Athens Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Super 8!
Athens Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Super 8… or the "Almost Paradise" Super 8? (A Review, Messy but Honest)
Alright, folks, buckle up, because I'm about to embark on a journey. A journey, mind you, to… well, a Super 8 in Athens. Yeah, I know, not exactly the Acropolis, but hey, the deal was unbeatable. And, let's be honest, sometimes "unbeatable" is the only thing that gets you through the door.
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First Impressions (and a bit of a rant):
Okay, so, the website promised a "Getaway." Did I get away? Yes, from my bank account, mostly. But in all seriousness… the Athens Super 8, from the outside, looked like a… Super 8. No pretenses there. The exterior corridor? Yep. The elevator? Thank the gods, because I'd be screaming climbing stairs with my luggage after a long flight. I got the "Family/Child Friendly" vibes even before passing the front desk.
The check-in was easy. Actually, shockingly so. "Contactless check-in/out"? They were doing it, and it felt smooth. A small win in the grand scheme of things. Then the room.
The Room: Home Base & Home-ish
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.
Alright, the basics were there, except the bathrobes. Where were my swanky bathrobes, Super 8? I need those! The bed was huge, like, I could probably lose a small child in it. Which, come to think of it, might have been nice for a few minutes of peace. The blackout curtains? Bless them. Essential for battling jet lag and the existential dread of being in a Super 8. The Wi-Fi? Free, and thankfully, worked. I'm a sucker for free Wi-Fi.
My 'extra long bed' turned out to actually be extra long. I’m 6’4” and I didn’t feel like my feet were hanging off. A big plus. The shower was… a shower. The view? Well, let's just say the "window that opens" offered a stunning vista of… another building a little too close for comfort. But hey, the "Free bottled water" quenched my thirst for adventure (and also, hydration). The scale? I'm not even going to talk about the scale. Denial is a powerful thing.
Cleanliness & Safety: A Little Too Obsessive?
Now, this is where things get… interesting. The "Cleanliness and safety" protocols were… well, they took the cake. It was like living in a CSI episode, COVID edition.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check. (Smelled faintly of hospital disinfectant.)
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check. (You could taste it in the air, sometimes.)
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. My hands are now surgically clean.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Check. (Probably cleaner than my own apartment.)
- Hygiene certification: Check. (I’m starting to question the sanity of this place.)
- Individually-wrapped food options: Check. (My breakfast pastry was entombed in plastic.)
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Check. (Possibly overkill, but I’m not complaining.)
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check. (They're taking this seriously.)
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They looked like they were getting a PhD in germ warfare.
My "Room sanitization opt-out available" option seemed almost offensive. Like, "Are you sure you don't want us to nuke your room with chemicals?" Seriously, I was half expecting to find a hazmat suit in the closet.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (Or Just Filling My Belly)
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, breakfast [buffet], breakfast service, buffet in restaurant, coffee/tea in restaurant, coffee shop, desserts in restaurant, international cuisine in restaurant, poolside bar, restaurants, salad in restaurant, snack bar, soup in restaurant, vegetarian restaurant, western breakfast, western cuisine in restaurant, bar, bottle of water, room service [24-hour], a la carte in restaurant.
- The "Breakfast [buffet] "? A glorious spread of… well, not the best coffee I've ever had, but edible. There were all the usual suspects: scrambled eggs that looked suspiciously like factory-produced yellow mush, some sad-looking pastries trapped in plastic, and a selection of fruit that probably saw better days. But, hey, it was food. Fuel for the day, you know? They had an "Asian breakfast" option (I didn't try it, honestly), and a "Vegetarian restaurant" that was, I suspect, the same breakfast buffet. I'm not the pickiest eater, I'm not. Honestly, the breakfast was barely passable, but that's the beauty of a buffet, right? You can eat a whole plate of something you're pretty sure will nourish you, even if it tastes like sadness. Plus, there was a tiny, sad little coffee machine.
- The "Poolside bar"? Yes! And it was AMAZING.
The Poolside Bar: My Personal Paradise Lost & Found
This experience deserves its own little section. The pool was… well, it was a pool. Clean. The view was of a… well, another building. Okay, maybe the pool wasn't that amazing.
But the bar… Oh, the bar!
I was initially underwhelmed. The bar itself seemed a little… understaffed. I was alone, in need of a stiff drink after a bad day. The whole place was pretty empty. I get up to the counter, and there's a small, slightly-sweaty man behind it. He looks… tired. I order, I think, a gin and tonic.
And then the magic happened. The gin was good. The tonic, crisp. But the vibe… It was pure, unadulterated relaxation. No screaming kids. No pretentious cocktails. Just me, my drink, and the quiet hum of the hotel.
- This is where I'd insert the anecdote.
I sat at the bar, probably for a little over an hour. I was completely alone and it was the greatest drink I've had in years. He was the best bartender I've ever met. The bar was fantastic, and in that moment, the Super 8 had become a place of pure, quiet bliss. I even read a book! In a Super 8! Never thought I'd say that.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Besides the Bar, obviously):
- Fitness center, sauna, spa, spa/sauna, steamroom, swimming pool, swimming pool [outdoor], massage.
They had a fitness center. I saw it. It looked… like a fitness center. I did not go in. The "sauna, spa, spa/sauna, steamroom" all seemed a little… ambitious for a Super 8, but who was I to judge? The swimming pool was actually there! The outdoor one looked clean enough, a little small, and the "pool with view" was technically correct, you could see a view, of other buildings.
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair accessible, facilities for disabled guests.
I didn’t have a need to use these services. However, the elevator was a godsend, and the common areas were definitely wheelchair-accessible. They seemed to be taking accessibility seriously.
Services & Conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area, audio-visual equipment for special events, business facilities, cash withdrawal, concierge, contactless check-in/out, convenience store, currency exchange, daily housekeeping, doorman, dry cleaning, elevator, essential condiments, food delivery, gift/souvenir shop, indoor venue for special events, invoice provided, ironing service, laundry service, luggage storage, meeting/banquet facilities, meetings, meeting stationery, on-site event hosting, outdoor venue for special events, projector/LED display, safety deposit boxes, seminars, shrine, smoking area, terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, xerox/fax in business center.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're embarking on the most epic adventure… to Athens, Alabama, staying at the Super 8. I know, I know, glamorous doesn't exactly spring to mind, but hey, we're road-trippin', we're budget-conscious, and we're ready for some real travel experiences. Buckle up, because this isn't your perfectly curated Instagram feed, this is the real, messy, glorious truth.
Day 1: Arrival and Athens Awkwardness
- 2:00 PM: Arrive at Super 8. Okay, first impression? It smells… neutral. Not bad, not amazing. A faint whiff of disinfectant and maybe, just maybe, a hint of stale waffle. Check-in was… well, it was a check-in. The lady at the desk had a face like she'd seen a thousand tourists come and go, which, let's be honest, she probably had. Got our key card. Did a little celebratory fist pump. I'm easy to please, what can I say?
- 2:30 PM: Room exploration. The bedspread? Floral. Bold choice, Super 8. Bathroom? Standard-issue, with a showerhead that looks like it’s been around since the dawn of time. I half expected Noah to be using it. Did a quick inventory: clean towels, questionable complimentary shampoo in a tiny packet, mini fridge… success! Cold drinks are vital for survival.
- 3:00 PM: The Athens Shuffle. Okay, time to explore. My meticulously planned itinerary (yes, I made one, sue me) called for a trip to the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives. Found it, but… it's closed for a Sunday. What?! Rookie mistake, people. Always, ALWAYS check the Sunday hours. Sigh. We're improvising.
- 3:30 PM: The Drive-Thru Debacle. Hunger pangs hit. We find a fast-food place, the car in front of me is taking forever, and the speaker crackles, "Welcome to… uh… what would you like?" After a very long wait, I finally get my order, only to find the burger is… well, let's just say it resembles something from the back of the freezer.
- 4:30 PM: Downtown Athens. Okay, Athens, AL, is… quaint. Very quaint. Lots of historical buildings. Some of them, admittedly, look like they haven't been updated since the Reagan administration. We wander around the square, admire the courthouse (very impressive, actually), and try to absorb some Southern charm. It's there, I swear, just… well, it's subtle.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local diner. This is where things get interesting. The place is packed, the waitress is a force of nature (think Dolly Parton meets a drill sergeant), and the food is… hearty. I order the fried chicken. It arrives in a mountain of crispy, golden goodness. It's also probably enough to feed a small army, but hey, I'm not complaining. The mashed potatoes are fluffy, the gravy is thick, and I eat until I can barely breathe. I'm in carb heaven!
- 7:30 PM: Back to the Super 8. Post-fried-chicken coma commences. We watch some terrible TV (yes, that show is on) and debate the merits of different ice cream flavors.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. This bed is… okay. Not the best, not the worst. The AC is blasting, I feel stuffed, and I have a vague sense of contentment. Tomorrow's another day!
Day 2: History and Unexpected Delights
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Breakfast at the Super 8. You know the drill: instant oatmeal, sad-looking muffins, and coffee that tastes vaguely of burnt toast. Fuel up, people, fuel up!
- 8:00 AM: Attempt to visit the museum again. And success! The Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives is open! A true trove of history and respect.
- 10:00 AM: The Historic Athens Walking Tour. Okay, time to get our history on. Athens has more historical buildings than you can shake a stick at. It’s a bit like stepping back in time, as long as you don't mind the occasional modern car whizzing by. We strolled past the Athens State University, the old depot, historic homes, all while trying to look like we understood the architectural significance of everything. We mostly faked it.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Found a little cafe. They served a surprisingly good panini. It was a rare, non-greasy success.
- 1:00 PM: Driving around. I heard something about a cotton museum. We start our search. It's a bit of a wild goose chase.
- 3:00 PM: The Eureka Moment. This is when things got truly, unexpectedly good. We found it! A local art gallery. It was… fantastic. Real art made by real people. We talked to the artist. She was passionate, and her art was vibrant. We bought a small print. It hangs on my wall at home now, and it's a lovely reminder of the unassuming beauty you can find in the most average of places. Seriously, go find a local gallery!
- 5:00 PM: Back to Super 8. Reflecting on the day. This is where I realize, travelling isn't about ticking off the "must-see" boxes. It's about stumbling upon the unexpected, about connecting with people and feeling, well, alive.
- 6:30 PM: One last supper. Head back to the diner for a second helping of fried chicken. Because, why not?
- 7:30 PM: Pack. Sigh.
- 8:30 PM: Bed, one last night.
Day 3: Departure
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast, the same as before. I was ready for this.
- 8:00 AM: Final check of the room. Did we leave anything behind? No, good, we’re pros.
- 9:00 AM: Departure. Back on the open road. Say goodbye to Athens, say goodbye to Super 8, say goodbye to fried chicken (at least for a while).
Final Thoughts:
Athens, Alabama, wasn't exactly the most glamorous destination on earth. It wasn't exactly filled with high-octane thrills. But it was real. It was imperfect. And it was absolutely, wonderfully, human. And hey, that Super 8? It did the job. It was a place to rest my head, to recharge my batteries, and to contemplate the sheer, messy beauty of life on the road. Would I go back? Maybe. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just, you know, pack your own shampoo. You'll thank me later.
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Athens Getaway: Super 8 - Seriously, are these deals *even* real?! (Probably)
Okay, real talk: Is Super 8 in Athens... like, actually decent? I've seen some things...
Alright, look, I'm gonna be straight with you. "Decent" is a relative term, right? My expectations for a Super 8 in... ANYWHERE, are usually pretty rock-bottom. But hey, let's rewind to my last Athens trip (the one where I almost forgot my toothbrush, again). I was *seriously* eyeing the deals. Like, bordering-on-suspiciously-cheap deals. My inner cynic screamed, "Mold! Bedbugs! The works!"
But, plot twist! It wasn't *terrible*. It wasn't a Four Seasons. It wasn't even a Holiday Inn Express. (Those breakfast buffets are the gold standard.) But my room? Surprisingly clean. The A/C worked (a HUGE win in Athens heat). The shower had hot water. The *lack* of actual, visible bugs was a plus. So, "decent"? Yeah. "Worth the price"? ABSOLUTELY. Think of it as an adventure. A budget adventure. You might get a questionable continental breakfast experience, but you're *in Athens*, folks!
What's the deal with the "unbeatable deals"? Are they *really* unbeatable? (Spill the tea, please!)
Okay, this is where my inner bargain hunter *really* perks up. The deals? They're pretty darn good. I'm talking... *almost* too good. Like, you start double-checking the fine print, waiting for the catch. (There's usually a catch, right? Something like, "Must arrive on a Tuesday between 3:00 AM and 3:05 AM during a full moon".)
But, after cross-referencing prices with like, twenty different booking sites (I have a problem, I confess)... the Super 8 in Athens was consistently cheaper. Consistently! I'm not saying it's the Taj Mahal of hotels, but for location and budget? Chef's kiss. I once saw a deal that was so good, I almost booked a room *just* to sleep in it and pretend I was fancy. Almost. Impulse control is a journey. And, hey, it's *Athens*. You're not spending your vacation lounging in your room, are you? (Though, the bed *was* comfy.)
How's the location? I want to be *close* to the action, but not, you know, *in* the action.
Location, location, location! This is where Super 8 in Athens *kind of* wins. It depends on what action you're after. If you're dreaming of walking directly into the Acropolis from your front door? Nope. You'll need a cab or a quick bus ride. But, it's not *miles* away. It's convenient enough. I'm talking, walking distance to a few decent restaurants (I discovered this amazing gyros place... OMG. More on that later). Plus, being a little bit outside the total chaos of the central tourist district cuts down on the noise, and the price.
I'm a big walker. Walking to destinations like the Acropolis. Not running. I'm not one for crowds. During my last stay, I was able to reach the Plaka district and many major sites after enjoying breakfast. I think the distance from major sites is still decent.
What kind of breakfast are we talking about? Continental? Mystery meat? Please, dish!
Okay, the breakfast. This is where we enter the realm of the slightly unpredictable. "Continental" is the official answer. Meaning, you're likely getting the usual suspects: toast, some sort of processed "fruit" spread (possibly more sugar than actual fruit), maybe some sad-looking pastries, and instant coffee that'll practically staple your eyelids open.
My personal Super 8 Athens breakfast story? Okay, I'm going to be brutally honest. I once grabbed a bagel that looked like it had been sitting there since the Bronze Age. I took a bite, and my soul briefly considered asking for a refund. (I didn't. Because I'm too awkward.)
However, the *coffee* always got the job done. I ended up mixing it with the hotel coffee. Not a great start to the day, I confess, but the coffee was *always steaming*. Plus, that breakfast is FREE. You can always supplement with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit at that gyros place I mentioned. It’s all about managing expectations. And maybe packing your own granola bars.
Is there Wi-Fi? (Because, you know, Instagram.) And is it any *good*?
Wi-Fi? The eternal question of the modern traveler. Yes, there *is* Wi-Fi. Is it lightning-fast? Probably not. Don't expect to be live-streaming your entire trip to the Acropolis. Think more like... adequate. Adequate for checking emails, posting a few slightly blurry Instagram photos, and maybe browsing Facebook.
One time, I tried to upload a *massive* photo album. I swear, I aged a decade while watching the progress bar crawl. Eventually, I gave up and enjoyed the moment instead. Lesson learned: Embrace the real world! Or, you know, download your vacation photos later when you're back in civilization with actual internet. Anyway, the wifi, even if spotty, it's still there. The world is okay.
Any hidden gems or local tips you can share about staying there or Athens in general?
Okay, here's where I get excited and ramble a bit. Hidden gems? YES! The *first* thing you need to find when you arrive: that gyros place I mentioned. Seriously, I can't stress this enough. It’s called [Insert Generic Gyro Place Name Here, because memories, am I right?]. The gyros are unbelievably delicious, cheap, and perfect after a long day of sightseeing. And the staff is always super friendly (even when I’m struggling to speak Greek).
For Athens in general: Embrace the chaos! The traffic is insane, the crowds are enormous, and the air is thick with history. Don't try to do *everything*. Pick a few things that really interest you. Wander around. Get lost. (I got lost *constantly*, but that's how I found the gyros place! Every cloud...) Learn a few basic Greek phrases. "Efharisto" (thank you) goes a long way. And most importantly: wear comfortable shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking. Oh, and bring an adapter. You do *not* want to discover your phone is dead when you *finally* reach that perfect Instagram spot.
One more thing: Look up at the sky! The sunsets over the Acropolis will take your breath away.Snooze And Stay
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