Plattsburgh's BEST Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites Review!
Plattsburgh's "Best"? Fairfield Inn & Suites - A Messy, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up, folks. I'm back from a whirlwind trip to Plattsburgh, New York, and I owe it to you, my loyal (and possibly bored) readers, to spill the tea on the Fairfield Inn & Suites. They market themselves as the best in town… so, did they live up to the hype? Let's untangle this chaotic review, shall we?
(SEO & Metadata Alert: This is where I cram in the keywords… for you, Google. Accessibility, Plattsburgh Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Fitness Center, Swimming Pool, Breakfast Buffet, Plattsburgh NY, Hotel Review, Cleanliness, Safety, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Meeting Facilities, Kid Friendly, Pet Friendly - (Wait, are pets actually allowed? I'll get to that! 😉)
First Impressions & (Slight) Accessibility:
Okay, driving up, the Fairfield looks like a typical chain hotel. Beige brick, clean lines, the usual. The exterior corridor situation initially threw me – always makes me feel like I'm about to star in a B-movie. But hey, it's what it is. Immediately, I noticed the CCTV in common areas and outside… a good sign for feeling somewhat secure, especially when you’re a solo traveler like moi.
Accessibility-wise… it claimed to be. There was a ramp, which is a good start! However, I didn't get a chance to fully assess it because I’m not mobility-impaired, but based on the website, it advertised facilities for disabled guests. Check. Elevator? Check. So, points for trying.
Check-in/out (and the Quest for the Perfect Room):
The front desk was… functional. Not overly friendly, not particularly rude. Just… there. The contactless check-in/out was a welcome convenience, though. I'm all about avoiding unnecessary human interaction when I'm tired and just want to collapse.
I requested a specific room—a "high floor, non-smoking room" with a decent view. (Desperately needed after a long drive.) The first room? Well, let's just say I felt like I'd been transported back to the 1980s. The carpeting was… worn. The air smelled vaguely of… something that definitely wasn't fresh. Quick phone call to the front desk (and a mental sigh of resignation). The staff were pretty good about it, and I got a much better room on the… higher floor. So, perseverance won the day. I'm calling it a win, but the process was a tad messy, which is just a reality of travel sometimes.
The Room Itself: A Mixed Bag (but with a decent view!)
The new room was a vast improvement. Clean enough, certainly. And, yes, the view—the elusive promised land—was decent. Overlooked a parking lot and some trees. I guess it's a win!
Let's dig into the specifics… Available in all rooms (according to the website):
- Air conditioning: CHECK! (Essential in the summer!)
- Alarm clock: YEP. (Though I mostly used my phone).
- Bathrobes: Nope. (I'm not that fancy, anyways)
- Bathroom phone: Absolutely not. Is this still a thing? I hope not.
- Bathtub: Yes, and no. I did have a shower but no, no fancy bathtub, a-la a king sized suite.
- Blackout curtains: Blessedly yes. (Sleep is a precious commodity.)
- Carpeting: Meh. (Mentioned above).
- Closet: Yep, with hangers.
- Coffee/tea maker: Standard, but appreciated.
- Complimentary tea: Check. (Instant, but hey!)
- Daily housekeeping: Absolutely.
- Desk: Yep, a usable one.
- Extra long bed: Nope. Pretty standard queen, but comfortable enough.
- Free bottled water: Yes, a couple.
- Hair dryer: Check!
- High floor: Check! (View!)
- In-room safe box: Nope.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Not that I saw.
- Internet access – LAN: HAH! No.
- Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]): YES! And, thankfully, it was.
- Ironing facilities: Yep. (Thank goodness)
- Laptop workspace: Yep.
- Linens: Clean and perfectly fine.
- Mini bar: Nope, empty fridge.
- Mirror: Yes, several.
- Non-smoking: YES (thank goodness!)
- On-demand movies: Nope, but that’s what my tablet's for.
- Private bathroom: Of course.
- Reading light: Yes, crucial.
- Refrigerator: Yep.
- Safety/security feature: Smoke detectors, etc. (Always important!).
- Satellite/cable channels: Yes, adequate.
- Scale: Nope. (Thank goodness!).
- Seating area: Minimal, but a couple of chairs.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Shower, but no separation!
- Shower: Check.
- Slippers: Nope.
- Smoke detector: Check. (Always good.)
- Socket near the bed: YES! A HUGE plus.
- Sofa: Nope.
- Soundproofing: Decent, but could hear the occasional hallway noise.
- Telephone: Yep.
- Toiletries: Basic, supplied.
- Towels: Soft and fluffy!
- Umbrella: Nope.
- Visual alarm: I didn't notice one, but hopefully, they are available if needed.
- Wake-up service: Available, but who uses those anymore?
CLEANLINESS & SAFETY – The COVID-19 Edition:
This is where the Fairfield really tried. Anti-viral cleaning products and daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere? Check. Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed like it. My room even had a sticker saying it had been sanitized. Nice. Rooms sanitized between stays? Definitely. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? (More on that later). HOWEVER, note that there was no Room sanitization opt-out available. In this day and age of germaphobes, I'd expect that option.
Breakfast – The Buffet Battleground (or… the Breakfast Takeaway Triumph?)
Ah, the breakfast. The Fairfield claims to offer a Breakfast [buffet], and… they did. It was a bit… chaotic. Think lukewarm scrambled eggs, rubbery sausages, and pre-wrapped pastries. The coffee was… well, it was coffee. I'm not the pickiest eater, but even I felt the need to grab one of the Individually-wrapped food options. I did appreciate the Breakfast takeaway service, which allowed me to scavenge a banana and a yogurt cup for later.
The Dining/Drinking/Snacking Scene:
The coffee shop was pretty much the breakfast area. In terms of Restaurants, Poolside Bar was a no-go, I didn't check to verify, but my guess is there weren't any. Snack bar? Nope.
Things to Do / Ways to Relax (or… Where's the Spa?!):
Here's where the Fairfield showed some strength. The Fitness center/ Gym/fitness facilities were available. Swimming pool [outdoor]: Looked inviting, I didn't swim -- but others did. Pool with a view? Not really.
Services and Conveniences:
Cash withdrawal? Not on-site, but there was a sign, so I assume they had one somewhere. Concierge? No. Convenience store? Nope. Currency exchange? Again, no. Daily housekeeping: Mentioned before, but appreciated! Doorman: Absolutely not. Elevator: Yes. Food delivery: Nope that I saw. Gift/souvenir shop? Nope. Laundry service: Yes. Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes. I didn’t see any evidence of Shrines, Family/child friendly (which I, as a single traveler, loved), Couple's Room or any indication of a Pet allowed policy.
The Verdict… (and the Rambling Conclusion):
So, is the Fairfield Inn & Suites Plattsburgh the "best"? Well, it's a decent option. It’s not perfect. It's a solid, functional hotel. It's clean enough. The beds are comfortable. The Wi-Fi works. The staff tried. But it's not going to blow your mind. It’s a safe bet, but don’t expect luxury.
The things it did well, it did well, which
Fairfield Inn & Suites Brunswick Freeport: Your Maine Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly polished itinerary. We're going to Plattsburgh, NY, and it's going to be epic… or, you know, at least… eventful. Stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites? Okay, that's a blank slate, a canvas for whatever beautiful (or hilariously disastrous) chaos awaits.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great (Maybe Slightly Overhyped) Lake Champlain
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown at the Plattsburgh International Airport. Finally! After that flight delay and the guy in the window seat who absolutely needed to recline his seat to the point of human pretzel-dom, I need a stiff drink. Or, you know, a lukewarm coffee from a gas station. Let's aim for the latter.
- 1:45 PM: Check-in at Fairfield Inn & Suites. Okay, the lobby's… functional. Think beige on beige with a dash of "business travel," which is basically the aesthetic of my life right now. Gotta say, the front desk guy, bless his heart, was trying so hard to be chatty. Felt a bit like being trapped in a motivational poster. I'll take the key, thanks!
- 2:30 PM: Room exploration. Ah, the sacred hotel room. The bed looks… inviting. The TV remote, suspiciously clean. The tiny shampoo bottles? My nemesis. Always the wrong scent, always the wrong amount.
- 3:00 PM: Drive to Lake Champlain. The legendary Lake Champlain! Okay, it's big. Really big. I had visions of frolicking seals, breathtaking sunsets, you know, straight out of a travel brochure. Reality check: wind, a few ducks, and a slightly ominous sky. Still, I did manage a decent photo, so, you know, social media validation unlocked!
- 4:00 PM: Attempted lakeside stroll. I say "attempted" because the wind was basically trying to steal my hat. And my dignity. Found a bench, sat down, and tried to appreciate the "vast expanse of water." My internal monologue, however, was more like: "Is that a wave? Is that… mosquitoes? Oh, god, I forgot bug spray."
- 5:30 PM: Dinner at a local diner. Okay, let's be real. This is why I live. Greasy spoon diner, the kind with the faded menus and the waitresses who call you "hon." Gravy-smothered fries? Yes, please! The pie? Forget about it. Phenomenal. I might or might not have eaten an entire slice. Don't judge. I had a rough flight!
- 7:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Day 2: History, Hikes, and… Potential Squirrel Encounters
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Free continental breakfast! My expectations were low, and yet, it still managed to disappoint. The coffee was… questionable, the scrambled eggs, a mystery. But hey, there were bagels, and I was hungry. So I went for it.
- 9:30 AM: The Plattsburgh Air Force Base Museum. History! I love history! I have a big soft spot for museums. Especially the ones that involve huge metal flying machines. Turns out, there's a lot more to a place like this than just planes; the history of the base, the human stories of the people who served there. It was actually really moving.
- 12:00 PM: Hike in Ausable Chasm. (Okay, this is where the "event" part comes in). Google said "easy," but I think Google's definition of "easy" is slightly skewed. I was sweating, the path was rocky, and I was pretty sure I saw a squirrel give me the stink eye. But, the views? Stunning. Absolutely breathtaking. I even, almost, felt like I could jump and fly.
- 2:30 PM: Lunch. Grabbed a burger and fries from a little roadside diner once again. This time, it's a different one, the one with the owner that always jokes. I love this kind of towns.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Shower, and then crash for a nap… or at least try to.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Decide to try the local restaurant that has good reviews. The food was all right and the service was friendly. But I could swear I saw my burger from lunch on the menu.
- 7:00 PM: Back to the hotel, feeling a bit tired from the day, and went to bed.
Day 3: Departure and Existential Dread
- 9:00 AM: Hotel breakfast. Trying to decide if I can squeeze in one last round of "questionable coffee."
- 10:00 AM: Pack up and checkout.
- 11:00 AM: Airport. The existential dread of the flight home is always a thing, and right now it is real.
- 12:00 PM: Finally, flying home.
The Verdict:
Plattsburgh. It's… a place. It has its charms, its quirks, and definitely its mosquitoes. Would I go back? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing industrial-strength bug spray, a better hat, and a whole lot more patience for the "mildly disappointed by reality" moments that inevitably arise when you try to experience anything that isn't your bed. Still, memories were made and experiences were had. And, hey, at least I didn't get eaten by a squirrel. That's a win, right?
Canton's BEST Kept Secret: Fairfield Inn & Suites!
Plattsburgh's "BEST" Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites Review! (Brace Yourself!)
Is the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Plattsburgh actually...good? Like, *really* good?
Okay, let's get this straight. "Good" is a loaded word, right? I mean, are we talking "life-altering pizza good" or "doesn't-give-you-bedbugs good"? Because the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Plattsburgh...well, it's somewhere in the middle. It's not the Ritz, people, no room service, no butler. But it’s a *solid* choice. I've stayed there a bunch of times, enough to have a few stories, and I wouldn't say it's the BEST in the world, but it definitely has its moments.
One time, I went there during a winter storm. Like, a *blizzard*. Everything was closed. I was SO unprepared. The staff were genuinely lovely. Actually a little too lovely - I swear, the woman behind the counter kept offering me cookies! I was, like, "Are you sure this is a hotel, or just my grandma's house?" The cookie was kinda stale, but the thought was there, and in a blizzard, that counts for something. So, good? Yeah, I'd say good. For a hotel, in Plattsburgh, during a blizzard? Absolutely.
What's the deal with the free breakfast? Is it edible? Seriously.
Oh, the free breakfast... the breakfast is a whole *experience*. It's the Wild West of breakfast buffets. You've got your standard fare – waffles (always a gamble), maybe some scrambled eggs that look suspiciously yellow (and sometimes orange, is that a food color?) and a rotating cast of cereals. The coffee? Let's just say it gets the job done. It doesn't *offend* you, which, at 7 AM, is a win.
I remember one time, the waffle maker was out of order. The devastation on the faces of the children! It was like a small tragedy had befallen the hotel. But then, a staff member appeared, wielding a fresh batch of hot waffles like a knight in shining armor. So, edible? Yes. Memorable even? Potentially. Waffle-making prowess – truly, a test of character. It depends on your definition of "gourmet" basically.
The rooms – what are they like? Are they clean? Because, you know... cleanliness.
The rooms are... well, they're clean-ish. They're definitely not *filthy*. I'm pretty sensitive to that kind of stuff. You know, the horror of finding a mystery hair in the bathtub... that can wreck your whole day. I once stayed at a hotel where I swore the sheets were still wearing the previous guest's deodorant. The Fairfield, thankfully, is better than that.
They're your standard hotel room. The beds are comfortable enough (usually, sometimes a spring is involved), the TV works. The bathrooms are... functional. I've never found a rogue pubic hair in the shower, so that's a win. My only real complaint is the noise. Sometimes, you can hear your neighbors, even if they're just whispering. But hey, welcome to hotel life, right? It is more often than not clean. Just be prepared for a standard experience, not a luxury one.
Is the pool worth it? I like a good swim, but some hotel pools are...questionable.
The pool... the pool is an enigma. I wouldn't call it a "resort-style oasis," because that's definitely not what we're talking about. It's an indoor pool, so that’s good for any weather, but it can get *busy*. And by busy, I mean, like, a crowded clown car of splashing children. The chlorine is strong, which is a double-edged sword. Means it's clean (probably!), but it also means bringing some serious eye drops.
I've seen everything in that pool. Kids doing cannonballs, couples doing laps (sometimes), and a surprising number of people just...standing around, looking bored. The hot tub, when working, is a decent way to end the day. But be warned, there have been times it was out of order. It is a pool, so, if you like pools, go for it. Just manage your expectations. And maybe wear goggles.
Location, Location, Location! How is it situated in Plattsburgh?
The Fairfield Inn & Suites is conveniently located.. it's a bit off the main drag, but in Plattsburgh, that's kind of the norm. You're not *too* far from anything. It's a quick drive to downtown, and the shopping centers are right there. You've got your chain restaurants, and other essentials close by.
Easy to get to, easy to leave from. It’s not like you're stuck in the middle of nowhere. You're in Plattsburgh. Where the main attraction seems to be a lake, and I like a lake. (Lake Champlain, to be precise.) And a good view of the Adirondacks! The location is the most solid item in my opinion, compared to other options available.
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty: The *worst* thing about the Fairfield Inn & Suites?
Okay, the *worst* thing? Without a doubt, the occasional *loudness*. As mentioned before, the walls seem thin. I've heard entire conversations from the next room, including a heated debate about the correct way to fold a fitted sheet. (Who knew it was so complicated?!) And God forbid someone has kids - the pitter-patter of tiny feet can be heard all hours of the day or night.
It's not the hotel's fault, really. It's just the nature of the beast. But if you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs. Seriously. Learn from my mistakes. Or, embrace the sounds of hotel life. Sometimes, the noises are actually kind of amusing... until they keep you up all night. The randomness is a part of it. It's not a deal breaker. I've had a room, I've had great sleep, and I survived the bad. So, there you go.
Overall, would you recommend it? The final verdict, please!
So, the verdict? It's a *yes*, with a hearty dose of caveats. The Fairfield Inn & Suites in Plattsburgh is not going to win any awards for luxury. However, it is a clean, functional, and generally pleasant place to stay. The staff are usually nice, the location is good. The downsidesExplore Hotels
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