Brookings, SD Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Super 8!
The Grand [Hotel Name]: A Chaotic Review of Luxury and Longing (with a Side of Sanitizer)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I've just emerged, blinking and slightly shell-shocked, from the gilded cage that is the Grand [Hotel Name]. It's a place of polished perfection (mostly) and, let me tell you, I have some THOUGHTS. And I mean THOUGHTS that will likely unravel like a poorly-knitted sweater. Prepare for a whirlwind of ambition, accessibility, and perhaps a tiny bit of existential dread. This ain't gonna be a sterile, bullet-pointed list. This. Is. Real.
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- Keywords: Luxury Hotel Review, Accessibility, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Wi-Fi, [Hotel Name], [City Name - important!], Family-Friendly, Business Travel, COVID-19 Safety, Wheelchair Access, etc. We'll sprinkle these in, like the chef sprinkling truffle oil (which, incidentally, was AMAZING).
- Category: Travel & Hotels, Reviews, Luxury Travel, Accessible Travel
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The Grand Descent (aka. My Arrival)
First impressions? Oooooh baby, it's a LOOK. The lobby hits you with this sheer wall of elegance – marble floors, shimmering chandeliers, the whole shebang. I went in feeling like a slightly rumpled tourist, and emerged feeling…well, rumpled, but with a newfound appreciation for the sheer effort some people put into looking effortlessly fabulous. (Spoiler alert: I am not one of those people.)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (Much Like Life, Right?)
Let's be frank, this is a big one for me. My own mobility's a bit…variable. I checked the boxes on Wheelchair Accessible. The main areas were generally good. The elevator? Smooth as butter. Elevator usage was effortless. Facilities for disabled guests were touted extensively and I saw that a decent amount of effort was put in. The problem? The devil, as always, is in the details.
- The Good: The ramps were well-placed (essential!), and the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. When I lost my footing and needed assistance, staff members knew and took care of the issue, and asked if I needed any medical attention.
- The Not-So-Good: While the accessible rooms existed, the hallways were, at times, a bit narrow for maneuvering in a larger chair. Some thresholds felt like minor Everest expeditions. And the automated door-opening buttons? Not always reliable. It's all about those hidden nooks and crannies, isn't it?
- The Emotional Impact: Look, I'm not saying everyone needs to be perfect but accessibility is a vibe. If you're in a situation, where you struggle to move and the hotel is not set up to accommodate you, then you're screwed. The Grand [Hotel Name]…well, they tried. But there's room for improvement. And they needed to try harder.
On-Site Dining & Drinking (aka. Where I Spent Most of My Time):
Okay, let's talk food. Because, honestly, that's what I live for.
- Restaurants: The Grand boasts a phalanx of dining options. Restaurants, plural. You have your formal dining room with its starched linens and hushed tones. A La Carte in Restaurant was the prevailing method, and I'd recommend it. They have a lovely little Vegetarian restaurant that was particularly good, surprisingly. There’s a cozy Coffee Shop, a vibrant Bar scene that would fill even the most introverted of people with a sense of excitement.
- The Food Itself: The food was generally divine. The International Cuisine in Restaurant was the strongest aspect of the hotel, with an excellent Buffet in restaurant for breakfast. Though, I’ve learned to take buffet food with a pinch of salt. The Asian Cuisine in Restaurant wasn't my flavor, and I wasn't happy with my meal.
- The Problem: This is where things get messy. Service could be erratic. One night, I was served a perfectly-cooked steak…45 minutes after my friend's soup had gone cold.
- The Highs and Lows: The highlight was undoubtedly the truffle risotto at the main restaurant. Oh. My. God. I’d sell my soul for another plate. The low? The lukewarm (literally) coffee. Small things, but they add up.
- The Quirky Observation: I saw a waiter trip and spill a tray of champagne. The reaction of the other diners? A collective gasp, followed by polite murmurs. Then, the champagne was cleaned, and the show went on. I'm not sure whether I was laughing or crying.
- COVID Concerns: they offered Safe dining setup, with good Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, and Individually-wrapped food options. Seemed reassuring, but you can't escape the occasional lingering doubt.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: (Or How I Turned Into a Human Pudding):
The Grand [Hotel Name] boasts the full spa experience. And by "full," I mean overwhelming.
- The Spa: It's everything you could ever dream of in a luxurious, white-tiled paradise. Spa/Sauna. I spent a lot of time in the Sauna. The best part was the Pool with view.
- Fitness Fanatics Rejoice! There's a Fitness center/Gym/fitness. I've been told it's very good. (I may have glanced at it from the window, while sipping a cocktail).
- The Emotional Rollercoaster: The spa treatments were…intense. I had a Body scrub (it was prickly), a Body wrap (I felt like a human burrito), and a Massage (which was, admittedly, pure bliss). My therapist (who, bless her, had the patience of a saint) didn't bat an eyelid when I fell asleep mid-facial. I mean, I was relaxed!
- The Quirky Observation: They played whale song music. I'm not sure if it was meant to be calming or induce a deep, primordial urge to migrate. I kind of wanted to do both.
The Nitty Gritty: Rooms, Tech, and the Unseen Stuff:
- Rooms: The rooms are gorgeous. The Non-smoking rooms were a godsend. I had a corner suite with a view. It was heaven Available in all rooms, You have Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Desk, Extra long bed, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Satellite/cable channels, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Sofa, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and a Window that opens. Additional toilet was greatly appreciated. I even had my very own walk-in closet! (Cue the triumphant music).
- The Tech: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Which is essential. I was able to have Internet access – wireless at all times. However, the LAN was a bit clunky, in my opinion.
- The Unseen Stuff (aka: The COVID Tango): The Grand [Hotel Name] took its cleaning protocols seriously. The staff was trained in Staff trained in safety protocol. Anti-viral cleaning products were used, and there was Daily disinfection in common areas. There was also a Room sanitization opt-out available, but I would not have chosen, even if given the chance. Rooms sanitized between stays. There was a Hand sanitizer everywhere. I appreciated the effort, though I found myself carrying my own little bottle of sanitizer. It's like a superpower. Although, I was a little creeped out by the sterilizing machine working around the clock.
- The Quirky Observation: At one point, a cleaning lady gave me that look, and I'm not sure if she was judging my messy room or the fact I'd ordered three desserts. (Probably both).
Services & Conveniences: (The Extras That Make All the Difference):
- The Good: Daily housekeeping was impeccable. The Concierge was incredibly helpful. The Laundry Service was a lifesaver after a particularly messy risotto incident. They offer Airport transfer, which is a must.
- The Bad (or Meh): The Cash withdrawal was slow. The Convenience store was overpriced. The whole Food delivery thing was pretty much a nightmare.
- The Emotional Reaction: Honestly, I felt a mix of gratitude and mild annoyance. It's a luxury hotel, and some things should be automatic. But the staff, overall
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. Because planning a trip to Brookings, South Dakota, and actually LIVING that trip… well, it's not always the smooth ride the brochure promises. Consider this less a polished itinerary and more a frantic, caffeine-fueled journal entry of my time at the Super 8 in Brookings. Prepare for rambles, regrets, and the desperate hunt for a decent cup of coffee.
SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM BROOKINGS: A Love Story (Maybe? Jury's Still Out)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Soap Dispenser Debacle
- 1:00 PM: Arrival. Ah, Brookings. Population: enough to warrant a Super 8. Checked in, super friendly lady at the front desk. Gave me a room on the… second floor? Nope, first floor. "Ground floor" is what she called it. Smart. Anyway, the key card… well, it didn't initially work. I mean, REALLY? Key cards, in this day and age are still… things. Eventually, it worked. My room: basic. Clean-ish. Smelled faintly of chlorine and… something undefinable. Like old carpet.
- 1:15 PM: The Hunt for the Soap. Okay, so the soap dispenser. My nemesis. It was either empty, or the soap it did supply was like something I'd expect to find in a prison. Not even a hint of pleasantness. I mean, I had to actually go back down to the front desk and ask for a bar soap and a new room!
- 1:45 PM: The Great Food Search. Decided to be adventurous. Drove around. Oh, man, the options. I was so starving! I ended up at a place called the "Dakota Diner". The food was…fine. The pie, however, was divine. They also had a jukebox. I mean, a REAL jukebox, with actual CDs. It was a small victory in a life of small victories.
- 4:00 PM: Exploring the Town. Walked around the town. Brookings is… quaint. I visited SDSU (South Dakota State University). It's massive for the size of the area. Felt like a giant in a land of little people. Took a lot of photos of the buildings. They have a cool architecture.
- 6:00 PM: Hotel Hangout. Dinner. The TV. Oh, that TV. I actually spent hours on the couch watching TV and eating junk food. It was a perfect day.
Day 2: The Prairie Winds & the Coffee Quest (and the Room Key's Revenge)
- 7:00 AM: The Coffee Catastrophe. Super 8 coffee. Shudders. Seriously, it tasted like it had been brewed using motor oil. First things first. Coffee. Drove to a local coffee shop, "Charlie's". Best coffee I've had in a while!
- 8:00 AM: The Prairie Winds. Driving. South Dakota has a lot of… prairie. The wind whips. Really. Really whips. The landscape is beautiful in its own way, vast and unforgiving.
- 10:00 AM: The Room Key Strikes Back! Heading back to my room. Guess what? My key card stopped working. Again. This time, I nearly lost it. Stressed out!
- 11:00 AM: The History Museum. I spent hours. The museum was well-curated, with some artifacts that are surprisingly touching. The staff was helpful and passionate about the history of the area.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Found a "pizza" place. I am now, currently, eating a slice. I can't imagine anything being worse than the food from the night before…
- 2:00 PM: Rest. The afternoon was meant to be full of adventure, but I'm exhausted. So I'm going to lie down.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Burger I was craving a burger. Ended up eating a burger at a local establishment. It was decent.
Day 3: Leaving (Finally!) & Reflecting (Maybe)
- 7:00 AM: Last Coffee Run One final trip to "Charlie's" for the good stuff. I think I'm going to miss that coffee.
- 8:00 AM: Packing. I still have a little bit of time left, so I will take one last walk around the hotel.
- 9:00 AM: Checkout. Said goodbye to the front desk lady. She didn't ask about my stay; she just gave me a bill. Fair enough.
- 9:30 AM: Departure. Leaving Brookings. Did I enjoy my trip? I don't know. Is the Super 8 a shining beacon of luxury? Absolutely not. But it kept me dry, had a bed, and was, after all that, sort of…home. And the pie at the Dakota Diner? Worth the trip alone.
- 10:00 AM: Thinking about coming back.
- 10:30 AM: I'm leaving, and don't want to ever return.
See? Messy, real, and probably not all that helpful unless you find yourself staring up at the fluorescent lights of the Super 8 in Brookings, wondering if you'll ever escape. Good luck. You'll need it. And tell me if you figure out the secret to the soap situation. I'm still baffled.
Wilmington's Hidden Gem: Downtown Courtyard Hotel Review (DE)
So, like, What *is* This Whole Thing, Anyway? (Because, seriously, I’m Confused)
Alright, deep breaths. This is where I *try* to explain… and honestly, sometimes I’m not even sure *I* fully get it. But okay. Think of it like… a… well, let's say it's a gigantic, complicated, and slightly unstable pile of… *stuff.* And that "stuff" can be anything. Literally. Okay, maybe not *literally* anything. (I'm suddenly picturing it involving sentient staplers... Nope, we're staying away from that.) Think of it as a constantly evolving, ever-shifting landscape of… experiences. Yeah, let's go with that. It's a landscape. A messy, beautiful, frustrating landscape. Got it? Good. Or, you know, don't. We'll figure it out together. Probably.
And I swear, I get lost in this too. I had this one time... (Sigh) I’ll tell it later.
Is This Thing Actually Worth My Time? (Because, You Know, Netflix Exists)
Okay, real talk time: Depends. Honestly. Are you looking for a guaranteed good time? Probably not. Is it always easy? Absolutely not. Is it going to make total sense all the time? Hah! No way. But… is it… *worth it?* Maybe. If you're the kind of person who likes a little adventure, a little chaos, and a whole lotta… well, *something*… then yeah, it *could* be. It's like that friend who's always a disaster, but you can’t *not* love them because they’re just… *so* them. This is kind of like that. On a good day, you’ll be laughing your socks off. On a bad day… well, you might be throwing your hands up in the air and screaming. Both are valid reactions, I promise. I've done both, usually in the same hour.
And hey, you can always switch to Netflix. I won't judge. (Well, maybe a little...)
Okay, So, What Kind of People Enjoy This… Thing? (And Am I One of Them?)
This is where things get… interesting. The truth? It’s a total mixed bag. I've seen… Well, let's just say I've seen *everyone* get completely obsessed with it. The people who are drawn to this are… (pauses, scratches chin) …curious. Open-minded. Probably a little bit… broken (in a good way, of course!). They're the ones who aren't afraid to wander off the beaten path, get lost in the weeds, and maybe… *maybe*… stumble upon something genuinely amazing. They’re the people who laugh at the absurd, embrace the imperfections, and aren’t afraid to be a little weird.
Think… your quirky uncle who tells the best stories, even though they're mostly embellished? That's the vibe. And if you feel a little bit like that uncle? Congratulations, you might have found your tribe.
I once met this guy in... Nevermind. It's a long story and probably unrelated.
Will I Need To Know Like, *Everything* To Understand This? (Because I Barely Remember My Own Name Some Days)
Absolutely not! In fact, I'd argue that knowing *too much* might actually be a hindrance. (Shh, don't tell my high school teachers I said that). Forget the encyclopedic knowledge. Forget the perfect understanding. Forget… well, most of it. (Unless you're into that, then, go for it!). The best way to approach this is with an open mind and a willingness to just… *go with it*. Think of it like learning a new language. You stumble and fall, you make mistakes, you sound like a complete idiot sometimes… but eventually, you start to get it. Slowly but surely.
And honestly, I'm still learning. So, yeah. You’re in good company. I forgot my car keys today. Twice.
Can We Get Into the Technical Stuff? What Even *Is* Involved? (Or Is It All Just… Magic?)
*Sigh*. Okay, fine. I *can* tell you about the technical stuff… but be warned, it gets… *dull*. At its heart, it *could* be summarized as… a process. Or a set of interconnected events. Or maybe a series of steps. Depends on the day (and how much coffee I've had).
Honestly, though? The "technical stuff" is the least interesting part. It's the *feeling* that matters… the *experience*. It's like trying to explain a sunset: you *can* talk about wavelengths and atmospheric conditions, but that doesn't capture the actual *beauty*.
But okay, fine. There's a system. There's a process. There are… variables? Sigh. Fine! But don't get too bogged down in the nuts and bolts. It's not about the mechanics; it’s about the *magic*. And if you poke around, I'll bet you it can be found in the details. I'm not going to write all the secrets here, for a long time now and I still can't pin down one single aspect of it.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. And maybe a stiff drink.
What If I Mess Up? (Because, Let's Be Honest, I Probably Will)
Oh, honey. You *will* mess up. It's basically guaranteed. Welcome to the club! We have jackets. (Probably stained with coffee, because, you know.)
The beauty of this whole… *thing*… is that there are no real "mistakes." There's only… learning. Exploration. And the occasional glorious, spectacular failure. Embrace the mess-ups! They're where the good stuff happens. They're where you learn. They're where you discover what *doesn't* work, which is just as valuable as discovering what *does*.
I once tried to… *shudders*… oh, it's too embarrassing to even tell you. Let's just say it involved a lot of feathers, glue, and a very confused cat. Was it a success? Absolutely not. Was it a valuable learning experience? You bet your sweet bippy it was. Also, I still have feathers everywhere. So, yeah. Mess up. It's fine. Seriously.
Is There a "Right" Way To Do This? (Because I'm Really Bad at Winging It)
Nope. Absolutely not. There’s a *completely* wrong way, whichBest Stay Blogspot
Super 8 By Wyndham Brookings Brookings (SD) United States
Super 8 By Wyndham Brookings Brookings (SD) United States
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