Blacksburg's Hidden Gem: Courtyard's Unforgettable Stay (VA)
Hotel Review: A Rambling, Honest, and (Hopefully) Helpful Guide
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile hotel review. This is me, spilling my (slightly over-caffeinated) guts about a recent stay. I’m gonna dive in deep, talk about everything from the Wi-Fi (crucial!) to the… well, you’ll see. This will be my messy, stream-of-consciousness reaction to every detail.
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First Impressions & Getting Settled In (AKA The Panic of Arrival)
The arrival was… a moment. You know? That chaotic energy you get when you’re juggling luggage, a phone that will die, and trying to remember if you locked the damn front door? Found the hotel, thankfully (Google Maps is a lifesaver!). The Doorman was a godsend – whisked away the bags, a true gentleman, and offered a welcoming smile. Score one for good Services and conveniences!
Checked in. Contactless check-in/out – YES! In this day and age, thank goodness! Less human interaction, fewer germs, more me time. The receptionist (lovely woman, I’m sure, but I was fried) was quick, efficient. Didn't get the warm fuzzies, sure, but it was efficient. Got a key (or rather, a card)… and off to my room.
Accessibility – The Reality Check
Now, I am going to be brutally honest here: the website said it was Wheelchair accessible. And, technically, it probably is. Elevator? Check. Wide doors? Check. But… the maneuverability in the hallways felt a little tight, you know? And I'm not even using a wheelchair! So, while it claims accessibility, I'd advise someone truly relying on full accessibility to contact the hotel directly and grill them. This is one area where I felt the marketing was promising a tad more than it delivered. A quick walk showed me signs for the Facilities for disabled guests, that was a good sign.
The Room – My Personal Fortress (and the Wi-Fi Saga)
My Room! Oh, the room. First, the Air conditioning – glorious, thank you, baby Jesus. Blackout curtains? Pure magic, essential for this sleep-deprived soul. Non-smoking rooms – a must. Smells of stale cigarettes? No, thank you. The Bed was comfy. Extra long bed? Okay, not quite extra long for my six-footer, but comfortable enough. Bathrobes, Slippers… the little touches that make you feel pampered.
And the Wi-Fi, the crucial Wi-Fi? I was promised blazing speed. They boasted "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!". Alright.. did it work? Yes, in a word. Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN (if you're into that). And it seemed to deliver! A definite win. Was able to hop on the laptop workspace, and get my work done, but not without some glitches..
There was also a Safe box in the room, and a Minibar. Always a treat. I had a Complimentary tea. Nice touch.
Let's Talk Cleanliness & Safety – Because, You Know, Existential Dread
Okay, important stuff. Cleanliness and safety. This is where the hotel really shined, I gotta say. The room looked and smelled clean. No lingering dust bunnies, which is always a good sign. I appreciated that there were Hand sanitizer everywhere and the hotel was clearly putting a lot of effort into the Daily disinfection in common areas. They stated they used Anti-viral cleaning products. The staff was very clearly trained in their Safety protocol, they seemed genuinely committed to guest safety, from the front desk to the cleaning staff. Felt like a safe place to be during these times. They had Room sanitization opt-out available.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - My Stomach's Perspective
Right, food. Let’s get to the important things! The Breakfast [buffet] was a decent affair. Asian Breakfast and Western breakfast options were available. I'm more of a grab-and-go kinda gal, so the Breakfast takeaway service was right up my alley. I’m not a huge breakfaster, but all the essentials were there. Coffee was drinkable, which is a HUGE win. There were Restaurants and a Coffee/tea in restaurant.
They had a Bar (essential) and a Poolside bar, which looked tempting. But I got to work. Next time I might be able to try the Happy hour. There was Room service [24-hour]… which I nearly used at 3 am for a burger. Didn't, but the option was there. They had A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee shop, all options. The hotel had a Snack bar in case you needed it.
Things to Do (or, How I Didn't Relax Properly)
Well, the Fitness center beckoned, but I mostly just walked past it. There was a Swimming pool [outdoor] and a Pool with view. I did manage, finally, to hit the sauna and Spa/sauna on my last afternoon. Bliss. Pure, glorious bliss. The Massage I booked was… almost perfect. A few too many hard knots, but hey, I’m probably a tense mess anyway! They also offered Body scrub and Body wrap. I missed the Steamroom.
Other Services & Conveniences - The Details that Matter
The Concierge was helpful with some local information, offering Food delivery. The Laundry service worked out well, they also offered Ironing service. The Facilities for disabled guests were helpful, the Elevator was fast. The Dry cleaning looked very tempting.
For the Kids – Ah, The Chaos of Tiny Humans!
I didn't have any kids with me, but the Family/child friendly aspect seemed well-thought-out. They had Babysitting service and Kids facilities.
The Quirks, The Imperfections, the Honest Truth
Look, no place is perfect. Little things – like the lack of a USB charging port next to the bed – bugged me, honestly. Socket near the bed came to the rescue. The elevator took FOREVER sometimes. One time the Wi-Fi went down, and I almost lost my mind! But, that's life, and the hotel staff was always apologetic and trying to resolve it. Had a lovely chat with a member of staff in the Lounge about the hotel's history.
Final Verdict – Would I Go Back?
Yes, absolutely. It's a solid choice with some real strengths. The staff was generally great (except maybe that first check-in experience!). The commitment to cleanliness and safety was reassuring. The location was super convenient. There is something about this hotel that I would return to. I was also happy with the Hotel chain aspect.
The Wrap-Up (Before I Grab Another Coffee)
So there you have it – my messy, honest, slightly rambling review. I hope it's helpful. If you're looking for a clean, safe, and generally pleasant hotel experience, this might be a great fit. Just don’t expect perfection, because let’s be honest, perfection doesn’t exist (and if it does, it's probably boring!). Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find some more coffee!
Coeur d'Alene Getaway: Unbeatable Super 8 Deals!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a trip… to Blacksburg, Virginia. Specifically, that Courtyard by Marriott. I'm not promising a perfectly polished travel brochure here. Think more… a drunk diary entry. So, here we go:
Courtyard Blacksburg: A Love-Hate Relationship (Probably)
(Day 1: Arrival and the Mysterious Smell of… Something?)
- Time: Roughly, like, whenever you actually get there. Flights/drives are always a gamble.
- Transportation: Driving! I'm a glutton for punishment, apparently. 6 hours is the price I pay to avoid the baggage claim chaos and the existential dread of air travel.
- Arrival: Ah, yes. The Courtyard's exterior. Fine. Generic. Could be anywhere. The lobby's clean, blessedly. Check-in? Smooth, as it should be.
- Room: Okay, let's be honest: first thing I do is sniff the air. Hotels always have a scent. This one? I can't quite place it. Old books? Mild despair? A hint of… cleaning product desperately trying to cover up something else? Whatever it is, it hangs in the room. I'm putting my luggage on the bed, it better not get me bedbugs.
- First Impressions: The bed? Meh. Pillows? Flat, as always. The view? Probably a parking lot. But hey, it's a room. It's a roof. It is what it is.
- Evening: Okay, I'm starving. And tired. The hotel restaurant (or whatever passes for one) promises "seasonal cuisine." Pray for me. I order whatever sounds safe - chicken. The server is nice, bless his heart. The chicken? Not bad. Not fantastic. Fuel, at least. I have a glass of wine, maybe two, I dont know, I couldn't care less right now.
- Final thoughts: I can't help but feel like I am in this hotel alone. It is nice and quiet, but I miss noise.
(Day 2: Exploring the Blacksburg Bubble (and Maybe Some Regret)
- Time: Oh god, it's morning already?
- Breakfast: The buffet. Oh the humanity. The usual suspects: sad-looking scrambled eggs, lifeless sausage, the obligatory (and rarely appealing) pastries. I grabbed a yogurt parfait, but the granola was stale. Sigh.
- The Plan (or Lack Thereof): Today's agenda? Let's be honest, I don't have one. The "Blacksburg" part has to be explored. I will wander. I will see things. Things I may or may not recall later.
- The Virginia Tech campus: A vast expanse of red brick. It's undeniably collegiate. I'm not sure what I expected. I'm walking, and just looking at things. This entire part of Blacksburg is beautiful. I love the views.
- Lunch: Found a place with sandwiches. Sandwiches are a safe bet. I order a huge ham and swiss, it's good. Maybe my high expectations had lowered after breakfast.
- Late Afternoon: Back to the hotel. Time for a nap. I think I will enjoy being in my room. Also, it's raining. Great.
- Dinner: I've heard a place called "The Cellar." It's probably a dive bar. And I love dive bars.
- The Cellar: Is a bar, not a dive bar. Great, I have a beer and sit back in a booth. The bartender is nice. I stay for another, and then another. I am not driving tonight!
- Reflections: Blacksburg is growing on me. The architecture is nice, it had it's charm. But also, I think I may have had too much to drink. I miss my home.
(Day 3: The Departure, and the Lingering Scent)
- Time: Early. Ugh.
- Breakfast: Back to the buffet. I take a piece of bread, toast the hell out of it. I need carbs.
- Check-out: Painless. Thank god for the friendly staff.
- Departure: In the car. Another six hours. More driving.
- Final Thoughts:
- The hotel was… a hotel. It served its purpose.
- Blacksburg? Unexpectedly charming. I may consider coming back some day.
- And that smell? I still can't place it. Maybe it was nostalgia. Or a hint of the future. Or maybe the cleaning products were just a little too enthusiastic.
- I'm definitely going to sleep in my own bed tonight.
- Also, I really, really need a coffee.
Alright, so, what *is* this 'FAQ' thing we're doing? Like, what's the point, besides giving me a headache?
Honestly? I'm winging it. The whole purpose is to, supposedly, answer frequently asked questions. But let's be real, I'm probably going to answer questions *I* have. Think of it as a brain dump, a digital therapy session…or, you know, a spectacularly disorganized website. And yes, it might give you a headache. My brain is kind of a mess lately.
Okay, fine, but like, *what* is *this* about? Are we talking about cats? Taxes? The meaning of life? Spill the tea!
I wish I knew! See, that's part of the problem with me! It's like... everything and nothing. Expect questions about… well, life, the universe, and everything. Maybe I'll rant about my awful neighbor, or the existential dread I feel when I look at my overflowing inbox. Perhaps I'll wax poetic about the perfect cup of coffee. It’s a mystery, even to *me*.
You're already confusing me. So, about those "Frequently Asked Questions"... are they *actually* frequently asked?
Oh, honey, *no*. Let's be real. This is probably a totally self-indulgent project. I'm making up the questions as I go along. Unless, by some miraculous chance, someone is actually *dying* to know what's going on inside my head. In which case, welcome to the club! We have cookies... probably stale ones.
Wait. Cookies? Where? I’m suddenly *very* interested… What is the *most* important thing to you, right *now*?
Cookies. Specifically, the kind that are still soft and chewy. That’s probably the *most* important thing. Okay, maybe not. But seriously, a good cookie is a *lifesaver*, at least for a solid five minutes. Beyond that? Hmm… finding my car keys. They’re always disappearing. It must be gremlins… or maybe just my own chaotic organization skills. Seriously, finding my keys is a daily struggle. It's a treasure hunt with myself; and I am ALWAYS losing.
So, you're saying you're kind of a mess?
Mess? Bless your heart. I'M a *glorious* mess! Like a Jackson Pollock painting, but with more coffee stains and less actual artistic talent. I'm the human equivalent of a tangled ball of yarn. I overthink *everything*, I forget everything else, and I probably have five tabs open on my browser right now for no conceivable reason. But hey, at least it's never boring. I’ve learned to embrace the chaos. It's the only way to survive in this dumpster fire of a… well, of everything.
Speaking of chaotic, how do you, you know, *think*? What is the "process"?
Oh, process? There is no "process"! It's more like… a series of random thoughts, half-baked ideas, and existential crises all thrown together in a blender. The blender then explodes, and the resulting mess somehow, *miraculously*, forms into… well, this. I start with a vague notion, like, "Hey, let's write a FAQ!" Then, I get distracted. I go on tangents. I start thinking about what I had for breakfast (which was probably toast). And *then*, somehow, *something* gets written. It's a miracle, really. My brain is less a computer, and more a super-fun, super-distracted, and kinda-broken toy.
Alright, alright, enough rambling. But, like, what about your *opinions*? You *have* some of those, right?
Oh, honey, do I *ever*! My opinions? Stronger than week-old coffee and more numerous than the stars in the sky. I have opinions about *everything*! Politics, pop culture, the proper way to load a dishwasher (it's a *science*, people!). I will happily tell you what I think is the *best* pizza topping (pepperoni, obviously), and why pineapple on pizza is a culinary crime. The problem is picking which one to start with. I am absolutely, positively certain that my opinion is *right*. (Just kidding… mostly.)
Okay, real talk. Has anything, like, REALLY bad happened lately?
God, yes. Let me think… where to begin? Oh, right! That time I tried to parallel park… and ended up wedged between two SUVs for a solid fifteen minutes while a crowd of onlookers just… watched. Mortifying! My palms were sweating, I could hear the judgmental whispers, and the whole world seemed to tilt precariously. The worst part? A small child pointed and yelled, "Mommy, look! She's stuck!" (And then, later, *they* were stuck, because I’d blocked the street. Karma, baby.) Anyway, that was just last week! It taught me *humility*. Or at least, it tried to. I am still pretty terrible at parking. It’s a recurring nightmare.
And what about SUPER good things? Anything to actually celebrate?
Oh, YES! There was the time I FINALLY got a parking spot *right* in the front of the Trader Joe's. Pure. Bliss. Also, I made a chocolate cake from scratch last month, and it was… glorious. Like, seriously, the most decadent, fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth, I-might-have-eaten-the-entire-thing-in-one-sitting kind of glorious. I felt like a culinary god! (And then, three hours later, I regretted it, because sugar coma. But still… worth it.) Small victories, you know? Find them, hold them tight, and cherish them!
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