Durand's Hidden Gem: Cobblestone Inn & Suites - Unforgettable Stay!
Cobblestone Inn & Suites - Durand: My Unexpectedly Delightful Detour (Seriously, I'm Still Thinking About That Pool!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a totally unexpected adventure – Durand, Wisconsin, and the Cobblestone Inn & Suites. Let me just say, “hidden gem” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Honestly, I stumbled upon this place because… well, let's just say my GPS took a detour, and I needed a place to crash. But now? I'm practically evangelizing about it.
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First Impressions (and a little bit about my chaotic arrival):
Picture this: late afternoon, rain starting to spit, and me, utterly lost. I rolled up to the Cobblestone, and truth be told, my initial thought was, "Huh, not exactly the Ritz." It looked clean, newish, and the exterior corridor thing gave it a slightly motel-y vibe. But hey, beggars can't be choosers, right?
Accessibility - Actually Impressed! (and a little bit of a confession):
Right off the bat, the elevator was a godsend. And I noticed, and this is crucial for me these days, they clearly put some thought into accessibility. There were facilities for disabled guests aplenty. Wide doorways, grab bars in the bathrooms… I didn't need them personally, but knowing they were there filled me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Score one for Cobblestone!
(Rambling About My Room and Internet - the good, the slightly less good…):
My room, which was Non-smoking (thank goodness!), was, well, a room. Clean, comfortable, with air conditioning that actually worked (a huge plus!). It had a desk, a refrigerator, a coffee/tea maker – the usual suspects. And the Wi-Fi? FREE! And actually reliable! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! I even managed to do some work, thanks to the Internet Access - Wireless.
Now, I, being a digital nomad type, usually haul around a bunch of gear. So, the lack of Internet [LAN] was slightly disappointing. But honestly, the Wi-Fi was so fast, who am I kidding? I didn't even notice after a couple of hours. Also, big thumbs up to the desk! I needed a laptop workspace.
(Confession Time: That Bathroom Phone… and the Towels!)
Okay, I have to confess. I did take a peek at the bathroom phone. Because, you know, why not? It's got kind of a retro charm. And the towels? Fluffy. Perfectly fluffy. And the bathrobes were incredibly cozy! I might have spent a solid hour just lounging in that robe, staring out the window. (They also had slippers, but I have to wear them when showering!)
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Food Glorious Food! More Rambling Ensues!):
The big question: food. Their breakfast service was the bomb. Buffet in restaurant! They had everything, from Western breakfast staples to some genuinely tasty Asian breakfast options. And the Coffee/tea in restaurant was fresh and free flowing! The restaurants itself was also an option. They have a bar and the happy hour offered some enticing deals! There was also Room service [24-hour]! Unfortunately, I wasn't there long enough to overindulge, but it was clear by the quality of the breakfast, they were committed to quality.
(The Pool… Oh, The Pool… My Moment of Zen):
This is where I have to get real, and maybe a bit… dramatic. I’m not a pool person. Usually. But the swimming pool [outdoor] at Cobblestone? Magnificent. Seriously. It was clean, inviting, and… the pool with a view? You can’t imagine peace and quiet!
I spent the better part of an afternoon just floating, staring up at the sky. The world melted away. It was the kind of experience that makes you remember the good things. I’m still thinking about it. (The poolside bar was closed, but I think that added to the tranquility.)
(Cleanliness and Safety - Did They Care About Germs? YES!)
Look, let’s be honest. After the last few years, “clean” is everything. I was thoroughly impressed. They clearly take cleanliness and safety seriously. They had anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and the staff was clearly trained in safety protocol. They even provided hand sanitizer everywhere. They had all sorts of measures. I felt safe and secure, which is a massive relief.
(Things to Do and Ways to Relax - Beyond the Pool, Sort Of):
Okay, let's be real. This isn't the Four Seasons. But beyond the glorious pool, they had a fitness center and a spa/sauna, though I didn't explore them. I was too busy… swimming.
(Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Make a Difference):
They offered all the usual services and conveniences: daily housekeeping, laundry service. The staff was friendly, and efficient. The check-in/out [express] was super smooth, and they even had a convenience store.
(For the Kids and Families – Good, but not my area of expertise…):
They are family/child friendly, with babysitting service and kids meal options, which isn't something I'm in the loop with! They really thought of a lot of things.
(Getting Around - Easy Peasy!):
Parking was a breeze – car park [free of charge]! I didn't need an airport transfer or taxi service, but I'm sure they could have arranged it. Easy in, easy out.
(Things That Could Be Better (because I'm honest!):)
The whole pet allowed thing confused me. The website was a bit vague, but I didn't have a pet, so it was less important. Also, maybe a tiny bit more personality in the decor wouldn't hurt, but honestly, the cleanliness and comfort more than made up for it. Finally, it's not exactly a spa resort.
(Final Verdict – Go, Just Go!)
This isn't just a good hotel; it's a surprising hotel. It's the kind of place that goes above and beyond, offering thoughtful touches you don’t expect. It's clean, comfortable, accessible, and – most importantly, has a pool that legitimately transported me to a better place.
If you're looking for a place to crash in Durand, or if you’re just passing through, do yourself a favor and book a room at the Cobblestone Inn & Suites. You won’t regret it. You might even find yourself, like me, unexpectedly and utterly charmed. And if you see me there, I'll be in the pool. Just say hello!
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on the most gloriously imperfect trip to the Cobblestone Inn & Suites in Durand, Wisconsin. I've got a feeling this is going to be a mess, in the best possible way.
Day 1: Durand Diaries - Where Expectations Meet Reality (And Mostly Lose)
1:00 PM - Arrival & Initial Panic: Pulling into Durand, after a slightly harrowing drive involving near-misses with rogue tumbleweeds (okay, maybe just some particularly persistent weeds), and a GPS that seemed to really want me to explore the backroads. The Cobblestone looks… well, like a Cobblestone. Clean, solid, and somehow a little bit… beige. My first thought? "Did I accidentally book a retirement home?"
- Anecdote: Check-in? Smooth as silk. The front desk lady was genuinely, ridiculously nice. Like, “are you sure you’re not secretly a Disney princess?” nice. She even gave me the "best room in the house," which, in my book, means "away from the ice machine." Success!
1:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance: Okay, the room. It's… functional. Two queen beds (score!), a mini-fridge (emergency snack storage!), and a TV that looks like it was last updated in the Clinton administration. But you know what? The air conditioning is blasting cold, and I'm okay with that.
2:00 PM - Snack Acquisition & Existential Dread: I raided the vending machine. Classic. Cheetohs, because I deserve them. It's in times like these I remember how much I hate traveling alone sometimes, how lonely it can be even when surrounded by people.
2:30 PM - Exploration Attempt, Part 1: Apparently, Durand has a historic downtown! Armed with my map (and a serious lack of direction), I bravely ventured forth. Found a very nice antique store. I felt a bit out of place, a city slicker in a town of friendly shop owners.
3:30 PM - The Mississippi River (and a bit of existential dread): It's beautiful, I will absolutely give Durand that. I was just staring, letting the mighty Mississippi flow and thinking about life. Not exactly the joyous sightseeing I thought I would be doing.
4:30 PM - The Pool Debacle (or, "Why I Hate Chlorine"): They have a pool! I love pools! Except, well, it smelled like a small chlorine factory had exploded inside. I dipped a toe (literally) and decided my skin wasn't ready for that kind of commitment.
5:00 PM - Dinner Search & Dinner Fail: Okay so "Durand has a nice selection of restaurants" I heard? Found an okay diner. Waitress clearly had a day. She gave me attitude the whole time.
6:30 PM - Back to Base & Netflix Night: Back in the room. This is how I travel, okay? This is my safe space. I'm ordering takeout (local pub, fingers crossed!). Netflix, because I'm a cliché. Tonight, a documentary in the history of the internet. I'm really excited.
9:00 PM - Lights Out (Maybe): The quiet is… intense. Still, I can sleep, right?
Day 2: Chasing Waterfalls (and Maybe Some Sanity)
8:00 AM - Breakfast & the Breakfast Buffet Blues: The complimentary breakfast. The holy grail, the reason the hotel's rate is slightly too high. The coffee? Weak. The waffles? Possibly pre-made, microwaved, and regrettably… dry. The fake eggs tasted vaguely of rubber. Okay, I'm being dramatic. But the fruit was good, I give it that.
- Rambling Thought: Why is breakfast always such a gamble? I mean, it's the most important meal of the day! And yet, the hotel industry seems to treat it with utter contempt. I think they want us to not eat!
9:00 AM - Waterfall Quest Begins: The internet told me there was a waterfall nearby. I am determined to find it, even if it means asking for directions from a goat.
- Quirky Observation: I'm realizing I packed absolutely nothing practical. No hiking boots! Just… sneakers. This is going to be a disaster.
10:00 AM - "Waterfalls!" After a slightly terrifying drive down a very sketchy, very gravelly road (thanks, Google Maps!), I actually found it! A little waterfall, cascading over some rocks. And it was glorious. The spray, the sound… I breathed a sigh of relief.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, now this is why I travel. I walked for a while. It was great!
11:30 AM - Lunch & the Unexpected Revelation: Found a cute little cafe. The turkey sandwich? Unexpectedly amazing. The owner? Chatty. Turns out, she used to be a nurse! A lot of people from Durand go away, get education, and come back. It was fascinating, finding stories.
1:00 PM - The Antique Shop Reconnaissance Redux: I went back! I bought a weird little figurine of a ballerina.
2:30 PM - Nap Time & Regret: Back at the hotel! Decided to spend the afternoon in the hotel room.
4:00 PM - Back to the River & Realization: Back to the Mississippi! I just watched the river flow this time. Got a better plan for the weekend, I feel like I have a better grip on my feet.
6:00 - A night-out! I went to a pub. The food was surprisingly acceptable.
**8:30 - Back to Base & Netflix Night: ** The next day is the day I leave. I'm not sure if it will be enough time, but I'll try my best.
Day 3: Departure & the Sweetest Kind of Goodbye
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast (Take Two): The eggs tasted less like rubber. Small victories, people, small victories. The coffee was still coffee-flavored water. But I now know where the fruit is.
- 9:00 AM - Check Out & Farewell: Packed. Said goodbye.
- 9:45 AM - The road My car is running now. But I'll be back.
Final Thoughts:
Durand, Wisconsin – you were not what I expected. But maybe that's the best part. You were a little bit dusty, a little bit quirky, and a whole lot of chill. You offered me a taste of small-town life, a dose of nature, and the opportunity to be gloriously, wonderfully me. And for that, Durand, I thank you. I may not be back soon, but the memory is going to stay.
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Durand's Hidden Gem (Cobblestone Inn & Suites) - FAQ! (Prepare Yourself...)
Is this place... actually a 'hidden gem'? Or just a well-marketed average motel?
Okay, let's be real. "Hidden gem" is thrown around like confetti these days. And, fine, Cobblestone Inn & Suites in Durand, Wisconsin? It's… kinda both. It's not the Ritz, okay? Don't go expecting champagne on arrival. BUT, and this is a BIG but, it really surprised me. I was expecting your typical roadside hotel, you know, the kind with the flickering fluorescent lights and that distinct "wet dog" smell. Nope! (Mostly. There was a faint whiff of chlorine near the pool, but hey, clean water is a win, right?)
The word 'gem'? It’s more like a really polished, sparkling pebble you might find on the beach. You're not gonna write home about it, but you're darn pleased you discovered it.
The Website boasts about the "indoor heated pool and hot tub". Are they... actually enjoyable? Or more like lukewarm, kid-filled petri dishes?
Okay, let's get down to the important stuff. The pool. My expectations were… low. Real low. I envisioned a murky, chlorine-drenched hellscape of screaming children and rogue pool noodles. Turns out… it wasn't *that* bad. The water was actually a decent temperature! Warm enough to relax, not so warm you felt like you were marinating in your own sweat. And the hot tub? Glorious. I mean, I'm not a hot tub aficionado, but it did the trick, especially after a day of driving. I just wish they had some jets that actually, you know, *jetted*. Some kid, maybe 7 or 8, kept trying to steal my spot. Kids, am I right? Little pool vultures.
One *small* negative? The chlorine smell. It lingered. Got in my hair, my clothes… I think I dreamt of it. Perhaps they could ease up a bit on the chemicals. Still, compared to places I've been, it was a win. Huge win.
What about the breakfast? Is it your standard "cereal and sad-looking pastries" buffet?
Alright, the breakfast. This is where things get a little… uneven. They *do* have cereal and pastries. And toast. Lots of toast. But, and this is a big BUT, they also had… *wait for it*… a waffle maker. And not just *any* waffle maker. One of those self-serve, pull-down-the-lever, instant-gratification machines. And let me tell you, those waffles? They were good. Really good. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, perfect for soaking up the syrup.
I may have eaten three. Okay, fine, four. Don’t judge me. There were also some eggs (scrambled, pre-cooked, the usual), sausage (meh), and those little single-serving yogurts that always have that weird film on top. But the waffles. The waffles saved the day. They were the hero, the star, the reason I got out of bed.
Let's talk about the staff. Are they friendly, or do they seem like they've seen too many tourists and just want to be left alone?
Okay, buckle up. This is where I get a little… emotional. The staff. They were... *wonderful*. Now, I've stayed in hotels where you feel like you're inconveniencing the front desk just by breathing. Not here. The woman at check-in, I think her name was Carol? Sweetest woman. She genuinely *smiled*. Not that fake, forced smile, but a real one! She asked about my trip, gave me directions to the local bakery (which I *highly* recommend, by the way), and even remembered my name the next day when I went down to grab a coffee.
And the cleaning staff? They were so efficient! I left a small pile of, ahem, *evidence* (a few stray crumbs, a discarded water bottle) on my desk. Came back, and *poof*! Gone. Room spotless. It's the little things, folks. It's the fact that when I accidentally spilled coffee on the floor, they were understanding, not rude. This is what makes, you know, a stay. The fact that they actually seemed to *care* about the guest experience. It wasn't just a job for them, and it was nice. Really, really nice.
What's the deal with the location? Durand, Wisconsin... is there anything to *do* there?
Durand, Wisconsin. Okay, let’s be real. It’s not exactly a hotbed of nightlife and excitement. But, and this is important, it’s charming. Think small-town vibes. Think friendly locals. Think… quiet. Perfect if you're looking for a chill getaway.
And actually, there *are* things to do! The hotel's close to a few restaurants (go to the pizza place, it's surprisingly good), and I heard the Chippewa River is beautiful, or I didn’t hear, more that I read it somewhere, and some walking and hiking trails. But honestly? I parked myself in that comfy bed and turned on the TV, and it was *bliss*. Sometimes, the best activity is absolutely *nothing*. And in Durand? Nothing is easily attainable.
Overall, would you recommend this place? Be brutally honest!
Okay, brutally honest? Yes. Absolutely yes. Would I stay there again? In a heartbeat. It's not perfect; the chlorine, the slightly dated decor in places, the occasional kid in the hot tub. But the pros far outweigh the cons. The friendly staff, the (mostly) clean facilities, the waffle maker… it all adds up to a surprisingly pleasant experience.
It's not luxury, it's not fancy, but it's comfortable, it's convenient, and it's… well, it’s a gem. A slightly gritty gem, maybe. But a gem nonetheless. Just don’t expect the world. Expect a nice place to rest your head. And eat the waffles. Seriously, eat the waffles.
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