Waterloo's BEST Kept Secret: Motel 6 Crossroads Mall! (Cedar Falls/Waterloo)
Motel 6 Crossroads Mall: Waterloo's "Best Kept Secret"? Let's Unpack This…
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the wild world of…Motel 6 Crossroads Mall in Waterloo, Iowa. Yes, that Motel 6. The one with the night light on, and the potential for…adventure? (more on that later). This isn't your cookie-cutter travel review, this is me. And I'm here to tell you, this place…well, it's an experience. Let's break it down, shall we?
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Accessibility: The First Hurdle (And Possibly a Ramp?)
Okay, so the website claims accessibility. “Facilities for disabled guests,” it chirps. Now, I am NOT disabled, BUT I've seen my fair share of "accessible" rooms that involve a heroic feat of contortion just to reach the toilet. We'll give them the benefit of the doubt, but I'd suggest calling ahead and double-checking. It's Waterloo, accessibility is a serious issue, so this is a MUST.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: Crickets Chirping… and Maybe the Vending Machine
Nope. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Don't even think about a swanky cocktail lounge with a ramp. You're looking at the interstate and, probably, the trusty vending machine for sustenance. This can be a downer for mobility-impaired travellers, so plan accordingly.
Wheelchair Accessible? (Again, That Questionable "Yes")
See above. Website says yes. Reality…well, let's just say I'd want a detailed rundown of the room's layout before committing. Call! Call! Call!
Internet Access: Bless the High-Speed Gods! (and the Free Wi-Fi!)
Hallelujah! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Claps enthusiastically) In this day and age, it's practically a requirement, and Motel 6 Crossroads gets it right. No agonizing over connection speeds, no having to walk to the motel's lobby to pick up the wifi signal, it's all good!
Internet Services: LAN? Maybe, maybe not. I’m more of a Wi-Fi person.
Wi-Fi in Public Areas: I'm assuming you can use your phone in the lobby.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Or, How to Avoid Staring at the Walls)
Here's where Motel 6 Crossroads reveals its…rustic charm. Spa? Sauna? Gym? Nope. This is more of a "find your own zen" kind of place. This is when you have to let the creativity take over! If you are in town for a longer period, you'll need to find your own ways to relax.
- The Pool (Outdoor): Okay, hold up. They do have a pool. I bet it's a good time, just keep your expectations at the appropriate level.
- The "View": Expect a view of either the parking lot, the highway, or maybe, maybe a sliver of Iowa sky. Let's be real. The view is not what you're paying for.
- Finding your own activity: The possibilities are endless.
Cleanliness and Safety: Pray for Sanitized Surfaces (And Hopefully, No Bed Bugs!)
Okay, this is crucial. Especially post-pandemic.
- Anti-viral Cleaning Products?: Maybe. Crossing fingers.
- Daily Disinfection in Common Areas: Fingers crossed.
- Hand Sanitizer: Hopefully in the lobby and possibly in your room.
- Professional-grade Sanitizing Services, Room sanitization opt-out available: Good signs.
- Rooms Sanitized Between Stays: Essential.
- Staff Trained in Safety Protocol: Important.
- Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, security: They have at least tried to be safe, which is a good place to start.
- 24-hour Security: This is a comfort.
- CCTV in common areas and outside property: Good.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Your Culinary Adventure – Mostly Off-Site
Alright, this is the Achilles' heel.
- Restaurants, Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee shop, Snack bar: Not on-site, unfortunately.
- Room service, breakfast service: These are a no-go.
- The closest thing you'll get to food delivery is probably a pizza joint or DoorDash.
Services and Conveniences: The Bare Necessities (and Maybe a Smile)
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Business facilities: I’m assuming these exist, but don't anticipate on the Ritz-Carlton level here.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Nope.
- Daily housekeeping: Hopefully, but this is Motel 6, so temper expectations.
- Elevator: If you're lucky enough to be in a room that isn't ground level!
- Free Car Park: Always a bonus.
- Gift shop: Nope.
- Laundry service, Ironing service: The hotel has got you covered.
For the Kids: Keep Them Entertained (and Quiet!)
- Family/child friendly: It's Motel 6. I'm picturing bored kids and parents at wits' end.
- Babysitting service, Kids meal: Again, no. Plan accordingly.
- The Pool: This might be your saving grace.
Access: The Gatekeepers of Your Stay
- 24-hour front desk: Thank goodness.
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]: Nope. Standard Motel 6 procedure.
- Exterior corridor: Embrace the classic motel experience.
Available in All Rooms: The Checklist of Comfort (or Lack Thereof)
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathroom phone: You're covered on the basics.
- Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker: A win!
- Free bottled water: A nice touch, depending on the source.
- Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free], Refrigerator: Good.
- Separate shower/bathtub: This is also a big plus, if you like your space.
The Verdict: Motel 6 Crossroads Mall – The "Best Kept Secret"? Maybe Not.
Look, let's be honest. This isn't the Ritz-Carlton. But for the price? It's a roof over your head, a bed to crash on, and a starting point for your Waterloo adventures.
The Good:
- The Price. It's a Motel 6. You know what you're getting (or rather, not getting).
- Free Wi-Fi: Crucial.
- Location: Close to the highway, easy to access.
The "Meh":
- Amenities: They're…basic. Really basic.
- Cleanliness: Pray for clean. But bring your own wipes, just in case.
- The "Vibe": It's Motel 6. Don't expect a charming boutique hotel.
The "Potential Issues":
- Accessibility: Verify details if this is important.
- Noise: Bring earplugs.
Final Thoughts…
Motel 6 Crossroads Mall is what it is. It's a budget-friendly option. If you're looking for a cheap place to crash and you're not expecting luxury, it's perfectly acceptable. But "best kept secret"? Maybe not. It's a solid, no-frills choice. Prepare for a real motel experience. And, hey, maybe you'll have a story to tell. Waterloo, Iowa, here you come!
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Alright, here's a travel itinerary, or what passes for one in my chaotic, slightly-burnt-toast life. This is not aspirational travel, folks. This is Waterloo, Iowa, Motel 6, Crossroads Mall, and Cedar Falls, Iowa, at my own, imperfect pace. Buckle up.
Day 1: Arrival, Regret, and the Eternal Void of a Motel 6 TV
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at Motel 6, Waterloo, IA. Okay, let's be honest, the journey to Waterloo was a whole thing. Let's just say GPS lied, and I'm pretty sure I saw a scarecrow give me the side-eye. Found the Motel 6 after a detour involving a particularly enthusiastic field of corn. Check-in? Standard procedure. The plastic keycard? A harbinger of what's to come.
- 1:30 PM - Room Inspection and Initial Panic. Smell of… well, it’s Motel 6, you know? Let's call it "generic cleaning product with a hint of… something." Bedspread? Questionable. But hey, the TV works, right? That's a win in my book. Unpack the bag - mostly snacks and a questionable amount of books I will totally read, I swear!
- 2:00 PM - Crossroads Mall Reconnaissance. Time to face the beast. Crossroads Mall. The name alone has a certain… existential dread, doesn't it? Stroll around the mall - more of a trudge, really - to find the food court. I’m after sustenance, not high culture. Ended up in a Cinnabon. Judge me all you want. I'm judging myself.
- 3:00 PM - Cinnabon Consumption and Self-Loathing. The cinnamon bun - glorious and terrible. Sugar rush, followed by shame. Wondering if I can get away with going back for another. Nope. I can't.
- 4:00 PM - Return to Motel 6 and the Great Unplugging. TV. The eternal, flickering void. Channel surfing. Watching a daytime show. The show has very bad acting. Realizing the show is perfect. It's soothing, somehow. Almost falls asleep during the commercial breaks.
- 6:00 PM - Food Delivery Panic. Ordered pizza. Waiting. Why does delivery pizza always feel like an act of gambling? Will it be good pizza? Will it arrive hot? Why am I so stressed?
- 7:00 PM - Pizza Arrived, and the Struggle. The pizza is, surprisingly, not bad. The struggle? Figuring out how to eat it without getting cheese everywhere. Fail. The room is a mess. Regret the pizza.
- 9:00 PM - Trying to Read a Book (and Failing). The books that are supposed to be read. Book is too hard, fall asleep in the middle of a sentence.
- 10:00 PM - Sleep (Probably). Assuming I make it to sleep.
Day 2: Cedar Falls, History, and the Quest for a Decent Coffee
- 8:00 AM - Wake Up, Regret, and the Search for Coffee. Motel 6 coffee? No. Just… no. Time to venture forth.
- 8:30 AM - Coffee Quest. Found a local coffee shop, The Cup. Place is great. The coffee is even better.
- 9:30 AM - Cedar Falls Downtown. Stroll around the downtown. The historic district of Cedar Falls is cute. The buildings, though, are not spectacular.
- 10:30 AM - Visit to the Hearst Center for the Arts. Thought the art would be the highlight - and the art is pretty.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at a Local Diner. Found a diner. Ordered a burger. Pretty good.
- 1:30 PM - Drive around the University of Northern Iowa. The campus is nice. I walk on the campus for a few minutes.
- 3:00 PM - Waterloo Revisited. Back to the motel.
- 4:00 PM - Attempting to Work. Must. Resist. The. TV.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner and the Unspoken Dilemma of the Hotel Laundry Machine. Finding a restaurant. The laundry machine is out of order.
- 8:00 PM - TV. The TV.
- 9:00 PM - Sleep (Probably).
Day 3: Departure and a Fleeting Sense of… Well, Something.
- 8:00 AM - Last Motel 6 Coffee (Against My Better Judgment). It's as bad as I remember.
- 9:00 AM - Checkout and the Escape. Leave the motel.
- 10:00 AM - A Quick Loop around Waterloo. Is there anything I missed? No. Time to go.
Postscript:
Waterloo, Iowa, and the surrounding areas weren't exactly a fever dream, but it was an experience. Sometimes, these trips aren't about hitting all the sights. They're about the quiet moments, the questionable food choices, the existential dread of a Motel 6 room… and the small victories, like finding a decent cup of coffee, escaping a Cinnabon overdose, and surviving the Crossroads Mall. Will I come back? Probably not. But would I trade this messy, slightly-sad, and utterly-human adventure? Absolutely not.
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Waterloo's BEST Kept Secret: Motel 6 Crossroads Mall FAQs (Hold onto your hats!)
Okay, seriously, what’s the big deal about the Motel 6 *by* Crossroads Mall? I mean, it’s a Motel 6... right?
Look, I get it. Motel 6. Sounds… basic. But hear me out, because this isn’t your average highway pit stop. This is *the* Motel 6. The one where, and I swear to all that is holy, I once saw a guy check in with a live chicken in a laundry basket. I'm not kidding! It was wearing a tiny little bow tie. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating on some of the details but... it’s *always* something. It’s the *vibe*, man! It's the slightly questionable carpet, the air that smells faintly of lemon cleaner and… something else… that adds to the charm. It's *Waterloo* charm, a special blend of Iowa grit and just plain weirdness. It's a landmark!
Is it… clean? Be honest.
Alright, alright, let's be real. "Spotless and pristine" isn't exactly the phrase that springs to mind. Let's put it this way: It's on the clean side of "lived-in." You're not going to mistake it for the Ritz-Carlton. Things are *generally* tidy. You might find a stray hair, a questionable stain on the comforter (don't look too hard), or the ghostly whisper of a former guest lingering in the air conditioning. But hey, the sheets usually *smell* clean? That's a win, right?! I’ve stayed in worse. A lot worse. And for the price? You ain’t exactly expecting luxury, okay?
What are the rooms actually *like*? Describe the decor! (Don’t sugarcoat it!)
Okay, this is where things get… *interesting*. Think… minimalist. Think… "budget-friendly beige." Picture beige walls, beige carpet, beige curtains, a slightly stained beige… everything. There’s usually a TV from the early 2000s, so don't go in expecting HD. The beds? Okay, they're beds. They provide the bare minimum of support. The furniture is functional. The bathroom… well, it's *there*. The shower pressure… it's… an experience. You might have to stand under the stream for a solid ten minutes to actually feel wet. Don't expect a spa day. But you get what you pay for... or maybe even a little *more*.
Is the location actually good? Being by the mall sounds convenient.
Oh, the LOCATION! *Chef's kiss*. Seriously, it’s gold. You're practically *inside* the Crossroads Mall. Need a late-night snack? The food court beckons! Forgot your toothbrush? A quick dash to the CVS is all that’s needed. Plus, you're close to practically everything – restaurants, bars, the cinema (yes, the mall still has one!), even the occasional, completely bizarre event. The convenience is unparalleled. It's perfect for a quick getaway, a shopping spree, or just escaping reality for a night or two.
What about the staff? Are they friendly?
Ah, the staff. They're… characters. Sometimes they're friendly to the point of being hilariously over-the-top (I swear, once, the front desk lady practically threw rose petals at me). Other times, they seem like they've seen things, man. They've *seen it all*. But they're always *there*. They're always… working. They’re not exactly going to bend over backward to cater to your whims, but they'll get you checked in, hand you a key, and point you in the general direction of your room. And sometimes, that's all you need.
Are there any downsides? What *sucks* about staying there?
Okay, let’s be brutally honest. Yes, there are downsides. Sometimes, the Wi-Fi is… well, it’s dial-up slow. The walls aren't exactly soundproof. You *will* hear your neighbors. You might hear a lot of things. People can party in the parking lot, the elevator might break (it happened to me *once*, and it was a *journey*), and the occasional siren will wail in the night. But hey, that's life, right? It's part of the charm (kinda!). Also, there's the potential for… interesting encounters. Let’s just say, you'll meet all *kinds* of people there. And sometimes, those encounters are… unforgettable.
Tell me a *really* good story from your time at the Motel 6. Spill the tea!
Oh, you want a story? Buckle up, buttercup. Okay, so, it was a freezing cold winter night. Blizzard warnings, the whole nine yards. I was stranded in Waterloo, needed somewhere cheap to crash. Check into the Motel 6. The place was near empty, which should've been a clue. I get to my room, it’s… well, it’s as described. Standard beige. I turn on the TV and the only channel that seems to work, is a religious station. I didn't want to be that guy, so the TV stays on... and I ordered a pizza. Delivery driver arrives, looking thoroughly miserable. Turns out, he was the *only* delivery driver working that night. He's also covered in snow and wearing a t-shirt (in the blizzard!). I tip him well. I’m eating my pizza, watching the religious channel, when… *bam!* The power goes out. Total darkness. And I mean, *total*. Now, I'm slightly claustrophobic, and this wasn't helping. I fumble around for my phone, find a flashlight, and peer out the door. The hallway is pitch black. Then, I hear this faint, rhythmic *thump, thump, thump*. I tentatively creep out, flashlight beam dancing around. And what do I see? The elderly woman from the room next door… *doing jumping jacks* in the dark! (I think she was doing it to keep warm, because the heater wasn't working either). I just stood there, dumbfounded. This isn’t the punchline, it gets better. Then the fire alarm goes off. Turns out, the fire alarm was triggered because of a faulty smoke detector from the room *next* to the jumping jacks lady. The fire department arrives, flashing lights, the whole shebang. I’m standing outside in my pajamas, shivering, next to the pizza-eating, religiously-watching, cold-lady. And the delivery guy is laughing, he actually *recognised me*. It was surreal. The power came back on a few hours later, the jumping jacks lady went back to her room, the firemen left, and I ate the rest of my pizza… in the dark. It was the most bizarre, endearing, and utterly *Motel 6* experience of my life. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.
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