Escape to Jacksonville: Baymont by Wyndham Butler Blvd Paradise!
Escape to Jacksonville: Baymont by Wyndham Butler Blvd Paradise! - A Messy, Honest Review
Alright, folks, buckle up. I just got back from a stay at the Baymont by Wyndham Butler Blvd in Jacksonville, and let me tell you… it was a ride. This isn't your glossy, perfectly curated travel blog post. This is the raw, unfiltered truth – the good, the bad, and the slightly-stained-carpet-in-my-room ugly. Let's dive in…
First Impressions (and the First Fight): Accessibility & Arrival
Okay, so I really appreciated the accessibility features. Really. The elevator was a godsend (especially after hauling my suitcase up a sketchy flight of stairs at a previous "budget-friendly" motel). The wheelchair accessibility seemed pretty solid throughout the common areas, and that alone gets a thumbs up from me. BUT… (and there’s always a but, isn’t there?) finding the entrance wasn't super intuitive. My GPS, bless its digital heart, led me on a merry chase around the property. I almost ended up in the… well, let's just say I almost shared a moment with a very confused groundskeeper. The check-in/out [express] was a nice touch - especially as I was racing to make it to the pool before it closed and before the torrential Florida downpour hit!
Internet – The Modern-Day Battlefield (and Free Wi-Fi, Thank Goodness!)
Free Wi-Fi? Hallelujah! In every room? Double Hallelujah!! Seriously, in this day and age, a decent internet connection is more essential than oxygen (okay, maybe almost). I did have a minor meltdown when the Internet access [LAN] option didn't work for my ancient work laptop. But the Wi-Fi [free] was reliable enough for streaming and some light work. The Internet services overall were adequate, though I may have needed to call the front desk to help configure my personal system.
Cleanliness & Safety – Did I Survive? (Mostly…)
This is where things got a little… interesting. The Baymont definitely made an effort with cleanliness. The anti-viral cleaning products and the daily disinfection in common areas were noticeable. I saw staff diligently wiping down everything. The Hygiene certification probably kept the health department happy. But here's the thing: while they said the rooms were sanitized between stays, I might have caught the remnants of a previous guest's rogue french fry under the bed… or maybe it was just a crumb… I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. The room sanitization opt-out available was an odd choice, but ultimately reassuring. The hand sanitizer dispensers were plentiful, and I loved the individually-wrapped food options. The safe dining setup (I saw the safe dining setup) was great, but the sanitization of the kitchen and tableware items was a bit of a mystery (I didn't go poking around).
Dining and Drinking – Fueling the Experience (and My Hangry Demons)
Okay, let's talk food. The breakfast [buffet] was… a buffet. Let's just leave it at that. Plenty of breakfast service and the Asian cuisine in restaurant seemed popular. I did, however, appreciate the coffee/tea in restaurant, especially after that early morning misadventure with the GPS. The poolside bar looked tempting, but I never made it that far, busy writing in this review. The a la carte in restaurant was a welcome alternative, and the happy hour specials were a lifesaver after a long day of… well, existing. I did not try the vegetarian restaurant, or the desserts in restaurant, or the soup in restaurant.
Things to Do – Relaxing (and Trying Not to Drown)
The swimming pool [outdoor] was glorious! The water was warm, and even if one of the kids was screaming nearby, it was a nice break from my internal monologue. The pool with view was, in a word, non-existent. I'm giving them a point though for the Fitness center. And for having a sauna (though I’m not sure if I saw a functioning one). I didn’t try any of the spa-related activities (see above: internal monologue, chaotic schedule). But I was thankful to have some simple ways to relax.
Rooms – My Temporary Lair (with Some Quirks)
My room… well, it was a room. Clean enough, spacious enough, and, most importantly, it had air conditioning, which is non-negotiable in Florida! I'm giving them points for the Blackout curtains, coffee/tea maker, mini bar and the refrigerator. The desk was functional, and the Internet access – wireless was reliable. The additional toilet was a nice touch (though, frankly, I was grateful just to have one that flushed). The non-smoking rooms were a massive plus, although the faintest whiff of… something… may have been lingering.
Services & Conveniences – Beyond the Basics (or, "Where's My Ironing Board?!")
The daily housekeeping was a blessing, although I suspect they may have just, you know, straightened the bed. Laundry service was available, which was a godsend after my disastrous attempt to pack light. The Concierge seemed helpful. The Car park [free of charge] was also a major win (seriously, parking fees are the bane of my existence). But I missed the ironing facilities! My shirts looked like they'd been through a war. The facilities for disabled guests seemed great, and the daily disinfection in common areas was also present.
For the Kids – A Balancing Act (that I Didn't Have to Deal With!)
I didn't have any kids with me, but the Family/child friendly vibe seemed to be there. I noticed a kids facilities and the babysitting service looked tempting, for parents. I'm guessing the kids' meal was the usual fast-food fare.
Quirky Observations and Emotional Rambles (Because, Why Not?)
Okay, here’s where I get real. The whole experience at Baymont was a little… offbeat. There was a certain charm to the slight imperfections, the slightly-too-loud air conditioning, the slightly-worn carpets. It felt… real. Not like those sterile, overly-perfect hotels that feel more like corporate offices than places to actually, you know, live for a few days.
There was a moment, as I was desperately trying to connect to the Wi-Fi while simultaneously wrestling with the mysterious locks on my door, when I almost lost it. I wanted to scream! (And maybe I did, quietly, in the privacy of my room). But then I thought, "This is kind of… funny."
Final Verdict – Would I Go Back? (Maybe… with Reservations)
Would I recommend the Baymont by Wyndham Butler Blvd to a friend? Honestly… it depends. If you're looking for luxury, perfection, and a flawless experience, maybe not. But if you're looking for a clean, functional, and affordable place to crash, with a few quirky charms and free Wi-Fi, it's a decent option.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is a… situation… a Jacksonville (FL) adventure fueled by questionable decisions, caffeine, and the sheer will to experience something, anything other than the fluorescent glow of my office. Prepare for a Baymont by Wyndham experience you won't soon forget.
Day 1: Arrival and the Unintentional Swamp Tour
1:00 PM: Arrival at Baymont by Wyndham Jacksonville/Butler Blvd. Honestly, the exterior… well, it's there. The parking lot is mostly empty, which is either a good sign or a terrifying omen. Check-in was… a process. The poor desk clerk, bless her heart, seemed to be training a new recruit. I swear I heard them arguing about the merits of a "key card" vs. a "room key card" for like fifteen minutes. Finally, I got a room. Finally.
1:30 PM: Assessing the Room & Internal Debate. Okay. The room. It's… clean enough. The carpet, however, looks like it's seen things. Things I don't want to know about. The air conditioning is rumbling like a dying walrus. Deep inhale Okay. We're doing this. Immediate task: find the coffee maker. (Priorities, people!) Followed by a strong internal debate: unpack now, or order pizza now?
2:00 PM - Pizza Decision! Pizza wins! I should probably unpack, but pizza. Ordered from… ugh, the closest place that delivered was… "Pizza Palace". The name alone fills me with dread.
3:00 PM - The Accidental Adventure: Right, so I meant to go to St. Johns Town Center Mall (apparently, that's the place to be?) But, thanks to my spectacular inability to read a map (or a GPS, apparently), I accidentally ended up… in the swamp. Seriously, the swamp. I was convinced I was just taking a different route, but then I saw the alligators. Alligators! And the mosquitos. Sweet merciful heavens, the mosquitos. This was my first taste of Florida. Quite the welcome. I just wanted air conditioning. The humidity was an absolute assault.
5:00 PM - Exhausted Return & Emotional Breakdown. I got back to the motel. Disoriented. Sweaty. And the pizza hadn't arrived. I had a full-blown meltdown in the room: the ceiling was depressing, the air conditioning still sounded like a distressed seal, and the pizza still hadn’t shown up. I may have cried a little. Okay, a lot. But then, the pizza finally arrived. It was… adequate. But it was pizza.
6:00 PM - TV Therapy. Watched some terrible reality TV – perfect.
9:00 PM - Early Night and the Haunted Air Conditioner. Attempted sleep. The air conditioner did not want to cooperate. It sounded like it was haunted. I may have also seen a cockroach scurry across the floor. (Welcome to Florida, they said… It will be fun, they said…)
Day 2: Culture, Caffeine, and the Questionable Gator Encounter
- 7:00 AM: Morning Ritual - Desperation and Coffee. The coffee maker in the room had the potential to be the worst thing I touch today which is a strong contender. I had to buy my own coffee filter. The coffee itself was… questionable. Needed copious amounts of creamer and sugar to render it drinkable. At least there was a coffee maker, I guess.
- 8:00 AM - A Plan is Born! (Sort Of). Okay, yesterday was a disaster, but today, I'm determined. Planning to visit the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Need culture! Need beauty! Need… air conditioning.
- 9:00 AM - The Cummer, or the Lack of It. Google Maps decided to play another prank. Ended up on some street that looked suspiciously like an abandoned film set for a zombie apocalypse film. Finally got to the Cummer. It was actually quite lovely. The gardens were peaceful, and the art was… well, I tried. My attention span, however, proved to be alarmingly short. I'm a museum person, I swear!
- 11:00 AM: Downtown Stroll and the Coffee Crisis. Downtown Jacksonville… it has… potential. Stumbled across a cute little coffee shop. Caffeine is essential. Real coffee, not the motel's swamp water concoction. Ordered a latte. Bliss. Then, a truly unfortunate event. I dropped my latte all over myself.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch - Where to? The best option was the closest drive thru. Fast food it is.
- 1:00 PM - Gator hunt? Or something like that. I thought I'd be brave and take another stab at exploring. I decided to take a walk near the River. I saw a real alligator. Well, I think it was real. It was just… there. Sunning itself. I retreated. Quickly. Florida is terrifying, but kind of fascinating.
- 2:00 PM - Back To The Motel For the Third Time. Okay, so I was thinking of going to some park, but decided to retreat back to the motel because it was just too hot.
- 5:00 PM: Swimming pool - the dream. The biggest and perhaps only advantage of the Baymont by Wyndham is that they have swimming pools.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner and a little reading. Maybe a nice calming book could ease my anxiety.
- 8:00 PM - More TV therapy.
Day 3: Departure and the Last Gasp of Florida
- 8:00 AM: The final, desperate coffee. Woke up. Coffee. Packing. The usual. Did the cockroach stay? shudders.
- 9:00 AM: Check-out. Attempted to leave. The desk clerk was different today. They were… efficient. No drawn-out discussions about key cards! Progress!
- 9:30 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping. Needed a souvenir. Found a "Jacksonville" t-shirt with a picture of a… alligator? Perfect. (Even if I still can't tell if it was real.)
- 10:00 AM: Head to the Airport. I think it's the best thing to get me out of Florida..
- 11:00 AM: Plane. Home. Glorious, air-conditioned, cockroach-free home.
Final Thoughts: Jacksonville (and the Baymont by Wyndham) was… an experience. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't glamorous, and I definitely made some questionable choices. But you know what? I survived. And I have a story to tell. And an alligator-themed t-shirt. So, mission accomplished, I guess. Would I do it again? Maybe. After a very long nap.
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So, "Paradise"? Really? Is that a joke?
Look, it's clean(ish), has a vaguely-working pool, and they let me have my dog. That's enough "paradise" for me on a Tuesday.
The Free Breakfast: What's the deal? Is it edible?
My advice? Embrace the fruit cocktail. Seriously. The fruit cocktail is usually your most trustworthy ally in this breakfast battleground. Or, you know, just grab a granola bar and run. I might have seen the same muffins for days. Months. You get the picture.
Is the pool as glorious as the website makes it look?
I’ll be honest, I’m usually more a 'sit on the edge with my book' kind of person. The sun chairs are plentiful (which is a win!), but they tend to be occupied by people who claim them at 8 AM and then disappear for 6 hours. That's peak Baymont life, let me tell you.
What about the rooms? Clean? Spacious? Haunted?
Now, about the ghosts… I didn’t *see* any ghosts. But I did hear the air conditioner make some seriously unsettling noises at 3 AM. Maybe it was a ghost. Maybe it was just old. Honestly, at 3 AM, I don't really care. Just stop making the noise, please.
Is the location convenient? I'm trying to see the sights!
Then, there was that time I tried to walk to a restaurant and almost got eaten by a swarm of mosquitos. Learn from my mistakes. Drive. Trust me.
Anything bad I should know? Any REAL downsides?
The internet is spotty. Don't expect to stream HD movies. You can barely check your email sometimes. Prepare to disconnect, which, hey, maybe is a good thing.
And the parking lot… well, let's just say it could use some landscaping. There are worse things in the world. Mostly.
The *Best* Thing about the Baymont? Spill!
Also, and I'm not kidding, the staff is generally friendly. Sometimes that's all you need. A friendly face when you’re exhausted. That's invaluable.
Would you stay there *again*? The ultimate question!
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