Shreveport's BEST Airport Hotel? Wingate by Wyndham Review!
Shreveport's Wingate by Wyndham: Airport Hotel, or My Personal Oasis? (Or, You Know, Somewhere in Between)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't some sterile, corporate review. This is YOUR journey, baby, and we're all riding shotgun on this Wingate by Wyndham adventure. Specifically, The Airport one. Because, let's be real, sometimes you just NEED a place to crash after a flight. So, let's dive in. Deep.
Feeling the Flight-Induced Fuss? Accessibility & Getting Around (and, Holy Cow, the Elevator!)
First things first: accessibility. I'm not disabled, but I appreciate a hotel that gets it. And Wingate seemed to make an attempt, which is already a win. They had "Facilities for disabled guests," and "Elevator." Good. Because, let me tell you, after a flight, the last thing you want is to be climbing stairs with your carry-on and that weird travel pillow that looks like a deflated alien. The elevator? Smooth sailing, thank goodness. Exterior corridors are what they are, so no need to dwell there. Now, getting around to the hotel… Airport transfer? Check. Free parking? Double Check! Car park on-site and free of charge – a godsend, especially if you're renting a car. So, the basics are covered, thank GOODNESS.
Internet, Lord, Give Me Internet (and Maybe a Coffee, Too)
Alright, let's talk Wi-Fi. Because, in this digital age, a reliable connection is essential. "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" – YES. "Internet access – wireless," also YES. They even had "Internet access – LAN" which honestly impressed me. I'm not sure WHEN was the last time I plugged in an internet cable, but it's good to know the option is there! Speed was decent, I could stream my shows, post my Insta stories (because, priorities). Wi-Fi in public areas? Check. So, basically, you're covered. Except when the connection hiccups during a video call. I swear, my boss always calls during dinner.
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (and the Mystery of the Blackout Curtains)
The room itself? Standard airport hotel fare, but honestly, pretty darn comfortable. "Air conditioning" – yes! "Air conditioning in public area" – double yes. "Alarm clock," "Desk" – check, check. "In-room safe box" – okay, I'm not hiding government secrets, but it's a nice touch. "Refrigerator" – perfect for keeping those airport-bought snacks cold. "Coffee/tea maker" – bless. The complimentary tea situation was on point.
The "Blackout curtains" were my champion. After some long flight and a day, I was practically nocturnal, and those babies slapped. Darkness is my friend, you know?
Now, a slight niggle. The "linens." Looked clean, felt clean. Could have been a bit softer. But, hey, I’m being a little snobby.
Food, Glorious Food (Maybe Skip the Soup, Though)
Dining is always a HUGE concern for me! No judgement, I love to eat. But, listen, I like to eat without being too inconvenienced. The Wingate had options. "Breakfast [buffet]" – yes! "Breakfast service" – also yes. "Breakfast takeaway service" – genius! I’m not always a breakfast person, but when my body needs a little fuel, I can take a quick breakfast before I leave.
There was a restaurant, "A la carte in restaurant" and "Asian cuisine in restaurant." Yeah, but I like a simple, easy meal. A "snacks" or the "salad in restaurant" might have worked for me. "Room service [24-hour]" – score! But, to be brutally honest, I actually got room service and, well… let's just say the soup could have been better. A little watery. My bad, maybe.
They did have a "Coffee shop," so that was useful. And a "Poolside bar" - but I’m pretty sure I only wanted to crash in my room.
Relaxation & Recovery: The Fitness Fail and the Spa I Didn't Try (And That's Okay!)
Okay, this is where my lack of discipline shines. The hotel had a "Fitness center," a "Pool with view" and a "Swimming pool [outdoor]." Great! Honestly, I usually intend to use hotel gyms. But the lure of the comfy bed, the blackout curtains, and the siren song of Netflix after a long flight? Inevitable. The pool looked tempting when I peeked out, but it was a breezy day. No "Body scrub" or "Body wrap" or "Sauna" or "Spa" for me. I swear I’ll go next time.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Invisible Shield (and the Hand Sanitizer, Thank God)
Major props for seeming to prioritize safety and cleanliness. "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," "Hand sanitizer," "Rooms sanitized between stays" – all music to my ears. "Staff trained in safety protocol" – good to know. “Cashless payment service,” and "Check-in/out [contactless]" - even better. I really paid attention to their efforts. Makes me feel safe.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference
"Daily housekeeping" – bless you. "Laundry service," "Dry cleaning," "Ironing service" – helpful if you're trying to look presentable, which I sometimes am. "Concierge," "Luggage storage," "Cash withdrawal" – all the things that make travel easier. “Food delivery” – nice.
For the Kids… and Me (If I'm Being Honest)
"Family/child friendly" is a good sign, though I didn't see any kids running around.
The Overall Vibe: Solid, Functional, and Perfectly Acceptable
Look, the Wingate by Wyndham in Shreveport isn't going to win any awards for design or luxury. But it's a solid, comfortable, well-equipped airport hotel. It’s clean, it's convenient, and the staff was friendly. Is it perfect? Nah. Is it going to blow your mind? Probably not. But if you need a place to rest your weary head after a flight, it's a perfectly acceptable option. And, let’s be real, sometimes that’s all you need.
Final Verdict: Recommended. Especially if you’re just looking for a place to crash, eat some mediocre soup, and get some decent sleep. I'd stay again. Maybe next time I'll hit the gym. (Probably not, but maybe!)
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Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the swampy, unpredictable, and utterly delightful chaos that is… well, Shreveport, Louisiana. And the Wingate by Wyndham Shreveport Airport? Let's just say it'll be our basecamp for the adventure.
The Gospel According to Shreveport: A Wingate by Wyndham Odyssey (Prepare for Rambling!)
(Day 1: Arrival & the Existential Dread of the Continental Breakfast)
- 1:00 PM - Touchdown in Shreveport (Finally!) Oh my god, that flight felt longer than the entire history of the Mississippian culture. Honestly, the tiny airplane bathrooms make me question every life choice I've ever made. But hey, we're here! And hopefully, the baggage claim isn't where my luggage goes AWOL, as it's happened before multiple times.
- 1:30 PM - Shuttle to Wingate. The Real Test Begins. Okay, so the airport shuttle driver actually smiled at me, which is practically unheard of these days. Good start! Fingers crossed this Wingate is actually clean, and the pool isn't filled with… well, you know.
- 2:00 PM - Check-in & Room Reconnaissance (A Moment of Truth!) Okay, the room is… acceptable. It's clean-ish. The view? Well, it’s the parking lot. But hey, I'm not here for the view, right? Right?! Someone please remind me of this at 3 AM when I'm staring at the flickering parking lot lights. The air conditioner sounds like a semi-truck gearing up for a cross-country haul. But hey, white noise, maybe?
- 2:30 PM - Unpacking and Strategic Napping. Crucial. Absolutely crucial. This is where the planning goes out the window, and the existential dread of the continental breakfast kicks in. Will there be dry, sad bagels? Or maybe… maybe… a waffle maker? The suspense is killing me. Also, I need a nap. The sleep deprivation is already real.
- 5:00 PM - Dinner Decision: Navigating the Culinary Minefield. Ugh, dinner. Do I brave the chain restaurants that look exactly the same as the ones in Every. Single. Other. City. Ever? Or, do I try to find something… local? Googling… Googling… Okay, there's a place called "Herby K's" that claims to have "World Famous Shrimp Baskets." My standards are low, my stomach is rumbling. Let's roll the dice on that one.
- 7:00 PM - Herby K's: The Shrimp-Basket Gauntlet. Okay. I'm in love. The shrimp baskets are amazing and the atmosphere is pure, delightfully dive-y perfection. I could sit here and never leave. I can't remember what it was I was trying to look for in this city, but if all I find is this place, I'd consider the trip a success.
- 9:00 PM - Stumbling Back to the Wingate. The shrimp, the beer, the greasy goodness… I may have overdone it. I'm pretty sure I’m going to need to schedule a detox period. The air conditioning is still roaring.
- 10:00 PM - The Great Sleep Attempt. Pray for me. Pray for silence. And for a decent pillow. Maybe a sleep mask? Or maybe I should just embrace the chaos and binge-watch the hotel's 1990s-themed cable channels. Decisions, decisions…
(Day 2: Gambling, Ghosts, and the Sadness of the Empty Swimming Pool)
- 7:00 AM (ish) - The Continental Breakfast Roulette. The moment of truth. Is there fruit? Are the waffles… fresh? Pray for freshness. And maybe a decent cup of coffee. Because, honestly, I'm running on fumes. Also, I need to try and get the parking lot view of the hotel out of my head.
- 8:00 AM - Riverboat Gambling? Sure, Why Not? Okay, I'm not a gambler. But it's Shreveport! You have to at least give it a shot, right? Plus, they have the riverboat history to look at. And maybe a free cocktail? I'm betting (pun intended) on a good time.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch & Regrets (Possibly?) The casinos and the bars start to blend together. Did I win? Did I lose? Did I eat? The details are fuzzy, but the feeling of the fried food is very real. And I might have met a guy named Bubba who claimed to have wrestled an alligator… I’m pretty sure he was lying, but whatever.
- 2:00 PM- Haunted History Tour (Spooky Time!) I'm a total sucker for ghost stories. Shreveport has a history so long and murky, that it had to have accrued some ghosts. It's getting hot again, but hey, maybe a ghost can cool me down.
- 4:00 PM - The Unused Swimming Pool Lament. The pool looks sad. Empty, except for a few rogue leaves. I really wanted to swim. Sigh. Maybe I should just go back to the shrimp baskets.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner and a Second Attempt at Getting on the Right Track. I'll grab some healthy food and get a good night's sleep, but it probably won't happen.
- 8:00 PM - Early Night? Let's all laugh at what a funny joke this is.
(Day 3: Departure & The Post-Shreveport Existential Crisis)
- 7:00 AM - Continental Breakfast (Again). I'm getting dangerously familiar with the dry bagels.
- 8:00 AM - Last-minute souvenir shopping. Did I bring home enough "I ❤️ Shreveport" t-shirts? Probably not.
- 9:00 AM - Wingate Checkout & The Farewell Look. Goodbye, Wingate. You were… an experience. I'll never forget the air conditioning, and the dry bagels, and the sadness of the pool. And the shrimp baskets. I'll definitely remember the shrimp baskets.
- 10:00 AM - Airport & The Final Reckoning. Another flight. Another airport. Another plane bathroom. I'm ready to go home.
The Verdict: Shreveport, You Unexpected Delight!
Shreveport was a crazy ride. I might not have stuck to my original "plans," but I had a better time than I could have expected. The Wingate? Well, it served its purpose. It was a place to sleep, a place to shower, and a place to mentally prepare for the next adventure. And hey, the parking lot view wasn't the worst. I'd go back. Maybe just for the shrimp baskets. And this time, I'll definitely pack my own pillow. And maybe earplugs. And a small prayer for the continental breakfast.
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Wingate by Wyndham Shreveport Airport: So, Is It REALLY the Best? My Rambling Review
Okay, let's get the basics out of the way: Where IS this place, anyway? And is it *actually* close to the airport?
Alright, alright, settle down. The Wingate by Wyndham Shreveport Airport (as if you couldn’t figure that out) is…well, it’s *right there*. Seriously. You could probably throw a (really bad) paper airplane from your window and hit the terminal. I’m talking a five-minute drive, tops. Perfect if you're like me and consistently cut it close! And, side note: finding the darn thing is surprisingly EZ. Unlike that one time in, uh, let's just say "somewhere exotic" I spent three hours lost in a labyrinth of cobblestone streets because my GPS had a personal vendetta. This Wingate? No such problems. Blessedly convenient.
The Rooms. Are they… tolerable? Because hotel rooms can be dicey.
Okay, deep breath. The rooms… they're *fine*. Don’t go expecting the Ritz-Carlton. Think…clean, relatively modern, and blessedly free of that lingering "smells-like-Grandma's-attic-and-mildew" aroma that haunts too many budget hotels. I will say, my first time there, I got a room that smelled a *little* like cleaning products, which is better than mildew, but still… My point is, they're maintained, which is HUGE in my book. The beds are comfortable enough after a day of travel chaos. You'll find a comfy chair, a desk to (maybe) get a little work done, and a tiny TV that's adequate. The bathroom? Functional. Definitely not spa quality, but the water gets hot, and the towels… well, they do their job. My biggest complaint? The pillows. They're a little on the… fluffy side. I'm a firm-pillow kinda gal, so I ended up folding one in half. Minor quibble, though.
FREE Breakfast, you say? Is it the usual sad continental suspects?
Ah, the breakfast. This is where it gets… interesting. YES, it’s free. And, yes, it's technically continental. But this Wingate? They're surprisingly decent at this. There's usually a hot option, like scrambled eggs or sausage. They usually have waffles, which, let’s be honest, is the MOST IMPORTANT thing about breakfast at a hotel. And, because, hey, I am a human being and prone to the occasional moment of weakness, I am also a sucker for those individual cereal boxes. There’s a coffee machine, which is important. Because, let's be honest, who can function pre-dawn without caffeine? The one time I went, they were out of coffee. I almost lost it. (Okay, maybe I *did* lose it a little). But they quickly fixed it, and I'm now a fan again. Don't expect culinary masterpieces, but it’s way better than the cardboard-tasting bagels I’ve endured in *other* airport hotels.
Parking. Is it a nightmare? Do I have to pay an arm and a leg?
Okay, this is where Wingate shines. Parking is *free* and easy. Seriously. I’m talking ample spaces. No circling the lot for thirty minutes like a vulture, hoping for a vacant spot. No exorbitant daily fees. You pull up, you park, you check in. Done. This is a *huge* win, especially if you're like me, and travel with the combined luggage of a family of five even if you *are* traveling by yourself. It's just easier, it's less stressful, and frankly, it's a relief. Seriously, parking is one of the best amenities in my book. Like… I’ll choose a hotel *because* of good parking.
The Pool. Is it… swimmable? Does it look like a swamp?
Okay, look, I haven’t actually *used* the pool. I'm more of a "stay-in-my-room-and-watch-bad-TV" kind of traveler. However, I *have* peeked inside, and, it looks perfectly… decent. It isn't a sparkling oasis, but it definitely doesn't look like it's been ravaged by algae. It's clean, it's well-maintained, and there are usually a few people happily splashing about, which I take as a positive sign. I've heard there's a gym, too. I've *never* seen it. I'm not the gym type… but, if that’s your jam, you’re in luck.
Amenities that are worth the hype and things that could improve?
Okay, the good stuff first: * **Front Desk friendliness:** The staff has always been helpful, even when I've arrived at the *worst* hour (which is also when I'm the grumpiest). * **The airport shuttle:** This is a HUGE win. Super reliable. * **Free breakfast (as discussed above):** It's the little things. * **Location:** Seriously, you can't beat it. Now for the... suggestions: * **More comfy chairs:** C'mon, those rooms could use more comfortable seating. I like to decompress after a flight, and those are not ideal for lounging. * **Higher-quality toiletries:** Nothing fancy, but the soap? Just… upgrade it. * **Maybe some extra outlets:** Because the struggle is real when you're trying to charge your phone, your laptop, and your Kindle all at once.
The Verdict: Is Wingate by Wyndham Shreveport Airport worthy of the "Best Airport Hotel" title?
Alright, here's the brutally honest truth. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Is it luxurious? Nope. But... for a convenient, clean, and reasonably priced airport hotel, yeah. It’s pretty darn good. It's reliable. It's stress-free. And when you're dealing with the general madness of air travel, that's worth its weight in gold. I'd stay there again? Without a doubt. Will I *rave* about it? Maybe not. But will I secretly, internally, breathe a sigh of relief every time I pull up to that parking lot? Absolutely. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go check if they have waffles...
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