Lubbock's BEST Howard Johnson? Wyndham Hotel Review (TX)
Lubbock's BEST Howard Johnson? Wyndham Hotel Review (TX) - A Texan Saga
Alright folks, pull up a chair, grab a sweet tea (or a Lone Star, no judgment!), 'cause we're diving headfirst into a Lubbock legend: the Howard Johnson? Wyndham Hotel. Now, before you roll your eyes and think, "Oh, another chain hotel review," hear me out. This ain't just any chain. This is Lubbock, Texas. Everything's bigger there… including the expectations.
First Impressions & the Great Accessibility Gamble:
Okay, so first things first: finding the darn place. It’s… well, it's there. You'll see it. Signage isn't exactly blinding. But hey, that's part of the charm, right? The entrance, thankfully, seemed pretty decent in terms of curb appeal. Now, the real test, the accessibility. I’m not a wheelchair user, but I'm always looking out for friends and family, so I gave it a good once-over.
Accessibility Score: A Solid B+
The lobby? Spacious! Plenty of room to maneuver. Elevators? Present and accounted for. The rooms… well, the designated accessible rooms seemed legit, with grab bars and enough space to swing around. The hallways were wide enough too. Now, the real question: getting to the pool. Let's just say it wasn't the easiest route, but do-able with a little bit of maneuvering. The lack of a specific pool lift felt a bit… well, let's be honest – a little disappointing for a modern hotel. But hey, at least there are ramps and things, right? Don't expect total perfection.
The Room Itself: A Clean Canvas for Sweet Dreams (or Late-Night Snacking!)
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks: the rooms. Found some with connecting rooms! Bonus! I'm a sucker for a well-stocked room. (and a good refrigerator). The air conditioning blasted (necessary in Lubbock, baby!), the blackout curtains were a godsend after a long day of exploring, and the bed? Comfortable. Really comfortable. I'm not a fan of hard beds, and this thing was perfect. I'm here for it. They had your basics: a coffee maker (hallelujah!), an iron, and surprisingly, a mini-bar! (Though, let's face it, I usually BYOB in these situations). A desk for getting some work done. Even a safe for your valuables, just in case you get a little too wild at the local honky-tonk. My favorite thing? Wi-Fi? Free and available in every room! No complaints there.
Internet: The Lifeline of the Modern Traveler (and Social Media Addict)
Speaking of Wi-Fi, it was consistently good. I even managed to stream some Netflix! The LAN (remember those?) options were available too, but who uses LAN anymore in this day and age?! Internet Services in general were above average… but I'm old-school. I'd hoped for a landline, but the times… they are a-changin'.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Or, How I Failed to Embrace the Spa Life)
Okay, so this is where things get a little… Lubbock. The hotel boasts a pool (outdoor, of course, cause, you know, Texas), a gym, and a… spa? Let's be honest, calling it a "spa" might be a stretch in my opinion. It's more like a room where they offer spa services. I swear I saw a brochure for a body scrub and wrap… but I was too busy exploring the local haunts to actually make it happen. The pool was refreshing, even if the "view" was just more Lubbock (hey, it's not the Alps). The gym was decent – enough treadmills and dumbbells to get a decent workout in.
Cleanliness & Safety: The COVID-19 Reality Check
This is where the Wyndham really shines. They're serious about cleanliness. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff masked up, and a whole arsenal of anti-viral cleaning products. They seemed to offer a room sanitization opt-out, which I like. The hotel was clearly trained in safety protocols. I felt safe, especially at the buffet (more on that later).
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (More or Less)
Okay, the food. Here is where things got interesting. They had a restaurant… mostly offering American (and surprisingly decent international) cuisine and room service. The 24-hour service was a lifesaver after a late night. I'm a fan of Asian cuisine, and I definitely dove into the restaurant's menu, I recommend at least trying a dish or two. They also offer a buffet! It had all the usual suspects (eggs, bacon, the works) and, perhaps even more importantly, a damn coffee shop. This hotel got my attention quick!
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and the Things That Don't)
The front desk was open 24/7. Contactless check-in/out? Check! A small convenience store was available. They took care of the basics without any fuss. They also provided a laundry service.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Just Tolerant?
They say they're family-friendly. The kids facilities were somewhat limited, but honestly, I didn't have any kids with me on this trip!
Getting Around: Pedal Power & Airport Adventures
Free parking? Yes! Airport transfer? Apparently! Car power charging? Definitely a nice touch.
The Verdict:
Look, this isn't the Ritz. But it's a solid, reliable hotel in Lubbock. It's clean, comfortable, and offers a good range of amenities. The staff was friendly, the Wi-Fi was strong, and the breakfast was actually pretty decent. It's a good base camp for exploring the city, and the accessibility is definitely a plus. Is it the best Howard Johnson? Wyndham? Maybe not. But it's definitely a good choice and a solid contender for your Lubbock adventure. Oh, and always order the chicken fried steak, y'all! You're in Texas, after all.
Fort Lauderdale's BEST Extended Stay? Cypress Creek Suites REVEALED!
Okay, buckle up buttercups! This isn't your sanitized, corporate-washed "trip itinerary" - this is a descent into the glorious, chaotic mess that is a trip to Lubbock, Texas, staying at the, ahem, iconic Howard Johnson. Prepare for a ride.
Destination: Howard Johnson by Wyndham Lubbock TX (Holy cow, that's a mouthful!)
Duration: Let’s say, a weekend. Because, let’s be honest, anything longer in Lubbock might fray the nerves.
Theme: Survival…and Maybe Finding Some BBQ.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Parking Lot
Time: Approximately 3:00 PM - Arrival.
- Transportation: Let's be brutally honest - a beaten-up rental car because, HELL, you're in Lubbock.
- Location: Howard Johnson Parking Lot.
- Details: I pulled in, and my first thought wasn't "Oh, what a lovely hotel!" It was more of a, "Well, this certainly… is a Howard Johnson." You know that beige-y, slightly faded, aggressively generic look? Yeah, that's the one. And the parking lot? Oh boy. It was a scene of sun-baked asphalt, cars parked every which way, and a guy meticulously detailing a pickup truck that was clearly more valuable than my life savings. I briefly questioned my life choices.
- Emotional Reaction: Mild panic. Did I even make the right turn off I-27? Am I in a Twilight Zone episode? Should I just turn around and go home? (I almost did, you guys).
Time: 3:30 PM - Check-In.
- Location: The Front Desk.
- Details: The lobby smelled vaguely of chlorine and regret. The kind of regret that comes from a long road trip and too many gas station nachos. The clerk was… pleasant. She had that weary smile of someone who's seen things. Terrible, terrible things. Like, the kind of things involving questionable room service orders at 3 AM. She was also a total pro at putting up with my dumb questions.
- Anecdote: I asked if they had any rooms "away from the elevator." She gave me a look that could curdle milk and said, "Honey, this whole hotel is 'away from the elevator.'" Fair point.
- Emotional Reaction: Slight relief. The key card worked. The bed… appeared to be a bed, which was a win.
Time: 4:00 PM - Settling In. Exploring the Room (and its Secrets).
- Location: Room 217. (Or was it 218? Honestly, I can't remember.)
- Details: The room. Oh, the room. Let's just say it was… functional. A single bed, a TV from the Jurassic period, and a faint, but persistent, odor of… something. Maybe stale popcorn? I’m not sure. The bathroom felt like a time capsule back to the 80s.
- Quirky Observation: Found a Gideon's Bible in the nightstand. Always a classic. And a weirdly optimistic motel phone. I felt like calling the front desk and just asking them what was up.
- Emotional Reaction: A mix of awe at such a perfect depiction of the motel room experience and mild disappointment. I was a little more excited than I wanted to be.
Time: 6:00 PM - BBQ Quest: The Search for the Holy Smokes.
- Location: Drive.
- Details: Okay, this is where things get messy. I read about so many barbecue joints in Lubbock. I mean, so many. Online reviews were basically a war zone of burnt ends vs. brisket. I decided to just go. Blindly wander. I grabbed a map and my trusty rental, and off I went. Because that is the best thing to do.
- Anecdote: Found a place called "J&M BBQ." It was… okay. The brisket was a bit dry, but the sauce was… interesting. Like, I’m not sure what was in it, but I think I tasted hints of… cough syrup? I’m not sure.
- Emotional Reaction: Initially, slight dismay because the brisket was dry. But the cough-syrupy sauce… well, it was an experience. A questionable, possibly hallucinatory, experience.
Time: 8:00 PM - Back to the HoJo… and the Glorious TV of Yore.
- Location: Room 217 (or 218! I told you!).
- Details: Wound up collapsing in the bed, flipping on that ancient TV, and letting the comforting hum and static bring me back to the present. The TV became the comfort that the BBQ, or the motel room, can't give.
- Quirky Observation: The TV was also a reminder of the life I used to live. The TV used to be big, the same as the one I had a home. But I left that life behind, and here I am.
- Emotional Reaction: Relaxed in the moment. The room and the TV were perfect.
Day 2: Culturally Enriching Adventures (AKA: More Questionable Decisions)
Time: 9:00 AM - Breakfast… of Champions?
- Location: The complimentary breakfast area. (I'm using the term "area" loosely.)
- Details: The "breakfast" definitely had a certain… charm. Think pre-wrapped muffins, instant coffee that tasted like burnt dirt, and what looked like scrambled eggs made from something that wasn't actually eggs.
- Quirky Observation: The plastic cutlery felt like it was going to snap every five seconds. I'm pretty sure I saw someone eating cereal with a miniature spork.
- Emotional Reaction: A grim acceptance. I needed fuel for the day. And the muffins were, surprisingly, not bad.
Time: 10:00 AM - Buddy Holly Center… Because, Lubbock.
- Location: The Buddy Holly Center.
- Details: I figured, when in Lubbock… you gotta Buddy Holly. Honestly, it was pretty cool. I learned a lot. And I started thinking about the great times I had in high school.
- Anecdote: I saw a guitar that once belonged to Buddy Holly and got a bit… emotional. Maybe it was the lack of sleep. Maybe it was the overwhelming sense of Americana.
- Emotional Reaction: Surprisingly moved and nostalgic. Buddy Holly was a real one.
Time: 1:00 PM - Lunch. Another Attempt at BBQ (Fool Me Twice?)
- Location: Another BBQ joint (I won't name it, to protect the innocent).
- Details: This time, I went for the ribs. They were… better. Still not amazing, but edible. The sides were… well, let's just say I didn't finish them.
- Rambling: I mean, maybe I just set my expectations too high. Or maybe Lubbock BBQ is just… a different beast. I'm not sure. BBQ can be a tricky thing.
- Emotional Reaction: Mild satisfaction. I didn't hate it, so I considered it a win.
Time: 3:00 PM - A Driving Tour of Lubbock… and the Search for the Local Color.
- Location: The rental car.
- Details: I cruised around Lubbock, trying to get a feel for the place. The wind was kicking up dust. Found a cool little shopping center, but it was mostly closed. I saw the Texas Tech campus and thought about how little I wanted to go back to school.
- Quirky Observation: The flatness. Oh, the glorious, seemingly endless flatness. It's a visual experience if you like that sort of thing.
- Emotional Reaction: A growing appreciation for the quiet beauty of the desert. A vague desire to escape the rental car.
Time: 6:00 PM - Dinner and… More TV.
- Location: The HoJo, Room 217 (Yep. It was 217.). A local pizza place.
- Details: The pizza was decent. The TV was still there.
- Rambling: I started watching something on TV. I lost myself. That's good.
- Emotional Reaction: Comfort.
Day 3: Departure… and a Last Glimpse of Beige
Time: 9:00 AM - Check-Out… and the Sweet, Sweet Freedom of Leaving.
- Location: The Front Desk.
- Details: The clerk was the same as when I arrived. She had that same knowing smile. I swear she knew I was staying there.
- Emotional Reaction:
Lubbock's "Best" Howard Johnson? My Wyndham Hotel Review (TX) - Brace Yourself!
Is this place *actually* the "best" Howard Johnson? Let’s get real…
Okay, spill the beans! What's the *vibe*? Is it… haunted?
Let's talk about the *room*. Cleanliness? The beds? Did you run screaming?
Pool time! Was the pool... a pool? Or a swamp pit?
Breakfast. The ultimate test. What was the food situation? Was it… edible?
The Staff. Sweet, Sour, or Just… There?
Location, Location, Location… Is it *actually* convenient?
The Dealbreaker: Would you stay here again? And why?
Final Thoughts: Any Unsolicited Advice For Future Guests?
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