Amarillo Getaway: Fairfield Inn & Suites West/Medical Center Review!
Amarillo Getaway: Fairfield Inn & Suites West/Medical Center - A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm diving deep into the Fairfield Inn & Suites West/Medical Center in Amarillo. And let me tell you, after spending a few days there… well, let's just say it was an experience. Not always perfect, but definitely an experience. This ain't a brochure, this is the actual truth, warts and all.
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First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good, The "Eh", and The Confusion
Right off the bat, the location is decent if you're in Amarillo for medical stuff (hence the name!). Seems pretty close to the hospitals and medical centers. Getting there? Easy peasy, Lemon Squeezy. Finding the hotel? Not always so straightforward. (Google Maps, buddy, learn to zoom!)
Accessibility? They say they got it. They claim to have facilities for disabled guests, which is essential. The elevator was key! And the staff seemed accommodating, but sometimes… well, let me just say communication wasn't always their strong suit. I asked about wheelchair accessibility for the restaurant, and I swear I got a blank stare for a solid minute. Eventually, they pointed me vaguely towards the…breakfast buffet. More on that later.
The Room: A Tale of Two Halves (and a Slightly Smelly Carpet)
Alright, so the room. The heart of the whole damn experience. Let's be frank, it WAS clean. Like, really clean. I’m talking Anti-viral cleaning products and Rooms sanitized between stays clean. Kudos there. Looked like the staff were really on top of it, considering the world we are living in.
Air conditioning? Oh yeah. Needed that. It was hot. Like, scorching, "Texas-in-July" hot! Everything ran smoothly. (Except for the… smell.)
The Carpet. Ah, the carpet. It was slightly suspect. Like, clean-ish, but you knew it had seen some…stuff. You could practically smell the ghosts of a thousand spilled sodas and dropped suitcases. They did have Carpeting listed in features, I suppose. And maybe that’s what’s throwing me off?
Wi-Fi? A Lifesaver. Thank GOD for the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!. Truly a lifesaver. Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN and all that jazz. I had to get some work done, and the Laptop workspace was… well, it was a desk. (More of a glorified ledge, but hey, it got the job done).
The Bathroom: Ah, the Little Luxuries
The bathroom was…fine. Nothing to write home about, but functional. The bathrobes were a nice touch (even if I ended up just using them to fight off the aforementioned carpet smell at night!) and the toiletries weren't half bad. Also, the hair dryer was surprisingly powerful, which I appreciated.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking… the Rollercoaster
Okay, the food situation. Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was breakfast. The Breakfast [buffet] was… decent. It wasn't Michelin-star quality, but it filled the void. The scrambled eggs were… orange. And the bacon was… crispy. Let's leave it at that. (My partner felt it had some Asian cuisine in restaurant type of food). There were Individually-wrapped food options, which gave me a warm fuzzy sense of safety. I will give it credit for having a Coffee/tea in restaurant.
The Pool: A Glimmer of Hope?
The Swimming pool [outdoor] looked inviting! I didn’t get a chance to use it, though. Seemed clean enough from afar. But the Poolside bar? Nah. No cocktails for this guy. Guess I prefer my drinks somewhere more lively.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The "Meh" Factor
Fitness center? Yep. I think it was there. Gym/fitness? Sure. I saw something that resembled a gym. Spa/sauna? Nope. Definitely not. This ain’t a spa resort.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Good News Dept.
They were REALLY on top of hygiene. Staff trained in safety protocol, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Room sanitization opt-out available. (But why would you? Yikes.) Hand sanitizer was everywhere, which is a good thing. A Fire extinguisher was handy as well. Didn't have to use it. Luckily.
Services and Conveniences: Mixed Bag
Cash withdrawal? Nope. Concierge? Not exactly. But they did have a Convenience store, which came in handy for late-night snacks. Laundry service was available. Car park [free of charge], bless their hearts for that!
For the Kids?
I didn't see any of this, but there is a Family/child friendly listed so…maybe?
The Staff: Hit or Miss
Most of the staff were perfectly pleasant. Some were… well, let’s just say they weren’t particularly chatty. Like, stone-faced robot levels of friendliness. But others were genuinely helpful. One woman at the front desk went above and beyond to help me with something (can't remember what, but it was appreciated!). So, yeah, a bit of a mixed bag.
The Verdict: Amarillo Getaway - A Solid…ish Choice!
Look, the Fairfield Inn & Suites West/Medical Center isn't the Ritz. It's not the Four Seasons. But it's a decent hotel. It's clean, convenient, and does the job. If you’re in Amarillo for a specific reason (medical or an extended stay), it’s a solid choice. Just manage your expectations, pack some air freshener, and maybe bring your own coffee.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. (Could be a 4 with better…everything).
Savannah's Secret Escape: Adults-Only Luxury at Planters Inn
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is the REAL deal. We're talking Amarillo, Texas, baby, and a stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites West/Medical Center. Prepare for a rollercoaster, because my plans are… well, let's just say they're more “suggestion” than “mandate.”
Day 1: Arrival and the Questionable Glory of Amarillo
- Morning (or, as it turned out, late morning): Flight into Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA). I am terrible at packing, so I'm already running late. You know the feeling? Frantically shoving things into a suitcase, hoping you haven't forgotten the one thing you’ll desperately need. Pray for me.
- Afternoon (and by afternoon, I mean after a slight detour for a forgotten phone charger): Arrive at the Fairfield Inn. Honestly, it looks like every other Fairfield. Clean, predictable, and a safe haven for my travel anxieties. Check-in. Immediately realize I'm starving and vow to find a decent burger.
- Afternoon (continued, or "Burger Apocalypse"): Google Maps. Search for "Best Burgers Amarillo." Land on a place called "The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery" - a tourist trap. The reviews are mixed, but I'm hungry. So, a burger, a beer, and a potential encounter with a six-pound steak? Sounds… Amarillo-esque. Walk in and immediately feel like I'm in a fever dream. Cowboy hats galore, waitresses with mile-high hair, and more taxidermy than a museum. The burger was… adequate. The beer, better. And the sheer audacity of the place? Entertaining enough. The six-pound steak? Nope. Not even close to attempting that.
- Evening: Back at the hotel. Collapse on the bed, utterly exhausted by the effort of consuming a burger. Debrief about how I hate the hotel room because of the view over the parking lot. Watch some terrible TV, because let's face it, the local channels are a goldmine of unintentional comedy. Maybe order some room service… or, more realistically, raid the vending machine for a bag of chips.
Day 2: The Cadillac Ranch & the Allure of Abandonment
- Morning (possibly after a desperate hunt for coffee): The Cadillac Ranch. Finally! I've been dying to see it. That iconic image of cars half-buried in the ground! The drive there is flat, and the wind howls. I’m already fantasizing about a warm hug.
- Anecdote: I see some folks happily spray painting their cars. I totally forgot to bring spray paint! Ugh! I wander around, feeling a bit like an outsider art piece myself, overwhelmed by the graffiti, the sun, the sheer weirdness of it all. It's beautiful in its decay, a testament to the ephemeral nature of… everything, probably. I find a can of paint to borrow.
- Afternoon: Another drive, this time a bit further north to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. I'm drawn to the desolate beauty. I consider doing a challenging hike but I realize I don't have the stamina so I'm going to do a driving tour instead.
- Quirky Observation: The canyon. It's big. Really, really big. Bigger than I expected. And the colors! Red, orange, pink… like a mad painter just exploded a palette across the landscape. This feels a lot like a very weird, and very wonderful mistake.
- Emotional Reaction: I feel it, this is why I love Texas. I am so happy here.
- Evening: Back at the hotel – and boy, am I happy to return. The bed is calling my name already. I decide to have dinner at a chain restaurant. No more weird adventures tonight, just a predictable meal and the quiet comfort of not having to make any decisions.
Day 3: Road Trip Blues… and Maybe a Surprise?
- Morning: This is where things get a little… shaky. I had planned to visit the Route 66 Historic District, but honestly, I'm feeling the call of the open road. Plus, the thought of trying to find parking is giving me hives.
- Messy Structure and Occasional Rambles: So, I am going to take a drive. Maybe towards New Mexico. Maybe to the place in the desert with the very big canyon. I don't know. That’s the beauty of it, right? Freedom!
- Afternoon Driving, driving, driving. Windshield wipers. No real plan. Podcasts. Regret the lack of snacks.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions (good or bad): Oh, look! There’s a diner! A real diner! The smell of frying bacon is calling my name, like a siren’s song. And, the waitress? She is legend. And so kind! I love her.
- Evening: Possibly another night at the Fairfield Inn, possibly not. Depends on where the road takes me, and how much my credit card can handle.
- More Opinionated Language and Natural Pacing: Look, I'm not gonna lie. This is a mess. I have no concrete plans. But you know what? That's kinda the point. This isn’t a meticulously crafted vacation. It's an escape. And in the heart of Texas, with all its quirks, and its vastness, I sort of feel like I had a good time.
- Minor Categories:
- Transportation: Rental car – a sensible SUV.
- Food: Burgers, diner food, and whatever questionable snacks can be found at a gas station.
- Budget: Questionable.
And finally: I'm going to go home. So tired right now.
Manhattan Getaway: Unbeatable Super 8 Deals!
Amarillo Getaway: Fairfield Inn & Suites West/Medical Center - My Brain Dump! (AKA FAQs)
Alright, Spill the Tea! Was the Fairfield Inn & Suites West/Medical Center Actually *Worth* it?
Heard About the Breakfast. Glorious or Ghastly?
The Room Itself – Any Red Flags? (Or is it just... hotel standard?)
Location, Location, Location! Is the "Medical Center" part a plus (or a curse)?
Let's Vent About the Staff, Shall We? Were They Angels or… Less Angelic?
About That Pool... Indoor or Outdoor? And What Were Your Expectations? The Details
Give Me the Straight Goods: Would You Stay Here Again?
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