Waterloo's BEST Kept Secret: Fairfield Inn & Suites Review!
Waterloo's BEST Kept Secret? Fairfield Inn & Suites Review – Buckle Up, Buttercups!
Alright, folks, let's be real. Finding a decent hotel that doesn't smell faintly of regret and questionable decisions can feel like a pilgrimage. So, when I stumbled upon the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Waterloo, I was cautiously optimistic. Could this be the haven I've been searching for? Spoiler alert: it's… complicated. Let's dive in, shall we? Prepare for a rollercoaster, because my experience was definitely that.
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Accessibility and the Art of the Possible:
First things first: accessibility. I'm not mobility-impaired, but I always appreciate a hotel that's thought about everyone. Wheelchair accessible? Check! Facilities for disabled guests? They seem to have the key basics covered. The elevator was a lifesaver after a long day of… well, I'll get to that. The website says "Exterior corridor," and that's true - you're walking outside to get to your room, which is pleasant in the summer… potentially brutal in a Waterloo winter. Something to consider.
Room for Improvement (literally, in some cases):
My room? Non-smoking? Praise the heavens. Air conditioning? Absolutely. And thankfully, a working Window that opens – sometimes, you just need fresh air, ya know? The Bed was comfy enough, though I swear the extra long bed they boasted of felt like… well, a regular bed for a hobbit like me. The Blackout curtains were clutch! A dark room is a happy room.
There's a Desk and a Laptop workspace, which is essential these days. But let's talk about the Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]). It was…spotty. Like, "trying to stream Netflix and getting the spinning wheel of death" spotty. I spent more time wrestling with the Wi-Fi than actually working. Grrr. The Internet access – LAN options weren't much better. They really need to invest in their internet.
And the Bathroom? Decent, but nothing to write home about. Standard Shower, toiletries (nothing fancy, but they got the job done), and a hair dryer. The Mirror was useful for, you know, assessing the damage after a long day. I did appreciate the Additional toilet, because sometimes, you just need a little extra… space.
Cleanliness & Safety: Did Someone Say "Peace of Mind"?
Okay, this is where the Fairfield Inn actually shined. Seriously. I walked in and thought, "Wow, this place is sparkling." They clearly take their Cleanliness and safety seriously. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Absolutely. Anti-viral cleaning products? Yep. Hand sanitizer stations scattered around? Abundant. I actually felt safe. They even had Staff trained in safety protocol. I'm not usually one to get all gung-ho about hygiene, but in the current climate, this was a major win.
They also had a plethora of Safety/security feature: CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, Security [24-hour], and a Front desk [24-hour]. Felt protected.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Mixed Bag:
Now, for the food! The Breakfast [buffet]… look, it was included, and that's the important part. There was Breakfast [buffet] with Asian breakfast and Western breakfast. So, Coffee/tea in restaurant… check. The Breakfast takeaway service was a brilliant touch, especially when I was running late (which, let’s be honest, is most of the time).
There's a Coffee shop (again, good coffee, not the best), but honestly, it kind of felt a bit lonely. No true Bar vibe. You might be better off finding somewhere off-site.
They had a Snack bar. Nothing to write home about. No real Restaurants. But, I did notice they did Room service [24-hour].
Things to Do (or Don't Do, Depending on Your Mood):
Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes! But… it was closed during my visit. Sadly. This was a huge disappointment. I was really looking forward to lounging by the pool. The Pool with view did look inviting from afar, though.
They also boast a Fitness center, but, like a lot of hotel gyms, it was small and a little under-equipped. I gave it the side-eye but did not personally test it.
Services and Conveniences: A Few Wins, a Few Losses:
The Fairfield Inn offers a suite of Services and conveniences that are standard: Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, and Ironing service. The Elevator did make a big difference.
They surprisingly had a Convenience store, which was handy for picking up snacks and drinks. I appreciated the Cash withdrawal service. Though, it's not as convenient as just using your phone.
However, the Concierge service was… absent. I tried to get advice on local restaurants, but no dice. The Front desk [24-hour] staff were generally helpful, though, and handled their Contactless check-in/out like pros.
Here's where it gets interesting: Pets allowed unavailable. Okay, so technically they don't allow pets, which can be tough for some travelers. But… (and this is where it gets weird), I saw a dog in the lobby! Maybe it was a service animal, maybe the rules are… flexible. It was definitely a head-scratcher.
And Now, for the Quirky Stuff – Because Every Hotel Has Secrets:
- The Bedside Lamp Saga: One night, the bedside lamp decided it hated me. It wouldn't turn off. I spent a solid five minutes wrestling with it, finally resorting to the age-old trick of covering it with a pillow. Victory! (And then, the next morning, it worked perfectly. Go figure.)
- The "Meeting/banquet facilities" Mystery: They have these, but I never saw them in action. Did someone have a secret meeting while I was there? The world may never know.
The Verdict: The Best Kept Secret in Waterloo? Well…
Look, the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Waterloo is a solid, clean, and generally pleasant hotel. The Cleanliness and safety are top-notch, and the staff are friendly. The Breakfast is decent, and the location is convenient. The Swimming pool is a big miss – I hope it's working when YOU go! The internet situation needs serious love, and the lack of a proper bar is a shame.
It's not the Ritz, and it's not trying to be. It's a reliable, comfortable option, especially if you value cleanliness and are looking for a safe place to lay your head.
Final Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars.
Would I stay there again? Probably. Would I recommend it? Yes, with those caveats mentioned. It's not perfect, but it's a decent find in Waterloo. Maybe not the best kept secret, but certainly a reliable choice. And that, my friends, is the truth. Now go have a good trip!
Escape to Paradise: Kingwood's Luxurious Courtyard Oasis
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to embark on a whirlwind tour of…Waterloo, Iowa. Specifically, the Fairfield Inn & Suites, which, let's be honest, is probably where all the real adventure happens. Here’s the messiest, most honest, and probably slightly off-kilter itinerary I can muster:
Pre-Trip Panic & The Booking Nightmare
Day 0: The Existential Dread of Planning. Honestly, is there anything more soul-crushing than staring at a blank itinerary template? I swear, the thought of perfectly curating my life (or, you know, a weekend) makes me want to curl up in a ball. But hey, Waterloo, here I come! (Or at least, that's what I'm telling myself).
Booking the Room: This was a classic. I swear I triple-checked everything. Then, a week before, I get an email offering me a "premium" upgrade? Fine, I thought. Treat myself! Until I saw the price tag. Suddenly, "standard" was looking pretty good. But the damage was done. I’m a sucker for a slightly nicer room. My budget is silently weeping.
Day 1: Arrival and the Unexpected Charm of the Parking Lot
Afternoon (ish) - The Great Descent: Finally arrived! Waterloo welcomed me with a gray sky and the distinct smell of… well, I'm not sure what it was. Industrial? Agricultural? I'm no expert, but it definitely felt like Iowa. Check-in was a breeze, which, honestly, is always a win. The front desk lady was super nice, which instantly boosted my mood. Score one for small-town hospitality!
My Room, My Fortress of Solitude (and Snacks). Okay, the room is…fine. Clean, a perfectly adequate bed, a flat-screen TV that I probably won't use. The view? Let's just say it's a prime spot for people-watching in the parking lot. And, surprisingly, I was instantly fascinated. I could see parents loading kids, teens goofing around, and the weary business travelers. It's a hidden theater of everyday life, it's amazing!
The Pool Debacle (and My Inner Child's Meltdown): Okay, the gym was a no-go, (too much effort). So, the pool it is! Picture this: me, a slightly self-conscious adult, cautiously dipping a toe into the lukewarm, slightly chlorine-y water. Then, the inevitable: a kid is screaming, splashing, and generally having a blast. My inner child, who really wanted to be that kid, throws the biggest silent pout ever. I retreated to the (sadly, empty) hot tub. It was a bit disappointing. But hey, at least I didn't drown in existential despair!
Dinner - The Quest for Decent Food: I asked the front desk for dinner recommendations, and the lady mentioned a local restaurant. It was just okay. The food was nothing to write home about (though the writing itself is, I guess, the proof of the pudding), and the service was a little slow. But hey, at least it was a change of scenery from the Fairfield Inn lobby.
Evening: The Bed and the Book: Back in the room, I'm finally alone. Sinking into the bed (it’s actually comfier than I expected), I dive into a book. Bliss. Pure, unadulterated bliss. This is the good life.
Day 2: The Heartland and My Questionable Sense of Direction
Morning: Breakfast Buffet - The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly… Questionable. Okay, the continental breakfast. Let’s just say it's a mixed bag. The coffee, thankfully, was strong. But the rubbery scrambled eggs and the suspiciously orange juice… my inner food snob raised a critical eyebrow. And the pastries? I'm pretty sure they'd been sitting there since last Tuesday. But I ate it anyway. It's the human condition, right?
Mid-Morning: My Waterloo Adventure - Finding the Real Iowa. I tried to find some interesting locations to see the heartland of Iowa. I drove for hours, and I enjoyed every minute of it! I loved everything about this place, from the old farmhouses to the rolling hills. It was a feast for the eyes and the soul.
Lunch - The Quick Bite: Found a deli or something like that. The sandwich was okay. Nothing exciting.
Afternoon - The Museum of (Local History): I went to a local museum, and it actually turned out to be really interesting. You know the kind of museums stuffed with old farming equipment and tales of the area's most interesting people. It reminded me of my childhood, and I loved it!
Late Afternoon - The Pursuit of Coffee and Maybe Redemption: After the museum feeling nostalgic, I was craving a good coffee and some serious reflection. I found a local cafe. The coffee was amazing. The people were amazing. It was the perfect way to end the day.
Evening: Room Service Fails (and Victorious Pizza) : I ordered room service. This was a mistake, and the food tasted like it was delivered three days prior. However, I was craving a pizza, so I ordered one from a local place. Best decision of the weekend! The pizza was amazing, and it reminded me how good life is!
Day 3: Checkout and the Sad Farewell to the Parking Lot People
Morning: The Final Breakfast, The Longing Gaze: Back to the buffet! The eggs were still rubbery, the juice was still orange, But, I guess, I got used to it. But before I left, I stared out the window once again. The parking lot people were getting ready to leave. Another chapter of their lives was about to begin, and I felt a pang of connection and sadness.
Checkout and the Road Home: Easy as pie. Said my goodbyes. A quick stop for gas and it was time to go. On the long drive home, I replayed the highlights. The pool. The museum. The surprisingly wonderful people. Did I have a life-altering experience? No. Did I have a good time? Absolutely. And that, my friends, is the real measure of a trip.
Post-Trip Reflection: I'm back home, and I'm already planning my next adventure. There’s something about the simplicity of a small-town trip, the unexpected beauty, and the pure human-ness of it all. It’s a nice reminder that sometimes, the best experiences are the ones you don't expect.
Waterloo's "BEST Kept Secret"? My Fairfield Inn & Suites Waterloo Debrief – Let's Get Messy!
Okay, spill the beans! Is this Fairfield Inn really a "secret"? Did you *actually* enjoy your stay?
Alright, alright, enough with the suspense. "Secret"? Maybe not *entirely*. The front desk *did* look like they knew they were sitting on something good, that knowing smirk. But seriously, I'd heard whispers, the hushed tones of seasoned travellers, but nothing *too* hype. So, did I enjoy it? Well… that's a loaded question. Let's just say I’m still wrestling with my feelings. I mean, on a scale of "meh" to "HOLY MOLY, BOOK ME ANOTHER NIGHT!"...let's say I hovered more towards the "surprisingly decent" side. I didn't wake up screaming in happy tears, but… yeah, I’d go back. Probably. And I'll get into the *why* a little further down. First, coffee, because I've been thinking about that little coffee machine in my room since I left...
The Breakfast – the make-or-break for any hotel stay. What's the lowdown on the free breakfast?
Oh, the breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. The pictures online are always *so* curated, aren't they? Fluffy pancakes glistening under perfect lighting, mountains of fresh fruit... Let's just say the reality was a bit more… "real." The pancake machine? Bless its heart. It tried. Sometimes, the pancakes were actually… edible. Other times, they resembled hockey pucks. I'm not going to lie; there was a moment of genuine, heart-pounding disappointment. Then, I ate the egg and sausage (which were surprisingly decent), grabbed a slightly overripe banana, poured myself a coffee that tasted suspiciously like instant sadness... and actually, it was fine. It wasn't a Michelin-star breakfast, but it got the job done. There was cereal! Toast! Yogurt! And the *option* of sitting in a slightly cramped space with other sleep-deprived humans, all silently judging each other's breakfast choices. It's a bonding experience, really. Just bring your own maple syrup – the hotel’s seems to be fighting a losing battle against gravity.
Let's talk rooms. Were they clean? Cozy? Did you find any lost socks?
Okay, real talk: the rooms were… fine. Clean enough. Not sterile-hospital clean, but definitely not "ew, what IS that?" clean. The bed was comfortable, which is really all that matters, isn’t it? After a long day, a soft, comfy bed is basically a religious experience. There was a definite lack of "design flair" – imagine beige and more beige, occasionally broken up by a splash of… more beige. The kind of decor that fades into the background so convincingly you can’t remember what it looked like five minutes after you leave. But hey, a comfortable bed and a clean bathroom? That's all I really need. Did I find any lost socks? Thankfully, no. Though I DID find a rogue hair tie lurking under the nightstand... don't judge me. I may have forgotten my hair ties. And the room's temperature control? That thing was finicky. It's like it was always on the verge of going wild, or freezing me out.
Location, Location, Location! (Seriously, is it a good spot?)
The location… hmmm. It depends on what you’re doing. It's not *right* in the heart of the action, but it's close enough to everything. A short drive to… well, everything. The highway access was a HUGE bonus – seriously saved me a bunch of headaches. And there was a coffee shop nearby. And a grocery store. And a… well, you get the idea. It wasn't some idyllic, tucked-away retreat, but it was practical. And sometimes, practicality is all a weary traveller needs. I am still, to this day, slightly annoyed by the amount of traffic I had to deal with. But its central! What can you expect?
Any unexpected "wow" moments? Or, alternatively, any moments that made you want to scream?
Okay, the "wow" moments… were subtle. The staff was genuinely friendly. I mean, *genuinely*. That counts for a lot! The woman at the front desk remembered my name after the first day. It was a nice touch. And the pool wasn't freezing! A lot of hotels forget that it's actually nice to, you know, be able to *swim* in the pool. Now, the "scream" moments? Well, the elevator was slow. Like, painfully slow. And the wifi wasn't always the most reliable. There were moments where I genuinely considered climbing the stairs, even though I was on the third floor. And once? *Once* there was a crying baby in the hallway at 3 AM. But hey, that’s life, right? It all adds up. I mean, the staff and the elevator almost cancelled each other out, in the end.
Pool & Gym? Spill the beans.
Okay, there was a pool. I think it was indoors? It was… fine. Not the Ritz-Carlton, but hey, it’s water. Apparently there's a gym too, but I was too busy struggling to find my car keys to go near it. I'm not exactly a fitness guru, but judging by the pictures, it looked… gym-like. Machines, weights, that sort of thing. If you’re into that whole "exercise" thing, then go for it. If you’re like me, and prefer the couch, then, well, you're not missing much. I did see some people playing with inflatable toys in the pool at dinner. But that's the extent of it.
The Coffee Machine – We Need to Dive Deep!
Okay, here we go. My obsession with the coffee machine. This thing… it was basic, but it was my lifeline. It wasn't some fancy Keurig with a million pods. No. It was a standard, drip-style machine. But it had a timer. A *timer*! Imagine, waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, even if the coffee itself tasted like something you'd get in a school cafeteria. Okay, so it wasn't *that* bad. It was… acceptable. But the timer… oh, the timer! I could set it the night before, drift off to sleep, dreaming of caffeine, and BOOM! Wake up to a ready-made cup. It was… comforting. Like a warm hug in a mug. I miss that coffee machine. I really do. I'm seriously considering buying a similar model just for nostalgia's sake. I feel like I need to own one to remember how simple life can be.
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