Tulsa Midtown Escape: Luxury & Comfort Await at La Quinta Inn & Suites
Tulsa Midtown Escape: La Quinta, or "Luxury & Comfort" – Yeah, Right? (A Rambling Review)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your polished travel blog review. This is me, fresh off a stay at the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Tulsa Midtown, and I'm still processing it all. They call it "Luxury & Comfort." Let's just say my definition of those words might differ… significantly.
First off, the accessibility stuff. Okay, that's important, right? Let's start with the good. They claim to be wheelchair accessible. I didn’t personally test every nook and cranny with a wheelchair, but the lobby, the elevators, and at least a couple of the rooms looked like they should be alright. (I hope, for the sake of anyone who truly needs that access, that it is alright… fingers crossed!) There was a ramp at the entrance, and everything seemed pretty level. The exterior corridor setup was… well, it was there. Not exactly charming, but hey, at least you could roll right up to your door. That’s what they call it, y’know? ‘Exterior corridor’ – like, the opposite of a secret garden.
RANT ALERT: (Things I wanted to say to the front desk that I sadly clammed up about.) Did they have all that accessibility stuff? Tick. But, but, but… did they understand accessibility? I’m betting not. The whole experience felt like a checklist item, not a genuine effort. It's like ordering a pizza with extra cheese, and you get a sprinkle of cheddar. Technically, there's cheese, but… you get the picture.
Now, for the internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This, at least, mostly lived up to the hype. Snappy enough for scrolling, binge-watching… you know, the important stuff. It’s a good thing they offered Internet access – wireless when Free Wi-Fi [free] was in Available in all rooms! They also offered Internet, and Internet [LAN], and Internet services. I needed the Wi-Fi to call for help when I ended up locked in the elevator for a solid 15 minutes. (True story. More on that later. That’ll fall into the category of ‘Services and conveniences’ – shudder).
The Room Itself: A Tale of Two (or Three) Halves
Let's talk about the room. They actually had a lot of the stuff listed. Air conditioning. Alarm clock. Blackout curtains (thank god). Coffee/tea maker. Mirror. Refrigerator. Hair dryer. Seating area. Pretty much everything you could expect. Slippers? Nope. But what did I expect to find in a basic hotel?
But here’s where the “Luxury & Comfort” tag started to crack a little. The extra long bed was… well, it was there. Carpeting felt like it might have met some of the original carpet’s fibers about 10 years ago, and might have been the same color, but I wasn't going to run my hands over it to check (in truth I was too scared). The Linens! Well, it was linens, but not the kind you write home about. The private bathroom was… fine. Honestly, it was. Separate shower/bathtub sounds fancy but felt like old fixtures. Toiletries? Basic, but they did the job. Complimentary tea and free bottled water? Nice touches, but the free bottled water looked like it might have been bottled during the Clinton administration.
The "Dining, Drinking, and Snacking" Situation: A Buffet of Disappointment?
Breakfast. Breakfast [buffet]! This was a major factor for me (because I'm a major foodie). I was hoping for some true luxury. Asian breakfast? Yeah, right. This was more "Continental-ish, with a Sad Sausage Sidebar." Western breakfast? About the same as the Buffet in restaurant, which, let me tell you, was the most depressing buffet I've ever seen. I’m not kidding. The fruit looked like it had been through a boxing match, the eggs had a weird, rubbery texture, and the coffee tasted suspiciously of dish soap. I choked down a few sad pieces of toast and vowed to find a real breakfast spot. (I did, and it was glorious). It was truly a testament to how low my expectations have become in this world.
There was a Coffee shop open, but I skipped it after the breakfast debacle. Poolside bar? It was… closed. Permanently, from the looks of it. They may have had Restaurants and Snack bar, but I didn't see anything, and I wasn't about to go on some kind of treasure hunt.
Oh, and speaking of the pool …
“Things to Do” (and How They Were NOT Done):
The Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yep, it existed. Looked…clean. I didn't test it, because the Pool with view was a view of the parking lot. The Fitness center was a sad little box, and I’m pretty sure I saw more equipment in my grandma’s storage unit. The sauna, steamroom, and spa? None existed, apparently. The description of things to do was a bit of a punch in the face for the things missing (maybe it was a typo Spa/sauna,)
Cleanliness and Safety… or the Illusion Thereof?
Here’s where they try to shine. They touted Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere… and the room Rooms sanitized between stays. Staff trained in safety protocol. Look, the Hygiene certification was real. I can't say the room wasn't clean, but it felt… sanitized to death. A sterile, clinical blandness. I was half-expecting to be beamed up by the CDC for observation. So while it might have been Safe dining setup, they could have at least had some flavor, and not the flavor of regret.
The “Services & Conveniences”… The Elevator Incident
Alright, the elevator. This deserves its own section. The Elevator, The Terror, The 15 Minutes, the most accurate title for this section. I got stuck. For a long time. The first five minutes were spent frantically pressing the alarm button, praying and hitting the call button (a total fail). Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Doorman eventually arrived. He looked utterly unfazed. Like this happened all the time. Which, in retrospect, probably it did. The concierge? Still probably in the break room.
Beyond the elevator incident, stuff like dry cleaning, laundry service and daily housekeeping was there, but nothing that popped out. The front desk staff was polite but… distant. Contactless check-in/out was a definite perk. I'm all about that these days.
The Verdict: Mostly Mediocre with a Side of… Elevator Fear
Look, the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Tulsa Midtown isn't a disaster. It's a functional, reasonably priced hotel. It has the basics and does a pretty decent job staying clean and safe… at the expense of character and even a modicum of luxury. The "Luxury & Comfort" tag is a bit of a stretch.
Here's the Honest Breakdown:
- Thumbs Up: Cleanliness, convenient location (Midtown is pretty cool), Free Wi-Fi (mostly), at least some effort toward accessibility.
- Thumbs Down: Breakfast (oh, the breakfast…), the slightly depressing "vibe," and, of course, the elevator experience.
- Would I stay again? Probably, but only if I absolutely had to. I'd keep the elevator panic button at the ready and pack my own breakfast.
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Title: Tulsa Midtown Escape: La Quinta Inn & Suites Review (Accessibility, Cleanliness, & Elevator Drama!)
Keywords: Tulsa, Tulsa Midtown, La Quinta, La Quinta Inn & Suites, hotel review, accessibility, wheelchair accessible, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, breakfast, clean hotel, safety, COVID-19 safety, Tulsa hotels, business hotel, family friendly hotels.
Meta Description: Honest review of La Quinta Inn & Suites in Tulsa Midtown. Details on accessibility, cleanliness, breakfast (the horror!), and a terrifying elevator experience. Is it worth the stay? Find out!
Escape to Paradise: Courtyard Victorville Hesperia's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sterile, perfectly-preened travel itinerary. This is my REAL life, La Quinta Tulsa Midtown adventure schedule. And trust me, it’s going to be a wild ride.
Day 1: Arrival and… oh boy, here we go…
1:00 PM (ish) - The Grand Arrival: Landed in Tulsa. Airport pickup – hopefully the car rental place wasn't too slow. Flying always messes me up, like, completely wipes my ability to think straight. I'm already picturing myself as a crumpled mess in the rental car. The drive to the La Quinta should be… scenic? I mean, it's Tulsa, so I'm hedging my bets.
- Initial Reaction: Stoked for a proper bed but already questioning my life choices. This trip felt like a good idea online. Now it's a reality, and I'm suddenly very aware of the existential dread of being away from my cat.
- Note to Self: Pack more snacks next time. And a travel-sized stress ball shaped like a grumpy corgi.
2:00 PM - Check-in Chaos: The La Quinta Lobby. Hoping the front desk person is also a people person. Or at least gives off "I understand you've been traveling" vibes. Praying the room key works the first time. Never fails, I always manage to botch it and look like a total buffoon.
- Impression: The lobby is…clean. That's a good start! Feeling that "hotel smell" – a mix of cleaning chemicals and… hope? Maybe?
- Anecdote: Last time I stayed at a hotel, the key didn't work and I ended up banging on my door for five minutes. Then the maintenance guy, who looked like he’d just wrestled a bear, had to come unlock it. Mortifying.
3:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance: The room! Oh sweet, sweet room. Bed- check. Bathroom - always a vital first check. I really need a good shower because I've been sweating chunks on the plane. Okay, no roaches. Yay! The curtains need to be immediately slammed shut to block out the world, and I need to spend five minutes just breathing.
- Feeling: Relief. This is the point of the trip, literally. And, maybe, a tinge of loneliness. Traveling solo is equal parts liberating and, ya know, lonely.
- Observation: The TV remote is the enemy. Always. I'm convinced they're designed to be impossible to navigate. Also, the Gideon Bible is still a thing. I haven't seen one in years. Huh.
4:00 PM - The Tulsa Tourist Tango: First stop – figuring out this darn Tulsa. A quick map session in the room. This is when I start my "epic" journey around Tulsa. Maybe I'll hit up the Gathering Place. Or, you know, maybe just browse some local shops and grab coffee somewhere that isn't Starbucks. I like coffee.
- Feeling: Mildly overwhelmed. So many choices! Is there a good bookstore? A quirky antique shop? Why am I suddenly obsessed with finding a weird postcard?
- Minor Detail: The WiFi is surprisingly decent. Score!
6:00 PM - Dinner Disaster (or Delicious Discovery): Okay, dinner. I've got a few restaurant recommendations (thank you, Google!). But the whole dining alone thing is always awkward at first. I might just order takeout and eat in the room. No judgment, people.
- Option 1: Some fancy restaurant that will probably judge me for showing up alone.
- Option 2: Cheaper and easier – whatever the hotel recommended. Or the gas station across the street.
- Emotional Impact: Hunger is a powerful motivator. I'm leaning toward the room service. It's my safe space.
- If all else fails: Pretend I'm on a romantic date with myself. That is… if I'm feeling brave.
8:00 PM - Evening Entertainment (or Lack Thereof): Honestly, I might just crash. Reading in bed. Channel surfing. Trying not to think about how much I miss my cat. Maybe ordering a ridiculous movie on demand. The possibilities are endless.
- Mental State: Exhausted but strangely energized. The day's travel will wear out.
Day 2: Double-Downing on the Good Stuff (and the Bad)
8:00 AM - The Breakfast Buffet Battleground: La Quinta breakfast. I'm not expecting Michelin-star cuisine, but I am expecting something edible. The waffles are always a gamble. And the coffee… well, it's fuel.
- Anticipation: Will there be bacon? This is the most important question. If not, I'm rioting. (Kidding… mostly.)
- Anecdote: Last time, I showed up late and only got the last crumb of a muffin. It was the saddest breakfast experience of my life.
9:00 AM - Going Deep with the Gathering Place: I'm talking, like, spending HOURS at the Gathering Place. Apparently, it’s some mega-park with everything you can imagine. I might even try a water slide.
- Reaction: This place is amazing. Everything everyone told me about Gathering Place is true, and even better. It's beautiful. I’m actually speechless.
- Emotional Shift: So happy to be here, like the "child-like wonder" that everyone always talks about . It makes me feel better about the loneliness.
- Rant: Why can't more cities have parks like this? This is what public spaces should look like!
1:00 PM - Lunchtime at the Park: I'm planning to take my lunch at the Gathering Place. I will buy a sandwich and an iced tea. And then find a shady spot to people-watch.
- Quirky Observation: People are really getting into this whole "picnic" thing. I wonder if I can join one?
- Personal Experience: I spent two hours there by the pond watching a pair of ducks. I named them Bob and Karen.
3:00 PM - The Art Scene (or My Attempts at Understanding It). Tulsa has an arts district, I'm informed. Time to embrace culture. Even though I might be more of a "paint-by-numbers" kind of gal. Museums, galleries, the whole shebang.
- Impression: The art is… interesting. Half of it makes me think, "Wow, I could have done that," and the other half makes me think, "I have no idea what's happening."
- Emotional Reaction: Feeling slightly inadequate. But also, really curious. Maybe I'll actually buy a piece. Or at least a postcard.
6:00 PM - Dinner Dilemma, Part II: Should I go back to that restaurant? Or try something new? Maybe something casual, this time.
- Considerations: Is the service good? Do they judge solo diners? Are the portions generous? The most important factor is, will I be in the restaurant's parking lot?
- Alternative: Room service. No judgment. The end.
8:00 PM - The Bed and the Netflix: This time, I'm watching something truly terrible. Reality TV. A B-grade horror film. Anything that requires zero brainpower. Then, sleep. Sweet, sweet sleep.
Day 3: The Departure and the Aftermath
8:00 AM - Breakfast Again: Waffles on the menu today. Wish me luck.
9:00 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Search (and Panic): I have to get something. Something, anything, to prove I actually went to Tulsa. A postcard? A t-shirt? A weird coffee mug? Time to find something touristy.
- Feeling: Mild panic. Tourists are my people!
- Anecdote: I remember driving for an hour to get a specific mug for my mom. It was a unicorn. My mom loved it, though.
10:00 AM - Checkout and the bittersweet goodbye: Another good journey, and then it's time to go. Hopefully the key still works. And praying there's no unexpected charges on my bill for the minibar I didn't use.
- Final Thoughts: I loved it. Even the awkward bits.
11:00 AM - Head to the airport: Sigh. Back to reality. This time I know that I will be in the airport and soon there will be a cat to greet me.
Epilogue:
Well, that’s it. My Tulsa adventure in all its messy glory. I hope you enjoyed the ride. I’m already planning my next trip. And yes, I will be going back to the Gathering Place. And for the love of all that is holy, I'm bringing more snacks.
Unbelievable Oregon Getaway: Super 8 by Wyndham Lagrande La Grande!
Tulsa Midtown Escape: La Quinta Inn & Suites - Your Questions (and My Rants!) Answered
Is this place *really* "luxury"? I saw the word, and my expectations hit the roof, only to be promptly disappointed by a slightly stained motel room in the past. Spill the tea!
Breakfast: Free Food or Free-for-All Food Fight? Tell me the TRUTH.
The location – "Midtown." What does that *actually* mean in Tulsa terms? Is this place by the oil derricks?
Parking! Is it a nightmare? Because I've seen hotels where you basically have to fight for a spot.
The Pool! Is it Instagram-worthy or a murky swamp of despair? The truth, please!
Okay, let's talk about the staff. Are they friendly and helpful, or perpetually grumpy? Because bad service can ruin an entire trip!
Can you tell me about the noise levels? I'm a light sleeper, and I *despise* noisy hotels.
Overall, would you recommend this place? Be brutally honest! And would *you* stay there again?
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