Escape to Paradise: Wyndham Dania Beach Getaway!
Escape to Paradise: Wyndham Dania Beach Getaway! - A Rambling, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just clawed my way BACK from Wyndham Dania Beach. "Escape to Paradise," they called it. Let's just say my escape was less "paradise found" and more "paradise…experienced." I'm talking about the REAL Dania Beach experience, the one where you might catch a rogue seagull eyeing your breakfast and the elevator might take a while. But hey, that's life, right? And honestly? It wasn't all bad. Let's dive in, shall we?
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First Impressions & Accessibility (Let's Get This Out Of The Way)
Right off the bat: Accessibility. They say they're accessible, and for the most part, they are. Elevator, ramps… the usual suspects. I didn't personally use a wheelchair, but I saw a few folks navigating with apparent ease. However, the real test, you know, the nitty gritty? I can't fully speak to. But it looked promising. The front desk was readily accessible; hopefully the rooms are as well.
The exterior, though? Pretty good, as far as I could see. No Death Traps of Doom. Which, let's be honest, is a win these days.
Internet (The Modern-Day Oxygen)
Free Wi-Fi in ALL ROOMS! Hallelujah! And it mostly worked, which is a minor miracle in itself. I'm a writer, and the thought of NO internet… well, let's just say my editor would be getting a very grumpy call. There's also a LAN option, for those (are there still any?) who prefer the old-school wired connection. The Wi-Fi in public areas was… functional. Think less "blazing speed" and more "patiently waiting for that email to load."
Things To Do, Ways To Relax (Or Attempt To)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. "Paradise" conjures up images of lounging, right? Well, let's start with the good:
- Swimming Pool (Outdoor): Ahhh, the pool with a view. Let me tell you, I spent hours there, staring at the ocean. Okay, maybe not hours. More like an hour or two before I accidentally dropped my phone. But the view was AMAZING. The pool was clean, and the water temperature was perfect. Honestly, it almost made up for the seagull-related breakfast incident.
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Okay, okay, okay. I was utterly and completely in agony after my flight and the humidity. So many muscles screaming for silence. I booked a massage. The spa, it turned out, was pretty darn good. They also had a steam room and a sauna. The massage itself was pure bliss. Like melted butter on a human-shaped croissant. I might have even snored a little. Don't judge me. It's the Spa/Sauna that really sold it for me, though. Seriously, they had to drag me out.
- Fitness center/Gym: If you're into that sort of thing, they had a Gym/fitness center. I glanced in. Looked like a Gym. I, however, went back to the pool.
Now, for the less-than-perfect:
- Body Scrub/Body Wrap: Honestly, didn't try it. Felt more like I was there to decompress, not to literally peel off a layer of myself. Maybe next time.
- Foot Bath: I saw this on the brochure. But I couldn't find it. Which, considering the overall vibe, I chalked up to "it's supposed to be a mystery."
- Overall Rambling: I think I was just too busy enjoying the pool - and relaxing- to really do much stuff, and that is ok.
Cleanliness and Safety (In the Era of "Eek!")
Right, COVID-land. Let's address the elephant in the room. They tried. They really, truly did.
- Hand sanitizer galore. Everywhere. Like, you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a dispenser. (Please don't swing dead cats, though, people. Just… don't.)
- Daily disinfection in common areas. I saw staff wiping down everything, which was reassuring. Perhaps a little over the top, which sometimes made you feel a little weird, but better safe than sorry.
- Anti-viral cleaning products. Yay, science!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Supposedly. My room looked clean.
- Shared stationery removed. This is just good sense.
- Staff trained in safety protocol. They seemed to be, though I have no idea if this is an actual requirement for being a hotel worker. I really hope so!
- Cashless payment service. Convenient, until the card reader glitches.
They also had a lot of other things, such as "room sanitization opt-out available," etc.
The Big One: Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Where the Seagulls Lurk!)
Okay, let's be brutally honest here. Wyndham Dania Beach has a restaurant and a poolside bar. And, yes, the aforementioned (and frankly, quite daring) seagulls.
- Breakfast [Buffet]: Breakfast was… a breakfast buffet. I’m a buffet person, so I was happy. Everything was fresh and very good.
- Restaurants: The restaurant was nice, but the menu never really changed. But it was easy.
- Poolside bar: Drinks were… well, they were poolside drinks. I had a margarita that was potent enough to fuel a small rocket.
- Snack bar: Good for a quick bite, but nothing to write home about.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes! And plentiful. My morning ritual.
Food Delivery: They had a partnership with a food delivery service.
The downside: There was NO Vegetarian restaurant.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter)
- Concierge: Helpful, though the wait times could be… epic.
- Daily housekeeping: Immaculate. Seriously, my room was always spotless.
- Elevator: This mostly worked.
- Laundry service/Dry cleaning/Ironing service. Saved my life.
- Luggage storage: Very helpful.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Stocked with the usual goodies, and overpriced sunscreen.
- Air conditioning in public area: A necessity in Florida.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Did not partake.
For The Kids (Which I Don't Have, But I Saw!)
- Family/child friendly. Looked like it, from what I could see.
- Babysitting service
- Kids meal
In-Room Amenities (The Nitty-Gritty)
Okay, this is where it's at. Let's talk about my room.
- Free Wi-Fi! Thank god.
- Air conditioning: Essential, and working!
- Alarm clock: Yes.
- Bathrobes: Fluffy.
- Bathtub: Wonderful. Perfect for a long, hot soak.
- Blackout curtains: Dark enough to make you forget what time it is.
- Closet: With plenty of hangers.
- Coffee/tea maker: I was in heaven.
- Complimentary tea: Yes!
- Daily housekeeping: As mentioned, super clean.
- Desk: Functional.
- Extra long bed: I am tall. So, it got a big thumbs up.
- Hair dryer: My hair survives.
- In-room safe: Very good.
- Refrigerator: Useful.
- Satellite/cable channels: Lots of choices.
- Seating area: A nice spot to relax.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Yay for options!
- Slippers: Fancy.
- Smoke detector: Present and accounted for (thankfully, I didn't set it off).
- Sofa: Comfy.
- Soundproofing: Mostly effective.
- Telephone: I don't think I used it.
- Toiletries: Adequate.
- Wake-up service: Never woke up from it…
- Window that opens: The best part!
Getting Around (Because You're Going To Need To)
- Airport transfer: Available, which is a huge plus.
- Car park [free of charge]: Bonus!
- Taxi service: Available, but I didn't use it.
Overall Vibe & My Honest Opinion (The Uncensored Truth)
Unbelievable Dublin, GA Getaway: La Quinta Inn & Suites Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is a Super 8 by Wyndham Dania/Fort Lauderdale itinerary, with feeling. And by feeling, I mean a whole lot of me, spilling my travel beans all over the place. Let's do this… or, well, try to.
Day 1: Arrival - Bless the Hairspray, and the Lack of Bedbugs (Hopefully)
1:00 PM: Arrive at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Honestly, the last thing I want to do is navigate an airport after however many hours of travel. But hey, the sun's out, the air smells… vaguely of something tropical and, I swear, old airplane carpets. Grab a rideshare. Pray it's not a complete clunker of a car. I've got a deep-seated fear of being driven off a bridge by a chatty, unlicensed driver.
1:45 PM: Check in at the Super 8. Okay, the outside doesn’t exactly scream “luxury,” but hey, it’s a place to crash, right? Right? Deep breaths. I'm already mentally checking the mattress for suspicious lumps. Gotta admit, the front desk guy, bless his heart, seems way too happy to be there. Is he on something? Or is this just Florida?
2:30 PM: Okay, room check! Mildly clean. Smells faintly of… well, nothing too offensive. Bonus points for no obvious signs of tiny, unwelcome roommates. I unpack and realize I forgot my toothbrush. Ugh, just a classic move.
3:00 PM: Quick dip in the pool. The pool area is a little more… let's call it “rustic.” I saw a rogue leaf in the water and a guy with a questionable tan, but damn, the water is warm. This alone is almost enough to absolve the motel of its other flaws.
4:00 PM: Explore Dania Beach. Quick drive (that Uber thankfully didn't drive me into the ocean). The beach is beautiful, and I feel so rejuvenated. The salty air, the sound of the waves, and the sun, oh, the sun… It's all just chef's kiss perfection.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a nearby restaurant. Ordered fried seafood. The place… felt familiar but in a sort of a 'we-haven't-changed-in-30-years' kind of way. But the food was hot and the company was good.
8:00 PM: I'm back at the Super 8, scrolling on my phone, contemplating whether there's an all-night drugstore open nearby for a toothbrush run. Probably not. Bedtime routine. It's been a long freaking day.
Day 2: Culture, Questionable Fish, and a Whole Lotta Sunscreen
9:00 AM: Breakfast at the motel. The continental breakfast is… well, it exists. Waffles with the texture of cardboard, instant coffee that's basically brown-tinted water. But they have bananas! Which is a small victory in my book.
10:00 AM: Visit the Museum of Discovery and Science. It was actually pretty cool. I got to play with some exhibits. It reminded me of my childhood, which made me feel old and nostalgic.
12:00 PM: Lunch at a seafood restaurant. A hole-in-the-wall kind of place. The food was very good. The fish… I'm pretty sure the fish I ate was on the plate that served it, if you know what I mean. The fishy smell? Okay, maybe too much "authentic."
2:00 PM: A driving tour of Fort Lauderdale. Honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of driving in a new place, but I do enjoy the scenery, and I did get to see some amazing houses and views of the waterways.
4:00 PM: Back to the beach. This time, I'm armed with sunscreen AND a beach chair. I spend the afternoon just watching the waves. It's pure bliss. This is what it’s all about, right? Disconnecting, unwinding. Just being.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a local diner. Old school diner food is always a must.
8:00 PM: Back at the Super 8, I'm trying to decide whether to face my fears and order a pizza. I am really hoping the pizza is amazing, or I'll regret it. I got the pizza, it was… okay. I give it a 6.5/10.
9:00 PM: I try to sleep, but the noise from the road and from the people next door wake me up and I can't fall asleep.
Day 3: Departure - So Long, Super 8, and Thanks for (Mostly) Keeping My Bedbug-Free
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Same old, same old.
- 9:00 AM: Final check. One last look to make sure I haven't left anything behind. My toothbrush. Yes. Everything is in order.
- 9:30 AM: Hit the road. I would've stayed longer at the beach.
- 10:00 AM: Return the car rental.
- 10:30 AM: Airport. It's all a big whirlwind of security lines and overpriced snack sales. I am so ready to go home.
- 12:30 PM: Flight home! The plane takes off. Flying is honestly one of my very least favorite things.
- Post-Trip: I'm still thinking about the fried seafood. And the sunshine. And the peace of the sea. I'm happy.
Escape to Paradise: Wyndham Dania Beach Getaway - REAL Talk!
Alright, is Dania Beach REALLY paradise? Stop with the brochure BS!
The Wyndham… what's the *actual* vibe, man? Is it all retirees and romance, or what?
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks - the rooms. Are they, you know, *clean*? And are the beds comfortable, or am I signing up for a backache marathon?
The Pool! Tell me about the pool. Is it crowded? Is it actually relaxing? Because I need a vacation, not a splash-fest.
Food! What's the dining situation? Are we talking bland hotel food, or are there actually good options nearby?
Okay, let's talk about the beach access. How far is it really? Is it a painful trek with all my beach gear?
Are there any "gotchas" I should be aware of? Hidden fees? Annoying things? Give me the lowdown!
Overall, would you recommend the Wyndham Dania Beach Getaway? Be brutally honest!
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