
Escape to Baltimore: TownePlace Suites BWI Airport Awaits!
Escape to Baltimore: TownePlace Suites BWI Airport Awaits! - A Candid Review
Alright, folks, let's talk about escape. Not the ultimate escape, mind you, like, say, jetting off to a deserted island after winning the lottery. More like… a practical escape. The kind you plan after a brutal week, when your brain's fried from spreadsheets and screaming kids (or, you know, both). And for me, that meant a stay at the TownePlace Suites BWI Airport. Let's dive in, shall we? This is gonna be messy, because, well, life is. And so are hotel reviews, sometimes.
Keywords: TownePlace Suites BWI Airport, Baltimore Hotels, BWI Airport Hotels, Accessible Hotels Baltimore, Free Wi-Fi, Airport Transfer, Fitness Center, Pet-Friendly Hotels (Note: Pets allowed is something the hotel doesn't offer officially, despite some listings. Big bummer for me, I was picturing bringing my grumpy cat.)
Accessibility: Navigating the Labyrinth (or Trying To)
Look, I appreciate a hotel that tries. The TownePlace Suites, from what I could see, does try. Wheelchair accessible is definitely a plus. There’s an elevator, which, let's be honest, is a necessity these days. I didn't personally need it, but I saw plenty of folks utilizing it, and the doors were wide and easy to navigate. They have facilities for disabled guests, which I couldn't fully assess, but the basics seemed covered (at least at first glance!).
However, the little imperfections nagged at me. Signage could be clearer, particularly for… well, things. Like the CCTV in common areas and outside the property – a good thing, but if you're not sure where the cameras are actually pointing, it's a little less reassuring and more… Big Brother-y. And while there’s a front desk [24-hour], I had to walk around to find someone. Now, I know I'm not technically disabled, but if I were using a wheelchair…that initial confusion could be a real frustrating start.
Internet Access, Glorious Internet! (And the Occasional Glitch)
Ah, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This is the stuff of modern dreams, isn't it? And it mostly worked. See, I'm a digital nomad-ish type, which means I'm basically glued to my glowing rectangle. I need that internet. I need it now. For the most part, it delivered. Got some work done, browsed the web, did the usual. There’s also Internet [LAN] if you’re old-school, but who uses LAN these days? And Internet services were available – printing, scanning, etc. (I didn't need them, thank goodness). There’s also Wi-Fi in public areas, which is good, but let's be honest, I wasn't exactly camping out in the lobby.
The one snag? There was this one, very specific afternoon where the connection tanked. My screen turned into a loading circle of doom. Panic set in (because, deadline!). A quick call to the front desk, and… they fixed it! Victory. But it did make me realize how utterly dependent I am on Wi-Fi. It's a sickness, I swear.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling… Somewhat Secure?
This is the pandemic era, people. Cleanliness and safety are paramount. I was relieved to see the effort. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and Staff trained in safety protocol… those are comforting phrases. Felt like they were trying to keep things healthy. There were also hand sanitizers strategically placed (though I’m not sure they're always full!). I did appreciate the cashless payment service – less fumbling with cash is always a win. And they even had the room sanitization opt-out available, which is cool if you want to be eco-friendly, I guess.
But… and here's the messy human part… I couldn't shake the feeling they could be doing more. Like, maybe visible sanitizing? I get they're doing stuff behind the scenes but a little bit of scrubbing in the hallways, a wipe-down of the elevator buttons… it would go a long way to ease worries. And, honestly, the hand sanitizer dispensers should be full. Otherwise, what's the point?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Bar… and a Longing Look at the Poolside Bar (Which Doesn't Exist!)
Okay, here’s where things got a little… blah. This is a TownePlace Suites, so expectations shouldn't be high for a Michelin star experience. But, come on!
Breakfast [buffet]. They had it. The usual suspects: lukewarm scrambled eggs, a suspicious sausage-like product, the ever-present waffles (thankfully, the waffle maker did work). They had juice, coffee (which was surprisingly decent), and some sad-looking pastries. I opted for the yogurt and granola. It was… fine. Definitely Breakfast [buffet], not breakfast of champions. I did notice they had breakfast takeaway service so I grabbed a muffin and coffee to go.
And, here's my little (and rather silly) personal problem: there's a pool with view… but no Poolside bar. Picture this: after a long day, you, the weary traveler, long for a cold drink, a shady spot, and the refreshing sound of… nothing. Alas. All you get is a cold drink inside the hotel. It's a minor complaint, I know, but a poolside bar would have been the cherry on top of a… well, a mediocre cake. Though I did appreciate the Coffee/tea in restaurant in the lobby
The Snack bar felt a little… underwhelming. It was more like a glorified vending machine than a full-on snack bar. I did see the Bottle of water near the elevators, which was awesome!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Gym… Meh. Sauna? Nope.
Okay, so there's a fitness center. I peeped in. It wasn’t exactly a state-of-the-art gym, more like a few treadmills and weights crammed into a small room. I'm not a gym rat, but it looked functional. They claim to have a Gym/fitness but, for me, the effort of going there was more than I was willing to put in.
Now… the promises of Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Massage? Nope, nope, and… nope. False advertising. It's a TownePlace Suites, not a luxury resort. I should've tempered my expectations, but the idea of a sauna after a long day of travel was tempting. So, yeah, a bit of a letdown.
My Room: A Functional Fortress
My room? It was a perfectly adequate Non-smoking room. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver. I slept like a log! Air conditioning worked well. Air conditioning in public area to escape the heat was good. The Bed was comfy. I even had an Extra long bed, which was nice for my height. Daily housekeeping kept things tidy, which was appreciated. Though I don’t like the daily waste of resources – perhaps they can offer some option here?
Available in all rooms of course: Alarm clock, Bathroom phone, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Bathtub, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, 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 , Additional toilet (thankfully not used). The décor was… generic. Functional, but not exactly inspiring. I did find a Socket near the bed, which is always a win. Also, appreciate the Safe/security feature.
You know, a few little things I noticed: the Additional toilet was kinda unnecessary, the Soundproofing worked (thank goodness!), and the Smoke detector was – thankfully – not triggered at any time. All good things!
Services and Conveniences: Functional, But Not Exactly Pampering
They offered the standard services. Concierge (who, again, I had to seek out). Dry cleaning and Laundry service. Daily housekeeping. Elevator. There's a Convenience store which is good, but I would have loved a dedicated gift shop
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my (slightly chaotic) adventure at the TownePlace Suites Baltimore BWI Airport. Honestly, just the idea of Baltimore gets me all jazzed up, the history, the food, the… well, everything! And this itinerary? Honey, it's less a structured schedule and more a suggestion box with a hint of impending doom.
Day 1: Arrival, Hysterical Hunger, and the Promise of Comfort (and Doubt)
- 1:00 PM: Flight lands at BWI. Okay, smooth sailing! I’m already picturing myself, serene and composed…which lasts about 10 seconds while I navigate baggage claim.
- 1:30 PM: Shuttles, ugh. The hotel shuttle is a godsend, even if it smelled vaguely of… well, shuttle.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in at TownePlace Suites. Finally! The front desk lady, bless her heart, was trying SO hard to be chipper. Felt like she was giving a sales pitch. "Welcome to your home away from home!" I swear my eyes just about rolled into the back of my head.
- 2:30 PM: Room exploration. Clean enough, I guess. The tiny kitchenette! Jackpot! I'm fantasizing about leftover crab cakes. This is where my inner chef comes out.
- 3:00 PM: The hunger hits. Like, a deep hunger. I need sustenance NOW. Time to scout for something. I peek outside, and there is nothing.
- 3:30 PM: Okay, food. Finding any kind of anything is like trying to find a decent parking spot during rush hour. Okay, I decide to try the local diner. I feel a little disappointed though.
Day 2: Dive Deep, Regret, and Crab Cakes That Make You Weep
- 8:00 AM: "Complimentary" breakfast at the hotel. Free food is free food, right? Well, it's certainly the "free" I could find. I think they might have "accidentally" served me the same scrambled eggs from 3 days ago.
- 9:00 AM: Inner debate: explore Baltimore’s historic district, or crawl back in bed and watch reruns. Historic district wins out, because, well, I gotta.
- 10:00 AM: Driving. I turn the GPS to the main street, and start to explore. The architecture is amazing. The colors! The history practically oozes out of every brick. I'm just in heaven.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I’m walking around in the historic district and I see a restaurant. The atmosphere is great. I order the crab cakes. OH MY GOODNESS. The crab cakes. They were pure, unadulterated perfection. Flaky, succulent, and bursting with flavor. I might have actually teared up a tiny bit with joy.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the hotel. I am so full and happy. Time for some rest and relaxation.
- 7:00 PM: I’m thinking of exploring the city more but I am just so full. Maybe some late night snacks?
Day 3: The End is Nigh (and Maybe Some Last-Minute Exploration)
- 8:00 AM: Another "complimentary" breakfast. I eye the eggs with suspicion.
- 9:00 AM: Check-out. The front desk lady is still chipper…I wonder if she is a robot.
- 9:30 AM: Shuttle to the airport.
- 11:00 AM: Flight home.
Messy, Honest, and Downright Real Ramblings:
- The Room: Okay, let's be real. It wasn't the Ritz. The bed was comfy enough. The kitchenette was technically functional. The shower… well, the water came out, which is a win in my book.
- Food, Glorious Food: Those crab cakes. Seriously. I'm still dreaming about them. They redeemed the entire trip.
- The Shuttle: It got me where I needed to go, eventually. I’m not sure what was worse, the smell or the driver’s non-stop chatter. But hey, it's part of the charm, right?
- Baltimore, Baby: The city is amazing. The history, the vibe. I felt like I was in a movie.
Overall Rating: 7/10. TownePlace Suites? Fine. Baltimore? Absolutely fantastic. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Just maybe with a slightly better plan for the breakfast situation. And definitely more crab cakes. Because life is too short for bland crab cakes. And honestly, it's too short for any of this, I'm out!
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Escape to Baltimore: TownePlace Suites BWI Airport Awaits! (The Real Deal, Unfiltered)
Okay, so, TownePlace Suites BWI... Is It Actually a *Good* Escape? Or Just... An Escape?
Pretend I’m a Complete Baltimore N00b. What's Even *Near* the Hotel? Because I’m Lazy.
The Breakfast Situation. Tell Me *Everything*. Because Breakfast Is My Lifeblood.
Pool or No Pool? Because I'm Decisive. (Mostly.)
Okay, The Room… Is It a Dungeon? Or Decent? (And the beds... Are they comfortable? I *need* sleep.)
This "Pet-Friendly" Thing... Does That Mean I'll Step in Poop? (Metaphorically, and Maybe Literally)
The Staff… Are They Helpful? Or Do They Hate Tourists?
Parking at This Place: Nightmare Fuel? Or Easy Peasy? Because I Hate Paying Extra.
Okay, Let’s Get Personal. Would you go back? (Be honest!)


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