Round Rock Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Microtel Inn & Suites!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into a review. This isn't going to be some polished brochure, this is gonna be the raw, unfiltered truth. Let's call it… Hotel Hell: The Review (cue dramatic music…and my slightly cracked laptop screen).
(SEO & Metadata Notes: I'm trying to jam in relevant keywords, but let's be real, my brain is a chaotic filing cabinet. "Hotel Review," "Accessibility," "Spa," "Dining," "Wi-Fi," "Family-Friendly," "Cleanliness," etc. – the usual suspects.)
The Place: Let's Just Call It… "The Grand Pineapple" (fictional, for legal reasons…and because I forgot to actually name it.)
First Impressions (and the Dreaded Lobby):
Okay, so the website promised luxury. "An oasis of tranquility," they cooed. In reality? The lobby was…well, it was there. Clean-ish, I guess. The air conditioning was blasting like a polar vortex, which was nice ‘cause outside it was hotter than a habanero pepper’s armpit. The doorman? Bless his soul, he looked like he’d seen some things. Probably a lot of stressed-out guests and way too many luggage mishaps. The elevator worked, which, honestly, these days, is a minor miracle. Score one for the good guys.
Accessibility: (The Good, The Bad, and the “Meh”)
- Wheelchair Accessible: They said it was. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I made a casual observation or two. Ramps? Yup. Wide doorways? Mostly. Things felt…generally accessible. But honestly? The real test is always navigating the subtleties of a place. Are the staff actually helpful? Do they get that "accessible" isn't just a checklist item but a mindset? I couldn't fully assess that, but kudos for the basic infrastructure.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Listed, but I didn't go digging to check specifics, as it wasn't a primary focus.
- Elevator: Thank god, yes. Because stairs are my mortal enemy after a buffet.
On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: I, sadly, wasn't able to visit, but they were listed.
Internet (Oh, the Internet…):
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Hallelujah! And it…mostly worked. Sometimes. Other times it'd drop out mid-binge-watch of my guilty pleasure, which (I'm not proud to admit) is that show about the competitive cake-makers. The horror! But hey, free is free, and I survived.
- Internet [LAN]: Didn't touch it, but it was there. For the dinosaurs among us, I guess.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Mostly functional, but prone to occasional meltdowns during peak selfie hours. Prepare to be patient.
Rooms: My Kingdom for a Decent Mattress!
Available in all rooms: Let's see here. Air conditioning (yep, praise be), alarm clock (I think it does), bathrobes (yay!), bathroom phone (that's…a thing?), bathtub (hmmm…), black-out curtains (a must for this light sleeper), carpeting (meh), closet (yes, thank god), coffee/tea maker (essential!), complimentary tea (bless), daily housekeeping (thank you, angels), desk (yup), extra long bed (didn't feel particularly extra long, but ok), free bottled water (essential!), hair dryer (yes!), high floor (nope, the view was of a parking lot), in-room safe box (score!), interconnecting room(s) available (didn't need), internet access – LAN (see above), internet access – wireless (see above), ironing facilities (nope), laptop workspace (yup), linens (they were…linens), mini bar (yes!), mirror (yep), non-smoking (yep, thank the heavens), on-demand movies (nope), private bathroom (yup), reading light (yes!), refrigerator (yes!), safety/security feature (yup), satellite/cable channels (yup!), scale (WHY?!) seating area (yup), separate shower/bathtub (yup!), shower (yup!), slippers (I miss them), smoke detector (yup), socket near the bed (thank you!), sofa (yup), soundproofing (nope, could hear the couple next door fighting all night), telephone (yup), toiletries (basic), towels (fluffy!), umbrella (didn't need), visual alarm (Didn't see any), wake-up service (didn't use), Wi-Fi [free] (see above), window that opens (nope).
The Mattress: The Ultimate Test. Ugh. It was. Okay, it wasn't the worst mattress I've ever encountered. But it wasn't the best, either. It was…mediocre. Which, after a long day of…well, mostly just existing…is a real disappointment. This could turn into my personal Achilles heel. Honestly, give me a decent bed, and I'm basically sold. The Grand Pineapple, you let me down.
Soundproofing (or Lack Thereof): Let’s just say I know all about the marital squabbles of the couple in the room next door. And the cleaning staff’s early morning routine. Privacy? Scarce. Maybe invest in some earplugs, people.
Room Sanitization Opt-Out Available: Good to know!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (My Favorite Section)
- Restaurants: They had a few. One was a rather fancy-looking international cuisine restaurant. I briefly considered it but chickened out. Another was a more casual (and cheaper) option, which I frequented a little too much.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes indeed!
- Asian breakfast: Nope.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yes, and it was good!
- Bar: Essential!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yes! Which also had some issues.
- Breakfast service: Yes to be fair, it was decent.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Okay coffee.
- Coffee shop: Yes indeed!
- Desserts in restaurant: Decent.
- International cuisine in restaurant: mentioned above
- Poolside bar: Yes, and it involved me drinking cocktails at ungodly hours.
- Room service [24-hour]: Lifesaver! Especially after that all-night cake-baking marathon.
- Soup in restaurant: I didn't see that.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Mentioned above
- Western breakfast: Yes.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: mentioned above
- Alternative meal arrangement: Maybe, didn't investigate.
- Bottle of water: Yes, plentiful.
- Buffet in restaurant: The breakfast massacre. The omelet station was a battleground. You’d wait in line, then the guy would ask what you wanted, and you'd feel like you're on a game show. I'm not sure if the food was all that good but the experience was intense. It's kind of wonderful and awful at the same time.
- Happy hour: Yes! And cheap, which is always a win.
- Salad in restaurant: Yes, but generally overpriced.
- Snack bar: Yes, although it was a very tiny box of peanuts, not really worth mentioning.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: (The Promised Pampering?)
- Swimming Pool: Yep! Outdoor. And it was…fine. Nothing particularly memorable, although I did witness a small child attempting to wear a rubber ducky as a hat, which was briefly the funniest thing I'd seen all week.
- Pool with view: Nope, but it did overlook a few palms, so that's something.
- Fitness center: I. Dared. Not. (The buffet called, and I answered.)
- Spa/sauna: Okay, the spa. This is where it gets interesting. They had the whole shebang:
- Spa: It looked lovely. Clean. Calming decor. The whole nine yards. But getting an appointment was like winning the lottery. I tried, I really did. Kept getting the runaround. “Fully booked. Try again tomorrow.” Ugh.
- Massage: Eventually, I did manage to snag a massage. Did it magically erase all my stresses? No. Did it feel…decent? Yes. But again, nothing earth-shattering. I had a pretty firm massage therapist that seemed a step away from being a gladiator.
- Sauna/Steamroom: Never made it to those. The spa situation was already emotionally draining.
- Body Scrub/Body Wrap/Foot Bath: See “Spa” section.
Cleanliness and Safety: (Let’s Get Serious)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Listed, so I hope so!
- Breakfast takeaway service: Not
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's perfectly-planned travelogue. This is my Round Rock, Texas, adventure - from the perspective of someone who's more likely to lose their phone than find their zen. We’re stayin’ at the Microtel, bless their little heart. Here goes…
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of Motel Carpets
- 1:00 PM: Landed in Austin (ugh, airport traffic). Found my way, eventually, to the Microtel. The name sounds optimistic, doesn’t it? Microtel…as if the "micro" refers to the expectation of a tiny, perfect stay. Should've known it meant micro-budget.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. The lady at the front desk? Sweet as pie, bless her soul. Always a good start. The lobby smelled vaguely of chlorine and…something else. Can't quite place it. The carpet, though. Oh, the carpet. Is it clean? Is it pretending to be clean? It’s a mystery worthy of a true crime podcast.
- 2:00 PM: Settle into the room. Everything looks…functional. The bed is…a bed. The TV? Has a remote! (Small victories, people, small victories). But the light… Oh, the depressing fluorescent overhead lighting. It drains the life from your soul. I immediately feel the need for a nap, just to escape the sterile ambiance.
- 3:00 PM: Okay, nap done. Emerged from the sleep fog, slightly refreshed. The sun is a thing of wonder, and my mood brightens a bit. Food…food is the answer.
- 4:00 PM: Head out in search of food. The front desk recommended a BBQ joint called "Salt Lick". I didn’t even know there was a Salt Lick in Round Rock. You know, I'm not the biggest BBQ fan – but I figured, when in Texas…
The Salt Lick Debacle (Or, My Introduction to Texas BBQ)
- 4:30 PM: Arrived at Salt Lick. The parking lot was a sea of vehicles. A sea! I'm not kidding. We could get this covered in my car, in fact, that's what I ended up doing. The line snaked around the building. My stomach growled in protest. This is it. This is Texas. Embrace it.
- 5:00 PM: Finally inside (thank GOD). The smell of smoked meat hit me like a freight train. My eyes watered. My resolve crumbled. This is going to be amazing. I am prepared for the meat sweats.
- 5:30 PM: Sat down at a picnic table. It's a total sensory overload! Plates piled high with brisket (so tender!), ribs (fall-off-the-bone delicious!), and sausage (spicy and perfect). I got the family platter because, again, when in Texas.
- 6:30 PM: The meat sweats arrive. I was a sweaty, meat-fueled, happy blob. The sauce was amazing, the service was good, and the entire experience? Utterly, gloriously Texan. Was it the best BBQ I've ever had? Maybe. Probably. I don’t remember, I was too busy eating.
- 7:00 PM: Stagger back to Microtel. I'm convinced I'll sleep for a week. Definitely not going to need any dinner. Just…meat. And sleep.
Day 2: Shopping and the Eternal Quest for a Decent Coffee
- 8:00 AM: Woken by the sun blasting through the blinds. My stomach is still full of meat. How many hours of sleep did I get? No idea.
- 8:30 AM: Morning coffee. The Microtel's complimentary offering is…well, it's coffee. Let’s just say it won’t win any awards. Where is a good coffee place anyway?
- 9:00 AM: Researching this local coffee situation. Reviews are mixed. Coffee is important!
- 9:30 AM: Walmart. Needed a few things. Got sucked into a whole shopping vortex. Needed socks and that thing became groceries, household stuff, and a ridiculous inflatable pool floatie (why?).
- 11:00 AM: Back to the room, feeling a bit like a hoarder. The pool floatie? Totally worth it. Okay, and maybe I needed all that stuff…
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Some leftovers and the last of the fruit. My body is so confused, one minute it’s eating BBQ, and the next…it's fruit and veggies.
- 1:00 PM: The shopping bug has bitten! Shopping! I am not really a “shopper”, but when in Texas…
- 1:30 PM: Some local recommendations. "The Domain," I think, is what they call it.
- 2:00 PM: The Domain. Oh my god. It’s a…shopping mecca! I feel a bit underdressed. I think I’m in the wrong place here. Trying to blend in.
- 3:00 PM: The Domain. After a few hours, I'm over it. Too many brands, too many people, too much…stuff. Still, bought a few things. A little something for me, y'know?
- 4:00 PM: Back to the room. The room isn't my favorite, but at least it's mine. And the pool floatie really ties it all together.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Nothing heavy this time. Salad. Pizza. Some leftovers. Relaxing.
- 7:00 PM: Swimming time!
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Smell of…Hotel
- 8:00 AM: Another morning. Another attempt at Microtel coffee. I give up.
- 9:00 AM: A quick search reveals a cute coffee shop I'm going to.
- 9:30 AM: Coffee shop! Coffee! Espresso! Ahhhh, much better.
- 10:00 AM: Final preparations. Packing. The dreaded "hotel smell" seems embedded in my clothes. What is that? Is it cleaning products? Is it despair? Is it the carpet?
- 11:00 AM: Check-out. Say goodbye to the sweet lady at the front desk. I'm going to miss her. And her ability to smile despite the carpet situation.
- 11:30 AM: Head to the airport. Reflecting. Round Rock was…an experience. It was BBQ, it was shopping, it was…the Microtel. And you know what? It was perfect, in its own imperfect way.
- 1:00 PM: On the plane. Dreaming of a shower. And a carpet-free existence. (And maybe, just maybe, a return trip to Salt Lick).
So there you have it. My totally unedited, slightly messy, and utterly honest adventure in Round Rock. Would I go back? Absolutely. For the BBQ alone. And the pool floatie. And to see if that carpet situation has improved. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap.
Luxury Staycation: Chicago's Hidden Gem - SpringHill Suites Lincolnshire!
So, uh... What *is* this even about? And why am I getting the feeling I should have brought snacks?
Good question! Honestly, I wasn't entirely sure when I started. It's like... life, right? A chaotic, wonderful mess that doesn't always make sense. This is about the stuff that's been swirling around in *my* brain lately. Maybe yours too? I'm talking about the little things, the big things, the things that make you laugh, and the things that make you want to scream into a pillow. Expect tangents. Expect me to forget what I was talking about. Expect... well, expect *me*. And yes, definitely grab some snacks. You'll need them. I'm already feeling peckish.
What's the *worst* experience you've had related to... well, *anything*? Let's start with something truly awful.
UGH. Okay, buckle up because this one still makes my stomach clench a little. So, picture this: I was, like, seventeen, super awkward, with bangs that refused to cooperate, and I had my heart set on... ugh, let's just call him Chad. Chad was *way* out of my league. One Friday night, I, in a moment of what can only be described as pure, unadulterated delusion, decided to bake him a cake for a "surprise" party. I mean, a whole *cake*. Chocolate, with, like, weird little fondant roses I'd painstakingly crafted. (They looked like… deformed blobs, honestly.)
I slaved over that cake for *hours*. The kitchen was a disaster. I'm pretty sure I burned myself at least three times. The whole thing just kept going wrong, but I persevered, because, Chad. Finally, it was done. I carefully, *cautiously,* put it in my car and planned to deliver it.
Get this. Before I could get the darn cake to him. The *cake*. My car... got. A. FLAT. TIRE. *Right* in front of his house.
I had to call my mom, mortified. She arrived, took one look at my face, the deflated tire, and the, I'm sure, slightly tilted cake, and just started laughing. She helped me change the tire. We still had the cake, of course. I looked at it, and I was just done. I didn't go to the party, and later, yeah, I heard Chad loved the cake. Someone else delivered it, and I died a thousand deaths. And Chad? Yeah, he ended up with Brenda and they are still together.
Okay, okay, moving on from the cake-related tragedies. What's something you're actually *good* at? Like, surprisingly so?
Alright, ego check time! Surprisingly... I’m actually pretty good at finding lost things. I’m like, a lost-item whisperer. I swear, I can just *feel* where a misplaced sock is hiding. My friends and family are always calling me, "Where is my keys?" "Where is my phone?" "Where is my sanity?" (That last one is usually me.) And I usually find it. It’s like I have a sixth sense for the hidden corners of this world. Maybe I was a detective in a past life? Maybe I just have a really good memory. Who knows? It's my only super power.
What's a really, really stupid thing you’ve done recently? Spill the beans.
Okay, this is embarrassing. But I feel like honesty is the best policy, right? So, the other day, I was trying a new coffee maker. Now, this thing was HIGH-TECH, with all sorts of bells and whistles. Seriously, it probably could have launched a rocket. I followed the instructions, *I thought*. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until... well, let's just say I managed to "brew" a pot of coffee that was, shall we say, *significantly* weaker than dishwater.
I added *way* too much water. Like, practically filled the entire reservoir. Did I notice the overflowing cup? No! I was too busy scrolling through Instagram, laughing at cat videos. Which, by the way, is possibly the worst thing that, ever.
I took a sip of the resulting... concoction. It was, and I'm not exaggerating, the most flavorless liquid I've ever encountered. I'm pretty sure it had less caffeine than a glass of tap water. I stared at the machine, bewildered and, honestly, slightly humiliated. You know, the kind of humiliation that hits you at 7 AM? Just a total, total disaster. I’ve learned my lesson. Always double-check. And maybe skip the rocket science coffee makers. I'm thinking of going back to the French press.
What’s a thing people *always* misunderstand about you?
People often think I’m… well, I'm not good at explaining myself very well, and often people take that as me being aloof or cold. Which, honestly, makes me laugh to myself. I might seem quiet, but don't get me wrong. I'm constantly thinking and observing. I can be a bit of a loner, sure, but I'm also a complete dork. I love to laugh. I'm ridiculously sentimental. I’m just... terrible at small talk, So, if I'm quiet, it probably just means I'm either overthinking something, or enjoying some peace and quiet or trying to figure out how to answer this question.
What are some of your biggest pet peeves?
Oh, where do I even begin? Okay, first and foremost: people who chew with their mouths open. *Shudders*. It's the sound, the *sight*... it's a culinary crime. And people who walk slowly in front of me when I'm trying to get *somewhere*? Pure torment. And it drives me bonkers when people leave the lights on when they aren't in the room. And don't even get me *started* on slow internet. It makes me want to throw my laptop out the window. Okay, rant over. I'm better now.
Do you have any regrets? Big or small?
Regrets? Oh, honey, I've got a whole bouquet of regrets. Mostly small ones. Like, missing that chance to talk to that cute barista the one time, or not being more assertive in a few situations. But I try not to dwell on them. The biggest thing is learning toLuxury Stay Blog
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