
Havre de Grace Getaway: Unbeatable Super 8 Deals!
Havre de Grace Getaway: Super 8… and a Whole Lotta Surprises! (A Messy, Honest Review)
Alright, folks, buckle up. We're heading to Havre de Grace, Maryland, and the infamous "Unbeatable Super 8 Deals!"… or, as I'm now affectionately calling them, "The Super 8 and the Mystery of the Missing Remote Control" (more on that later). My expectations? Let's just say they were low enough to limbo under. But, you know what? It wasn't all bad. Actually, parts of it were… surprisingly good.
Accessibility & First Impressions (The "Almost There" Zone)
Okay, so, Accessibility is a mixed bag. While I didn't need a wheelchair-accessible room, I did poke my head in a few. They have them, which is a huge plus. Wheelchair accessible entrances are marked (phew!), and that's always a relief. Elevator present? Yup. Good start, Super 8. But navigating the hallways felt a little… cramped. And the "Facilities for disabled guests" seemed to be mostly… well, just there. Not particularly thoughtful. More like "we ticked the box."
Check-in/out: The "Speed of Greed" Edition
Contactless check-in/out - that's a lifesaver these days, right? Well, it was mostly contactless. I did have to awkwardly wave my phone at a slightly bewildered staff member for a minute. “I’m sure it’s fine!” he’d eventually yell, and the deal was done!. Check-in/out [express]? Absolutely. Like, blink-and-you-miss-it express. Which is nice, I guess, except when you're trying to figure out how to get the elevator to work. (Turns out, you need your room key. Duh).
Cleanliness & Safety: The "Sanitized… Maybe?" Saga
Let's be honest, this is the big one these days. Cleanliness and safety are more important than ever. The Super 8 claims to be on it. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and staff supposedly trained on safety. I saw them wiping down the front desk… occasionally. I did see some evidence of Hand sanitizer stations, and that's always a good sign. But that "Rooms sanitized between stays"? I'm not entirely convinced. Like, I saw a stray sock under the bed. Judge me, I was on the floor looking for the remote (see, I told you!). However: I did not get sick. So, good enough? Maybe.
The Remote Control Conundrum & Room Revelations
Okay, so, the Non-smoking rooms are… well, they say they are. The first room, which, admittedly, was an accident: the door smelled like someone had been holding a cigarette convention in there. The second room (we got moved!), the “Non-smoking” was legit. Phew.
Inside, the room was your standard motel fare. Air conditioning worked, thank the heavens. Air conditioning in Public Areas? Yep, and thankfully so. We're talking Maryland in July. The Desk was…functional. The Closet had hangers. The Bathroom had a shower. The Mirror reflected my slightly weary face. The Complimentary tea and Coffee/tea maker were a nice touch, although, a tad clunky and ancient. The Free bottled water was a lifesaver because Lord knows I wasn't drinking the tap water (just a gut feeling). The most surprising and frankly unexpected thing was the extra long bed, which felt like it stretched out endlessly. (For a moment I wished for a marathon…)
But let's get back to the most pressing issue: The Missing Remote Control. Gone. Vanished. Poof. I searched under the beds, behind the curtains, in the mini-fridge (okay, maybe not), even under the (surprisingly comfy) Bathrobes. Nothing. The staff seemed… unfazed. "They disappear sometimes," the guy at the front desk shrugged. "It's a mystery." He then winked… which was… odd.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The "Don't Expect Gourmet" Plan
The "restaurant" is more of a… “breakfast nook.” We’re talking Breakfast [buffet] – basic, but edible. And that's all I can say. There were the usual suspects: Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, and the option of a Breakfast takeaway service, which was a godsend for those days I needed to hightail it out of there FAST. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yep. Coffee shop didn't exist. Snack bar didn't exist. You get the picture. It was functional, it was fed, it was gone.
Things To Do, Ways To Relax (or Not)
Okay, this is where things get… limited. Swimming pool? Outdoor, yes. But the “view” was of a parking lot. I did entertain myself for a while, however, because I could see the staff getting increasingly annoyed at my antics. Gym/fitness? Nope. Spa? Ha! This is Super 8, remember? Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage – all a resounding NO. Forget the wellness retreat, this is ways to relax on a budget.
Internet Access: Free Wi-Fi… Mostly?!
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! That's the headline. And it… mostly worked. I say "mostly" because there were times when the connection felt slower than a snail wearing lead boots. Internet? Intermittent. Internet [LAN] isn't even a thing here. Internet services? Fine, if you can handle intermittent Wi-Fi!
Services and Conveniences: The "Bare Essentials" Edition
They had the basics, thankfully. Daily housekeeping came through, though they never seemed to fully understand the art of making the bed. Laundry service - that was a life saver. Daily disinfection in common areas, mostly invisible. But you could buy Essential condiments in the convenience store! (I’m kidding!)
Getting Around: Wheels on Wheels on Wheels
Car park [free of charge]? Oh, yes, masses of it. Car park [on-site]? Indeed, and in walking distance. Airport transfer? Nope! And the Taxi service could barely make it to the airport!
For The Kids: Hold That Thought…
Family/child friendly? Maybe. There were no specific Kids facilities, but the staff seemed tolerant of… well, of everything. Babysitting service? Nope.
The Verdict: A Messy, But… Okay-ish… Experience
Look, the Havre de Grace Super 8 isn't the Ritz-Carlton. But it's… okay. It's functional. It’s cheap (that “unbeatable deal” is real!). It has its quirks (the remote control situation!). But, for a quick trip, especially if you're on a budget and mostly want a place to crash, it'll do the trick. Just pack your own remote control, and lower those expectations. Consider it a quirky adventure, filled with unexpected moments and a whole lot of "meh." And hey, you might even have a story or two to tell. I know I do. Overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars (mostly for the extra long bed).
Texas City Getaway: Unbeatable Comfort Inn & Suites Deals!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because you're about to get a taste of my actual travel planning, the kind that goes way beyond the sterile, "arrive, depart, repeat" itinerary. We’re pretending I'm going to Super 8 in Havre de Grace, right? Haha… right. Anyway:
My Hypothetical Super 8 Odyssey: A Week of Existential Exploration and Questionable Life Choices (AKA, My Vacation)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Maryland Crab Cake Quest (aka, Where's My Damn Luggage?)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at BWI. Ugh, airports. The sheer volume of humanity, the sterile air, the soul-crushing advertisements… I swear, they're designed to make you feel like a small cog in a giant, profit-driven machine. And, of course, my suitcase…WHERE IS IT?! Naturally, it’s been shipped to… I don’t even know. Somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle of Travel, apparently. Great start.
- 2:00 PM: After a frantic call to the airline (seriously, the hold music was torture), I finally find my Lyft. The poor driver, bless his heart, probably thought he was picking up a lunatic. I was a mess.
- 3:30 PM: Check into Super 8. Let's be honest, the motel isn’t the Ritz-Carlton, but after the airport drama, it's a welcome sight. The air conditioning is definitely cranked up to eleven, which is a good thing. I'm already sweating from the stress. The room… well, it’s a room. Cleanish. A little… beige. Kind of like my current mood.
- 4:00 PM: The Crabby Pilgrimage Begins. My mission: Find the perfect Maryland crab cake. This is serious business, people. I've researched – read ALL the online reviews – and I'm heading FIRST to Tidewater Marina. Apparently the view is great, which is always a plus.
- 6:00 PM: My Crab Cake Verdict: Okay, Tidewater Marina was AMAZING. The crab cakes were a revelation. Flaky, sweet crab. Just the right amount of seasoning. A light breading that didn't overpower the star of the show. And the view of the Susquehanna River? Chef's kiss. I almost cried. Okay, I might have teared up a little. It was that good.
- 7:30 PM: Stumble back to Super 8, full and happy but also slightly hungover from the complimentary wine I poured myself in the plastic cups from the bathroom. (Don’t judge.) Collapse onto the incredibly stiff bed. Consider ordering a pizza. Decide I'll walk to the vending machine for a Diet Coke instead. (Gotta stay healthy, right?)
Day 2: History, Water, and The Mystery of the Missing Remote
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. The sun's streaming in, making the beige room less depressing. (Maybe?) Scramble to get dressed.
- 10:00 AM: Head to the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum. I'm not a history buff, per se, but I do love a good story. Plus, I'm hoping they have air conditioning.
- 11:30 AM: The Maritime Museum was… interesting. Plenty of stuff about decoy ducks, apparently a big thing around here. Definitely learned something, which is always a bonus.
- 12:30 PM: Walk around the Havre de Grace Promenade. It's beautiful! The water, the boats, the little shops. For a moment, I forget all my worries.
- 1:30 PM: Lunch at MacGregor's Restaurant. It's got those classic vibes, so this feels perfect!
- 3:00 PM: Nap time. The TV remote has completely vanished into the ether. I'm pretty sure the room is haunted by a particularly mischievous ghost who enjoys hiding small, easily-lost objects.
- 6:00 PM: Attempted to eat dinner. Food poisoning is not fun.
Day 3: Double Down on the Crab Cake (and Fail)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. I'm still thinking about that crab cake from yesterday. This is an obsession, I tell you! I'm starting to feel like one of those food bloggers who film themselves eating at 3 AM.
- 10:00 AM: Return to Tidewater Marina, for the Crab Cake 2.0 experience. I order the same thing. I'm going to savor every bite.
- 11:00 AM: Something is wrong. It's just not as good. The crab cakes were overcooked. My emotional reaction to this culinary catastrophe? Devastation. It's like the love of my life just dumped me.
- 1:00 PM: I'm mad, and that's okay. I need to go for a run. I'm not a runner. I am so going to run. Oh, the shame… I feel like an idiot, but I'm going to run.
- 2:00 PM: Back at the motel. I feel like I just ran a marathon.
- 6:00 PM: Order pizza. It's… pizza.
- 7:00 PM: More despair. No remote.
- 8:00 PM: Attempt to read and stare at the wall. Fail.
Day 4: Random Adventures and Questionable Decisions
- 9:00 AM: Realize I need to buy more Diet Coke from the vending machine. Stock up on snacks.
- 10:00 AM: Decide to embrace the absurdity of life. Take a long walk.
- 1:00 PM: Find a local dive bar and eat greasy food.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the motel.
- 6:00 PM: More pizza.
Day 5: The Longing for Home
- 9:00 AM: The motel is closing in. I miss my own bed. I miss my dog. I miss normal.
- 10:00 AM: Final crab cake hunt. I found it:
- 12:30 PM: Head to the beach.
- 6:00 PM: Attempt a walk
- 8:00 PM: Watch TV! The remote is still gone.
Day 6: The Great Escape (or, the Day I Finally Find the Remote!)
- 9:00 AM: Last day! Thank the good lord. Wake up early, and that's a fantastic start. But wait…is that…the remote?! I DID IT!
- 12:00 AM: Breakfast. Final meal.
- 2:00 PM: Depart
- 4:00 PM: Back at BWI, waiting for my suitcase (fingers crossed!).
- 6:00 PM: HOME!
Day 7: Post-Trip Recovery and Crab Cake Dreams (and the lingering smell of cheap motel air freshener)
- All day: Recovering from the trip. Did I have fun? Maybe. Will I go back to Havre de Grace? Probably not! But it was an experience. A messy, imperfect, occasionally crab cake-filled experience. And hey, at least I found the remote.
This, my friends, is the truth about travel. It's not all perfectly curated Instagram posts and glamorous adventures. It's about the unexpected, the slightly disappointing, the hilarious, and the occasionally soul-crushing. And sometimes, it's just about finding a decent crab cake.
I hope you enjoyed this. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go lie down until my brain stops hurting.
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Havre de Grace Getaway: Super 8 Deals... Is it *Really* Worth It?! Let's Unpack This Mess...
Okay, seriously, what's the actual deal with these "Unbeatable Super 8 Deals" in Havre de Grace? Sounds kinda… too good to be true, right?
What's the *catch*? There's gotta be a catch! Are the rooms actually haunted? Or, like, overrun with… things?
So, the rooms themselves... what are they actually *like*? Are we talking "clean," or "clean-ish"?
What's the *best* part about staying at the Super 8 in Havre de Grace? And what about the *worst*? Spill the tea!
Is it actually *safe*? I mean, Havre de Grace seems nice and all, but…
Okay, let's talk about the BREAKFAST, because I'm a breakfast person! Give me the unvarnished truth! Is it edible?
Are there any *hidden gems* nearby that I should know about? Restaurant recommendations? Activities? Spill the secrets!


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