Escape to El Paso: Airport-Close Suites Await!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average boring hotel review. We're going deep, we're getting messy, and we're spilling all the tea (pun intended, because, free tea!). I’m ditching the pristine objectivity for a gut-check, a real-life, warts-and-all look at this… hotel. Let's go!
Hotel Review: The Messy Truth
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Okay, where do I even start? Hotels are like… a temporary reality bubble, right? You check in, and for a few days, you pretend you're not folding laundry or arguing about whose turn it is to take out the bins. This place, let's just call it "The Grand Whatchamacallit" (because I'm not giving away the hotel name unless I'm being paid!), was… well, it was an experience.
Accessibility:
This is SUPER important to me. As a traveler who appreciates a smooth flow, I immediately zeroed in on this stuff. Website suggested "wheelchair accessible" but I had to go hands-on (literally!) to confirm. I'm happy to report that elevators (and thankfully quite a few) were operational, and the main areas seemed generally navigable. Now, getting around on my own was a bit of a challenge. The website didn't have a specific map of accessible routes, and when I asked the front desk some staff looked at me like I was speaking Klingon.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges:
This is where things got a little… blurry. The main restaurant looked accessible, but the seating was packed in like sardines. maneuvering a wheelchair was tricky. The poolside bar? Forget about it. Tiny spaces, cobblestone pathways… more of a test of courage than a relaxing experience.
Internet Access:
Okay, let's be honest, the internet is LIFE. Free Wi-Fi, especially in all rooms, is a MUST-HAVE in my book. And guess what? They delivered! Praise the Wi-Fi gods! The signal was strong, the connection was relatively stable, which meant I could actually, you know, work (and stream endless cat videos, obviously). I did notice a LAN option too, but who uses LAN anymore? Grandma, maybe?
Cleanliness and Safety (The COVID Conundrum):
This is where my already high anxiety levels went into DEFCON 1. The hotel definitely made an effort. The staff were trained in safety protocols. Yes, there was hand sanitizer everywhere, and the common areas were supposedly disinfected daily. I saw them spraying stuff down. But, things felt… off. The "individually-wrapped food options" in the breakfast buffet? Mostly sad looking pastries. And the whole room sanitization opt-out felt like a double-edged sword. I felt slightly guilty opting in, like I was demanding them to "do extra work" for my health (which, by the way, I AM!).
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
Ah, the stuff of dreams and (sometimes) nightmares. Let's break it down…
- Restaurants: There were a few. One was a buffet (more on that later). One was “a la carte.” One described itself as “international cuisine.” I’m not sure what "international cuisine" really is. It probably is a fancy way to say "we serve everything, and hopefully, something will be good."
- Breakfast [Buffet]: Okay, the breakfast. This was an experience. First off, it was HUGE. A glorious, overwhelming panorama of food. I love a good buffet. But honestly, it was a bit of a sensory overload. Also, there was a lot of touching. And there was a whole section dedicated to "Asian breakfast" (noodles! dumplings! I was in).
- Poolside Bar: I already mentioned it, it was tiny. The drinks were okay. Nothing to write home about.
- Room Service [24-hour]: This, my friends, is the ultimate lazy-person luxury. I ordered a burger at 3 a.m. after a particularly frustrating work call. It was… adequate.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax:
This is where The Grand Whatchamacallit really excelled… or tried to.
- Spa: The spa was… beautiful. Seriously. Plush robes, soft music, the whole shebang. I had a massage. It was divine. Seriously. The therapist was a wizard. But when you're lying there, being pummeled, you can't really see if the room is properly sanitized between clients. That's the problem with luxury in a pandemic… you are forced to trust.
- Swimming Pool: There was a pool with a view. It was gorgeous. Seriously. The water was crystal clear. Floating on my back, staring up at the sky, was the best.
- Fitness Center: I peeked my head in there. Looked pretty standard. Didn’t actually use it. My idea of fitness is walking to the buffet for seconds.
Rooms and Amenities:
Okay, the room itself was… fine. The bed was comfy enough. The blackout curtains were a godsend (slept like a rock!). They had the basics: air conditioning, a desk (for pretending to work), a mini-bar, and a bathtub! Score! But some of the details felt… slightly off. The carpeting looked a little worn. Some of the furniture was not in the best condition. The TV had a ton of channels, but the remote felt like it had been through the apocalypse.
Services and Conveniences:
This is where hotels generally try to shine, and TBH, The Grand Whatchamacallit's effort was commendable, but not always perfect.
- Concierge: The concierge was helpful, for the most part. They made some good recommendations (and some not-so-good ones. One of the restaurant recommendations was terrible).
- Laundry Service: I used it. It… worked. Expensive, though.
- Room decorations: The décor was a little… sterile. A bit beige-y.
For the Kids:
I'm not a parent, so I can't speak to this directly. They had a kids' club, and the pool had a shallow end. They seemed geared toward family friendly.
Getting Around:
- Car Park [free of charge]: Yes! Always a bonus!
- Taxi service: Available, but I walked most places.
The Emotional Rollercoaster… (aka, how did I feel?)
Okay, here's the real truth. This hotel was a mixed bag. Like, a giant, overflowing, slightly-stained mixed bag. There were moments of pure bliss (the massage, that pool). There were moments of "oh dear God, is that… dust?" There were moments of profound, pandemic-fueled anxiety. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't even close. But… it was an experience. And sometimes, that's all you can ask for.
Would I stay here again? Maybe. If the price was right. If they promised to REALLY clean the carpets. And if they served endless dumplings at the breakfast buffet.
Final Verdict: 3.5 out of 5 stars (and a lingering feeling that I need a very long shower).
Escape to Sanford, NC: Your Baymont Wyndham Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is the Extended Stay America El Paso Airport saga, told by yours truly, and trust me, it's gonna be a ride.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Mini-Fridge
- 14:00: Touchdown at El Paso International (ELP). Let the heat wash over you like a damp sponge. (Spoiler alert: it’s relentless). Finding the shuttle to Extended Stay… easy peasy, right? Wrong. Turns out, the shuttle system is a delicate dance of waving and hoping you're not mistaken for a luggage rack by a grumpy airport employee. After about 20 minutes of awkward eye contact and a near-miss with a rogue baggage cart, I finally made it.
- 14:45: Check-in. The front desk guy, bless his heart, looked like he’d seen a ghost (or maybe just another weary traveler). He had this weary smile that said, "Another one. They never learn." Keys in hand, I made my way to the promised land, aka Room 204.
- 15:00: Room inspection. Okay, the carpet is… well, it exists. The air conditioning is a blessed gift from the gods. But the mini-fridge… the mini-fridge is a tiny, cold box of existential dread. I stared into its depths and pondered the meaning of life, all while contemplating if I could possibly fit a six-pack of something cold in there. (Verdict: borderline impossible.)
- 15:30: Grocery run. Gotta stock up on essentials like water, instant coffee, and maybe a tub of ice cream to combat the aforementioned existential dread. The local grocery store was a glorious sensory overload. Rows and rows of things I probably didn't need, but absolutely needed. I think I spent a solid hour just taking in the colorful produce section.
- 17:00: Back at the Extended Stay. Attempt to assemble a coffee. Failed experiment. The coffee-maker is either on a personal vendetta against me or I just don't know how to use it (most likely the latter). Switched to instant. Slightly better.
- 18:00: Dinner. Ended up settling for the greasy goodness of a local taco truck. The tacos were amazing. Seriously, the best I’ve had in ages. The kind of thing that makes you temporarily forget about the questionable carpet back at the hotel.
- 19:30: Back in the room. Staring at the TV, channel-surfing. Landed on a rerun of a show and fell asleep.
- 22:00: Wake up, wide awake. What is the point, I ask myself. The mini-fridge stares back.
- 22:15: Another wander around. The outside of the hotel is a lot calmer than the inside.
- 23:00: Sleep.
Day 2: Santa Fe, the Long Drive and the Quest for the Perfect Chili
- 07:00: Wake up, filled with the optimistic feeling of a new day. Then the air conditioning hits and the optimism takes a pause. Coffee (better this time, praise the heavens) and a quick breakfast of instant oatmeal.
- 08:00: Hit the road! Today, we attempt the drive to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Yes, it's a long one. But the idea of seeing something new is enough to get me going.
- 08:30 - 12:00: The drive. This bit is a blur of sprawling desert landscapes, gas stations that look straight out of a Western film, and the occasional existential crisis about my life choices (mostly prompted by the very, very long stretches of empty road). The scenery, though? Stunning. Especially when you're not too busy sweating from the lack of AC in your rental.
- 12:00: Santa Fe! The city is breathtaking. The adobe architecture is just… wow. Had lunch at a tiny cantina serving what may be the best green chile I've ever tasted. I'm serious. The kind of green chile that makes you weep a little with happiness.
- 13:00 - 16:00: Wandered around the historic Plaza, gazed at the art galleries, and soaked up the Santa Fe vibe. It's a place that just drips with art and history. I almost bought a silver belt buckle shaped like a coyote, but my budget (and my lack of a belt) talked me down.
- 16:00: The Return Journey. Another drive. The traffic is slightly better on the way back.
- 17:00 - 19:30: Another blur of empty desert roads. Stopped at a roadside diner for a slice of apple pie. Not bad, but not Santa Fe green chile, either. (Nothing is.)
- 19:30: Back at the hotel, exhausted and slightly sunburnt.
- 20:00: Attempted to use the laundry facilities, but failed. Turns out, my detergent was the wrong type of detergent for the washing machine.
- 21:00: Survived on the last energy bar.
- 22:00: Sleep.
Day 3: The Border and The El Paso Experience
- 08:00: Time to hit the border.
- 09:00: Went to the border. Went over to the Mexican side. It was really loud.
- 10:00: Had to return to the hotel early, due to a serious, but manageable, case of food poisoning.
- 12:00: Ate chicken broth for the duration of the day.
- 19:00: Slept.
Day 4: Departure and Unresolved Mini-Fridge Issues
- 08:00: Check-out. Said goodbye to the Extended Stay. The front desk guy looked only slightly less exhausted.
- 09:00: Drop off the rental car.
- 10:00: Fly home.
Final Thoughts (Or, The Rambling Aftermath)
Okay, so Extended Stay Airport El Paso wasn't exactly luxury. Actually, it was the kind of place that made you briefly contemplate the meaning of "luxury" itself. It was, I think, the essence of a basic, budget friendly, location-based, Extended Stay. The carpet, the coffee maker, the mini-fridge - all added to the experience, gave it character. And the people, while not the most chatty, were kind. Would I go back? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing my own coffee pot and a whole army of industrial-strength air fresheners. And possibly a support group for those contemplating the existential dread of a too-small mini-fridge. El Paso, I'll be back.
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