Elkhart's BEST Hotel Deal? Microtel Inn & Suites Review!
Microtel Inn & Suites Elkhart: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Soggy Waffle (A Review You Can Actually Use)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving deep into the Microtel Inn & Suites in Elkhart. Forget those sterile, corporate reviews – this is the real deal, warts and all. I’m talking about my actual stay, the actual waffle I ate, and the actual experience of trying to navigate a hotel room after a long drive. Let’s get messy, shall we?
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- Description: A brutally honest review of the Microtel Inn & Suites in Elkhart, Indiana. We uncover the good, the bad, and the sometimes-soggy waffle of this budget-friendly hotel. Covers accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, dining, and more. Get the real inside scoop before you book!
Let's Get it Started: The Basics and My First Impression
First off, let me tell you something: Finding a decent hotel in Elkhart isn't exactly winning the lottery. It's a town that seems to lean heavily on those highway-adjacent motels, you know? I was desperate, hunting for something that wouldn't reek of stale cigarettes and broken dreams. Microtel popped up, boasting "the best deal." And hey, I'm a sucker for a good deal.
Accessibility & the Fabled Elevator (And My Stumbling Trip Down the Hall)
Okay, so I'm not in a wheelchair, but I am a clumsy human being with a suitcase the size of a small child. And the elevator, bless its heart, was a godsend. More importantly, I noticed they actually mentioned accessibility features. Score one for Microtel! (Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible) They highlight that the hotel provides Facilities for disabled guests. Good, because I could barely maneuvre my luggage!
What's not always mentioned is how far you have to drag your suitcase once you do get off the elevator. My room was, of course, at the very end of a long, winding hallway. This is where I discovered the Exterior corridor design meant the hallway smelled of hot asphalt. That's a real mood killer when you are trying to recharge.
The Room Itself: A Tale of Two Towels and the Inevitable Coffee Maker
The room… well, it was a room. (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). It was clean enough, thank goodness, because that's always my first concern. The bed was comfy enough, though the sheets might have seen better days. (I swear, I could feel the ghost of a previous guest in those sheets!). I’m not the kind of person that uses all the amenities but I did see the Internet access – wireless and Wi-Fi [free] and tested it, worked perfectly! Thank goodness for the Coffee/tea maker because the early morning start to my drive was a killer.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, You Know, COVID and All That)
Now, I did appreciate the efforts they put into cleaning. (Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment) Lots of hand sanitizer everywhere, which I definitely used liberally. I saw staff diligently wiping down surfaces (which is comforting!), and it felt like they genuinely cared. The Non-smoking rooms option? A godsend, because seriously, I'm not sure I could have handled the smell of smoke, especially after the drive!
Speaking of Dining: The Breakfast Saga and the Waffle of Destiny
Okay, here's where things get interesting. Breakfast is included, which is always a plus for a budget traveler. (Dining, drinking, and snacking: Asian breakfast, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Snack bar, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant) I'm pretty sure the primary reason I booked the hotel was the promise of free food. This is where I have a confession. The buffet was…well, it was a buffet. Cereal, some sad-looking pre-made omelets, fruit (mostly canned, but hey, I'll take it). The real star, however, was the waffle maker. I’m not exaggerating when I say I practically drooled during the entire drive to the hotel imagining that waffle. This is where the tale turns sour. The waffle…was…limp. Not crispy. Not golden. Not even particularly tasty. It was the kind of waffle that makes you question all of your life choices. Breakfast [buffet]: it was there, and it was free…but the waffle. Oh, the waffle. I needed that waffle to be good.
Pool & Recreation (Or, the Promise of Fun I Didn't Quite Experience)
There was a pool! (Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]). I saw the pool. It looked… inviting. But after the Great Waffle Debacle, I was too emotionally drained for a swim. I'm blaming the waffle.
The Little Things & the Quirks That Made it Memorable
- Internet: The free Wi-Fi was actually decent. (Internet access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas) No buffering while I streamed my favorite shows, which is a win in my book.
- Staff Attitude: The staff were generally friendly. (Front desk [24-hour], Concierge, Doorman) Not overly chatty, but efficient and pleasant. They didn't judge my disappointment with the waffle, which I really appreciated.
- The Smell of… Something: There was a faint, lingering smell in the hallways that I couldn't quite place. Something between cleaning product and slightly burnt popcorn. It wasn’t awful, but it was definitely there.
- Car Park [on-site], Car park [free of charge]: Free parking, always a bonus! No complaints from my end.
The Verdict: Worth the Deal?
So, is the Microtel Inn & Suites in Elkhart the "best deal"? Honestly, if you need a place to crash, a clean room, and a (potentially disappointing) free breakfast? YES. It's entirely serviceable. It's not glamorous, and it's certainly not luxurious. You might even encounter a slightly soggy waffle. But hey, it's a roof over your head, and it’s probably the best deal for what you’re getting. Would I stay there again? Probably. Especially if I'm really craving a waffle (but pack a better waffle-making guide).
Escape to Luxury: Crystal Peak Lodge's Unforgettable Breckenridge Getaway
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving DEEP into my trip to Elkhart, Indiana. And by deep, I mean probably about as deep as a kiddie pool, but hey, it’s a journey, not a destination, right? And my "destination" is, uh…Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elkhart. Let's see how that plays out, shall we?
The Microtel Misadventure: A Whirlwind of Wonder and, You Know, Indiana.
Day 1: Arrival and… Wait, Where's the Remote?
1:00 PM - Arrival (and a Sigh of Relief): Finally! Drove for what felt like a century. Okay, maybe three hours. Still, the highway is a soul-sucking vortex of boredom. I pull into the Microtel parking lot. "Okay," I think to myself, "Stay positive. It's just a hotel." The building already looks… Beige. Oh, boy.
1:15 PM - Check-in Chaos: The front desk person is named… Deb. Deb seems… nice enough, but there's a distinct scent of industrial cleaning products that's a little overpowering. I’m pretty sure my eyes are watering, or maybe that's just the realization that I'm officially in Elkhart. Getting my room key, ask about breakfast availability and the internet. "Can't let my Instagram followers down", I tell myself. Deb smiles.
1:30 PM - The Room: Expectations vs. Reality: Walking the halls, it really hits me, I'm in a hotel. I unlock the door, and… it’s a room. A beige room. It's not bad, you know? It’s just… beige. The floral bedspread is making a comeback, apparently. And… is that… a dent in the side of the nightstand? Honestly, it kind of humanizes the room, which is a plus, I guess.
1:45 PM - Remote Control Hunt: I’m already in a panic. Where the heck is the remote? I tear apart the bed, the nightstand. The couch (which, by the way, is also beige). Finally, buried under a surprisingly lumpy cushion, I find it. Victory is mine! Except, the batteries are dead. Ugh. I go back to bed and take a 2 hour nap.
4:00 PM - The Exploration of the Elkhart "Neighborhood": Okay, I need air, sunlight, and a caffeine injection. I wander outside. It's industrial, with a dash of "small town". There's a strip mall across the street with a Dollar General and a, a… wait is that a… bingo hall? Well, color me intrigued (not literally, because, well, beige).
5:00 PM - Dinner Debacle: The hotel suggested a local place, "Jethro's BBQ." Sounds promising! I arrive, excited. The smell is amazing, the walls are lined with old license plates. And then… the ribs. Oh, the ribs. They’re tough, and I’m pretty sure I chipped a tooth. I make the best of it, laughing at myself, and wondering how much time I can spend without looking crazy.
7:00 PM - Hotel Hangout, Recharged: Back at the hotel. The remote works! I watched a terrible movie. I feel like I could sleep for a year. I crash immediately.
Day 2: Culture, Coffee, and a Quest for the Perfect Pancake
7:00 AM - The Breakfast Battle: Oh, the hotel breakfast. The holy grail of the budget traveler. Honestly, I expected a stale bagel and watery orange juice. But the waffle machine… the waffle machine! It’s a thing of beauty. Perfectly browned, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Okay, maybe my expectations were SUPER low.
8:00 AM - Driving Around: I had a craving for a coffee. I drive around. In my mind, I'm looking for a quirky coffee shop, a local gem. I'd be okay with a Starbucks. I find a McDonalds. I take my loss.
9:00 AM - The National New York Central Railroad Museum: I decide to go with the suggestion on the hotel brochures. Okay, full disclosure: I'm not a train person. But… the trains are huge. And the history is actually kinda fascinating. I was a little kid again, looking up at these behemoths, fantasizing about travel.
11:00 AM - Lunch Mishap: I try another restaurant, this time a diner. It’s charming! Classic checkered floors, the works. I order a burger, medium-rare. It comes… well-done. Sigh. Maybe I just can’t handle the culinary scene. Back at my room for a relaxing afternoon.
1:00 PM - Nap Time: I'm not proud, but I'm also not going to lie. Hotel naps are an art form.
3:00 PM - A Stroll in the City: I take a walk around the city. The architecture is interesting. I meet a woman who tells me the rich history of the city. It was nice to meet her.
6:00 PM - The Pizza Pilgrimage: Determined not to fail dinner again, I research local pizza joints. I found one, a pizzeria. It did not disappoint. It made me happy.
8:00 PM - The Hotel Hustle: Back at the hotel. I finally made it out into the city. What do I do to pass the time? Watch television.
Day 3: Farewell, Elkhart (and the Beige Dreamscape)
8:00 AM - Breakfast Redemption: The waffle machine beckons me again. This time, I add extra syrup and some of those suspicious powdered eggs. YOLO, right?
9:00 AM - Packing Panic: Okay, time to pack. How did I accumulate so much stuff in two days? It's a mystery!
10:00 AM - Check-Out and Escape: I check out. Give Deb a friendly smile. "Thanks for the… experience!" (Maybe that's a bit too sarcastic?)
10:15 AM - The Road Beckons: Back on the road, my adventure is done. I'm on my way to new vistas! Or maybe just a slightly less beige town. Whichever comes first!
Final Thoughts: Look, Elkhart, you're a bit of an enigma. But I survived. I'm not sure I'm "changed" by the experience, but I have a newfound appreciation for the quiet joys of a decent waffle and a working TV remote. The Microtel? Well, it's a perfectly fine hotel for a perfectly fine stay, with a touch of beige magic that I will never forget. And hey, maybe I'll be back someday. Maybe. Possibly. (But probably not).
Coralville's BEST AmericInn? (Secrets Revealed!)
Elkhart's "Best Deal"? My Microtel Inn & Suites Misadventure (and Maybe a Little Love)
Alright, listen up. I'm not a travel blogger, I'm just...me. And I just stayed at the Elkhart Microtel. They're calling it the "best deal." Let's break down if my wallet is still smiling, and more importantly, if *I* am.
Okay, the Big Question: Is it truly a "deal" or just cheap?
Honestly? It *felt* like a deal. Price was right. I'm on a tight budget, so I was thrilled. But here's the thing... deals *feel* different after you've actually *lived* them. Remember that time I found that "amazing" sweater at the thrift store for five bucks? Turns out, it shed like a golden retriever. This felt a bit the same, at first. It was a deal... and the price point was definitely the best I found in Elkhart. Though I'm still not sure if my soul felt cheapened.
Let's talk about the room. Spill the (minimalist) tea.
The room… Well, it was clean. *Mostly*. I did spot a rogue hair that wasn't mine, which, let's be honest, is a hotel staple, right? The beds? Surprisingly comfy! That's a huge win, considering I’m basically a princess when it comes to sleep. The decor? Beige. Beige upon beige. It felt like staying inside a giant, slightly outdated, and maybe slightly sad, cardboard box. But the AC blasted cold, and I'm all about that. Plus, they had a fridge! Essential for chilling my emergency Diet Coke supply. So, yeah, the room was functional. No complaints, except maybe… a shout of joy at a splash of color? Maybe?
Breakfast. The make-or-break moment. What's the damage?
Oh, breakfast. Here’s where things get… interesting. They called it "breakfast." I, however, called it "the continental equivalent of a participation trophy." Think: pre-packaged muffins that tasted like they’d been created in a lab (I’m convinced I’m allergic to them by now), instant oatmeal that had the texture of wallpaper paste, and… a waffle maker. This waffle maker, though! It was the savior of breakfast. I’m talking, a waffle maker that actually worked! I think I made about five, which, let's be honest, is a personal best. The coffee? Weak. But hey, I had my Diet Coke, so I’m good, mostly.
The Staff: Were they robots, or actual helpful humans?
Okay, the staff… bless their hearts. They were genuinely nice! That's a huge plus. I had a minor issue with the TV (I'm a technophobe, I'll admit it). I called down, expecting to wait forever. Nope! Someone was up there in like, five minutes, ready to help. Super friendly, fixed it in a heartbeat. Another win. The front desk lady didn't judge my messy hair or my pre-caffeinated grumpiness at check-in. So, yeah, the staff? Solid. They earned their keep.
Location, Location, Location! Is it convenient, or stranded land?
Location? Fairly good. It's not right in the heart of, you know, *things*, but it’s close to the highway. Easy access in and out, which is crucial if you're driving like I was. There were restaurants nearby too, including a McDonalds and a Taco Bell. (Yes, I caved. Don't judge.) So, not a bad location, I'd say. It’s not exactly scenic, but functional. And let's be honest, I wasn't expecting a view of the Swiss Alps in Elkhart, Indiana.
The dreaded Wi-Fi! Did it work or did it...not? (Crucial for us internet addicts)
Oh, the Wi-Fi. Honestly? It was… adequate! I streamed a show on Netflix, sure, maybe it lagged a couple times. I didn't lose my mind. It did the job. So, yay for Wi-Fi that works (mostly). I’m easily amused and impressed by Wi-Fi. It's the small victories that keep you going.
Any unexpected perks or complete letdowns?
Hmm… well, the letdown? No pool. Boo. I was secretly hoping to splash. But unexpected perk? The sheer quiet. It was peaceful. I slept like a rock (after the struggle with the TV). This is the most unexpected perk, I'm a light sleeper and a noisy hotel is my worst nightmare. And, you know what? That quiet was worth more than a pool, sometimes. The unexpected perk of the breakfast waffle maker! Again, five waffles - you can't beat that.
The million-dollar question: Would you stay there again?
Okay, look. Here's the truth. If I needed an affordable place to crash in Elkhart? Absolutely. Yeah. I’d go back. It's not glamorous. It's not luxurious. But it’s clean, the staff is nice, the beds are comfy, and you get waffles. And sometimes, that's all you need. Honestly, I went in with low expectations, which really helps. It delivered *exactly* what I expected from a budget hotel. And sometimes, that's a beautiful thing. I'd go back, and I'd bring my own syrup. Maybe a tiny bottle of real coffee. and prepare to destroy some more waffles.
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