Spartanburg's BEST Hampton Inn? (I-26, Westgate Mall) - REVIEWS INSIDE!
Spartanburg's Hampton Inn (I-26 & Westgate Mall): Is it Really the BEST? Buckle Up, Buttercup, We're Going In!
Okay, so I've spent a lot of time in hotels. Like, more than I care to admit. And the Hampton Inn chain? Well, it’s a reliable friend. Like that slightly-too-eager-to-please Labrador you know you can always count on. So when I heard the one off I-26 near Westgate Mall in Spartanburg was the BEST, I had to put on my detective hat (which, let's be honest, is just my slightly frayed baseball cap) and check it out. Spoiler alert: it's… complicated.
First Impressions: Charmingly Average, With Hints of Promise
Rolling up, the exterior is your classic Hampton Inn aesthetic: beige brick, predictable landscaping, and a vague feeling of "been there, done that." No fireworks, no trumpets, just a big, welcoming, but ultimately beige facade. But hey, Spartanburg, right? You can't expect the Ritz. Parking was plentiful and free, which is a huge win in my book. Score one.
Inside, the lobby was bright and clean – a good start. A friendly face, clearly trained in those Hampton Inn "how to be welcoming without being too peppy" protocols, greeted me. Check-in was breezy, a definite plus after a long drive. They even have contactless check-in/out now. Progress! Though, I’m half tempted to ask for a good old fashioned key card, just for the nostalgia.
Rooms: Comfort, Maybe, But Personality? We're Still Searching
My room was… well, it was a Hampton Inn room. You know the drill. Decent size, comfy bed (though I’m perpetually paranoid about bedbugs, so I always do a visual inspection – no dice this time!), functional furniture, and a view of… the parking lot. Sigh. Don’t get me wrong, the blackout curtains worked like a dream, crucial for a light sleeper like yours truly. And having complimentary tea and a coffee/tea maker in the room? Always a win. Plus, the free Wi-Fi in all rooms is non-negotiable these days. I mean, what is life without the internet? Panic sets in.
However, "personality" wasn’t exactly leaping out at me. It felt a little… sterile. No real Room decorations to speak of. Mirror, desk, chair, ironing facilities – all the essentials, but no soul. I really wish hotels would get a little more creative with their rooms. Give me a little flair! A painting that doesn't look mass-produced would be a start.
The Perks (and a Few Quirks): Let's Get Real
- Cleanliness and Safety - A+ for Now: Okay, I have to give them credit here. This hotel seems genuinely committed to cleanliness. Sanitizing stations were everywhere, and they advertised anti-viral cleaning products. I even saw staff Daily disinfection in common areas. And I appreciate having an individually-wrapped food options and sanitized tableware items. Rooms sanitized between stays, too. Honestly, these post-pandemic protocols are a real comfort.
- Breakfast… The Saga Continues: Ah, the Hampton Inn breakfast. The eternal question: buffet or not to buffet? Currently, it’s a Breakfast [buffet], but with individually-wrapped food options and staff closely monitoring. The usual suspects were present: waffles, scrambled eggs (that usually taste… interesting), pastries, fruit, and the lukewarm coffee that fuels the nation (or at least, the weary traveler). I'm not a huge fan of pre-packaged everything, but I understand the safety protocols. They also had Breakfast takeaway service which is great. Also noted: Essential condiments are present.
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Limited Menu: There wasn't much to write home about in this department. No Asian cuisine, unfortunately. This hotel does offer a small Coffee shop and Snack bar. Some basic desserts in restaurant as well. Room service [24-hour] is available, always a good thing if you get the late night munchies. No Poolside bar, though, which is a bummer.
- Amenities – The Good, The Bad, and the “Meh”:
- Pool: The Swimming pool [outdoor] was… fine. Clean, but not particularly inspiring. No Pool with view, unfortunately.
- Fitness Center: They have a Fitness center – standard fare. I peeked inside and saw treadmills, ellipticals, and some weights. I'm not a gym rat, but I appreciate the option.
- Spa/Sauna: Sadly, no Spa, Sauna, or Steamroom. A missed opportunity, especially for a hotel claiming to be "the best." I could really see myself relaxing in a sauna after a hard day of… well, whatever I was doing that day.
- Internet Access & Other Tech Stuff: The Internet access – wireless was, thankfully, reliable. Alarm clock by the bed. I’m a traditionalist; I use the wake-up service on the phone, just in case. Basic stuff, but crucial. I appreciate having a desk, to work on.
Accessibility: A Solid Showing (but Always Room for Improvement)
I didn't personally require Facilities for disabled guests, Facilities for disabled guests, but the hotel DOES have them. They also advertise Elevator access. Wheelchair accessible. Good on you, Hampton Inn, for making an effort!
Things to Do, and Ways to Relax: A Bit Lacking in Spark
- Things to do: There's the Westgate Mall nearby, which is convenient for shopping and dining. Otherwise, you're relying on outside Spartanburg.
- Relax: There are no on-site spa or relaxation areas. That's the biggest strike against their claim of being the "best." They're missing out on a huge opportunity to cater to stressed-out travelers.
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Suspects
- Front desk: Front desk [24-hour], always a comfort. I had a minor issue with my key card, and they were quick to fix it.
- Laundry facilities: Laundry service is available which is fantastic!
- Housekeeping: Daily housekeeping was efficient and friendly.
- Business facilities: A Business facilities if you're that type of person. Meeting/banquet facilities for those who need it.
Overall: Is it “BEST”? Not Quite, But…
Listen, the Hampton Inn Spartanburg is a solid choice. It’s clean, comfortable, conveniently located, and offers all the basic necessities. The staff is friendly and helpful. However, "the best"? That’s a stretch. To truly be "the best," they’d need to up the ante: a better food and dining options, a Spa/sauna, a sense of style, a more memorable experience overall. It’s a perfectly fine hotel, and I’d stay there again if I needed to be in Spartanburg. But "best"? Nope. Not yet.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars (and maybe a half-star extra for the free parking). It is what it is: A safe bet for a basic hotel stay in Spartanburg. But let’s hope they take it up a notch next time!
Wichita's BEST Kept Secret: TownePlace Suites East Wichita (KS) Review!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your average "perfectly planned itinerary." This is the raw, unfiltered, possibly slightly-hungover account of my Spartanburg, South Carolina adventure. And trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride, starting right here at the glorious, slightly generic, but oh-so-comfy Hampton Inn & Suites Spartanburg-I-26-Westgate Mall. Let's dive in, shall we?
Day 1: The Arrival (and a Deep Dive into the Unexpected)
1:00 PM - Arrival at Hampton Inn & Suites: Okay, so the GPS promised a swift journey, but let's be real, the exit ramp practically hid from me. Spent about ten minutes circling like a lost… well, let's just say like me when I'm looking for the cookie jar. Finally, WHEE! I'm here. First impressions? Clean, predictable, the pool looks sadder than a discarded birthday balloon. But hey, free coffee in the lobby, so I'm already halfway there.
1:30 PM - Unpacking & Room Reconnaissance: Every hotel room is a mystery, isn't it? This one, thankfully, smells vaguely of clean and not like a mildew-infested swamp (praise be!). I begin the critical assessment: Bed - check. Pillows - fluffy enough. Wi-Fi - hopefully functional. The TV? Well, that's where the REAL action happens, folks. Let's see what kind of cable drama we have going on here…
2:00 PM - "Lunch" at… Uh… Something: Okay, so Westgate Mall is right there. Like, right there. Which means options, right? WRONG. I wander around for like an hour, facing what felt like a food court that was a black hole for my stomach. Finally, in a moment of true desperation, I end up with a sad-looking Caesar salad from some chain place. It needed more dressing, more croutons… and a pep talk. I eat it, because, priorities.
3:00 PM - Spartanburg Exploration: The "Why am I doing this?!" Tour: Armed with a poorly-researched list of "things to do," I venture forth. First stop: The "Spartanburg Art Museum." Sounds fancy, right? Well, it was… and by that, I mean it felt like the artist's personal storage unit. I got lost more in the gallery than the actual artworks. I did manage to get an amazing portrait shot outside – me looking like a confused lost tourist. It’s the highlight of the day at this point.
5.30 PM - Dinner at a random place…again: I make a better choice this time, or at least, the food tastes better.
7:30 PM - Room Down Time: My room becomes the most important place to me. Watch some cable TV, call some friends.
Day 2: Double Down on the Experience (and the Emotional Rollercoaster)
7:00 AM - Wake Up & Regret My Life Choices (Kidding… Mostly): The free breakfast at the hotel? Glorious. Waffles, eggs, and the sweet, sweet nectar of coffee. I could live here, I think. Then again, maybe I should’ve booked a room with a bathtub. It's a battle I have with myself every morning.
8:00 AM - The "History" Pilgrimage… Again: Okay, so the first day's art museum didn't fill my soul, which means, historical tours needed to happen. I found a historical society or something and found some really cool things.
12:00 PM - Lunch Panic & the Quest for Authentic Food: I'm determined to eat something truly Southern today. Something that oozes charm and maybe a little grease… or maybe it doesn’t. I end up in a small diner in downtown. The waitress treats me like a misbehaved child, but the food is decent. I can not lie.
2:00 PM - The Southern Hospitality (Maybe?): I wander into some local shops. I'm told it's a hidden treasure. I find a few things, like a pretty local scarf. It makes me happy.
4:00 PM - Hotel Relaxation: Back at the Hampton Inn, I discover a secret stash of complimentary cookies in the lobby. (Thank you, Hampton! You're my hero!) I eat them while watching bad daytime TV and feeling utterly, blissfully, unproductive. This is what I need.
7.00 PM - Dinner: The meal of the day, where deliciousness is prioritized.
9.00 PM - Thinking about going back home: I spend the rest of the night lounging, packing a bag, and planning the journey back home the next day.
Day 3: The Departure (and a Bittersweet Goodbye)
7:00 AM - Breakfast, One Last Time: (See Day 2. But replace the waffles with… well, more waffles.) Today, I load up on the good stuff because I will be on the road for several hours.
8:00 AM - Hotel Packing and Departure: My trip finally comes to a close, I leave the hotel and venture forth into the real world.
9.00 AM - Back to reality: This trip was an experience that I will never forget!
Final Thoughts:
Spartanburg, you're… interesting. You have a weird, quirky charm that, at times, felt like searching through a strange maze, but you also have free hotel cookies, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Would I come back? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing a better map, a wider sense of adventure, and a suitcase dedicated solely to bringing back Southern snacks. And maybe, just maybe, that perfect Caesar salad. Until next time, Spartanburg. It's been… real.
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Is this Hampton Inn… actually the "BEST" one in Spartanburg? I mean, seriously?
Alright, alright, let's be honest. "Best" is a loaded word. It's like asking if your ex was *actually* the love of your life. Sometimes, you remember the good times (free breakfast!), and sometimes you remember… finding a rogue sock under the bed (see below). Look, it's *a* Hampton Inn. It's cleanish. It's the same chain as the ones you find everywhere else. But "best?" Depends. If you're looking for a soul-stirring, life-altering hotel experience? Probably not. If you're looking for a reliably acceptable place to crash after battling the Spartanburg Ikea, then heck yeah, it'll do.
The Reviews Mention… Breakfast. Spill the tea! Is it really as glorious as they say?
Okay, breakfast. This… this is where things get interesting. It's *free*. That's a HUGE win right off the bat. Scrambled eggs? Usually. Waffles? A definite YES. The waffle situation can be either amazing or a total car crash of burnt edges and raw batter, depending on the waffle iron's mood that day. I swear, one time I encountered a waffle iron that seemed to actively *hate* me. I spent a solid ten minutes battling that thing, producing what can only be described as edible hockey pucks. My advice? Embrace the potential chaos. If the waffles are good, you’re golden. If they're not? There's always cereal. And let's be real, a bowl of sugary cereal while staring at the buffet chaos feels strangely liberating at 7 AM.
Parking: What's the deal? Is it a free-for-all, or do you end up circling like a vulture?
Parking… okay, here's a little secret: It's usually fine. But "usually" includes the minor heart-stopping feeling when you arrive at 9 PM on a Saturday and think, "Oh LORD, is this gonna be a problem?" The lot isn't gigantic, but it's generally sufficient. Unless there's some massive event going on nearby. Then, all bets are off, and you're potentially parking in the shadow of the nearby Arby's. Just… be prepared for a short stroll.
Proximity to the Mall: Is it really "near" Westgate Mall? I've been burned before.
"Near" is a relative term. It's not *in* the mall, thankfully. You're probably looking at a short drive. A very short drive. A "I could walk it if I REALLY wanted to, but why bother?" kind of drive. Let's say a five-minute jaunt, tops. Which is perfect if you've maxed out your credit card at Old Navy and need a place to collapse with all your new purchases. You did, like, literally spend the last of your dollars and are now too exhausted to drive too far. Speaking of exhausting, make sure you've taken the time to go to the mall at least once. It's worth the experience, if only to see the teenagers and the seniors go head to head for the best parking spot.
Let’s talk cleanliness. Are we talking sparkle and shine, or… "lived-in" charm?
Okay, this is where the "slightly-less-than-perfect" part comes in. Generally, the rooms are clean. I've never encountered anything truly *grotesque*, thank goodness. But, and this is a but that comes with a big sigh, I once found a rogue sock under the bed. A single, solitary, lonely sock. I have NO idea how it got there, other than a previous guest and a moment of great (and ultimately forgetful) sock-dropping prowess. It wasn't *filthy*, mind you. More… “gently used.” It just serves as a small reminder that, hey, it's not the Ritz-Carlton. And, no, I didn't take it. Honestly, I probably should have at the very least warned the front desk.
The I-26 access: Good, bad, or indifferent?
Absolutely good *and* bad. Convenient access to I-26 is a solid win, especially if you're just passing through or hitting up the outlets in Gaffney. But the highway noise… oh sweet mercy, the highway noise. Now, they *try* to mitigate it. Double-paned windows, I think. But sometimes, especially at night, you can still hear the distant rumble of the trucks and the incessant whoosh of passing cars. Honestly, I'm a light sleeper, so I always bring earplugs. Problem solved. If you're on the first floor, you can practically roll out of bed right onto the shoulder of the highway. So maybe skip the first floor.
Pool Time? Is the pool worth a dip?
The pool? It's there. It's generally clean, or at least *appears* clean from the outside. There might be a faint smell of chlorine. It's not the Olympic-sized pool of your dreams, but it's perfectly fine for a quick dip, especially if you're traveling with kids. And let's be honest, who *actually* uses the hotel pool? Usually, it's just me, a few tired business travelers, and some slightly traumatized children. Do not expect a glorious, spa-like paradise, but it will get you wet, and that's sometimes all you need.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Helpful? Or… MIA?
The staff? Generally friendly and helpful. This is a Hampton Inn thing. It's almost part of the chain's DNA. They're usually efficient, and if you have a problem, they'll try to take care of it. Once, I had a problem with the TV… a really weird, unsolvable problem that involved a blank screen and the eerie feeling that the remote was somehow possessed. The front desk person was super nice, totally bewildered, and eventually swapped out the TV for me. So, yeah, good people. Don't expect miracles, but they’ll try. They're probably overworked and underpaid, so be nice. A little kindness goes a long way. (And if you manage to get a sock-related confession out of them, let me know.)
Bottom Line: Would you stay here again? BeBest Rest Finder
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