Escape to Michigan: Baymont by Wyndham Auburn Hills Awaits!
Escape to Michigan: Baymont by Wyndham Auburn Hills Awaits! - A Hilariously Honest Review (with a Side of Sanitizer)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I've just survived (and mostly enjoyed) a stay at the Baymont by Wyndham in Auburn Hills, Michigan. And let me tell you, after a year of pandemic hibernation, any escape feels like a victory. This isn't going to be your typical, dry-as-a-cracker travel review, mind you. We're going deep, folks. Expect honesty, a dash of caffeine-fueled rambling, and maybe, just maybe, a slight existential crisis.
First Impressions & the Awkward Dance of Accessibility (and a bit of a mishap at the door!)
The front exterior? Mostly fine. It had that reliable motel vibe, instantly recognizable from a thousand road trips, a beacon of familiarity if nothing else. Access-wise? Well… they say they have facilities for disabled guests. And thankfully, they do. The ramp seemed alright, the elevator… existed. That's often a good start. (More on the elevator later because that story is something).
But let me tell you what didn't impress me: the doors. The initial push to enter was a battle. I wrestled with the front entrance more than I’ve wrestled with my own inner demons at 3 AM. Is it automatic? Not exactly. Is it light to open? Not so much. It was a decent workout, though, so I got that going for me.
Room Sweet Room (And a Few Minor Quirks)
Okay, let’s talk rooms. My room had air conditioning, which, let's be honest, is a non-negotiable in Michigan. The bed was comfy enough, but I am unsure if it was as big as advertised but it was good to lie in. They even managed to throw in a coffee/tea maker. And boy, did I need that coffee. First thing in the morning, gotta say. Free Wi-Fi in the rooms? You betcha. (Praise the internet gods!) In-room safe box? Okay, fine. Because I was just paranoid, I put my wallet there at least once, and the TV had a full bevy of channels.
The bathroom was… standard. Clean, thankfully. Toiletries were available, the kind that are probably mass-produced, but hey, they work. Hot water which is good, although I’m sure the laundresses might disagree, the hair dryer was a little weak, which is a minor, minor quibble, but, again, the water was hot. The blackout curtains… a godsend. I needed some serious sleep.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Obsessive-Compulsive Traveler's Dream
This is where Baymont shines, especially in this post-pandemic world. You could feel the effort. Anti-viral cleaning products, check. Daily disinfection in common areas, yep. Rooms sanitized between stays -- I certainly hoped so. They even offer a room sanitization opt-out if you're feeling brave or just really, really trusting. Seeing the hand sanitizer dispensers all over the place was reassuring.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: A Feast of… Choices?
The breakfast [buffet] wasn't exactly Michelin-star material, but hey, it was free, and that's all it needed to be. I opted to eat a bowl of cereal, some pre-packaged cereals and a few apples, and it gave me the power to make it until lunch. More importantly, they provided individually-wrapped food options. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was a staple. The option for room service [24-hour] was appreciated, in case you like eating in bed.
Services & Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Blessings (and Bureaucracy)
The front desk [24-hour] was a lifesaver. Needed a quick fix, someone was there. They offer daily housekeeping, thank god, because I am inherently messy. Car park [free of charge] makes the stay that much easier. Luggage storage was there as well, should I have needed it. They have a convenience store near the lobby, I assume, because I did not visit it.
Things to Do (or Rather, Things Near You)
Look, Auburn Hills isn't exactly the epicenter of amusement, but it's a good base to explore. Things to do? You're close to the Palace of Auburn Hills (if you're into sports), and a quick drive to some shopping spots and the local sights.
But, the real experience.
And that's what I'm really here to tell you about:
The Elevator Saga and My Existential Crisis (Don't worry, it'll be short)
Here's a story for you. I got in the elevator to get to my room. And for reasons unknown, it got stuck between floors.
I ended up stuck in one of those tiny, windowless boxes between floors for a good 3 hours. I was a bit stir crazy so I did what any reasonable hotel guest would do: I screamed. I yelled for help. I tried to pry the doors open (not my best impulse). Eventually, I started to calm down and began to question the very nature of reality. I wondered about my purpose in life. I replayed some awkward life moments. Then, a maintenance person finally got me out.
The Upshot
Look, the Baymont by Wyndham Auburn Hills is not exactly the Ritz-Carlton. It's a solid, no-frills option. It felt safe, reasonably clean, and the free breakfast was a bonus. And hey, the elevator adventure gave me a story to tell (and some serious material for therapy). If you need a place to rest your weary head, it's a good option. Just… maybe take the stairs.
SEO & Metadata Time! (Because, you know, the internet)
Title: Escape to Michigan: Baymont by Wyndham Auburn Hills Awaits! - A Hilariously Honest Review
Keywords: Baymont, Auburn Hills, Michigan, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Cleanliness, Safety, Free Wi-Fi, Breakfast, Pool, Gym, Motel, Road Trip, Travel, Michigan Hotels, Best Hotels, Honest Review, Fun Review, Accessible Hotel
Description: A brutally honest and often humorous review of the Baymont by Wyndham in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Includes insights on accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, and… an elevator experience I'll never forget. Is this a good option for your Michigan adventure? Find out!
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a chaotic, glorious, probably slightly hungover (speaking for someone) itinerary for a stay at the Baymont by Wyndham Auburn Hills South in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Forget smooth transitions and perfectly planned activities. This is going to be real. This is going to be… well, it's going to be me.
The Baymont by Wyndham Auburn Hills South Survival Guide & Itinerary (Because Adulting is Hard)
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Panic
Time: Let's be honest, the actual time is a suggestion. We're aiming for "sometime after lunch."
Transportation: Ugh, drove. The car is a metal beast that eats money and patience. The GPS tried to take me through a swamp. I swear.
Arrival: The hotel…well, it's a Baymont. You know the drill. Brown, slightly generic, but hey, it's indoors. Found the little lobby, immediately regretted not packing snacks. That vending machine is going to be a lifesaver later, mark my words.
Room: Successfully navigated the elevator which, I suspect, is haunted. Room's… clean enough. Bed looks comfy. This is a good start. Wait. Did I pack the charger? OH. MY. GOD. I did. I'm a hero.
Initial Reaction: Relief. Blissful, unadulterated relief. And the faint smell of… is that chlorine? Never mind, I'm choosing to ignore it.
Afternoon (The "Trying to be Productive" Phase)
- Category: Work (Sigh).
- Event: Attempt to respond to emails in the room after checking in.
- Expectation: Efficient. Productive. Like a well-oiled machine.
- Reality: Three emails, one accidental purchase of a cat-shaped tea infuser, twenty minutes spent staring blankly at the ceiling, and a growing suspicion that my brain has officially checked-out for the weekend.
- Opinion: Work? More like work of art. Art of procrastination, that is.
- Category: Work (Sigh).
Late Afternoon:
- Category: Exploration (Maybe).
- Event: Decide to "explore the area." Vowing to find a decent coffee shop. (Because the in-room coffee is probably going to taste like sadness).
- Outcome: "Explore the area" turns into a frantic Google search for "Coffee near me." I'm not even going to pretend I'm adventurous. Coffee is life.
- Quirky Observation: The parking lot of the hotel is surprisingly fascinating. So many different cars, so many stories. Makes you wonder where they're all going. And if any of them have good coffee.
- Category: Exploration (Maybe).
Evening: Dinner Drama & Vending Machine Glory
- Category: Food. Glorious food.
- Event: Actually leaving the hotel. To eat. The main event.
- The Debate: Do I drive? Or get something local?
- Winner: Local because, I'm a tourist, right?
- Meal of Choice: I went for a place called "Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken" that was about a 20-minute drive down the road. The chicken was pretty amazing, but the place didn't have the greatest ambiance, and the service was slow.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, the chicken was amazing. I can't even deal. The sheer volume of fried goodness. I'm pretty sure I'll be thinking about this meal for days.
- After Dinner: The vending machine. Oh, the vending machine. A symphony of bad decisions. A siren song of sugary goodness. A haven of forgotten dreams (AKA, that bag of chips at the bottom).
- Opinion: The vending machine experience is what I'd call a core memory. This needs to be protected at all costs.
- Category: Food. Glorious food.
Day 2: The "Let's Pretend We're Active" Day & Emotional Rollercoaster
Morning:
- Category: Exercise (Hah!).
- Event: Consider using the hotel gym. Consider.
- Expectation: A triumphant hour of cardio and weightlifting.
- Reality: Peek in the gym, find it empty, decide sleep is a better use of my time. Then, take a look at the weather and change my mind.
- Quirky Observation: The hotel gym's dumbbells look… intimidating. Like, they're judging me.
- Category: Exercise (Hah!).
Mid-Morning:
- Category: Retail Therapy & The Great Pizza Quest
- Event: Go to the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets.
- Outcome: I purchased a new pair of socks and a shirt I knew I wouldn't be wearing. It's a sickness. I really wanted pizza, so I had to go to the food court.
- Quirky Observation: The food court is a vortex of humanity. Kids screaming, parents frazzled, teenagers glued to their phones… and the aroma of a million delicious (and probably unhealthy) options.
- Emotional Reaction: The pizza was good, but not great. I was left wanting more. Then I got a coffee, and it was bad.
- Category: Retail Therapy & The Great Pizza Quest
Afternoon:
- Category: The Unexpected Encounter
- Event: Return to the hotel.
- Outcome: Ran into a nice elderly couple in the elevator. The woman was wearing a hat and had a little dog. They were adorable, and they started talking about the area and what they enjoyed.
- Emotional Reaction: I realized I don't talk to people enough. And that perhaps, I should try and spend more time with my family.
- Opinion: Everyone should get an elderly encounter.
- Category: The Unexpected Encounter
Evening:
- Category: Chill Time & Reflection
- Event: Back in the room.
- Outcome: Realizing that I probably should get an early start to get to the airport in the morning.
- Emotional Reaction: Sad. I love vacations. I should do this more often.
- Opinion: I'm going to read a book and try to go to sleep. The end.
- Category: Chill Time & Reflection
Day 3: Departure (and Existential Dread)
Morning:
- Category: Departure Prep
- Event: Try to pack.
- Expectation: Organized. Efficient.
- Reality: A frantic scramble to find all my stuff, while half-heartedly straightening the room.
- Opinion: I really need to become a better packer.
- Category: Departure Prep
Departure:
- Category: Goodbye Moment
- Event: Checking out of the Baymont.
- Emotional Reaction: A weird mix of relief (to go home and back to my own bed) and sadness that the mini-vacation is done.
- Quirky Observation: The front desk person smiled. Maybe she's used to seeing travelers with that particular look in their eyes.
- Category: Goodbye Moment
Final Thoughts:
- The Baymont was fine. Clean enough, comfortable enough. A decent home base for a solo adventure. But it's the experiences, the little moments of chaos and joy and fried chicken-fueled bliss, that really stick with you. And that, my friends, is what makes travel worthwhile. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap.
Okay, spill it. Is this Baymont... any good?
Good? Alright, alright, settle down. Look, "good" is relative, right? Coming from a Motel 6, *this* felt luxurious. Compared to the Ritz? Nah, not so much. It’s solid, dependable... like a reliable friend who always remembers your birthday, even if they wear the same socks every day. It gets the job done. Don’t go expecting the spa and personalized butler service. Expect... cleanish rooms, a continental breakfast that *kinda* satisfies, and a bed that doesn't actively try to kill you in your sleep. Which is already a win, honestly, in the budget hotel arena. I'd call it "comfortably mediocre" but in a good way. You won’t be writing poetry about the experience, but you probably won't need therapy afterwards either. Usually.
So, about that breakfast... what's the deal? Is it worth rolling out of bed for?
Ugh, breakfast. Okay, here's the thing: the breakfast is... a *thing*. It's there. It exists. Think of it as a necessary evil. There's the usual suspects: stale packaged pastries (the muffins always look a little… *sad*), those weirdly rubbery scrambled eggs from a giant vat, the waffle maker (which, let's be honest, is the *main* draw of most of these places. It's the siren song!), the cereal, the instant oatmeal that tastes like wallpaper paste. And the coffee. The coffee, my friends, is the dark horse of the breakfast game. It's strong. It's bitter. It's... *surprisingly* drinkable, after a certain number of cups. But I’m not going to proclaim it the best thing ever. You gotta keep your expectations low. Low, low, LOW. One morning, I swear I saw a kid, maybe 8 years old, *stare* at the eggs for a solid minute before quietly turning and going back to the waffle station and building a tower of waffles. I respect that. I really do. Don't get ambitious. Stick with the simple: waffles, and the coffee might be your friend.
What about the rooms? Are they clean? Spacious? Like, do you actually *want* to hang out in them?
Cleanish. Let’s be honest. You know how it is. You're not expecting pristine. You're hoping for "adequately clean." And, for the most part, it delivers. The beds are comfortable enough. I've certainly slept in worse. The air conditioning works, which is crucial in Michigan summers that can go from tropical to arctic in about an hour. The decor? Well, let's just say it's… functional. It has a sort of "business traveler who doesn't care about design" vibe. Think beige, beige, and more beige. And maybe some framed prints of… abstract things. But I'm not a decorator. The room was fine for crashing after a long day of… whatever I was doing in Auburn Hills. I mean, it’s a room. It had a bed, a TV, a bathroom. It wasn’t horrific. And that, in the budget hotel world, is a victory. It's not a place you'll Instagram photos of, but you can sleep comfortably enough.
Is there anything *good* about this place? Like, anything at all that made you smile?
Okay, hold up. Yeah, there are a few things! The staff, generally, are pretty decent. They’re not overly effusive or overly enthusiastic, but they're helpful and friendly enough. There was this one woman at the front desk, she’s got the “seen-it-all” look in her eyes, but she was genuinely helpful when I got locked out of my room (don't ask). Plus, the location is actually pretty good. It's close to I-75, making it easy to get where you need to go. I went to the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets from the hotel for some shopping -- it was super easy. And hey, the free Wi-Fi worked! Which, in today's world, is a legitimate blessing. I actually got some work done. And that waffle maker. Still gets me every time. Seriously, the waffle maker is a solid, dependable, and delicious friend. The fact that they have one is a plus.
Speaking of where you need to go... what's nearby? Anything fun to do?
Well, Auburn Hills isn't exactly… Disneyland. But, you know, it’s got its perks. You've got Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, which is a huge shopping mall. So, if retail therapy is your jam, you're set. There are also lots of restaurants nearby. You can find anything from fast food to chain restaurants. Definitely better than being stranded at the hotel. So, it depends, what you are looking for. If you are just trying to relax, and aren't from the area, you may be out of luck. It’s not a huge tourist destination. It’s more of a business-y, practical kind of place. And I like that. Makes life way easier. If you're in town for work, or for a quick stopover on a road trip, the location is pretty convenient. It’s not a destination in itself, but it's a good jumping-off point for the surrounding area.
What was the *worst* thing about staying there? Be brutally honest.
Okay, *brutally* honest? The hallways. They felt…long. And eerily quiet. Like something out of a low-budget horror film. That, and the incessant hum of the ice machine. It went on all. freaking. night. It sounded like a dying spaceship. I ended up sleeping with my noise-canceling headphones on. And there was this… *thing*… on the carpet in my room. I wouldn't call it a stain, because it wasn't *that* bad. More a… persistent discoloration. I spent the entire time trying not to think about what it *used* to be. I have a feeling that the carpets are just… old. It makes you wonder. What's under the carpet? I'd rather not know. In short, the hallways and the state of the carpet were the worst part, and they're not *terrible*, just a little… off-putting. And the ice machine, for the love of all that is holy, someone needs to address that ice machine. Honestly, the sound of that machine is almost why I'm writing this.
Would you stay there again?
Probably. Look, it's not paradise. But for the price, the location, it's perfectly acceptable. If I needed a place to crash in Auburn Hills and wasn’t looking for anything fancy, yeahHotel Finder Reviews
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