Escape to Williamstown: Your Dream Howard Johnson Awaits!
Escape to Williamstown: Your Dream Howard Johnson Awaits! (Or Does It?) - A Review That's Got Real Feelings
Okay, so I just got back from "Escape to Williamstown: Your Dream Howard Johnson Awaits!" and… well, let’s just say the dream part is up for debate. This isn't your grandpa's HoJo, apparently. Let's dive in, shall we? Because honey, there’s a LOT to cover.
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(The Ramp-Up - Accessibility and First Impressions)
First off, Accessibility, let's talk about it. They say they're doing their best. There's mention of Facilities for disabled guests which is good. The Elevator is a godsend – my knees are not what they used to be! But that's about as far as I could see. Details are scarce. It's a starting point, but still, an important conversation that could be had!
Walking in, though? The front desk… it’s fine. The 24-hour Front Desk is a bonus. And the Doorman was…well, he was there. Trying his best!
(WiFi and the Modern World - Still a Lifesaver)
Okay, Internet. This is where things get interesting, because, in the modern world, Wi-Fi is everything. The good news? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually works! It's not blazing fast, but hey, I could actually stream some Netflix in the bath. Internet Access – Wireless is a must these days, and it's there. Now, to be fair, the idea of Internet [LAN] felt a bit… archaic. But whatever floats your boat, I guess? Who uses a LAN connection anymore?
(The Spa and the "Relaxation" - Maybe?)
Now, let’s talk Spa. This is where things start to get a little…iffy. The website promised a "haven of tranquility," a place to banish stress, blah blah blah. The reality? Well… the Sauna was definitely there. It seemed a little… lonely. The Spa/Sauna was certainly a category that existed. I didn't see any Body scrub or Body wrap options. No Pool with view, but hey, a Swimming pool [outdoor] is present. The Steamroom made me think of the gym, actually.
And the Massage? Okay, I had a message. It wasn't the worst. The masseuse herself was lovely, bless her heart, clearly doing what she can with the limited resources available, and the Foot bath, felt lovely. But the space? Let's just say it could use a serious upgrade. More like "barely-there-spa" than a "haven of tranquility.”
(Water, Water Everywhere (But Not Much to Drink?)
The Swimming pool, thankfully, was a highlight. It was clean, the water wasn't ice-cold and it was very quiet. Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours! Now, the Poolside bar? I feel bad saying this but it was a bit sad, like, I think I saw a single bottle of something behind the bar. One lonely orange.
(Cleanliness and Safety - Fingers Crossed)
Now, in this post-pandemic world, Cleanliness and safety are paramount. They seemed to be taking it seriously, which is appreciated. The Anti-viral cleaning products were a plus. They mentioned Daily disinfection in common areas, but I didn't actually see anyone actively disinfecting, but I’m sure it was done. They tout having Staff trained in safety protocol, and it kind of felt like they were following the rules. And it also stated that they had rooms sanitized between stays. The fact that they had Hand sanitizer everywhere was reassuring, because I’m a germophobe. And a first aid kit is in place.
(Dining, Dining, Disappointment?)
The Dining, drinking, and snacking situation was, unfortunately, a major letdown. The Restaurants? Limited options. The Breakfast [buffet] had the potential, but honestly, it was a little…meh. Basic. The coffee? Lukewarm. Okay, I sound like a snob, but I love coffee and, it tasted like mud. The Asian breakfast was also on offer, which was strange but interesting, and I really appreciated them trying to be more diverse. There was Coffee/tea in restaurant, and a Coffee shop, so there was at least coffee. The fact that there's a Snack bar is a miracle.
The A la carte in restaurant was…a bit of a slow burn. I'm honestly still waiting for my burger. Don't bother going, unless you're really hungry and have a lot of patience. There was a Poolside bar. The Bar was pretty empty. I saw the Desserts in restaurant. The desserts and the food options were very basic.
(Services and Conveniences - Some Wins, Some Losses)
Okay, let’s be real. The Concierge? Gone. Vanished. Poof! The Daily housekeeping was decent. I felt like they were trying. The Laundry service was a godsend (dirty socks are a traveler's curse!), and the Dry cleaning was a bonus. Cash withdrawal was there, even if it was an old-fashioned ATM.
The fact that they had Air conditioning in the areas helped. They had Elevator. They had a gift shop.
(For the Kids - Bless Their Little Hearts!)
Now, let’s talk For the kids. I didn't travel with any, but saw that they had Kids facilities. I didn't see a Babysitting service, which is strange given the kids facilities. But, it's a start!
(The Room: The Heart of the Matter)
Okay, the Rooms. This is where it really gets personal. My room? Well, it was a mixed bag. They had Air conditioning (thank goodness!). The Bed? Comfortable enough, especially since everything's got a seating area. The Sofa had seen better days. But here's the thing: the Blackout curtains were amazing. I slept like a log! The Coffee/tea maker was a nice touch, even though the coffee itself was undrinkable. The Desk was functional. The Refrigerator was a great bonus! The Mirror was there. I had a private bathroom, with a bathtub but the shower was a bit cramped. The Safety/security feature was there. The TV had Satellite/cable channels. The Wi-Fi [free] was consistent. They had a window that opens. The Wake-up service was spot-on.
They also had a closet, and had bathrobes! There was a towels. There was an extra long bed. There were toiletries.
The Car park [free of charge] was easy to find and close to my room. That made it easier to grab my bags! The Smoke alarms, of course were there.
(Rambling Thoughts, Scattered Impressions)
Okay, so what's the verdict? "Escape to Williamstown" isn't exactly a luxury retreat. But it’s… functional. It gets the job done. It's not going to blow your mind, but it’s a decent place to lay your head. It’s more of a "Get Away From It All…ish" kind of place. If you’re looking for a five-star experience, look elsewhere, seriously. But if you're looking for a basic, clean, safe(ish) place to stay, and you're not expecting miracles, then maybe, just maybe, you can escape to Williamstown. Just temper your expectations, pack your own coffee, and be prepared to embrace the quirky charm of a slightly-worn-around-the-edges Howard Johnson.
Would I go back? Maybe. If the price was right, and I needed a place to crash. But if they could fix the coffee situation, that would be a huge selling point.
Topeka's BEST Hotel? City Center Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a weekend at the Howard Johnson by Wyndham in Williamstown, MA. Prepare for a glorious, slightly chaotic, and definitely opinionated travel log. This isn't your polished brochure, folks. This is real life, with all the spilled coffee and questionable decisions that entails.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Anticipation (and Slight Disappointment)
- 1:00 PM - Arrival and Check-in: Okay, so, first impressions? The Howard Johnson…well, it's a Howard Johnson. You know the vibe. Slightly faded glory, the faint smell of industrial cleaner trying its best, and a pool that probably hosted a few questionable cannonballs back in the 80s. The woman at the desk seemed nice enough, bless her heart, probably seen a LOT of people come and go. I asked for a room away from the ice machine – crucial. My inner peace depends on it. SUCCESS! We have the room of dreams, or at least, tolerable sounds.
- 1:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance (and a Mini-Freakout): The room…well, it's functional. Two queen beds, a television that's probably been there since the Carter administration, and a bathroom about the size of my closet back home. The rug…let's just say it has seen some things. But hey, clean towels! And the A/C works. Score one for Team "Not Completely Miserable." My travel companion, bless his soul, immediately started rummaging in his bag. "Did you pack the bug spray?" he asked. Oh GOD.
- 2:00 PM - The Williamstown Stroll (and a Near-Disaster): We decide to brave the town. Williamstown itself is gorgeous, all charming clapboard houses and that New England air that smells like…well, something clean and autumnal. I managed to trip UP the curb. I'm a seasoned traveler, and a clumsy goofball. I nearly ate pavement. Luckily, I was able to take control of myself and get out of the situation.
- 3:00 PM - The Clark Art Institute (and Existential Dread): This is where things get Interesting. The Clark Art Institute. I am told that the architecture is world-class. I, admittedly, am not that into art. But whatever, I will go with the flow. Okay, so the Clark is amazing. The building is beautiful, the gardens are pristine, and the art…well, it's art. I'm not gonna pretend to be an expert, but some of the paintings definitely made me ponder the meaning of life. And question my choice of shoes. Also, I got side-tracked by the light. Oh, the perfect light! I took a hundred photos just of the sun shining through the trees. No regrets.
- 5:00 PM - The Dinner Dilemma: This is where things get slightly comical. We make plans to sit down and eat at a fancy place, but when you are on a budget, it's a tough sell. We end up finding a local pub with a decent beer selection and surprisingly good burgers. The conversation flowed between the two of us. Lots of laughs! By the end of the meal, my travel companion was looking at me with an interesting look. I'll be honest, it was the best night of the year!
- 7:00 PM - Evening Relaxation (and the Bed Bug Paranoia): Back at the HoJo. After dinner. I'm suddenly convinced every itch is a bedbug. Irrational, maybe, but CAN'T. STOP. SCRATCHING. I spent a solid hour examining the mattress with a flashlight, like some kind of amateur entomologist. Did I find anything? Nope. Did it stop me from being paranoid? Also, nope. The fear is real! But as the saying goes, nothing is ever perfect.
Day 2: Art, Nature, and Sunday Chaos
- 9:00 AM - Waking Up and Breakfast Bliss (Sort Of): The free breakfast. It's the eternal question, isn't it? Free. Breakfast. I had low expectations, so I wasn't disappointed. Standard fare--bagels, dry cereal, and dubious pre-packaged muffins. The coffee, however, was surprisingly decent. Fuel for the day!
- 10:00 AM - More Clark (and Deep Thoughts): We went back to the Clark. I will admit that the art started to grow on me! I did manage to get a great selfie by a lovely painting. This place is amazing.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch and a Misunderstanding: We try to find this hidden gem of a deli. The directions were…vague. We end up wandering around for a good half-hour, slightly hangry and bickering, before finally stumbling upon a place that looked promising. They were completely out of the sandwich I ordered. We ended up splitting a tuna melt, which, surprisingly, was delicious. Lesson learned: Always have a backup plan (and maybe a snack bar in your bag).
- 2:00 PM - Hiking Hysteria (and a Near-Death Experience): We decide to hike. It was supposed to be a "moderate" trail. HA! It was more like a vertical scramble up a rock face. I'm pretty sure I saw a family of chipmunks laughing at me. I swear I nearly lost my balance at one point. I was yelling at my companion…I'm not sure what I was yelling. Maybe a prayer? But the view from the top? Worth it. Absolutely breathtaking. I felt a surge of pure, unadulterated joy. And then my knee started hurting.
- 4:00 PM - Quick Getaway: We had to return home. We are going to have to make another go of it. This time, the stars are on the side!
Day 3: Departure and Reflection (and the Quest for a Decent Breakfast)
- 9:00 AM - Final Breakfast Gamble: Last chance for HoJo breakfast… I decide to, I'm going to go for a muffin. This is going to be a test of everything.
- 10:00 AM - Departure: We check out. Relieved. Sad. It's a weird mixture of emotions. The HoJo probably won't be winning any awards anytime soon, but… it was our temporary base. It was a place of rest, and in a strange way, comfort.
- 11:00 AM - Drive Home and Post-Trip Pondering: As we drive home, I can't help but reflect. Williamstown, MA? It's a beautiful place. The art was thought-provoking, the hiking challenging, the food…well, the food was an adventure.
- NOW: Sitting at home. Recovering. Already dreaming of the next trip. Maybe I'll pack the bug spray next time. And maybe, just maybe, I'll learn how to properly navigate. Probably not. But hey, that's the fun of it, right? It is all a mess. A beautiful, chaotic mess. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.
So that's it. My Williamstown adventure, in all its glorious, messy, honest, and slightly insane glory. Until next time, keep exploring (and maybe pack some extra snacks).
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Okay, so... Williamstown? Why's *this* Howard Johnson, of all places, supposed to be my "dream"? Is this some kind of… elaborate joke?
What's *actually* special about this place, beyond the vaguely ironic nostalgia? Spill the tea!
Is the food any good? Please tell me there's more than just vending machine snacks!
What's there to *do* in Williamstown? Besides, you know, eat croissants?
Tell me something *bad*. Can’t be *all* sunshine and rainbows, right?
Is it good for families? Honeymoons? Solo travelers? What's the *vibe*?
Okay, you've almost convinced me. But what are the *actual* rooms like? Are they clean? Are they noisy? Give it to me *straight*!
What's the *verdict*? Is it worth it? Would *you* go back?
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