Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Costa Mesa Getaway Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Costa Mesa… Did it Deliver? (A Messy, Honest Review)
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Costa Mesa Getaway Awaits!" That's the promise, right? Big words. BIG expectations. I just got back, and well… let's just say my experience wasn't quite the airbrushed brochure. Prepare for a review that's less slick marketing and more "real-life, with a side of slightly-chaotic-opinion."
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First Impressions & Accessibility – The Ramp… or Lack Thereof?
The website raved about accessibility. And, honestly, the elevator was a lifesaver. Navigating a hotel with a hidden staircase is a disaster. But, and this is a big but, getting into the hotel? The entrance situation felt a bit… clunky. I'm not talking about a major accessibility fail, just a slightly awkward dip and rise situation at the entrance. I heard someone struggling with their luggage and looked over to see them struggling with the slight curb, and I thought to myself, "Huh, maybe a good place for a ramp? Or a bell boy, am I right?" I give the wheelchair accessibility a solid, if a bit shaky, 7/10!
The Room: Cozy, But Did They Forget the Air Freshener?
Okay, the room. It had all the stuff. I could open the window, the blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleep, and god, the included WIFI was a blessing (especially since I'm addicted to streaming). The desk setup was decent, which was a godsend because I had some work to do (sigh). The mattress was comfortable, and the linens were soft.
But… and this is a personal gripe – sometimes older hotels (and, let's be honest, this felt like an older hotel even if it wasn't) have a certain… mustiness? I cracked open the window (thank GOD they opened!) to try and air it out. Definitely a plus for the window that opens!
On the plus, they offered things like an "additional toilet" (never had that before) and a "bathtub" and provided "slippers". 8/10 for room amenities, a solid, solid showing.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Miss):
Let's talk food! Being a foodie, this is a big one.
- Restaurants: There were multiple restaurants on-site, a definite plus.
- Breakfast: Breakfast buffet was amazing! Amazing! The Asian breakfast options felt a little weird on the menu, however.
- Room Service: The 24-hour room service was handy after arriving late! But the food? Meh.
- Snack Bar: The snack bar? Totally overprices.
- Vegetarian options: Yes! Vegetarian options! Thank god.
I'd give Dining/Snacking a solid, if uneven, 7.5/10.
Wellness & Relaxation: Spa Dreams (Mostly) Fulfilled
The pool area? Gorgeous. Beautiful, even. The pool with a view lived up to the hype. The sauna was toasty, the steam room was delightful, and I spent a good chunk of time just, you know, existing. I was desperate for some time at the Spa.
- The Spa: I booked a massage. This is where things got interesting. The website promised a total escape. The masseuse was lovely, however, about halfway through, the power went out and all went dark. Then: The lights flickered on and off again. This whole experience was a massive turn-off. I ended up with one leg massaged and one not massaged.
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitized, But Never Perfect:
They were trying. Lots of signs about anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, and staff trained in safety protocol. I saw hand sanitizer everywhere, which was reassuring. The room sanitization opt-out felt a bit tone-deaf. They took safety measures very seriously. Overall, for cleanliness & safety: 8/10.
For the Kids/Family Stuff (I Don't Have Kids, So This'll Be Brief): They claimed to be "Family Friendly," and there were some "Kids facilities" such as toys.
The Rest of the Stuff - Services, Conveniences, and Oddities
- Conveniences: They had a convenience store… with like, really overpriced snacks and toiletries.
- Business Stuff: The business facilities were fine (I think?), but I mostly used the free wifi to watch cat videos.
- Services: I used the laundry service, which was a lifesaver, because, you know, life.
- Doorman/Concierge: The doorman and concierge were super helpful, which was great.
- The Shrink: I swear I saw a shr- no.
- The Meeting/Banquet Facilities: They have several Meeting/banquet facilities, which I did not attend.
- The oddities: The "Shrine" in the lobby.
- Getting Around: The Car park [free of charge] was a definite win.
Getting Around: The airport transfer was easy. The car park was fine. 9/10 on convenience.
Overall Impression - Paradise Adjacent (But Still Worth It?)
So, did "Escape to Paradise" deliver on everything? Nah. Some things were amazing, some were meh, and some were flat-out weird.
But, overall, it was a good stay. The location was great, the staff were friendly, and the pool was dreamy. Just be prepared for a slightly flawed (but still charming) experience, and maybe bring your own air freshener.
Final Verdict: 7.8/10 Would recommend (with caveats).
Escape to Austin's Hidden Gem: SpringHill Suites Cedar Park Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my slightly-less-than-perfect, probably coffee-stained, and definitely opinionated itinerary for a stay at the fabled… (drumroll, please) … Residence Inn Costa Mesa Newport Beach! Prepare for a trip that's less "polished travel blogger" and more "slightly frazzled but ultimately enthusiastic human being."
Day 1: Arrival, Awkward Greetings, and the Endless Pursuit of Snacks
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at John Wayne Airport (SNA). Okay, first impressions? SNA is… fine. It's not LAX, which is a win in my book. The baggage claim, however, felt like a slightly too-long conveyor belt of existential dread. Did my suitcase really have to take that final, heartbreaking loop before I finally snagged it? Anyway, taxi to the Residence Inn.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. Oh, the joy. I swear, every time I check into a hotel, there's this unspoken competition: me versus the front desk person. Who will crack first? Today, I prevailed! (Mostly because I just wanted to get to the free breakfast propaganda.) My room? Standard Residence Inn fare, which is to say, perfectly acceptable. Fridge? Check. Tiny kitchen? Check. A vague sense of being perpetually hungry? DOUBLE CHECK.
- 2:00-3:00 PM: Unpack (or, let's be honest, half-heartedly throw my clothes onto a chair) and survey the land. The first thing I do in any hotel room is a thorough inspection. You know, checking for rogue crumbs, dust bunnies plotting world domination, any sign of prior, questionable occupants. So far, so good. Then, a deep dive into the snack situation. The vending machine is a siren song of disappointment, let's face it.
- 3:00-5:00 PM: Head to Fashion Island. I envisioned breezy, stylish shopping. The reality? Slightly overwhelming, a lot of walking, and a nagging feeling that I’m underdressed. Spotted a woman in a fabulous straw hat. She was radiating pure, effortless chic. I, on the other hand, was just sweating slightly. Stumbled into a gelato place. Crisis averted. Gelato: the universal cure for retail therapy woes. Ate two scoops. Regret zero.
- 5:00-6:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Honestly, my feet were screaming for mercy. I needed to rest. But the call of the mini-fridge was even louder.
- 6:00 - 7:00 PM: In-room "happy hour." (Wine and cheese, the extent of my culinary ambition so far. Don't judge me, I'm on vacation!) Tried to work the Roku on the TV but had to call the front desk because, shocker, I'm technologically inept.
- 7:00-9:00 PM: Dinner at a place called "Taco Maria." After all the "I could go for tacos" in the last sentence of the previous bullet point, I felt compelled to go. It went from good to great very early on and it solidified my desire to eat tacos until I explode.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: Attempted to read a book. Failed. Watched TV. Fell asleep mid-episode. Classic.
Day 2: Beach Bliss (and Mild Sunburns), the Unexpectedly Amazing Breakfast, and My Love-Hate Relationship with the Internet
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Actually, woke up at 6;30, couldn't go back to sleep. This is the vacation paradox: you finally have time to sleep and your body decides it's done!
- 7:30-8:30 AM: The free breakfast buffet. Okay, Residence Inn. You win. This was actually pretty decent. Waffles? Check. Scrambled eggs that don't taste like sadness? Check. The coffee, however, was a watery betrayal, I'll be honest. But I’ve learned to live with it.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Newport Beach! Sun! Sand! Surf! I'm a beach person. I love it. I can lose hours in the sand just staring. I'd even almost mastered the art of elegantly falling onto a beach chair. Note: "almost." There may have been a slight stumble and a near-miss with a rogue wave. Sunscreen? I was diligent, EXCEPT I missed my shoulders, which are now screaming a fiery protest of "why, oh why, did you do this to us?!"
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. Found a little burger shack on the pier. The burger was glorious, the fries crispy, and the seagulls were relentless, circling overhead like feathered scavengers of the sea. Ate my lunch in peace, finally, then retreated to my hotel room.
- 1:00-3:00 PM: Attempted to work on the laptop, but because…internet. The hotel Wi-Fi, bless its digital heart, was being a diva. Dropped calls. Glitches. Everything took forever. I spent way too much time wrestling with the router, cursing silently, and reminding myself that I was trying to relax.
- 3:00-5:00 PM: Pool time. The hotel pool was a welcome respite from the sun. I read my book, enjoyed the quiet. Then, of course, a family with small children arrived, and it turned into a slightly chlorinated aquatic playground. Still, can't fault the kids, right?
- 5:00-7:00 PM: Got "restored". I just needed some quiet time, so I went to a local coffee shop and had their version of an espresso.
- 7:00-8:00 PM: Dinner! Decided on more tacos.
- 8:00 PM -Bedtime: Failed to finish the book, watched the Travel channel and passed out.
Day 3: Departure and Unresolved Questions (and a Vow to Buy More Sunscreen)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Final breakfast buffet. I'm going to miss those waffles. The front desk person recognized me this time. I took solace in the fact that he knows me, a random person, and smiled.
- 8:00-9:00 AM: Final packing, followed by frantic searching for that one rogue sock that always seems to disappear. Found it! Victory!
- 9:00 AM: Check out. Smooth sailing. Well, almost. I may have accidentally left a charger in the room. Ah, well.
- 10:00 AM: Airport bound, and the inevitable post-vacation blues begin to creep in… Did I do everything I wanted to do? Did I eat enough tacos? (The answer is no. You can never eat enough tacos.)
- 12:00 PM: Flying back home.
So, there you have it. My Residence Inn Costa Mesa Newport Beach adventure. Flawed, messy, and filled with a healthy dose of self-deprecation. But hopefully, also a bit… real. And if you've learned anything from my experience, it's this: always bring more sunscreen, never trust the internet, and never, ever underestimate the restorative power of a really good gelato. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to order some tacos.
Hyatt Regency Long Beach: Your Dream LA Getaway Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Costa Mesa Getaway Awaits! - Seriously, Is It That Good? Frequently Asked (and Maybe Annoyed) Questions
Okay, okay, so the brochure *promises* Paradise. Is it ACTUALLY paradise? Like, angels with trumpets paradise?
Alright, let's be real. No, there weren't any actual cherubs handing out margaritas. But... *sigh*... it's pretty darn close, I'll admit. The first morning, stepping onto that balcony with the ocean breeze and a coffee in hand… honestly, I forgot I had a mortgage. For a solid five minutes! It's *almost* worth the price of admission just for that moment. So, not literal angels, but definitely a little slice of heaven. Just don’t expect the trumpets. They're probably at the next resort over. (And, ugh, the noise complaints! One of the neighbours, bless her, had to come up with some inventive solutions involving construction paper and a lot of glitter – more on *that* later…)
What's the deal with the location? Is it, you know, *actually* in a good spot? I don't want to be stuck in some industrial wasteland.
The location? Oh, honey, it’s GOLD. Okay, *maybe* not gold bars (although, a girl can dream!), but definitely prime real estate gold. It's close to the beach, which, yeah, you probably figured that out from the name. But it's also near shops? Good ones? Amazing ones? The kind that make your wallet weep a little, but in a happy, sparkly kind of way. And restaurants! I’m still dreaming about the tacos I had. Seriously, I've been trying to recreate them at home, with zero success. It's like they have magic. Or maybe just really good chefs. Could be either. The only downside? Parking. Sometimes, it's a total nightmare. I once saw a woman circling the block for a good thirty minutes, muttering about the apocalypse. Totally understandable. But hey! That's the only real complaint I can dig up.
The pool? Is it actually *swimmable*? And does it get crowded? (I hate crowds.)
Oh, the pool. Let's talk pool. It's… fine. Look, it’s clean. And I love a good pool. Don't get me wrong. But I wouldn't call it the highlight of the trip. It's a decent size, enough for a few laps if you're feeling ambitious. And the water temperature is perfect. Not too hot, not too cold, just right to make you go "Ahhhhh." But crowds? Yeah, occasionally it gets a bit… cozy. It's not a sprawling resort pool, so you might have to share your sunbathing spot. Pro tip: go early, nab a lounger, and plant your flag. Or, just embrace the inevitable sharing. I did, after the first day of grumbling. And hey, some of the people I met by the pool were actually really cool… including Brenda. Brenda's the one with the glitter.
What about the rooms? Are they, like, updated? I hate staying in places that look like they haven't seen a remodel since the disco era.
The rooms? YES. They're nice. Really nice. Modern, clean, comfy beds... They clearly haven't skipped the renovation. It's all very fresh and stylish. I particularly appreciated the large windows that let in all that glorious sunshine. And the bathroom? Oh, the BATHROOM. Spotless, with a shower that actually has good water pressure. A small detail, yes, but a HUGE win in my book. Because, you know, sometimes you just want a shower that washes away all the stress of daily life. And yeah, my room had a mini fridge, which is an absolute MUST for leftover tacos and emergency rosé. (Don't judge. You know you do it too.)
Food! Tell me about the food! Are there any decent breakfast options? This is crucial. I can’t function without breakfast.
Okay, breakfast. This is where things get a little… mixed. There’s no included breakfast, which is a bummer. And this is where the glitter comes in. Brenda. Brenda’s the neighbour, remember? Well, she makes INCREDIBLE pancakes. And, she’s always willing to share! In exchange for my silence. She even gave me instructions on how to make them. The first attempt ended with me setting off the smoke alarm. Twice. (Who knew pancakes could be so… dangerous?). But seriously, there are some amazing cafes nearby. So, yes, you can get a good breakfast. You just have to… leave the hotel. And maybe befriend a glitter enthusiast.
What's the vibe? Is it a party place, or more relaxed? I don't want to be kept up all night by loud music.
The Vibe? Definitely more relaxed. It's not a raging party scene. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. And sleep! Praise be! You can actually sleep. There might be a few people hanging out by the pool, but it's generally pretty chill. Unless Brenda is hosting one of her famous glitter-bomb art parties. (Again, more on that later…). Seriously, though, it’s ideal for someone looking for a bit of peace and quiet. I went with my best friend. And we both managed to actually chill out and *relax*. Which, according to us, is a minor miracle.
Anything else I should know? Any hidden fees or surprises?
Hidden fees? Hm… Well, there's the usual city tax, so be prepared for that. And parking… mentioned parking yet? Anyway, I did manage to accidentally order a bottle of champagne from room service (that champagne was a bit of a surprise on the bill, but a delightful surprise!), but that was entirely my fault. The staff seemed generally helpful and informative. There's no charge for the ocean view, which I’m endlessly grateful for. Just be prepared for possible parking challenges (see "parking" above). And maybe… bring earplugs. Just in case Brenda decides to have a glitter-themed karaoke night. (It happened. It was… memorable). But honestly, it’s mostly all positive.
Okay, okay… So... what was the *worst* thing about the whole experience? Be brutally honest!
Alright, the worst thing? Hmm… Okay, besides the, ahem, *brief* parking wars, and the slightly questionable pancake-making skills, and the occasional, extremely loud karaoke sessions (Brenda, I'm looking at you!)Escape To Inns
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