Norfolk's BEST Hotel? La Quinta Inn & Suites Review!
La Quinta Inn & Suites: Norfolk's "Best"? Let's Unpack This… (Brace Yourself!)
Okay, okay, so they say this is Norfolk's best. Right. Let's see if it lives up to the hype, shall we? Get ready for some unfiltered opinions, rambles, and the occasional tangent – because, you know, that's what real travel reviews are about, right? And I'm going to try and cover everything, because, well, a good hotel has to walk the talk. And I'm kinda obsessed with details.
First Impressions: Accessibility & Getting Situated (The Bare Bones - for now)
Right off the bat: Accessibility. This is HUGE. I'm talking about things to make sure everyone can move around easily. How's it shaped up? Unfortunately, I don't have specific information about the accessibility of each room, but it seems, generally, the building is wheelchair-accessible. This is definitely a good start, but I'd want to confirm specifics about room features (roll-in showers, grab bars, etc.) before I, or someone I care about, booked. There's an elevator, which is essential, thank goodness. It's the little things that matter…
The "Where's My Room?" Rundown (Inside the Rooms, if I ever make it)
Okay, let's get down to the room itself. This is where the magic (or the misery) happens. Here's what I'm expecting to find according to their list of amenities, and I'll tell you if they delivered on the promises.
- The Basics (and Then Some): Air conditioning? Check! Alarm clock? Hope so, or I'll be late for everything. Bathrobes (always a good touch!). Blackout curtains (yes, please, I need sleep!). Closet, desk, coffee/tea maker, complimentary tea. Oh, and a hair dryer… essential for bad hair days. Plus, that WiFi, the thing that links us all.
- The Extras: Extra-long bed? Score! Free bottled water? Always appreciate it. High floor? Good view? In-room safe box? A must for valuables. Ironing facilities… (okay, maybe I won’t use those). Mini bar…well, a girl can dream. Oh, the seating area? Gotta have it. And the shower.
- The Tech Stuff: Satellite/cable channels (yes, please!), Telephone, and of course, the internet.
- Important Stuff: Non-smoking rooms? Absolutely! Smoke detector? Thank goodness! Window that opens? Fresh air is a necessity!
A Few More Details
I'd check to see how the cleanliness and safety is handled. The list of precautions is reassuring. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, room sanitization, staff training…all excellent! But I want to see it. And the removal of shared stationery? Smart. And the food? Individually wrapped options, safe dining setup – a big plus in these times.
Food Adventures (Or, "Where's the Food?")
Alright, on to the important stuff: food! Let's see what they offer in the land of deliciousness.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet], Western breakfast, Asian breakfast? This is important. Will I get a decent cup of coffee? A solid breakfast can make or break a stay.
- Dining Options: Restaurants, happy hour, Poolside bar, Snack bar…I hope there's a bar, and that it has a decent selection of cocktails. Is there a room service for 24 hours? That's always good.
My "Oh, My God, That Was Amazing/Awful" Moment (Or, The Single Experience That Defined It All)
I'm hoping to have one of those super-memorable moments.
Services and Conveniences (Little Things, Big Impact)
The services and conveniences provided at the hotel are crucial. Air conditioning in public areas (duh!), a concierge, daily housekeeping, a doorman…these can all make the stay much easier. Currency exchange is useful, and I love a convenience store.
- The Business Side: Business facilities, meetings, meeting stationery? Handy if you're traveling for work, which, let's face it, I sometimes am.
- The Fun Stuff: Gift/souvenir shop, an indoor venue for special events (if the weather's terrible), and a smoking area (yay or nay?).
- The Everyday Essentials Daily housekeeping, laundry, and luggage storage are always a plus.
For the Kids (if you have any)
- Babysitting service, family/child friendly: if I had kids, this would be important!
Getting Around: A Transportation Tango
Getting around is a big deal! Do they offer Airport transfer? Bicycle parking (yay for environmentally friendly options!), Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station? I love when hotels have electric charging.
Final Thoughts (The Bottom Line - Maybe)
So, the question remains: is La Quinta Inn & Suites Norfolk's "best"? It depends, I guess. It's got the basics covered, and seems to be paying attention to safety, which I appreciate hugely. I need to see it for myself to judge…
Charleston Escape: Days Inn's Unbeatable IL Getaway!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly polished itinerary. This is a La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Norfolk (VA) adventure, told with all the glorious messiness of real life. Consider this a travel diary, a therapy session, and a guide (maybe) rolled into one.
DAY 1: Arrival, Regret, and the Quest for Wifi That Doesn't Suck
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Norfolk International Airport (ORF). Okay, so the "international" part is stretching it. It's more of a regional hub, but hey, it's a gateway to adventure, right? Right? My flight was delayed, of course. Always. Because the gods of travel clearly have a vendetta against my sanity.
- 2:00 PM: Grab the rental car. "Compact SUV," they said. More like "Slightly Larger Hatchback," but at this point, I’m just happy to have anything. The lady at the counter, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen a thousand weary travelers just like me. Which she probably had. Gave me a look that said, "Good luck with that, kid." I took the keys with a grim smile.
- 2:30 PM: Check into La Quinta. The lobby is, you know, a lobby. Standard La Quinta lobby fare. The front desk guy seemed bored, like he’d already answered the question "Does the pool open at 10 am?" a hundred times. I’m not sure if he asked "Is that your name?" I've seen a lot of La Quintas in my time, and honestly, they all look the same. The elevator felt like it was built in 1987.
- 3:00 PM: The Great Wifi Disaster Begins. First order of business: connect to the internet! Gotta upload those Instagram stories, right? WRONG. Speed is slower than molasses in January. I swear, my dial-up connection back in the 90s was faster. This is a tragedy. I attempt to call the front desk, only to get the dreaded hold music. The first sign of the impending doom.
- 3:30 PM: Succumb to the Wifi failure and decide to unpack. Found a questionable stain on the bedspread. I'm already regretting my decision to stay here. I mean, I get it, it's budget-friendly, but does "budget-friendly" have to come with the faint smell of mildew and existential dread?
- 4:00 PM: Walk the immediate area around the hotel to find a place to eat. Found a fast food joint. Eh. Fine.
- 5:00 PM: Gave up on the Wifi. It won. I lost. Decided to embrace the offline life, for better or worse. Went for a short walk. Found some pretty trees. I tried to enjoy it. I really did. But the Wifi loomed large.
- 7:00 PM: Ordered pizza delivery to hotel room. The pizza arrived with a complimentary side of "slightly burned." At least the delivery guy was friendly. Small victories, people. Small victories. Attempted to watch TV, but the channels are a wasteland of infomercials and home shopping. I'm officially starting to feel like a captive audience.
DAY 2: Naval History, Parking, and the Search for Decent Coffee
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. The bed wasn't awful, which is a win. The coffee machine in the room… well, let's just say it produced something resembling lukewarm brown water. Begrudgingly, I did my research, and I found a local coffee shop.
- 9:00 AM: The Battleship Wisconsin: Headed downtown to the Nauticus - The National Maritime Center, home of the Battleship Wisconsin. Holy moly, what a beast! I'm no history buff, but even I was impressed. Seeing that thing up close is just…insane. The sheer size of it, the guns, the history… It's a tangible connection to the past, you know? The sailors that served on that boat…they had some rough days. I felt a weird mix of awe and respect.
- 9:30 AM: Parking was a nightmare. Took me about 20 minutes of circling the area like a lost vulture. Found one spot, and it was so tight I swear I risked scratching the rental car. I am no expert, but I'm pretty sure I did risk that.
- 10:00 AM: Explore the exhibits at Nauticus. They do a good job of explaining the history in a way that's not totally boring. Found myself actually listening to the tour guide, which is a first. The naval history is fascinating, and I learned a ton about the role of the U.S. Navy.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch Somewhere in the city. Found a decent little sandwich shop. Nothing to write home about, but it was not fast food so… good.
- 1:00 PM: Wander the city. The waterfront is nice, though it's a little too touristy for my taste. I hate crowds.
- 3:00 PM: Attempt to go back to the hotel. Wifi is still not working. Sigh.
- 4:00 PM: Nap. Or attempt to nap. The sound of the air conditioning unit is fighting me. Eventually, I give up.
- 6:00 PM: Hunt around the hotel again. Nothing great in the immediate area. The same fast food places, the same parking woes.
- 7:00 PM: Decide to head back to downtown for dinner. Found amazing seafood restaurant, and it was a dream come true for my hungry stomach. Great food.
DAY 3: Departure, and the Unanswered Questions of La Quinta
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, defeated. Maybe it’s the low-quality coffee machine, or the constant beeping of the fire alarm. Either way I am exhausted.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. The front desk guy seemed almost happy to see me go. I don't blame him. I'd be happy to see me go too.
- 9:30 AM: Hit the road. The rental car is probably happy to be heading back.
- 10:00 AM: Head to the airport.
- 11:00 AM: Goodbye, Norfolk. You were…an experience.
Musings and Unanswered Questions:
- Will the Wifi ever work properly at La Quinta?
- What WAS that stain on the bedspread?
- Why is there always a faint smell of chlorine in hotel hallways?
- Did that front desk guy ever crack a smile?
- Is it possible to find good coffee in Norfolk without a Herculean effort?
Final Verdict:
La Quinta Inn & Suites, you were…adequate. Norfolk itself? Had some shining moments. But the next time I'm in town, I'm investing in a mobile hotspot and praying for better coffee. And maybe a room without a questionable stain.
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Okay, spill the beans! Is La Quinta Inn & Suites in Norfolk REALLY the "BEST" hotel in town, like, REALLY?
Alright, alright, settle down! "BEST" is a strong word, right? Look, I've stayed in some *places*... places that should probably come with a hazmat suit. So, La Quinta in Norfolk? It's... good. It's definitely *good*. It's the kind of "reliable friend" of hotels. Not the glamorous, jet-setting type, more the "always there to lend you a twenty" kind. They're not going to win any design awards, but they *usually* do things right. My personal experience? Mixed bag. Let's just say, I've had epic triumphs and minor defeats there. "BEST?" Depends on your definition of best. Need a clean, comfy bed? Probably a winner. Expecting luxury suites and a personal butler named Jeeves? Keep dreaming, darling.
What's the deal with the breakfast? Is it edible? Because hotel breakfasts... ugh.
The breakfast... ah, the breakfast. It's... the breakfast of champions... of convenience. Look, I'm not gonna lie, it's not a Michelin-star experience. It's the standard La Quinta spread. Think waffles (the ones you make yourself – which, let's be honest, is always a gamble), maybe some scrambled eggs that look suspiciously like they came from a carton, and a rotation of breakfast meats that range from "perfectly fine" to "questionable origin." Honestly, the coffee is my lifeline. That stuff gets me moving in the AM. I usually load up on the fruit – anything to pretend I'm being healthy. But here's a confession, I'm a sucker for the make-your-own-waffle machine. There's a certain primal satisfaction in controlling that little waffle destiny. Sometimes, I go back for seconds. Don't judge.
Seriously, the waffles? Tell me more about the waffle situation!
Okay, fine. The waffles *do* deserve their own section. It's a crucial part of the La Quinta experience, okay? One time – and this is a story for the ages – I was there during a particularly awful work trip. Stress was through the ROOF. Project deadlines, passive-aggressive emails… the whole shebang. I was hovering, caffeine-deprived, when I spotted the waffle maker. But.. the line! The *line*! Like, a hungry mob was forming. I, in my bleary-eyed state, decided I *needed* those waffles. I waited. And waited. And watched folks take TWO, even THREE...I thought, "That's it. I have to have one." When it was my turn, the batter was stuck. The machine had failed. My waffle dreams, crushed. I felt like I lost my lifeline. I considered just turning around and going back to bed. After a few minutes, a staff member came over, fixed it, and my waffle was golden. It wasn't just a waffle; it was a symbol of my own resilience. So yeah, the waffles are kind of a big deal.
The rooms! Are they clean? Because I'm a germaphobe. A VERY serious germaphobe.
Okay, as someone who has similar tendencies, I completely understand. I get it. Cleanliness is paramount. Generally, yes. The Norfolk La Quinta keeps it clean. I've rarely had major issues. They seem to have their housekeeping game pretty dialed in. Of course, there’s always the occasional rogue hair (where do they even come from?), and the odd smudged mirror. But hey, it's a hotel, not a sterile operating room. I usually bring my own disinfecting wipes, just for extra peace of mind. You know, the usual: doorknobs, light switches, the remote control – classic. If you're super sensitive, you could always call ahead and request a room that's been thoroughly "deep cleaned." They're usually accommodating. Just don't expect hospital-grade sterilization. And always, always check the bedsheets. ALWAYS.
Location, location, location! Is it in a good spot? Is parking a nightmare?
The location is… fine. It's not smack-dab in the middle of all the action, but it's usually pretty convenient, depending on your plans. Near enough to the things you want to do, far enough away from the noise and chaos of downtown (usually). Parking? That's another win. Plenty of free parking! No circling the block for an hour, or paying exorbitant fees. I'm a big fan of a hotel with sensible parking. It's one less stress in life. Now, navigating the area can be a little tricky sometimes. GPS is your friend. But honestly, for its price point, the location is more than acceptable.
Is the staff friendly? Because I'm tired of being treated like a number!
Yeah, the staff is generally pretty good. Not always overflowing with effusive cheer, but consistently helpful and polite. I've had some genuinely positive interactions. They've rescued me from a dead hairdryer, and they even once managed to locate my lost phone charger (MAJOR win!). Occasionally, you get the person who seems to be having a *rough* day, but hey, we all have them, right? I've certainly been there! Overall, they seem to care. And honestly, the staff is the make or break factor. A friendly face can turn a mediocre experience into a decent one.
Any other amenities worth mentioning? Pool? Gym? Free Wi-Fi? Tell me everything!
Alright, the amenities. Let's see. They USUALLY have a pool. It's not a resort pool, mind you. Think "functional, but small". Good for a quick dip to cool off, but don't expect elaborate water features. The gym? Well, it's there. I think. I'm not a gym person. (I prefer the waffle workout). Free Wi-Fi? Yes! Which is a must-have in this day and age. The connection is normally reliable. Laundry facilities? Yup! Always a bonus when you’re on a longer trip. I'd recommend checking the specific location's amenities before booking, as these things can vary.
Okay, final verdict. Should I book it? Give it to me straight!
Here's the deal: If you're looking for a solid, reliable hotel in Norfolk without breaking the bank, La Quinta Inn & Suites is a strong contender. It's not going to blow your mind, but it'llHotels In Asia Search
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