Escape to Victorville: Your Dream Stay at Hawthorn Suites!
Escape to Victorville: Hawthorn Suites? More Like a Victorious Getaway (Mostly!) - A Messy, Honest Review!
Okay, so, I just got back from a little "escape" myself – a stay at Hawthorn Suites in Victorville. And "escape" is the right word. After the week I’d been having… well, let's just say I needed a recharge. Was this the dream stay promised in the brochures? Hmmm, let's unravel this messy, honest truth, shall we? Buckle up, because it's gonna be a ride!
First Impressions: Accessibility & That All-Important Welcome
Alright, first off - Accessibility. HUGE win. I mean, I’m not personally needing a wheelchair, but I noticed how seriously they took this. Wheelchair accessible everywhere, clear signage… It really made me feel like everyone was considered. Important, right? Like, they even had elevator access (thank heavens!), which is always a relief. And hello to the Facilities for disabled guests – looked top-notch. A big thumbs up for that.
The Check-in/out [express] and Contactless check-in/out were majorly appreciated after a long drive. Nobody wants to stand in line, am I right? And the Front desk [24-hour] gave me peace of mind… especially since, you know, I might have a tendency to be a night owl.
The Room: My Temporary Kingdom (and Its Tiny Quirks)
My room? Pretty solid. Clean, and that's a huge deal for me. The Air conditioning was a godsend because, hello, Victorville desert! The Blackout curtains? Genius. Slept like a log (which is saying something). But the Carpeting… okay, I'm not gonna lie, it felt slightly dated. Like, the kind of carpet my grandma used to have. But hey, it was clean!
Available in all rooms -- Free Wi-Fi, YES! My boss had been breathing down my neck all week so naturally, the first things I did were turn on my laptop… (which had its designated Internet access – wireless). Internet access – LAN was also an option. I chose wireless because, well, freedom (and laziness).
Bathroom: Okay, the Separate shower/bathtub was a nice touch. And Toiletries were provided – always a plus. The Hair dryer worked! (Trust me, that's not always the case.) A Mirror that actually showed a clear reflection, also. And the Additional toilet was great for a family.
Amenities Galore (and My Opinions on Them!)
Alright, let's dive into the goodies! They advertised the heck out of the Swimming pool [outdoor]. And…it was fine. It's Victorville. Hot. I needed a dip. The Pool with view was…well, it had a view of other buildings. So, maybe manage your expectations there.
Then there was the Fitness center. I intended to go. I really, really did. But… after a long day of doing absolutely nothing, the couch felt very, very appealing. Plus, the thought of actually working out after all that relaxation? Nah.
Speaking of relaxation, there's a whole Spa/sauna situation going on. But I didn't use it. I am a sucker for a good sauna, but just didn't have the time this round.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Food Adventures (and Misadventures!)
The Breakfast [buffet]? Okay, here's where things get… interesting. The selection was decent. Western breakfast fare, you know, the usual suspects: eggs, bacon, cereal, the works. But, and this is a big BUT, the coffee? Let's just say it wasn't exactly gourmet. I needed a good cup of joe to get moving.
They also had a Coffee shop that was open for a while. I loved the Coffee/tea in restaurant, but the food was so-so. Restaurants also offered A la carte in restaurant, which was a nice treat. Vegetarian restaurant options were also readily accessible, so I had a few options on the table.
The Snack bar saved me more than once. Late-night cravings, anyone? Poolside bar was pretty chill. Happy hour was well worth it. They had Happy hour and other great options.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Protected (and Slightly Paranoid)
This is where Hawthorn Suites really shines. They’re clearly taking COVID-19 seriously. There were signs everywhere about Hygiene certification and Staff trained in safety protocol. I saw them using Anti-viral cleaning products, and the Daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring. Individually-wrapped food options at breakfast? Sweet. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. They had the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter down pat. I did, however, wonder about the Rooms sanitized between stays. They seemed genuinely committed.
Services and Conveniences: The Extras That Made a Difference
Okay, I’m a sucker for Daily housekeeping. It's the little things, you know? And this time, I was so chill I wasn't in a hurry to get ready either.
Car park [free of charge]? YES! And the Car park [on-site] was also available for convenience. And the Luggage storage was super helpful because I was getting ready for a trip.
Things to Do? Victorville & Beyond (and My Lack of Enthusiasm)
Let's be honest. Victorville isn't exactly a hotspot. I'm sure there are Things to do, but I was there to escape the city, not jump into another one. I spent most of my time just… relaxing. This hotel was a good place to do just that.
The Verdict: Hawthorn Suites – Worth the Trip?
Look, Hawthorn Suites in Victorville isn't perfect. It's not the Ritz-Carlton. But for the price? And for what I needed – clean, comfortable, safe, and a place to just breathe – it was perfect. The accessibility was fantastic. The staff were friendly and helpful. (Shout out to the girl at the front desk who figured out my Wi-Fi woes!). The safety measures put my mind at ease.
So, yeah, I'd go back. Maybe next time, I'll actually hit the gym. Maybe. š
Escape to North Platte: Your Perfect Stay Awaits at La Quinta Inn & Suites!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. We're going on a Hawthorn Suites Victorville adventure, and it's gonna be… well, it's gonna be something. Let's see if I can wrangle this into a semblance of a schedule. Buckle up, because this is going to be messy, just like me.
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Victorville: The Victorville Vortex - A Chaotic Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (Mostly Just Dread)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at LAX. Ugh. LAX. The black hole of air travel. The sheer volume of humanity… the TSA… the smells. I swear, someone needs a HAZMAT team to go through those pre-security lines. Finally, after a soul-crushing wait and a pat-down that felt suspiciously enthusiastic, I grab my rental car – a sad, beige sedan. My spirit animal.
- 2:30 PM: The Drive. The vast, beige hugeness of the Mojave Desert begins to engulf me. I consider pulling over and weeping. The car radio is playing some god-awful country tune, and I swear, the tumbleweeds are laughing. I just want to arrive already.
- 5:00 PM Check-in at Hawthorn Suites. The lobby… it's… orange. Like, relentlessly orange. Seriously, I think my retinas are permanently stained. The front desk clerk, a woman with the weary eyes of someone who's seen things, hands me my key card with a sigh that says, "Welcome to purgatory, dear." Okay, time for the room.
- 5:15 PM: Room Inspection. Yep. Standard Hawthorn Suites. Which means… well, it's got a bed. And a fridge. And a microwave I'm probably going to nuke something questionable in. The air conditioner sounds like a dying pterodactyl. I briefly consider demanding a new room, then remember I'm too lazy and the AC will probably evenutally quiet down.
- 6:00 PM: Food Run: I need immediate sustenance if I want to survive past sunset. I decide to take a risk and try that diner down the street. The neon sign calls to me, promises a burger that is more than just a burger. I'm hungry, I'm hopeful, and I'm probably setting myself up for disappointment.
- 7:00 PM: At the Diner. After being seated in a vinyl booth that probably predates sliced bread, my optimistic bubble explodes when I see the "menu." I order the burger. I stare at it for a long time, mostly in a contemplative mode.
- 8:00 PM: Back in the Orange Room. I watch some terrible TV, feeling that familiar ache of being utterly alone in the face of the universe. Oh, and I'm pretty sure my burger gave me a mild case of food poisoning.
Day 2: Desert Days and Questionable Decisions
- 7:00 AM: Wake up to that glorious blend of stale air conditioning and sunbeams. Decide to skip "complimetary breakfast". I need a proper breakfast at a drive-thru, or else.
- 8:00 AM: Gas Station Breakfast run. I am not a morning person. Nor am I good at the gas station. I end up with a stale donut and a lukewarm coffee that tastes suspiciously like burnt rubber.
- 9:00 AM: A Hike in the Desert. I pick a trail that seems… manageable. And end up sweating like a pig in a sauna. The desert is actually beautiful in a way that I am just too exhausted to appreciate. But there's a quietness, a vastness, that begins to soothe my frayed edges. The birds are chirping. It's actually… kind of wonderful. For about five minutes.
- 11:00 AM: The Desert… Again. I somehow managed to find a hidden lake. A tiny, pathetic lake. I sit there. I drink water. I reevaluate my life. I start a journal.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a place that looks better than the diner, some "authentic Mexican cuisine." Well, if you can survive the fluorescent lights and the mariachi music. I start my journey into the realm of the unknown.
- 2:30 PM: The Gift Shop. I buy a cheap trinket. I regret my life.
- 4:00 PM: A Pool Day? Okay, the pool is actually pretty nice. It's quiet. The sun feels good on my pasty skin. I crack a book. Life is… okay.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner in Victorville. The food is better. I'm starting to warm up to this place.
- 9:00 PM: Back in the room. I flip through channels, find an okay show… and fall asleep.
Day 3: Leaving the Vortex (With a Heavy Heart?)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up to the usual sounds of the world trying to break through the walls of this orange oasis.
- 7:30 AM: Hotel Breakfast (if you can call it that). The eggs look suspiciously rubbery. I opt for the toast, which is, thankfully, just toast.
- 8:30 AM: Packing. The process of leaving. How can I possibly leave? This room is the only place I've felt safe.
- 9:00 AM: One last drive around Victorville. Say goodbye.
- 10:00 AM: Check out of the Hawthorn Suites. Farewell, orange walls and dying pterodactyl AC. It wasn't pretty, but it was… something.
- 11:00 AM: The desert drive begins. The real one, back to LAX and the rest of my life. The radio is playing better music this time. The sun is shining. Maybe Victorville wasn't so bad, after all.
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at LAX. The black hole of air travel beckons once again. I'm somehow ready for it. And I'm definitely ready for a real burger.
Postscript:
Victorville, you weird and wonderful place. You gave me a good time. I won't forget you. Maybe.
Blacksburg's Hidden Gem: Courtyard's Unforgettable Stay (VA)
Escape to Victorville: Hawthorn Suites FAQs (Because Let's Be Real, You Have Questions!)
Okay, Seriously... Victorville? Why Hawthorn Suites? I'm not exactly aiming for 'glamour,' here.
Alright, look. Victorville. It's not the Champs-ĆlysĆ©es. It's not even, like, Disneyland! But hear me out. Sometimes, you just NEED a cheapo-ish, conveniently located pitstop on the way to somewhere else. (Mojave Desert, anyone? Joshua Tree calls!) Hawthorn Suites, in my personal experience, is… well, it’s *adequate*. Let's be honest, it's not the Ritz-Carlton, but it's usually clean-ish, has a pool (that I may or may not have used), and the complimentary breakfast… okay, more on that later. Think of it as a practical, no-frills base camp. You’re not there for the decor (picture… well, let's just say it's a "palette of beige"), you're there for the sleep and maybe, just maybe, to avoid the existential dread of driving another 4 hours.
The Breakfast... Tell Me About This Infamous Breakfast. Is it the stuff of legend? Nightmares?
Oh, the breakfast. Okay, okay, breathe. Deep breaths. The breakfast… is a *journey*. It’s a gamble. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, from pure elation to a low-key existential crisis. You'll find the typical fare: make-your-own waffles (which, let's be honest, often result in a crispy, misshapen abomination, but hey, it's *yours*!), sad-looking scrambled eggs that may or may not be actual eggs (I choose to believe!), and a selection of cereals that always includes Frosted Flakes and something suspiciously off-brand. The coffee? Let's just say it'll wake you up. Whether that's a good thing depends on your tolerance for questionable caffeine and the sheer panic that sets in when you realize your flight is departing in under three hours. One particularly memorable morning, I witnessed a small child meticulously pouring a mountain of syrup onto a single, perfectly-formed waffle, then proceed to eat *only* the syrup. I can neither confirm nor deny being inspired to create my own personal syrup-only masterpiece. #breakfastgoals
Seriously, What's the Pool Like? Don't Lie.
The pool... okay, the pool *usually* looks… well, it looks like a pool. I've seen cleaner, for sure. And the temperature? Let's just say it's "refreshing." (Translation: could be freezing.) I’ve taken the plunge a couple of times, mostly because I was hot, tired, and my other options involved staring at the desert. The last time I was there, a rogue plastic flamingo floated by. I half expected it to start quoting poetry. I’m still not sure if it was a mirage brought on by sunstroke or a genuine moment of hotel pool surrealism. But hey, at least it’s there. And hey, maybe you'll make friends with a rogue inflatable bird. You never know!
Are the Rooms Actually Comfortable? I need a decent sleep, people!
"Comfortable"? Okay, let’s define "comfortable." The beds are… well, they're beds. They are not, by any stretch of the imagination, cloud-like havens of blissful slumber. They are… functional. You *will* sleep. It might not be the best sleep of your life, and you might wake up with a vague crick in your neck, but it's a roof over your head and is much better than being asleep in the car or the desert. Bonus points if your room is not right next to the ice machine because, trust me: that thing has a mind of its own. And speaking of rooms, I have witnessed the dreaded "connecting room" situation. Think about it. Shared door = shared noise. Let's just say I have a newfound appreciation for noise-canceling headphones.
What About the Location? Anything Actually Near There?
Victorville is… strategically located. It's near the freeway, which is good for quick getaways (see: escape from Victorville). There are some fast-food places nearby, which is essential when you're running on fumes and existential dread after seeing the desert. You’ll find the usual suspects: McDonald's, Taco Bell, and the siren song of In-N-Out Burger is usually within your reach. However, don't expect bustling nightlife. You might find a movie theater, and a couple of lackluster shopping centers. Embrace the emptiness, my friends; it's part of the charm. Or, you know, order some pizza and call it a night.
The Staff... Are They, You Know, Nice? Or are they just surviving?
The staff… alright, look, they're… *there*. Most times, they seem to be friendly enough, probably because they have seen it all. Honestly, I’ve had mixed experiences. Sometimes, you get someone genuinely helpful, who offers a smile and a genuine greeting. Other times… well, let's just say I suspect some of them are secretly plotting their own escape from Victorville. (I wouldn't blame them!) Remember to be polite, and to tip well. Kindness goes a long way, especially when you're haggard from the desert.
Is There Wi-Fi? Because Instagram is calling.
Yes, there’s Wi-Fi. It's… well, let’s just say it’s Wi-Fi. It works. Sometimes. You get what you pay for, right? Don't go expecting lightning-fast speeds, or you'll be disappointed. This isn't a tech hub, it's Victorville. (Also, don't be surprised if it cuts out during the peak hours when everyone's trying to check their Instagram feeds. Priorities, people!) Also, expect some drama from the people on the wi-fi because of them being cut-off.
Should I, or Shouldn't I? Give me the verdict!
Okay, here it is: Hawthorn Suites in Victorville is not going to blow your mind. It’s not going to be the highlight of your trip. It's not glamorous or even charming. BUT, it’s usually clean enough, it’s usually available, and it’s a decent place to crash if you need to be in Victorville. If you’re looking for a quick stopover, a budget-friendly option, or just a place to lay your weary head before tackling the Mojave Desert, then, yeah, go for it, but be prepared for the breakfast experience. And listen to me: Bring your earplugs! You'll thank me later. And maybe, just maybe, you'll have a mildly entertaining story to tell.Hotels With Kitchenettes
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