Shelby's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review (NC)
Shelby's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review (NC) - Or, How I Survived a Weekend (and Found… Well, Something)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because my "review" of the Days Inn in Shelby, North Carolina is less a polished travelogue and more a slightly-chaotic journal entry. I'm talking raw, unfiltered, and possibly slightly unhinged (blame the room service coffee, or lack thereof!). I'm here to spill the beans, the lukewarm beans, of my recent stay.
The Basics: It Ain't the Ritz, Folks
Let's get one thing straight: this ain't the Ritz-Carlton. But for the price? Let's call it… functional. The website touted "Shelby's Best Kept Secret." I'm still trying to figure out what that secret is. Maybe it's the sheer audacity of some of the decor choices. You'll see.
Accessibility: Navigating the Maze
Okay, so accessibility is a mixed bag. They say they have "Facilities for disabled guests." Fine. The elevator? Worked… sometimes. Getting to my room on the third floor felt like a lottery win. The corridors are exterior so you walk outside to your room (great for fresh air, less so if you're caught in a downpour, which, spoiler alert, I was). I didn't get a chance to test the other facilities, but I'm wary.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized? Probably.
Alright, they're trying. COVID-19 precautions are present, and I'll give them that. They've got hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff seems genuinely committed to safety. Rooms sanitized between stays? Supposedly. They highlight that with Anti-viral cleaning products in the description. The First aid kit is there, and they have that Doctor/nurse on call if needed. The Daily Disinfection of common areas and Professional-grade sanitizing services are mentioned, so they're doing their best to check the boxes. The Room sanitization opt-out available is a nice touch, even though I wasn't planning on opting in. They highlight the Hot water linen and laundry washing. They have Hygiene certification (presumably). The staff are trained in safety protocols, and they also provide Individually-wrapped food options. However, my room stank vaguely of… something. Air freshener gone rogue perhaps? Or maybe that's just the "Shelby" experience.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious… Food?
Oh, the food. Here's where things get interesting. Restaurants? Yes, plural! Technically. The "restaurant" is really one of those places where the Breakfast [buffet] is put out in the morning. I had a look. Let's just say I opted for the "grab a granola bar from the convenience store" solution. They claim to have Asian cuisine in restaurant. I did not see evidence of this. They have Coffee/tea in restaurant and also have a Coffee shop which is not actually a coffee shop but a place to put a coffee machine. There's a Poolside bar, but it seemed permanently closed. They offer Room service [24-hour], which I tried to use. Twice. Both times the phone just rang endlessly. Eventually, I gave up and went in search of a grocery store. Speaking of, there's a Convenience store on site, which is a lifesaver when the room service fails. There are Restaurants, sure. But I wouldn't plan a culinary journey around them. The Happy hour I heard of, but could never find at the bar.
Breakfast [buffet]. I went. It was mediocre. I’m pretty sure the sausage had been around since the Reagan administration. The fruit… well, let’s just say it needed some love (and maybe a time machine). Breakfast takeaway service? Maybe. I didn't dare ask.
The Room: My Sanctuary of… Questionable Decor
Now, this is where the "secret" of the Days Inn might lie. My room? It was an experience. Let's go through the list, shall we?
- Air conditioning: Worked, thank God. Shelby in July would be a nightmare without it.
- Alarm clock: Present, but the volume control was… temperamental.
- Bathrobes: Nope. Not in this economy.
- Bathroom phone: Apparently, there was one, but I'm not sure it worked.
- Bathtub: Check! Essential for escaping the general weirdness.
- Blackout curtains: Yes, thank heavens. Sleep is precious.
- Coffee/tea maker: In theory. It spat lukewarm water. I gave up after a few tries.
- Desk: Functional, if a little… sticky.
- Free bottled water: A definite plus! Hydration is key.
- Hair dryer: Miraculously, it worked. Praise the gods!
- In-room safe box: I didn't bother, because I wasn't sure I trusted it.
- Internet access – wireless: Wi-Fi [free] - Yes, and it was actually pretty decent.
- Ironing facilities: Present. But the iron looked like it pre-dated the internet.
- Laptop workspace: The desk served its purpose.
- Linens: Clean, thankfully.
- Mini bar: Empty. Very disappointing.
- Non-smoking: Thankfully.
- Refrigerator: Yes! Perfect for my emergency snacks.
- Satellite/cable channels: Yep. Though the channel selection was… interesting. A lot of religious programming, which is fine, but also a lot of channels I’d never heard of.
- Seating area: A chair.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Yes.
- Telephone: Present. See room service attempt above.
- Toiletries: Minimal.
- Towels: Clean (again, thank goodness).
- Wake-up service: I used the malfunctioning alarm clock.
- Window that opens: YES! Escape from the air freshener!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams Deferred
This is where the website's promises felt a little… optimistic.
- Fitness center: I didn't see one.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: There’s a pool. It seemed clean enough, but was also inexplicably deserted.
- Spa: Hahaha… no.
- Steamroom: Nope.
- Sauna: Absolutely not.
- Massage: Wishful thinking.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag
- Air conditioning in public area: Indeed.
- Cash withdrawal: I didn’t use it.
- Concierge: I didn't see one.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes. And I actually appreciated it.
- Elevator: Mentioned above.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Mentioned above.
- Laundry service: Available.
- Luggage storage: Available.
For the Kids: Not Exactly a Disney World
They offer Babysitting service, but the website also says, "Family/child friendly" and "Kids facilities," which is a bit of a stretch.
Check-in/out, Getting Around & Business Facilities
- Check-in/out [express]: Sort of.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes, plenty of parking.
- Car park [on-site]: Yes.
My Verdict: Shelby's "Best Kept Secret"? Maybe It Should Stay That Way.
Look, I survived. But the Days Inn in Shelby, NC, is not exactly a destination stay. It's a place to rest your head, maybe use the free Wi-Fi, and try to avoid the questionable buffet. If you're looking for luxury, look elsewhere. If you're looking for an experience, well… you might get one. I certainly did. But whether that experience is good or bad? That's the real secret.
SEO and Metadata - Because Apparently, I Have to Do That:
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- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Days Inn in Shelby, NC. Read about the good, the bad, and the hilariously mediocre! Includes details on accessibility, cleanliness, dining, and amenities. You've been warned.
- Category: Travel/Hotels/Reviews
- Target Audience: Budget travelers, people looking for a place to stay in Shelby, NC, anyone looking for a semi-honest and funny review.
- Image Alt Text: (If I had a picture!) "The exterior of the Days Inn in Shelby, NC. Looks exactly as you'd imagine, and probably a little more worn."
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. We're going to be charting a course through… well, Shelby, North Carolina. And if you’re picturing some perfectly curated Instagram feed, think again. This is going to be a glorious, messy, and probably slightly caffeinated journey. We're staying at the Days Inn. Let's do this thing.
Shelby Shenanigans: A Days Inn Odyssey (Probably with a Continental Breakfast)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (Shelby Edition)
1:00 PM: Arrival at the Days Inn. (Check-in, Wish Me Luck). Okay, first impressions: the lobby is… functional. Beige. Smells faintly of chlorine and… is that potpourri? I appreciate the effort, Days Inn. I really do. The front desk person is nice though, bless their heart, dealing with people like me all day. I try to crack a joke about the "vibrant" decor, but it falls flatter than a week-old pancake.
1:30 PM: The Room Reveal. (Pray for No Bedbugs). Key card in hand, I cautiously enter my kingdom for the next 24 hours. The room… it’s a room. The air conditioning is definitely working, a small victory. I give the bed a suspicious poke. Looks clean enough. Quick inspection for… well, you know. Breathe a sigh of relief. And then promptly drop my phone behind the headboard. Sigh.
2:00 PM: Shelby Reconnaissance Mission (or, Where's the Waffle House?) Time to hit the streets – or, more accurately, the parking lot. I’m starving. Google Maps tells me there is a Waffle House. My stomach sings. The first few minutes in Shelby are a blur of strip malls and stoplights. Shelby’s vibe is … quiet. I mean, I like quiet, but this is bordering on… introspective. Does that even make sense?
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Waffle House Bliss AND Disaster. (It's a Rollercoaster, baby). Okay, Waffle House. I've been dreaming of you since I left the house. The air is thick with the smell of sizzling butter. The waitress, a woman with a smile that could melt glaciers, calls everyone "honey". I order a scattered, smothered, and covered hash brown, and two waffles with extra butter, and a coffee. Heaven. But disaster strikes! I spill coffee all over my shirt! Mortification level: Maximum. I get extra napkins. It's not the end of the world. But it feels like it for a moment. Then, I remember how delicious this hashbrown is. all is good again…
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The Shelby Square Scavenger Hunt (AKA, "What Is There to Do Here?") Okay, so I’m going to take a crack at exploring the downtown square. I spot a vintage shop. I go. Another shop selling books and whatnots. I go there too. It's quaint, I'll give them that. But the whole experience has the vaguely unsettling feel of being the only customer on the planet.
6:00 PM: Dinner (I am still thinking… something local?) Hmm. I've asked around, I decided on a local restaurant. I decide to try some local barbecue. Nothing fancy, but hey, I’m embracing the vibe. The BBQ is fine. Not life-changing, but filling. The sweet tea is perfect. My mood improves marginally post-coffee-and-hashbrown-spilling incident.
7:00 PM: Back to the Days Inn. (Netflix and Regret? Maybe). I stumble back to the hotel, feeling a peculiar mix of exhaustion and… well, boredom. The allure of the Netflix couch is strong. I briefly consider going to bed now, but it's only 7:00 PM and I can't do that. I wander around my room, feeling restless. I probably should have brought a book. Or a friend.
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: The Days Inn Pool Interlude (or, "Is That Really a Swim Cap?") I am currently staring at the Days Inn pool. It's… green. And there’s someone swimming in that wearing a swim cap. A swim cap. I want to go in, but I'm not sure I have the courage. If I have the courage. Decided against it. Netflix it is. Another night another regret.
10:00 PM: Sleep (hopefully). Lights off. Pray for a good night's sleep and no visitations from any… ahem… critters.
Day 2: Breakfast and the Pursuit of… Well, Something (Shelby Edition Vol. 2)
7:00 AM: The Continental Breakfast Odyssey. The moment of truth! The continental breakfast. I brace myself. The usual suspects are present. The coffee is surprisingly decent. I see a sad-looking banana. I decline. A bagel, I grab one… and I eat it while watching the news on the little TV in the breakfast area. I'm not judging. I'm observing. I then sit around for a bit while I finish eating.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Packing and Departure (and a lingering sense of, "Was That It?") I pack my bags. The room, now, feels less like a temporary home and more like a place I just passed through. I check out. The front desk person smiles at me again. I smile back. It’s a polite smile, not a heartfelt one.
9:00 AM: Exit Shelby. (Feeling Slightly Underwhelmed. But Okay). I hit the open road again. Did I experience the true essence of Shelby, North Carolina? I doubt it. Did I get a good hash brown and a story to tell? Absolutely. The journey continues… somewhere else.
Shelby's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review (NC) - Hold My Beer... and My Expectations!
Okay, seriously, what's the *deal* with this "Best Kept Secret"? Is it, you know... *good*?
What's the *vibe*? Is it haunted? (Asking for a friend... who is me.)
The beds... are they… alive? (Seriously, I'm picturing bedbugs.)
The bathroom situation? Give it to me *straight*.
Breakfast? Free continental breakfast? Is it… edible? I’m a sensitive soul about breakfast.
The location? Is it… safe?
Okay, let's get real. The *worst* part. What's the biggest downside?
So... would you recommend this place? Be honest!
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