St. Augustine Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn I-95 Deal!
St. Augustine Getaway: Days Inn I-95 Deal - Or, How I Almost Lost My Mind (But Mostly Liked It!)
Okay, so let's be honest. When I saw "Unbeatable Days Inn I-95 Deal!" I wasn't expecting the Ritz. More like, "Clean sheets, a functioning TV, and maybe, just maybe, a decent cup of coffee." And for the price? Heck yeah, sign me up for a quick St. Augustine jaunt. But… did it live up to the hype? Well, buckle up buttercups, because this is gonna be a ride.
Accessibility - The Good, The Weird, and the "Oh, Really?"
Let's kick things off with the nitty-gritty. Accessibility is a HUGE deal for some folks, and I appreciate that they claim to be on board. The website whispered promises of ramps, elevators, and… well, facilities for disabled guests. I didn't personally need any of that this trip, but I did keep an eye out. The lobby seemed okay, the elevators were… present (phew!), and the exterior looked pretty level for a while. Look, the "Facilities for disabled guests" is often the biggest mystery box. I'd suggest calling ahead and confirming your specific needs if accessibility is a must-have. Seriously. Don’t just trust the internet.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I didn't see any dedicated "accessible restaurants" – no rainbow flags hanging over the buffet! But, the main dining area seemed somewhat accessible, which is a start.
Wheelchair accessible: The elevator was there, and some areas seemed navigable. But honestly, I'd need someone with more experience to give a definitive "yay" or "nay".
Speaking of the internet…
Internet Access - My Personal Wi-Fi Saga
Alright, let’s dive deep into the digital abyss. Internet access is non-negotiable in this day and age. And, thankfully, Day’s Inn understands. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – hallelujah! I mean, I need to Instagram my breakfast, obviously.
However, the "free" part came with a few… hiccups. The signal in my room was about as strong as a feather in a hurricane. I’d try to upload a photo and end up staring at that little spinning wheel for an eternity. Internet (LAN)? Nope, never saw a cable outlet. No go there. Forget it. Internet services were, well, available. The Wi-Fi did eventually connect. It just took a prayer and a sacrifice to the internet gods. And Wi-Fi in public areas was also spotty. I think I saw more people wandering the lobby, phones held aloft like divining rods, than actually using the 'net.
Things to Do… and More Things to Eat (aka, The Buffet!)
So, St. Augustine! Gorgeous city. Filled with history. Things to do? Loads. But let's be honest, sometimes you just wanna veg. And the Days Inn delivers on the "veg" front. Sort of.
Ways to Relax: The hotel has a pool with a view… of the asphalt and I-95. Not exactly a postcard vista, but hey, it's a pool. A welcome relief on a hot day. Sauna, spa, steamroom, massage, foot bath, gym/fitness, body scrub, body wrap – none of those existed. Sadly. I was so hoping for a decadent spa day! But no. You're here for budget-friendly and a nice hotel.
Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool itself? Clean-ish. I saw a couple of rogue leaves, which is to be expected. Kids running around, people splashing. Pretty standard. Got the job done.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Breakfast Buffet Blues (and Bacon!)
The heart of any hotel experience, for me, and probably you, is the food. And the Days Inn claims to have the goods.
Restaurants: Technically, there's a restaurant. It's where the Breakfast [buffet] happens. Prepare for the breakfast… adventure.
Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, the breakfast buffet was… an experience. Think pre-pandemic cafeteria food. I'm talking scrambled eggs that were… suspiciously yellow. Sausage links that looked like they’d been through a few rounds. But! The bacon! The bacon was actually… pretty good. A small victory. They do offer Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, all in theory. In practical terms, it's what you see on the buffet.
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement: I didn't bother. I needed to get out of there FAST!
Poolside bar: Didn't see it. Which is not surprising.
Coffee shop: No. Sad face.
Snack bar: No. Double sad face.
Room service [24-hour]: Absolutely not.
Happy hour: In my dreams!
Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: I’m not even going to ask.
Bar: One could only dream.
The Cleanliness and Safety Dance (aka, Did I Catch Anything?)
In these times, safety is at the top of the list. Let's see if the Days Inn was on top of it.
The hotel had a good start.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: I'm not sure if they used my breakfast or my room.
Cashless payment service: Thank goodness.
Daily disinfection in common areas: I saw a lot of cleaning, and a lot of Lysol.
Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Good to know, but I didn't need them.
Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
Hot water linen and laundry washing: Check.
Hygiene certification: They had some kind of certificate.
Individually-wrapped food options: Score one for safety!
Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They try, but people are just people.
Professional-grade sanitizing services: They are using pro products.
Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Check, check, and check.
Shared stationery removed: Good thing.
Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it, considering the panic in some of their eyes when I approached the buffet.
Sterilizing equipment: I didn’t see any.
For The Kids - Babysitting isn't on offer, but they'll survive
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: None of them. Though, the kid's meal is provided by the buffet.
Services and Conveniences – The Unsung Heroes (and the Not-So-Heroes)
Let's talk about the little things that make or break a stay.
Air conditioning in public area: Yup, it's a must-have in Florida.
Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities: No.
Cash withdrawal: Fine! There's an ATM.
Concierge: Nope. You're on your own, buddy.
Contactless check-in/out: They tried! And it was mostly successful.
Convenience store: Nope.
Currency exchange: LOL.
Daily housekeeping: They did a good job in the room.
Doorman: No.
Dry cleaning: Nope.
Elevator: Good.
Essential condiments: You'll find salt and pepper.
Facilities for disabled guests: We covered this.
Food delivery: There are options.
Gift/souvenir shop: Nope.
Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, Meetings, Seminars: None.
Invoice provided: Sure.
Ironing service: Maybe.
Laundry service: No.
Luggage storage: Yes.
Meeting/banquet facilities: None.
Meeting stationery, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Nope, nope, nope.
Getting Around – Parking is Free! (Hooray!)
Airport transfer: No.
Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: All good.
Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Nah.
Available in all rooms:
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box: All present!
**Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed,
Champaign's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-planned itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is a trip to St. Augustine, Florida, starting from… well, from the Days Inn off I-95, because let's be honest, that's where the adventure really begins.
St. Augustine, Florida: A Days Inn Odyssey (and Beyond!)
(Day 1: Arrival, Realization, and the Quest for Coffee)
3:00 PM: Arrive at the hallowed halls of the Days Inn. Oh, the excitement! The anticipation! The… slightly aggressive smell of chlorine? (Seriously, what is that?!) The booking was smooth enough - thank God. The lobby looks like a slightly faded postcard of the 1980's but hey, the price was right. I've got a room with a view! (Hopefully, the view is something other than more parking lot). Unpack. Immediately regret over-packing. Why do I always pack that extra, "just in case" outfit? The "just in case" rarely, if ever, comes into play.
3:30 PM: The Room Inspection. Okay, here we go. Do I have enough towels? Are there questionable stains on the bedspread? (Deep breath). Ah, yes. The standard Days Inn fare: two mismatched towels, a TV that probably works, and a surprisingly comfortable bed. Success! First hurdle cleared. Now, where's the coffee? The complimentary "continental breakfast" later on is a terrifying concept. (Think: sad-looking muffins and lukewarm juice).
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The Hunt for Caffeine and the Mall of Disappointments. Google Maps to the rescue! I need caffeine. Now. Driving around the Outlet Mall (which is, incidentally, right next door, but the signage is… a work in progress, to say the least), I somehow manage to miss the Starbucks. Twice. I ended up at a generic, overpriced gas station coffee that tastes like burnt rubber, and I'm now reconsidering every life choice that led me to this moment. This, my friends, is the true definition of a travel hazard. Maybe I should have just packed my own instant coffee.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: A Quick Scope of the Area. A quick drive along the I-95 corridor is a glimpse into the soul of American capitalism. A sea of chain restaurants, gas stations, and billboards. The sun is starting to set casting long shadows across the highways. I feel the slight tinge of melancholy. I feel like this is my own little slice of Americana, and I kind of dig it.
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner, A Culinary Mishap. Decided on a local Italian place near the hotel. Not the worst, not the best. The waiter seemed bored, the pasta was a little overcooked, but the garlic knots! The garlic knots redeemed everything. They're worth the potential indigestion.
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Reading in bed. Considering an early night in. My mind begins to wander. What is the meaning of life, anyway? Am I going to enjoy this trip? Why do I always end up in the "budget" rooms? Sleep is needed.
(Day 2: History, Horses, and the Search for the Perfect Souvenir)
8:00 AM: Continental Breakfast: The Terrifying Reality. Okay, I'm brave. I've faced burnt rubber coffee, and the I-95 strip malls, I can handle this. It's…it's worse than I imagined. The muffins are indeed sad. The juice is suspiciously yellow. I grab a hard-boiled egg (who knows how long it's been there) and a banana. Survival mode activated. Get out of here.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Old City… or, Attempting to "do" all of St. Augustine's History in Three Hours. Okay, so, the actual city of St. Augustine is pretty amazing. Cobblestone streets, ancient buildings… it’s like stepping back in time. But the crowds! People everywhere! (And, honestly, I'm pretty sure I walked into one of those horse-drawn carriage tours. Awkward). First stop: Castillo de San Marcos. It's impressive! And enormous! My feet already hurt. I snap photos (of course) and try to absorb some history but my mind wanders. I'm mostly thinking about lunch.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch! (Again, the most crucial part of the day). Found a cute little cafe with outdoor seating. Ordered a sandwich, watched the people go by. Felt momentarily smug, like I'm doing "vacation" right.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Search for the Perfect Souvenir. Ugh, the souvenir shops. So many plastic pirate swords. Endless t-shirts. I aim for something, you know, authentic. After an hour (and several failed attempts at finding something that doesn't scream "tourist trap"), I stumble upon a small art gallery. Purchase a lovely little watercolor. Expensive, but worth it. I feel like a cultured traveler.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Wandering. The sun is beating down. My feet ache. I'm starting to lose track of where I am. I pass a bookstore and pause to read an interesting excerpt - a book about pirates. Wait. Was it about love? I wander.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: A Trip Down a Rabbit Hole…and a Little Bit of Regret. I stumbled upon a "ghost tour" and, completely out of character, I bought a ticket. Okay, okay. I like haunted houses, why am I fighting this? The tour guide was… intense. Lots of tales of ghostly figures, spooky shadows, and the feeling of cold spots. I was, secretly, absolutely terrified. At one point, I thought I saw a ghost. (Probably just the wind). The tour ended, and I immediately wished I hadn't eaten that slice of pizza at lunch. (Why am I doing this?!).
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner, Alone. Trying to be less terrified. I found a nicer restaurant and treated myself to a solo meal. I did feel a little awkward eating alone here, but I reminded myself that I wouldn't have to share my dessert.
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Netflix. The comfort of a boring TV show. The fear of the paranormal is slowly eroding, replaced by the mundane comfort of the hotel. I plan for tomorrow.
(Day 3: Beach Day, Unexpected Detours, and The Realization That You Can’t Control Everything)
8:00 AM: Breakfast Part Two. I skip the Continental Breakfast. I'm a survivor. I find a diner near the hotel, instead. A proper, greasy-spoon breakfast. Eggs, bacon, toast. I feel like a new person.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Beach Time! Finally! I packed my swimsuit! I have sunscreen! I drive to the beach, finding a parking spot. It's beautiful. The ocean is blue. The sand is soft. I bury my toes in the sand, and for a moment… pure bliss. I start walking. The water is freezing! I got sunburned. The beach is crowded! I'm a mess!
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch, Beachside. Okay, so, my ideal "beach lunch" involved a beautiful sandwich and a bottle of cold Rose’. Turns out, the closest beach-side establishment is a hot dog stand. Hot dog and a bottled water. It's… functional.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Unexpected Detour That Almost Ruined Everything. (And, spoiler alert, didn't). Okay, so, remember how I said I "planned" this trip? Well, a sudden downpour hit. Torrential. The beach was abandoned. I was soaked. I found myself driving aimlessly, trying to escape the rain. Ended up… lost. Completely lost. With no phone signal! Panic started creeping in. I took a deep breath and began to laugh when I tried to find the road.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Found My Way! Eventually, with the help of a friendly (and slightly bewildered) local, I found my way back to the main highway. I was wet, slightly traumatized, and absolutely starving again.
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St. Augustine Getaway: Unbeatable Days Inn I-95 Deal! - Or, Should You Even Bother?! (A Messy FAQ)
1. Okay, spill the tea! Is this "Unbeatable Days Inn Deal" actually *unbeatable*?! Because, let's be real, "unbeatable" is a STRONG word.
2. So, Days Inn. Tell me about the *parking*. Because I’ve heard horror stories.
3. Breakfast? Hotel breakfast is usually… a *thing*. Is this one a *thing* in a good or bad way?
4. The "Unbeatable Deal" – what kind of deal are we actually *talking* about? Is it a *steal* or just… a decent price?
5. Location, Location, Location! How far away is the actual *stuff*? Like, the historic district, the beaches, the… things.
6. Let's talk *rooms*. Are they… clean? Comfortable? Modern? (Be honest!)
7. The most important question: is it *worth it*? Should I book this deal RIGHT NOW?!
8. What about the pool? Because, a pool can make or break a vacation, you know.
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