Lafayette's BEST Hotel? Howard Johnson by Wyndham Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the… uh… experience that is the Howard Johnson by Wyndham in Lafayette, Louisiana. Let's be real, it's not the Ritz, but hey, sometimes a weary traveler needs a place to crash, and this place… well, it is a place. Here's the unvarnished truth, with all the glorious imperfections you crave:
First, the Basics – The Mundane, Mostly…
- Accessibility: Okay, gotta give credit where it's due. They've got the basics covered for accessibility. Wheelchair accessible? Check. Elevators that… you know, work? Check. (Though, I did see one guy wrestling with a door for a bit. Minor hiccup, maybe?)
- Internet: FREE Wi-Fi IN ALL ROOMS! Praise the Wi-Fi gods! This is a HUGE win. I swear I almost wept with joy after suffering through a dial-up experience elsewhere. Seriously, the speed was… adequate. I could doomscroll, watch cat videos, and generally avoid my responsibilities. A+ for the Wi-Fi. The LAN stuff? Probably exists. Didn't bother.
- Cleanliness and Safety (The Pandemic Years): They're trying. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Staff supposedly trained in safety protocols? Sure, why not. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yes, I assume. But let's be real, the level of "clean" is… what you expect at a mid-tier hotel. My room? It looked… you know… lived in. (I mean, I probably left it in a worse state.) I saw a bottle of hand sanitizer at the front desk, so that's a bonus.
- Check-in/out: Smooth enough. Contactless? Tried it. Worked. Not a huge deal, but hey, no awkward human interaction if you don't want it!
- Getting Around: Free parking? YES! Car park on-site? Yep! And, a car power charging station is there. Oh wait.. not working… But hey, at least it's there right? Valet parking option? No. Taxi service? Yes. Airport transfer? Available.
Rooms – The Lived-In Life… or Not?
- Available in all rooms: So many amenities! Air conditioning, alarm clock, Bathrobes (I'm a sucker for those!), Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra-long bed, Free bottled water, Hairdryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- My Room: Okay, let's get real. The room? It wasn't exactly a five-star suite. But the air conditioning blasted like a hurricane (a Southern necessity), the bed was… comfortable. (I slept.) The TV? Worked. The bathroom? Functional. The decor? Let's just say it was eclectic. I’m pretty sure the curtains were original to the hotel. But hey, who am I to judge the taste of the person that picked the colors in the 70s? I was there to sleep, not to critique interior design. The room was non-smoking, which was great because I hate the smell.
Food, Glorious (and Questionable) Food – Dining, Drinking, and Snacking
Okay, here's where things get interesting. The Howard Johnson, bless its heart, offers food services.
- Restaurant: A restaurant is available. I was expecting an elegant experience.. with international cuisine. Hmm. OK..
- Buffet: Buffet in restaurant? Yep. Western breakfast? Yes. Asian breakfast? Yes.
- Room Service: Supposedly 24-hour room service! A godsend for late-night snack attacks! I ordered… something. I honestly don't remember what, but it arrived relatively promptly.
The "Things to Do" – Or, How to Kill Time in Lafayette…
- Pool: Outdoor pool, yay. Pool with a view? Not really. But hey, it was there, and it looked… refreshing? I saw a few kids cannonballing in with gusto, which is always entertaining.
- Fitness Center: Don't get your hopes up. It's a room. With some machines. I peeked in. Not exactly a haven for the serious gym-goer.
- Spa: Spa/Sauna is listed. Spa? Steamroom? Those are available.
- Nearby Activities: Well, you're in Lafayette. Cajun country! Go eat some crawfish, listen to some zydeco music, and try not to sweat through your clothes. Seriously, the heat is intense.
Now, for the stream-of-consciousness rant…
Okay, so the Howard Johnson. It is what it is. A place to rest your weary head. The bar and the food, I had to ask my self 'Is this really something?', I mean… the presentation was… well, let's just say they weren't aiming for Michelin stars. The cleanliness? Could be better.
But here's the thing: the Wi-Fi worked. The air conditioning blasted ice-cold perfection (thank GOD). And, the staff, despite clearly dealing with a variety of personalities, were nice. That's the key, isn't it? A little kindness, a little basic functionality, and hey, you've got a decent stay.
The Verdict (My Final, Cynical, But Ultimately Okay-With-It Verdict)
Is the Howard Johnson by Wyndham in Lafayette the best hotel in the world? Absolutely not. Is it a luxury experience? Nope. Is it a place to stay for a night or two, especially if you're on a budget? Definitely. They’re trying. They're making an effort. And sometimes, that’s enough. Will I return? Probably. Because sometimes, you just need a place that's there. And this place is. Just… be prepared for the… experience.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the Howard Johnson by Wyndham Lafayette, Louisiana. Prepare for a wild ride, full of existential crises over stale coffee and the overwhelming urge to buy a novelty crawfish hat.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Pool (and Maybe Pizza)
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at Lafayette Airport, LA (LFT). Okay, first impressions? This airport is… small. Real small. I swear, I saw more tumbleweeds than people. Taxi – that seems optimistic – I'm relying on Uber. Pray to the road gods it actually SHOWS UP. Feeling slightly existential about the vast emptiness of the Louisiana landscape already.
- 1:30 PM - Check-in at Howard Johnson (HoJo, if you're cool). Found the HoJo. The lobby smells faintly of chlorine and… something else. Can't quite place it. Maybe the scent of a thousand forgotten family vacations? The front desk lady is… enthusiastic. Maybe too enthusiastic. "Welcome to Lafayette! Y'all gonna have a GREAT time!" I'm already bracing myself for the inevitable "y'all."
- 2:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance. The room? Basic. Beige. The kind of room that screams "I've seen things." The bedspread looks like it's been through a war. No, wait, it IS a war of stains and questionable patterns. The view? The pool. Oh, the pool. The pool that, from the looks of it, has never seen a filter. I'm genuinely, profoundly concerned.
- 2:30 PM - Deep Thoughts About the Pool (and Maybe Pizza). Okay, the pool. This is a focal point. It's a murky, slightly greenish rectangle. And the plastic chairs surrounding it look like they've witnessed some serious poolside drama over the years. I debate going for a dip and decide against it. I'm not sure what's worse, actually being in it or just looking at it. I'm hungry. Gotta find a pizza place. Preferably one that doesn't serve pizza with alligator meat. (Too soon?)
- 3:00 PM - Pizza Pilgrimage. Found a local pizza joint. "Pizza Village." Seriously? Pizza Village? It’s probably the only game in town, it being Monday, so I was desperate and hungry. The pizza was… acceptable. I ate it, which is more than I can say for the bedspread.
- 4:30 PM - The Great Couch Meltdown of '23. Back in my room, attempting to watch TV. The remote? A relic. The TV? A CRT. Like, the kind you used to play Nintendo on. The couch? It's clearly been subjected to years of spilled soda, dropped popcorn, and general neglect. I sink into it. Maybe I close my eyes. Maybe I wake up in a new dimension. (Or maybe just with a crick in my neck.)
- 6:00 PM - Dinner (and the Unspoken Rules of the Complimentary Breakfast). The complimentary breakfast. That's another concern. This is the HoJo, so I can expect a world of questionable breakfast choices. Planning my strategy for tomorrow: Avoid contact with the waffle maker. Drink copious amounts of coffee. Pretend I don’t see the suspicious look of the scrambled eggs. Dinner? Local recommendation. Don’t want to go to far (I do not have a car). Found a charming little place, but unfortunately, the wait was over an hour. I'd probably get the same results if I try to find a decent parking space near a mall.
- 8:00 PM - The Room's Quiet and the Night is Deep… After a long day and a long wait for dinner, back in the room. The quiet in these motels is always unsettling. I hope I can sleep. Tomorrow – adventure! (Or at least, a trip to the local convenience store.)
Day 2: Acadian Adventures and the Crushing Weight of Souvenir Shopping
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast of Champions (or, At Least, Something Edible). The moment of truth. Complimentary breakfast time. The waffle maker looks sinister. Resist the urge to stare directly at it. Coffee is… coffee. Eggs are… fluffy… in a way that reminds me of a cloud from a cartoon. Okay, I'm alive.
- 8:00 AM - Driving to the Acadian Cultural Center. Finally! Something to do. Driving outside this town is like the escape room, going out from my mundane room. So here I come.
- 9:00 AM - Acadian Cultural Center and the History That's Not Boring (Surprisingly). Actually, this was pretty interesting! I learned about the Acadian people, their history, and their culture. The music was great. The stories were compelling, and I didn't feel like I was sleeping through a history lesson.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch with Gumbo (and the Aftermath). I was told I had to eat Gumbo while here. It's the law. Ordered Gumbo today at a local restaurant, and oh, boy. The flavor was amazing! I think I'm officially a Gumbo convert.
- 1:30 PM - Souvenir Shopping, the Agonizing Choice. The gift shop inside the cultural center! I need to get a souvenir, for… reasons. The pressure is real. The choices are… overwhelming. I spend a solid hour agonizing over whether to buy a crawfish-shaped bottle opener or a miniature accordion.
- 3:00 PM - Retreat Back to the HoJo. The Inevitable Nap. Back to the HoJo. The exhaustion is setting in. The heat, the history, the gumbo… nap time. Please, I need a break.
- 5:00 PM - Dinner (and the lingering smell of chlorine). Decided to walk around. The pool is still the same green as yesterday. Ordered take out.
- 6:00 PM - The deep thought about the room (and what to do). The TV is working. The remote works… sort of. The bedspread may be calling me. Maybe I'll just stay in my room.
- 8:00 PM - Sleep.
Day 3: Farewell (and the Hope that the Pool Isn't Bioluminescent)
- 7:00 AM - Farewell to the Breakfast (and What I've Learnt). Time to say goodbye to the complimentary breakfast. I’ll miss the coffee, but I won’t miss the waffle maker.
- 8:00 AM - Goodbye.. Taxi seems optimistics. Pray to the road gods that it actually SHOWS UP.
- 8:30 AM - The airport!. Back to the tiny waiting space.
- 9:00 AM - Plane!.
- 12:00 AM - HOME!.
- 12:30 AM - The End!
This, my friends, is the Howard Johnson experience. Not perfect, not glamorous, but… authentically human. You might leave with a few extra pounds from the gumbo, a slightly haunted look in your eyes, and a souvenir you'll probably never use, but hey, isn’t that what life is all about?
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Howard Johnson by Wyndham in Lafayette, Louisiana: The Unfiltered Truth (and Maybe a Few Tears, Who Knows?)
Okay, Seriously... Is This Place *Actually* "The BEST" Hotel in Lafayette? I've Seen Some Reviews...
"BEST"? Honey, let's just say the marketing department at Wyndham might have a *slightly* different definition of "best" than I do. Look, Lafayette's got options. Historic hotels, swanky modern places... and then there's the Howard Johnson. It's... an experience. Think of it like this: imagine your quirky Aunt Mildred - she *means* well, her house is kinda outdated, but you love her anyway, right? That's the HoJo in Lafayette, Louisiana. You might find yourself muttering a little under your breath, but you'll make memories. And that breakfast? Woof. (We'll get to that.)
What's the Vibe? Is It Actually Clean? (Asking the Important Questions)
Vibe? Let's say the vibe is "charmingly retro." Picture a 1970s motel, given a generous facelift with a touch of 21st-century upgrades... and a healthy dose of "lived-in". Cleanliness? Okay, look, I'm not a germaphobe, but I *am* a realist. My bathroom was spotless, the (surprisingly big) bed was crisp, and the room, overall, was fine. But, and here's the big BUT, I did see a suspicious smudge near the elevator. Let's just say, bring some Clorox wipes, just in case. (And maybe a prayer.)
Tell Me About This "Breakfast"... I've Heard Whispers...
Hoo boy. The breakfast. Where do I even *begin*? Okay, so it's "complimentary." That's the first good thing. Expect your typical continental fare: bagels (possibly stale, sometimes), toast, cereal, maybe some sad little muffins. The coffee? Runny. Like, desperately in need of caffeine and a personality. The one saving grace? The waffle maker! Freshly made waffles, slathered in syrup, can momentarily erase all the minor sins of the HoJo breakfast. I swear, for a moment, I *almost* felt a connection with the universe, crispy waffle in hand. Almost. Just... don't go expecting gourmet. Think... survival mode with sprinkles.
What About the Pool? Is It Actually Swimmable?
The pool... oooooh the pool. It's... there. It’s outdoors and I saw some kids really enjoying themselves so that's good. I didn't swim in it myself because... the air smelled a bit like chlorine, but also a bit like... well, you know. I'm not saying it wasn't clean! But let's just say the pool *visuals* weren’t exactly inviting. It probably could use some fresh paint or whatever they do for pools, you know? But hey, it had lounge chairs, and there was a *chance* of some sun. So, swim at your own risk!
Okay, So... Parking. Is it a Nightmare?
Nah, parking was easy. Plenty of free space, right in front of your room. Which is a definite plus, because schlepping luggage after a long drive? No one wants that. And speaking of convenience... the location is prime. Plenty of restaurants and shops are nearby. Easy on, easy off the highway. Again, this is a major, *major* win.
What About the Staff? Are They Friendly?
The staff? Bless their hearts. They were genuinely *nice*. Always a smile, always willing to help. I asked for extra towels and they were on it in minutes. They weren't pretending to be anything they weren't. They were down to earth, friendly people doing their best. A+ for staff. They might just be the best part of the whole experience.
Here's a Specific Scenario: I'm Traveling with Kids. Good Choice?
Kids? Hmm. It depends on your kids, and your tolerance for the unexpected. If they are easily thrilled by a waffle maker and a pool, and you aren't overly fussy about decor, it could work. The rooms are spacious and the parking is convenient. But if your kids are used to luxury hotels with all the bells and whistles? They might be...underwhelmed. Bring your own sanitizer, embrace the quirkiness, and let the kids run wild. It could be a memorable adventure! Or disastrous. Who knows? That's the beauty of the HoJo, isn't it? It's a gamble.
Is There Anything *Really* Bad I Should Know About?
Honestly... no dealbreakers, just imperfections. The Wi-Fi was a little spotty at times, which, in the modern age, is a minor inconvenience, but still annoying. The noise from the highway *could* be a factor, depending on your room location and sensitivity. Earplugs are your friend! And, again, the breakfast... prepare yourself. Consider it a character-building experience.
Okay, Spill the Beans: Would You Stay Here Again?
Here's the thing: if I was just looking for a bed for a night, and wasn't expecting anything fancy, I'd probably do it again. The location and parking are fantastic, and I'm more of a "glass half full" kinda gal. If I was on a serious budget, and needed to stretch my dollars, absolutely. It's not a *luxury* experience, but it's a quirky, clean, and functional one. Would I recommend it to everyone? Probably not. But for the right person, at the right time, it's got a certain charm. And let's be honest, the waffle experience alone makes it almost worth it. Almost. I might add a waffle to my room later. I think I need a waffle.
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