Merrillville's BEST Kept Secret: Super 8 Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
The Super 8 in Merrillville: Seriously… You Won't BELIEVE What Happened! (A Very Long, Possibly Unhinged Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a review of Merrillville's Super 8 that's less a polished travelogue and more a rambling, unfiltered stream of consciousness. Prepare for some oversharing, a few gripes, and maybe… just maybe… a grudgingly earned respect. This is not your average hotel review. Consider yourselves warned.
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(A quick disclaimer: My experience might not mirror yours. Hotels are wild cards, and the Super 8 is… well, it's a Super 8.)
Accessibility: The Good and the "Meh"
Let's start with accessibility because, frankly, it’s important. The Super 8 does have some decent points. They’ve got an elevator (thank GOD, because my room was… well, we'll get there) and they claim to offer facilities for disabled guests. I didn't personally need them, but I did see a sign for it so, good on them. (A little. It’s like, they sort of get it.)
The On-Site Restaurant/Lounge that Wasn’t:
Right, so here’s where things get a little shaky. The website (bless its heart) hints at some kind of restaurant situation. Okay, cool, right? More like a mirage shimmering in the Indiana heat. There was nothing. Nada. Zilch. Unless you consider the vending machine a culinary experience. (Spoiler alert: I did not.) This is a bit of a downer if you were hoping for a late-night snack or a casual drink.
Wheelchair Accessible?
Again, the elevator's a plus. And the lobby seemed okay. But I can't speak to the intricacies of specific room layouts. Check with them! This is honestly important to be sure. I saw a sign that suggested accessibility.
Internet: A Tale of Two Wi-Fis (and a LAN that Time Forgot)
Alright, let's talk Wi-Fi, the bane of my existence sometimes, because how do you function on a road trip without it?
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Yeah, that’s the promise. And… it actually worked! MOST of the time. (More on that later.) It was a solid enough connection for basic browsing, checking emails, and streaming the absolute garbage I love to watch at 3 AM.
- Internet [LAN]: What’s this? Internet [LAN]? Is this 1998? I mean, good on them for trying to be extra. I didn't even bother… but the fact that they still offer a LAN connection is kind of hilarious. It makes me think of a bygone era of dial-up and beige desktops. It wasn't a selling point for me, no, but it was there.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: The lobby Wi-Fi? Well, it was there, too. Didn't test it much, but it seemed okay, as in functional.
Things to Do / Ways to Relax (Or, The Quest for Serenity in Merrillville)
- The Pool (Outdoor): Okay, now we're talking. The outdoor pool? It existed. Kind of. The pictures on the site painted a glorious scene of shimmering azure waters. Reality? A slightly-chlorinated rectangle. But hey, it was open and refreshing, and that's really all I could ask for after a day of driving.
- Fitness Center: Didn't see it or use it, which is par for the course for me. I'm the type that intends to work out on vacation. My intentions are strong. My follow-through? Not so much.
- Spa/Sauna… Uh, nope. Not in this hotel. Not even a hint of one.
- Other Random Things that Weren’t There: Spa? Massage? Body scrub? Nope, nope, and definitely nope. Serenity would have to be self-acquired.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitization Saga!
Ah, the current obsession of every traveler.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check. I saw a lot of those little stickers.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed so. The lobby was… well, it looked cleaned.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Didn't even know this was a thing!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Supposedly. I’m choosing to believe it.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it! They were wearing masks.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Like, everywhere. Good.
- The most important aspect: I felt pretty safe, and that's a big win.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Great Vending Machine Adventure
This is where the wheels really start to fall off. Remember that "restaurant" I mentioned? Yeah, about that…
- Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, this part was… something. The Breakfast Buffet: The most disappointing breakfast buffet I've ever seen. You're getting the standard continental breakfast: cereal, toast, some sad-looking pastries, and the mythical "make-your-own-waffles". Sadly, the waffle iron was broken.
- Coffee/tea… Yep, they had coffee and tea. Acceptable in a pinch.
- The Vending Machine: My Best Friend: The vending machine was my only friend, dispensing various snacks and drinks. At midnight. After a long drive. It was a lifesaver. It wasn't glamorous, but it was there for me. This is where the Super 8 got a little redemption, because I was a mess.
Services and Conveniences: Functionality Over Flair
- Air conditioning in public area/Room: Yes, thank goodness.
- Concierge? Ha! No. Not in this budget hotel.
- Convenience store? Nope.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes. And the staff were genuinely friendly.
- Elevator: Essential.
- Facilities for disabled guests: As mentioned, there seemed to be some.
- Laundry service? I didn't see any.
- Luggage storage: I'm assuming they could accommodate this.
- Safety deposit boxes: Probably not.
- On-site event hosting/Business facilities: I doubt it. This is a purely utilitarian place.
- Smoking area: Yes, outside. Which is fine.
For the Kids: (Good luck, parents!)
- Family/child friendly: Maybe. Probably. It is, after all, a Super 8.
- Babysitting service: Definitely not.
- Kids meal: Seriously? This is a Super 8.
Access, Getting Around, and the Basics:
- CCTV in common areas/outside property: I’m pretty sure yes.
- Check-in/out [express]: Yep, it was quick.
- Car park [free of charge]: Plenty of parking.
- Non-smoking rooms: Yes.
Available in all rooms (The Mundane, Yet Important):
- Air conditioning: YES, thank you.
- Alarm clock: Yep.
- Coffee/tea maker: Barely.
- Daily housekeeping: As mentioned.
- Desk: Okay.
- Free bottled water: A very small bottle was provided.
- Hair dryer: It was present. Fine.
- Internet access – wireless: Worked okay.
- Ironing facilities: Apparently, it was available (and probably necessary, given the wrinkles on my shirt).
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels: Worked perfectly.
- Shower: Yes.
- Wake-up service: Available.
- Wi-Fi [free]: As mentioned.
My Very Personal, Very Messy Experience:
Okay, so here’s the real dirt. I got the room on the top floor (elevator, whew!). The decor? Let’s call it "functional beige." It reminded me of my grandparents' basement in the 80s. Kind of depressing, but at least clean.
- The Incident of the Missing Remote: The TV remote? MIA. I called the front desk, fully expecting to fight for it, but they replaced it immediately. Points for efficiency!
- The Wi-Fi Woes: Okay, the Wi-Fi. It cut out a few times. Minor, frustrating interruptions. But hey,
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's pristine itinerary. This is my itinerary, the raw, unfiltered, probably-gonna-be-late-for-everything-and-smell-like-gas-station-coffee version, all centered around the glorious, the unpredictable, the slightly-sketchy-but-we'll-make-it-work Super 8 in Merrillville/Gary Area. Prepare for some emotional whiplash, questionable choices, and a whole lotta "wait, what?"
Day 1: Arrival and the Unholy Trinity (Also Known as "Chasing the Hoosier Dream" …or Just Pizza)
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown at… well, I'm not totally sure where I'm flying into. Somewhere near Merrillville. Let's just say it's the opposite of glamorous. Expect delays. Embrace the chaos. I'm already mentally preparing for the inevitable flight attendant scowl when I ask for extra peanuts.
- Anecdote Alert: Last time I flew, the guy next to me spent the entire flight clipping his toenails. I'm still traumatized. Pray for me. And bring hand sanitizer.
- 2:30 PM: Rental car pick-up. Pray to whatever deity you hold dear that this doesn't involve a screaming toddler and a paperwork marathon.
- Quirky Observation: Seriously, why are rental car counters always located in the land of fluorescent lights and the lingering scent of desperation?
- 3:30 PM: Arrive Super 8 By Wyndham Merrillville/Gary Area Merrillville. Check-in. Pray the room isn't too haunted or moldy. I'm aiming for "tolerable," not "biohazard zone."
- Emotional Reaction: If I see a continental breakfast offering pre-packaged muffins that have the structural integrity of a damp sponge, I'm going to lose it.
- 4:00 PM: The Great Pizza Pilgrimage. Okay, this is vital. I've been craving this specific pizza from a local joint called "Giovanni's" (or some variation on that theme - details are fuzzy. A local will know, I'll bet.).
- Opinionated Language: Look, I need good pizza. It’s a necessity. It's practically a human right. And if this pizza isn’t up to snuff, there will be tears. Man-tears.
- 6:00 PM: Pizza consumption and general settling-in. This is a crucial time to assess the hotel room’s Wi-Fi situation. I will then immediately use it to find out where is the place.
- Messy Structure/Rambling: Okay, I might need to find a grocery store and get some snacks. Because hotel room snacks are usually sad, and let's be honest, planning a trip is exhausting.
- Emotional Reaction: Am I energized by this trip? Yes. But I am also a little bit overwhelmed (and hungry).
Day 2: Culture, Contemplation, and the Quest for Deep-Fried Something (Maybe Fish)
- 9:00 AM: Attempt to wake up early. Realistically, I’m probably hitting snooze. A lot.
- 9:30 AM: Continental breakfast confrontation. Pray for a miracle. Cross my fingers and load up on the coffee, which is the real reason to go to these places.
- 10:30 AM: Consider a visit to the… shuffles notes…oh, the Indiana Dunes National Park and find some quiet time (if I’m feeling particularly ambitious and haven't completely disintegrated from the coffee).
- More Rambling: I hear the dunes are beautiful. I hope it has good lighting for some photos. I'm not really a nature person, TBH, but maybe some Vitamin D is needed.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. This is where I become even more flexible. Google Maps is my best friend. I'm looking for something cheap, cheerful, and preferably involving something deep-fried.
- 3:00 PM: The South Shore Line. This is potentially the most ambitious piece of my itinerary. I will try to take a South Shore Line train ride.
- Emotional Reaction: Trains are usually an adventure! They're going on a journey.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Repeat of the "cheap, cheerful, and possibly deep-fried" quest.
- 7:30 PM: Wind down. Probably watch a movie or waste some time on my phone. And try to get some sleep. God I need the sleep.
- Messy Structure/Rambling: Is this even a good itinerary? I feel like I'm forgetting something crucial. Like, maybe a toothbrush? A clean pair of underwear? Ah, well… we'll deal with it.
Day 3: Departure and the Aftermath (AKA "Survived! Now What?")
- 8:00 AM: Last-ditch attempt at a passable breakfast.
- 9:00 AM: Hotel check-out. Beg the front desk for an extra hour.
- 9:30 AM: Some last-minute souvenir shopping. (Probably a "I Heart Indiana" t-shirt. Gotta keep it classy.)
- 11:00 AM: Rental car drop-off.
- 12:00 PM: Flight home.
- The Aftermath: Is there a more important part of this? I'm going to be exhausted, probably craving pizza, and in need of a serious detox. But hey, at least I have a story (and hopefully, some decent photos). And you have this glorious, messy, honest itinerary to remind you that travel isn't always about perfectly curated Instagram posts. Sometimes, it's about the unexpected adventures (and the slightly questionable choices) along the way.
And that, my friends, is my Merrillville/Gary Area Super 8 adventure in a nutshell. Wish me luck. I'll need it.
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Merrillville's BEST Kept Secret: Super 8 Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - Seriously, Buckle Up.
Okay, seriously, WHERE is this "Secret" Super 8 in Merrillville? I'm intrigued. Is it even *good*?
Alright, alright, settle down, Nancy Drew. The Super 8 in Merrillville isn't *secret* per se, more like... deeply uncelebrated. It's there, lurking off the highway, minding its own business. And good? That's the real question, isn't it? I'd say... it's an experience. Let's just say it's got *character*. It's like, imagine a freshly-minted Midwestern hotel, but with the lingering scent of a thousand forgotten fast-food wrappers. That's the feeling.
What's the deal with the breakfast? Is it a waffle situation? Please say it's a waffle situation!
Okay, breakfast. This is where things get… unpredictable. Look, I’m a simple man. Give me a waffle, some passable coffee, and I'm generally happy. The Super 8 offers... *options*. There are, in fact, *waffles*. But the waffle maker? Oh, the waffle maker. Let me tell you a story. One time, I went down, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (okay, maybe just slightly hungover), and the waffles were... *firm*. Like, you could build a small fort with them. Another time? They were practically liquid, barely holding themselves together. It's a gamble. The coffee? Well, let's just say it's coffee-ish. Think lukewarm disappointment with a side of hope. There are usually some sad-looking pastries, too. Think of it less as "breakfast" and more as a "pre-emptive strike against starvation."
Is the Wi-Fi usable? I NEED to be connected to the world, dammit!
Oh, the Wi-Fi. Bless its digital little heart. Look, sometimes it's fine. Sometimes… it’s a dial-up modem from 1998 trying to load on a dying satellite internet connection. Prepare for buffering. Prepare for your emails to slowly bleed into the ether. I once spent a solid 45 minutes trying to check my bank account. It was a rollercoaster of loading screens and existential dread. My advice? Download your essentials beforehand. Or, you know, embrace the digital detox. Maybe read a book? (Okay, I’m kidding. You'll probably just end up staring at your phone desperately.)
What about the rooms? Are they… clean? I have standards!
Clean? Ah, yes. The elusive concept of “clean.” Let’s be honest: it's a Super 8. Don't expect a Four Seasons experience. I've seen rooms that were spotless and rooms that… well, let's just say they had a history. I'm talking possibly *pre-Y2K* history. The key is to manage your expectations. Inspect the sheets. Check for… *things*. If you're lucky, the air conditioning will work (sometimes it sounds like a dying walrus, but it works). Shower pressure? Hit or miss. But, hey, at least you *have* a shower, right? Remember, you're there for the experience, the *je ne sais quoi* of budget hospitality.
How's the staff? Are they… friendly? Do they look like they've seen things?
The staff… oh, the staff. They're the unsung heroes of the Super 8 Merrillville saga. They are, in my experience, usually... there. They're generally polite, though sometimes a little… world-weary. They've definitely seen things. I've had interactions ranging from perfectly pleasant to borderline surreal. One time, I checked in with a woman who could have been a double for a character from a Cormac McCarthy novel. She just stared at me, then grunted, then handed me a key. It was… memorable. So, yes, they are friendly. In their own way. Embrace the mystery. Ask questions. Learn their story. (Just kidding... unless…?)
Okay, okay... but the *location*? Is it, like, in the middle of nowhere? Or is it, like, close to stuff?
The location is... a blessing and a curse. It's close *enough* to the highway, which is convenient. But "close" in the context of Merrillville can mean… a bit of a trek. Restaurants? Yeah, a few are nearby. Shopping? Yep. But the real beauty of the location is its… *character*. You're not in the heart of the action. You're on the fringes. Away from the hustle and bustle. It's like a little oasis of… semi-convenience? Let's just say, you're probably going to need a car. And a sense of adventure.
Alright, fine, I'm intrigued. One last thing: What's THE craziest thing you've *personally* witnessed at this Super 8? GIVE ME THE JUICE!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This is THE story. Alright, so picture this: it's 3 AM. I couldn't sleep. Jet lag, you know? So I wander down to the vending machine for a Diet Coke (because, health). As I'm fumbling for change, I hear… *opera*. Full-blown, soaring, operatic vocals. I freeze. I look around. Nothing. Then, from behind the closed door of the *fitness room* (yes, there is a fitness room, it's a tiny, terrifying testament to the futility of exercise), the singing gets louder. I slowly, *very* slowly, peek through the little window. And there, doing bicep curls in a sweat-soaked tank top, is a man… just *belting* out Puccini. Eyes closed, lost in the music.
I stood there, slack-jawed, for a solid five minutes. He didn't notice me. He just kept singing. Then, he finished his set, opened his eyes, saw me, and just… winked. WINKED! And then he went back to his room. And I got my Diet Coke. That, my friends, is the Super 8 Merrillville experience in a nutshell. Unexpected. Unforgettable. And possibly the most beautiful, terrifying, and hilariously bizarre thing I've ever witnessed in a budget hotel. So, yeah… go. Go now. You won't regret it. Or, you might. But you'll have a story.
I stood there, slack-jawed, for a solid five minutes. He didn't notice me. He just kept singing. Then, he finished his set, opened his eyes, saw me, and just… winked. WINKED! And then he went back to his room. And I got my Diet Coke. That, my friends, is the Super 8 Merrillville experience in a nutshell. Unexpected. Unforgettable. And possibly the most beautiful, terrifying, and hilariously bizarre thing I've ever witnessed in a budget hotel. So, yeah… go. Go now. You won't regret it. Or, you might. But you'll have a story.
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