Escape to Wheeling: Luxurious Hawthorn Suites Awaits!
Escape to Wheeling: Hawthorn Suites – My Take (Spoiler: Mostly Good, With a Few Quirks!)
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I've just wrestled with the Hawthorn Suites in Wheeling, Ohio, and I'm here to spill the tea – the lukewarm, maybe slightly industrial-tasting tea, but still… tea! Let's dive into this… experience.
First off, let's be honest, Wheeling isn't exactly the Bahamas. It's… Wheeling. Think quaint, maybe a little rough around the edges, and definitely a place where everyone seems to know your grandmother. Which, by the way, can be good or bad, depending on how good your grandmother's gossip is.
Accessibility: The Good, the Meh, and the Mystery Staircase
Okay, so, Accessibility. This is important, and Hawthorn Suites mostly nails it. Wheelchair accessible: YES, crucial. Elevator: Check. My grumpy, creaky knees and I were thrilled. There were ramps here and there – a smooth operator for getting around. The rooms themselves were also spacious and well-designed, with good maneuverability. Score!
However… and there's always a "however," isn’t there? I stumbled upon a mysterious staircase leading somewhere I couldn't quite identify. It looked like it might lead to a particularly aggressive game of hide-and-seek. Maybe a secret, speakeasy-style spa hidden away? (Okay, my imagination's running wild). But for someone with mobility issues, that staircase was a big, fat NO. Probably best to ask the front desk if there's a hidden gem up there (or just avoid it entirely, if you're like me).
Internet: Free Wi-Fi, Hallelujah! (But Also, LAN?)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the digital gods!! This is non-negotiable in my book. I need to Instagram my questionable roadside diner experiences immediately. And you know what? The Wi-Fi was FAST. Reliable. No buffering nightmares. Pure, digital bliss.
They also advertise Internet [LAN] – which, honestly, feels a bit like offering a rotary phone in a smartphone world. Who uses LAN anymore? Maybe my grandpa. But hey, options are good, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Buffet Bonanza and the Perils of an Empty Poolside Bar
Breakfast [buffet]: This is where things get… interesting. Let's be real: hotel buffets are a gamble. This one was… decent. Standard fare. Waffles, scrambled eggs that may or may not be from an actual chicken egg, various pastries of questionable origin. But Hey. it was Breakfast [buffet], it filled the belly. You could also get Breakfast takeaway service which the early risers might appreciate.
Restaurants: The presence of Restaurants with Asian cuisine in restaurant feels a touch aspirational considering Wheeling's location and general vibe. I didn't actually see one (perhaps my map reading skills are lacking).
Poolside bar: Wait, wait – Poolside bar?? Sounds utterly divine! This is the Wheeling I want to experience. I dashed out there, envisioning myself sipping a fruity concoction whilst the sun bakes my pale skin. Sadly, the bar was… closed. Empty. Lonely. A symbol of unrealized potential. A definite bummer.
Room Service [24-hour]: Now we’re talking! This could be a lifesaver.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams (or maybe not)
They say they have a Spa, and a Sauna, and a Steamroom. My inner princess was doing cartwheels. It sounded like the perfect escape from the (slightly) less-than-glamorous reality of Wheeling.
So I went. And… I was disappointed. What they offered and what was available were two very different things. Turns out the sauna was out of order. Or maybe it was just a rumor? The steamroom? MIA. The spa itself? More like "a place where a spa once existed." I did, however, see a Fitness center, which was well equipped so I tried it!
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitizing Shenanigans and Trusting the Process
I’m a germophobe, so I’m always on high alert. Here, Hawthorn Suites seems to have a genuine commitment to keeping things clean. The Daily disinfection in common areas felt reassuring. I saw the staff diligently using Professional-grade sanitizing services. And the Hand sanitizer dispensers were plentiful – a welcome sight. Most importantly, after the state of the world, I could be absolutely assured that Rooms sanitized between stays.
Plus, the fact that they had Anti-viral cleaning products gave me a little extra peace of mind. Although, I did catch a whiff of something suspiciously like bleach once, and I think it might've scrubbed my nose hairs off. Jokes aside, they are making an effort which I found very good.
Services and Conveniences: The Elevator to Heaven (and the Gift Shop That Wasn't)
Elevator: Already mentioned, but I'll reiterate its importance. Bless the elevator people!
They have a Convenience store…but (surprise, surprise) it was out of commission. Empty! Another letdown. I needed a Twinkie! A Twinkie, dammit!
Parking: Car park [free of charge], absolutely fantastic. Free parking is always a win in a world of nickel-and-diming.
For the Kids: Babysitting (Maybe… Ask the Front Desk)
Family/child friendly is listed. If you are planning such a trip, the mention of Babysitting service is a good option if you need it.
In Conclusion: Wheeling's Charm (and Hawthorn's Ups and Downs)
Hawthorn Suites in Wheeling is a decent option. It has its flaws, for sure. The "phantom spa," the empty poolside bar, the missing convenience store. But it's also got its strengths: decent prices, super-fast Wi-Fi, the accessibility points, a good location… and the ever-present promise of a half-decent breakfast.
Wheeling itself is… well, it's Wheeling. It's not going to win any awards for glamour. But it has a certain quirky charm. And the Hawthorn Suites, despite its quirks, is a decent base camp for exploring it. Just don't go expecting a five-star experience. Temper your expectations, pack your sense of humor, and be prepared for a few minor hiccups. You might just have a good time. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll solve the mystery of that staircase. Good luck!
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this is not your average itinerary. We're talking about a Hawthorn Suites adventure in Wheeling, WV, at the Highlands, and trust me, it's going to be… well, it's going to be something. I'm still recovering from the trip, if I'm honest. Let's dive in, shall we?
Hawthorn Suites - Wheeling: Operation Escape the Ordinary (and Maybe My Sanity)
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Great Cookie Debacle
- 2:00 PM: Arrive at Hawthorn Suites. Oh, the hope! The clean carpets! The promised complimentary breakfast! (Spoiler alert: the breakfast was… okay. More on that later.) Check-in was a breeze, thankfully. The front desk lady, bless her heart, had seen some things. I'm pretty sure her eyebrow did a tiny victory dance when I confirmed I wasn't arriving with a pack of screaming children. Score one for me.
- 2:30 PM: Room Reconnaissance. Essential. Checking the bathroom, the bed (is it comfy enough to binge-watch reality TV?), the general vibe. My room? Kind of…beige. Beige walls, beige furniture, beige everything. It was like being enveloped in a giant, slightly depressing beige hug.
- 3:00 PM: The Cookie Crisis. OK, this is where things started to unravel slightly. Hawthorn Suites promises cookies. I saw them, fresh from the oven, near the front desk and grabbed a couple. They looked absolutely heavenly. But… they were slightly burnt on the bottom. Not just a little crispy, mind you. Black, ashy, I'm-pretty-sure-I-could-use-this-as-a-bric-a-brac-on-a-fireplace burnt. My heart sank. I almost cried. The promise… the betrayal… (Dramatic pause. I may be prone to exaggeration.) But that was just the beginning, I should have known then this trip would be memorable.
- 3:30 PM: Settling In/ Mild Panic. Okay, deep breaths. Unpack, organize the room, and mentally prepare for the next few days. The fridge was tiny. The microwave looked like something my grandma would use (not in a good way). I start to feel slightly claustrophobic already and it's only been an hour.
- 4:00 PM: Highlands Exploration! Okay, so I figured I'd try to embrace the location. Went to the nearby shopping plaza and wandered around a bit. Thought I'd get a snack. Thought wrong. There were very few options available. Wound up getting a sad little pretzel from a cinema. Disheartening.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Decided to brave a local burger joint. The burger was good, the fries were greasy glory. The waitress was a local, the locals were… well, they were locals. And very much living their own lives, which I enjoyed observing.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the hotel. Tried to watch a movie on the surprisingly decent TV. Got distracted by the sheer beige-ness of the room. Started planning a decorating scheme in my head. Beige-cancelling strategies. Maybe a giant tapestry of a tropical beach?
- 9:00 PM: Attempted to relax. Failed. The slightly off-kilter "Welcome to Wheeling!" brochure was staring at me. The slightly burnt cookie (I'd saved one!) mocking me. The hum of the air conditioner was relentless. This is where I decided to try the hot tub, which was the most relaxing part of the trip.
- 11:00 PM: Sleep, or the illusion thereof. The beige room swallowed me whole.
Day 2: The Breakfast Debacle and the Wheeling Experience
- 7:00 AM: The Dreaded Breakfast. Honestly, after the cookie incident, my expectations were rock-bottom. The coffee was weak, the scrambled eggs looked…questionable, and the "fruit" consisted of a few sad, bruised bananas. I ate a waffle. It was alright. I was hungry. I swear, this continental breakfast would’ve been better if it had just been toast and coffee.
- 8:00 AM: Wheeling Exploration Part Deux. I decided to delve into the "historical" part of Wheeling. Walked around. Found some interesting buildings. Some charming, some… less so. There's definitely history there! Some spots have the charm of a town that's seen better days.
- 10:00 AM: Wheeling Island, OMG. Went to Wheeling Island which was, surprisingly, both beautiful and kinda creepy. The winding streets, the old houses, the river… it was like stepping back in time. It felt slightly abandoned, in a good way. I could smell the history, both good and bad. And a hint of fish.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch and Reflection. Found a cozy diner for lunch. A burger. Not gonna lie, burgers became a recurring theme. I had a lot of meals. I contemplated my life choices. Was I having a bad time? Or was this whole experience, the beige room, the burnt cookie, all part of the adventure? That's the beauty of a trip like this.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. Nap time. Or, more accurately, attempt to nap time. The air conditioner hummed. I stared at the beige walls. I started planning a revenge-decorated room, filled with bright colors and fabulous art.
- 4:00 PM: Highlands Revisit/ Snack Hunt. The pretzel situation needed immediate addressing. I attempted to find some decent eats. Tried a few more options in the Highlands. Managed to score some mozzarella sticks. Not glamorous, but effective. The hotel's cookie situation still haunted me.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner, again. More greasy fries. Another burger. What can I say? I was in a mood and food was going to be my comfort.
- 7:30 PM: The Hot Tub Redemption! The hot tub was still good. That was the one aspect that kept my spirits up. And, perhaps unexpectedly, I enjoyed being in it. The little jets, the warm water, the quiet… bliss.
- 9:00 PM: Attempting to read a book. Failed. The beige… it was overwhelming.
- 10:00 PM: Movie marathon (again!). Found a slightly better film this time.
- 12:00 AM: Sleep. Sort of. The air conditioner. The beige. It all swirled around in my head.
Day 3: Departure and the Aftermath (and a Deep Dive into the Psychological Scars)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast Part Three. Still weak coffee. Still sad fruit. Still the waffles. Feeling numb.
- 8:00 AM: Final room inspection. Everything in order, except for the lingering feeling of existential dread that only a beige room can inspire.
- 8:30 AM: Check Out!
- 9:00 AM: Departure. Freedom! (Maybe?)
- 10:00 AM: Driving home. I was slightly disoriented. I felt like I was leaving a parallel universe.
- 11:00 AM: Reflection and Therapy. I'm still processing it all.
- 1:00 PM: The Aftermath: The beige-ness continues to haunt me. I'm now obsessed with decorating. I have a strong craving for a quality cookie. And I have a newfound respect for the power of a good hot tub.
Final Thoughts:
Hawthorn Suites in Wheeling, WV, at the Highlands? It wasn't perfect, not by a long shot. But it was an experience. It was messy, it was imperfect, it was utterly human. It forced me out of my comfort zone and into a world of beige and greasy fries. And you know what? I wouldn't trade it for anything. Even the burnt cookies. (Okay, maybe I'd trade the burnt cookies.) It's a reminder that sometimes the best travel experiences aren't about perfection, but about embracing the unexpected, the slightly off-kilter, and the sheer, unadulterated realness of it all. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to order a delivery of cookies. Perfect cookies. I deserve them.
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Okay, Okay, Tell Me Straight – Is This Place Actually *Luxurious*? Like, *Really* Luxurious?
Alright, let's get this straight: "luxurious" is doing a *lot* of heavy lifting in that headline, isn't it? Look, it's not a Ritz-Carlton, okay? You're not gonna find gold-plated faucets or a butler named Reginald. But… I’ll tell you what, I was *pleasantly* surprised. My expectations were, shall we say, tempered. I'd seen the photos online – those *always* look too good – and I was mentally bracing myself for… something. You know? Something that smelled faintly of stale chlorine and disappointment.
But then I walked in! The lobby was actually… nice. Not "oooh, designer furniture!" nice, but "hey, this is a decent place to plop down with a complimentary coffee and awkwardly wait for your travel companion" nice. The suites themselves? Bigger than my tiny apartment, which is a win in my book. Think comfortable, clean, and yeah, maybe a *touch* dated, but honestly? I've seen worse. Way worse. The kind of "worse" that haunts your nightmares. Seriously, this was a step *up*. Luxury? Relative, honey. Relative. Let's call it… comfortably upscale. And that's a win, in my book. Especially after that *horrific* experience at the "budget-friendly" motel last summer... ugh, don't even get me started. (More on that later, maybe... *shudders*)
What's the Deal with This Whole "Wheeling" Thing? Is There Anything to *Do* There? Because My Last Trip Involved a Parking Lot and Regret...
Wheeling, you ask? Okay, full disclosure: I went in *completely* blind. I'd heard nothing about Wheeling, West Virginia. Honestly, my inner monologue before booking was a frantic, “Where am I even *going*? Is this safe? Will I be eaten by a cryptid?” But, surprisingly, Wheeling… is… well, it's *something*.
The thing is, it depends! You know, *your* vibe. If you're the "hit the casinos hard, drink martinis, and maybe try to win enough to pay for a new car" type, then it's your jam. There's the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack (yes, all of that in one place. Bless 'em). I'm more of a "awkwardly shuffle around looking at overpriced knick-knacks" type, so I checked out the Centre Market, a charming little place with antiques and some cute boutiques.
Now, the *real* highlight for me was… the food. Oh. My. God. I had a pepperoni roll that was practically a religious experience. I'm not kidding. I still dream about that pepperoni roll. Seriously, if you do nothing else, find a pepperoni roll. And the history! Wheeling has a *ton* of history, if you’re into that sort of thing. Like, "historic mansions" and "riverboat gambling" sort of history. I mean, I'm not a history buff, but I grudgingly admit it was kind of interesting. I did a ghost tour, and surprisingly, it was pretty good. They didn't even push me to buy any overpriced souvenirs! Win-win. (Though, I'm *still* trying to figure out if that shadow was just a trick of the light or a malevolent spirit...)
Breakfast? Free Breakfast Always Matters. What's the Hawthorn Suites Game Plan? Is it Just Beige Foods?
Look, I'm a sucker for free food. Always. Ask anyone. I will travel for snacks. And yes, the Hawthorn Suites *does* offer a free breakfast. My immediate thought? "Please, please, PLEASE be better than those sad, sad continental breakfast traps of my youth."
And... It wasn’t bad! It wasn't a Michelin-starred brunch, but it was perfectly acceptable. There was a waffle maker (score!), some scrambled eggs (iffy, but edible!), sausage (always a gamble, but okay), cereal, yogurt, the usual suspects. The coffee was… coffee. Not great, not terrible. Sufficient. I mean, let’s be real, the best part of any free breakfast is the guilt-free second (and third) helping. I may or may not have snuck a few extra waffles back to my room… for later consumption. Don't judge me! Waffles are a gift from the breakfast gods! And let's be honest, they often have the best waffles. I still don't understand HOW they do it. It's a small thing, maybe, but the waffle... the waffle was worth the trip in itself. Okay, maybe not. But it helped!
Are There Any Hidden Fees? I Hate Hidden Fees More Than I Hate Being on Hold for 3 Hours.
Hidden fees? Oh, the bane of every traveler's existence! Thankfully, I didn't encounter any *major* hidden fees at the Hawthorn Suites. They're pretty upfront about the pricing, which is always a plus. You know, none of that sneaky "resort fee" nonsense that makes me want to scream into the void.
Now, that doesn't mean there weren't *any* potential extra costs. Parking, for example, is something to keep an eye on. I don't remember if they charged me, but you *always* need to ask. And, of course, there's the temptation of the mini-bar (which I, thankfully, stayed away from... though, let’s be honest, I'd probably spend more than a few bucks on a bag of chips... and that's *before* even considering the chocolate)... Also, don't forget the gas. Gas costs money. Also, the impulse buys. So, in short, *always* factor in extra cash. Just in case the travel gods are feeling particularly mischievous.
What's the Wi-Fi Like? Because I Need to Stay Connected to the Outside World (and, You Know, Netflix).
Wi-Fi! A modern-day necessity. Let's be real: if the Wi-Fi is crap, the whole trip is ruined. I was, shall we say, cautiously optimistic about the Hawthorn Suites' Wi-Fi. It's the kind of amenity that can either be a blessed godsend or a source of endless frustration.
And… it was acceptable! Not lightning-fast, mind you. Don't expect to download a feature-length film in five seconds. But… I could stream Netflix without *too* much buffering, browse the internet, and, most importantly, keep in touch with my friends via social media: That's the most important thing to me in a trip. And, yeah, do a work email or two. I mean, I *was* on vacation, but the world doesn't stop, you know? There were a few moments where I wanted to chuck my laptop out the window, but honestly, that's pretty standard for my internet experience. I've had worse, *much* worse. Like the time I tried to work from a coffee shop that thought dial-up was still a viable option... Ugh, the trauma! So, yeah, the Wi-Fi at HawHotel Finder Reviews
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