Rapid City's BEST Hotel Deal? Microtel Inn & Suites Review!
Rapid City's Best Hotel Deal? Microtel Inn & Suites Review! (Oh Boy, Where Do I Even Begin?)
Okay, folks, let's be honest: finding a decent hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota, can feel like stumbling through a tumbleweed convention. It's a land of sprawling parking lots and… well, let's just say expectations need to be tempered. But, I stumbled upon the Microtel Inn & Suites, and the marketing promised THEE deal. Did it deliver? Buckle up, because this isn't your average, sterile hotel review. This is me, unfiltered, wrestling with my stay.
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First Impressions, and the Quest for the Holy Grail of Accessibility:
The exterior? Microtel. It's fine. Functional. Not exactly Instagram-worthy. But hey, I wasn't planning on posing with the building, right? My primary concern, as someone who sometimes requires it, was accessibility. The website claimed they had accessible rooms. That's music to my ears!
The check-in? Smooth as butter. Contactless check-in/out was a definite win in this post-pandemic world. I, naturally, immediately forgot my room number. Story of my life.
Accessibility - The Real Deal:
- Wheelchair accessible? Yup. Ramps, elevators… good score!
- Facilities for disabled guests? YES, with modifications to shower and other necessities.
- Elevator? Absolutely, up all the floors.
- Rooms: I requested an accessible room, and they delivered. Wider doorways, grab bars in the bathroom… the works. It's those little things!
- Getting around: The property was pretty spread out, but it was easy to maneuver if you were driving. Not so easy if you're walking.
Room Revelations - A Mixed Bag:
My room. Ah, my temporary sanctuary.
- Cleanliness: It was… clean. Not squeaky-clean, but definitely not "uh-oh" clean. They clearly do Daily disinfection in common areas as it smells pretty clean.
- Air conditioning? Hallelujah! Absolutely essential for a South Dakota summer. The Air conditioning in public area was also great.
- Free (and FAST!) Wi-Fi? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually worked! A miracle!
- Internet? No connection issues on my end and even had Internet [LAN] if that's your preference.
- Bathroom: Decent. The water pressure was fine. The Additional toilet was a welcome change.
- Coffee/Tea Maker? Thank goodness! A caffeine fix first thing in the morning is non-negotiable.
- Television: Satellite/cable channels were a godsend, especially when I was too tired to do anything else.
- Extra Long Bed: A blessing for a tall person like myself.
- The Imperfections: The blackout curtains wouldn't quite shut fully. A minor quibble, but…
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, complimentary tea, desk, hair dryer, internet access, iron, fridge, wake-up service, and other necessities.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (or, My Carb-Loading Adventure):
- Breakfast? Included! Breakfast service was essential to start the day right. Breakfast [buffet] was offered with a good selection of options.
- Restaurants: The Microtel doesn't have a full-blown restaurant, but they had a small setup for the Breakfast [buffet]. I just wanted a quick and easy breakfast.
- Restaurants: They offered an alternative meal arrangement, which was really helpful.
- Snack Bar: There was a snack bar for all the snacks I wanted to consume!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant. Yes, they offered coffee or tea in the restaurant.
- Poolside Bar: They didn't have one, but I wasn't expecting one, so all good!
Ways to Relax (or, My Attempt to De-Stress):
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: They had a pool! I had to go! It was nice and clean, great for taking a plunge after a day of driving! It was a nice way to relax.
- Fitness Center: There was a fitness center! I didn't try it, mainly because the only exercise my body has seen lately is the walk from the bed to the fridge.
- Spa, sauna: Unfortunately the hotel didn't have those, but there are spas in Rapid City.
Cleanliness and Safety - A Modern Necessity:
Alright, in our current world, this is paramount.
- Anti-viral cleaning products? I have to assume so, given how clean everything smelled.
- Hand sanitizer? Aplenty! Peace of mind achieved.
- Rooms sanitized between stays? Yes, according to the signage. You can also opt-out of room cleaning, which I really appreciate!
- Staff trained in safety protocol? From what I could tell, yes. They wore masks and followed protocol.
- Check-in/out [private]? They had some private spots when you checked in.
- CCTV: I noticed CCTV in common areas.
- Fire extinguisher? Safe and sound!
- Smoke alarms? Also sound!
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Make a Difference:
- Daily housekeeping? Yup. They have a very helpful staff.
- Cash withdrawal? There was a cash withdrawal service.
- Ironing service? It was available if I needed it.
For the Kids (…and the Kid in All of Us):
- Family/child friendly? Absolutely!
- Kids facilities: As much as it can have!
Getting Around - The Practicalities:
- Car park [free of charge]? Yes. Free parking is always a win!
- Airport transfer? Yep, they do airport pickup.
- Taxi service? Quick and easy!
The Real Deal: My Verdict
Okay, so the Microtel Inn & Suites? It's not the Ritz. It's not going to blow your mind with luxury. But for the price? For the accessibility? For the clean rooms, the decent breakfast, and the surprisingly good Wi-Fi? It's a solid choice.
Here's the honest truth: I was pleasantly surprised. I expected… well, let’s just say I’ve stayed in far worse. It ticked all the boxes for what I needed: a clean, accessible place to sleep, with a decent breakfast, and a pool to cool off in.
Would I stay there again? Absolutely. Especially if I'm on a budget and need something reliable.
Rating: Solid 7.5/10. Could be an 8 if they had a better coffee selection. And maybe a tiny bit more character. But hey, I'd take the lack of pretension any day!
Final Thought: If you're looking for a no-frills, budget-friendly hotel in Rapid City, the Microtel Inn & Suites is definitely worth considering. Just don't expect the world. Expect a decent stay. And that, my friends, is often all we need.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're not just planning a trip to Rapid City, we're living it, baby! And trust me, it's gonna be less "polished travel brochure" and more "unfiltered brain dump of a slightly caffeinated human being." This is my Microtel Inn & Suites in Rapid City, South Dakota, itinerary, and it's gonna be a wild ride.
Day 1: Arrival and the Illusion of Organization
1:00 PM - Arrival & Check-In at Microtel Inn & Suites: Okay, first hurdle: finding the actual hotel after a slightly panicky drive from the airport (thanks, GPS, for nearly sending me into a cornfield). The check-in was remarkably smooth, which immediately put me on edge. Like, is something else going to go wrong? I'm a nervous traveler, alright? My room? Surprisingly clean, and the air conditioning BLASTS. Score!
1:30 PM - Unpack, Assess the Situation, and Question All Life Choices: I unpack… mostly. Let's be real. I "unpack" the essentials and leave the rest of the suitcase looking like a post-apocalyptic clothes explosion. Then, the existential dread kicks in. Am I really doing this? Did I pack enough snacks? Followed by a quick check of the complimentary wifi strength. It's… acceptable.
2:00 PM - Reconnaissance Mission: The Local Grocery Store: Gotta fuel the adventure! A quick trip to a nearby grocery store is crucial. I'm on the hunt for road trip essentials: chips, questionable gas station coffee-flavored energy drinks, and anything that doesn't require a fork. I ended up with a bag of gummy worms. Judge all you want. It's vacation.
- Anecdote: While browsing the chips aisle, I bumped into a very friendly woman who was also clearly overdressed for the occasion. She was radiant. We chatted for a bit, and she told me that you should always be yourself, even when buying chips. It's advice I never thought I needed, but now I'm questioning my life choices.
3:30 PM - The Battle for Bathroom Supremacy: This is a solo trip so the only thing is that I got lost in planning where the bathroom actually is because the layout doesn't make sense.
4:00 PM - Driving around Rapid City: I was feeling restless and decided to drive around Rapid City, hoping to experience some of the local life, but it didn't work out.
- Quirky Observation: The way the sun hits the Black Hills at this time of day, it's… well, it just hits different. Not in a good way - in a "makes me want to drive back to the hotel and take a nap" kind of way.
6:00 PM - Dinner at a Local Restaurant (Maybe): I'm envisioning a homey diner serving up hearty portions and greasy goodness. The emotional reaction is mostly hunger, but a secondary emotion, is fear. Fear of asking the waiter for something, but being too much of a coward to say that I'd like it medium-rare. I'll probably just stare at the menu for an hour.
7:30 PM - Attempt at Relaxation/Entertainment: Watch that one show that I've secretly been obsessed with lately. Or read that book I'd "been meaning to."
9:00 PM - Contemplate bed/Sleep: I check that I have everything. I contemplate bed. I go to sleep. The end.
Day 2: Mount Rushmore and the Road Less Traveled (Probably)
8:00 AM - Brekkie: The glorious free breakfast at the hotel. I approach the buffet with the zeal of a seasoned warrior. Cereal? Check. Waffles? Double-check. The emotional high of a good waffle is unmatched.
9:00 AM - The Grand Pilgrimage: Mount Rushmore: Okay, this is the big one. I'm prepared for crowds, but honestly, I'm not emotionally prepared for the sheer scale of Mount Rushmore. I will probably cry. Or at least get choked up. The car ride through the Black Hills is gorgeous, but the emotional rollercoaster is already chugging along.
- Anecdote: On the way to Mount Rushmore, I saw a sign for a "Wall Drug" and I immediately thought: "Okay, I gotta stop there too later." I really wanna be a part of the local lore.
10:00 AM - Exploring Mount Rushmore: I will go slow. I will try to appreciate the art. I will probably spend too long in the gift shop buying a ridiculously overpriced souvenir.
12:00 PM - The Long Road back, with a bit of a delay: The drive back will be all scenic routes and winding roads. I will probably get lost to get a view.
15:00 PM - The Long Road to Badlands National Park: This is the second big thing. The emotional build-up is intense. But the drive, oh the drive, will be magic.
- Opinionated Language: Driving in South Dakota is like teleporting to another planet. All the landscape is just so different. I am excited.
17:00 PM - Exploring the Badlands: I’m going to walk, breath in the air, and just be there. I'll be looking for some peace.
19:00 PM - Dinner: I will go back to Rapid city.
20:00 PM - To bed: I should be exhausted.
Day 3: Farewell (Maybe with Regret)
- 9:00 AM - Hotel Breakfast & Packing: The dreaded moment. Packing. I’ll probably just shove everything in, hoping for the best.
- 11:00 AM - Final Thoughts: After a long trip, I will go back to the city that I long to go back to, with everything I have.
- 12:00 PM - Departure: The drive is over.
- 20:00 PM - Arrival After everything, I'm home.
See? Messy, honest, and full of potential for a glorious disaster. Wish me luck surviving!
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Rapid City's "Best Hotel Deal"? Microtel Inn & Suites Review – Honestly, It's Complicated!
Okay, seriously, is the Microtel in Rapid City *actually* a good deal? Or is it just… cheap?
Alright, buckle up. This isn't gonna be a perfectly polished travel blog post. More like, a slightly frazzled recounting of my Microtel experience. "Good deal"? Depends on your definition of "good." If your definition involves pristine marble countertops and room service… run. Run far away. If your definition involves a clean(ish) bed, a working shower, and a roof over your head for a price that won't make your wallet weep, then maybe, just maybe, we're talking. I needed someplace *cheap*. Rapid City is expensive, and this hotel… well, it was closer to the cheap end of the spectrum. Which, in itself, can be a win. Seriously, after paying for the Badlands, the gas, and all the damn Black Hills knick-knacks, I was practically eating ramen for dinner. So, yeah – it's *potentially* a good deal. But proceed with caution.
Let’s talk about the rooms. What's the actual room like? Is it clean?
Clean...ish. Okay, let's be honest – it's not the Four Seasons. My room, a slightly dreary little box of beige and… more beige, was *acceptably* clean. There were no obvious signs of past horrors. No visible spiders (thank God, I’m terrified of spiders!), no mysterious stains that looked like they'd birthed some alien life form. The floors… well, they looked like they'd been recently vacuumed, which is a win in my book. The bathroom? Functional. The shower? Did its job. The towels, however, were a bit… thin. And the water pressure? Let's just say I spent about five minutes trying to rinse the conditioner out of my hair. But hey, again, for the price, I wasn't expecting a spa-like experience. Just a place to crash after a day of chasing buffalo around Custer State Park. The bed? Pretty comfy, actually. Slept like a rock. Which is more impressive than the room itself. After all, if you're knackered enough... even a bed of nails would do.
The continental breakfast – is it worth getting up for?
Oh, the continental breakfast. This is where the "good deal" starts to wobble a little. It's... well, it's there. Think: pre-packaged muffins that taste suspiciously of plastic, instant coffee that could strip paint, and fruit that looks like it's seen better days. There were waffles, though! And I, being a sucker for waffles, dutifully constructed a plate. It wasn't gourmet, but it filled the void. I'd say, if you value hot food and are easily disappointed, bring your own supplies. But if you're just looking for a quick bite before hitting the road and don't mind a slight sugar rush, then it's fine. Honestly, the waffle maker was the highlight! I felt like a kid again, battling the tiny tongs for the flattest, perfectly round waffle. It's the simple things, people. It's the simple, slightly-burnt waffle things.
What about the staff? Were they friendly?
The staff? Generally, yes, they were friendly. The front desk person was competent and efficient, and I got the impression they'd seen it all. (And probably had.) No complaints there. They answered my questions straight, gave me the room key, and didn't bat an eye when I asked for extra towels (see above, thin towels!). They seemed pretty used to the general chaos that tourists bring. And for the record, that front desk person knew more about local attractions than any of the overpriced "tour guides" I met. They were the real MVPs.
Okay, be honest. What was the worst part of your Microtel experience?
Okay, *bracing myself* to be honest. The worst part… hmm, that's tough. Let's go with the noise, because I'm a light sleeper. First night, someone was CLOMPING around in the room above me until about 2 AM, like they were auditioning to be a tap dancer. Then, the next morning, the cleaning staff started vacuuming at, like, 7:30 AM. Vacuuming! On a Saturday! I swear, I could practically feel the vibrations in my bed. I guess you can't expect total silence at a budget hotel, but it was a tad… disruptive. Plus, the air conditioning was a little loud. But I will say this – they provided ear plugs. So... that's good planning, right? I was grumpy as hell, but I slept eventually.
Any tips or tricks for maximizing your Microtel stay?
Oh, absolutely! Here's what I learned (the hard way, naturally):
- Bring your own coffee. The instant stuff is… sad.
- Pack earplugs. Seriously. Trust me on this one. Or ask for a room on the top floor.
- Lower your expectations. This isn't the Ritz. This is a functional, budget-friendly place to sleep. Embrace it.
- Check the outlets. Some of them might not work. Seriously. Test them. I had to move my hairdryer.
- Explore the Area. Rapid City is your oyster! Don't spend all your time in the hotel. Get out there and see the Black Hills!
Would you recommend Microtel Inn & Suites in Rapid City?
Okay, the million-dollar question. Would I *recommend* it? Well… Depends. If you're on a super-tight budget, and you just need a safe, clean(ish) place to crash and you're not precious about luxury or sleep quality, then yes. Absolutely, it's a viable option. Just manage your expectations! If you're after a luxurious experience, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a "good deal" for a place to sleep? Well, I've stayed in worse. Actually, I've stayed in *much* worse. Would I stay there again? Probably. Unless I suddenly win the lottery. Then maybe I'll try that Ritz-Carlton. Probably need to find somewhere to park the gold Rolls-Royce first. Until then? Microtel it is!
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