Shelton's BEST Kept Secret: Fairfield County's Hidden Gem Hotel!
Shelton's BEST Kept Secret: A Review That Spills the Tea (and Maybe a Few Crumbs)
Okay, people, buckle up. I just got back from Shelton's BEST Kept Secret, or at least that's what I think it's called. The name's a mouthful, even for a hotel, but trust me, this place is a whole experience. Consider this less a meticulously crafted review and more a brain dump of my time there. Prepare for some tangents, because honestly, this place left me feeling a little… scattered, in the best way possible.
First Impressions & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof - Let's Be Real)
Alright, alright, let's start with the basics. Accessibility. I mean, it's 2024, right? You'd think accessibility would be a priority. So, here's the tea: Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Sadly. The website says "facilities for disabled guests," which is vague as hell. The lobby? Pretty accessible. Wide doors, ramps where needed. The elevator? Yep, got one! Score! But the hallways leading to the rooms? Felt a little cramped. And, this is a biggie: No CLEAR signs for accessible rooms. Had to hunt one down, and even then, it didn't feel fully accessible. A little more attention to detail would go a long way here. It’s something they should prioritize. My advice? Call ahead and grill them before you book. Seriously. And don't be afraid to be super specific.
Check-in/Out – Fast and Furious (Kinda)
Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]: The front desk was pretty slick, which was a nice surprise. They offer Contactless check-in/out, which, in these germophobic times, is a definite win. Plus, there's a 24-hour Front desk, which is always a comfort, especially when you're jetlagged and can't remember your own name.
Rooms & Amenities– The Good, The Bad, and the “Wait, What?”
Okay, let's talk rooms. My room? Available in all rooms: This is where things get interesting (and by "interesting," I mean a little chaotic). Air conditioning? Check. Air conditioning in public area? Also, check. Thank god, because Connecticut can be a swamp in the summer. Alarm clock? Yep, though I'm convinced they set it to go off just to mess with you. Bathrobes? Yes! But the towel situation… well, let's just say they weren't always the fluffiest. Bathtub? Yes! Bathroom Phone? Okay, that felt a bit… extra. Like, who's calling from the toilet these days? Blackout curtains? THANK YOU, SWEET BABY JESUS. Slept like a freakin' log. Carpeting? Okay, could've been cleaner. Felt a little… ick. Closet? Standard. Coffee/tea maker? Essential. Complimentary tea? Nice touch! Daily housekeeping? You betcha. They even left a tiny chocolate on the pillow! Adorable. Desk? Yep, perfect for pretending to work while scrolling through TikTok. Extra long bed? Thank goodness, finally! I'm 6'4 and it's always a struggle. Free bottled water? YES! Hydration is key, people. Hair dryer? Yep. High floor? Got a good view! In-room safe box? Secure. In-room safe box? A bit paranoid but hey, I'm not going to say no to it! Internet access – LAN? Um… what? Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]? THANK YOU, sweet lord! Ironing facilities? Yup. Laptop workspace? Check. Linens? Okay. Mini bar? Slightly overpriced, but hey, convenience. Mirror? Lots of them! Non-smoking? All rooms were, thankfully. On-demand movies? Perfect for a rainy afternoon! Private bathroom? Absolutely. Reading light? Useful. Refrigerator? Useful. Safety/security feature? Seemed safe. Satellite/cable channels? Yep. Scale? Fine. Seating area? Great for lounging. Separate shower/bathtub? Nice design. Shower? Fine. Slippers? A luxury I appreciate. Smoke detector? Good. Socket near the bed? Always a winner. Sofa? Comfy enough. Soundproofing? Actually, pretty decent! Telephone? Retro! Toiletries? Basic, but they smelled nice. Towels? See above. Umbrella? Awesome! Visual alarm? Good. Wake-up service? Never used it, but it was there. Window that opens? Thank goodness, I needed some fresh air. Room decorations? It was, you know, decorated. It was fine. Okay, I'm exhausted just listing all that.
Getting Around & Parking – Easy Peasy
Airport transfer? Nope, I drove. Bicycle parking? Didn't see it. Car park [free of charge]? Woohoo! Car park [on-site]? Got one! Car power charging station? Didn't notice. Taxi service? Available. Valet parking? Didn't use it, but it was available. Getting around was actually pretty painless.
Dining – A Culinary Adventure (Sort Of)
Dining, drinking, and snacking: Okay, the food. This is where my feelings went from "meh" to "WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"
A la carte in restaurant: Yes, and it was actually pretty good. Alternative meal arrangement: Possible. Asian breakfast: Yes, available! Asian cuisine in restaurant: Also, yes. Bar: Yup. Bottle of water: They give it. Breakfast [buffet]: Available, and a decent spread. Breakfast service: Always on. Buffet in restaurant: Standard buffet. Coffee/tea in restaurant: They got them. Coffee shop: Yes. Desserts in restaurant: Yum! Happy hour: Yes. International cuisine in restaurant: Yes! Poolside bar: Yes! Restaurants: Quite a few! Room service [24-hour]: Amazing! Salad in restaurant: They had a nice salad bar. Snack bar: Yes. Soup in restaurant: Yum. Vegetarian restaurant: Yes. Western breakfast: They got western. Western cuisine in restaurant: Yep.
Okay, so here's the deal: The food? It's… complicated. The Asian breakfast was surprisingly good. The pancakes, on the other hand… let’s just say they were a bit dense. And the coffee? Hit or miss. One day AMAZING, the next… well, let's not talk about it. The Poolside bar? Essential. But the service? Slow. Really slow. I waited an eternity for a drink. And then, there was that weird incident with the soup… I won't go into detail, but let's just say it involved a rogue crouton and a near-miss with a very expensive blouse. Ah! The life of a critic.
Relaxation and Recreation – Spa Day or Nope?
Things to do, ways to relax: Okay, here's where "Shelton's Best Kept Secret" really shines, or at least attempts to.
Body scrub: Yes. Body wrap: Yes. Fitness center: Yes, seems okay. Foot bath: Yes. Gym/fitness: Yes. Massage: Yes. Pool with view: Yes. Sauna: Yes. Spa: Got it! Spa/sauna: Oh yes. Steamroom: Yes. Swimming pool: Yes. Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes.
The Spa? Worth it. Absolutely. The Massage was divine. I almost cried. The Swimming pool [outdoor]? Gorgeous, if a little crowded. The Sauna? Hot! The Steamroom? Humid! Okay, I loved all of it. I spent a whole afternoon just rotting away in the spa. It was glorious. Pure bliss. The only downside? Getting dressed again afterwards.
Cleanliness and Safety – Sanitized or Skeptical?
Cleanliness and safety: Look, in the age of pandemics, this is HUGE. They claim to be on top of things, but… you know.
Anti-viral cleaning products: Yes! Breakfast in room: Yes. Breakfast takeaway service: They do it. Cashless payment service: Easy. Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed it, so. Doctor/nurse on call: Always great. First aid kit: Yep. Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! Hot water linen and laundry washing: I hope. Hygiene certification:
Cartersville Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn Deals!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to build a travel itinerary for a stay at the Residence Inn Shelton Fairfield County, and trust me, it’s gonna be less “efficiently organized spreadsheet” and more “slightly chaotic memory dump.” Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster, complete with questionable food choices and the existential dread of misplaced car keys. Here we go:
Residence Inn Shelton: My Connecticut Capers (or, Why I Might Need a Vacation after this vacation)
Day 1: Arrival and the Terrifying Hunt for Snacks
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at the Residence Inn. (Okay, so this is supposed to be simple. Check-in, unpack, breathe. HA! That's what I thought). The lobby's…fine. Very Marriott-y. Clean, corporate, smells faintly of chlorine and ambition. Immediately my stomach starts rumbling. The internal dialogue begins: "Do I need food? Or is this just the pre-travel anxiety talking? Probably both."
- 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Unpacking. This is where the true chaos starts. Suitcase explodes. Clothes everywhere. Realize I packed three pairs of hiking boots and zero appropriate dinner outfits. Note to self: next time, pack with a brain. The room is… fine. Standard. Clean, thankfully. I'm already starting to feel like I've been living in here for a month and it has only been 30 minutes.
- 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Snackquisition! The real adventure begins. The Residence Inn's "Market" (aka the vending machine and slightly sad display case) is, let's be honest, depressing. I did a circuit. Cheetos? No. Trail mix with suspiciously gray raisins? Absolutely not. The only thing that remotely appealed was a sad-looking box of granola bars. Sigh. Fine. I'll eat despair for fuel.
- 3:30 - 5:00 PM: Settling In and Deep Thoughts: I decided to take a walk to clear my head and find a better place to find a snack. I tried to find the exercise room, but I think I got lost. Now I just feel like I did more walking than I got exercise. Found a chair and had some deep thoughts. What even is the point of life? And how am I going to be productive on this trip? More snacking.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Okay, dinner. I need actual food. I'd heard good things about a place called "Bistro 79" (not sure what it is but it exists). I get there, but the wait is too long so I get something from a pizza place next door. It was fine. The pizza was… well, it existed. Look, I'm hungry and stressed. Everything tastes amazing.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Regret. I settle in, flicking through the TV channels. My stomach starts to growl again. The granola bars are already a distant memory. That pizza? Gone. I'm starting to fantasize about the breakfast buffet. And that's all for today.
Day 2: Exploring and Existential Dread (Again)
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet: Here we go! The moment of truth. The endless possibilities of scrambled eggs, sad bacon, and lukewarm coffee. A beacon of hope! I stuff myself. No regrets.
- 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: The Great Outdoors (Sort Of): Supposed to be a hike. I have the hiking boots! But, let's be real, the motivation… not so much. Instead, I decide to drive and go for a visit to a town I heard about.
- 10:00 - 12:00 PM: The drive! I think I made a wrong turn. I ended up a scenic route and it was absolutely beautiful. I went to a park.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch! I'm starving again.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Research and Explore.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. Now that I've got some time to work with, I'm excited.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. I was going to eat at a restaurant far away but I am now tired.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: More TV. Another night of TV.
Day 3: Departure
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast. I have to eat.
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Packing.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Check-Out:
- 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Drive Home.
Post-Trip Thoughts:
- Did I achieve anything on this trip? Probably not.
- Did I eat enough snacks to feed a small nation? Absolutely.
- Would I do it again? Maybe. Possibly after a very long nap.
There you have it! A travel itinerary for the Residence Inn Shelton. Remember, this is a suggestion, not a rule book. Embrace the chaos, the questionable food choices, and the inevitable existential crises. Happy travels (and may the snack gods be ever in your favor).
Arlington's BEST Kept Secret: Crystal Gateway Marriott Review!
Shelton's BEST Kept Secret: Fairfield County's Hidden Gem Hotel… or Is It? A Messy FAQ!
Okay, okay, spill the beans! What's the REAL story behind this "Hidden Gem?" Really?
Alright, alright, settle down, you're all practically salivating! So, it's a hotel in Shelton, CT. And yeah, I've heard the buzz: "Hidden Gem," "Amazing," "Best kept secret." Look, I went in with WAY high expectations. That's *always* a bad idea, by the way. Like, the highest of the high! What I found... well, it's complicated. It's got… potential. Seriously, potential oozing from the walls. But let's just say it's less a polished diamond and more… a rough-cut gem that needs some serious buffing.
What kind of vibe are we talking? Romantic? Business-y? Do they even *have* a vibe?
Vibe… ugh. That's a tough one. It's like… they *tried* to create a vibe. Think… a slightly-tired, but charming, attempt to go for "boutique." Some areas, like the lobby, which is all dark wood and vaguely-artistic lighting, are pretty successful. But then you get to the hallways, and it's like they ran out of budget and just… beige-ified everything. My honest initial impression (and I'm nothing if not honest) was disappointment. The whole thing is just… *quiet*. Maybe too quiet. Like, I almost expected tumbleweeds. But, and this is a big but… there's a certain, almost… *lonely* charm to it. I spent a bit there. Had to stay for a seminar. It brought me back to myself for better or worse. I liked it, though. I think.
The Rooms! Tell me about the rooms! Are they actually nice for the money?
The rooms… Ah, the rooms. Here's where things get REALLY interesting. First, the good: Beds? Comfy. Seriously, I sank right in. Like, I wanted to move the whole bed home. The bathroom? Actually pretty decent, surprisingly clean. And that's huge. The bad? The decor… well, it’s…consistent. Consistently… bland. I think I could have painted those walls with my eyes closed. It’s like a motel, but the motel is pretending to be fancy and failing, but the bed is great. The mini-fridge *did* work, which I always consider a win. Some of the furniture felt a little…tired. Like it had seen its fair share of late-night pizza and spilled coffee. Still, it's a strong contender, maybe a strong contender for your wallet. The main thing is… it’s a place to stay. If you are not a snob, you have nothing to worry about.
And the food? Breakfast? Dinner? Do they even *have* good food? I'm hungry.
Breakfast… okay, brace yourselves. It's COMPLIMENTARY. Which, let's be honest, is the only reason I bothered. And I always bother… You know, even after the endless conference with the bad coffee. It’s a buffet of pretty standard hotel fare. Think: Scrambled eggs that might or might not be real eggs. Pastries of questionable freshness. Fruit that's seen better days. The saving grace? The coffee. Actually, no, the coffee *was* terrible. Look, it's not gourmet, it's not going to win any awards. It's… sustenance. Dinner, assuming they *have* a dinner option? Didn’t try it. Frankly, I was too traumatized by the eggs. I went offsite, and had a good meal. Maybe you could do the same.
Okay, okay, what about the staff? Are they nice? Helpful? Do they seem like they *like* their jobs?
The staff... Ah, here we get to a bright spot! The staff were actually pretty lovely. They were all friendly, helpful... and seemed genuinely happy to be there. That's rare! They smiled, they greeted me, they helped me with my bags (I'm a chronic over-packer.) The front desk guy, particularly, seemed genuinely interested in my stay. Maybe he's just a good actor, but I got the feeling he actually cared if I was having a good time. He even pointed out the best place to grab a coffee and bagel nearby– which he said was way better than their own. Honest chap. That's a HUGE point in their favor. I would *almost* go back just based on the staff. They made up for a lot, honestly. The staff are the secret, really.
Is there anything…special about this place? Like, a hidden gem?
Special… well, yes and no. The "hidden gem" aspect is… debatable. It's not exactly a secret anymore, is it? I get that the hotel wanted to be special, but it wasn’t. It's a hotel in a town, nothing more. Was it a good hotel? Yes. Could it be better? Definitely. And maybe that in itself is endearing. If you are here to stay, you are probably not going to find many hidden gems, but the staff are kind. So take heart, maybe go explore. You could do worse. I’ve certainly done worse. (That motel in Reno. I'll never forget. Or want to.) Consider it a solid, if slightly flawed, experience. And embrace the flaws, I guess.
So, would you return? Be honest!
Would I return? You know, that's the million-dollar question. Honestly? Maybe. It's not a "must-return" situation. It depends. If I needed a place to stay in Shelton, and the price was right… sure. The staff are wonderful! And the beds, oh, the beds! But I would probably pack my own breakfast. And maybe some air freshener. Look, it's not the *perfect* hidden gem. It's not even a *perfect* hotel. But there's something… endearing about its imperfections. It's… real. And in a world of overly-polished hotels, that's kind of refreshing. Still, I’d check other places, first. Just to be sure. But… maybe. Okay, yes, maybe. I’m a sucker for a comfy bed and a friendly face. And maybe, just maybe, I'm holding out for a *really* good egg benedict.
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