New Braunfels Fun Starts Here: Fairfield Inn & Suites Awaits!
New Braunfels Fun Starts… Maybe Starts Here?: A Very Opinionated Review of Fairfield Inn & Suites
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the (very lukewarm) tea on my recent stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in New Braunfels. The tagline, "Fun Starts Here,"? Well, let's just say my fun meter needed a MAJOR recharge after this trip. But hey, at least the coffee was plentiful… mostly.
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First Impressions: The Accessibility Angle (Because it Matters):
Okay, let's rip the bandaid off. Accessibility is a big deal for me. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate places that are thoughtfully designed. The Fairfield Inn gets a mixed bag here.
Wheelchair Accessible? Yup, at least in theory. The website boasts accessible rooms, and I saw ramps and elevators. BUT and this is a HUGE but, navigating the entire property felt a little clunky. The layout isn't the most intuitive. It felt like they tried, which is better than nothing, but they could definitely refine the experience. Getting from my room to the breakfast area involved a mini-maze of hallways. A small imperfection, but something to consider if you're mobility-limited.
Other Accessibility Tidbits: They had elevators (big win!), and the front desk was generally helpful. The focus felt better on a practical level, but the aesthetic was somewhat… utilitarian.
The Room: A Tale of Two Pillows (and Some Carpeting):
The room itself was…adequate. Clean, but not sparkling. It's a hotel, you know? The usual suspects: a comfy bed (mostly), a desk (which was immediately covered in my stuff), and a coffee maker (essential).
The Wi-Fi, My Faithful Friend: Praise be, the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a lifesaver. Speed wasn't lightning fast, but it did the job for streaming, and all my work calls. The Internet access – wireless made my life so much easier than I'd have liked. They also offered Internet access – LAN which I never touched, but hey, options.
The Blackout Curtains: Godsend! The blackout curtains were a godsend. I’m a light sleeper, and the ability to control the darkness and sleep in was great.
What's missing: The room had a Coffee/tea maker, but was missing items like lotions, and a well built in desk space that has space for working, a laptop and a tablet.
The Carpeting of Regret: Now, the carpeting… let's just say it showed its age a little. It wasn’t filthy, but it could have used a deep clean. A minor detail, I know, but it took the edge off of the rest of the amenities.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Breakfast Buffet Bonanza (and a Few Misses):
Breakfast. The holy grail of hotel stays, right? Here's the breakdown:
Breakfast [buffet]: The Breakfast [buffet] was…well, it was a buffet. The usual suspects were present: eggs (questionable quality!), sausage, pastries, cereal. It was functional, but not exactly gourmet. They had the basics, like the Coffee/tea in restaurant.
Room Service? No, they didn't have it. Which is a bummer after a long day.
The coffee shop: The coffee shop had the most amazing coffee, but only in the morning. I wasn't able to find a coffee in the afternoon.
The Relaxing, Let's-Pretend-We're-Pampered Part:
Okay, let's talk about the "relaxing" amenities, because that's what we're all craving right?
The Pool with a View: The Swimming pool [outdoor] was a nice bonus! It was clean and well-maintained.
Fitness Center: I never used the Fitness center, because I’m lazy.
No spa or spa like treatments: No Spa/sauna or services. So no Body scrub or Body wrap.
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-era Considerations (and My Anxiety):
Look, I'm a nervous nelly, especially post-pandemic. How did the Fairfield Inn fare?
The Sanitization: They seemed to take things seriously. Lots of Hand sanitizer stations. The Rooms sanitized between stays. They also employed Professional-grade sanitizing services. They had a Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. It definitely calmed my anxiety somewhat.
Room Sanitization Opt-Out Available: That's a win! They didn't force it, which is fine. Personally, yes, Room sanitization opt-out available is an obvious plus.
The Vibe: Overall, I felt like they were trying, though it's hard to shake the feeling that the hotel staff was tired.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras (and a Few Missing Links):
The Daily Housekeeping: My room was made, and the room was cleaned well. I didn't use the Daily housekeeping service, but appreciated it was available.
The Convenience Store: The Convenience store was a nice to have. It had almost everything I needed.
The Elevator: The Elevator was a plus for ease of access.
The Lack Of Car Charging: There was no Car power charging station. If you're an EV driver, that's something to consider.
For the Kids (and their Parents):
I didn’t see that many kids. Not many Kids facilities.
Getting Around:
- Free Parking: A big win! Car park [free of charge] for the win.
Overall Verdict: Worth the Stay?
Honestly? It depends.
The Good: Clean enough, accessible enough, free Wi-Fi, a decent pool, and the staff was polite.
The Bad: The breakfast was underwhelming, the room design could be better. No room service.
The Verdict: If you're looking for a basic, functional hotel with reasonable access and free Wi-Fi in New Braunfels, and you're not too bothered about luxury, the Fairfield Inn & Suites gets the job done. The "Fun Starts Here" tagline is stretching it a bit, but with tempered expectations, it's not a bad choice. But if you are looking for a truly memorable and relaxing trip, you might want to look elsewhere. Honestly, I'd likely stay here again if I were in a pinch, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt at a trip to New Braunfels while staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites. Let’s see if I survive this.
The Messy, Honest, and Probably Slightly Disastrous New Braunfels Adventure (With a Fairfield Inn & Suites Base Camp)
Day 1: Arrival and the Questionable Taco Quest
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at the Fairfield Inn & Suites: "Oh hey, nice lobby! Looks…corporate. I mean, it's clean, I'll give it that. But do they even know I'm about to embark on a quest for the ultimate Texas taco? I doubt it." Checked in. Room's decent. Standard hotel fare. Carpet is definitely hotel carpet. Sigh. My expectations were low and they were pretty much met.
- 1:30 PM - Unpacking & the Pre-Taco Panic: Okay, so I’ve got my travel essentials -- comfy shoes, emergency snacks (Gotta have the Goldfish! Don't judge), and a desperate need for caffeine. Wait, did I bring my phone charger? Panic ensues. Found it. Crisis averted. Now… tacos. This is crucial.
- 2:00 PM - Taco Recon Mission (aka Completely Failing at Directions): I had this whole thing planned. Research! Yelp reviews! Google Maps! Nope. I'm lost already. My phone died. Remember, this is a messy itinerary. I'm asking for directions to the local taqueria, feeling like a desperate tourist lost in space. Managed to order tacos, which were okay. The salsa was… well, it wasn't explosive. But hey, I'm alive.
- 4:00 PM - Poolside Reflection (And Dramatic Sunburn Potential): Back at the hotel. Pool looks nice. But the Texas sun is relentless! I slathered on sunscreen, I swear! This is going to be a long night. Feeling a bit lonely.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at…? Ugh, ordering takeout again. Maybe I’ll try to order from a local restaurant to get more of the local experience. But if I don't get the food I want I might just throw a hissy fit. The Fairfield Inn & Suites has a little mini-mart with some snacks. This will do for now. It's a snack emergency, not a culinary masterpiece.
- 9:00 PM - The Room-Service Temptation and Bedtime Chronicles: The bed is… comfy. The TV is… well, the right size. The temptation to order a pizza and binge-watch something trashy is strong. Resisting. Kind of. Good night, New Braunfels!
Day 2: Schlitterbahn Showdown and a River-Rafting Existential Crisis
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast Bar Bonanza: Okay, the free breakfast at the Fairfield Inn & Suites. This is where things get interesting. I'm on a mission to conquer the waffle maker. Success! My waffle is… edible. The coffee, however, is… well, the coffee is coffee. Fuel, people, fuel!
- 9:00 AM - Schlitterbahn Bound! (The Parking Lot of Doom): Driving to Schlitterbahn. Traffic. I'm ready for the water park.
- 9:30 AM - The Schlitterbahn Experience (aka, pure, unadulterated joy): Finally inside! The sheer epic scale of this place is mind-boggling! The rides are exhilarating! I got hit with a wave and lost all vision for a few seconds. So much fun! I screamed like a little kid. No regrets.
- 1:00 PM - Post-Water Park Food: I'm starving! Went to the local fast food joint off the main road for lunch. It was pretty standard.
- 2:00 PM - River Rafting (or, My Existential Crisis on the Comal River): Okay, floating the Comal River. This is supposed to be relaxing. Sun, water, gentle current… I expected peace. Instead, I got: a) a near collision with another raft; b) a philosophical debate with myself about the meaning of life, sparked by a particularly meandering tree branch; c) existential dread about my lack of beer-coozie. This is the best river I've ever been on!
- 6:00 PM - Dinner, Depression, and the Hotel's "So-So" Gym: Dinner's at a place I found online. The food was okay, but I sat at a table for one and got a little melancholy. Then, I tried to hit up the hotel gym, which was smaller than my closet. A quick treadmill session was as adventurous as I got.
- 8:00 PM - Hotel Room Relaxation (and a lot of staring at the ceiling): Back at the hotel. The after-sun tiredness has hit, and I was more aware of the hotel room's lack of personality. Why did I choose this place? What is my life doing? Should I be doing something more??
- 10:00 PM - More TV, Sleepy Time: Watching TV. A comforting background buzz. Time for some more sleep.
Day 3: Gruene, Ghosts, and a Hasty Departure
- 9:00 AM - Waffle Maker, Round Two… and Check Out: Goodbye, Fairfield. (Well, not literally. I'm sure I’ll be back in a few hours to grab my forgotten phone charger.) Waffle was a bit better this time!
- 10:00 AM - Gruene, Texas: A Whirlwind Tour: Gruene is adorable. Little shops, cute buildings. Very touristy. I love it! Bought a novelty t-shirt I absolutely did not intend to buy.
- 12:00 PM - Gruene Dance Hall and the Ghost Whisperer (maybe): Did I mention Gruene is haunted? There's legend, history, and stories. Okay, I didn't see any ghosts. But I'm keeping an open mind because the air smells like history and a little bit of melancholy.
- 1:00 PM - Tex-Mex Lunch (that was actually pretty good): The food was amazing!.
- 3:00 PM - Packing and the Realization of Time's Passage: Time to go! I can't believe how fast the weekend flew by.
- 4:00 PM - The drive home…
Post-Trip Thoughts:
- The Fairfield Inn & Suites was…fine. Functionally adequate. The beds were comfy. The breakfast was… there. It was a convenient base of operations, but it didn’t exactly excite me.
- New Braunfels: Overall, I loved it! The river, the Schlitterbahn, the quirks, the food, the people… it was a great trip!
- Would I go again? Absolutely! Maybe next time, I'll plan better. Or maybe not. The messiness, the imperfections, the moments of sheer, unadulterated me… that's really what made it special.
And there you have it. My New Braunfels adventure, complete with awkward moments, moments of sheer joy, and possibly, a slightly sunburned backside. It's a good thing I didn't let perfection get in the way of a great time. Now, to start planning the next adventure…
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Okay, So What Makes This Fairfield Inn in New Braunfels "Fun Central"? Like, REALLY fun?
Alright, so "Fun Central" might be a *slight* overstatement. Let's be real. It's a Fairfield Inn. But hear me out! It's strategically *placed*. You’ve got Schlitterbahn practically in your backyard. Seriously, I swear I heard the screams of thrill-seekers from my room late one night… (Okay, maybe I just *thought* I heard them because I was already hyped for water park day. Who can say?)
Plus, you’re within spitting distance of Gruene Hall, which, if you haven't been, is a freakin' Texas institution. And the river? Tubing, kayaking… all that good stuff. So, the *location*, that’s the fun-maker. The hotel itself? Clean, comfy, the usual Fairfield gig. But the *promise* of fun is all around you. You *feel* it.
I will say, though, the breakfast buffet? Not exactly a culinary masterpiece. The scrambled eggs… bless their little hearts… they were… well, let’s just say they weren’t winning any awards. But hey, coffee! And waffles, which are always a win.
Can I Really Walk to Schlitterbahn From This Place? Because My Feet Ache Easily.
Technically? Yes. Walkable. Is it the most *pleasant* walk for someone who finds walking to the fridge a marathon? Maybe not. It's not *right* next door. It's a bit of a trek, especially in the Texas heat. You're looking at maybe a 10-15 minute walk, depending on your pace and your pain threshold. (Mine is… low.)
Honestly? Uber. Lyft. Or, if it’s a *super* hot day, take advantage of the hotel's (probably) shuttle service. Because sunburn and blisters before you even hit the water park? Not a fun vacation starter. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. My feet were screaming for mercy after the first day. The second day? Shuttle all the way.
The Pool: Is It Crowded? Is It Worth It? Does It Have a Lazy River (Gotta Ask!)?
Okay, pool assessment: It's… fine. It's a rectangle. It's not Olympic-sized. It does the job. It's usually not insanely crowded, but, look, it's New Braunfels during peak season. There will be people. Kids splashing. Maybe some overly enthusiastic adults doing questionable cannonballs.
No lazy river. (Sorry, lazy river dreamers, because I know you're out there. I share in the disappointment). But hey, it's a solid place to cool off after a day of tubing or water park mayhem. I spent a good hour there, just floating and thinking about the questionable decisions I made at Schlitterbahn. (Specifically, the one involving a ride called "The Falls". Never again.)
The pool is also where I witnessed one of the greatest displays of sibling rivalry. A sister vowing to push her brother in, and him threatening to tell on her. Classic resort entertainment.
Let's Talk Breakfast. Is it the Standard "Free Breakfast" Disaster, or is there Hope?
Ugh, breakfast. The bane of a budget traveler's existence. Look, it's free. You get what you pay for – in this case, mostly carbs. There's usually a waffle maker (always a win!), some sad-looking scrambled eggs (see previous rant), some fruit (if you're lucky and get there before the hordes), and some questionable pastries. Coffee is available. It's hot. It's caffeinated. That's the important thing.
My personal strategy? Pile those waffles high, douse 'em in syrup, and try not to think too hard about what's in the eggs. Embrace the sugar rush! It'll power you through the day... or at least until lunchtime. And if you are lucky, there is always that hidden selection of bagels. Remember the bagels are the secret weapon against breakfast failure.
What If I Need to Do Laundry? (Because, You Know, Water Parks and… Life.)
Okay, laundry. A necessity, especially after a week of water park shenanigans. The Fairfield Inn *usually* has a laundry room. It’s not the Ritz-Carlton laundry room, mind you. Expect basic machines, some change machines (or the need to load up on quarters at the front desk), and the general feeling of desolation that comes with doing laundry on vacation.
My advice? Do it early. Before the water park crowds descend. Or, better yet, pack enough clean clothes that you don’t *have* to do laundry. (I, however, am not capable of such foresight.) Just roll the dice and hope the machines are working. And pray you packed enough of your favourite detergent, because the hotel’s detergent selection is probably, well… questionable.
Parking: Easy or a Nightmare? (Because "Parking" is Its Own Special Hell Sometimes.)
Alright, parking. This is where the Fairfield Inn actually shines. It's generally easy. There's a decent-sized lot. I never had a problem finding a spot, even during the height of tourist season. No circling the block for half an hour, like you often get with those crowded city hotels. So, a definite win in the sanity department.
I also saw a guy with a massive truck trying to park and doing it, and it was spectacular. So, it's probably easy.
Is the Staff Friendly? Because Attitude Can Make or Break a Trip.
The staff? Generally, yes. Friendly enough. It's a chain hotel, so they're all properly trained in the requisite levels of politeness. I didn't have any negative experiences. They were always there when I needed them. Smiling, helpful, all that good stuff.
But… and this is just a personal quirk… I did run into the same housekeeper multiple times and after the second time, she greeted me like she knew me. It made me feel weirdly… popular? Or maybe she was just really, really good at her job and remembered every guest's face. Maybe both. Whatever, she was awesome.
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