Lincoln's Hidden Gem: Downtown Courtyard Hotel (Haymarket Charm!)

Courtyard Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket Lincoln (NE) United States

Lincoln's Hidden Gem: Downtown Courtyard Hotel (Haymarket Charm!)

Lincoln's Hidden Gem: Downtown Courtyard Hotel (Haymarket Charm!) - A Review That's Actually Real

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, sanitized hotel review. This is the real deal, warts and all, about the Downtown Courtyard Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska. And let me tell you, it's a mixed bag, a delightful muddle of charm and… well, let's just say, "opportunities for improvement."

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First Impressions & The Accessibility Jive

Pulling up, the Haymarket area already hits you with a good vibe. Brick buildings, cool shops, that whole "historic district" feel. The Courtyard itself? Pretty standard exterior, nothing that screams "wow." Accessibility is a BIG one for me. I mean, I'm relatively mobile, but I always pay attention. The good news: ramps and elevators were readily apparent, and the lobby seemed spacious. Plus, the website's clearly advertising their accessibility features, which is always a win. (Though, let's be real, sometimes "accessible" means "technically fulfills some requirements." More on that later.)

Rambling about… Internet, Glorious Internet (and the Lack Thereof in Times Past)

Okay, let’s get this out of the way: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Halle-freakin'-lujah! This is a MUST in 2024, and they deliver. No more those awful "pay-per-hour" deals that nickel-and-dime you. And the Internet services are decent. I actually needed to upload a huge video file, and it (mostly) held up. I say mostly because, you know… occasionally the internet hiccuped like an old dial-up connection. A tiny bit of lag, a little buffering… sigh. I'm dating myself here, but I remember the days of paying for Internet [LAN] – the wire thingy. Ah, the good old days.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Rollercoaster of Flavors

Now, the dining and drinking situation is a bit of a mixed bag. The hotel boasts a restaurant, and a coffee shop, plus a poolside bar. Let's start with the positive! The breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was there. You know? All the usual suspects. Eggs, bacon, those weird little sausage patties that always look a little too… perfectly round. The saving grace was the freshly brewed coffee/tea in the restaurant. A blessing first thing in the morning. I usually went with a tall coffee and a side of scrambled eggs, even though the eggs were obviously made from some sort of egg-like substance.

I had a few meals at the restaurant, too. The international cuisine in the restaurant was, how to put this delicately? Um, "inoffensive"? The menu felt a bit generic, a little… corporate. I ordered the pasta, not expecting much, and it was edible. But here’s the kicker: I ordered a dessert, a sad-looking slice of cheesecake. It was… memorable, in an unsettling way. Let’s just say it tasted like it'd been sitting in the fridge since the Carter administration. They have a snack bar and room service [24-hour], and I tried the room service once. It was fine. Predictable. Safe.

The Poolside Bar was… interesting. I got a margarita while I watched the kids play in the pool, and that was the highlight of my dining experience.

Wellness, Relaxation, and… the Pool with a View?

Okay, the spa is where things get a little dicey. The hotel promotes its spa services, including massage. Listen, I LOVE a good massage, but I get the feeling that calling this a "spa" is a bit of a stretch. Is it a spa? I guess technically? I got a massage which was ok! But there’s no Sauna, Steamroom, or Foot bath in this place.

And the swimming pool is a major plus, but… the "view" is… of the neighboring parking garage. Ha! Hey, you can't win them all.

Rooms & Amenities – The Ups and Downs

My room? (Available in all rooms!) It was standard, but comfortable, with air conditioning that actually worked! (A huge win, especially in the Nebraska heat). I had a desk, good internet access – Wi-Fi, a refrigerator and oh, glorious, glorious blackout curtains. Non-smoking rooms are available, and thankfully it was. The bed was great, and I slept like a baby. (Or, you know, a slightly sleep-deprived parent who's been traveling).

Cleanliness and Safety – Did They Actually Sanitize?

I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this is important. The hotel seems to be making a conscious effort with its anti-viral cleaning products and daily disinfection in common areas. I noticed hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Room sanitization opt-out available is also a plus. Honestly, I felt pretty safe. The staff seemed well-trained, and the hotel generally felt clean.

Things to Do & Getting Around – Haymarket Hustle

The Haymarket area is AWESOME. There's so much to do! Restaurants, bars, shops, and the beautiful architecture. In terms of getting around, car park [free of charge] is amazing. Taxi service and airport transfer are also available.

The Quirky Stuff (And a Few Imperfections)

Okay, here's where it gets juicy. The décor? Slightly… dated. Lots of beige. Picture frames with pictures of… well, of nothing in particular. The elevator rattled a bit when you went up. The elevator felt a little sluggish at times, and the alarm clock… well, I don’t think it's seen an actual alarm function in, oh, about a decade.

Okay, Now the Verdict:

The Downtown Courtyard Hotel isn't perfect. It's a bit like your quirky aunt: charming, a little rough around the edges, and occasionally a bit much. But it has heart. The location is fantastic, the staff were genuinely friendly, and the free Wi-Fi is a lifesaver. It's a solid option for your stay in Lincoln.

Would I stay again? Absolutely. And I would. Just don't expect a spa experience that’ll blow your mind. But hey, the free parking alone almost makes it worth it. Come with an open mind and a healthy dose of humor, and you'll have a great time.

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Courtyard Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket Lincoln (NE) United States

Okay, buckle up Buttercups! This isn't your grandma's travel itinerary – consider this more of a "survive Lincoln, Nebraska" survival guide, complete with existential crises and questionable food choices. We're talking Courtyard Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket, baby. Get ready for the roller coaster.

Day 1: Arrival & The Existential Dread of a Midwestern Hotel

• 1:00 PM: Arrive at Eppley Airfield (Omaha - why are we flying into Omaha again? It's two hours away! I swear, logistics are the death of me). The Uber ride to Lincoln is… well, it’s a ride. The landscape slowly morphs from urban chaos to, well, a lot of cornfields. Embrace the silence. Seriously, embrace it. You'll need it.
• 3:00 PM: Check into the Courtyard. Ugh, the Courtyard. It’s… beige. Everything is beige. The lobby, the furniture, my future. Find the vending machine. That's my motto!
• 3:30 PM: Attempt to unpack. Fail. Half the clothes are wrinkled from the flight. Realize I forgot my toothbrush. This trip is already a disaster.
• 4:00 PM: Wander around the Haymarket District. Ooooh, cobblestone streets! So "charming"! I'm getting hungry, what is the best foods of Nebraska? How the heck do I begin?
• 4:30 PM: Find a coffee shop (required daily dose of caffeine). Observe the locals. They seem… nice? Maybe a little too nice. Are they secretly plotting something? Probably not. But my city-dwelling paranoia is in full swing.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner at a place called "Gusano's". Pizza. Standard, so nothing new. But the "house special" involves a questionable amount of cheese. My arteries are already weeping.
• 7:30 PM: Head back to the hotel. Stare at the TV. Realize I’m already bored. The hotel room key card doesn't work; another round of frustration!
• 8:00 PM: Contemplate calling it a night. Maybe watch some mindless TV. Maybe order a pizza that I will eat alone, feeling sad. The existential dread intensifies.
• 9:00 PM: Sleep. Or at least, attempt to. What if the tiny hotel room has a ghost? Or worse, my brain keeps replaying the day's events, and the cheesy pizza experience.

Day 2: Husker Nation & Dietary Regrets

• 8:00 AM: Wake up, feeling vaguely hungover, despite not drinking. Blame the pizza. And the existential dread.
• 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel – the free continental option. Those miniature muffins give me life! Also, the bland, but functional, scrambled eggs. Fuel up, because, you know, adventure…or something…
• 10:00 AM: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Okay, this is unavoidable. Big Red country! Note to self: do not wear anything blue. It's a cultural faux pas. The campus is sprawling. The energy is palpable. The student body could probably eat me. I might get lost. I WILL get lost.
  • 10:15 AM: Memorial Stadium. Even I, a non-sports person, am impressed. It's a colossal brick structure. Imagine the crowds! I get dizzy just thinking about it.
  • 11:30 AM: Sheldon Museum of Art. Fine, I'll admit it: it was kind of cool. Especially the Sol LeWitt thing. Though, maybe I'm just saying that to feel cultured.
  • 12:30 PM: Lunch at a campus spot: More pizza! I think I am developing an addiction. The students look at me; am I too big of an outsider?
• 2:00 PM: Need a distraction from my fear of being judged and needing to diet after this trip. "Shopping"! I will be looking for some souvenir from the Cornhusker's store.
• 3:00 PM: Haymarket Again! Head to a brewery. Trying a local craft beer with a ridiculously pretentious name. Pretend to understand the tasting notes. Fail miserably. But hey, it’s still beer.
• 4:30 PM: Walk around downtown. More cobblestone. Contemplate the meaning of life. Still no answer.
• 6:00 PM: Uh oh, another dinner. Find a burger joint. Order a burger. Regret it almost immediately because the bun is too big.
• 7:30 PM: Back at the hotel. Attempt to write in my journal. Crumble under the pressure of self-reflection.
• 8:00 AM: Another episode of the hotel key situation.
• 9:00 PM: Sleep.

Day 3: Leaving, and Maybe Just Maybe, a Hint of Appreciation

• 8:00 AM: Realize I've gotten used to beige. Am I becoming one with the Midwest? A terrifying thought.
• 9:00 AM: Hotel breakfast. Same as before. I am evolving.
• 10:00 AM: Check out. Say goodbye to the questionable coffee.
• 10:30 AM: One last stroll through the Haymarket. Admire the architecture. It is kind of pretty, I guess. What's the deal with the giant sculpture made of metal? Is that supposed to be art? Probably.
• 11:30 AM: Drive back to Omaha. Goodbye, Lincoln. You were… something.
• 1:00 PM: Airport. Wait at the gate.
• 2:00 PM: Fly, fly away.

Final Thoughts:

Lincoln, Nebraska. It's not Paris. It's not New York. But it has its own kind of charm. Or maybe I finally succumbed to Stockholm Syndrome for beige hotel rooms. I'm not sure. But the existential dread? Still there. The pizza? Still devoured. And the memories? They're probably going to haunt me for a while. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to start planning my post-Lincoln therapy sessions.**

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Courtyard Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket Lincoln (NE) United States```html

Lincoln's Hidden Gem: Downtown Courtyard Hotel (Haymarket Charm!) - FAQ (With a Touch of Chaos)

Okay, spill the tea. Is this place *really* charming? Haymarket-style, you know?

Alright, buckle up buttercup. "Charming" is subjective, right? Some people find old brick *adorable*, others see crumbling walls and think "rental property from hell." But yeah, the Haymarket vibe is definitely ON. Think exposed brick, that "slightly-too-cool-for-school" coffee shop smell wafting through the lobby (seriously, where DO they get that coffee?), and enough twinkle lights to make a Pinterest board weep. Honestly, I walked in, took a deep breath, and thought, "Okay, I *get* it." It's not perfect, it's not flawless, and there's probably a leaky pipe somewhere (more on that later), but it's got *character*. And in a world of cookie-cutter hotels, that's worth something, isn't it?

The rooms: Are they all 'vintage chic' or just… old?

Look, let's be real. "Vintage chic" is often code for "small and quirky." My room? Well, let's say it had a definite *vibe*. The bed? Comfy enough, but I swear the headboard was bolted into the wall in 1978. The bathroom? Small. Think, "can I turn around in here without elbowing the showerhead?" Nope. But clean, thankfully. And honestly? I kinda dug it. It's not the Four Seasons, folks. If that's what I wanted, I wouldn't be in Lincoln, Nebraska, would I? (No offense, Lincoln!). It’s got character. And a *really* insistent air conditioner, it felt like a hurricane was raging, but hey, at least I slept like a baby.

Breakfast: Free? Good? Or a sad continental situation?

Okay, this is where things get... interesting. They *do* offer breakfast. Free. So, expectations need to be managed. Think, "cereal, pastries, and the occasional mystery meat." The pastries were... well, they existed. Let's leave it at that. Coffee? Strong enough to kick-start a zombie apocalypse. I’m not a breakfast person anyway, so I just snuck out and got some of the best donuts in the state – which, by the way, are within walking distance. Worth it. Consider this my personal endorsement: skip the hotel food if you can.

Is the location actually convenient? Haymarket is supposed to be where it's at, right?

YES! Finally, something REALLY positive. The location is GOLD. Literally, smack-dab in the middle of everything. You walk outside, and BAM! Restaurants galore, bars overflowing with happy hour revelers, the cool shops, and the Pinnacle Bank Arena – it's all practically in the courtyard. Seriously, I walked to dinner, then stumbled back to the hotel afterwards. No driving, no parking nightmares. This is the *best* thing about the place. The Haymarket is totally "where it's at". If I had to put up with creaky floors or questionable breakfast, for this? I would do it again. Easy.

Okay, the service. Are the staff friendly? Or just… functional?

This is kinda the make-or-break, right? I'd say the staff is genuinely *sweet*. They seem to actually *care*. They're not just going through the motions. I swear the front desk woman remembered my name after *one* interaction. (Okay, maybe I'm easy to remember, but still!). The smiles were real, the helpfulness was generous. One morning, I spilled coffee *EVERYWHERE* at breakfast (clumsy me!), and the staff were so chill, offering to help and laughing along with me. That kind of thing makes a huge difference. So yeah, thumbs up for the staff. They’re good humans.

Is there a gym? (Because, you know, donuts.)

Ugh, fine. Yes, there's a gym. *Small* gym. Two treadmills (one that looked like it was from the Jurassic period), a bike, some free weights. I took one look at it and decided to walk around Haymarket more. (Good excuse, right?) Honestly, the energy I exerted running from the breakfast pastries probably cancelled out any gym workout. If you're a serious gym rat? Probably not your scene. If you just want to break a sweat? It'll do the trick.

Let's talk about parking. Is it a nightmare?

Okay, this is a mixed bag. They *do* have parking. It's not *free* parking. There's a fee, and it can be a bit of a squeeze. Finding a spot sometimes felt like a mini-adventure. The parking lot is also tight, so big vehicles, beware. But honestly? The convenience of being right in Haymarket almost makes the parking expense worth it. Almost. If you're driving a giant truck? Maybe scope out alternative parking options beforehand. Otherwise, suck it up and pay the fee; it’s worth it for the location.

Did anything go wrong? Be honest. The good, the bad, and the (potentially) ugly. And did it affect your stay?

Alright. Here's the truth. Yes. Something went a bit sideways. And it’s messy, but I want you prepared. Let me tell you now, and it’s a story, a *darn* story. It involved a leaky pipe. And, yes, it affected my stay. Not *hugely*, but… Well, picture this: It's 3 AM, I'm jolted awake by what sounds like Niagara Falls. Turns out, water was *cascading* from the ceiling of the bathroom in the room next door. *My* wall, *my* peace, my sleep. I called the front desk. The poor night clerk was clearly mortified. (He's probably still scarred by it.) They scrambled. They moved the leaky room's guests. Offered me a free breakfast. (Which, again, I avoided.) But the *sound*! The constant *drip, drip, drip* until they fixed it. Finally, it was quiet, but then I was so mad that I couldn’t sleep. The whole thing added to the feeling of the room being a bit… rough around the edges. But, *then* the clerk offered me a discount because of the hassle, and they were so unbelievably apologetic. And so, it was kind of laughable – the whole incident. And in the end? It made the stay more memorable. In the messed-up kind of way. I mean, who remembers a *perfect* hotel stay? (Besides the people with the perfect bathroom ceiling.) It’s the imperfect moments that create stories. So, yeahHotel For Travelers

Courtyard Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket Lincoln (NE) United States

Courtyard Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket Lincoln (NE) United States

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