Traverse City Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn & Suites Deal!
Traverse City Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn & Suites Deal! - My Unvarnished Truth Bomb
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your glossy, perfectly-edited travel blog. This is me, fresh off a stay at the Days Inn & Suites in Traverse City, and I'm about to spill the beans. This "Unbeatable Deal" they tout? Well, let's just say it's… complicated.
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First off, the promise of accessibility and all those fancy amenities. They list them, bless their hearts. But the reality? Let's peel back the layers, shall we?
Accessibility - The Illusion of Ease
They say they have "facilities for disabled guests." Great! But navigating the actual hotel brought me face-to-face with a few, shall we say, challenges. The elevator? Fine, mostly. Ramps? Present, but sometimes a bit… steep. The entrance? Okay, but that automatic door had me rushing to get inside before it closed on me! The staff are lovely, so that helps, it is all about the staff isn't it?
Wheelchair Accessible: Yeah, technically. But I can't vouch personally. It looked like it was, but you know how it is. Don't take my word for it, call and ask for specifics if that's a priority.
Internet - A Digital Tango (or Sometimes, a Stumbling Block)
Alright, let's talk about the internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Except… sometimes it decided to take a vacation. My laptop and iPhone were in a love-hate relationship with the signal. One minute it's all "yay, perfect connection!" the next it's "nope, you're on your own, pal." And that was with the complimentary internet access.
Wi-Fi in public areas? Sure, existing. But my experience was much the same. And yes, I need my internet, especially when I am on my way to my next adventure!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Fueling the Adventure (or Maybe Not)
Now, about the food… Okay, the "Breakfast Buffet" was… well, it was breakfast. There were breakfast cereals, some of them looked a bit sad. A waffle-maker that sounded promising but spat out something closer to a hockey puck than a golden-brown delight. And the coffee? Let's just say it needed a hefty dose of sugar and denial to be palatable.
A la carte in restaurant: I saw one.
Coffee shop: Not exactly, but the breakfast area did have coffee.
Snack bar: There was some snacks in the shop.
Restaurants: Yes, restaurants around the city!
I will say, the poolside bar did looked like fun but I am not sure if it was open or not.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Promises, Promises…
This is where the deal starts to feel a little more… aspirational.
Swimming pool: The outdoor pool looked inviting, but the weather wasn't cooperating on this trip.
Fitness center: I peeked in. It was a 'fitness area'.
Spa/sauna: Nowhere to be seen.
Cleanliness & Safety - The Sanitization Shuffle
They do emphasize the whole "cleanliness and safety" thing, which is reassuring, especially in these times.
Anti-viral cleaning products: I didn't go around sniffing for tell-tale signs, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
Daily disinfection in common areas: Sounds legit, I am sure.
Hygiene certification: I did not see anything.
Room sanitization opt-out available: Seems reasonable.
Staff trained in safety protocol: Makes me feel better? Yes!
Rooms sanitized between stays: Of course!
Services and Conveniences - The Perks (and Perplexities)
Air conditioning in public area: Definitely.
Daily housekeeping: My room was cleaned like I wanted.
Elevator: Yes, the elevator was there.
Facilities for disabled guests: Yes, they are.
Laundry service: They did provide a laundry service.
Luggage storage: Yes, they did do that.
For the Kids - Family Fun (or Family Chaos?)
Babysitting service: No clues, I saw no babysitting.
Family/child friendly: Yup!
For the room: It was okay, I think?
Air conditioning: It was on!
Bathroom: It was there!
Blackout curtains: I think so, I was asleep!
Coffee/tea maker: Yes!
Desk: Yea!
Hair dryer: Yup!
Internet access – wireless: Yup!
Ironing facilities: I saw a iron!
Mini bar: Nope.
Non-smoking: Yes!
Private bathroom: Yea!
Refrigerator: I saw a fridge!
Separate shower/bathtub: Yup!
Smoke detector: I hope that is there!
Soundproofing: I slept like a baby!
Wake-up service: Yes!
Wi-Fi [free]: Yes!
Now - The Verdict
Alright, the truth? This Days Inn & Suites deal? It's a mixed bag. It's definitely not a luxury experience. BUT, it is affordable. The staff were friendly and helpful which does earn a lot of points in my book. It's a functional place to rest your head, a launchpad for exploring Traverse City. But don't go in expecting a spa day or Michelin-star dining. Manage your expectations, pack your own snacks (and maybe some good coffee), and you might just have a perfectly decent time. Just don't expect perfection. Because life, like this review, is messy, imperfect, and occasionally, a little bit chaotic. And that, my friends, is the real truth. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find a decent cup of coffee.
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Okay, buckle up, because this is gonna be less "polished travel brochure" and more "diary entry from a caffeinated, slightly-overwhelmed traveler." This is my attempt at a Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Traverse City adventure. God help me.
Traverse City: A Messy Memoir (Probably)
Day 1: Arrival, Expectations Vs. Reality, and the Existential Dread of the Continental Breakfast
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at the Days Inn, Traverse City. Whew. I swear the drive from… wherever I was, felt like the LONGEST DRIVE EVER. (Actually, might have been. My car's been talking to me—in the form of weird clunking noises—for the last 50 miles. Pray for me.) Check-in. The lobby? Standard motel lobby. Beige. TV blaring a local news segment about… I don’t even know, squirrels. That's Traverse City in a nutshell (pun intended?). I feel like they should have a mandatory squirrel-spotting tour at this point.
- 1:30 PM: Room. Okay, not bad. Two double beds. Reminds me of… well, a motel. But hey, clean enough. The view? The parking lot. Ah, the romance. Already, a tinge of disappointment. I pictured some gorgeous lakeside vista, but I think my expectations and reality just did a face plant.
- 2:00 PM: The "continental breakfast." Oh, joy. I braced myself. Predictable: pre-packaged muffins with the structural integrity of wet cardboard, watery coffee that tastes vaguely of burnt toast, and fruit salad that’s seen better days. I ate two waffles and drowned them in so much fake syrup I think my teeth are dissolving. Existential dread creeps in. Is this…my life? Is this what it's all been leading up to? A mediocre waffle, trapped in a Days Inn, staring into the yawning abyss of a Michigan parking lot? Possibly.
- 2:30 PM: Decide to go wander. Apparently, there's a "beach" somewhere nearby. Ambitious.
- 3:00 PM: Attempt one. Took a wrong turn, accidentally stumbled upon a rather depressing strip mall. Found a Dollar General. Bought a bag of chips and some hand lotion. Victory?
- 4:00 PM: Finally found the beach. It's…okay. Pretty lake, despite the grey clouds looming above. I sit on a bench, people-watching and trying to convince myself I’m having fun. (My inner monologue is currently screaming.) The lake is beautiful, honestly. Makes me forget about the weird parking lot for a bit.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. I ended up at a place called…sigh… "The Cherry Pit." (Traverse City!). It's… well, "quaint" is the word I'd use if I were being generous. The food was…fine. Overpriced, but fine. The cherry pie? Overhyped. Seriously overhyped. And the waitress seemed to dislike her job.
- 7:00 PM: Back at the Days Inn. Watch TV. Stare at parking lot. Wonder if I made a mistake. Probably.
Day 2: Cherry Mania and the Unexpected Allure of a Slightly Crummy Motel Pool
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. More cardboard muffins. More syrup. More existential angst. I think I'm becoming one with the motel carpet fibers.
- 9:00 AM: Cherry farm time!. Traverse City is the "Cherry Capital of the World," so I had to see a cherry farm, right? Honestly, got completely lost trying to find one. Roadside stops with cherry themed everything are all over the place. Found one. U-Pick. I imagined rustic charm and baskets overflowing with plump, juicy cherries. Reality? Hot sun, a few sad-looking trees, and the overwhelming sound of bees. Ended up with a half-full basket. It was work. But the cherries were good. Worth it. Barely. Totally worth my time…maybe.
- 11:00 AM: Hit a local winery. Found a bottle I liked. Score.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch. Trying to find a place that isn't a "tourist trap." Failed miserably. Ate some fish at a restaurant that felt way too pretentious for its surroundings.
- 1:30 PM: Back to the Days Inn. The pool. The one thing I've been dreading/looking forward to.
- 2:00 PM: The pool! Oh geeze. The pool is… well, it's a motel pool. A chlorinated rectangle of questionable cleanliness. But. Hear me out. It was empty. I had the entire thing to myself. It was…peaceful. I actually swam for a solid hour, feeling strangely at peace with the universe, the beige walls, and the questionable water quality. Then, a small child hurled a plastic alligator at my head. The spell was broken.
- 3:00 PM: Walked to a local park. The place was nice, actually. Beautiful lake. It made me feel a lot more hopeful and even appreciative of everything that was there.
- 6:00 PM: Found a pizza joint. Ate a whole pizza. No regrets. No, really. No regrets.
- 7:00 PM: Watching bad TV. Contemplating the meaning of life (again). Maybe I'll order another pizza.
Day 3: Departure and the Unanswered Questions of the Traverse City Days Inn
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Last time!!! Ate the last of my snacks from the dollar store.
- 9:00 AM: Packing. Realizing I accidentally took the "Do Not Disturb" sign as a souvenir. The staff will hunt me down.
- 10:00 AM: Check-out. Goodbye, parking lot view! Goodbye, questionable coffee! Goodbye, beige!
- 10:30 AM: Deciding to head home.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Drive…
- Tears
Final Thoughts (or, the Messy Truth):
Traverse City? It's…a mixed bag. The Days Inn? Well, it was a Days Inn. Functional. Unremarkable. Slightly depressing. But I made it mine, dammit! Found beauty in the ordinary. The questionable pool was actually great. The cherries were worth the bee stings. And I survived the continental breakfast. I survive! I'm a goddamn warrior. Would I recommend it? Maybe. If you keep your expectations low, embrace the absurdity, and pack a sense of humor, you might just have a…unique…experience. Just, for the love of all that is holy, bring your own coffee.
Coon Rapids Getaway: Unbelievable Baymont by Wyndham Deal!
Traverse City Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn & Suites Deal! (But Seriously, Is It?)
Okay, so you saw the ad. You're intrigued. I get it. Traverse City, Days Inn... Seems good, right? Let's dive in, *shall we*?
1. Wait, is this *actually* a good deal? I've been burned by "unbeatable deals" before...
Okay, *deep breath*. I'm with you. The word "unbeatable" is a red flag, bigger than the ones at the old Soviet Union parade. But here's the deal: I actually *did* this Days Inn deal. And... it was... well, you know, it was Days Inn. Look, it's not the Ritz, alright? But for the price? It was... manageable. Think of it like this: the deal *itself,* the price, was pretty good. The actual *experience*? Let's just say it had some... character. More on that later. It depends what you're comparing it to – if you're expecting a luxury spa experience, you'll be disappointed. If you're expecting a clean bed and a place to crash after exploring the cherries and wineries, then yeah, it's *probably* a good deal. Research other Traverse City hotels. Seriously, compare prices. Then come back to me. I'll still be here, wading through the sticky situation.
2. So, what's the *catch*? There’s always a catch! (Probably hidden fees...ugh.)
Okay, so the catch *is*... somewhat implied. The fine print is probably where they hide it. My advice? *Read the reviews*. Seriously. I didn't before I booked (rookie mistake). Things to look for: Parking fees? Hidden resort fees? A lack of actual working air conditioning? (Yes, I *did* experience that once. Traverse City in August without AC... Nightmare fuel.) But seriously; check. Then double-check. triple-check. You're looking for the things they conveniently *didn't* mention. Usually, the “unbeatable” part refers to the *basic* room rate, and nickel-and-diming you to death on extras. It's the oldest trick in the discount book, and quite honestly, somewhat infuriating. Be smart, be vigilant, and for the love of all that is holy, read the reviews!
3. What's the Days Inn in Traverse City *actually* like? Be honest!
Alright, *real* talk. My *personal* experience? It's... varied. The room itself was, well, it *was* a room! Clean-ish. The bed was… there. I wouldn't say it was the *most* comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in, but it wasn't actively trying to murder me in my sleep. The breakfast? Oh, the breakfast. Continental, of course. Think stale bagels, questionable muffins (the "blueberry" ones are probably a chemical concoction), and coffee that tastes like regrets. The best part? The little waffle maker. That thing is a lifesaver! I love waffles; I'm not afraid to admit it. It's like... a glimmer of hope in a sea of mediocrity. The pool? Yes, there IS a chance to swim in a pool. The pool was also okay. Just okay. Nothing to write home about. Overall, you get what you pay for. Again, manage your expectations. It's not a disaster. But it's also not dreamy. It's *functional*.
4. Is it in a good location? Close to the highlights of Traverse City?
Okay, *this* is maybe the best thing about the deal. Generally, the Days Inn *is* relatively well-located. You're not going to be stranded in the middle of nowhere. You'll likely have access to the main areas of Traverse City, you know, the beaches on the bay, downtown restaurants, shops, all of the wonderful wineries. You'll *need* a car, obviously, but you’re *probably* not going to spend an hour driving to get anywhere. Check the specific location on the listing, of course. But let's be honest, being near a "Days Inn" is not exactly a geographic landmark like the Empire State Building. But, yeah, it is a major benefit of the deal. Being close to your destination is always a good thing. I once chose a hotel that was a solid hour's drive *outside* of what it claimed to be near. Never. Again.
5. So, do you *recommend* it? For real?
Okay, this is the million-dollar question, isn't it? Do I *recommend* it? Here’s my brutally honest take: If you're on a budget, if you just need a place to crash, and if you're planning on spending most of your time exploring Traverse City and not hanging out in the hotel room… then *yes*. But with *massive* caveats. Manage your expectations. Read the reviews. Don't expect luxury. Expect waffles. And if you're easily annoyed by things like slightly stained carpets or questionable housekeeping, then maybe, just maybe, spend a little more. Your sanity might thank you. Personally, I'd do it again in a heartbeat if the price was right. I mean, waffles, people. *Waffles!* And Traverse City is amazing, no matter where you sleep. But if you're looking for a pampered getaway... this ain't it, friend.
6. What about the *vibe*? What's the atmosphere like?
The vibe? Hmm. Okay, so picture this: you arrive, probably quite weary from your drive. The lobby is... well, it's a lobby. It has a vague, generic smell of cleaning supplies and slightly stale air. There's a chance the front desk person is overworked and underpaid, which is a real bummer, but also, you get it. Think "functional beige." The other guests? They're a mixed bag. Families with kids, budget travelers, people just passing through. You might hear the faint sound of a TV from the room next door. You *might* overhear a heated argument. Or, if you're lucky, peaceful silence and a good night's sleep. The pool area, if it's open, is probably the most "lively" spot. Kids are splashing, adults are trying to relax, and a faint aroma of chlorine hangs in the air. This is all to say, it's not a spa experience. It's... a hotel. It's what it is. Accept the beige. Embrace the maybe-stale air. That's the reality of it.
7. Okay, let's talk *Waffles* again. What's the waffle-making situation like?
The waffles. *Ahhh, the waffles*. This is where things get... personal. The waffle maker is a beacon of hope in theLuxury Stay Blog
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