Manhattan Getaway: Unbeatable Super 8 Deals!
Manhattan Getaway: Unbeatable Super 8 Deals! - A Hot Mess Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just crawled out of a slightly chaotic but ultimately… mostly pleasant… stay at the Super 8 "Manhattan Getaway." And by "Getaway," I mean a reality check, especially if you're used to, y'know, actual luxury hotels. But hey, the price was right, and in Manhattan? You gotta take what you can get, right? Let's dive in, starting with…
Accessibility (and the Grim Reality)
Okay, let's be real. This ain't the Hilton. While they technically say they have facilities for disabled guests, and while there’s an elevator (phew!), the overall vibe wasn't exactly wheelchair-accessible-dreamland. Hallways felt cramped, and I didn't see any obvious modifications in the common areas. So, proceed with caution if you have any mobility issues. Rating: C- (Mostly theoretical accessibility, if you squint real hard.)
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Uh, no. Unless you count the vending machine stocked with suspiciously stale pretzels. Rating: F (Zero points for originality.)
Internet: Oh, the Joy of Free Wi-Fi (and Occasional Rage)
Okay, this is kinda a big one. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! And… it mostly worked. There were a few moments of buffering fury, a couple times I thought I was going to throw my laptop out the window trying to upload a photo, but overall, it was… functional. Internet [LAN]? Didn't see it. Probably gathering dust. Internet services? Basic. Don't expect a tech genius at the front desk. Wi-Fi in public areas: Present, and just as dicey as the room Wi-Fi. Rating: B- (Good for the price, but don't expect miracles.)
Things to Do (Or, How I Spent My Vacation): Mostly Avoiding the Hotel
Let's be honest, you're not coming to the Super 8 for the in-house entertainment. Fitness center: Ha! (I think it was more of a storage room with a rusty treadmill.) Pool with view: You’d have a better chance finding a unicorn. Spa/sauna: Dream on, buttercup. This place is all about the Manhattan experience, baby! Getting out and doing things! And boy, did I. (See the 'Getting Around' section for how I did it.)
Ways to Relax (LOL)
Okay, so the "relaxation" options were… limited. Don't bring your hopes for a body scrub or body wrap. This ain't that kinda place, honey. Fitness center (again, the mythical beast): Nope. Foot bath: LOL. Gym/fitness: Not really. Massage: Not on the menu. Sauna: No. Spa: Zero. Steamroom: Nope. Swimming pool: Gone fishin', there ain’t one. Swimming pool [outdoor]: You're killing me, Super 8! Rating: D- (Bring your own relaxation, seriously)
(Emotional tangent alert!) You know, I went in expecting nothing, and I got… pretty much nothing. But that's how it goes, right? You come to Manhattan, you're going to be running around dodging traffic, squeezing into the subway, and cramming into a tiny space. After a day of that, the Super 8 is just…a functional box to crash in. End of tangent.
Cleanliness & Safety (The Hopeful Part)
Okay, here's where the Super 8 actually tried. Anti-viral cleaning products: Possibly. Didn't see them being sprayed around, but the rooms at least smelled clean. Breakfast in room: No, but they did have a… Breakfast takeaway service, which consisted of a sad little brown bag of a stale bagel and yogurt. Cashless payment service: Yes, thank goodness. Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed to be happening, though you couldn’t really tell. Doctor/nurse on call: Unsure. First aid kit: Probably. Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! A good sign. Hot water linen and laundry washing: Hopefully! Hygiene certification: No idea. Individually-wrapped food options: Yes, definitely leaning into this. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly… when you could find space. Professional-grade sanitizing services: Debatable. Room sanitization opt-out available: Nope. Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes - I hope so. Safe dining setup: Not applicable. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Again, not applicable. Shared stationery removed: Yessir! Staff trained in safety protocol: They wore masks, so, maybe? Sterilizing equipment: I have no idea. Rating: B (At least they tried to be safe. Bonus points for the hand sanitizer.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Culinary Abyss)
This is NOT a foodie destination. A la carte in restaurant: LOL! What restaurant? Alternative meal arrangement: Nope. Asian breakfast: Not a chance. Asian cuisine in restaurant: Uh… no. Bar: Nope. Bottle of water: Provided, thank goodness. Breakfast [buffet]: Nope. Just the sad little bag. Breakfast service: See above. Buffet in restaurant: You get the idea. Coffee/tea in restaurant: None. Coffee shop: Negative. Desserts in restaurant: HA! Happy hour: In my dreams. International cuisine in restaurant: See above. Poolside bar: I give up! Restaurants: The vending machine is your friend. Room service [24-hour]: Ha! Salad in restaurant: Nope. Snack bar: The vending machine, again. Soup in restaurant: No soup for you! Vegetarian restaurant: Nope. Western breakfast: See sad bagel above. Western cuisine in restaurant: Nope. Rating: F (Bring your own food, seriously.)
(Rambling time!) The breakfast situation was… depressing. I'm not a huge breakfast person, but even I felt a pang of disappointment shoving that slightly-stale bagel in my face. You're in Manhattan! You could be eating EVERYTHING. But no. This place is about fuel, not flavor. It is functional, not fun.
Services and Conveniences (The Bare Bones Essentials)
Okay, some of these are actually handy. Air conditioning in public area: Yes, thank goodness. Audio-visual equipment for special events: Nope. Business facilities: Basic. Cash withdrawal: Not on-site. Concierge: Nope. Contactless check-in/out: Yes, good for the times. Convenience store: Nope. Currency exchange: Nope. Daily housekeeping: Spotty. Doorman: Nah. Dry cleaning: Nope. Elevator: Yes, thank goodness! Essential condiments: The vending machine…again. Facilities for disabled guests: Technically available. Food delivery: Definitely. Gift/souvenir shop: Nope. Indoor venue for special events: Nope. Invoice provided: Yes. Ironing service: In my dreams. Laundry service: Nope. Luggage storage: Yes. Meeting/banquet facilities: Nope. Meetings: See above. Meeting stationery: I don’t think so… On-site event hosting: Nope. Outdoor venue for special events: Nope. Projector/LED display: Nope. Safety deposit boxes: Yes. Seminars: Nope. Shrine: Nope. Smoking area: Outside only, thankfully. Terrace: Uh, no. Wi-Fi for special events: If you can get it to work, sure. Xerox/fax in business center: Nope. Rating: C (Functional, but don't expect bells and whistles.)
For the Kids (Because, Why Not?)
Babysitting service: LOL. Family/child friendly: Probably, but it’s not screaming kid-centric. Kids facilities: Zero. Kids meal: Nope. Rating: F (This is definitely not a family vacation.)
Access (The Core Essentials - mostly there)
CCTV in common areas: Yes. CCTV outside property: Yes. Check-in/out [express]: Pretty quick. Check-in/out [private]: Nope. Exterior corridor: Yes. Fire extinguisher: Yes. Front desk [24-hour]: Yes. Hotel chain: Yes, Super 8. Non-smoking rooms: Yes. Proposal spot: LOL. Room decorations: Meh. Safety/security feature: Yes. Security [24-hour]: Yes. Smoke alarms: Yes. Soundproof rooms: Kinda sorta. Rating: B (Basic safety is covered.)
Getting Around (The Real Manhattan Experience)
The hotel itself, meh. But the location was a huge plus. Subway was a short walk away, and that's how you get around in Manhattan. Airport transfer: Didn’t use it. **Bicycle parking
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn’t your sanitized, Pinterest-perfect itinerary. This is a real trip to the Super 8 in Manhattan, Kansas. God help me.
Day 1: Arrival and the Cult of the Microwave
Morning (and By Morning, I Mean Whenever I Finally Drag Myself Out of Bed After a Late Night of Last-Minute Packing): Fly into Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK). Okay, let's be honest, it's less "fly" and more "bounce down the runway on a tiny plane that feels like it's held together with duct tape and the fervent prayers of the flight attendant." I am not a fan of small planes. Anyway, I get to Manhattan, pick up my sad little rental car (a beige sedan, naturally), and head straight to the Holy Grail of low-budget travel: The Super 8.
Afternoon: The Super 8 Experience. Check-in. The front desk lady is lovely, bless her heart, and I get checked-in. My room? Okay, let's be honest, it smells like… well, let's say it smells like a Super 8. It's a mix of stale air, industrial cleaner, and the lingering ghosts of a thousand forgotten breakfasts. The bedspread? Let’s just say I'm not thrilled.
- The Microwave Incident: The microwave. Oh, the microwave. This is the star of the show. First, I try to heat up a frozen burrito. I mean, college town, gotta eat cheap, right? Thirty seconds in and it's already exploding. I quickly press the "stop" button and remove a burrito that resembles a volcanic eruption. Next, I got a container of left over Chinese food to heat up. After 2 minutes, it felt like it was hot enough to melt the metal. I have to open the container with oven gloves. This is quality content.
Evening: Hitting the Aggieville Streets (and Regretting My Choice of Shoes): Aggieville! The heart of Manhattan. My goal is to get drinks with a friend. Let's just say my nice shoes are not ready for this level of activity. I find a bar, meet up with friends, and we have a couple round of drinks. Talking, laughing, and making fun of the whole experience. It was great! After a good night of laughs, I head back to the Super 8, for some much needed sleep.
Day 2: Exploring Kansas State University (and My Own Inner Angst)
Morning: Breakfast of Champions (or, More Accurately, "The Continental Breakfast Blues"): Free continental breakfast time! I'm trying to be optimistic. I grab a waffle, douse it in the sugary syrup (because, you know, self-care), and contemplate the meaning of life while attempting to navigate around the other patrons. The coffee? It's brown, and it's caffeinated. That's about all I can say on the matter.
Morning/Afternoon: K-State Campus Exploration: Okay, Kansas State is actually pretty impressive. The buildings are beautiful. The grounds? Well kept. I stroll around, imagining myself as a wise old professor, or maybe just someone who can afford a decent coffee shop. I visit the beautiful college buildings, and wander in the campus. It makes me forget some of the Super 8 experiences.
Afternoon: The Search for a Decent Burger (and a Moment of Existential Dread): I need a good burger. I'm on a mission. I end up at a local diner. The burger is… fine. Edible. It fills a void, but doesn't exactly ignite a culinary revolution.
- I think about my life choices for a moment, then decided not to.
Evening: Optional Activities Because I'm Exhausted
- I could, in theory, go to a movie.
- I could, in theory, use the pool.
- I could, in theory, just collapse on my bed and binge-watch something trashy on the surprisingly decent cable.
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Smell of… Something
Morning: Last Breakfast (and the Eternal Struggle with the Waffle Maker): This time, I nail the waffle. It’s not perfect, but it’s edible. Progress! I packed up the rest of my things. I'm ready to go.
Late Morning: Farewell, Manhattan (and the Beige Sedan): Check out of the Super 8. I don't think I'll be back anytime soon! Return the beige sedan, say goodbye to Manhattan, and head back to the airport.
Afternoon: Homeward Bound (and the Aftermath): The flight is uneventful (thank God). I land, pick up my luggage (which is miraculously intact), and drive home.
The Wrap-Up: Did I enjoy this trip? That’s a tricky question. Would I stay in the Super 8 again? Probably not. But hey, it had character. It was real. And it gave me plenty of stories to tell. And that, my friends, is what makes a trip memorable, right? (Please tell me it is. I need to justify the whole experience).
Okay, okay, everyone wants the lowdown on these "Unbeatable Super 8 Deals" in Manhattan. Honestly? After sifting through all the marketing fluff, the real deal is... a bit more complicated. This isn't a glamorous vacation, mind you. This is a Manhattan Getaway, emphasis on *getaway* from reality. And... let's just say my experiences have been... *varied*.
So, are these Super 8 deals REALLY "unbeatable?" Let's be honest, please.
Alright, FINE. Unbeatable... in the sense that you *probably* won't find a cheaper place to stay *in* Manhattan. Let's just get that out the way. It’s the Empire State Building view of budget travel. You're *in* the city. You're alive. You can smell the bagels. That's half the battle won, right? I've seen deals that… well, let’s just say they made my wallet do a little happy dance. But, and it's a BIG but... "Unbeatable" requires context. You're trading luxury for location. Don’t expect a jacuzzi suite, okay? One time, I swear, the coffee maker in my room was older than I am. And the 'complimentary' breakfast? Let's just say I saw a suspicious-looking bagel that *may* have been left over from the Clinton administration.
What's the catch? There's ALWAYS a catch!
The catch? Oh, honey, there are catches. First of all, the rooms are usually… compact. Picture a shoebox that spent a little TOO much time in a dryer. Then there's the location. You MIGHT be in a super-prime location. You might also be in the slightly-less-prime-but-still-technically-Manhattan location. Meaning you'll be walking a few extra blocks. Which isn't so bad if you're healthy, but it does get old after the twentieth subway ride, your legs screaming for mercy. And the noise! Manhattan never sleeps, and neither will you if you end up next to an alley where the garbage trucks have a nightly rave. I swear, one time, I slept through an earthquake in California, but the incessant honking from a single taxi outside my Super 8 in the city kept me awake ALL NIGHT. Just. ALL. NIGHT.
Is it safe? Seriously, safety first.
Look, I'm no security expert, but I've never felt *unsafe* in a Super 8 in Manhattan. The staff is usually pretty good, and the hotels themselves are generally in areas that are patrolled. Use common sense! Don't flash wads of cash. Watch your belongings. Don’t wander down dark alleys (duh). It’s Manhattan! There are people EVERYWHERE. But the general answer is: yes, it's *probably* safe. Probably. But be aware of your surroundings, like in general life. And honestly? I’d be more concerned about my fellow travelers than any shadowy figures lurking in the shadows. You'd be surprised by some of the characters you encounter. Once, I shared an elevator with a guy who was clearly still wearing his pajamas from the night before and seemed to be trying to sell me…something. I think it was cat food. But hey, character, right?
What's the best part about staying at a Super 8 in Manhattan?
Location, location, location! I mean, seriously! You're right in the heart of the action. You can step out of the hotel and be within walking distance of a million amazing things. Broadway shows? Boom. Museums? Boom. Incredible food? Double boom! You're saving on the room, so you can spend it on… well, *everything else*. You can have a truly authentic New York experience. I once saw a street performer juggle flaming torches RIGHT outside by the hotel. That's the kind of magic this budget, no-frills kind of travel can bring. The city is at your fingertips - a gritty, glorious, sometimes overwhelming, but ALWAYS exciting, experience. Plus, you can tell people you stayed in Manhattan without bankrupting yourself. That's worth something, right?
What are the biggest downsides? Come on, spill the beans.
Okay, okay, the beans. First, the rooms. They’re usually…basic. Think functional, not fabulous. And sometimes…the cleanliness. Let's just say I've brought my own Lysol wipes more than once. And the noise. Oh, the noise. Sirens, construction, late-night revelers…it’s a symphony of city sounds. Earplugs are your best friend. And finally, the "customer service." It can be a mixed bag. You might encounter a friendly, helpful staff, or you might get someone who looks like they haven't slept in three days (which, let's be honest, is relatable). My most chaotic experience involved a missing reservation, a language barrier, and a whole lot of awkward gesturing. Somehow, I did get my room... Eventually.
Tell me about that complimentary breakfast. Is it worth getting excited about?
This. This is a critical question. The "free" breakfast. Proceed with caution, people. It's usually a continental affair, meaning you get your choice of stale bagels, pre-packaged muffins that taste suspiciously like cardboard, and lukewarm coffee that's either incredibly weak or strong enough to dissolve your innards. Don't go expecting a gourmet experience. It’s sustenance. It's fuel. It's a starting point to get you through the day before you find a better cafe! But don't get your hopes up. My advice? Look for the closest bodega. Trust me. You'll thank me later. One time, in a fit of optimism, I decided to try a "breakfast sandwich" at the Super 8. It involved something resembling scrambled eggs, a slice of processed cheese, and a very dubious sausage patty. I'm pretty sure my arteries are still recovering.
How do I find the *best* deals? Any tips, secrets, insider tricks?
Alright, the secrets! First, be flexible with your dates. Weekdays are almost always cheaper than weekends. Second, book in advance, BUT…always check again closer to your travel date. Prices fluctuate. Third, use price comparison websites and don't blindly trust the ads. They're often misleading, full of hidden fees. Fourth, consider traveling during the off-season (it still counts as a "getaway" even if it's not summer). Finally, brace yourself for a bit of a hunt. Finding a good deal in Manhattan is like finding a decent slice of pizza after 3 AM. It exists, but you have to be persistent. One time, I spent two hours online comparing prices and eventually stumbled on a flash sale that saved me a small fortune. But the best advice is: be prepared to walk a few extra blocks. That’s where the *real* deals are hidden.
Okay, let's get REALLY specific. Give me a *specific* Super 8 experienceHotel Price Compare
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