Sault Ste. Marie's BEST Hotel Deal: Days Inn & Suites!
Days Inn & Suites, Sault Ste. Marie: My Honest (and Slightly Messy) Take
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Days Inn & Suites in Sault Ste. Marie! Forget polished travel brochures, I'm here to give you the REAL scoop, the good, the bad, and the utterly bizarre, all wrapped in a heaping helping of my own quirky brand of chaos.
SEO & Metadata Stuff (Gotta Do It, Right?)
- Keywords: Sault Ste. Marie hotels, Days Inn & Suites review, accessible hotel, free Wi-Fi, hotel amenities, swimming pool, breakfast, pet friendly hotel, Sault Ste. Marie attractions, Michigan travel, best hotel deals, budget friendly hotel.
- Metadata: Title: Days Inn & Suites Sault Ste. Marie: A Messy But Honest Review | Description: A candid review of the Days Inn & Suites in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, covering accessibility, amenities, dining, and more, with a healthy dose of personal experience.
Let's Get Started (and Probably Side-Tracked)
First things first: finding a decent hotel in the Soo can be a WILD ride. You're in a place that's got a certain…charm. So, Days Inn, the plucky little underdog of the chain hotels. I’m not expecting the Ritz, understand? More like… a slightly nicer truck stop. But hey, expectations are key, right?
Arrival and First Impressions (The Jury's Still Out)
The exterior's…functional. There's parking, which is always a win. Car park [free of charge], check! Car park [on-site], check! And, blessedly, it seemed accessible. Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests. Now, I’m not in a wheelchair myself, but I always appreciate a place that thinks about accessibility. It just shows they're actually TRYING.
The Room (A Love-Hate Relationship, Naturally)
My room? Okay, okay. Non-smoking, yes. Air conditioning, praise the heavens! Free Wi-Fi, because, DUH. Internet access – wireless - double praise! Seriously, a hotel with dodgy Wi-Fi is a hotel that deserves to be burned to the ground (figuratively, of course, fire safety is important, Fire extinguisher). Ironing facilities are there, but I didn't use them. Look, I'm on vacation, not running for president.
The bed? Surprisingly comfortable, even with the Extra long bed. I’m a tall gal, so I appreciate that. Alarm clock, Desk, Coffee/tea maker - all the essentials for a weary traveler. The Refrigerator was a godsend for my stash of questionable snacks. The bathroom? Standard. Toiletries were…well, they were there.
Now, here's where things get interesting. Remember, I’m a messy person, and I’m here for the truth. Yes, Daily housekeeping. Maybe a little too daily. I am very much a neat freak, but the constant knocking and the little flags telling me I had to replace the towels was a bit much. I got the sense of being watched, so I'd put up the "do not disturb" sign.
Cleanliness and Safety (The Really, Really Important Stuff)
Okay, let's talk COVID. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere, which is excellent. They seemed to be taking Cleanliness and safety seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, check. Room sanitization opt-out available? I didn't even know that was a thing, but I approve the choice! Staff trained in safety protocol - good! Individually-wrapped food options? Better. All in all, this place made me feel safe, and that's a HUGE win in my book.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Where Things Get WEIRD)
Breakfast. Ah, the infamous hotel breakfast. Breakfast [buffet]. The Breakfast service itself was okay, not amazing, but passable. Standard continental fare. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Undercooked and bitter. The real highlight, though, was the tiny, sad little Coffee shop that apparently existed. I grabbed a muffin. I still get chills thinking about that muffin.
Snack bar? I think I saw a vending machine. Restaurants? Technically, there's a restaurant connected, but I swear it had the ambiance of an abandoned DMV. I think there was Room service [24-hour]. Yeah, I didn't get the sense of luxury here. I ended up grabbing a pizza from a local place and eating it in my room, which, let’s be honest, is often the best plan anyway. It was a lonely night, and the pizza was perfect.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (A Mixed Bag)
The Swimming pool [outdoor] looked okay. But the weather was terrible. It was cold and rainy -- and frankly, my internal weather was the same. Ah, well.
Fitness center? The place had a Gym/fitness center. The gym itself was small, and looked a bit sad.
Accessibility (Important, Really! Remember This)
- Wheelchair accessible? YES! Always a good start. The Facilities for disabled guests were decent. I didn’t personally need them, but I saw ramps and elevators, and that's fantastic.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things)
- Daily housekeeping. As mentioned: good – but a LOT of it.
- Laundry service. Nice to have.
- Cash withdrawal. Always useful.
- Elevator. Essential.
For the Kids (Because Apparently I'm Not One)
- Family/child friendly? Sure. They appear to be prepared.
Getting Around (Navigating the Soo)
- Car park [free of charge]? Definitely!
- Taxi service? Possibly. I didn't try it, but I assumed there were some.
The Bottom Line (My Rambling Conclusion)
Look, is the Days Inn & Suites in Sault Ste. Marie perfect? Absolutely not. Did I have a few "WTF?" moments? Oh, you betcha. But did I get a clean, safe place to sleep with decent Wi-Fi at a reasonable price? Yes. And in the Soo, that's a win.
I'd stay here again? Probably. If I'm back in the Soo and on a budget, it's perfectly adequate. Be prepared for the quirks, embrace the imperfections, and bring your own snacks. And maybe a good book. And definitely a sense of humor.
Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5 slightly soggy muffins.
Escape to Luxury: Charlotte's SouthPark Retreat Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly polished itinerary. We're going to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (or "The Soo" as the locals probably call it), and we're doing it my way. That means less "rigid schedule," more "winging it with a healthy dose of optimism and a probable caffeine deficiency." And we're starting at the Days Inn & Suites, because, let's be honest, that's where the budget (and my ability to function) dictated we start.
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Agony of the Airport (and maybe that hotel!)
- Morning (aka the crack of dawn, which is cruel and unusual): This whole trip started with me frantically packing at 4 AM. I swear, I'm pretty sure I packed more anxiety than clothes. The airport was a symphony of delayed flights and grumpy people, but I had a book so I survived it.
- Late Morning/Afternoon: FINALLY landed in the Soo! The airport was tiny. Like, you could probably walk the entire perimeter in under five minutes without breaking a sweat. So much for that big city excitement…I'll get there. The rental car fiasco was a classic: "Sir, you said you booked the compact car? Yes, but this is the only one we have. And it's blue!" (It was a very aggressively blue car, I'll tell you.)
- Afternoon - Check-in at Days Inn & Suites: Okay, let's be honest: I saw the hotel online, and the photos probably used a filter or two. The room? Functional. Let's call it "charmingly retro." The air conditioning sounded like a jet engine taking off, but whatever. It's an adventure, right? I think I'm starting to have feelings about travel. Or maybe I'm just hangry.
- Evening - Reconnaissance Mission & Pizza Panic: Time to find food! I’m starving. I needed something fast and greasy, so I drove around the area and finally settled on a pizza place. Pizza with all of those possible toppings. It was… okay. Pizza is always okay.
Day 2: Locks, Lakes, and the Lingering Question of Laundry
- Morning - "The Soo" Locks: A Surprisingly Fascinating Morning: This is what everyone talks about, so I guess I had to. Okay, the locks themselves… they're impressive. Machines, big ships… I could watch that all day! (Actually, I could not watch that all day, but I did spend a surprisingly large amount of time gazing at boats. Who am I?) The tour guides were hilarious, and I learned more about shipping in a couple of hours than I ever thought possible. The sheer scale of the thing… wow.
- Afternoon - Lake Superior State Park (Almost): I attempted to find a scenic spot along Lake Superior. The maps were questionable, so I ended up driving around for an hour and ended up at a different park. It was okay, but there was literally no view of the Lake!
- Evening - Laundry Disaster and the Search for Late-Night Snacks: Okay, real talk: I have a mountain of dirty clothes, and for some reason, I didn't realize the hotel's laundromat was closed for renovations. The thought of having the same two shirts for the rest of the trip sends shivers down my spine. I'm going to have to get creative.
- Late Night: I did find a 24-hour grocery store and bought a bag of chips the size of my head. Comfort food at its finest.
Day 3: Train Tracks, Trails, and a Twinge of Toronto Envy
- Morning - Agawa Canyon Tour Train (Attempt One): This was THE big ticket item. Except… the train was booked. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who wanted the views. Major bummer. I think I actually shed a tear. Okay, maybe I just dramatically sighed. I can always try again tomorrow I guess.
- Afternoon - City Exploration and a Random Cafe: Time to explore. I decided to stroll around the downtown area. I went into random shops and found a local Cafe to have a snack at. It was okay I guess, better than the pizza I had.
- Evening - Dinner and the Agony of the Re-Book: Back to the internet. I managed to snag a ticket for the Agawa Canyon train ride. This time, I'm going for sure!
Day 4: Train Ride! (Finally!) and a Farewell Meal
- Morning - Agawa Canyon Tour Train (Take Two!): YES! The train ride was spectacular. I'm not a "nature person," but even I was blown away. The vibrant colors, the waterfalls… it was genuinely breathtaking. There was some woman, with a full face of makeup, screaming in excitement as the train went through a tunnel. I felt her pain.
- Afternoon - Train Ride Back: This trip back was the best, especially when the lady with all the makeup started playing some kind of music, and all of us, started singing along. I miss that.
- Evening - Farewell Dinner & Packing Anxiety: My last night in the Soo. I wanted a good meal, something to remember the trip by. I went to a restaurant with a view of the water. It was good. Packing is a nightmare. I have so much stuff!
Day 5: Departure (and the Promise of Laundry!)
- Morning - Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt & Airport Shenanigans: Time to cram in as many souvenirs as possible. The airport was once again tiny, which this time was a good thing. I could find my gate quickly.
- Afternoon - Homeward Bound: A long flight home. I slept most of the way.
- Evening - HOME! Unpack. Catch up on sleep. Start the daunting task of doing laundry. Planning the next trip…
- Reflection The Soo was an adventure. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't always easy, but it was mine. And hey, I survived! And I'll definitely go back one day.
This is probably a lot more messy than you asked for, but I hope you enjoyed the ride!
Old Montreal Charm: AC Hotel's Unforgettable Stay (QC, Canada)
Days Inn & Suites Sault Ste. Marie: The Real Deal (and the Real Deal-Breakers) - A Messy FAQ
Okay, so Days Inn & Suites in the Soo... is it *really* the "BEST" deal? My wallet's crying, but my romantic getaway is calling!
Alright, let's be honest here. "BEST" is subjective. It really depends on what you're after. If you're expecting the Ritz, honey, you're barking up the wrong Superior shore. But if you're like me – someone who prioritizes getting a roof over your head and having enough cash left over for a pasty (essential Soo food group, obviously!), then yeah, Days Inn can be a winner. Think of it as the scrappy underdog of hotels. It might not be winning any design awards, but it'll get you where you need to be.
What's the *actual* experience like staying there? Is it clean? I read reviews... some are, well, *colorful*.
Look, I've stayed in hotels that looked like they'd been inhabited by a family of raccoons for several weeks and, let's be honest, Days Inn isn't *always* pristine. I've had a couple of rooms that felt suspiciously like they'd been smoked in, despite the "no smoking" signs (eye roll). But mostly, the rooms are decent. Clean-ish. The beds are… well, they exist! And the sheets? They're *usually* clean enough that I don't feel the need to wear my shoes to bed. I always bring a Clorox wipe with me though, just in case. It's the rule! The staff seem to care – or at least, they *pretend* to care, which is honestly all I really ask at 7 am.
Breakfast! Is it the continental kind of sadness, or something worth getting out of bed for? (Besides the thrill of a Soo sunrise).
Oh, the dreaded continental breakfast. Okay, okay, deep breaths. The breakfast is... there. Think: slightly stale bagels, instant oatmeal, pre-packaged muffins that look like they've seen better days, and maybe, just maybe, a waffle maker. The waffle maker is a game-changer, if it's working. If it *is* working, make those waffles. Load 'em up with that fake syrup and pretend you’re living your best Disney princess life. Coffee? Drinkable. Juice? Well, it's orange-flavored. Don't expect gourmet, just be prepared for the basics. And maybe, just maybe sneak a box of cereal into your bag for later. I plead the fifth on that one.
Is there a pool? Because a dip in the pool after a long day is basically the best!
Yes! There is a pool, and a hot tub, and *miraculously* they both actually work! It’s not necessarily sparkling Olympic-sized, but it's warm! And kid-friendly, so expect some splashing. Don't expect private serenity. I always take a dip to ease my sore back. It's a good deal after a long hike around the locks.
What about the location? Is it easy to get around?
The location is pretty decent. It's not *right* downtown, but it's close enough. You can (and should!) walk to the Soo Locks (a must-see). There are restaurants within walking distance, and you can always hop in the car for a short drive to other attractions. You're close to the highway, so it's easy to get in and out. It's not the *most* glamorous part of town, but it's convenient.
Parking? Is it a nightmare, or can I actually leave my car in the parking lot without fear?
Parking's usually fine. There's a decent-sized lot, and I've never had trouble finding a spot. Unless, you know, there's a huge event in town. But generally, it's a non-issue, which is a massive win in my book.
What's the *worst* thing about Days Inn & Suites in Sault Ste. Marie? Give it to me straight.
Okay, here's where I get real. The worst thing? The inconsistency. One stay might be totally fine, no complaints. The next? Well, let's just say you might encounter a malfunctioning elevator, a leaky faucet, or a questionable stain on the carpet. It's a gamble. It's like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get, and I hate surprises!
I'll tell you a story: I booked a king size room and a double bed room and requested them close together for my family. We get there at 3 pm and they only give us two rooms on separate floors! Now, I'm not a Karen, but I did mention it to the front desk! The manager said they don't have the ability to switch rooms easily, and the next day to my surprise they weren't able to clean our rooms. So, we get back from our day out to stinky rooms. It wasn't quite what I had planned.
So, should I book it? Is it worth the gamble? I'm still on the fence.
Look, it depends. If you're on a tight budget and you're not overly fussy, then yes, probably. If you are just looking for a place to sleep and you're planning on spending most of your time exploring the Soo, it's a good option. Just manage your expectations. It's not perfect, but it's usually clean-ish, the staff are generally friendly, and the price is right. Plus, you can always run out and get your favorite pastry, and then all can be forgiven! And if you're after a good story to take home with you, Days Inn sometimes delivers on that front, too. So, roll the dice. Just maybe bring your own Clorox wipes. Just in case.
Post a Comment for "Sault Ste. Marie's BEST Hotel Deal: Days Inn & Suites!"