Escape to New Mexico: Unbeatable Deals at Super 8 by Wyndham Portales!
Escape to New Mexico: Super 8 Portales - "Unbeatable Deals?" Let's Unpack This, Shall We?
(Okay, buckle up, because I just got back from the Super 8 in Portales, NM, and I have thoughts. Specifically, I have thoughts that are probably going to be a bit all over the place. This isn't a sterile travel guide; this is my brain, post-road trip and a whole lotta Super 8-ness.)
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- Secondary Keywords: Free Wi-Fi, Breakfast Included, Wheelchair Accessible Hotel, Restaurants Near Portales, Pool at Hotel, Clean Hotels, Safe Hotels, COVID-19 Safety Protocols, Portales Attractions.
Alright, let’s dive in, starting with…well, where do we start? Super 8 in Portales. "Unbeatable Deals?" That's their claim. My experience? Let’s just say it’s a tapestry woven with threads of pleasant surprises, minor annoyances, and the lingering scent of…well, let's not go there.
First Impressions (And The Dreaded Lobby):
The exterior: pretty standard Super 8. Think…beige. And maybe a little bit more beige. The signage was clear enough, so that’s a win. Parking? Free, and thankfully there was ample space, a HUGE plus. (I hate circling the block after a long drive!)
Accessibility: (This is something I really pay attention to, so let's get to it first.)
Alright, accessibility, because it matters. And honestly? Not bad. I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I made a point of looking around.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yeah, there were ramps, and elevators (which seems basic but you wouldn't BELIEVE how many places skimp), and the public spaces seemed pretty wide open, nothing crazy narrow. So, that's a solid check.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They advertised accessible rooms, which is a HUGE plus. I did not go in, but I can say that there were markings.
- Elevator: Thank god there was one. The thought of hauling luggage up two flights of stairs after driving eight hours is just… ugh.
- Bathroom: I didn't inspect the bathrooms in the accessible rooms, but I know they have proper railings and such, at least according to what I've read, which I am just going to mention.
Check-in (Contactless? Thank God):
Okay, so I am a complete germophobe, so the "Contactless check-in/out" was a godsend. It saved me from that awkward "paperwork shuffle." Also, "Doorman"? Nope. Just a friendly face behind the counter, which was fine by me. The front desk person was actually really friendly, which already put me at ease after that long drive.
Rooms: The Good, The Bad, and The Coffee-Smelling (Or Lack Thereof):
Here’s where things get interesting, or rather, specific.
Cleanliness and Safety: Anti-Viral Cleaning Product (Maybe?) I saw signs. They said they used anti-viral cleaning products. Believe it or not, I gave the room a cursory once-over. I'm not talking obsessive, but I did check for any obvious… "residue."
Rooms Sanitized Between Stays: I hope so. This is critical.
Room Sanitization Opt-Out Available: I didn't see anything about this, but I wasn't really looking either.
Non-Smoking Rooms: Definitely non-smoking, and that's a major thumbs up. The room didn’t smell like stale cigarettes, hooray!
Amenities: (The Practical Stuff - what I really needed) Air conditioning: It worked. Lifesaver. Internet: Free Wi-Fi, thank goodness! Fast enough to stream, but I did have a little trouble at one point, so just have the staff reset the router,
Coffee/Tea Maker: Yes! A lifesaver in the morning! (Or maybe just a cup of coffee, I don't know, the water might be rusty…)
Refrigerator: Essential. I stuffed that bad boy with all my snacks.
Desk: Yeah, a desk. Practical, boring. But it was there, and that's all I needed.
Bathroom: Okay, not luxurious, but clean.
Blackout Curtains: Oh, yes, and these were a lifesaver!
Bed: Okay, the bed… it was a bed. Not plush, not particularly comfy, but I slept. And that's all that matters at 3 AM.
Room Decorations: Beige. More beige. A few generic prints. Nothing to write home about.
Dining and Drinking (Breakfast is Key):
- Breakfast [Buffet]: Included! This is the thing that sold me. Waffles, cereal, fruit, and the obligatory processed everything. Let's just say the food quality was not exactly Michelin-star, but it was there, and it was free!
- Breakfast takeaway service: I honestly did not see this happening at breakfast, though they did have to go containers, which was nice.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes, plenty of it.
- Restaurants: Not in the hotel, but a very short drive to several options.
- Bottle of Water: (I’m sure they had it, but I don't recall ever getting it).
Things to Do & Relax (Don’t Expect a Spa Day):
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep, there was a pool. I didn't take the plunge (too tired), but it looked clean and inviting. (Though, I saw a few people swimming, so maybe it wasn't quite that inviting…)
- Fitness center: I did not go.
Services and Conveniences (The Details That Matter!):
- Daily housekeeping: Yay! Always appreciate a clean room and fresh towels.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, and thank god.
- Luggage storage: They offered it. Useful.
- Laundry service: Did not need, but good to know.
- Cash withdrawal: They did not have it.
- Convenience store: Nope.
- Concierge: Not exactly, just the front desk staff.
- Pet-Friendly: Don’t know!
For the Kids (A Place for Families?)
- Family/child friendly? Hmm… The pool is a definite plus for kids.
- Babysitting service: Nope.
Safety & Security (Keeping an Eye Out):
- CCTV in common areas: Plenty of cameras.
- CCTV outside property: More cameras, which is always a comfort.
- Fire extinguisher: Yep.
- Smoke alarms: Present and accounted for!
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a good thing.
- Security [24-hour]: Present and accounted for.
- Safety/security feature: The usual stuff.
Getting Around (Road Trip Essentials):
- Car park [free of charge]: YES.
- Car park [on-site]: Of course!
- Airport transfer: Doubtful.
- Taxi service: I'm sure.
The Verdict: Unbeatable? Eh… Maybe.
Okay, so "Unbeatable Deals?" It's not the Waldorf Astoria. But for the price, and for a quick stop on my road trip? It delivered. The free breakfast was a solid win, the room was clean enough (after the initial inspection, of course), the Wi-Fi worked, and the AC kept me from melting in the New Mexico heat.
Would I stay again? Probably. It’s functional, it’s reasonably priced, and it got the job done. It wasn't spectacular, but it wasn’t terrible either. It was… Super 8. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need. 3.5 stars. Maybe 4 if they have waffles next time.
Escape to Wisconsin: Uncover the Hidden Gem of Antigo at Super 8!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to embark on an adventure to the shimmering jewel of… Portales, New Mexico. And our base camp? The Super 8 by Wyndham. Don't you just love that name? It's like they're promising you, "Hey, we're gonna be super good, but also, we're gonna be an octet of rooms. Get it?"… Okay, maybe I need more coffee. Let's do this.
Day 1: Arrival, and the Existential Dread of the Southwest
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at the Super 8. The building isn't exactly a cathedral of architectural wonder, but hey, it's got a roof! And parking that’s almost big enough for my behemoth of a car. Oh, and the lobby smells faintly of chlorine and… hope? I think? The receptionist, a woman with a name tag that says "Brenda," offers a smile that’s either genuinely welcoming or the result of years spent in hospitality. Honestly, I can't tell anymore. This is the start of the journey
- 1:30 PM: Unpack. One suitcase, a laptop, a bag of questionable snacks (mostly chips, let's be honest), and this overwhelming feeling of… what am I doing with my life? I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be a functioning adult by now, but here I am, staring at the beige wallpaper and wondering if the complimentary continental breakfast will have decent coffee.
- 2:00 PM: Explore the room. The bedspread is a vibrant tapestry of… well, I’m not sure what it is supposed to be, but it's a pattern that's both hypnotic and slightly nauseating. The TV? Modern, thankfully. The air conditioning is either blasting arctic winds or wheezing like an asthmatic cat. No in-between. I mess with the temperature control for a solid ten minutes before settling on a lukewarm compromise. Close enough.
- 3:00 PM: Urgent need to get something to eat. I heard there's a Subway nearby, and I'm not sure I'm feeling adventurous enough for local cuisine, considering my current emotional state and the fact there are no reviews as far as the eye could see.
- 3:30 PM: Subway. Predictably, the sandwich artist is either bored or desperately trying to hold back a yawn, or both. I ordered a footlong and was suddenly overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of the thing. Am I going to eat this entire thing? I only had an empty stomach and a profound need to avoid human interaction. Verdict: edible, but I'll probably regret it later.
- 4:30 PM: Back to the room. Seriously, where's a good coffee from? Time for a nap, and maybe some online games to calm my nerves.
- 7:00 PM: I thought I was going to make a great dinner, but Subway took all my energy and I'm suddenly exhausted from a footlong and a nap. Order greasy take-out from somewhere with a vaguely southwestern sounding name. We're in New Mexico, goddammit, gotta lean in.
- 9:00 PM: TV time. I decide to watch something I've been putting off, so I can say I watched something significant while doing this trip.
- 11:00 PM: Lights out. The bed is surprisingly comfortable.
Day 2: Eastern New Mexico University, and the Pursuit of Culture (Maybe)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. The complimentary continental breakfast at Super 8. It’s a glorious mess. Instant coffee that tastes like dirty dishwater, stale bagels, and tiny, individually wrapped muffins that seem to have been around since the dawn of time. I opted for the coffee and a muffin, bravely.
- 9:00 AM: Explore ENMU. Eastern New Mexico University sounds grand, and the brochures promise a vibrant campus. Reality: well-manicured lawns, a few students wandering around looking lost (relatable), and a distinct lack of soul-stirring architecture. It’s fine, I guess. The library is pretty impressive though, which is a welcome surprise.
- 10:30 AM: The Blackwater Draw Museum. I can't say I'm thrilled about this, but I'm here, so I might as well. The museum, as I might have guessed, does look like a museum, but inside… It's filled with artifacts. Stone tools, pottery shards, and the stories of people who lived in this desert landscape eons ago. It's… strangely moving. The sheer resilience of these people, surviving in such a harsh environment… Makes my tiny, first world problems feel a little insignificant. I'm honestly a little choked up.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a local diner. I think I'm ready to actually attempt some local cuisine, even if it's only a diner. Turns out, the chili is actually pretty solid.
- 2:30 PM: I'm really glad to have chosen this diner and it made me want to go back. Back to the hotel room for a nap and a quiet contemplation.
- 7:00 PM: After a nap, it's time for a relaxed dinner. Since it is the last night, I should think about where to go. Maybe I'll ask Brenda where she likes to eat.
- 9:00 PM: Brenda recommended a place I'm excited to try. It's a local favorite, and I'll get to enjoy something I've wanted to try for a long time.
- 11:00 PM: Last night in the Super 8. Time to pack up, and I have to admit, the trip was better than I thought it'd be.
Day 3: Departure, and the Lingering Dust of the Southwest
- 8:00 AM: Another breakfast at the Super 8. Still mediocre, but at least now I expect it.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. Brenda is there, and she smiles. I almost feel like I know her now. "Have a nice trip," she says. I'm surprisingly sad to leave.
- 9:30 AM: Hit the road. Leaving Portales, I feel… changed. Maybe it's the stark beauty of the landscape, maybe it's the quiet solitude, maybe it's just the sheer absurdity of it all. Whatever it is, I'm not quite the same person who arrived. And I'm pretty sure the Super 8 still has my toothpaste. Damn.
- 12:00 PM: I keep thinking about the Blackwater Draw Museum. It was a reminder that even in the most desolate places, humanity endures. Maybe that's a lesson, or maybe I just need to get a new toothbrush. Time will tell.
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