Escape to Louisiana Comfort: La Quinta Inn & Suites Houma
Houma Bound… and Finding Comfort (Mostly) at La Quinta: A Louisiana Escape, Reviewed
Alright, so I needed an escape. Like, badly. I envisioned myself sinking into some Cajun tranquility, away from the usual grind. Houma, Louisiana sounded… exotic. La Quinta, well, it sounded familiar. I’m usually a "boutique hotel or bust" kinda gal, but budget and real life… sigh… you know. So, here’s the messy, honest truth about my stay at the La Quinta Inn & Suites Houma – a review that's less "polished travel blog" and more "brain dump after a long drive and too much coffee."
First Impressions & The Crucial Stuff:
The drive down was… long. Let's just say my GPS and I had a "discussion" about the definition of "scenic route." But finally, freedom! And here's the first big win: Accessibility. The website (which, by the way, I checked before booking – smart me!) promised wheelchair-accessible rooms, and guess what? They delivered. Wide doorways, roll-in shower (huge plus!), and grab bars – it’s the little things, people. The lobby was spacious too, and made me feel I had room to breathe a big deep breath. This sets the tone for a good stay, no? I was happy to see 24/7 Front Desk.
The Internet Situation: A Saga in Itself
Okay, so Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! That's practically a travel requirement these days. And thank goodness, because I needed to upload those sunset photos. Internet access – wireless was pretty smooth, for the most part. I mean, it wasn't blazing-fast fiber optic, but for checking emails and streaming a few shows, it was fine. Internet access – LAN? Didn't even touch it. Internet services overall? Adequate. Let’s just say I didn’t attempt any Zoom calls from there, ya dig? More often then not, with my personal Internet, I usually ended up using my mobile network.
Digging Deeper: What Really Matters (and What Doesn't…)
Cleanliness & Safety: This is where things got interesting. Coming out of a pandemic, I'm hyper-aware. The hotel definitely had a "we're trying hard" vibe. I saw signs about Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas. The staff were wearing masks, and there was Hand sanitizer everywhere. They even offered a little Room sanitization opt-out available option – which I appreciated. They clearly put a lot of though into the new COVID policies. The Individually-wrapped food options at breakfast were a nice touch (more on that later). They had a bunch of Safety/security feature throughout the hotel, with CCTV in common areas, and apparently CCTV outside property. If you are into that, you already have a plus! Although I didn't ask if they were using the Professional-grade sanitizing services, I still ended up happy. While I didn't ask the doctor/nurse on call, it's a plus for health conscious.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Mixed Bag of Blessings and "Meh"
- Breakfast [buffet]: This was the highlight of the day, and possibly the whole trip! Now, remember those Individually-wrapped food options? They had breakfast items available that were wrapped, but also a decent spread. Asian breakfast was advertised… uhmm…. well, I don't know. There were pastries though, and a coffee machine - which is all I really wanted to start with.
- Restaurants & Bars: The hotel itself didn't have a full-fledged restaurant, which was a bummer. No Bar either. A small Coffee shop could have been a nice addition.
- Snacks: Thankfully, there was a Convenience store nearby. (And probably also a Gift/souvenir shop, but I never went.)
The Room: Cozyish, But…
- Comforts: The bed was surprisingly comfortable. I slept hard – which, let's be honest, is the most important thing, right? Air conditioning worked like a champ. They had a Coffee/tea maker, which I immediately put to use. Free bottled water? Bonus points! Blackout curtains were a godsend after a long day.
- Amenities: A Refrigerator to keep my celebratory beers cold after the trip was a plus!
- The Vibes: The room wasn't exactly "Instagram-worthy". It was clean, functional, and did the job. No Room decorations to speak of (unless you count the framed print of… something… on the wall).
- The Details: A Hair dryer was a must-have, and it worked perfectly! I love you!
Relaxation and Recreation (Or Lack Thereof)
OK, so here's where the La Quinta falls a little short. I'm a "spa rat" at heart. I was hoping for some Massage, a Sauna, or even just a Steamroom to work off the stress of… well, life. Sadly, none to be found. They did have a Swimming pool [outdoor], which looked inviting, but I'm more of a "lounging by the pool with a good book" kind of gal, and the weather wasn't cooperating.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Essential Services: The Daily housekeeping was efficient and unobtrusive. The ladies were always cheerful, making me smile whenever I ran into them. The Laundry service was a life saver!
- For the Business Traveler: They definitely cater to the business crowd. Business facilities, Meetings and Meeting/banquet facilities – the works. Didn't use them, but good to know they’re there.
- Other Helpful Stuff: Cash withdrawal from the ATM. Elevator, thank goodness. Luggage storage was good.
Getting Around – The Houma Hustle
La Quinta had a Car park [free of charge]. No need for Valet parking, and there's a Car park [on-site] too, which I liked.
Getting to the Bottom Line:
Would I recommend the La Quinta Inn & Suites Houma? Yeah, probably. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s clean, comfortable, and offers a decent value. It's a solid base camp for exploring Houma and the surrounding areas. Plus, that breakfast still makes me smile.
My Random Thoughts & Quirks:
- Okay, about the Family/child friendly aspect… I saw a few kids running around, and the hotel seemed to accommodate them well.
- Proposal spot? LOL. Probably not.
- The Exterior corridor gave off a bit of a "motel" vibe, but hey, character, right?
- The Soundproofing was pretty good, all things considered.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 swamp donkeys. (Yes, that's a Louisiana-themed rating system.) It got the job done, and sometimes, that's all you need.
Escape to Beckley's Gem: Country Inn & Suites Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get a travel itinerary that's less "polished brochure" and more "drunken confession booth." We're heading to the hallowed halls (or at least, the beige-carpeted hallways) of the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houma, Louisiana. Lord help us.
The Houma Debacle: A Spiritual Journey (of Sorts)
Day 1: Arrival & Descent into Swamp Madness
4:00 PM - Check-in & Existential Dread: Alright, so we land. Houma. Apparently, it's a thing. Pull up to the La Quinta, and instantly, the air conditioning hits you like a cold, wet slap in the face. It's THAT humid. Ugh. The check-in lady, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen some THINGS. We're talking a knowing, "you'll be back for more crawfish" kind of look. My room? It's a standard hotel room, but feels oddly… comforting. Like a beige, slightly stale hug. I mean, it has a microwave, who am I to complain?
5:00 PM - Initial Swamp Venture (and Tactical Retreat): We're here, in the heart of the bayou, so we have to do a swamp tour, right? Found one that sounded promising. The captain had a name that sounded straight out of a Cormac McCarthy novel - "Cletus." Cletus was great, but the mosquitos? They were aggressive, relentless, aerial vampires. The boat wasn’t as glamorous as the photos I saw, it had a lot of rust. We didn't see a gator. Or maybe we did. I just couldn't tell because I was too busy swatting and screaming internally. After an hour, I needed to retreat and regroup at a local convenience store.
7:00 PM - Food, Glorious, Greasy, Fried Food: Dinner time! I’m craving something fried, I need something fried… because, Louisiana. Found a place called "Bobby's Cajun Kitchen" (or something equally Cajun-y). The place felt authentic, it felt like something was being cooked, and it smelt good, and the crowd was great. The crawfish étouffée was a religious experience. I'm pretty sure I moaned audibly. I might have even licked the plate a little. Don’t judge me. The hushpuppies? Golden, crispy, perfect. My cholesterol levels are probably soaring, but who cares? This is living!
9:00 PM - Back to the Beige Embrace & Netflix: Back at the La Quinta. Shower. Netflix. Repeat. The TV remote is probably older than I am, and the wifi is slower than a turtle on molasses, but hey, I’m safe from the skeeters, and I have a beer. Success!
Day 2: Bayou Adventures & a Crawfish Apocalypse
8:00 AM - Stale Breakfast & a Moment of Clarity: The complimentary breakfast is… well, it’s complimentary. Cold cereal, lukewarm coffee, and sad-looking pastries. But, you know what? It’s fuel. As I’m eating my sorry bagel, I look out the window and realize… I like this. This strange, swampy, humid land has a certain charm. (Don't tell anyone I said that.)
9:00 AM - Crawfish Boiling Class: My Downfall Ok, I had been looking forward to this because I LOVE crawfish. And what's a trip to Louisiana without a crawfish boil? Found this place. It promised to be hands-on, learn some secrets, the whole shebang. The place was a little rough around the edges, a little old. Perfect. First, the guy, a guy named - and I swear this is true - "Bubba," showed us how to pick out the crawfish. Then the actual boiling, seasoning, the works. Then the eating. I'm not going to lie. I was eating a lot. I was grabbing at the legs, breaking the shells, all red shell and juice all over the place. I was shoving them in my face. It was a mess. Bubba, was kind of smiling, watching me. After, like, five hours, it's a full day. I was just done. Full, tired, red, and just not in the mood. I even thought I was a little sick. I love crawfish, but I don't know if I can eat one for a while.
2:00 PM - Downtown Houma (or, the Search for a Decent Coffee Shop): Okay, so, downtown Houma. It feels quaint. It feels… sleepy. Found a coffee shop, thankfully. Needed the caffeine. Wandered around, tried to soak up the local vibes. Saw some interesting shops. Mostly, I just felt like I was walking through a movie set.
6:00 PM - Dinner & Local Color: Found a dive bar that served fried oysters. Absolutely. Fantastic. Talked to a couple of locals. One dude told me a story about wrestling an alligator in his backyard. I have no idea if it was true, but I wanted to believe it. The jukebox played nothing but blues. Life was good.
9:00 PM - "Wind Down" and Realization: Return to the La Quinta, fall into bed. And there it is. I am tired. The end of the day. It comes, just like that..
Day 3: Departure & Lingering Bayou Thoughts
8:00 AM - Goodbye Breakfast & Sad Departure: Another breakfast of questionable quality. Checked out, giving the check-out lady a smile, a wink, and a subtle nod that said, "I survived."
9:00 AM - One Last Swampy Memory ("Bonus Round") Took a side road one last time. And there it was, a small lake, a swamp, and…gators. Yes, gators. I sat there for like a while, watched the sun, enjoyed the peace.
11:00 AM - Head Home - With a Plan. I have been to Houma. In many ways, it has changed me, maybe just my stomach, but change is change.
Final Thoughts (and a Few Confessions):
This trip wasn't perfect. There were mosquitos, questionable breakfast burritos, and moments of pure, unadulterated existential dread. But it was real. It was an actual experience. And you know what? I kind of loved it. The messiness, the smell of the swamp, the food, the people. The La Quinta? It was a perfectly adequate base camp for my journey into the heart of Louisiana weirdness. Would I go back? Hell yeah, I think I will. Now, if you excuse me, I'm going to go look up some crawfish recipes…and buy some bug spray.
Escape to Paradise: Courtyard San Juan Miramar's Unbeatable Ocean Views!
La Quinta Houma: The Good, the Bad, and the… Well, You'll See
Alright, alright, let's be real. "Comfort Escape" is a bit of a *stretch*. Think of it more like a… "Louisiana Experience" – a choose-your-own-adventure novel where some chapters are delightfully relaxing and others... well, let's just say they'll give you stories to tell. The first time I went, I was picturing luxurious robes and room service. What I got was… a pretty decent bed, and a complimentary breakfast that mostly involved processed carbs and a *very* enthusiastic waffle maker. So, comfort? Ehh, maybe. Experience? Absolutely. And hey, isn't that what we're all after, right? The *stories*?
Okay, the rooms… that's where things get interesting. Cleanliness? Mostly. They definitely *try*. My first time, I found a stray hair in the bathroom. My *second* time? Let’s just say I became intimately familiar with the vacuum cleaner salesman who clearly did not exist, and the stain on the carpet that had a remarkable resemblance to a map of… well, who knows what. Haunted? Look, I didn’t *see* any ghosts, but the creaks in the floorboards at 3 AM definitely kept me from getting a restful sleep. The point is, bring your own Lysol wipes, just in case. You can't be too careful in the bayou.
Oh, the breakfast! The *breakfast*! Alright, let's not get our hopes up for a gourmet experience. Think of it more as a communal carb-loading session. The "continental" part? Well, it *technically* exists. You've got your bagels, your toast, your watery juice, and the aforementioned waffle maker, which, honestly, is the star of the show. It's kinda like a lottery every morning. Will the waffle machine work? Will it be the perfect golden brown? Or will it resemble a hockey puck that's been through a bar fight? It's all a gamble, and the unpredictability is part of the *charm*, I guess. (Okay, maybe I’m trying to convince myself.) One time the waffle makers were out of commission! I almost lost it. I had to compose myself and remind myself this was the REAL Louisiana, not some Disneyized version of a Cajun fairytale.
The pool... Hmm. It's there. It *exists*. That's about the most positive thing I can say about it. The first time I looked, the water was… well, let's just say the color was questionable. And there were these… *floating things*. I’m not sure what they were, but I made a quick beeline for the hot tub, hoping it wouldn’t be any worse. Let's be honest, Louisiana’s hot and humid enough without adding a swampy cesspool to the equation. The second time, thankfully, the pool *looked* cleaner. I still kept my head above water, though. And avoided looking at the filter...
The staff… they’re… *characters*. They're definitely Louisiana, ya know? You get that laid-back, slow-talking charm. Some are super friendly and will bend over backwards to help you (I once had the front desk lady give me directions to a Crawfish Boil so good, it's still a dream), while others… well, I think they might be running on Louisiana time, which is a thing unto itself. Be patient. Be polite. And bring some extra patience, because you'll probably need it. But honestly? I wouldn't trade the staff for anything. They add that crucial dash of "realness." That's what makes this place special.
The location is pretty good, all things considered. It's not *quite* in the heart of the action, but it's close enough to restaurants, shops, and all the swamp tours you could possibly want. Plus, you gotta remember, Houma isn’t exactly Manhattan. It's a sprawling, slightly confusing city. The location is fine. It's not going to win any awards, but you have easy access to all the things that make this town interesting. And, bonus, you get to escape the city after you're done with your day!
Okay, here's the truth. Would I stay here again? *Probably*. Look, it's not the Ritz-Carlton. It's not perfect. But it’s… *memorable*. And sometimes, those imperfect, slightly quirky experiences are the ones you remember the most, you know? Sure, I’ve had my share of minor grievances. Maybe the AC wasn’t the *best*, maybe the internet was slow, maybe the waffles were… um… *wobbly*. But the memories, the people, the feeling of being *in* Louisiana? That’s priceless. So yeah, I’d probably go back. Just, next time, I’m definitely bringing my own waffle iron. And a ghost-detecting device!
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