Escape to Paradise: Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Glendale/Westgate Awaits!
Escape to Paradise (Maybe): A Review of Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Glendale/Westgate (AKA, My Hotel Adventure)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash the full, unfiltered truth about my recent stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Glendale/Westgate, Phoenix. And by "full unfiltered truth" I mean a rambling, slightly disorganized, and probably overly-opinionated account of everything from the questionable coffee situation to the surprisingly amazing pool with a view. So, here we go…
First Impressions & Accessibility Woes (Because, You Know, Life Isn't Always Smooth Sailing)
Right off the bat, let's get this out of the way: Accessibility. The website promised wheelchair accessibility. And while the lobby looked accessible, navigating the hotel with a mobility issue would be…challenging. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I have a friend who is, and I was quickly assessing for her. The ramps? Fine. The elevators? Seemed okay. But the doorways…some felt a little narrow and I didn't get to explore all the rooms, so my final word on how this would feel long term is undecided. This needs a LOT more looking in to.
Getting Online & Staying Connected (Because, Duh, Wi-Fi is Life)
Good news! Free Wi-Fi in ALL ROOMS! And it mostly worked. I said mostly. There were a few moments of internet black hole – particularly during peak Netflix-binging hours – but hey, you can’t win ‘em all. They did provide Internet access - LAN, which I'm guessing is good for the corporate types, but I wouldn't know where to even plug that in. Internet services were, you know, there. They advertised high speed internet, but it didn't always feel that way. There was Wi-Fi in public areas, but like most hotel Wi-Fi, it's only as good as the last person who tried to stream a live concert on it.
The "Things to Do" & "Ways to Relax" Debacle (Or, How I Didn't Get My Zen On)
Okay, let's be honest. I went into this trip with high hopes of becoming a spa goddess. The brochure promised Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, Massage, and a Pool with a view. I pictured myself, all cucumber-eyed and blissed out.
Reality hit me like a rogue water balloon.
The "pool with a view" was… well, it faced the other hotels. The view wasn't terrible, per se. Think "suburban skyline." It's no cliffside infinity pool, but it's fine. The Swimming pool [outdoor] itself was clean, which is a HUGE plus. I did dip my toes in. The water was a comfortable temperature, and there were plenty of lounge chairs.
Now, the Spa. Ah, the Spa. Turns out, their spa is more like a "Spa Adjacent" situation. There wasn't one. I asked around the hotel and got referred to a spa, but one that was completely separate of the hotel. Sigh. So no Body scrub, no Body wrap, no blissful, cucumber-eyed relaxation for me.
There was a Fitness center, which I, in my infinite wisdom, completely avoided. I heard it was actually pretty decent. The Gym/fitness equipment looked modern, and the place seemed clean.
I did manage to sneak in a little bit of a relaxation, if you call it that. Reading by the pool was a good way to relax.
Cleanliness and Safety (Or, Did I Survive Germageddon?)
In the wake of … well, everything, cleanliness is paramount. And the Hampton Inn mostly delivered. They made a big show about their Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and having their Staff trained in safety protocol. They had Hand sanitizer stations strategically placed, and the whole vibe was “We take this seriously.”
They were also being really smart about Safe dining setup and I noticed Individually-wrapped food options at the breakfast, which was a nice touch.
There was a sign about Room sanitization opt-out available, which I thought was a nice option.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Or, My Constant Quest for Caffeine)
Breakfast. I'm going to be brutally honest here: the Breakfast [buffet] was… well, hotel-buffet-esque. There was Breakfast service (duh), and the Buffet in restaurant had the usual suspects: scrambled eggs that may or may not have been real, rubbery sausage, and an army of pastries.
The Coffee/tea in restaurant situation, however, was a tragedy. The coffee was weak, watery, and frankly, tasted like despair. I'm not saying it ruined my trip, but it definitely impacted my mood. Fortunately, there was a Coffee shop (I think. It was in the lobby. I don't remember the coffee being noticeably better, maybe I was just desensitized by that point. I would have loved a local coffee shop.
They also had a Poolside bar, but it wasn't open during my stay. Sigh.
There was a Snack bar with sad-looking snacks.
The Room – My Temporary Fortress (Or, Why I Appreciated Blackout Curtains)
The room itself was pretty standard Hampton Inn fare. It was clean, comfortable, and had all the essentials.
The Air conditioning blasted like a hurricane (which was necessary, given the Arizona heat). The Blackout curtains were a Godsend. The Bed was comfy (maybe a little too soft for my liking, but hey, I'm getting old), and the Pillows were fluffy. You could tell they'd been well-used.
There was a Desk, which I used for approximately two hours to pretend I was a productive member of society. The Coffee/tea maker was there. The Refrigerator was a plus, perfect for chilling water. The Mini bar was empty, and for that, I was grateful. I like to control my snacking!
The TV had a decent selection of channels. Internet access – wireless worked. I liked the Seating area in the room.
I really appreciated the Separate shower/bathtub. And also the Hair dryer. And the In-room safe box, which I didn't use.
It was a nice, safe, clean place that served its purpose.
Services and Conveniences (Or, The Little Things That Matter)
They offered a whole host of services – Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, and a Gift/souvenir shop. There was also a Convenience store, which was… well, convenient.
They had Facilities for disabled guests. There was an Elevator. The Check-in/out [express] process was seamless. I did not use the Ironing service, because, well, laziness.
For the Kids (Or, The Mystery of the Missing Babysitting)
The hotel is Family/child friendly. They had Kids facilities (I didn't see them, but the website promised them), and the whole vibe was "Welcome, little humans!" There was no Babysitting service listed, which is a shame, because that's what I desperately needed.
Getting Around (Or, The Quest for a Taxi)
There was Car park [free of charge], which was awesome. You will need a car there. They also offered Taxi service. I did not take advantage of the Airport transfer, which made me sad because I always like it.
The Overall Vibe: Verdict?
The Hampton Inn & Suites in Glendale/Westgate is a solid, reliable hotel. It’s a fine place to crash after a day of exploring Phoenix or attending an event at the nearby stadium. It’s clean, the staff is friendly, and the basics are covered.
Would I call it a paradise? Probably not. But it's a perfectly acceptable place to rest your weary head, and as long as you BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee), you'll be just fine.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. (And a strong recommendation to up the coffee game.)
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get a glimpse into my brain, Hampton Inn style in that shimmering desert oasis of Phoenix, Arizona. And let's be honest, Arizona and oasis? Seems a little… ironic, doesn't it? Anyway, here's my supposed "itinerary," which, knowing me, will morph into something entirely different. Consider this more of a suggestion than a concrete plan.
Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious, Air-Conditioned Embrace
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown at Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX). Ugh, airports. The sensory overload of stale air and screaming children? Not my vibe. But hey, at least the flight was on time. Which is, like, a miracle in itself. Grab my rental car – a slightly-too-beige sedan that feels… neutral. A total snooze-mobile, but hey, it gets the job done.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in at the Hampton Inn & Suites Glendale/Westgate. Finally, sweet, sweet air conditioning. That blast of cool air hitting your face? An immediate mood booster after the airport madness. And, praise the heavens, the lobby smells vaguely of lemon and ambition. Love it. The front desk lady is super friendly, like, annoyingly so. Is she hiding something? Probably not. Just… Southwest hospitality, I guess.
- 2:30 PM: Plunge into the bed. Okay, maybe not plunge. More like… gracefully collapse. Test the pillows. Verdict: acceptable. Nothing to write home about, but good enough for a solid nap. The kind where you're vaguely aware of the outside world, but you just cannot be bothered.
- 4:00 PM: Wake up. Blinking into the Arizona sun. Okay, that nap was fantastic. I feel… slightly less like a zombie. Time to face the outside world, or at least, the Westgate Entertainment District, which I've heard… is a thing?
- 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Explore the Westgate Entertainment District. Honestly, it feels… generic. It’s your typical outdoor mall with chains upon chains. I wander around for a bit, overwhelmed by the options.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. After much debate (and Google Maps), I opt for a place with outdoor seating. Because Arizona and sunset, duh. Order way too much food, because… well, vacation. The margarita is strong, and the tacos are… tacos. Nothing life-altering, but perfectly acceptable.
- 7:30 PM: Stroll back to the hotel. Savoring the cool breeze of the evening. Maybe this Arizona thing isn't so bad after all.
- 8:30 PM: Back in the hotel, a nice hot shower. I'm a sucker for a good shower. The water pressure in the Hampton Inn is surprisingly good, and I feel, after a long day of travel, cleaner than I have in a while. That may be my only truly good thought about the hotel.
- 9:30 PM: The hotel TV: a treasure trove of mediocre shows. I'm not looking for anything too deep. I just want something that will lull me to sleep. I settle on a cheesy sitcom for some background noise.
- 10:30 PM: Finally in bed. Feeling a little more relaxed. Tomorrow, I'll need to make a plan, but for tonight, I'll just bask in the glory of a semi-comfortable bed, a cold hotel room, and the sweet oblivion of sleep.
Day 2: The Heat and the Hike (and the Regret?)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up (or, more accurately, am woken up by the relentless sun). The sun here is serious, like a laser beam. I immediately regret not putting the blackout curtains to the test last night.
- 7:30 AM: Free breakfast at the Hampton Inn. "Free" breakfast, that is, with the caveat that it tastes like it's been sitting under a heat lamp since the Eisenhower administration. The "scrambled eggs" are… suspect. The coffee, however, is passable. I load up on carbs to fuel the day ahead.
- 8:00 AM: Decision time: Hike. I'm not a hiker. Okay, I hate hiking. But everyone says to hike, so… I consult some trail reviews. It says "moderate." Moderate. I'm already regretting this.
- 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM: The Hike to Camelback Mountain. This is where the stream-of-consciousness really hits. Let me paint you the picture here: scorching heat, sweat dripping into my eyes, a trail that feels like it's all uphill, and an increasingly desperate desire to turn back. This hike? It’s torture. Beautiful, yes, with views that would make any postcard blush, but torture. I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes. And I’m not exaggerating. I was pretty sure I was going to pass out from the heat and dehydration, and become a cautionary tale for other tourists. My emotions? Alternating between profound regret, sheer stubbornness, and a low-grade panic. I'm pretty sure the sun was trying to incinerate me. Did I take enough water? NO! Did I bring the right shoes? NO! Why am I doing this? To say I conquered Camelback Mountain would be an immense and probably undeserved overstatement. Let's just say I "made it up a portion of the trail."
- 12:00 PM: Back at the hotel: I'm a sweaty, defeated mess. I collapse in the shower. Cold water, the only thing keeping me alive.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch because duh. I eat a mountain of food, mostly to replace the calories (and misery) I burned off on the (attempted) hike.
- 2:00 PM: Pool time! The pool is great, and I immediately regret not coming here first. It's a great way to sit and relax, while also getting a tan.
- 4:00 PM: After a quick nap, I'm ready to explore the area. It's time to go check out a museum of sorts.
- 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Cultural experience. I visit the Musical Instrument Museum. This place is amazing. I spend hours here. From the grand piano to all the various musical instruments, I get enthralled with the history of music. I learn a lot, and it's great to know that this museum is here.
- 6:30 PM: Back to the hotel for a quick rest.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the entertainment district. I have more dinner, and then I retire back to the hotel.
Day 3: A Slow Fade
- 8:00 AM: Another "free" breakfast. The eggs are somehow even more… eggsy. Coffee is still… coffee.
- 9:00 AM: Check-out. Goodbye Hampton Inn. It was… a place.
- 9:30 AM: Hit the shops. They're all the same, but I have nothing else to do.
- 11:00 AM: Back to the airport.
- 1:00 PM: Goodbye Arizona, and goodbye, to the strange vacation.
And that’s it folks. Hopefully, I will be back here. I'll try to follow this schedule, or at least, try. Until the next adventure!
Capitol Plaza Hotel: Your Jefferson City Getaway Awaits!
Escape to Paradise? ... Okay, Let's Talk Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Glendale/Westgate, Shall We? (The *Real* Dirt)
So, "Escape to Paradise"? ... Is it *really* paradise at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Glendale/Westgate? Don't lie to me.
What are the rooms *really* like? Are we talking cockroaches and peeling wallpaper? (I have trust issues.)
Breakfast. I'm a breakfast person. Is the "Complimentary Hot Breakfast" actually worth rolling out of bed for? Be honest.
Oh! And once, they had these blueberry muffins. They changed my life. Temporarily. I ate, like, five.
What about the pool? Is it a sparkling oasis or a chlorine-filled swamp of despair?
Once, I witnessed a full-blown toddler meltdown *right* next to the pool. It was a symphony of screams and splashing, and honestly? I almost joined in. It was that overwhelming. My "relaxing swim" turned into a front-row seat to a toddler opera. That day, the pool felt more like a test of human endurance. So, your mileage *will* vary. Bring earplugs, just in case. And maybe a strong drink.
Is there a gym? And if so, is it a joke?
Location, location, location! Is it actually convenient to anything good? (Westgate, anyone?)
What about the staff? Are they friendly? (Or are they secretly plotting my demise?)
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