Penn State Gameday Getaway: Book Your Country Inn & Suites Now!
Penn State Gameday Getaway: Country Inn & Suites - A Review That's Seen Some Tailgates
Alright, buckle up, folks. This ain't your grandma's hotel review filled with dry, bullet-point facts. We're talking about a Penn State Gameday Getaway at the Country Inn & Suites. Now, I’ve been to State College for far too many football Saturdays, and I’ve seen…things. Let's just say I've earned my stripes (and probably a few grass stains) as a seasoned Nittany Lion fan. So, here's the lowdown, honest and unfiltered, about this particular haunt.
SEO & Metadata (Before I Forget!):
- Keywords: "Penn State Gameday," "Country Inn & Suites," "State College Hotels," "Football Weekend," "Accessibility," "Spa," "Dining," "Free Wi-Fi," "Fitness Center," "Hotel Review," "Happy Valley," "Nittany Lions"
- Metadata Description: A brutally honest and hilarious review of the Country Inn & Suites in State College, PA, tailored for a Penn State Gameday getaway. Includes details on accessibility, amenities, dining, cleanliness, and the overall vibe. You'll laugh, you'll relate, and you'll be prepared for game day!
- Meta Tags: (keywords listed above, plus things like "hotel," "travel," "gameday," "sports")
First Impressions and Getting In…or Trying To
Let's be real. Finding a hotel room in State College on a Penn State football weekend is like winning the lottery. So, you take what you can get. The Country Inn & Suites…well, the outside is perfectly…fine. It’s got the usual chain hotel look. Shrug. Parking? Yes, thankfully, there is a Car park [free of charge]. and Car park [on-site]. Both are a blessing. God knows you don’t want to be wandering around trying to find a spot after a few pre-game beverages. Valet parking? Nope. But hey, consider it a pre-game workout, right?
Accessibility: Navigating the Maze…Maybe
Okay, this is important. Accessibility is listed, thankfully. Facilities for disabled guests are mentioned. Elevator is a must-have, of course. But remember, this isn't the Four Seasons. It's a chain hotel in a college town. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I do have a friend who is. And, honestly? While they say it's accessible, it's always a bit of a gamble. You need to really call ahead and verify everything. Sometimes, "accessible" is a broad term. Check the exact room details to know whether it fits your requirements. One time, we ended up in a room that was supposed to be accessible, but the bathroom door barely swung open! So, ask. Don’t assume. Double-check. Seriously.
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitized or Just…Spritzed?
This is where things get interesting, especially post-pandemic, right? The Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas are reassuring. I mean, they say they use them, and there's Hand sanitizer everywhere. However… Let's say I'm not entirely sure about Professional-grade sanitizing services. Did I see someone wiping down a table with the diligence of a surgeon. Mmm, not exactly. But hey, at least they try. They have Hygiene certification, which is something, I guess. Room sanitization opt-out available, which makes me even more worried. I think I would just keep it, to be safe. The Rooms sanitized between stays are what you'd expect. They also have Individually-wrapped food options, which I appreciate; though, I am not sure how I would breakfast in my room, as they don't have a Breakfast in room. Safe dining setup is good. And the staff is trained in safety protocol, thankfully, they are. One time, I saw a questionable cleaning job at a chain hotel, you know? But I didn't see that here so…thumbs up for the Country Inn on that one!
The Room: A Home Away From…Home?
Okay, the rooms. Ah, the rooms. They are…rooms. They're pretty consistent with this type of hotel. You’ve got your Air conditioning, because, Lord knows, after a Penn State tailgate, you'll need it. Free Wi-fi (thank the heavens!), Free bottled water, Coffee/tea maker (necessary for those pre-game caffeine shots), and a Refrigerator. You're looking at Air conditioning, Alarm clock, 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], and Window that opens. Nothing groundbreaking, nothing mind-blowing. You're not paying for luxury; you're paying for proximity to Beaver Stadium and a place to crash. No, really crash. After those post-game beers, you will need a place to collapse. Soundproof rooms are a huge plus, because the post-game revelry can get…loud. You can also ask for things like Couple's room. Room Room decorations? Forget about it. But hey, the Blackout curtains are clutch after a day of sunshine and socializing. You can finally sleep.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Fueling Up for the Frenzy
Here's the deal. You're not going to find gourmet cuisine at the Country Inn. They have a Breakfast [buffet]. It's… adequate. Think your standard continental fare with some hot items. Coffee/tea in restaurant is available. You are also able to eat the Buffet in restaurant. They may or may not have an Asian breakfast. There is a Coffee shop and a Snack bar. Honestly? Just eat before you get there. Or, better yet, bring your own tailgate feast. You'll thank me later.
Amenities: The Good, the Meh, and the…Pool?
They boast a Fitness center. Shrugs. I've never used it. I have to deal with the walk from the stadium. No need for more exercise! However, if you still have some energy (mad respect), go for it.
Here's my biggest gripe: the pool situation. There is a Swimming pool [outdoor]. Depending on the time of year, it might be closed. I have never seen it that busy. Honestly, I would never even bother to find the Poolside bar.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: Spa Day? Maybe Not.
Okay, this isn’t the place for a luxurious spa getaway. Spa? Ha! Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom? Nope. You are better off finding a good place to eat or go for a walk in the town. This isn’t what you're paying it for.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The Front desk [24-hour] is helpful, as you'd expect. Check-in/out [express], nice! Laundry service? Appreciated, especially if you plan on making a mess of your team's colors. Cash withdrawal, Concierge, are all available; but let's be real: This isn't a five-star resort. It's a well-stocked hotel for football fanatics. Dry cleaning is also available. There is Daily housekeeping. Finally, there is Food delivery.
For the Kids: Family Fun?
They say it's Family/child friendly. I'm guessing this depends on the kid. On busy game weekends, it might be a tad more raucous than your average family getaway. No Babysitting service, to my knowledge.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location
The big plus: It's a good location, close to all the Penn State action. You can take a Taxi service. Airport transfer? Maybe. Check with the hotel. This is the reason to stay there.
The Verdict: Worth the Hefty Price Tag?
Look, let's be honest. Is the Country Inn & Suites going to win any awards for luxury? No. Will it be the
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't some perfectly polished travel blog. This is your reality check, unfiltered, messy, and probably involving a lot of staring blankly at the ceiling. We're going to State College, PA, and we're crashing at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. Ready? Let's stumble through this.
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Questionable Pool
- 3:00 PM - Arrival at Country Inn & Suites: The "Is This Really It?" Moment. Okay, the outside looks… well, it looks like a perfectly serviceable hotel. Standard-issue brick, flags flapping in the wind. I grab my suitcase from the trunk and, already, the Pennsylvania humidity is doing a number on my hair. I'm envisioning immediate frizzy hair. Check-in is a breeze. The woman at the desk has the practiced smile of someone who's seen it all – which, let's be honest, she probably has.
- 3:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance: The Mattress Test. The dreaded mattress test. First impressions matter. The room is clean enough, I can hear the faint drone of the AC. The bed? Ah, the bed. I plonk myself onto the mattress. Firm. Not a death sentence, but not exactly yielding. There's an uncomfortable lump forming at the level of my lower back, that, isn't promising.
- 4:00 PM - Leisurely Exploration: The Questionable Pool. They have a pool, bless their hearts. I eyeball it from the window. It looks… underwhelming. The water is a cloudy blue, the surrounding area seems… well, deserted. I debated venturing down, I just can't bring myself to join the party. I envision myself dipping a toe in, shivering, and retreating back to the sanctuary of my air conditioned room.
- 5:00 PM - Snack Attack: The Vending Machine Saga. The vending machines. Pure, glorious temptation. I'm a sucker for vending machine chips. This one has a few slightly questionable selections. Do I dare? I go for the old standby Pringles and a generic Diet Coke. Regrets? Maybe a few, but mostly, I'm just happy to have something to munch on.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner: The Local Grub Game. I've been wanting to try the local food. I am reading great reviews about the Happy Valley Brewery restaurant. I am a bit worried about the potential to get lost in the city. I'm already anxious. I could order room service.
- 8:00 PM - Settling In: The "Doom Scroll" & The Battle Against the TV Remote. Let's be honest, this is where the real vacation begins. I throw on my pajamas (yes, I fully accept I am not "cool") and start the inevitable "Doom Scroll" on my phone. News, social media… it's all a bit much. I switch the TV on, I spend about ten minutes arguing with the hotel remote. I then give up and start the endless cycle.
Day 2: Penn State, People-Watching, and Pizza Dreams
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast: The Waffle Conundrum. Free hotel breakfast! That's the dream, right? The waffle maker is my ultimate test. Will I be able to create a perfect waffle and not burn it? The batter oozes out, looking like a sad, pale swamp creature. I flip it and, miraculously, it's not a total charred disaster. Success!
- 9:00 AM - Penn State Campus: The Big, Beautiful, Overwhelming Place. Alright, time to face the music. Penn State. The sheer scale of the place is a little intimidating. Buildings, fields the size of small countries, students everywhere. I wander around aimlessly, feeling like a confused alien. I love the architecture, I take pictures of the landscaping, and avoid getting trampled by energetic students.
- 11:00 AM - People-Watching, and A Sudden Craving. I find a bench on the campus and sit down. Watching the people. It's the best, isn't it? The students, the professors, the random dogs trotting by with their owners. I make up stories about them in my head. I watch as a family and I suddenly, acutely, crave pizza. Like, a full-blown pizza emergency.
- 12:00 PM - The Pizza Quest: Finding the Perfect Slice. I ask the front desk about the best pizza, they recommend a local joint, and I set off.
- 12:30 PM - The Pizza Discovery! Okay, this pizza is what I've been waiting for. Chewy crust, perfect sauce-to-cheese-to-topping ratio. I devour two slices, and the rest of the world melts away. This pizza is so good, it almost makes me cry. I have been so hungry, the pizza is better than good.
- 2:00 PM - Naptime: The Bed Beckons. After all that walking and pizza, the bed is calling my name. I can't ignore the call. I nap.
- 4:00 PM - Squirrel Encounters: The Great Squirrel Migration. I'm sitting in the hotel room, looking out the window. The squirrels. Oh my. The squirrels of State College. I’m staring at the frenzy of squirrels. They're everywhere! They’re running across the lawn, up the trees, their little bushy tails twitching. It's absolutely captivating. I feel like I'm caught in some kind of nature documentary.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner: The Second Pizza. I decide that the pizza was so good that I wanted it a second time, I called the pizza shop and asked. I got lost, again.
- 8:00 PM - Relaxation: The "Is There Anything Good On?" Cycle. I watch television until I fall asleep.
Day 3: Departure and the Promise of More Pizza
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast (Again): The Waffle Revival. I get up, the sun is shining. I decide I will try the waffle maker again.
- 9:00 AM - Packing: Adieu The packing process is never pretty. It involves a lot of sighing, a frantic search for misplaced items, and the reluctant acceptance that I will probably forget something important.
- 10:00 AM - Check-Out: The "Until Next Time" Moment. The checkout process is smooth. I don't feel like I've left anything behind.
- 11:00 AM - The Road Home: Final Thoughts (and Pizza Envy). Leaving State College, everything feels… calm. I'm already planning my return. Okay, maybe it's just planning the next pizza. The pizza was so good. Until next time, State College. And thank you for the pizza.
There you have it. A trip that was messy, imperfect, and probably a little embarrassing. But hey, that's life, right? Now, where's the pizza?
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Penn State Gameday Getaway: The Country Inn & Suites Saga - You've Got Questions, I've (Probably) Got Answers (Maybe)
Okay, okay, so what *is* this "Gameday Getaway" and why this Country Inn & Suites business? Seems...generic.
Alright, fair point. "Gameday Getaway" is the official, slightly clinical-sounding name for... well, for booking yourself a room near Penn State for a football weekend. Duh, right? But it’s *way* more than that if you're doing it right. And "doing it right" frequently involves copious amounts of celebratory beverages and questionable food choices. The Country Inn & Suites? Listen, it works. Location, location, location, and that, my friends, is where the magic happens.
Think about it: you're in Happy Valley, you're surrounded by screaming fans (potentially yourself!), and you need a place to crash after... ahem... *supporting* the Nittany Lions. The Country Inn & Suites is usually a solid bet. Clean-ish. Free breakfast (crucial). And, crucially, relatively close to the Stadium. I once booked a place that was *miles* away and spent an hour and a half staring at gridlocked traffic after the game. Never. Again.
Is this place actually *nice*? I've stayed in some...questionable hotels before.
"Nice" is relative, isn't it? I've had experiences that would make Howard Hughes blush and others that wouldn't even raise an eyebrow. The Country Inn & Suites... well, it's not the Ritz. Let's be real. But it *is* generally predictable. Clean sheets are generally a thing. The hot water *usually* works. The free Wi-Fi? Hit or miss. I swear sometimes they throttle it on purpose to stop you from bragging about the win on Facebook until after the game is over.
I've had a few minor issues, like a hairdryer that sounded like a jet engine taking off or a slightly suspect stain on the carpet (don't ask). But, honestly, after a day of tailgating – the heat, the beer, the sheer human drama - the bar for "nice" is pretty low. Mostly, you just need a place to sleep and avoid the questionable smells that drift from the hallway vending machine.
What's the deal with the free breakfast? Is it worth getting out of bed for?
Oh, the breakfast buffet. A sacred institution, especially after a night of... spirited celebrations. Is it gourmet? Absolutely not. It likely involves powdered eggs (shudder), pre-cooked sausage, and industrial-grade coffee. But is it convenient? Absolutely. And that, my friends, is what matters.
Consider this: You're hungover, you're possibly still wearing your jersey, and you're surrounded by other people who are in the exact same boat. The camaraderie alone is worth the price of admission (which, by the way, is zero). And hey, the waffles sometimes, if you're lucky, come out alright. The important thing is that it’s there, it's *easy*, and it's free. Grabbing a few extra pastries for the road? Definitely not judging.
Parking...How brutal is it? I heard stories...
Brutal. That word barely scratches the surface when it comes to gameday parking in State College. Unless you have a magic pass, a helicopter, or a serious early-bird game plan, expect to spend a good chunk of your day wrestling for a space. This is where the Country Inn & Suites' *proximity* to everything is crucial.
I once spent three hours driving around looking for a spot. Three hours! I missed the entire pre-game tailgate and arrived just in time to see the first quarter, feeling like I was a stranger in my own land. Walking from the hotel? Usually, the best option. Plan on a bit of a hike, maybe a shuttle if you're lucky (and if you're smart). Leaving *early* after the game? Another good strategy. It's a warzone out there, I tell ya.
Okay, let’s talk about the price. I've seen those crazy gameday rates...is this going to bankrupt me?
Look, let's not sugarcoat it. Gameday rates are *insane*. Absolutely bonkers. They're practically gouging you, but you're practically begging to be gouged because, well, Penn State football. That’s the deal. You pay to play.
However, booking in advance is *critical*. Like, months in advance. That's the first step towards mitigating the financial pain. Also, consider going with a group and splitting the cost. And, most importantly, try not to think about how much you're spending. Just focus on the joy of the game. And maybe sneak a few extra breakfast pastries. You deserve it.
Are there any downsides? Besides the obvious price gouging and parking nightmares?
Honestly, yes. There are, of course, a few tiny things that you’ll notice if you're looking. Like thin walls. You *will* hear your neighbors at 3 AM, especially if they had a *very* good time at the bar. Seriously, pack earplugs. The noise levels from fellow fans at the hotel can also be… enthusiastic. (That’s actually part of the fun, let’s be honest!)
And, well, sometimes the staff at the front desk are a bit overwhelmed. You will possibly encounter waiting in line for check-in and check-out. But remember: they’re dealing with a tsunami of rowdy football fans, so give them a bit of leeway. Smile. Be polite. And for heaven's sake, tip! They deserve it. And lastly, sometimes the elevators take ages to arrive if you're on a high floor. Just add it to the charm.
I'm bringing the family. Is this place kid-friendly?
Good question! This really depends on the game. For a mid-afternoon game against a less-than-stellar opponent, sure. The indoor pool is a win, and the general atmosphere is fairly mellow. BUT ... if it's a night game against a rival, expect adult revelry. And by revelry, I mean the kind you might not want your kids to witness.
Think about it: the tailgating. The pre-game parties. The post-game celebrations (or commiserations, depending on the score). It can get loud, messy, and occasionally, let's say, *colorful*. If you're bringing kids, book a room on a upper floor and prepare for a lot of "Mommy/Daddy, what are they *doing*?" conversations. Or, maybe pick a different weekend. Just sayin'.
Should I book it? Give it to me straight!
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