Springfield's BEST Kept Secret: Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center!
Springfield's Actually Best Kept Secret: Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center - A Review That's Real (and a Little Messy)
Okay, buckle up, folks, because I'm about to spill the tea – or, more accurately, the complimentary bottled water – on Springfield's seemingly-impossible-to-find gem: the Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center. Forget the flashy chains, this place is low-key amazing. And trust me, I'm not just saying that because I'm still riding a high from the most relaxing massage I've had in, like, years.
Accessibility & The Welcome Embrace (or, My Near-Disaster at the Front Desk)
First things first: Accessibility. This is important, and Northfield gets it. From what I saw, wheelchair access is impressively comprehensive. They've got elevators (duh!), and ramps are plentiful. The bathrooms in the accessible rooms (though I didn't personally stay in one) looked well-designed and spacious, which is a huge win. They even have a 24-hour front desk and a concierge, meaning help is always around. They also offer contactless check-in/out, which is fantastic in a post-COVID world.
Now, a confession. I may have forgotten my reservation number (I'm a walking disaster, sue me). The poor woman at the front desk (bless her saintly heart) patiently guided me through the process, even with my flustered explanation. She probably saw my panicked face and knew, "Yup, another traveler on the brink." The whole process was surprisingly smooth, and she was a freaking angel. They even have a doctor/nurse on call, which is comforting, even if you're not actually sick.
Rooms: A Haven, A Home, A…Well, Mostly a Clean Place to Pass Out (with Excellent Wi-Fi!)
My room? Oh, it was lovely. Non-smoking, of course (thank goodness!). And the Wi-Fi, people! Absolutely rock solid. Free Wi-Fi in all the rooms! I could stream my terrible reality TV shows without a single buffer interruption. They also have Internet [LAN] available, though I didn't use it – I’m wireless all the way, baby! The room had all the essentials (hair dryer, iron/board, mini-bar, and even a desk and laptop workspace), plus some welcome extras, like free bottled water and a complimentary tea selection. They even have a scale. Because, you know, vacation calories. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleeping in, and the bed? Comfortable enough to make me question every mattress I've ever owned. The rooms are cleaned very well.
The Spa & Relaxation Oasis: Where My Tension Vanished (and My Feet Got a Little Too Pampered)
Okay, let's talk about the real reason I'm still raving: the spa. Seriously, this place is a game-changer. They’ve got a sauna, steamroom, and a beautiful pool with a nice view (perfect for a post-treatment float). But the massage… Oh, the massage! I opted for a deep-tissue, and the therapist could practically read my knotted shoulders. They worked out all the kinks from, you know, life. The foot bath beforehand? Bliss. Pure, unadulterated bliss. I may or may not have almost fallen asleep during it. Don't judge me – I was on vacation! They also offer body wraps and scrubs, if you're feeling extra indulgent. Frankly, I could have stayed there all day, and I almost did.
Dining & Drinking: Fueling the Relaxation (and My Overeating)
The on-site restaurants are convenient. They have a range of options, from a buffet (yes!) to a la carte dining. They offer an alternative meal arrangement, which is great for dietary needs. They have a coffee shop, too. The poolside bar is perfect for a sunset cocktail. The food, however, was… uneven. The breakfast buffet was decent, offering everything from Western to Asian options, but the dinner at the main restaurant was a bit hit-or-miss. The salad was good, the soup was…soupy. The desserts, however, were divine.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe in a Post-Apocalyptic World
This is a big one, and Northfield aces it. They're serious about hygiene. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff trained in safety protocol, and professional-grade sanitizing services. They use anti-viral cleaning products and have rooms sanitized between stays. Safe dining setup, with sanitized tableware and individually wrapped food options. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. They have even removed shared stationery. The whole place felt clean and safe, which is a huge relief. They even offer the option to opt-out of room sanitization, which is cool if you're environmentally conscious.
For the Kids & Other Conveniences: From Babysitting to Baggage
While I don't have any kids of my own, I noticed they have kids facilities and babysitting service. They also have a convenience store, a gift shop, and a currency exchange. They have an elevator, luggage storage, and laundry service. They also offer daily housekeeping, and dry cleaning services. You could literally go there and never leave!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Besides the Spa!): A Little Something For Everyone
Beyond the spa, there's a fitness center (I peeked in; it looked adequate), a swimming pool (indoors AND outdoors!), and a terrace. It's a great place for a relaxing stay. There are also meeting and banquet facilities, perfect for business trips or special events. They have air conditioning in public areas, audio-visual equipment for special events, and a pool with a view. There is also a shrine.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy (Especially if You're Renting a Car)
Free on-site parking is a huge plus! They also offer airport transfers and taxi service, so getting there and back is a breeze. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even see if its possible to bike around the area.
The Little Things That Make a Difference:
- The Staff: Seriously, everyone was friendly and helpful. They seemed genuinely happy to be there, which is a rare and wonderful thing.
- Cashless Payment: A definite plus in today's world.
- The View: Even though I didn't have a room with a view, just walking around the property was pleasant.
- The Peace and Quiet: It's surprisingly tranquil for a hotel, which is a huge selling point for me.
The Imperfections (Because, You Know, Life):
Okay, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
- The elevator was a little creaky.
- The dinner service in the main restaurant could be a tad slow at times.
- I wish they had more vegetarian options on the dinner menu.
Final Verdict: Go. Just Go.
Look, Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center isn't perfect. No place is. But it's damn close. It's clean, comfortable, convenient, accessible, and the spa is a godsend. It's the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer, de-stress, and recharge. It's a true hidden gem, and I highly recommend you uncover it. Just, maybe, remember your reservation number… and maybe don't eat all the desserts. Then again, live a little.
Escape to Texas Hill Country Paradise: Tapatio Springs Resort Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary ain't your grandma's meticulously planned vacation Bible study. We're diving headfirst into the glorious, messy reality that is a trip to… Springfield, Illinois. Specifically, at the Northfield Inn Suites and Conference Center. Pray for me.
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Panic (aka How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Carpet)
1:00 PM - Arrival in Springfield: Well, here we are. Springfield. Home of… well, a lot of things, I guess. My GPS, bless its synthetic little heart, led me straight into the Northfield Inn. First impressions? The lobby's got that classic "conference center" smell. You know, the one that's a weird mix of air freshener and stale coffee? My stomach is already starting to rumble. This is not a good sign.
1:30 PM - Check-In and Room Revelation: Okay, check-in was smooth enough. The lady at the desk was perfectly polite, although I think she was judging my travel outfit (sweatpants and a t-shirt that says "I'm with the band… of bored tourists"). Then, the room. It's… functional. Neutral walls, a king-sized bed that looks vaguely inviting, and… oh god, the carpet. It's one of those hotel carpets that probably hasn't seen a deep clean since the Reagan administration. I'm going to need to avoid looking too closely at it. Deep breaths. We're here now.
2:00 PM - Reconnaissance Mission & First Impulses: I'm starving. The vending machine situation in the hall is a tragedy. So, I decide to go downstairs to see what the hotel has to offer. The restaurant, "P.J.'s Grill," screams "comfort food". Perfect, my kind of place. And I'm starving.
2:30 PM - Lunch and the Sudden Realization of Loneliness: I, uh, went to P.J.'s Grill. I ordered the BLT, which was a solid choice. The bacon was crispy, the tomato was juicy. Then, I ate in blissful silence. And loneliness descended. I'd planned this trip to get away from it all. But I felt a weird sense of sadness. I looked around the semi-empty restaurant and thought about all the "happy families" that were eating at the surrounding tables - I felt like a small kid, getting lost in the supermarket. I made sure to send a message to my best friend, just so she knew I was still alive.
4:00 PM - The Pool (or, Why I Shouldn't Have Eaten That Second Slice of Pie): They have a pool! I'm a sucker for a hotel pool. I put on my swimsuit (which, okay, could use a little updating) and headed down. The water was shockingly warm, there was a tiny kid doing cannonballs, and a couple was clearly on a romantic getaway. I, on the other hand, just bobbed. And felt a little self-conscious about my swimsuit. And then my stomach started to remind me about that second slice of pie. Yeah.
6:00 PM - Trying to be Cultured (Failed): I attempted to plan a trip to the Abraham Lincoln library and museum, but the timing was awkward. I ended up going to the room, and watching "The Office". I fell asleep on the couch.
8:00 PM - Dinner and the Deep Fryer’s Temptation: Okay, I have to eat again. I debated ordering room service, but it seemed expensive. I went back to P.J.’s Grill. I saw the "fry-up" special - deep fried food. I ordered a basket of fried mozzarella sticks, a burger. I ordered the deep-fried Oreo’s for dessert. I'm going to hate myself tomorrow.
10:00 PM - Netflix and Existential Dread: Back in the room. Netflix beckoned. I scrolled and scrolled. Eventually, I settled on something mindless. Before I knew it, I was staring into the abyss of another episode. The questions of life, the universe, and whether or not I should be planning a more “adventurous” vacation started to creep in. I needed to get some sleep.
Day 2: Attempting to Be Productive; More Food
9:00 AM - Breakfast Buffet of Regret: Okay, breakfast. The hotel buffet is the ultimate test of willpower. I tried to be good. I really did. But the lure of the waffles, the bacon (again!), and the questionable-looking scrambled eggs was too strong. I'm pretty sure I saw a few people who looked like they'd been camped out at the buffet since 7 AM. I went to bed too late, and I was terribly hungover.
10:00 AM - (Attempted) Work: I had grand plans to actually get some work done. I set up my laptop, opened a few documents, and then… got distracted. By the questionable carpet again. By the siren song of the Netflix. By the insistent desire to just do nothing. It’s a vacation, right?
12:00 PM - Lunch, Round Two: I had another BLT. I was starting to feel the effects of all the junk food I was eating. I couldn’t help but wonder if I would get sick.
1:00 PM - More Pool Time: I went back to the pool. This time I stayed under the water.
6:00 PM - Dinner: The Quest for Something Healthy: I decided to try the gym, but it looked so boring. I wanted to look around, so I went for a walk in the streets of Springfield. I found a grocery store, and bought some fruit and yogurt. I got some salad for dinner.
8:00 PM – Back to the Room
10:00 PM - Sleep
Day 3: Departure and a Mild Existential Crisis
9:00 AM - Checkout and Reflection: I woke up feeling… surprisingly okay. I checked out of the Northfield Inn. I grabbed a coffee at the hotel, and went outside to look at the parking lot. I came to the stark realization that I was going back home. I have nothing much planned for tomorrow. I realized I needed some more time to think about things.
9:30 AM - Driving and the Final Thoughts: I started the drive. I wanted to go home, but I didn’t want to. What was I even doing this trip? I listened to depressing music.
12:00 PM - The Aftermath The drive was fine. Going home was a weird feeling.
12:30 PM - Back Home
So there you have it. My trip to Springfield. Maybe it wasn't the most exciting, or the most productive, or even the healthiest. But it was real. And sometimes, that's all it takes. Plus, I'm pretty sure that Northfield Inn carpet has a story or two of its own. Probably best I didn't get too close to it.
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So, what *is* this thing, anyway? Like, the *really* basic basics?
Ugh, alright. Basically, it’s… well, it's about... stuff. Okay, look, sometimes it's about *things*. Sometimes it's about *feelings*. Sometimes it's just me, rambling. Honestly, it *started* as one thing, probably, but it's gotten... well, you'll see. Think of it like a very disorganized closet you're about to rummage through. Fair warning: there might be skeletons. And also a lot of mismatched socks.
Okay, so, what *kind* of stuff are we talking about? Give me a hint!
Oh, sheesh. A hint, eh? Fine. Let's just say... everything. Okay, not *everything*. I mean, I haven't cracked the code on string theory (yet!). But… relationships. Work. That time I accidentally wore mismatched shoes to a wedding. The sheer *absurdity* of trying to find a parking spot in a city. Why cats are so judgy. Deep, intellectual ponderings. Also, the best way to eat a chocolate chip cookie (hint: it involves milk... and maybe a napkin, if you’re classy). And, of course, the agonizing, beautiful, maddening human experience. There you go.
Is this like… a blog? Or a journal? Or… what?
Define "blog." Because, yeah, I guess you could call it that. It's probably more of a… digital dumping ground for my thoughts? Listen, I'm not trying to win any awards here. It's more like a really long, slightly unhinged conversation with myself... that happens to be public. Which, now that I think about it, is pretty weird. But whatever. I need an outlet, okay? And sometimes, writing is it. Other times, it's eating an entire pint of ice cream while watching bad reality TV. We all have our coping mechanisms. Don't judge.
Do you *ever* talk about… like, serious stuff? Or is it all just cookie recipes and cat memes?
Ugh, yes! Okay, look, I *try* to balance the silliness with, you know, actual human… stuff. Life is messy, right? And full of both joy and... the other stuff. You know, the stuff that makes you want to crawl into a hole and eat an entire bag of chips. There's definitely been times when I've poured my guts out. Loss, relationships, career pivots... the usual. But even then, I sprinkle in the silly because… well, life is too short to be completely grim. And frankly, sometimes laughter is the only thing that keeps you from screaming into a pillow. Plus, I *love* chips. Especially the kind you get at the gas station. Don't judge. (See a pattern here?)
Alright, alright. Let's say I actually *read* this thing. What can I expect? Like, what's the *vibe*?
Expect… chaos. And, hopefully, a few chuckles. I aim for honest, even if it's a brutally honest. Think of it as hanging out with a friend who's a little bit… much. Someone who overshares, maybe cries a little too easily at sappy commercials, and probably has questionable taste in music. (Don't tell anyone, but I secretly love cheesy 80s power ballads.) It's messy. It's imperfect. It’s probably grammatically incorrect in places. But it's real. And hopefully, you'll feel a little less alone in the grand, confusing mess that is life. Or, you know, at least feel a little amused by my train wreck. Either way, I'm good.
Okay, so you mentioned mismatched shoes? What's *that* all about? Tell a story! (Because I smell gold!)
Oh, *gold* you say? Alright, fine. But first, let me just say... the shame. The *absolute mortification*. It was a wedding. A lovely wedding. My best friend, Sarah. Gorgeous venue. Sun shining. Everything perfect. I was feeling good. I was wearing this… I thought it was this *fabulous* emerald green dress. Felt fancy. Felt good. Until… I got out of the car and saw my feet. One black pump. One navy blue pump. (Cue the record scratch sound effect in my head.) How? HOW did that happen? I have NO IDEA. I think I was in a rush. Maybe I was half asleep when I got dressed. Maybe the universe was playing a cruel joke on me. Either way, I wanted to spontaneously combust. I wanted to dive headfirst into the nearest bush and never emerge. I wanted the earth to swallow me whole.
So, what did I do? I did *not* go back to the house, that would be far too much. I was to far in, I just couldn't do it. I sucked it up, put on a fake smile, and tried desperately to blend in. (Spoiler alert: I did not blend in.) I spent the entire reception strategically placing myself behind people, desperately hiding my mismatched feet. Every time someone got close, I *threw* one foot behind the other. They still stared, as if I had a unicorn horn in my head. During the slow dances, it was torturous. I could feel the judgmental gazes. I swear I overhead some people whispering. And Sarah… oh, sweet Sarah, bless her heart, she just burst out laughing when she finally noticed. Landed me a friend, she did.
The next day, I drove back to the car and found the matching shoe. Just sitting there, all innocent and blame free. In my opinion, the shoe could get lost.
Are you afraid of anything? What are your fears? Be honest!
Ugh, yeah. Terrified of a lot. Clowns. The ocean. Spiders, obviously. Failing. Being alone. (You know, the usual existential dread stuff.) And honestly? Writing this stuff. Pouring my thoughts onto the internet, feels super vulnerable. I worry about being judged. Criticized. That people will think I'm… well, a complete mess. Which, fair. I also fear the day the grocery store runs out of coffee. That would be a dark day, indeed. But mostly, I fear not living fully. Not taking risks. Not embracing the messy, beautiful, ridiculous chaos of it all. So, you know, I force myself to do this. Because, even though it's scary, it’s also…Hotelicity
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