Clayton's Hidden Gem: Super 8 Review & Booking!
Clayton's Hidden Gem: Super 8 Review & Booking! - My Honest Two Cents (and a Few Rambles)
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get the real deal on this "Hidden Gem" (air quotes intended, folks) they call Super 8 in Clayton. Honestly, when I booked, my expectations were… low. Super 8? Clayton? It felt like a budget business trip starter pack. But, you know what? Sometimes, low expectations can be surprisingly…well, not great, but definitely not terrible. Let's dive in, shall we?
Accessibility:
Okay, this is where I have genuine enthusiasm. My grandma uses a wheelchair, and finding genuinely accessible places can be a nightmare. They actually did a decent job here. The elevator? Check. Ramps? Check. Room access was wide enough for the wheelchair (shout-out to whoever designed the rooms!). I loved that. It’s not the Ritz, obviously, but they clearly tried. This honestly earned them some serious points with me, even before I'd stepped foot in my room.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges:
Sadly, No go. But, hey, it's a Super 8, not a five-star resort. I'm not expecting a Michelin-starred dining experience. Small price for overall accessibility, I guess.
Wheelchair accessible:
Already covered it, folks! Yep! Big thumbs up here.
Internet Access (and the Glorious Free Wi-Fi!)
Free Wi-Fi in all the rooms? SOLD. I mean, in this day and age, it's practically a human right. The connection was surprisingly stable. I even managed to stream a movie without buffering, which is a victory in my book. They get major points for that. It was reliable. I’m looking at you, hotels that charge a fortune for glitchy internet!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… or At Least Try
Okay, here's where things get… interesting.
Pool with view: I almost choked on my coffee when I saw it. "Pool with view?" It's an outdoor pool, nestled between the building and the parking lot. "View" is a generous term. Think: the back of a dumpster and a sliver of sky. My advice? Lower your expectations of an idyllic poolside experience.
Fitness center: Ah yes, the "fitness center." I peeked in. It's a tiny room with what looked like a treadmill from the 80s, a dusty elliptical, and some free weights that probably haven’t seen a wipe down since, well, the 80s. I'm a gym rat, so I passed. My bad, should have taken the pictures.
Spa/Sauna/Steamroom… Nope. Not here, folks. This is a Super 8. Remember those low expectations? They’re useful.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Post-Pandemic Reality Check
Alright, I’m hyper-vigilant about cleaning these days. They’re trying. They really are.
- Anti-viral cleaning products?: Sure, why not believe it. The room smelled clean, which is a good sign.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed like it. I saw staff cleaning the elevators and lobby regularly.
- Hand sanitizer? Check. Everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol? I’d like to believe it – they all wore masks, and I saw them spraying down surfaces. I felt relatively safe, which in these crazy times is a big win.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I don’t recall it, but I might have been too busy gawking at the low wall that was "view".
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Culinary Adventure… Or Not.
Let's be honest: this is not a foodie destination.
- Breakfast? Well, they have it. The usual suspects: cereal, some sad-looking pastries, and a waffle maker. Honestly, the waffles weren’t bad. They were… waffles. Edible, at least.
- Breakfast takeaway service?: Sadly again, no. Just grab your waffle and run when you're done.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant/Coffee shop: I’ve seen better, but it got the job done. (Needed that after the pool view.)
The Room - My Sanctum!
The room! Where the magic happens.
- Air conditioning? Yes! Thank the heavens, it was HOT outside.
- Free Bottled Water: Again, a welcome sign.
- Blackout curtains?! Yes! Sweet, sweet sleep!
- Free Wi-Fi? Yep! Again!
- Bathrobes: Nope.
- Bathtub: Yes! Not luxurious, but functional.
- Toiletries: Basic, but they had them.
- Mirror: Needed to stare at myself and get ready for the day!
- Non-smoking? Yes. Which I appreciated.
- In-room safe box: Yes! A small one, but hey!
I'm convinced that their goal was to be as good as Super 8 needed to be. In that, they succeeded.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Questionable
- Business facilities: They have a small business center is good enough for a quick print.
- Daily housekeeping? Yes, thankfully.
- Elevator? Yes! Essential for the accessibility!
- Front desk [24-hour]: Convenient.
- Luggage storage? Yes, they had it.
- Laundry service: Yes, there was a laundry service.
- Pets are not allowed:* I'm so sorry, but I don't have a pet.
For the Kids
- Family/child friendly: Yes!
- Babysitting service: No, it seemed so.
- Kids facilities?: No, it's Super 8.
Getting Around
- Car park [free of charge]: Woohoo! Free parking! Always a win!
- Taxi service: Yes, they had one. But I had my car.
The Verdict: Should You Book?
Look, it's a Super 8. Embrace that. Don't expect luxury. Think of it more as a functional base camp. Clayton is a nice place.
Here's the breakdown:
- Accessibility: HIGHLY recommend for those with mobility needs.
- Cleanliness & Safety: They’re trying. I felt safe enough.
- Comfort level: Good. The bed was comfortable, and the AC worked.
- Amenities: Limited. Don’t expect a spa day.
- Value for Money: Decent. It’s a budget hotel, so it’s priced accordingly.
My Final Thoughts:
If you need a place to crash in Clayton, if you need accessibility, and if you're on a budget, then yes, book this Super 8. It's not going to blow your mind, but it’s functional and they’re trying to be good. And that, in a world full of overpriced, overhyped hotels, is sometimes enough. And hey, at least the Wi-Fi works. That’s really all that truly matters, right?
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're heading to Clayton, New Mexico! The mighty Super 8, here we come! This isn't your meticulously planned, Instagram-worthy itinerary. This is… well, this is my reality. Prepare yourselves.
Day 1: Arrival in Clayton & Existential Dread (and Cheese Burgers)
1:00 PM - Touchdown in Albuquerque (or, you know, whatever tiny airport is closer). Okay, so maybe I tried to fly directly into Clayton. Apparently, that dream died faster than a politician's promise. Albuquerque it is! And the rental car? A glorious, dented chariot named "Betsy." Bless her heart. First thought: "Are those clouds planning world domination?" Second thought: "Did I pack enough snacks?" (Spoiler alert: No. Never enough.)
3:00 PM - The Drive. The Long Drive. The drive to Clayton is… well, it's vast. The New Mexico landscape sprawls out like a canvas painted by a bored god with a penchant for burnt orange and a dusting of sagebrush. You start off optimistic, maybe even humming along to the radio. Then the radio fades. The miles melt away. You start wondering if you're actually moving at all. I swear I saw a tumbleweed looking at me judgmentally.
6:00 PM - Super 8! The Promised Land (Kinda). Pulling into the Super 8 in Clayton felt like finding a mirage. It was my oasis, but not quite paradise, but a solid 6 out of 10. Okay, so the exterior looks like it was last updated when mullets were considered high fashion. And the air conditioning groaned like a dying dinosaur. But hey, the sign actually works. And the check-in lady? She had the kind of tired smile that says, "Honey, I feel you." The best part? The free wi-fi. I immediately started checking my emails, and I think I heard a loud yell.
7:00 PM - Dinner at a Local Diner (Possibly the only diner). Okay, the options were "the one diner" or "that gas station." And I wasn't about to eat a stale hot dog. The diner? A time capsule of culinary history. I ordered a cheeseburger, and I swear, it was the best cheeseburger I'd had in ages. Thick patty, melted cheese, and a bun that held its structural integrity. Food brought my spirits back up.
8:30 PM - Room Check & Anxiety Attack. The room! Alright, the carpet's… well, let's say it's a historical landmark of stains, and the flickering fluorescent light adds a touch of cinematic suspense. But, hey look, a TV! (I think I may have watched too much news… bad idea) And a bed! The sheets were suspiciously crisp. Should I be worried? Nah. Probably. Right? Oh god, I forgot my charger. Deep breaths. Just deep breaths.
9:00 PM - The "Research" Begins (aka Online Procrastination). I open my laptop, intending to plan tomorrow. But the internet is a siren song of distraction. I read a Wikipedia article on the history of tumbleweeds. Then I browse cat videos. Before I know it, it's 11 PM, and my brain is mush.
Day 2: Dinosaur Tracks, Dust Devils, and the Pursuit of Happiness
8:00 AM - Breakfast (Free! And Questionable). The "continental breakfast" at the Super 8 is… an experience. Think stale doughnuts, weirdly sweet cereal, and the coffee that might be coffee. Hey, at least it's food, and it's free! I chugged two cups. Gotta build up my courage.
9:00 AM - Dinosaur Tracks! The Glory! I finally pulled myself away from my laptop(and the questionable breakfast) and headed to the dinosaur tracks. These aren't just any dinosaur tracks. These are awesome dinosaur tracks! Actual footprints from actual dinosaurs! The site is stark, beautiful, and humbling. I took a bunch of pictures, imagining the massive creatures that once roamed this land. The whole experience was kind of magical but also a little lonely.
11:00 AM - A Little Drive I took a little drive. The drive made me see more dust devils. It was a magical moment.
12:00 PM - Lunch (The Art of the Leftovers). I had some leftovers from the diner to eat. It was pretty good!
1:00 PM - Another Drive. The drive felt very surreal. Dust, nothing but dust! Even my thoughts felt dusty.
3:00 PM - Dinner! The Pursuit of the Perfect Steak. I asked around for a steakhouse. I went to said steakhouse. When I got there, it was closed. My rage grew!
7:00 PM - The Sadness & the Sleep. I ended up going back to the Super 8. I was too tired to go anywhere else. I felt the most human I'd felt in years.
Day 3: Leaving Clayton & The Aftermath
8:00 AM - Breakfast (Again). Same breakfast, same questionable coffee. This time, though, I managed to choke down a piece of toast with a smidge of butter. Progression!
9:00 AM - Check Out & Goodbyes. The check-out lady just gave me a weary smile. She knows. We all know. As I drove away, I looked back at the Super 8. It wasn't fancy, but it was mine for a couple of days. I even, maybe, felt a twinge of… appreciation?
10:00 AM - The drive back to the airport.
??? - The Aftermath. Home. I feel like a changed person. I learned a whole lot. I now understand the importance of chargers and the beauty of dinosaur tracks. And I know, without a doubt, that even in the middle of nowhere, there's always a story to find. And sometimes, that story is just a really good cheeseburger.
This is it folks. My trip to Clayton, warts and all. I'm pretty sure I left a piece of my sanity somewhere in that Super 8. But hey, isn't that what travel's all about?
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Okay, Seriously, Is This "Hidden Gem" Thing Just Hype? What's the Deal with this Super 8?
My first visit? Disaster. We'd booked last minute, the reviews were... mixed, let's be kind. I walked in expecting the worst. Let's just say, the air conditioning in the hallway sounded like a dying walrus. And the *smell*…a potent blend of stale coffee and…something else I couldn't quite identify. But by the time I was checking out I was already thinking I'd be back.
What's Actually GOOD About the Clayton Super 8? Gimme the Goods!
And the breakfast! Okay, it's continental. Don't go expecting gourmet pancakes. But they have waffles! And those little individual packets of cereal that I still secretly enjoy even though I'm a grown adult. It's all part of the charm, trust me.
My first time staying there, I'd actually forgotten my toothbrush. The lady at the desk? She not only loaned me one, she also gave me a travel-size toothpaste. Saved me! 10/10 will be back.
What's NOT So Great Though? Be Honest!
Then there’s the noise. You're right on the highway. You'll hear the rumble of those eighteen-wheelers all night long. Bring earplugs. And for that reason alone, I hate this place. But for the price, and the staff, I will forgive it.
And…okay, I hate to say it, but sometimes the Wi-Fi is…spotty. Like, really bad. As in, "I can't even load a basic website" bad. This has improved significantly (I think), but be warned if you need a serious internet connection.
Tell Me About the Rooms. What Should I Expect?
Size varies. Some rooms are huge, others are cramped. It's a gamble, honestly. I've stayed in one that literally felt like you could touch both walls with your arms outstretched. Then I stayed in a bigger room, and by the time I woke up, I completely forgot where I was.
And the air conditioning. As mentioned before, sometimes sounds like a dying walrus.
What About the Breakfast? Is it Actually Worth Getting Up For?
It’s not a gourmet experience, but it’s included in the price. And sometimes, that's all you need. Remember, this is Clayton, not Paris. Lower your expectations, and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Okay, Let's Talk Booking. Any Tips on How to Snag the Best Room (or Avoid the Worst)?
I will also say, don't be afraid to be annoying. Be polite, but assertive. "Can I please have a room on the second floor?" "Are there any rooms that have been recently updated?" (Even if they haven't.)
And if you arrive and your room is… less than ideal? Be nice (again, it's Clayton). But ask if there's anything else available. Sometimes, you get lucky. Sometimes, you don't. Life is full of disappointments.
What About the Area Around the Super 8? Anything Nearby Worth Checking Out?
You'll have your usual fast-food options. A gas station with a decent coffee selection. And maybe, just maybe, a local diner. Do your research. Google is your friend. Check maps.
But let's be honest, the main attraction here is the Super 8 itself. It's the Oasis in the desert. The shining beacon in the... well, you get the idea.
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