Unbelievable Winston-Salem Stay! Fairfield Inn & Suites Hanes Mall Review
Unbelievable Winston-Salem Stay! Fairfield Inn & Suites Hanes Mall Review: A Messy, Honest, and Hilarious Dive
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from the Fairfield Inn & Suites near Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, and let me tell you, it was an EXPERIENCE. Forget those polished, perfect reviews; this is the RAW DEAL, baby! So, grab a coffee (or a triple shot espresso, you'll need it), and let's dissect this place, warts and all.
First Impressions – The Accessibility Grind:
Let's jump right to the accessibility situation. Look, I'm not personally in a wheelchair, but I am a HUGE advocate for inclusive spaces. From what I could gather (and I did a thorough recon for you, my loyal readers!), this Fairfield Inn gets a solid B.
- Wheelchair Accessible?: Yep, ramps, elevators, the whole shebang. Saw plenty of folks navigating with ease. Good job, Fairfield!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Definitely present. Seemed like they actually thought about it, which is shockingly rare.
- Entrance Accessibility: Easy enough to navigate from the parking lot, which is always a win.
- General Notes: Of course, I can't personally speak to the intricacies of navigating every single inch in a chair, but from my observations, it seemed pretty darn promising.
Cleanliness & Safety – Did I Survive? (Spoiler: Yes!)
Okay, let's get real. The world is terrifying right now. I was super anxious about cleanliness, but I'm happy to report I made it through.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: They said they used them. Did I see them personally scrubbing down the grout? Nope. But hey, it made me feel slightly less likely to catch a mystery virus.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed plausible. I saw staff zipping around with spray bottles and mops. (Hope to god it wasn't just water.)
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Honestly, I didn't ask. After a while the paranoia faded.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Supposedly. And the room did smell fresh… or maybe it was the overwhelming scent of… well, you know.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They wore their masks, at least. And seemed generally aware of the whole social distancing thing.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. The stuff that smells like gin, right? (I may have accidentally used a ridiculous amount).
- Cashless payment service: Thank god. I hate fumbling with cash.
- Shared stationery removed: Good riddance to those germy pens!
The "Things to Do" Debacle (or, How I Tried to Relax and Almost Died of Boredom):
Okay, here's where things get… messy. I was craving relaxation. I wanted a jacuzzi. I dreamed of a luxurious sauna. I visualized an outdoor pool with a view. Sigh.
- Gym/Fitness Center: Yep, the usual. Treadmills, a few weights. Looked clean enough, but I'm not touching it. Don't trust those people and their sweat-drenched equipment.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes! And it looked…fine. Not exactly the shimmering oasis of my dreams, but it was there! Though the view? Eh, think… parking lot.
- Spa/sauna/steamroom: Nope. Nada. Zilch. My dreams of bubbling hot tubs were cruelly dashed. This wasn't exactly the "spa getaway" I'd envisioned.
- Foot bath, body scrub, body wrap, massage: HA! Forget about it. This isn't a luxury resort. This is a functional hotel, people.
- Pool with a view: As noted. View of the neighboring businesses, so… no.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking – Fueling the Adventure (or, Surviving the Buffet):
The food. Oh, the food. Here's the honest truth: I'm a buffet fiend. Always have been. So, the breakfast situation was critical.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, so, it was a buffet. The usual suspects: waffles (which I devoured like a starving animal—carbs!), scrambled eggs (questionable texture, tbh), sausage (greasy, but hey, it's breakfast!), and some sad-looking fruit salad (avoid!).
- Western breakfast: See above.
- Asian breakfast & cuisine options: Nope.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: The coffee was…weak. Seriously, it was like brown-tinted water. Desperate times, I mixed it with the juice to create a drinkable potion.
- Room service [24-hour]: Negative.
- Restaurants, bar & Poolside bar: Nothing. Nada. Zilch. You're pretty much on your own. The vending machine saved my life.
- Snack bar: Nope.
- A la carte in restaurant, alternative meal arrangement, desserts, salad, soup: Nah.
- Bottle of water: They gave you one! Bless them.
- Happy hour: Not a whiff.
Services & Conveniences – The Stuff That Makes Life Bearable:
Here's the stuff that keeps the wheels turning.
- Air conditioning in public area & in all rooms! Praise the heavens! It was hot and humid, and I needed the AC like oxygen.
- Business facilities: A small business center with a computer and printer. I'm sure there are computers, because there are, after all.
- Cash withdrawal: No.
- Concierge: Nope. You're on your own, buddy.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes! Thank god!
- Daily housekeeping: Yup! Came in and made my bed, which was nice, even if I secretly wanted to hide in the chaos.
- Elevator: Yes. Essential.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Already covered.
- Food delivery: Not that I knew of.
- Ironing service & Ironing facilities Yes, that's a good thing, I suppose.
- Laundry service & Luggage storage: They offered it, which is always handy.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: They had them. Did they host events? Who knows.
- Smoking area: Yes. Outside. Far, far away from me.
- Terrace: Nope.
- Gift/souvenir shop: I couldn't find one! Which I'm totally okay with.
The Room Itself – My Little Fortress (or, Where I Spent Most of My Time):
Finally, the room. My sanctuary. My tiny box of (relative) freedom.
- Air conditioning: See above.
- Alarm clock: Yes, which I inevitably failed to set.
- Bathroom phone: Seriously? Who uses a bathroom phone anymore?
- Bathtub & Separate shower/bathtub: The shower worked. That's all I ask.
- Coffee/tea maker: Weak coffee, as noted.
- Free bottled water: Gotta love it!
- Hair dryer: Thank god! My hair is a disaster.
- Internet access [Wi-Fi & Internet access – LAN]: Free Wi-Fi. Decent speed! The only downside was the occasional buffering in the evening.
- Ironing facilities: Listed above, good.
- Mini bar: Negative, but the vending machine in the hall was my hero. And that's all it took.
- Non-smoking: Thankfully.
- On-demand movies: Yes, which got me through some really boring evenings.
- Refrigerator: Awesome!
- Scale: Do I really need to know?
- Seating area: A chair. Does that count?
- Smoke detector: Good to know!
- Wake-up service: Surprisingly good!
For the Kids (and, Let's Be Honest, the Adults Too):
- Family/child friendly: Yes! I saw plenty of families.
- Kids facilities, Kids meal & Babysitting service: Nope.
Getting Around
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Everything was present, and I was extremely happy to have the free parking.
Overall Vibe – The Verdict! (Or, "Would I Stay Again?")
Okay, here's the honest truth. The Fairfield Inn & Suites near Hanes Mall isn't a luxury experience. It's not fancy. It's not going to blow your mind.
BUT.
It was cleanish. It was functional. The Wi-Fi worked. And the free parking was clutch.
Would I stay there again? Maybe. If I was looking for a reasonably priced, safe, convenient place to crash while visiting Winston-Salem? Absolutely. If I'm expecting a spa day
Emporia, VA Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn Deals Await!
Okay, buckle up, Buttercup. We're hitting Winston-Salem, North Carolina, baby! This isn't your sterile, perfectly-planned travel guide. This is… my attempt at one, complete with my usual chaotic energy and tendency to overshare. Fairfield Inn & Suites, watch out. Here we go:
Winston-Salem Whirlwind: A Messy, Glorious Itinerary
Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites Winston-Salem Hanes Mall (because, let's be honest, proximity to shopping is a MAJOR criteria)
Day 1: Arrival and That First Sigh of “Ahhh, Vacation”
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown at the airport. (God, that airport smell…always a weird mix of stale air and faint disinfectant. Is that just me?) Grab my rental car. First hurdle: remembering which side the gas tank is on. (Spoiler: I always guess wrong the first time. Classic me.)
- 2:00 PM: Check into the Fairfield Inn. Okay, first impression: decent. Cleanish. The front desk guy seemed…tired. Totally get it. Been there, done that, survived a thousand customer-service hellscapes.
- 2:30 PM: The Room Reveal! Always a gamble. This one…standard. Nothing fancy but hey, bed. After a loooong flight, I’m basically a human burrito craving a nap.
- 3:00 PM: NAP TIME. Essential. Don't judge. This is the bedrock of any decent vacation. Close the curtains, try to ignore the faint highway hum, and drift away.
- 5:00 PM: Wake up, slightly groggy. Damn. That nap was too good. Now I'm extra-lethargic. Okay, time for a shower. Wash the travel-grime off.
- 6:00 PM: Head to Hanes Mall. Dinner. Let's be honest, it's a Mall, so it will be quick because I'm starving.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the food court. The choices: endless. And underwhelming. Settling on something vaguely edible because I can't handle any major decisions right now.
- 8:00 PM: Stroll through the Hanes Mall. Sigh Okay, I'm doing it. Window shopping, or as I call it, "retail therapy lite." Some clothing places are a bust, like the ones with the music.
- 9:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Collapse on the bed. Scroll through TikTok for way too long. Feel that familiar mix of boredom and mild self-loathing.
- 10:00 PM: Try to go to sleep. Fail. Consider the meaning of life. Decide it's better to just count sheep. Fail at that too.
Day 2: Reynolda House & That Damn Coffee Conundrum
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. The alarm clock is a liar. The hotel coffee? Also a liar. Weak, watery…a crime against caffeine. Swear to the gods I'll find a decent brew today.
- 9:00 AM: Reynolda House Museum of American Art. Okay, this is what made me book the trip. Those photos of the estate! I am determined to see it in all its glory.
- 9:30 AM: Finally found the museum. Ugh, parking. It's always the parking. But, hey, I made it. First impression: whoa. Serious money. It's elegant.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Reynolda House Tour. Okay, deep breath. This is why I'm here. And…it's gorgeous. The light! The architecture! The sheer history of it all. Staring at the art, trying to look intellectual and failing a little. The tour guide was enthusiastic, bless her heart. I was more interested in the gossip of the family who lived there.
- 12:00 PM: Reynolda Village. Okay, time to eat, and try to find that decent coffee I craved! Chose a cafe for lunch. The coffee was still meh. This feels personal now.
- 1:30 PM: Stroll through the village. It's charming, alright? Not groundbreaking, but a nice stroll after the museum. Maybe I'll get some postcards.
- 3:00 PM: Drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway. Okay, I'm a total sucker for a scenic drive. The mountains are calling, and I must go. The views! The winding roads! The potential for a glorious crash.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a random restaurant because I was way past hungry. Everything tasted good.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Watch some terrible TV and question all my life choices.
Day 3: Deep Dive into Downtown and the Surprising Power of a Good Donut (and a Bad Joke)
- 9:00 AM: Okay, today, no hotel coffee. I'm hunting a real brew.
- 10:00 AM: Downtown Winston-Salem. Exploring Old Salem. Very cool! The houses! The history! The… reenactors.
- 11:30 AM: I found the coffee spot. It was heaven. Finally! A decent goddamn coffee.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch somewhere cute and quirky.
- 1:00 PM: Exploring more of Downtown Winston-Salem. The architecture is interesting. I find a cool vintage store. I buy something I have no need for! It's perfect.
- 2:30 PM: The Winston-Salem Art Museum. I was so lost in art it felt like the world disappeared. Very good.
- 4:00 PM : Okay, I NEED sugar. Find a donut shop. The donuts were PERFECT. I feel like I understand everything now.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the hotel.
- 6:00 PM: Pack my bags.
- 7:00 PM: Leave the hotel.
- 8:30 PM: At the Airport. Going home.
Final Thoughts: The Messy Aftermath
Winston-Salem, you surprised me. You're not the flashiest place, but you have a certain…charm. The Reynolda House was worth it. The donuts were a religious experience. The coffee hunt? A grueling but vital quest. Would I come back? Absolutely. When I’m ready for another dose of small-town charm and a little bit of historical intrigue. And, of course, when I'm ready for a vacation from my overthinking brain.
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Unbelievable Winston-Salem Stay! Fairfield Inn & Suites Hanes Mall Review (Honest Edition)
Okay, spill it: Was this Fairfield Inn & Suites a total disaster, or... tolerable?
Alright, buckle up, because "tolerable" sells this place *way* short. Look, I went in with expectations lower than a limbo contestant at a toddler's birthday party. Fairfield Inn, you know? Budget-friendly, dependable… maybe a whisper of stale coffee. BUT! This place… it was a *vibe*. Not always a *good* vibe, mind you. There were moments I contemplated staging a dramatic exit involving a fire alarm (just kidding… mostly). But overall? Surprisingly… good? It's like that friend who’s perpetually late, always spilling their drink, but somehow, you still love them. That's this hotel.
Let's talk about the lobby. Did it scream "welcome to luxury" or "welcome to... a place to sit"?
The lobby. Oh, the lobby. Okay, so it wasn't the Four Seasons. Let's get that straight. It was… functional. Let's call it that. Picture this: vaguely corporate lighting, a few slightly worn couches (one of which, I swear, had a permanent dent shaped like someone's posterior). The free coffee… it was there. It was warm. Let's leave it at that. But the staff? Seriously, *amazing*. Like genuinely friendly, helpful, "how can I make your slightly-depressed-to-be-here-on-a-business-trip day slightly less depressing" kind of amazing. The lady at the front desk, bless her heart, she got me checked in even though I arrived at some ungodly hour thanks to a delayed flight. That alone earned them points.
The room itself... Was it clean? Did it smell of anything… interesting?
Okay, the rooms. They're what you expect, y'know? Standard. The bed... the bed was surprisingly comfy. I mean, I'm not going to write poetry about it, but after a long day, it felt like sinking into a cloud made of slightly used marshmallows. Cleanliness? Mostly. I found one rogue hair in the bathroom. ONE. And you know what? I'm not even going to hold it against them. We all have hair moments, right? It smelled…clean, which is what you want. Honestly, I’ve stayed in places where the aroma could curdle milk. This was a win. Except… the air conditioning. Oh, the air conditioning! It sounded like a particularly grumpy robot getting ready to launch into space. It rattled. It hummed. I thought about requesting a different room, but then I didn't, because, honestly, who has the energy? Instead, I just cranked up the volume on the TV and pretended it was ambient noise.
The breakfast? Did it live up to the "free breakfast" promise?
Ah, breakfast. The great equalizer. The battlefield of the weary traveler. Let's be honest, "free breakfast" at hotels is often… a letdown. This one wasn’t awful, but it wasn't a gourmet experience, either. They had the usual suspects: eggs (possibly from a carton, but hey, they were edible!), sausage (whose origin I prefer not to contemplate deeply), waffles (made with a machine that seemed determined to burn everything… including my hopes and dreams), and the ever-reliable cereal bar. The coffee, as mentioned earlier, warmed me, in more than one way. But here's the kicker: they had fruit. Actual, fresh fruit. Not a lot, mind you. But some sliced apples, and a few oranges. And you know what? It made a difference. It made me feel slightly less like a walking cliché. The waffle maker, though… I swear that thing was plotting against me.
Okay, the location. How's the whole Hanes Mall thing? Is it convenient?
Location, location, location, right? Being right next to Hanes Mall is… well, it's convenient. Especially if you, say, need a last-minute pair of socks (which, I did). You can practically roll out of bed and into a sea of retail therapy. Which, honestly, after that air conditioner, was tempting. There are some restaurants nearby, too, which is a definite plus. But be warned: the traffic… it can be a beast. Seriously, plan your escape carefully. And parking? Let's just say, it's Winston-Salem, not Manhattan. It's survivable. But after a long day, having to circle a parking lot looking for a spot… it’s a mood killer.
Speaking of mood killers... What was the *worst* part of your stay?
Alright, brace yourself. The worst? The *elevator*. Okay, okay, it's not a disaster. But the elevator was, at times, a psychological test of patience. It was slow. REALLY slow. And it had this strange habit of stopping between floors, for what felt like an eternity, just to contemplate its existence. You'd look at your watch, you'd sigh, you'd contemplate just walking down the stairs (which, by the way, were also slightly creaky). It was a minor annoyance, sure, but after a long day of meetings, it was the straw that almost broke the camel's back of my already-shattered patience. One time, I was trapped in there with a couple of giggling teenagers. It was… awkward. We bonded over our shared elevator-induced despair, though. So, there's that.
Would you stay here again? Be brutally honest!
Look, despite my minor gripes, yes. I would. Maybe it’s the low expectations; maybe it’s the genuinely friendly staff. It's not a luxury hotel. If you go in expecting palatial elegance, you'll be disappointed. But if you want a clean, reasonably priced place, with a (mostly) functional air conditioner, and you're okay with a slightly grumpy elevator and the occasional rogue hair, then yeah. Give it a shot. Just… maybe pack earplugs for the A/C. And bring a good book for the elevator rides. And perhaps, a small, self-contained waffle-making kit. You know, just in case…
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