Anaheim's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn West LA Luxury Getaway!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause this is gonna be a wild ride. We're diving deep into this hotel, not just as a list of features, but as a living, breathing, slightly chaotic experience. Forget the sterile reviews – let’s get messy with it!
SEO & Metadata - (Yawn, but gotta do it, right?)
- Title: Hotel Review: Accessible Luxury, Spa Serenity, & Covid-Safe Stays - (Okay, SEO, happy now?)
- Keywords: Accessible Hotel, Spa, Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Free Wi-Fi, Covid-Safe Hotel, Family-Friendly, Room Service, [Hotel's Name] (obviously, add the actual name!).
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of [Hotel's Name], covering everything from accessibility and spa bliss to how they handled Covid-19. Plus, did the free Wi-Fi actually work? Join me as I share my real-life experiences, quirks, and occasional meltdowns… er, insights.
(Deep breath… here we go!)
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
Okay, let's be honest, accessibility is HUGE for me. I rely on it. And first impressions? Pretty good. They boasted about being wheelchair accessible, and the lobby looked… promising. But here’s where things got a little… muddy. The main entrance was smooth sailing. The elevators were spacious. But getting to the pool? That involved a bit of a detour and a ramp that felt like it was built at a slightly awkward angle. It wasn’t terrible, just… a little clunky. I swear I saw a guy almost tip over! 😅 They do have facilities for disabled guests obviously, but they aren’t perfect. Honestly, the level of accessibility felt more like "We tried!" than "We nailed it."
On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Didn't test these properly, next time I stay, I'll be sure to give a full assessment.
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, to a degree, see above.
Internet Access: The Wi-Fi Saga!
"FREE WI-FI IN ALL ROOMS!" the website screamed. My heart soared. Until… the Wi-Fi in my room was a barely-there whisper of the internet. I had to stand by the door, arms raised like I was summoning the digital gods just to get a bar or two. They offered [Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services], so I decided to be old-school and plug in with the LAN (remember those?!) and that worked, but the fact that paying extra for the lan, while also promising free wifi in all rooms, is a bit scammy if I'm being frank. Thank God I packed my own hotspot! And Wi-Fi in public areas was like… a slightly stronger whisper? The pool's Wi-Fi was better, though, which makes sense. I guess everyone wants to Instagram their poolside cocktails.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa-tacular… Mostly!
Oh, the spa. That I loved. The [Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]] were genuinely amazing. The pool with view was stunning. The sauna was hot enough to melt my troubles away. The steamroom? Pure bliss. Got a massage so good I almost forgot my name. The fitness center was decent, but look – I'm on vacation, okay? I'm more likely to be reaching for a cocktail than a dumbbell. 😄
Cleanliness and Safety: The Covid-19 Conundrum
Okay, let's get serious. The pandemic is a thing, and I'm always on edge about hygiene. They were trying. They had [Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment]. The staff's masks were a given. They had little bottles of sanitizer everywhere. They even had the [Room sanitization opt-out available] for those who are extra safety-conscious, but it sounded a bit… clinical, the way they explained it. Like, "Do you want us to disinfect your room, or is it okay for you to live in your germs?" 🤔 Regardless, it made me feel fairly safe, but I constantly worry about this kind of thing.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (With Some Quirks!)
Right, food. The [A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant] options were plentiful. The buffet breakfast was a glorious mess of deliciousness. Though, the [Buffet in restaurant] set up was still a little awkward with the distancing, and there were always a few people who'd sidle up way too close while I was grabbing my bacon. The [Room service [24-hour]] was fast and efficient, and the coffee shop had good coffee (crucial!). The bar had a decent happy hour, but the cocktails were… inconsistent. One night, the bartender made a perfect margarita. The next night? Liquid sadness.
Services and Conveniences: The Tiny Annoyances
This is where the cracks start to show, but mostly it's pretty great. They have all the usual suspects: [Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center]. The [Concierge] was super helpful with recommendations. The [Daily housekeeping] was efficient (and the staff always left little chocolates on the pillow – a nice touch!). The elevator was fast. There was a convenience store for snacks and forgotten essentials. But… and there's always a but, isn't there? The ironing service took forever, the smoking area was in a slightly awkward spot, and the "convenience store" was a tad overpriced.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly… But Not Over-The-Top
They definitely cater to families. [Babysitting service, Family/child-friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal]. I saw a lot of families, which is always a good sign. They had a kids' area, but I didn't venture in (no kids myself, thank goodness!), so I can't tell you much beyond that.
Access & Security: Keeping You Safe (and Maybe a Little Paranoid)
The security seemed good. [Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms]. Felt safe. They’re a big hotel chain, so they're more by the book, which is comforting, but also a little impersonal.
Getting Around: Smooth Rides (Mostly)
[Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking]. The airport transfer was smooth sailing. The [Car park [free of charge]] was a definite bonus, especially since it was on site. Valet parking was available too.
Available in All Rooms: The Essentials (and Some Surprises!)
This is what you get, the basic stuff, the bare bones: [Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, 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,
Mall of America's BEST Kept Secret: This Bloomington Hotel Will Blow You Away!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your meticulously curated, airbrushed travel blog. This is my actual, messy, real-life-in-Anaheim-at-a-Days-Inn-by-Wyndham-West-Los-Angeles (CA) itinerary. And trust me, it's going to be a rollercoaster.
Day 1: Disneyland… And A Whole Lot of Regret (So Far)
- Arrival at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport): Okay, chaos. Absolute chaos. First off, you think you're prepared for an airport? Think again. The line at baggage claim was a slow, soul-crushing death march. My suitcase, bless its nylon soul, finally limped out, and I swear I saw a tumbleweed blow across the conveyor belt. Finding the shuttle to the hotel (yay for free shuttles!) was an Olympic sport. I swear someone tried to steal my backpack. I think it was a particularly aggressive pigeon.
- Check-in at Days Inn, Anaheim West (The "Budget Bungalow"): The lobby…well, let's just say it's got its own vibe. The clerk was either incredibly friendly or perpetually exhausted – I couldn’t quite tell. "Welcome to Anaheim!" he chirped. I mumbled something about needing a shower and a large coffee. The room, bless its cramped little heart, was functional. My first thought? "Well, at least the air conditioning works." My second? "Do I dare check under the bed?" (I didn't. Nope. Not ready for that level of commitment.)
- Disneyland: The Initial Euphoria (Followed by Reality): God, Disneyland. You dream about it. You plan for it. Then you're in it, and it's like being hit in the face with a rainbow-flavored piñata. I was all smiles, snapping photos of the castle, squealing at the churros, almost getting on Space Mountain. But… the lines. The lines. They are an actual form of torture. I am deeply, deeply regretting not getting the Genie+ pass. I'm pretty sure I aged a decade waiting for "It's a Small World." And then… the inevitable meltdown. Mine happened in Fantasyland. I believe I sat on a bench, ate a dole whip (delicious, though), and silently wept for the sheer, overwhelming people-ness of it all. Did I also drop my dole whip and then promptly step on it? Yes, yes I did.
- Dinner: Mediocre Pizza and Existential Dread: Back at the hotel after Disney, I just needed food. The pizza place next door had a 2-for-1 special, so I was in. The pizza? Subpar. The existential dread that settled in after? Epic. Was this what my life had come to? A lonely slice of mediocre pizza and a hotel room that smelled faintly of chlorine?
Day 2: Anaheim and My Inner Curmudgeon
- Breakfast: Free Waffles and False Promises: The free breakfast at the Days Inn is a gamble. The waffles? Potentially delicious. The coffee? Think brown-tinted water. I ate two waffles, feeling a surge of optimistic calories. That soon washed away by a lingering sense of "meh."
- Downtown Disney: Shopping, Browsing, and Sensory Overload: I went to Downtown Disney. It was pretty much a shopping mall but with a Disney skin. Expensive shops, overpriced food, and the incessant hum of "touristyness" was overwhelming.
- The Pool: A Brief Dip in Despair: The pool at the hotel looked inviting… until I saw the questionable stains near the edge. I dipped my toes in and promptly decided to stay on land. I retreated indoors, defeated by nature.
- Dinner: A Desperate Burger: I went to a burger joint that was advertised as a local favorite. I ordered a burger, ate it by myself, and then went straight back to my room. I wasn't hungry. I was… weary. Is that what it is? Weary traveler.
- Bedtime: I'm in bed writing this. I can hear the freeway, but it's oddly comforting. Maybe I'll be able to enjoy another day of this.
Day 3: Getting It Together (Sort Of)
- Sleep In (Almost): I actually slept past 7 AM! This is a minor miracle. I grabbed an extra coffee and skipped the waffles today.
- Local Exploration: I'm going to venture out of the Disneybubble. I'm using Yelp to, gasp, find a local coffee shop.
- Random Tourist Trap: I had the impulsive idea of going to a quirky tourist trap. I can't help myself. I have to see what they have!
- Dinner: Authentic Cuisine!: I'm determined to find something better than pizza. I'm going to research a restaurant. I have standards!
- Evening: I am back in the room. I will watch TV and try not to think.
Day 4: Heading Home: Reflection (and a Plea for a Real Pillow)
- Departure: The final day. I've packed my bags, which now weigh twice as much as when I arrived (souvenirs, of course). A quick breakfast and its time to leave.
- Reflections: This trip was a mess. But I survived. And you know what? I think I secretly loved every chaotic second of it.
- Final Thoughts: The Days Inn? Not the Four Seasons. But it did the job. I will be buying a better pillow when I get home. Also, next time, Genie+ or a therapist. Maybe both. Anaheim, you delightful, crazy, overpriced, churro-filled beast… I'll be back. Maybe. Stay tuned.
Okay, so, *why* the ukulele? Like, of all instruments… why did you choose this tiny, four-stringed menace?
Alright, let's be real. It wasn't some profound artistic calling. It was pure, unadulterated Instagram envy. I saw this girl, let's call her... *Sunshine Suzie*, posting these ridiculously idyllic videos of herself on a beach, effortlessly strumming a ukulele, singing in this ethereal voice. And I thought, "I want that! I want that life! I want to be a barefoot, ukulele-wielding goddess!" (Spoiler alert: I am neither barefoot nor a goddess. Mostly just clumsy and easily frustrated). Plus, it looked… easy. HA!
So, was it easy? Because, you know… four strings and all…
Easy? Honey, this ukulele has been the bane of my existence. I mean, at first, I could barely figure out how to hold the darn thing. It's smaller than my arm! My fingers felt like sausages trying to wrangle those frets. Then, the chords! Oh, the chords! They looked so simple on those beginner charts, but actually getting my fingers to contort into those shapes? Forget about it. It was more like a finger gymnastics competition, with me constantly failing. My first attempts at playing anything sounded like a dying cat gargling with gravel. Seriously, it was awful.
Any specific chord nightmares? Like, the one that haunted your sleep?
Oh, the “F” chord. Don’t even get me started! It’s the ukulele equivalent of trying to wrestle an alligator. My fingers either refused to cooperate, or I'd accidentally mute all the strings, and I'd just sound like I was… well, not playing anything at all. I remember, once, I was trying to learn the intro to "Riptide" (because, of course). I spent an entire afternoon, just stuck on that infernal "F". At one point, I actually threw the ukulele across the room. I’m not proud of that. Actually, I am because it felt so damn liberating.
Did you ever feel like giving up? Be honest. We've all been there.
Giving up? Please. I’ve almost given up approximately 7,345 times. There were moments, especially in the early days, where I seriously considered just selling the ukulele on eBay and pretending the whole thing never happened. I’d think, "This is ridiculous. This is not for you. You will never sound like Sunshine Suzie on the beach. You’ll probably just end up scaring the cats." But… there's something about the ukulele’s cheerful exterior that keeps you coming back. Like a masochistic relationship. And somewhere along the line, between the frustration and my utter failure, I'd get a glimpse of... something. a barely-audible note. a moment of semi harmony. And that kept me trying.
Okay, so, if you *didn’t* quit...what finally clicked (or, at least, started to)?
Okay, so… (deep breath) It wasn't a single "aha!" moment. Instead, it was more like… a series of tiny victories. First, I found a really patient ukulele teacher on YouTube (shoutout to Ukulele Underground!). Then, I realized, I was trying to learn too fast. I was trying to play entire songs when I could barely form a "C" chord. So, I scaled back. I focused on the basics: proper finger placement, slow practice, repeating those awful chords until my fingers bled (metaphorically, of course… most of the time). Once I started feeling my fingers build strength, and my brain memorizing chord shapes, and actually figuring out how to switch between them, even a little, the frustration slowly, slowly, started to give way to… something resembling fun.
What's the biggest hurdle you've overcome?
Patience. Oh, the sweet, sweet struggle for patience. I’m not a patient person by nature. Learning the ukulele is a lesson in zen (or, at least, zen adjacent). It's about accepting you're going to sound terrible for a long time. It's about celebrating small victories. It’s about, you know, not flinging your instrument across the room and breaking something. And learning to recognize that progress doesn’t happen overnight.. it's like a plant, not a microwave meal.
Any tips for absolute beginners, other than "don't give up"?
Okay, besides the obvious "practice regularly," here’s some stuff that helped me:
- Start slow. Ridiculously slow. Like, painfully slow. Speed will come later, and it matters so much more than you think.
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Embrace the off-key notes, the fumbled chords, the moments where you just… fail. It's part of the process. Laugh at yourself.
- Find a teacher (or YouTube videos). Structured learning is your friend. Even if it’s just online.
- Record yourself. This is brutally honest feedback, but it's also how you can track your progress. Sometimes, you don't realize how far you've come until you listen to where you started. And cringe a lot.
- Learn a few easy, fun songs. Something simple you can actually play, and that will keep you motivated. Like, "Riptide" – even if it’s just part of Riptide.
- Find a ukulele buddy. Misery loves company, and all that. Plus, you can share the frustration and celebrate the tiny triumphs together.
- Protect your fingers. Seriously. Those strings will hurt at first. Consider a good pair of picks!
Do you sound like Sunshine Suzie on the beach yet?
(Scoffs) Oh, heavens no. Not even close. I can play a few chords, I can stumble through a few songs, and I can make a passable noise that resembles music. I can switch between chords, and I still get stuck. You wouldn’t want to book me for a gig anytime soon. But… I can sit and play the ukulele without wanting to throw it into the ocean. And to me, that’s a win. At least, for today.
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