Escape to Flagstaff: Stunning Days Inn & Suites Awaits!
Escape to Flagstaff: Days Inn & Suites - Or, How I Finally Found My Inner Zen (and Then Ate All the Cookies)
Okay, so, I'm not gonna lie. I needed this. Needed this bad. The soul-sucking vortex of daily life, the constant emails, the never-ending laundry pile – it was all starting to feel a little too real. So, Flagstaff it was. And, specifically, the Days Inn & Suites, which, let's be honest, doesn't exactly scream "luxury spa getaway." But, you know what? Sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
SEO & Metadata Shenanigans (Let's Get This Out of the Way)
- Keywords: Flagstaff Hotel, Days Inn & Suites Review, Accessibility, Spa, Swimming Pool, Free Wifi, Family Friendly, Arizona Hotels, Mountain Getaway, Cleanliness, Breakfast, Restaurant, Pet-Friendly (though, not here!), [Insert more related terms for Flagstaff activities like hiking, Grand Canyon etc. You get the gist.]
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Days Inn & Suites in Flagstaff, AZ. From accessible features to the surprisingly decent breakfast (and the cookies!), find out if this hotel is the perfect escape for YOU! We cover everything from the spa and pool to cleanliness and safety measures. Prepare for some real-world hotel opinions!
First Impressions: The Quest for the Elevator (and the Lack Thereof)
Alright, first thing’s first. I am not going to pretend to be a perfect person. I’m a big person, and sometimes, even simple things are challenging. Days Inn & Suites says they have "Facilities for disabled guests", but…getting to the room on the second floor through the exterior corridor made me wonder if I had misread. I'm not even a little disabled! I can only imagine the struggle for someone who actually needs it. Also, I didn't see an elevator; it's listed in the amenities, but I may have been lost as I was trying to find it. This place is mostly accessible, but definitely call ahead if that’s a deal-breaker for you. It’s an important thing to know, right?
That's where I started on the Accessibility side – it's a mixed bag.
The Room: A Sanctuary (Mostly) of Comfort
Once I got upstairs (phew!), I found my room. Non-smoking rooms is a must. I really liked the carpeting – it's so rare these days! I loved my Extra-long bed that allowed me to stretch out without having my feet sticking out. The desk was perfectly functional if you needed to do some work (I did, resisting the urge to just binge-watch movies). The blackout curtains were a godsend after a long day of driving and hiking – finally, an uninterrupted sleep, especially with the Soundproofing making the place quiet and relaxing.
The small Refrigerator was a lifesaver for keeping drinks cold. Free Bottled water? Always appreciated. And, the Hair dryer – thank goodness! My hair is a mess, always. The Coffee/tea maker was clutch for those early mornings, even if the coffee wasn’t exactly gourmet. They have Free Wi-Fi everywhere, which is a huge plus considering the price – I can get the work done, and then relax with a movie!.
Wi-fi and Digital Life
Speaking on the digital front, the Internet [LAN] and Internet access – wireless were great. Needed to catch up with a few things. The convenience of that Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and in the Wi-Fi for special events made things easy. I loved my Laptop workspace.
The Amenities: To Spa or Not to Spa? That is the Question…and the Answer is…Maybe Later
Spoiler alert: I had grand plans. I was going to embrace the Spa life. Get a Massage. Maybe a Body scrub or Body wrap. The website boasted a Sauna, a Steamroom, and a Fitness center. The promise of Pool with view sounded heavenly after a long day of hiking. I was picturing myself, zen, relaxed, a perfect Instagram post.
The reality? Well… I didn’t find the spa specifically, and my time was taken up so fast by other things.
BUT, there's a Swimming pool [outdoor] and a Swimming pool, so you can get some sun time! And they did have a small Gym/fitness area.
Cleanliness and Safety: Gotta Take This Seriously!
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the pandemic. I was genuinely impressed (and relieved) by the measures in place. They have this Professional-grade sanitizing services, with visible signs of Anti-viral cleaning products. Daily disinfection in common areas gave me peace of mind. More and more places have this now, but it's always good too see. Room sanitization opt-out available is a great choice. They did a great job with Hand sanitizer.
Dining: Breakfast…And the Cookies!
The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was a Days Inn breakfast. Not gourmet, not Instagram-worthy, but perfectly edible and, honestly, pretty satisfying. They had the staples and Breakfast takeaway service! I loved the fact they had Individually-wrapped food options, I felt safe eating there.
And the cookies! Oh, the cookies! There's a certain, generic, perfectly acceptable kind of cookie that chain hotels often have. This place had them. And they were delicious. I may or may not have eaten a few. Okay, a lot. As I was eating the cookies, I was having a lot of thoughts. I saw the Coffee/tea in restaurant. They also have Alternative meal arrangement. Plus they do Room service [24-hour] that is a huge bonus!
Also a big plus, the Cashless payment service.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The Days Inn & Suites has the basics down. Air conditioning in public area that’s always running. The Daily housekeeping – always a plus. Concierge service. I had no need for the Cash withdrawal, but it was there. Gift/souvenir shop? Nah, I'm good. Doorman? That sounds fancy, actually.
For the Kids
Although I'm not traveling with kids (thank you, sweet baby Jesus!), it looked to be Family/child friendly.
Final Verdict: Worth the Trip?
Look, the Days Inn & Suites is not the Four Seasons. It’s not going to blow your mind with fancy amenities or Michelin-starred cuisine. But, it's clean, comfortable, reasonably priced, especially when considering the location. I found the Cleanliness and safety reassuring, the Breakfast perfectly fine, and the cookies… well, let’s just say they contributed significantly to my overall happiness.
The accessibility situation could be better but, for the price and location? I'd definitely stay again.
Charleston's Hidden Gem: Meeting Street Inn - Unforgettable Stay!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile travel itinerary. This is… my Flagstaff experience, the raw, the real, the slightly-unhinged version, brought to you live from the ahem… "charming" Days Inn & Suites. Wish me luck, I'll need it.
Day 1: Arrival and a Brush with High Altitude - Oh, the Humanity!
- 12:00 PM - Arrival at Flagstaff Pull-up to the Days Inn. (It's not the fanciest, but hey, it has a pool - which, let's be honest, is the main selling point.)
- Anecdote: Okay, so the "suites" part is a massive stretch. I'm pretty sure my room is smaller than my walk-in closet back home. And the "continental breakfast"? Well, it claims to have waffles. The waffle iron, however, appears to be permanently on strike. Waffles are important. This is a crisis.
- Quirky observation: Seriously, though, the view from the window is… a parking lot. But! There's a slightly dilapidated, but still-kinda-cute, statue of a bear in the middle of the lot. I like him. He's seen things. He's me.
- Emotional Reaction: Mildly disappointed about the room… But there still waffles so I'm good I guess.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at a Local Diner (Finding sustenance on a quest.)
- Destination: MartAnne's Cafe for breakfast.
- Means: Uber, because I refuse to drive after a 5-hour drive.
- The Experience: Finding MartAnne's was an adventure. GPS lost. But when I got there, the experience was pure gold. I was starving. Ordered a huge plate of huevos rancheros (and, yes, I totally inhaled it). The coffee kept coming. I saw parents with children. Everyone was smiling and content. I was content. I loved this place.
- Anecdote: The waitress was an old lady who looked like she was having a good day, she smiled and laughed a lot. She poured me another cup of coffee. And, she told me the bathroom was through the back, past the jukebox
- Emotional Reaction: I loved it. I didn't want to leave.
- 3:00 PM - Altitude Adjustment Walk & Stumble
- Destination: A short walk around downtown Flagstaff. Just stretching my legs.
- Means: My own two feet.
- The Experience: The altitude. Oh, the altitude. I thought I was in shape, until I tried to walk up a gentle slope. Breathing was for chumps. The air felt thin. Kept stopping to gasp for breath like an asthmatic goldfish. Did I mention Flagstaff is, like, really high up? (It's a mile high, which I was warned).
- Anecdote: I saw a guy playing a banjo on the sidewalk. He was amazing. And then I nearly face-planted because I was too busy staring at him. Graceful, that's me.
- Emotional Reaction: Mostly a combination of mild panic and the realization that I'm not as young – or as fit – as I thought.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner. Ramen, because, yum.
- Destination: Ramen-ya
- Means: Uber again, because walking post-altitude-walk is out of the question.
- The Experience: Sooo good. I ordered a spicy miso ramen and it was heavenly. The broth was hot and flavorful. The noodles were perfect.
- Rambling: I had a very good experience. The restaurant felt like it was filled with locals. People looked happy. I sat at the bar and got a seat.
- 7:30 PM - Return to Days Inn. (The Bear!)
- Destination: Days Inn. (See bear)
- Means: Uber.
- Emotional Reaction: Overall: good day. Tired.
Day 2: Red Rocks and Regrets (and More Ramen)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast and the waffle situation.
- Destination: The "Continental Breakfast" at the Days Inn. Bracing myself.
- Means: My still-slightly-altitude-affected legs.
- The Experience: The waffle iron is still on strike. I made do with a sad bagel and a cup of coffee that tastes suspiciously like dishwater. My heart breaks a little.
- Emotional Reaction: Sigh.
- 9:00 AM - Sedona! (And a Hike I Shouldn't Have Done)
- Destination: Sedona, specifically, Devil's Bridge Trail.
- Means: A rental car (finally, freedom!).
- The Experience (The Descent into Madness): Okay, so, Devil's Bridge. Sounds cool, right? Famous Instagram spot. "Easy hike", they said. Lies. All lies. The hike up was a gentle enough ascent. BUT then, that last stretch? It felt like I was climbing a mountain. The trail was seriously rocky and steep. Then, the bridge itself. Terrifying. I have a serious fear of heights. I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes. Took some pictures. The view was spectacular. But I'm not sure it was worth the near cardiac arrest.
- Anecdote: I actually had to crawl a bit at one point, scrambling on all fours. I'm sure I looked majestic. And the wind? Brutal. My hat almost blew away at least twice.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated adrenaline-fueled terror mixed with awe. This was not an easy hike.
- 1:00 PM - Sedona Lunch (Fueling the Trauma).
- Destination: Some random cafe in Sedona.
- Means: The rental car.
- The Experience: I devoured a burger and fries like a starving animal. I needed fuel.
- Emotional Reaction: Relief. Food is good.
- 2:00 PM - Sedona Sights (and Regrets):
- Destination: Strolling around Sedona
- Means: The rental car and my own two feet.
- The Experience: I walked around a bit, but tbh? I was still a bit rattled from the Devil's Bridge experience. There was nice shops. Lots of people. It was pretty.
- Anecdote: I found a crystal shop and bought a piece of rose quartz. I think I needed the good vibes.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay. Definitely worth the views. Would I do the hike again? Hell no.
- 5:00 PM - Driving Back.
- Destination: Heading Back to Flagstaff.
- Means: Rental Car.
- Emotional Reaction: Exhausted, but happy.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner (Ramen Rescue!)
- Destination: Back to Ramen-ya. I know, I know, I'm predictable.
- Means: Uber, because I was too tired to drive.
- The Experience: Comfort food. Beautiful ramen.
- Anecdote: The same waitress as last night was there. We exchanged pleasantries. She remembered me! I guess I'm already a regular!
- Emotional Reaction: Contented, full, and finally starting to feel like I appreciate this little town.
- 8:30 PM - Back to the Days Inn and… well…
- Destination: The parking lot and the bear.
- Means: A very tired, but happy me.
- The Experience: Yeah, I'm back in the room. And, frankly, the waffle situation isn't even bothering me anymore. I'm just gonna watch some TV and fall asleep. Maybe I’ll feel adventurous tomorrow. Maybe.
Day 3: Grand Canyon, Ghosts, and Goodbye (maybe not a real goodbye)
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast (another day, another waffle-less breakfast).
- Destination: The dreaded "Continental Breakfast".
- Means: The willpower to face another day.
- The Experience: The coffee is still weak. I’m starting to think the bear across the parking lot might have a better breakfast.
- Emotional Reaction: Sigh.
- 8:00 AM- Grand Canyon (The Canyon of Canyons).
- Destination: The Grand Canyon (South Rim), which is about a 90-minute drive.
- Means: Rental Car.
- The Experience (The Jaw-Dropping Majesty): Words cannot describe the sheer scale of
So, is "Escape to Flagstaff" really an escape? Like, actual *freedom*?
Okay, let's be real. The phrase "Escape to Flagstaff" sounds a *little* dramatic, doesn't it? Like you're fleeing from a volcano or a really bad ex. Nah. It’s more like... a weekend away from the crushing monotony of the same old, same old. You know? Trading your commute for a scenic drive, your inbox for mountain views. Look, I'm not gonna lie, when the brochure showed me the picture of the red rock, my brain just yelled *YES*. It’s not exactly "The Shawshank Redemption," but it's a change of scenery, which, in these modern times... counts as a major personal victory.
Alright, the "Stunning Days Inn & Suites." Stunning, huh? What’s REALLY the deal with the rooms?
Okay, "Stunning" might be a *slight* exaggeration. Let's just say, it's not a Four Seasons. But the rooms? Actually, they were cleaner than my apartment, which, in itself, is a staggering achievement. The bed? Surprisingly comfy. I was fully expecting a lumpy mattress situation, you know, the kind that conspires to steal your sleep. Nope! Slept like a log. And the shower? Pressure was decent, which is another win in my book. They provide the usual suspects shampoo, conditioner, and soap. I always bring my own, but I appreciated the gesture. On the other hand, the coffee I made in the room... well, let's just say I'm glad there was a Starbucks down the street.
How's the location? Is it actually near anything interesting?
Flagstaff is beautiful. Really, actually beautiful. And the Days Inn, from what I remember, was conveniently located. Close to the... well, everything. Downtown was a quick jaunt, which meant I could grab a beer and walk back without worrying about traffic (major points). There were hiking trails nearby -- and, bonus points, *actual* trails, not just paved walking paths for geriatric squirrels. I even talked myself (very briefly) into a hike. Ultimately, I only made it up to a viewpoint, but hey, I saw a lot of greenery! I wish it was walking distance to a grocery store, those are the things that save you, but otherwise, solid location.
Was the free breakfast as depressing as free breakfasts usually are?
Alright, here's where things get... complicated. The free breakfast. It's a gamble, right? You're hoping for a warm haven of fluffy eggs and crispy bacon. What you *usually* get is a sad, congealed buffet of questionable origins. But, at this actual location? It wasn’t *horrendous*. There was a waffle maker. A *working* waffle maker! This is a critical detail. And the waffles… okay, they weren't Michelin-star quality, but they were warm, and they held syrup and, crucially, stopped the breakfast from being a complete disaster. Success.
Did you *actually* do any of the "escape" part? Did you, like, unplug or just Instagram the whole time?
Okay. *Deep breath*. I aimed for unplugged. I *tried*. The whole point was to get away from my daily life. You know, the emails, the endless scrolling, the doomscrolling... I made a conscious effort to leave my work laptop at home. My phone? Okay, I used it. A lot. For pictures. For directions. For, uh, Googling the best hiking trails (which I then promptly *didn't* hike, see above). For, let’s be honest? Posting a carefully curated picture of my breakfast waffle. I'm not perfect, okay? I'm human. But I did manage to look at the mountains without a screen in front of my face for a good solid hour. That’s progress, right?
What was the single *best* part? The thing that made it truly worth it?
This is easy. The *silence*. Seriously. Back home? There’s always something. Sirens, the neighbor's dog, the incessant hum of the fridge. At the Days Inn, for a brief, blessed moment... there was nothing. Just the wind, the rustling trees, and the occasional car passing down the street. I sat on a bench outside the building, just soaking it up, the Arizona sun warming my face. I looked up at the star-dusted sky, which was so clear and crisp and untainted by city lights. It was... amazing. It wasn't a grand adventure, no. It wasn't a life-altering experience (though if you're easily impressed, you could certainly say so). But it was *good*. A tiny slice of sanity in a chaotic world.
So, would you go back?
Yes. Absolutely. I'm already looking at dates for my next "escape." Maybe this time I'll actually hike. Maybe I'll even try to *unplug* for more than an hour. Or maybe, I’ll just go back and order another waffle. Who knows? The point is, it's a good starting point, a springboard for something *more*. It was a win. And that's all that really matters, isn’t it? Sometimes, you just need a break, a new state, a fresh waffle, and... a chance to breathe. Flagstaff provided.
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