Omaha's BEST Downtown Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites Review!
Omaha's BEST Downtown Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites Review! (Prepare for Honesty!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (hopefully complimentary, knowing Fairfield Inn!). I just finished a stay at the Omaha Downtown Fairfield Inn & Suites, and I'm ready to unload everything. This isn't your typical, sterile hotel review; this is the real deal. Expect rambles, opinions, and maybe a few tangents. Let's dive in!
First Impressions & Access: Not Bad, Not Stellar.
Finding the darn place was easy enough, which is always a win when you're juggling luggage and questionable directions. Accessibility? Well, they've got the basics covered. Elevator? Check. Wheelchair ramps? Yep. Didn't get a chance to properly test everything out regarding Facilities for disabled guests, but from what I saw it was decent. The exterior corridor felt a little… motel-ish, but it's downtown, so I guess it's expected. Car park [free of charge] = AMAZING. Seriously, that's a huge win in a city center.
Rooms: Cozy Chaos (in a Good Way?)
Okay, so my room (which was, thankfully, non-smoking) was… well, it was a Fairfield Inn room. You know the drill. Air conditioning blasted, blackout curtains keeping the Nebraska sun at bay, and that all-important free Wi-Fi. Yes! Free and reliable Wi-Fi [free]. That's crucial for a workaholic like myself.
The Bed was… comfortable. Not "cloud nine" comfortable, but definitely sleep-worthy. Pillows were plentiful, which is a major plus! The In-room safe box was a nice touch, though, honestly, I barely trust myself, let alone my valuables, with hotel security…
Minor gripes? The Bathroom was… functional. Basic shower, decent water pressure. I did appreciate the slippers! That saved my feet after a long day of exploring the city. I guess they've got Additional toilet as well.
Cleanliness and Safety: Doing Their Best (and that's Enough)
Let's get real. No hotel, no matter how fancy, is ever perfectly clean, right? These guys, though, put in the effort. Room sanitization opt-out available? Good. I appreciated seeing evidence of consistent Daily disinfection in common areas and the use of Anti-viral cleaning products. I saw the staff wearing masks and taking things seriously. Kudos. They also had Hand sanitizer stations all over the place. I felt safe enough
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Breakfast: You Get What You Pay For (and That's Okay)
Alright, the breakfast situation. The Breakfast [buffet] was… eh. Standard Fairfield fare. Waffles, scrambled eggs that may or may not be made of things people recognize, and a sad selection of fruit. I’m not gonna lie, I mostly grabbed a coffee and a pastry from the Coffee/tea in restaurant. There was Coffee shop there too, but I didn't stop by.
The Restaurants nearby was fantastic, I really enjoyed the a la carte in restaurant options
The Poolside bar was there but not my cup of tea.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Daily housekeeping was on point. My room always looked spotless. I'm not going to lie, it makes a difference when you're traveling. I love a pristine hotel room!
The Concierge was friendly and helpful. They even handled my insane request for an Ironing.
The Laundry service worked flawlessly.
The Gift/souvenir shop was there, but I am not sure what's even there.
For the Kids: Not My Arena, But They Seem to Be Covered
I'm a solo traveler, so I can't give any firsthand expertise here. But I saw a lot of families and they seemed to be happy.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Gotta Escape the Hustle
The Fitness center was… small, but it had the basics. I did use it. I'm not hardcore fitness fanatic, so it did the job. There's a Swimming pool [outdoor] too, but since it was November, I skipped that!
They had Spa/sauna and Steamroom.
Internet: Gotta Stay Connected
Again, the Wi-Fi [free] was a lifesaver. I also saw signs for Internet access – wireless.
Final Verdict: Would I Stay Again? Absolutely!
Look, the Fairfield Inn & Suites downtown Omaha isn't going to blow your mind. It's not the Four Seasons. But it’s clean, comfortable, well-located, and the price is right. It's a solid choice for business travelers, families, or anyone just looking for a convenient and affordable place to stay while exploring Omaha. It’s a good, reliable, and surprisingly lovely spot, It’s not perfect, but it's honestly perfect enough and gets the job done. 4 out of 5 stars!
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly-ironed brochure itinerary. This is my attempt at navigating the concrete jungle (well, Omaha's version of it) with my sanity intact. My basecamp? The Fairfield Inn & Suites Omaha Downtown. Pray for me.
Day 1: Arrival & the "Are We Really Doing This?" Spirit
- 1:00 PM: Landed at Eppley Airfield. Okay, feeling… cautiously optimistic. The flight was smooth, which is a win! Ugh, baggage claim. Always a crucible of humanity. Saw a woman wrestling a suitcase the size of a small refrigerator. "Honey," I thought, "may the odds be ever in your favor."
- 2:00 PM: The rental car situation. Let me just say, the lady at the counter, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen a ghost. My insurance? Apparently, it was a cryptogram. After copious amounts of paperwork and a surprisingly lengthy discussion about the merits of various Nebraska football teams (I know nothing), I have a… car. A beige one. Joy.
- 3:00 PM: Check-in at Fairfield. Okay, decent lobby aesthetic. Free cookies. Bonus points for that. The room? Clean, blessedly air-conditioned. Small, but hey, I'm not complaining. Yet.
- 3:30 PM: The first existential crisis. Staring out the window, contemplating the sheer vastness of the sky and the fact that I’m actually here. Doing this. "Omaha, Nebraska," I mutter to myself, "Why not?"
- 4:00 PM: Wander around downtown-ish. Let's be real, it's not Times Square. But I stumble upon a charming little coffee shop called "The Little Coffee Bean." I treat myself to a latte (the barista did a heart in the foam! They're winning my heart).
- 5:00 PM: The Old Market. Tourist trap? Maybe. But that cobblestone, the antique shops… It's got a vibe. I spend way too long in a vintage bookstore, drooling over first editions. My wallet weeps.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a recommended steakhouse. The steak was… meaty. Okay, it was really good. But I’m a vegetarian, and I had to order a side dish. I almost cried over the price of a side of asparagus. (The waitress, bless her heart, didn't bat an eye)
- 7:30 PM: Back at the hotel. Crash. Exhausted, yet strangely buzzing with the energy of… being somewhere new.
Day 2: River Views & Roller Coaster Emotions
- 8:30 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Generic, but free. Scrambled eggs that taste suspiciously like they’re made of… other eggs. I load up on the fruit and decide to call it a win.
- 9:30 AM: The Missouri River Oh boy. Heading to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Gorgeous views, but also wind. I swear, I was a paper airplane for a minute. Did a lot of 'pretending to be normal' when I realized every single tourist had a better camera than I did.
- 11:00 AM: The Henry Doorly Zoo. The one thing I told myself not to miss. I am not a zoo person, but people raved. And, actually, it's amazing. I got lost in the rainforest exhibit.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. More like, "Shoving food in my face because I'm starving after walking approximately a million miles." Found a diner. Greasy burger. Perfect.
- 2:00 PM: The Aquarium at the Zoo. Okay, even if I'm a grown-up, I have to admit! It’s gorgeous. The giant sharks were hypnotic. So many jellyfish. The sheer variety of underwater life blew my mind. Got lost in the moment - the kind where I actually forgot where I was for a second.
- 3:00 PM: Feeling nostalgic. Went back to the Old Market, this time with the intention of buying a souvenir - I ended up buying a whole book on Omaha's history. I'm becoming an expert on midwestern cities.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner and a Show! Decided to hit up a small, local theater for a play. It was… something. The acting was variable, let's say. I ended up laughing way too much at the guy who kept forgetting his lines.
- 7:30 PM: Back in the room, still kinda buzzed from all the experiences. That aquarium…wow.
Day 3: The Final Day - A Farewell to Cornhuskers and a Touch of Chaos
- 9:00 AM: Sleep in! Finally! Until the fire alarm in the hotel decided to join. The sound? A shrill, ear-splitting wake-up call. My heart did a triple jump. Turns out, it was a false alarm. Great.
- 9:30 AM: Breakfast round two. More generic eggs. I’m starting to think I’m made of generic breakfast food.
- 10:30 AM: Visit to the Durham Museum. Housed in a gorgeous old train station, I was genuinely impressed. History. Art. Trains! The sheer scope of the place…I spent hours.
- 1:00 PM: Attempting to find lunch. This time, I followed a "local's recommendation" and ended up at a hole-in-the-wall that specialized in… fried cheese curds. I was full. I have no regrets.
- 2:00 PM: Packing. Always the worst part. Trying to figure out how I'm going to get all the treasures I bought back home. My suitcase looks like a bomb went off inside a vintage store.
- 3:00 PM: Taking a walk around the area around the hotel one last time. Last chance to buy some souvenirs for my family.
- 4:00 PM: One Final Coffee. Sitting in the same coffee shop I visited on day one. Feeling… surprisingly melancholic. Did I like Omaha? Yes. Would I come back? Possibly.
- 5:00 PM: Check Out. The car rental place. Again. The lady recognizes me. We both make a face.
- 6:00 PM: Flying. The takeoff was smooth. The flight? Uneventful. The whole experience? A messy, wonderful, slightly insane adventure. Omaha, you weird, wonderful place. I'll be back. Maybe. Perhaps I just need a vacation from my vacation…
So, is this the "BEST" downtown Omaha hotel? REALLY? Gimme the scoop!
Alright, alright, let's cut the fluff. "Best" is subjective, and this hotel, the Fairfield Inn & Suites, is like... a well-worn pair of jeans. Comfortable, reliable, but not exactly a runway model. Look, it's solid. It's *good*. For the price point? Probably a *very* good bet. Is it going to blow your socks off? Nah. Is it going to leave you feeling like you made a decent (maybe even smart) decision? Absolutely. It's a workhorse.
The Location, Location, Location! How's downtown Omaha treating this place?
The location is, honestly, a huge win. You're smack-dab in the middle of things. Easy walking distance to the Old Market (hello, cobblestone streets!), the CHI Health Center (for those concerts, you know), and a decent selection of restaurants. Okay, maybe not *easy* if you're me after a few too many craft beers. Let's just say I’ve stumbled back there more than once, muttering about "the best proximity to... stuff." Proximity is a good thing.
Let's talk Rooms. Are we talking shoeboxes or spacious havens?
The rooms are... practical. They're not palatial suites by any stretch. Think of them as efficient. Clean. The beds? Comfortable. (And trust me, after a night of Omaha revelry, comfortable is KING.) My biggest beef? The decor. It's…inoffensive. Beige. Imagine a beige-colored piece of toast. Appealing? Functional? Maybe. Memorable? Not really. I once stayed in a room, and I SWEAR the carpet was the exact same shade as the beige pants I got on discount at a Banana Republic outlet five years ago. It’s fine! It's just... blah. But who am I kidding? I'm usually passed out before I notice the décor. The important thing is there were plenty of pillows!
Breakfast. The make-or-break for many. What's the sitch?
Breakfast is… a classic. It's your standard continental spread, leaning heavily on the "free" part. Think: waffles you make yourself (that’s always fun!), the pre-cooked scrambled eggs that taste vaguely of… something (eggs?), cereal with milk (that’s good), and fruit that may or may not have seen the inside of a refrigerator recently. Look, I'm not expecting a gourmet brunch. I'm expecting fuel. And it provides fuel. And there's coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. That my friend, is a win. I'm pretty sure I single-handedly kept the waffle iron running during my last stay. Don't judge.
Speaking of fuel...Let's talk about the Gym. Is it a sweat-soaked dungeon or a modern marvel?
The gym? Hmmm. Let's just say it's *there*. It has treadmills. It has some weights. It’ll do the trick if you're desperate to work off those aforementioned waffles. I briefly considered using it on my last trip, but then I remembered the Old Market was just a short walk away and decided to indulge in some retail therapy…which, for me, is a far better workout for my credit card. Also, I'm pretty sure I saw the same equipment used the last time I stayed like, five years ago. Maybe.
Any Crazy Stories? (Because, let's be honest, those are the fun ones...)
Oh man, okay, this one time... and this wasn't entirely the hotel's fault, but! I booked a room during the College World Series. HUGE mistake on my part. I'm not even a baseball fan, but the city was... *vibrant*. Let's leave it at that. Anyway, the hotel was PACKED. I swear, the elevator was more crowded than the main stage. I waited 20 minutes for the elevator, and when I finally rode it, it was full of sweaty, slightly sunburned baseball fans yelling about a "grand slam" (I think?). The noise? Oh, the noise! I did not sleep well that night. So, pro tip: if you hate baseball, avoid downtown Omaha during the College World Series. Or bring earplugs. Or both. And try to choose your trip to the hotel away from events.
The Staff. Friendly? Helpful? Or...?
The staff? Generally, they're pretty darn good. They're pleasant, helpful, and seem like they genuinely *want* to assist. I haven't had any truly disastrous interactions. Actually I was once locked out of my room at 3am (long story, involving a tiny key card and more than a few adult beverages). The night auditor, while looking mildly amused, got me back in within minutes. Kudos to them. It's a good sign when the staff seems capable of putting up with people like me.
Okay, final verdict: Should I book it?
Look, if you're looking for a comfortable, convenient, and reasonably priced hotel in downtown Omaha, the Fairfield Inn & Suites is a solid option. Is it glamorous? No. Is it going to win any awards for its interior design? Probably not. But it's reliable, it's clean, the location is GREAT, and it's a safe bet. Just don't expect fireworks. Expect a comfortable bed, a decent breakfast, and a convenient base of operations from which to explore all that Omaha has to offer. And pack earplugs. Just in case.
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