Gettysburg's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Gettysburg's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - A Messy, Honest, & Possibly Slightly Crazy Dive
Alright, listen up, history buffs and bargain hunters! You're scrolling through TripAdvisor, desperately trying to find a decent place to crash after you've had your fill of Gettysburg's hallowed ground. Well, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the (slightly lukewarm) tea on the Days Inn. And trust me, it's a journey.
First, the Essentials (and the Surprisingly Good Bits):
- Accessibility: Look, I can't personally vouch for the wheelchair accessibility, but the listing says it's there. They mention facilities for disabled guests, elevators etc. so that's a check. I'm hoping the reality lives up to the promise.
- Internet, Glorious Internet! Okay, this is a big one for me. I need to stay connected. They boast free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Praise be! And yes, it mostly worked. Speeds weren't blazing, mind you, but hey, I could still stream about a half hour of a show before it started buffering. Free Wi-Fi in public areas too, which is always a win for procrastinating in the lobby.
- Cleanliness and Safety (The "Did They Actually Do This?"): This is where things got interesting. Days Inn is advertising all the COVID stuff. They’ve got: Anti-viral cleaning products, individually wrapped food options, daily disinfection, and rooms sanitized between stays. I'm highly skeptical. I mean, I saw cleaning staff, but were they hitting every surface with that space-age disinfectant? Did I see the elusive "sterilizing equipment?" Nope. But the idea is reassuring, I guess? They claim to be serious about safety the staff being trained and all. Well, I hope so.
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The "Breakfast of Champions…?"): Alright, the breakfast. The breakfast. It's a continental situation, folks. Think: limp bagels, sad-looking donuts, and pre-packaged fruit. They say they have an Asian breakfast option. I'm going to assume that means, you get a rice cake. There's a "restaurant", but it honestly seems like it just serves the breakfast stuff. Coffee shop is there. At least, there was coffee.
Now, the Quirky & Candid (And the Rambling Begins):
- My Room: The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Beige: Okay, let's talk about the room. The description of "available in all rooms" is mostly accurate. Air conditioning? Yup. Alarm clock? Check. Hair dryer? Yes. But, y'know, there was a certain… beige-ness to it all. Beige walls, beige carpet, beige furniture. It’s like living in a giant egg carton. But, hey, the bed was comfy enough. The blackout curtains saved me (a must in my book – I need my sleep!). The TV has cable channels. I swear, I watched the whole day and never changed the channel.
- Bathroom revelations: The bathroom was functional. Clean, thankfully. The toiletries were standard hotel fare. I appreciated the plentiful supply of towels. And I was very happy with the extra toilet.
- Internet access – LAN: the LAN network was there, so I could plug in my computer if I wanted to? I did not. I am too lazy.
- Things to Do (Beyond the Battlefields): Okay, they have a swimming pool, maybe? They didn't exactly advertise it, but the listing suggests they do. I never saw it. I was too busy wandering around Gettysburg, feeling the weight of history. However, if you do want to relax (and escape the beige!), you can always just chill at the gym or fitness center. I wanted to hit the gym for a workout, but I forgot my shoes.
- Services and Amenities (The "Hidden Gems?"):
- The Front Desk: The people at the front desk were mostly friendly. Check-in/out was quick and painless, which is always a plus. They have a concierge. I didn't use it.
- Business Facilities: They had a Xerox/fax in business center. I guess you need it.
- Laundry Service The laundry service was okay. But it was more expensive than I was expecting.
- Convenience Store: The convenience store has snacks, but they’re way overpriced.
- For the Kids (Bless Their Hearts): Babysitting service. Kids facilities. And a kids meal. I don't have kids so I didn't care.
- Getting Around (Parking and the Like): Free car park. Free car park. Glorious, glorious free car park!
- I have no idea what a couple's room is.
The Emotional Rollercoaster (Where I Get REALLY Real):
Okay, here's the truth, folks. The Days Inn is not the Ritz. It's not a luxury experience. But, and this is a big but, it was… okay. It wasn't a disaster. It wasn't a glorious experience either. It was just … a place. A place to sleep. A place to shower. A place to recover from the emotional and physical toll of visiting Gettysburg (which, let me tell you, is significant).
My most vivid moment? It was when I found myself desperately trying to connect to the Wi-Fi at 2 am, fuelled by instant ramen and the sheer need to watch a stupid YouTube video. In that moment, the Days Inn felt… like home. A beige, slightly musty home.
The Verdict (Finally!):
- Would I stay here again? Honestly, maybe. If the price is right, and I'm just looking to crash, it’s a simple choice for accommodation.
- Is it the "BEST Kept Secret?" Absolutely not. It's a Days Inn. But it gets the job done.
- Final Thoughts: Manage your expectations. Embrace the beige. And bring snacks. And most of all, be kind to the staff. They're probably dealing with a lot. And maybe, just maybe, the Days Inn in Gettysburg will surprise you. It surprised me. And I'm still processing it. Go on, book your stay. Let me know what you think! I am eager to hear about your experience.
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your Mom's perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is a Gettysburg, PA adventure, lived and breathed, starting, of course, at the ahem… Days Inn by Wyndham. Let’s get real.
Gettysburg Gauntlet: A Days Inn Pilgrimage (with occasional side quests – and probable meltdowns)
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Disappointment (aka, "The Quest for the Remote")
1:00 PM: Arrive at the Days Inn. Oh boy. Let's be honest, the exterior looked slightly… well, let's call it distinguished. Inside? The air conditioning was apparently taking a nap. Which in July in Pennsylvania, is basically a death sentence. The front desk lady seemed nice enough, but I swear her smile was practiced from years of dealing with cranky tourists. Check-in was thankfully smooth, although I now suspect the "complimentary coffee" they advertised was brewed in the Mesozoic Era.
1:30 PM: Room reconnaissance. Okay, the bed looks comfy… the TV is ancient, and the remote vanished into the twilight zone. My inner control freak nearly had a coronary. Quest initiation: Find the remote, or succumb to the boredom of staring at the ceiling.
1:45 PM: Success! Found the remote. Located under the bed, next to a rogue sock and a dust bunny the size of a small rodent. Victory! Time to figure out which of the 50 channels is playing something vaguely watchable. Spoiler alert: It wasn't a winning selection.
2:00 PM: Mild panic. Realized I forgot my toothbrush. Sigh.
2:30 PM: A walk around. The pool looked inviting, but the chlorine smell was a bit… intense. Decide to hold on.
3:00 PM: Gettysburg National Military Park. First stop: The Visitor Center. Okay, this is actually pretty cool. The cyclorama painting? Massive and mind-blowing. Got completely lost in the battle for a good hour. This is why I wanted to come here. I’m a sucker for history, even if I’m woefully inept in remembering all the dates and names.
5:00 PM: Battlefield tour. I'm on a bus, which, after the initial excitement wore off, became a bit of a snooze fest. The guide was clearly passionate, but his voice lulled me into a delightful semi-conscious state. At one point, I swear I saw a squirrel wearing a tiny Union uniform. (Probably the heat.)
7:00 PM: Dinner at a "historic" restaurant. The food was… well, I've had better. The ambiance, however, was amazing. The dim lighting, the murmur of conversations, the faint smell of… old wood? I'm not sure, but I sort of loved it.
8:30 PM: Attempted night photography of the battlefield. Failed miserably. The only thing I captured was a blurry, dark blob that could have been a ghost, or just a faulty lens.
10:00 PM: Back to the Days Inn. The AC is still a traitor. More remote hunting, this time for my sanity. And a desperate plea for a decent television program.
Day 2: The Highs, the Lows, and the Ghostly Mishaps
8:00 AM: The "complimentary breakfast." Okay, the coffee is… still prehistoric, but the waffles were unexpectedly decent. Fuel up. I need it.
9:00 AM: Cemetery Hill. This is where the goosebumps really started. Standing where so much history and sorrow seeped into the soil felt intensely humbling. The sheer number of headstones is staggering.
10:30 AM: Little Round Top. Climbing this hill kicked my butt. I’m way out of shape. The view from the top? Incredible, even if I was a sweaty, red-faced mess. My water bottle mysteriously vanished during my climb. Maybe a hungry ghost?
12:00 PM: Lunch at a ridiculously kitschy diner that advertised "authentic" apple pie. It was… passable. The waitress had seen some stuff, I could tell. The way she filled my coffee cup was simultaneously efficient and melancholic.
1:30 PM: The Gettysburg Museum of History. Another emotional reckoning. So much stuff. I felt overwhelmed. I’d be lying if I didn’t tear up a little when I saw the letters back home.
3:00 PM: Battlefield exploration (repeat). I decided to revisit the area of Pickett's Charge. The scope of the charge is breathtaking. Even not knowing a lot about the specifics, you can stand in the field they traversed, and you can imagine it. It was an emotional day, to say the least.
5:00 PM: Ghost tour! This was the main reason I booked this trip. The tour guide was a bit cheesy, but the stories were thrilling. We walked through old houses, and I swear—I SAW A SHADOW. Could a ghost be hanging around my room in the Days Inn?
7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant. The servers were more interested in their phones this time.
8:00 PM: Back to the Days Inn. I swear, there was a cold spot in my room! Cold, and kind of… oppressive. Is it my imagination? I’m half-convinced my hotel room might be haunted. The sheets got inexplicably tangled as I settled in for the night. This has to be the ghost.
11:00 PM: Staying up. The lights flickered. I swear I heard whispers. Okay, maybe I need to go back to sleep.
Day 3: Farewell… and a Few Remaining Shenanigans
- 9:00 AM: One last attempt at the (horrible) complimentary coffee (desperate times). I went to see the museum again. I noticed some details I didn’t catch before.
- 10:00 AM: Checking out. Found a hair tie in the shower. Is that mine? Well, whatever. Gotta move on.
- 10:30 AM: One more drive around the battlefield. This time, I'm alone. I'm processing everything.
- 12:00 PM: Drive away. Okay, Gettysburg, you were a trip. The Days Inn? Well, let's just say it added to the experience. Would I recommend it? Maybe not. Would I go back to Gettysburg? Absolutely. History and mystery are my jam. Maybe next time, I'll spring for a nicer hotel. And a better hair dryer. And a lot fewer ghost stories.
This itinerary is imperfect, just like the trip itself. There was boredom, exhaustion, genuine awe, and a healthy dose of silliness. But that's what makes it real. And that's what makes it memorable. So, get out there and make your own Gettysburg story. And for the love of all that is holy, bring your own toothbrush.
Conyers Getaway: Unbeatable Econo Lodge Deals!
Okay, spill the beans! What's Gettysburg's "Best Kept Secret" at Days Inn? I'm intrigued (and maybe slightly skeptical...).
Alright, alright, settle down! Look, I *get* the skepticism. Days Inn? In Gettysburg? Sounds about as thrilling as watching paint dry, right? WRONG. The secret? It's not the building itself, let's be honest, it's a Days Inn. But the *experience*... THAT'S where the magic's at. Okay, so it’s not *real* magic, more like… unexpectedly good value for money + a decent location. And sometimes, just *sometimes*, a genuinely surprising encounter with someone, a fellow traveler, or even a staff member who makes you think, "Huh. That's actually kinda cool." It boils down to expectations vs. reality, and in this case, reality punches above its weight class.
Seriously? Better location than say, the Gettysburg Hotel (which I've heard is ridiculously overpriced)?
Okay, the Gettysburg Hotel... yeah, it's gorgeous. And overpriced. The Days Inn, strategically located, might not have the *charm* of a ghost sighting, but it's CLOSE. Like, seriously close. Walking distance to the battlefield, the visitor center, and a few decent (and surprisingly, not *awful*) restaurants. You're not paying premium for that, either. I remember one time, I was so tired after a whole day of walking the battlefield (gotta see EVERYTHING, right?) I practically rolled myself into the hotel. Saved me a HUGE Uber bill. That kind of practicality is a hidden superpower.
What about the rooms themselves? Are we talking '70s motel chic or something marginally better?
Look, let's be real, the rooms are… utilitarian. Don't go expecting plush carpets or a jacuzzi tub. Expect… clean. And functional. The last time I was there the carpet looked… well, it looked like carpet. Not *brand new* carpet, mind you. But clean-ish. I’ve definitely stayed in worse. I’ve also stayed in better. It's a roll-of-the-dice situation there. You *might* luck out and get a recently renovated room, or you might get one that’s seen better decades. But it's always clean, and the bed is… usually comfortable enough to pass out in after a long day. Let’s be honest, you're not there to admire the decor, are you? You're there to explore Gettysburg. And to maybe, just maybe, get a good night's sleep.
Tell me about the breakfast. Breakfast is crucial. Does it have… waffles?
WAFFLES. This is the big one, folks. You know how I said it's not *about* the building? Scratch that. *Breakfast* is about the building! AND YES. They have waffles. Freshly made (or, you know, the kind that comes out of those automatic machines of glory). Are they Michelin-star waffles? Absolutely not. Are they… adequate? Yes. Are they waffles, providing a warm and satisfying start to the day? YES. Honestly, I'd say the breakfast is the highlight. There's also the standard continental fare: cereal, toast, bagels, sometimes even (gasp!) scrambled eggs. It's a decent, unfussy, and *free* breakfast. And for a cheapskate like me, that matters. One time, I saw a kid nearly inhale ten of those waffles. It was… inspiring.
What's the WiFi like? Gotta stay connected, you know... post on Instagram about the battlefield, maybe?
Okay, the WiFi… isn’t the *strongest* link in the chain. Think of it as... a suggestion of connectivity. It’s usually enough to check emails and browse, but don’t expect to stream HD movies. And uploading those battlefield selfies? Be prepared for some buffering. But hey, you're in Gettysburg! Put down your phone and look around! (I say, typing this entire review on my own phone). Honestly it works, it does the job, and it's free of charge. I've encountered worse in 'luxury' hotels.
Is there a pool? Because I'm *always* in the mood for a swim.
There *is* a pool! And... again, manage your expectations. It's not a resort-style pool, but it's a pool. It's clean, it's there, and it's refreshing after a hot day of history-ing. I'm not sure about the temperature. Probably lukewarm. I always mean to take a quick swim, but I invariably skip it. Maybe next time! My buddy got stuck in it for an hour once when the pump broke. He was *not* pleased, but, well, that’s an outlier experience, I think.
Any downsides? Gotta be *something*, right?
Okay, yes. There are downsides. The walls are thin – you can hear *everything* from your neighbors. Bring earplugs. Seriously. The parking situation can be a bit of a free-for-all, especially during peak season. The elevator… well, it exists. It’s slow. The decor is… basic. You'll probably hear the occasional loud truck. But honestly? For the price, and the location? It's pretty hard to complain too much. It's a solid B-. Maybe a B on a good day, when the waffle machine is working extra well. It's not the Ritz, okay? It's a Days Inn. But it's a *functional* Days Inn. And sometimes, function is all you need.
Any memorable experiences you'd share? Something that proves it's not *just* a cheap place to sleep?
Okay, this is where it gets weird, and maybe a little bit embarrassing. I was there last year, right? Late September. Beautiful weather. I was in Gettysburg for a solo road trip, doing my usual history binge. Check-in at the front desk: typical grumpy guy. No smiles. Whatever. But the lady serving breakfast the next day, this kind elderly soul, she was completely unlike that front desk man, and she was SO genuinely friendly, she'd seen me get up and go back to my room at 6am, and came running after me because I'd forgotten my backpack in the breakfast area. She *knew* I'd forgotten it. And she knew exactly where I was going, because I'd mentioned it in passing. That felt really heartwarming. I could've been a slob, or a jerk, or a nightmare customer. But she didn't care. I think it was that bit of kindness that transformed the whole experience. It was the opposite of what I was expecting from a cheap hotel. It’s those little moments of human connection that you remember, not the thread count of the sheets. So yeah, itRoaming Hotels
Post a Comment for "Gettysburg's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!)"