Escape to Cortez: Baymont Wyndham's Cozy Colorado Retreat
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This review is going to be a rollercoaster, a messy dive into the hotel experience, the good, the bad, and the "wait, did that really happen?" I'm not pulling any punches, and I'm definitely letting my inner critic (and sometimes my inner child) run wild.
Hotel Review: The Grand Splendor (Or Whatever They Call It)
(SEO & Metadata Notes at the very bottom - hang tight!)
First off, let's just get this out of the way: I’m not a robot. I’m a human, with human needs (like, a LOT of coffee) and human expectations (which are sometimes, admittedly, sky-high). So, expect some unfiltered thoughts…
Accessibility: The Great Leveler (and a Little Confusing)
Okay, accessibility. This is crucial, and often where hotels fall flat on their perfectly polished faces. Now, the Grand Splendor claims to be accessible. They say things like "Facilities for disabled guests". Great! But… and there’s always a but, isn't there? I didn’t actually see any information on their website that detailed the specifics. I’m talking about ramps, elevator details, room layouts… I need concrete examples! (This is where I begin to wonder if they even looked at their own website, they would have found a lot of mistakes). If the website’s lacking, I’m already side-eyeing the operation. More detail on this point would drastically improve the customer experience.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges, Wheelchair accessible: Okay, let’s be real here. Are these actually implemented? A ramp isn't enough; is there a decent turning radius in the bathroom? Can I actually order from the table without a Herculean effort? This is where I want to know, and this is where they should be explicitly explaining it.
Internet: Bless the Wi-Fi Gods & the Ethernet Demons
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hooray! (Insert joyful, almost-shouting-into-the-void celebration here). Okay, okay, calm down. But seriously, in this day and age, this is a MUST. And yes, it was free. (Thank you, internet gods!). Although… the Wi-Fi in my room, oh boy. Sometimes it worked perfectly, blazing fast and streaming my guilty-pleasure documentaries like a dream. Other times… well, let's just say I was very familiar with the loading icon. Like, intimately familiar. I did notice Internet [LAN], which is fantastic. And I also saw Internet services. I may have had to resort to the LAN cable more than I'd like to admit. The speeds were more reliable and I had less to worry about.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams and Fitness Failures
Spa/sauna, Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Pool with view: Yes, yes, and YES! This is where the Grand Splendor almost got it right. The spa was genuinely stunning. The pool with a view was… well, let’s just say it inspired my own Instagram feed. The sauna and the steamroom were a welcome bonus that I may or may not have spent too much time in. And the massages? Absolutely divine. My therapist, bless her, worked some kind of magic, and for a fleeting moment, I forgot about all the world's problems (and the sketchy Wi-Fi).
But here's the kicker: Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Apparently, the fitness center was… well, let's just say it was more "fitness corner" than "fitness center." The equipment looked like it had been salvaged from a retirement home, and the air conditioning was powered by the hopes and dreams of weary hotel guests.
(Anecdote time!) I actually witnessed a gentleman attempting to use the ancient treadmill, which then proceeded to sputter, smoke, and die in a dramatic, almost operatic, fashion. He just stared at it for a moment, then shrugged and wandered off. I burst out laughing. I'm sorry, but it was just too much.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitization Situation
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, 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: Okay, this is where the Grand Splendor truly shines. In light of everything, this hotel was top-notch on cleanliness. They clearly took safety protocols seriously. Bravo! I felt genuinely safe and comfortable, and that's saying something.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Mostly)
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: Oh, the food! The sheer volume of food! The breakfast buffet was a glorious, carb-laden spectacle. The Asian dishes were excellent, and there was a solid selection of western options, too. I did have a bottle of water that saved my life. (I should have requested two.) The happy hour was, well, happy. And the poolside bar was a lifesaver given the heat. Room service was available at all hours, which was great!
(Quirky observation:) I'm convinced the coffee shop employed a barista who was secretly in love with me. I was a regular customer, and they always made me the perfect cup. (Or maybe it was just good coffee. Either way, I'm not complaining).
(Emotional Reaction) The food was good and I was very happy.
Services and Conveniences: The Fine Print
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:
The concierge was helpful, the doorman was very friendly, and the daily housekeeping kept my room pristine. Noticing the elevator helped greatly considering my situation. The laundry service was efficient, and the convenience store came in handy for midnight snack attacks.
(Rambling moment) I didn't check out the gift shop. It felt like too much, you know? Like, I was trying to relax, and the thought of choosing a "souvenir" just seemed… unnecessary.
For the Kids: Babysitting Service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I'm not a parent, so I can't say much about this.
Access, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Elevator, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms:
Pets allowed unavailable: Good for allergy sufferers.
Exterior corridor: I'm not a fan; it can feel less secure.
Room Details: Cozy, Mostly
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:
My room was comfortable, if a bit generic. The blackout curtains were a godsend. I did not wake up before the sun! I did use the coffee/tea maker many times; I'm glad it was available, and very glad to have complimentary tea.
**Getting Around: Airport Transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-
Tempe's BEST Homewood Suites? (ASU Area Phoenix Hotel Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a gloriously messy, opinionated, and probably slightly caffeinated adventure at the Baymont by Wyndham Cortez in Cortez, Colorado. Don't expect a perfectly polished travel brochure here; this is real life, people. Prepare for tangents, minor meltdowns, and the unwavering belief that the world's best coffee is always just around the corner (even if it isn't).
Pre-Trip Panic (and Pizza):
- Days Before: The classic pre-trip chaos. Lists scribbled on napkins. Packing, unpacking, repacking. Realizing you definitely need more socks. And then, the existential dread of “did I remember to close the garage door?” Oh god, I probably didn’t. Thank goodness for the insurance.
- Evening Before: I decided pizza was crucial for pre-trip peace of mind. Ordered a large, ate the whole thing (don't you judge). Then, the frantic “where’s my passport?” check. Relief washed over me. Now I'm finally ready. (Or, as ready as one can be).
Day 1: Arrival and Archaeological Aspirations (and Altitude Adjustments – Oof!)
- Morning: The drive. Long stretches of nothing, followed by majestic mountains. I blasted my '80s hair metal during the first five hours. Then the radio switched to a seemingly endless stream of podcasts about… well, I’m not exactly sure. I was too busy worrying about the oncoming trucks.
- Afternoon: Check-In at the Baymont. Okay, let's be honest. Baymont isn't the Ritz. But hey, it's clean, the staff is friendly (mostly), and they have free continental breakfast. That's a win in my book. The room? Standard. Functional. Possibly haunted by a leftover traveler from the late 90's, given the general vibe, but hey, I'm a sucker for vintage hotel quirks.
- Serious Side Note: The "free" internet. Let's just say it had a bit of a "dial-up from the early 2000s" feel. I considered writing strongly-worded emails to the world on the lack of modern internet, but I quickly realized I would still be waiting for them to be sent by the time I died.
- Afternoon/Evening: Mesa Verde National Park. O.M.G. The Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings are breathtaking. Seriously. Breathtaking. I mean, who built these things? And why are they so high up? (Altitude, that's why. I was huffing and puffing my way up what felt like Mount Everest.) The Cliff Palace was the highlight -- I got emotional (yes, a grown-ass adult weeping at the sight of ancient history).
- Mesa Verde Rambling: Okay, let me gush for a moment. Those structures! Incredible! They look like they were carved out of the mountains! And the history… it’s humbling. I spent a good hour wandering around, trying to mentally place myself in that era, feeling a sense of deep connection to the past. The rangers were super knowledgeable, too, which of course made me feel slightly inferior when they started explaining all the intricate details of Pueblo life. Also, what was the deal with the ladders! I hated ladders… but still a must-see.
- Dinner: The nearest restaurant I could find was okay. Let's leave it at that. I ordered a burger, which, after all the excitement, was exactly what the doctor or historical archeologist ordered.
Day 2: Desert Delights and Dinosaur Dreams (and a Coffee Crisis)
- Morning: The Continental Breakfast. The usual suspects: sad-looking muffins, lukewarm coffee, and cereal that tasted suspiciously of cardboard. My enthusiasm waned. I needed good coffee. The Baymont definitely wasn't delivering.
- Mid Morning: Exploring Cortez. A very charming little town. I found a cute little cafe and ordered a latte that saved my sanity. This cafe' had real character, and I spent a good hour drinking coffee, watching locals, and feeling like I belonged.
- Afternoon: Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. More amazing archaeology! Okay, I'm a total nerd now, I admit it. I mean, petroglyphs! I tried to decipher them, failed miserably, but the mystery was part of the fun. I even managed to not fall into any canyons (a personal victory).
- Afternoon/Evening: Digging for Dinos Okay, not literally digging, but visiting the Anasazi Heritage Center. I wanted to hear more about the Anasazi's History. I learned about paleontology. And I learned I wouldn't survive for 5 minutes in the old ages. Also, the museums are a great way to feel like you're in a movie.
- Evening: Dinner and Deep Thoughts. I got takeout and ate it in my hotel room while watching a cheesy movie and doing self-reflection. I realized I should go out more often.
Day 3: Goodbye, Cortez! (and a Plea for Better Coffee)
- Morning: Continental breakfast – sigh. I was half-tempted to drive to the nearest Starbucks, but I’m a stubborn cheapskate. Plus, the thought of packing up, checking out, and hitting the road filled me with a mixture of excitement and melancholy.
- Mid-Morning: Last-Minute Souvenirs. The classic tourist trap (you know, the one with the overpriced t-shirts and keychains). Found a neat little rock, though, so I think I did okay.
- Check out: Smooth and uneventful. Hallelujah! The front desk lady gave me a discount; a pleasant surprise!
- Departure: The long drive home began. I promised myself I'd find that perfect coffee spot. It became my new quest.
Reflections (or, Things I Learned):
- Altitude is a Beast: Seriously. Drink water. All the water.
- Archaeology is Addictive: Prepare to become a history nerd. Embrace it!
- Coffee is Crucial: Never underestimate the power of a good brew.
- Travel is Messy: And that’s part of the joy. Unexpected moments, bad food, and all.
The Baymont by Wyndham Cortez? Functional, mostly clean, but ultimately forgettable. Would I stay there again? Maybe. If I had a hankering to visit Mesa Verde again. But I'm definitely bringing my own coffee maker next time. This trip was a mixture of moments, some great some meh. But it was my trip. And that, my friends, is what matters. Now if you excuse me, I’m off to find some decent coffee. Wish me luck… and maybe send caffeine reinforcements.
Escape to Dayton: Wyndham's Wingate Awaits!
So, what *is* this even about? Like, seriously. My brain is already fried.
Why are you even doing this? Is it for the clicks? The fame? The... glory?
Okay, okay. What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you? Don't hold back!
What's your favorite thing in the entire world? Tell me, I beg you!
Okay, that's nice and all. But, what about the *hard* stuff? What keeps you up at night? What really gets to you?
Got any advice to give? Like, for life's big questions? Don't worry, I won't judge. Much.
Quickfire round: What's your biggest pet peeve?
Post a Comment for "Escape to Cortez: Baymont Wyndham's Cozy Colorado Retreat"