Escape to Williston: Microtel Inn & Suites Awaits!
Escape to Williston: Microtel Inn & Suites Awaits! - A Review (and a Rant, Honestly)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your average, sterile hotel review. This is real life, Williston, North Dakota style. And we’re talking about the Microtel Inn & Suites. Because, let's be real, sometimes you're just there. Gotta sleep somewhere. And I'm here to tell you, it was…an experience. Let's just dive in, shall we?
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- Keywords: Microtel Williston, Williston hotels, North Dakota lodging, accessible hotel, free Wi-Fi, Williston restaurants, Williston fitness center, pet-friendly hotel, Williston conference facilities.
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Microtel Inn & Suites in Williston, ND. Find out about accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, dining, and more! Real-life experiences, quirks, and all. Discover tips for your Williston stay.
- Location: Williston, North Dakota, USA
Accessibility: Gotta Make Sure Everyone Can Actually Escape…
Alright, so accessibility is HUGE in my book. And the Microtel… well, it’s trying. Wheelchair accessible? Tick. But the devil's in the details. I saw a few ramps, which is a great start! I didn't utilize them personally, but the fact that they're there suggests they're making an effort. And elevator? Yes, thankfully. Though, you know how elevators can be. Sometimes they're faster than other times, and sometimes you feel like you've been waiting for an eternity.
I'll be honest, I only glanced at the facilities for disabled guests. Honestly, I was more focused on whether the coffee machine worked (spoiler: sometimes). I saw mentions of accessible things on the website, but I couldn't verify all of them, so I am just reporting what I know.
Internet: The Modern Survival Skill
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be. Seriously. After a long drive, nothing is more crucial than collapsing on a bed with a working internet connection. And it was mostly reliable. More on that later. Internet access – wireless? Check. Internet access – LAN? Theoretically. Did I use it? Nope. Too much hassle.
The Wi-Fi in public areas was a bit…spotty. Okay, let's say I might've shouted "Hello! Is anyone home?" after trying to connect for a solid ten minutes…but I really needed to send an email.
Cleanliness and Safety: Gotta Feel Safe, Right? (This is where it gets good)
Okay, this is where Microtel gets some serious points. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Double check. Staff trained in safety protocol? They seemed it. I saw them wiping down surfaces and wearing masks, which is reassuring. Hand sanitizer everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Like, practically leaping out at you from behind the curtains. Okay, maybe not, but there was plenty!
Room sanitization opt-out available? Good to know, though I'm not sure why you'd opt OUT of that. Unless you're a germaphobe who prefers germs… Weird.
Breakfast Takeaway Situation: The Good, The Bad and the…Soggy?
Breakfast in room, not really. Breakfast [buffet] - Yes, well, sort of. It's definitely not fine dining, but hey, it's free and it's there. Breakfast takeaway service: Yes. The breakfast area was set up so that you could get a takeaway option. The coffee was… well, it was coffee.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (or Avoiding It)
The Microtel itself doesn't have a restaurant itself. There’s no bar, no coffee shop, no poolside bar. So, you're on your own, buddy! Luckily, Williston has a restaurant or two.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Williston Wonders?
Fitness center: Yes. I’m not a gym rat, but I glanced in. Looked…functional. Probably sufficient for a quick sweat sesh. But definitely not a reason to choose this hotel. Massage: Nope. Spa? Nope. A sauna, a steamroom, a pool with a view? I can't say.
For the Kids: Kiddies Incorporated!
Family/child friendly? Yes. There were a few kids running around, which is always a good sign. Babysitting service????? LOL no, but I wasn’t expecting that. There were no Kids facilities.
The Room: My Little Fortress (Mostly)
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The room. Okay. Let’s talk about the room. My sanctuary. Clean. Mostly. It was comfortable enough, you know? Air conditioning was a lifesaver. Blackout curtains were a godsend after the sun decided it's never setting. Coffee/tea maker was a goddamn necessity. The bed was soft enough.
But here's the thing…there were a few little imperfections. Because, again, REAL LIFE. One lightbulb flickered. The TV remote had seen better days (and probably some sticky fingers). The Wi-Fi, as I mentioned, occasionally decided to stage a revolt. But hey, it had free Wi-Fi… so I can't complain.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference (or Don't)
This is a mixed bag. I appreciate the daily housekeeping. The elevator was a lifesaver with my luggage. The desk was good for working. If I needed to work. Seriously, I was trying to relax!
The convenience store was good, but more of a snack stop. Forget anything super amazing.
Did I need currency exchange? Nope.
Getting Around: Navigating Williston
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car power charging station. Williston is a driving town, so having free parking is a huge plus. I arrived in my car, but I saw other cars there. The airport is just a quick drive. I didn't take advantage of the airport transfer.
The Emotional Rundown
Good: Cleanliness was top-notch. Wi-Fi (mostly) worked. The staff was friendly. Free breakfast (even if it was basic). The air conditioning saved my sanity.
Bad: Restaurant Options were non existent. The coffee was meh. Some minor room quirks.
Overall Impression:
Look, the Microtel in Williston isn't the Ritz-Carlton. It's a perfectly functional, clean, reasonably priced hotel that gets the job done. It's a place to crash after a long day, and it's better than sleeping in your car. If you're in Williston and need a place to stay, it's a decent option. Just don’t expect luxury. Expect the basics. And maybe pack your own coffee…
Northbrook's BEST Kept Secret: Stay at MainStay Suites!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your sanitized, bullet-pointed travel itinerary. This is… me wrestling with a trip to Williston, North Dakota, and the glorious, budget-friendly embrace of the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham. Consider this a therapeutic rambling session disguised as a travel plan. Here we go…
Trip Title: Williston or Bust (Pray for Me)
Objective: Survive. Maybe find a decent cup of coffee. Perhaps not lose my mind.
Accommodation: Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Williston. Let's be honest, the Wyndham part gives me a tiny bit of hope. Microtel? Think clean, functional, and probably smelling faintly of industrial cleaner. I'm already bracing myself for the continental breakfast. (Hold me.)
Day 1: Arrival… and the Crushing Weight of Reality
Morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Arrive at somewhere. (Probably an airport. Maybe a bus station. Let's be vague. I haven't booked anything yet, and I'm already stressed.) Flight delayed? Of course it is. That's just how life works. Deep breaths. Pack those coping mechanisms. Coffee is a priority. If I don't get coffee, everyone suffers.
Late Morning (9:00 AM-12:00 PM): Check into the Microtel. Pray for a room that DOESN'T face the highway. Pray for a working air conditioner. Pray for a decent mattress. Pray for a clean bathroom. If all of these are met, I will consider it a win and maybe give the front desk a small piece of my soul in gratitude.
Early Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch. This is crucial. Options:
- Option A: The Preparedness Meal: Scrounge up some pre-packaged, sad, sandwich-adjacent object from a gas station.
- Option B: The "I'll try anything" Approach: Google "Best Restaurants in Williston" and pray for a hidden gem. (Spoiler alert: there probably isn't one. Which, frankly, is the charm of these places. It's the unexpected that keeps you alive, right?)
- Crucial Observation #1: I will never understand why every roadside diner feels the need to drench everything in gravy. Why?
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): The dreaded "settle in" period. Is there a pool? Unlikely. But I'll check. Wander aimlessly. Unpack. Maybe take a nap. Resist the urge to curl into a fetal position and wail.
Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner. See above for lunch options, but with a slightly increased desperation. Explore if there's anything even remotely interesting in the area. Or just collapse in the hotel and watch cable. (Because hey, sometimes you just need mindless entertainment.)
Night (8:00 PM onwards): Attempt to sleep. Probably fail. Think about all the things I should have done. Curse myself. Repeat.
Day 2: Exploring (Or Pretending To)
Morning (6:00 AM -7:00 AM): Continental Breakfast? Sigh. Coffee. More coffee. Try not to make eye contact with anyone. Judge everyone's choices to balance the despair.
Morning (7:00 AM-12:00 PM): The Quest for Local Flavor. This is where I attempt to become a "cultured traveler." Drive around aimlessly. Visit a museum. Find a park. Attempt to look interested in whatever Williston offers. Take pictures of the local culture (and by local culture, I mean the local gas station culture… which I will fully embrace).
- Anecdote Alert: One time, I was in a similarly… rural area, and stumbled upon a tiny museum. The highlight? A taxidermied raccoon wearing a tiny hat. That's the level of expectations here. Prepare thyself.
Early Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch. Attempt to find a different restaurant than yesterday. If this fails, I will take a vow to eat only chips from the vending machine.
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Return to the Microtel. Reflect on life choices. Read a book. Stare at the ceiling. Actually, I might just lay on the bed and think if I go outside, I'll be forced to speak to someone.
Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner. Might brave takeout. Might resort to microwaving a pre-made meal from the gas station. No judgement.
Night (8:00 PM onwards): Contemplate the universe. Wonder how the Microtel is so cheap. Fall asleep eventually. Pray for tomorrow.
Day 3: Escape! (Hopefully)
- Morning (6:00 AM -7:00 AM): Repeat continental breakfast ritual with new level of resignation.
- Morning (7:00 AM-12:00 PM): Last minute visit to some attraction.
- Early Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Pack
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Check-out
- Crucial Observation #2: Will the front desk person be overly friendly? Or completely checked-out? There's no in-between.
- Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Departure. Get out of Williston. Find somewhere to celebrate the fact that I survived. Possibly a bar. Probably a bar.
Overall Mood:
- Mostly Prepared: As in, I have a general idea of where I'm going.
- Slightly Anxious: About the quality of lodging, food, and general level of "things to do."
- Cautiously Optimistic: That I'll find something to enjoy, even if it's the sheer absurdity of it all.
- Desperately in need of coffee: Always.
Emotional Rollercoaster:
This trip promises to be a wild ride of highs (maybe a decent sunset) and lows (probably the breakfast). Prepare for the unexpected. Embrace the chaos. And for the love of all that is holy, bring earplugs. You'll need them.
Final Thought: I'm not expecting luxury. I'm expecting an experience. And after all, isn't that the point?
Escape to Notre Dame: Unbeatable Deals at Microtel Inn & Suites!
Escape to Williston: Microtel Inn & Suites Awaits! - (My Brain's Attempt at an FAQ)
Okay, *is* Williston worth escaping *to*? And, like, Microtel… why Microtel? Seriously?
Alright, let's be honest. Williston isn't exactly the Bahamas. It's… Williston. And the "escape" part? Well, for *me*, it was more "temporarily fleeing the mountain of laundry and existential dread." But hey, a change of scenery is a change of scenery, right?
Microtel, though? That's the real question. Look, sometimes budget dictates... and let's just say my budget was giving a side-eye. I had a coupon, things lined up, and the reviews weren't *completely* horrifying. Plus, I’d convinced myself I *needed* that "free continental breakfast." (Spoiler alert: it fueled a trip to the local diner). I’m already envisioning the stale bagels… but hey, cheap.
So, the Room… The Room. *Tell me everything.* Did you cry?
Okay, the room. I'm not going to lie. The first thing that hit me wasn't the cleanliness (though it *was* surprisingly okayish). It was… the *smell*. A sort of vaguely chemical, slightly stale-air freshener aroma. Like someone had tried to cover up a crime with a particularly aggressive Glade. But hey, I've seen worse. Much worse. Mostly in my own apartment, to be honest.
My biggest complaint? The lighting. It was akin to being in a hospital, only less inviting. It was enough to make me want to invest in one of those clip-on reading lights, but I wasn't *that* desperate (yet). The bed? Firm. *Very* firm. I'm pretty sure I could have bounced a quarter on it. Cried? No. But there were moments of quiet contemplation about the merits of memory foam, let's just say that.
And the view... well, let's just say it was a prime example of "building-adjacent." Think parking lot, and then the back of another building. Romantic? Nope. But it *was* quiet. Relatively quiet, which after the day, I was grateful for.
That Breakfast... The infamous "Continental Breakfast"... Give me the deets.
Oh, the continental breakfast. Where do I even *begin*? Okay, picture this: the lobby, slightly sticky with the aftermath of a spilled soda. The breakfast area, lit by fluorescent lights that hummed with a persistent, almost mocking, energy.
The "offerings" were… *varied*. There were the aforementioned bagels, looking a bit despondent, and probably a day older than my grandmother. Pre-packaged muffins, with that telltale overly sweet glaze. The "fresh" fruit? Let's gently say it was past its prime. The coffee? Pretty sure it was stronger than the cleaning supplies.
I tried the waffles. They were… edible. I loaded them with syrup, hoping to mask the faint taste of… well, of something. Then, the *coup de grace*: the sausage patties. Those things were basically hockey pucks. I took one bite and decided, "Nope. Diner time." Honestly, that slight disappointment fueled a deeper and longer breakfast trip.
About the Staff. Were they robots in disguise? Or actual human beings?
The staff... okay, *this* was actually a positive. They weren't robotic. They weren't especially effervescent, but they were friendly and helpful. Check-in was smooth, which is a huge win in my book. They seemed genuinely okay with answering my inane questions (like, "Is there a decent coffee shop nearby?").
I swear, they were working hard. They were cleaning up the spilled soda, restocking the waffle batter, and trying to keep the peace. I'm pretty sure the front desk lady was the same one that checked me out, but I can't be sure. But anyway -- I think what I'm trying to say is: I got the distinct feeling that the people working there were *doing their best*. That's always a plus. Plus points for the woman who made the waffle-making experience a little less soul-crushing.
So, Williston itself... What's the *vibe*?
Williston. Hmm. "Quaint" is not the word. "Industrial" is closer. Mostly filled with cars and open spaces. It seemed quiet, which, again, was a benefit, even if I wasn't exactly looking for *thrills*. There's a Walmart, and a couple of restaurants (the diner was a godsend). You're not going to get much in the way of "culture," per se. This isn't where you go to expand your horizons dramatically.
But here's the thing: sometimes, you don't *need* culture. Sometimes, you just need a place to park your weary bones, and maybe, if you're lucky, find a decent cup of coffee and a plate of eggs. And in that regard, Williston definitely delivered. Especially the eggs. The ones I ate at the diner.
Would you go back? Seriously.
*Deep breath*. Okay, let's be honest. Would I *choose* to go back? Purely for recreational purposes? Maybe not. Unless there were a *fantastic* deal on memory foam pillows. Or maybe an opportunity to visit the local diner again. (Seriously, those eggs...).
But, if I needed a place to crash, if my budget was struggling, if I was passing through Williston and needed a roof over my head for a night? Yeah. I would. The Microtel wasn't exactly the Ritz-Carlton, but it wasn't the Bates Motel either. It won't give you stories to tell generations from now... but for a night? It's *okay*. The staff works hard. And sometimes, okay is all you need. I'm rating it a "solid, unspectacular, but acceptable" experience -- with a strong recommendation for that diner's breakfast. Seriously, go get the eggs. And the coffee. And maybe a side of bacon. You deserve it.
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