers. They had a desk, a mini-fridge (essential for keeping your swamp pop cold), and a TV with… well, a lot of channels. Satellite/cable channels… Check! Smoke detector… Check! But the lack of a mini-bar was tough—I wanted to feel fancy when drinking my Bud Light. The bed was comfortable enough, although maybe a little worn-in. And, look, the blackout curtains are a blessing.
Oh, and the bathroom was functional—separate shower/bathtub…Check! And thankfully clean. I've stayed in some dives… this was a step above.
The Internet: Actually Good (Internet access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas)
I can't stress this enough, for me, a digital nomad without a true "workspace" is that the Wi-Fi was surprisingly solid. I mean, for a Super 8. I could stream Netflix (the only true test of a decent Wi-Fi connection), browse, and even upload files without a hitch. That, my friends, is a small miracle. And it might be the biggest selling point of this place.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Quest for sustenance (Dining, drinking, and snacking: 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)
Okay, the dining situation is… well, let's say it's a work in progress. Forget about fancy restaurants and room service. Here's the deal: there is a "breakfast service," and some kind of buffet. But I’m pretty sure the highlight of the breakfast was the coffee. It was, to put it mildly, adequate. Now, the room rate included options like breakfast service and breakfast [buffet]. The breakfast takeaway service was a plus considering restrictions. There is a snack bar for a quick bite. Overall, don’t expect gourmet, and you won’t be disappointed.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Or Not (Things to do, ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor])
Alright, look. You're not coming to the Super 8 Wyndham for a spa day. There is an outdoor swimming pool. It was clean and the water was refreshing. I’d still choose the gym or fitness center. This is a very budget-friendly option.
Services and Conveniences: Does it have the Essentials (Services and conveniences: 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)
Here's where the Super 8 sort of shines. They offer a lot of the basics. Daily housekeeping… Check! Laundry service… Check! Contactless check-in/out… Check! Their business facilities seem adequate, although I didn't need to use them. There's an elevator, which is a MUST. And the staff was friendly and helpful. They had a cash withdrawal option. You get what you pay for!
For the Kids: Baby Sitting, Kid-friendly? (For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal)
Listen, I don't have kids. So I can't speak to this with authority. But from what I saw, it seemed pretty family-friendly. Family/child friendly… Check!
The Verdict: Secret Worth Keeping?
So, is the Super 8 Wyndham Slidell a "best-kept secret"? I’m on the fence. If you’re looking for luxurious spa treatments and gourmet meals, skip it. But, for the price, the cleanliness, the surprisingly good Wi-Fi, and the general convenience, it’s a respectable option for a budget traveler. It's not perfect, but it's honest. And sometimes, that's all you need. And if you simply want a place to sleep, with free Wi-Fi in all rooms, give it a shot.
Pasadena Getaway: Luxurious Stay at Residence Inn Arcadia!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this itinerary is less "polished travel brochure" and more "notes scribbled on a napkin at 3 AM fueled by stale gas station coffee." We're going to Slidell, Louisiana. And frankly? I'm already picturing that Super 8 carpet, the one that seems to absorb all the dust and despair of a thousand road trips. Let's see if we can make it count.
Slidell Pilgrimage: A Symphony of Gas Station Snacks and Existential Dread
Day 1: Arrival and the Questionable Allure of the Lobby Breakfast
1:00 PM: Arrival at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Okay, so, not technically in Slidell. But gotta get there, right? I'm already picturing the car rental guy with the overly-friendly smile who's definitely had a long day. Pray for a decent car. Pray for no dents. Pray for a working air conditioner. Pray for the gods of GPS to be with me. Driving to Slidell, about 30 miles north.
2:30 PM: Check-in at Super 8 by Wyndham Slidell. The moment of truth. The Carpet. The potential for a complimentary continental breakfast featuring questionable waffles. The faint smell of disinfectant mixed with something vaguely floral. I'm bracing myself. First impression is key. Note to self: immediately inspect the bed for… things. (You know the things).
3:00 PM: Reconnaissance Mission: The Hotel Surroundings. Walk around the hotel perimeter. Scope out the nearby gas stations (essential for snacks, coffee, and emergency bathroom breaks). Try to ignore the weird guy in the windowless van parked suspiciously close to the rooms. Observe the general vibe of the neighborhood. (Is it "Safe"? Can I buy a cheap cig here?)
4:00 PM: Snack Acquisition. This is crucial. Hit up the gas station. Invest in junk food of choice. (I’m thinking… chips, something salty, something sweet, and maybe a sugar-free Redbull to balance the sugar rush. I'm a complex creature, okay?) The gas station bathrooms will determine the entire vibe of the trip. Also, if the coffee is decent, that's a major win.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a random eatery. This is where things get hazy. Yelp is your friend, or perhaps your enemy. I'm thinking somewhere that serves fried seafood. Or maybe not? I'm indecisive. But it has to be a place where I can blend in/ be ignored, and where the food is decent, regardless of anything else. I want people watching opportunities and no judgement.
7:30 PM: Evening Stroll. Drive around looking for something…anything. I'll take some pictures anyway. It's like, a responsibility.
8:30: Return to the Super 8. Prepare for bed. (Pray there's enough space.)
Day 2: Swamp Things and Emotional Baggage
7:00 AM: The Breakfast Dilemma. The moment of truth, again. Will I brave the continental breakfast of champions? Or will I opt for a smuggled-in granola bar and a coffee from the gas station? This is a major philosophical question.
8:00 AM: Honey Island Swamp Tour. Okay, let's face it. I'm terrified of alligators. And snakes. And anything that slithers, crawls, or has too many teeth. But, this is Louisiana, and you gotta do the swamp thing. I'll need earplugs to drown out my own whimpering. I want to see the swamp, but I'm not thrilled about potentially becoming swamp food.
- Anecdote: I once tried to hold a baby alligator at a tourist trap. Let's just say my inner monologue was a constant stream of "This is a terrible idea" and "Dear god, please don't bite me." I fear history will repeat itself.
12:00 PM: Lunch Somewhere Near the Bayou. After the swamp tour, I'll need a stiff drink (and maybe a sedative). Hopefully, there's a small cafe serving fried catfish within a five-mile radius of civilization.
2:00 PM: Second Look. Drive around. I can take an other look at the area. See what's in town. Maybe buy some stuff.
5:00 PM: Pre-Dinner Relaxation. Probably return to the hotel. Watch some TV. Contemplate the meaning of life. Maybe judge the cleaning staff.
7:00 PM: Dinner. This time, something entirely different. A new location.
8:30 PM: Sleep. Attempting to sleep early.
Day 3: Reflections and Road Trippin'
7:00 AM: Late Breakfast. If I'm lucky, whatever is left of the Super 8's continental breakfast will be edible. If not, I'm prepared with my emergency granola bar. I wonder what the other guests are doing.
8:00 AM: Check out of the Super 8…Finally!. Time to leave. The car is ready. It's time to go.
9:00 AM: Drive to New Orleans.
Important Considerations:
- The Soundtrack: Essential. The radio is not my friend. Need to compile a perfect playlist to reflect my current mood (which is probably a mix of anxiety, excitement, and a desperate craving for a decent cup of coffee).
- Toiletries: Travel-sized everything. Gotta be prepared for anything. And I mean anything.
- Emotional Baggage: Pack accordingly. This trip is less about the destination and more about the journey. And the journey often involves a whole lot of internal drama.
- Flexibility: This itinerary is a suggestion, a flimsy framework. Things will go wrong. Opportunities will arise. The key is to roll with the punches (and maybe hide from the alligators).
- The Super 8's Review: I will be honest in the TripAdvisor review because I feel it's my duty.
Okay, that’s it. Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it.
Escape to Luxury: Marriott Reforma's Unforgettable Mexico City Getaway
Slidell's Super 8: The Good, the Bad, and the Utterly Bizarre – A Review You Won't Forget!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your usual TripAdvisor fluff. We're diving HEADFIRST into the Super 8 in Slidell, Louisiana. "Best kept secret?" Oh honey, let's just say it's a kept secret. And I'm about to spill all the lukewarm tea.
1. Is this place *actually* a "secret"? (And by the way, what's with that title?!)
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room. "Best Kept Secret"? That's... a stretch. I saw more cockroaches than "secrets" during my stay, but more on that later. The title? Pure clickbait, I admit. But you're here, aren't you? And honestly, the place is a unique experience. It’s like a budget time capsule.
2. The Room: Let's Talk Dirty (Literally and Figuratively)
My room. Oh, my ROOM. First impressions? Let's just say the carpet looked like it had seen things, things I'd rather not imagine. The air conditioning? It worked... intermittently. Like a cranky old grandpa, it'd cough and sputter, then occasionally decide to blast you with arctic air. And the "freshly laundered" sheets? Let's just say I slept in my clothes. I'm convinced they were the same sheets from the Clinton era. And I am NOT making that up. I think I found a rogue french fry underneath the mattress. (And mayyyybe a suspicious stain, but I’m trying to block that memory). I swear, I coughed more in that room than in a smoking lounge. It’s like they’re *trying* to give you allergies. The bathroom…well, let’s just say I held my breath a lot.
3. The Breakfast (or lack thereof…): Coffee That Could Wake the Dead (and Maybe Resurrect the Cockroaches)
Ah, the breakfast. The website lists “continental breakfast”. Let me translate: coffee strong enough to strip paint, pre-wrapped muffins that were probably manufactured during the Reagan administration, and some sad little packets of instant oatmeal. And the coffee machine? That thing was a danger to public health. I poured myself a cup, took a swig, and SWEAR I saw my hair stand on end. It's got to be some kind of super-caffeinated, battery-acid concoction. Seriously though, the coffee was STRONG.
4. The Staff: Angels or Just…Present?
The staff… they’re there. Look, they seemed to be, I don’t know, *okay*. They were present. Not overly friendly, not overly grumpy. Just… present. It's like they've seen some things, man. They were just, um, efficient. They did their job. I mean, they didn't offer me coffee or breakfast. I'll give them that, but they did not offer me cockroach repellent. Okay, that one is on me. Maybe I should have asked.
5. The Pool: Tempting…or Terrifying?
The pool… I didn’t go in it. Let that sink in. It looked… murky. Like, "is that algae or a small swamp creature?" murky. I'm not sure how often it's cleaned, but I'm guessing "less than ideal" is the answer. I'd stick to the hotel bathroom, you know, the one with the *questionable* cleanliness, before I would dive into that, um, vat of questionable liquids.
6. The Location: Is it actually a "secret" to get there?
The location is decent I guess. It's in Slidell, so if you need to be in Slidell, you're in luck. It's close to the highway, which is convenient. The only secret here is the motel itself. The location is... well, it's there.
7. The "Cockroach Chronicles:" A Story for the Ages (Or a Night to Forget…)
Okay, I have to tell you about the cockroach. It's a memory I will probably take to my grave. I woke up in the middle of the night, sweating and itchy, and flipped on the light. BAM! There it was, a cockroach the size of a small… I don’t know, a small land vehicle, maybe? It scuttled across the floor. Then, another one. And another. I swear, there was a cockroach convention going on in the bathroom. I spent the rest of the night huddled on the bed, terrified, praying for dawn. I eventually called the front desk (at like, 3 AM) who sounded as though this was a normal occurrence. They moved me rooms (a slight upgrade! I mean, it had *slightly* less visible insect life). Let's just say that night single-handedly convinced me to sign up for therapy. Seriously. This is not an exaggeration. The cockroach situation, alone, gives this hotel a solid zero out of five stars.
8. Would I recommend the Super 8? (Even with the Cockroaches?!?)
Look, if you're on a seriously tight budget and have a high tolerance for… well, *everything*... maybe. But, and this is a HUGE but… I'd bring my own sheets, my own cleaning supplies, and a flamethrower just in case. And maybe a gas mask. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t. It needs a serious overhaul. But hey, at least it's memorable. You won't forget it. And the cockroaches? They'll probably move out soon, and it’s not worth the risk.
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