Unbelievable Columbus OSU Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites Review!
Unbelievable Columbus OSU Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites Review! (Prepare for a Rambling Rave)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and maybe a little room service coffee) on my recent stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites near Ohio State University in Columbus. This wasn't just a hotel stay; it was an experience. And let me tell you, after weeks of, well, let's just say not-so-amazing stays, this place actually felt… decent. And in today's hotel climate, decent is practically gold.
First Impressions (and a Little Panic About Packing):
Getting there was a bit of a journey. I swear, my suitcase has a vendetta against me. Every time I try to pack, it's like wrestling an angry octopus. But I eventually triumphed, lugging my overstuffed behemoth to the hotel. Luckily, the elevator at the Fairfield was a lifesaver. Seriously, I'd have been a sweaty, grumpy mess without it. Good job, Fairfield, for acknowledging the existence of us, the luggage-challenged! Upon arrival, it was immediately apparent that Accessibility was taken seriously. The wheelchair accessible entrances and routes seemed genuinely thoughtful, not just slapped on as an afterthought. Felt like they actually cared. That's a win in my book!
Accessibility and Navigating the Labyrinth (aka the Hotel):
The whole accessibility thing was a big deal for me because I'm not exactly a mountain goat. Finding my way around was easy peasy (thank goodness). The exterior corridor layout meant I didn't have to wander through a maze of hallways just to find my room. Seriously, sometimes hotels feel like you're trapped in a never-ending game of "Where's Waldo" but with more polyester.
The Room: My Fortress of Solitude (With Excellent Wi-Fi!)
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks—the room. YES! The Wi-Fi was free in all rooms! And it actually worked. This is a major win, folks. I've stayed in hotels where the Wi-Fi is slower than a snail in molasses. Here, I could actually, you know, do things. Work, stream shows, stalk my ex on social media (okay, maybe not the last one, but you get the picture). I took full advantage of the Internet access – wireless and the Internet access – LAN (wired connection). The Laptop workspace and desk were functional, so I could actually make some money!
The room itself was clean (a HUGE relief), and thoughtfully designed. The Air conditioning worked without sounding like a jet engine. The Blackout curtains were a godsend for my sleep schedule. And because I am a princess about my coffee (lol!), the Coffee/tea maker and complimentary tea were a nice touch. I even appreciated the Mini bar (even though I'm not really a mini bar person).
More room features? Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Carpeting, Closet, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Linens, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Window that opens all contributed to the overall positive experience.
Cleanliness, Safety, and That Anti-Viral Stuff:
Okay, let's be real, the world is still a little… weird. So, I was obsessively checking for signs of cleanliness. The Fairfield Inn clearly took this seriously. I felt incredibly safe and secure. The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property gave me a sense of ease. The smoke alarms and fire extinguisher were a nice touch; I didn't have to worry about getting cooked alive in my sleep. The fact that they had the Anti-viral cleaning products and followed Daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring. Even though I didn't use most of these services, I appreciated the presence of First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
Eating, Drinking, and Trying Not to Overspend (Budget Traveler Problems):
The Breakfast [buffet] was… okay. Let's just say it was a step above the sad continental breakfasts of yore. There were some options, at least. The Asian breakfast and Western breakfast choices were a nice touch. I also appreciated the Coffee shop being on-site, which helped with my caffeine addiction. This definitely helped me get my day started.
They also offered Breakfast takeaway service, which was great for grabbing something quick before heading out for the day. And the Bottle of water provided went a long way! As for the bars and restaurants, I didn't have the budget to explore them fully, but the Restaurants and Bar and Poolside bar seemed to be popular and offered Asian cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant, amongst other options.
Room service? Yup, they had it: Room service [24-hour]. They had what looked like a decent if not extensive menu: A la carte in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, and Soup in restaurant. I probably should have partaken, but I was trying to save money.
Things to Do (Or, More Accurately, Things I Didn't Do):
Okay, I'm a work-hard-play-hard kind of gal, but this time I had primarily work obligations. But the Fairfield Inn offered a bunch of things to do! The Fitness center and Gym/fitness were there for those more ambitious than I. They also had a Swimming pool [outdoor] and Swimming pool for relaxation.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference:
This is where the Fairfield Inn really shined. Here are the things that stood out. Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, Terrace, all made life a little easier.
The Meeting/banquet facilities and Business facilities, including a Xerox/fax in business center, were great for business travelers. Having Air conditioning in public area was especially welcomed. Babysitting service was available for people with families. They also had Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site], but didn't note Car power charging station. The Taxi service was a welcome plus.
Side note: the Doorman was particularly fantastic. He was friendly, helpful, and made me feel genuinely welcome. Small touches like that really elevates the entire experience.
The Quirks, the Quirks! (And a Minor Complaint)
Alright, here's the deal: no hotel is perfect. My tiny complaint? The Smoke alarms were a little sensitive. Twice I had to open the door to air out my room because of… ahem… culinary excitement. You know, making toast. But hey, better safe than sorry, right?
The hotel had Family/child friendly options, but no sign of Pets allowed. I really appreciated that. I'm not a fan of dogs, myself.
Final Verdict: Highly Recommended (With a Few Caveats)
Overall, my stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites near Ohio State University was a huge win. Considering the price point – which was surprisingly reasonable – I was genuinely impressed. It was clean, comfortable, safe, and had all the amenities I needed. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone visiting the area, especially if you're a budget traveler with a penchant for decent Wi-Fi and a functional desk. I was pleased to see a Non-smoking property.
Would I stay there again? Absolutely. In fact, I'm already plotting my return. Maybe next time I'll actually try the pool… and maybe I will have the budget for some Happy hour. Until then, Happy travels, everyone!
Escape to Paradise: Courtyard Fort Lauderdale's Miramar Oasis!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus OSU itinerary is about to get REAL. Forget those pristine, perfectly-planned travel guides. This is the raw, unfiltered, slightly-hungover truth of a Columbus adventure.
Trip: Columbus Conquest (Plus Coffee - LOTS of Coffee)
Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus OSU (Because, priorities. Proximity to the university? CHECK. Free breakfast? DOUBLE CHECK.)
Day 1: Arrival & "Oh God, I'm in Ohio"
- 1:00 PM: Landing at John Glenn International Airport (CMH). The air smells…different. Like… cornfields and ambition? Okay, maybe I'm projecting. Headed to Fairfield Inn. Uber driver, bless his heart, kept calling me "Hon." My internal dialogue included a mix of "Aw, sweet" and "Is this a hostage situation??"
- 2:00 PM: Check-in. The lobby is… beige. Beige and vaguely utilitarian. The front desk person, bless her heart, seems to have seen it all (and probably needs another coffee, like me). Realized I FORGOT my toothbrush. Ugh. Starting strong.
- 2:30 PM: Room exploration. Standard hotel room. Comfy bed. Excellent view of… the parking lot. (Honestly, I'm not sure what I expected. It is a Fairfield Inn). Tested the wifi. SUCCESS! Immediate Instagram upload of the "view." Caption: "Columbus, you're… a place."
- 3:00 PM: Coffee run. Desperate. Found a Starbucks a block away. Felt a surge of caffeine-fueled optimism. This is where the trip turns around, I can feel it.
- 3:30 PM: Stumbled upon the Short North Arts District. Whoa! The bright colors, the quirky shops, the smell of freshly-baked bread (seriously, it's everywhere). Actually felt a little bit alive. Bought a ridiculously oversized scarf I "absolutely needed." (It's the travel version of retail therapy, right?)
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local pub, "Land-Grant Brewry". The beer? Solid. The burger? Glorious. The company? …me. Which, honestly, isn't so bad. Sat at the bar and eavesdropped on a conversation about… something involving Ohio State football and a lost dog. Truly and thoroughly Ohioan.
- 8:00 PM: Realized I still hadn't unpacked. And now I'm tired. Decided to watch some TV and order a pizza. Comfort food and a questionable reality show: the perfect ending to a messy, wonderful first day.
Day 2: OSU, Coffee, and the Longing for a Real Hotel (Probably)
- 7:00 AM: The dreaded free continental breakfast. The usual suspects: bland scrambled eggs, suspiciously sweet waffles, coffee the color of weak tea. Managed to consume enough carbs to fuel a small army. The motivational poster on the wall read "Believe in Yourself". My thoughts: "Believe in a better breakfast."
- 8:00 AM: Traipsing through the Ohio State University campus. It’s massive. The architecture is… varied. (Which is a kind word. Think: Brutalist mixed with Victorian, topped with some modern monstrosities). I got lost. Found my way to the Oval, which, surprisingly, was beautiful, but the student crowds are overwhelming. Still, gave me a sense of that collegiate vibe you always see. Made me feel old, but also nostalgic for the days when my biggest concern was, you know, passing Sociology 101.
- 9:30 AM: Another coffee run. (See? Told you.) Needed a caffeine infusion to withstand the campus's enormity.
- 10:00 AM: Explored the Ohio State University area. More coffee shops and restaurants than I could shake a stick at. Ended up at a vintage clothing store. Found a leather jacket that I absolutely couldn't afford. The owner, a hipster with a handlebar mustache, just knew it was meant to be. (It wasn't. Sadly, I'm a sucker).
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a food truck on High Street. Tacos were surprisingly good. The people-watching was even better. Saw a guy wearing a Buckeye jersey, holding a tiny dog that was also wearing a Buckeye jersey. Ohio, you glorious weirdo.
- 2:00 PM: Museum time! Went to the Columbus Museum of Art. (I'm trying to be cultured, okay?). The art was, well, art. Some I loved, some I stared at blankly. The cafe inside had better coffee. A win-win. The museum store was full of overpriced postcards. Had to resist the urge to buy them all.
- 5:00 PM: Considered going back to the hotel, but decided to wander around. Ended up at a bookstore, because books are my siren song. Bought a book I'll probably never read, that I know I'll love.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at North Market, and I can rave about this place! There's so much variety; I barely knew where to start. Settled on some pierogies and a local IPA. Decided I had more of a passion for this neighborhood than for the campus.
- 8:30 PM: Back at the hotel, collapsing onto the bed. The lingering scent of cheap air freshener filled the room. I realized: I was slightly in love with Columbus. Its messiness, its quirks, its persistent need for coffee.
Day 3: The Departure and the Sigh of Relief
- 7:00 AM: Briefly considered breakfast again, but decided the risk wasn't worth the reward. Opted for a protein bar I'd brought.
- 8:00 AM: Quick walk to the Short North. Just wanted another glimpse before I left. The early morning light made the city look utterly charming.
- 9:00 AM: Last coffee run! One last caffeine hit to brace myself for the journey home. The barista remembered my order. I felt a pang of sadness.
- 10:00 AM: Check-out. Packed my bags, did a quick scan of the room for anything I'd forgotten (toothbrush, check!). The front desk looked… less beige in the morning light.
- 10:30 AM: Uber to the airport.
- 12:00 PM: Plane takes off. Looking out the window as Columbus gets smaller, I realized I'd been kind of a mess, but Columbus was a lot more interesting than I originally planned. It was real, imperfect, and absolutely worth the trip. Would I stay at this hotel again? Maybe not. But would I recommend Columbus? Absolutely.
- 1:00 PM: Arrived home. Unpacked, felt exhausted, but also… surprisingly content. The oversized scarf, the leather jacket (which I did NOT buy, thank god), the memories… all a little bit chaotic, all a little bit wonderful. And that coffee? It was totally worth it.
So, is this Fairfield Inn actually...good? Like, REALLY good?
What's the *deal* with the location? Close to OSU?
The room itself… describe the room. Give me the *vibe*.
The bed. YOU SAID MORE ON THAT LATER. Spill the beans! Was it the promised land of sleep?
What about the breakfast? The sacred hotel breakfast! Worth it?
The staff. Were they… helpful? Annoying? Somewhere in between?
Okay, let's talk *problems*. Anything go wrong? Any minor hotel disasters to report?
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
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