Escape to Flagstaff: Luxurious Voco Hotel Awaits!
Escape to Flagstaff: Voco Feels Good, But Did My Towel Disappear?! (A Rambling Review)
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the Voco Flagstaff, and frankly, I'm still unpacking both my suitcase and my feelings. This isn't your perfectly polished, PR-approved hotel review – this is the real deal, the messy, slightly chaotic account of a human person trying to relax and maybe, just maybe, get a decent breakfast.
Accessibility – A Mixed Bag, Kind Of…
First things first, accessibility. Okay, decent on this front. The elevator (thank god for elevators!) made it easy to get around, that's a huge plus. I noticed things like ramps and wide doorways, looking like they’re trying. However, honestly, I didn't specifically test everything. I just… assumed, which is probably my bad. I saw a few things made me hope for a fully accessible experience, but I really can't guarantee it. Sorry, folks!
Cleanliness and Safety – Germaphobe Approved-ish?
Okay, this is where Voco really shines… or at least, tried to. The "anti-viral cleaning products" and "daily disinfection in common areas" definitely gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling. They had the hand sanitizer stations everywhere, which is a must these days. I think I saw staff wearing masks and generally being cautious. Oh, and I loved the "individually wrapped food options" at breakfast. It’s like, they're really trying to keep the plague at bay. Points for effort, Voco! Though, side note: I did wonder about the effectiveness of "professional-grade sanitizing services" on me after that particularly spicy burrito I scarfed down… but hey, no one’s perfect, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Breakfast… The Great Question Mark
Let's talk food. This is where my experience went from "hmm, okay" to "WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GET A DECENT BREAKFAST?!"
- Restaurants: There’s more than one. Yay!
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet… oh lord, the buffet. It existed! But it was kinda meh, with the usual suspects, scrambled eggs that tasted suspiciously like they were not made from real eggs.
- Buffet in restaurant: See above.
- A la carte in restaurant: Didn't try. The "Asian breakfast" sounded… adventurous.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yup, coffee. Thank God for coffee.
- Poolside bar: Didn't visit; it was a bit nippy during my stay.
- Snack bar: Didn't see one – which is a total travesty, considering my snack needs.
- Room service [24-hour]: Blessedly available. This saved me from a complete breakfast meltdown.
- Bottle of water: Essential, and they provided it.
My Personal Breakfast Saga (aka, a little rant)
Okay, prepare yourself. I love breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day! And getting a good one is crucial for my mood, my sanity, and my overall well-being. But at the Voco, the breakfast game… was weak. The buffet felt like a sad, beige landscape. The a la carte options seemed… complicated. And the coffee? Decent, but not amazing. I ended up ordering room service every morning. It was like a lifesaver. Freshly brewed coffee and a delicious omelet. Worth it, for sure, but at what cost? It felt like a small victory, won with the help of the phone.
Rooms and Amenities – Cozy-ish, With a Missing Towel Mystery
The rooms were decent! Not the most luxurious thing I’ve ever seen, but clean, well-appointed, and with that "in-room safe box" – a must-have for a klutz like me. The bed was comfy, the blackout curtains did their job perfectly (crucial for a light sleeper like me!), and the Wi-Fi worked like a charm (thank heavens, for I need my internet).
- Air conditioning: Yup, and I needed it.
- Bathrobes: Yes! Bonus points! Nothing makes a hotel stay feel fancier than a fluffy bathrobe.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes, again, crucial for life!
- Free bottled water: Yes!
- Hair dryer: Check!
- Mini bar: Available… But I didn't order anything.
- Non-smoking: Yup.
- Refrigerator: Check.
- Shower: Fine!
- Slippers: No slipper, that's a shame.
- Wi-Fi [free]: See above – super important.
The Great Towel Conspiracy
Okay, this is my most pressing question: where did my towel go? I swear, I used a perfectly good, fluffy white towel, and when I came back to my room, it was…gone. Poof! Vanished into thin air. I'm not accusing anyone of anything, but it's just… strange. Did someone steal it? Did it develop a sudden, powerful desire to roam free? Or did I accidentally leave it… somewhere? Sadly, this remains a mystery. So, be careful!
Things to do – Spa? View? Meh…
- Fitness center: Didn't use it. I'm on vacation, people!
- Pool with view: Didn’t use it; the weather was not cooperating.
- Spa: YES! They had a spa. Maybe I shoulda gone, I'd love a massage!
Overall, the Voco Flagstaff…
Overall, the Voco Flagstaff is a solid choice. It's clean, the staff is friendly (mostly!), and they're making an effort to ensure your safety. The room was nice, and the amenities were helpful. Just… brace yourself for the breakfast situation. And keep a close eye on your towels. You may leave your towels in the bathroom, but they will return.
Final Grade: A solid B+. Worth a stay, especially if you’re planning activities in Flagstaff or on your way to the Grand Canyon. But might want to BYOB (Bring Your Own Breakfast…or possibly a therapist, for the towel trauma).
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Title: Escape to Flagstaff: Voco Hotel Review - Breakfast Woes and Missing Towels!
Keywords: Voco Flagstaff, Hotel Review, Flagstaff Hotels, Arizona Hotels, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa, Breakfast, Cleanliness, Covid Safety, Travel Review, Family Friendly, Fitness center, Swimming pool.
Meta Description: A candid and humorous review of the Voco Hotel in Flagstaff, AZ. Find out about accessibility, cleanliness, the great breakfast mystery, and whether or not your towel is safe.
Tags: #VocoFlagstaff #HotelReview #Flagstaff #Arizona #AccessibleTravel #Travel #BreakfastProblems #MissingTowelMystery #SpaTime #TravelTips #FamilyTravel
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's perfectly manicured travel itinerary. This is the raw, unedited, slightly-off-kilter chronicle of my Flagstaff adventure, courtesy of Voco Flagstaff (which, by the way, I hope lives up to the hype, because I'm already picturing myself sprawled on a king-sized bed, judging the world).
Day 1: Arrival and Altitude Adjustment (and the Great Sock Search)
- 1:00 PM (ish): Touchdown at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG). Okay, first impression: tiny, adorable, and slightly panicky when it comes to baggage claim. My suitcase? MIA. Great start, travel gods, really knocking it out of the park! Commence frantic phone calls to the airline (which, predictably, involve hold music that sounds suspiciously like elevator music).
- 1:45 PM (ish): Triumph! Suitcase located! Relief washes over me like a tidal wave, followed by a sudden, urgent need for a bathroom break. And a snack. Travel is glamorous, they said.
- 2:30 PM: Arrive at Voco Flagstaff. The lobby… it’s nice, I guess. But after airline drama, I was prepared to adore anything with functioning air conditioning and a place to sit down. Check-in is uneventful. Thank goodness. The room better be worth it. It better.
- 3:00 PM: Room exploration! First impressions? The bed looks divine. The view? Meh. Parking lot perfection. But, the bathroom - the bathroom is a thing of beauty. Okay, consider me appeased. The search for socks begins. I swear, they're like tiny, elusive ninjas, always disappearing in the depths of my suitcase.
- 4:00 PM: Mandatory "adjust to the altitude" nap. My head is pounding. This is apparently a thing. I wake up an hour later feeling slightly less like I'm being suffocated by a giant marshmallow.
- 5:00 PM: Wander around the hotel's courtyard. It's… pretty standard hotel-courtyard-esque. But hey, sunshine! And a fleeting moment of existential peace.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant, or perhaps the "eatery" as it were. I'm hoping for something delicious and not overpriced. I'll tell you, the only thing that came to the table was lukewarm and tasteless. The server was clearly having a bad day. Insert a sad sigh.
- 7:30 PM: Post-dinner wallow session. I decide to get some work done but the Wi-FI is spotty! Again.
- 9:00 PM: Crawl into that magnificent bed. Finally. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Or maybe I'll just embrace the chaos.
Day 2: Chasing Waterfalls (and My Own Sanity)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Okay, the altitude is still there, but the bed was amazing and a new day brings new hope. Coffee. Lots of coffee.
- 9:00 AM: Decide to tackle a hike – I'm feeling ambitious. Hit the road - The drive to the waterfall trailhead is stunning. The drive is a straight up pain. I get lost, twice. I swear, my sense of direction is about as reliable as a chocolate teapot.
- 10:30 AM: Finally, the waterfall! It's beautiful, I take so many pictures! I actually appreciate the majesty of nature.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in the car. I packed a sandwich. It's pretty amazing.
- 1:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Rest your weary feet and enjoy the pool. This is nice.
- 3:00 PM: Explore the historic downtown Flagstaff with a quick stroll. There are some quirky shops and a vintage bookstore - I love this!
- 5:00 PM: Dinner and drinks again. I swear, I forgot to grab a reservation and the place where I wanted to eat is booked. Ugh. I go somewhere else. The food is underwhelming. What a waste of money.
- 7:00 PM: Back to the hotel and I start my own personal Netflix marathon. Today was rough.
Day 3: Grand Canyon Day (Hopefully Not a Disaster)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. The grand canyon is on the menu today.
- 8:00 AM: A quick breakfast and hit the road. The Grand Canyon is about an hour away.
- 9:00 AM: Arrive at the South Rim and take a breathtaking photo. Absolutely stunning. This is what I live for.
- 12:00 PM: Grab a quick lunch at a cafe near the Grand Canyon.
- 1:00 PM: Start my drive back and take in the views again. This really is beautiful.
- 3:00 PM: Drive back to the hotel. Start my packing and prepare for the journey home.
- 5:00 PM: Enjoy the last few hours at the hotel.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant nearby and reflect on the trip.
Day 4: Departure and Deep Sighs
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, last bit of coffee, and check out - it's all quite effortless to be honest.
- 9:00 AM: Flagstaff Airport again. This time, I know their system as I head through security.
- 11:00 AM: Take off.
Overall Thoughts:
Flagstaff was… an experience. The Voco? Pretty good, despite the Wi-Fi. The altitude? A relentless tormentor! The Grand Canyon? Worth the trip. This trip was nothing like I had expected, but I loved it.
This is all about making memories, embracing the unexpected, and finding the humor in the inevitable chaos. And as I sit here writing this, sprawled on my bed, searching for my last remaining sock… I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Escape to Flagstaff: The Voco Hotel – Honestly, Is It Worth It? (Plus Some Rambling)
Okay, spill the tea. Is this Voco Hotel in Flagstaff REALLY "luxurious"? I've seen the pictures…
Alright, alright, let's get real. "Luxurious" is a word that gets thrown around like confetti. And yeah, the pictures... they're curated, you know? Perfect lighting, everyone's smiling. *My* bathroom wasn't quite that pristine, let me tell you. But here's the thing: It's definitely a step up. Think... better than your average chain hotel, but not *palace of the gods* luxury.
The lobby? Gorgeous. That fireplace? Made me want to curl up with a book... until I realized *I forgot my book*. So, I just people-watched, which is almost as good. The room... spacious, yes, but maybe *slightly* showing its age in the details. Like, the grout in the bathroom. Let's just say it wasn't *as* pristine as the glossy brochure promised. But hey, clean enough! And the bed… oh my god, the bed. Seriously, I could have slept for a week straight. I nearly *did*.
My Verdict? Comfortably upscale. Definitely worth the splurge if you want a treat but don't expect Buckingham Palace. Just... maybe bring your own grout cleaner.
What about the location? Is it convenient for exploring Flagstaff and the surrounding areas?
Okay, location, location, location! This is where the Voco *really* shines. It's pretty much smack-dab in the middle of everything. You're minutes from downtown Flagstaff, with all its quirky shops and (important) excellent coffee shops. You can easily hop on the shuttle to the Grand Canyon - which, by the way, you *have* to see. Seriously. Just go. Don't argue with me about budget; just *go*.
Plus, you're super close to the highway to get to Slide Rock State Park, or Sedona, or any of the other beautiful places within a reasonable distance. I actually got a little *lost* on one of those scenic drives, ending up in a town I’d never heard of (Jerome, anyone?) but even that was kind of awesome. See, it’s the *adventure*, not the *destination* - or so I told my GPS when it gave me a stern voice for ignoring its instructions.
Bottom line: Perfectly positioned. Excellent for exploring. Prepare for the possibility of becoming romantically involved with your car's navigation system. Or is that just me?
Let's talk food. What's the dining situation like at the hotel and nearby?
Okay, food. Crucial. The Voco has its own restaurant, and it's... decent. I'd say it's *convenient*. I had breakfast there one morning, and it was perfectly fine. Nothing to write home about, but definitely edible and got me fueled up for the day. The coffee? Meh. Not amazing. I ended up stalking a local coffee shop. They have the best lattes.
Nearby: This is where Flagstaff gets SO good. There are *tons* of fantastic restaurants, and it's really easy to just walk around downtown or to drive a little ways. Pizza, burgers, fine dining... you name it, Flagstaff's probably got it. I found a brewery with the best *beer* I've ever tasted in my life, and it made me decide that maybe, just maybe, living in Flagstaff would be a good thing! Okay, *maybe* not, because I'm allergic to seasonal changes. But the beer was good. The point is, you will not starve. Do your research beforehand and make reservations, especially on weekends.
My Advice: Eat breakfast at the hotel if you are pressed for time, but venture out for lunch and dinner. Trust me. Your taste buds will thank you. And your Instagram feed. The pictures are better when the food is good.
The pool – is it worth packing a swimsuit?
Now, this is where things get... opinionated. The pool. It's there. It's a pool. It wasn't gigantic, but it wasn't tiny either. The water was clean, and there were some lounge chairs. And that's about it.
Here's my personal rant: I didn't use it. I *wanted* to. I pictured myself lounging by the pool, sipping a fancy cocktail, and reading a book. But then I spent all day exploring, hiking, and eating delicious food. I was *exhausted* by the time I made it back to the hotel. Plus, there were kids. Lots of kids. No offense to the kids, but I'm not a pool person (anymore, anyway).
My Judgment: Pack your swimsuit if you're a pool person. If you're like me and prefer adventures, then don't feel compelled. Flagstaff has MUCH better options for your time. The main thing is to bring clothes you can wear that will match the amazing scenery!
Is there anything specific I should watch out for, or any quirks to know about the Voco?
Okay, quirks. There are always quirks. First, parking. It can be a little tricky, especially during peak season. Be prepared to walk a bit from the overflow area. I walked one time, after being lost (again), and realized how absolutely beautiful the setting sun was.
The service was generally friendly, but it wasn't always *flawless*. There was a slight mix-up with my room service order, but hey, these things happen. I mean, someone *forgot* my extra pickles. It was a tragedy. I've never felt so heartbroken, honestly. The staff corrected it quickly though!
Also, and this is important: Flagstaff is at a high altitude. Drink plenty of water, particularly if you're coming from somewhere at a lower altitude. I didn't, and I paid the price. I was short of breath, dizzy, and spent most of the first day napping. So drink water! And maybe bring some altitude sickness pills, just in case. Don't be naive. Learn from my mistakes!
The takeaway: It's a hotel. Not perfection. Be patient, be prepared, and bring extra pickles.
Would you go back? Seriously, overall, what's the verdict?
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