Escape to Fayetteville: Luxurious Stay at Cross Creek Inn & Suites
Escape to Fayetteville: Cross Creek Inn & Suites - My Slightly Messy, Utterly Honest Take
Okay, so I just got back from Fayetteville, Arkansas, and, yeah, I stayed at the Cross Creek Inn & Suites. Let's just say, it wasn't quite the fairy tale I had envisioned, but it was an experience. And, hey, that’s what we're here for, right? The good, the bad, and the slightly mildewy…details. (Hang on, checking the notes…yes, still smells faintly of…something. I'll get to that.)
SEO & Metadata, We'll Get There… Eventualy (Because, let's be real, it's a pain)
- Keywords: Fayetteville Hotels, Cross Creek Inn & Suites Review, Arkansas Luxury, Spa, Wellness, Accessible Hotel, Free Wi-Fi, Pool, Restaurants, Family Friendly Fayetteville, Business Travel Fayetteville, Romantic Getaway, Clean Hotel, COVID-19 Safety, Fayetteville Lodging, Cross Creek Reviews
- Metadata Description: My brutally honest review of the Cross Creek Inn & Suites in Fayetteville, Arkansas! From the 'luxurious' rooms to the slightly underwhelming spa, I cover it all. Accessibility, cleanliness, the Wi-Fi (thank god!), the food, and that certain aroma – find out if this hotel lives up to the hype. Perfect for business travelers, families, or anyone looking for a Fayetteville adventure!
Right, Deep Breath, Let's Dive In… (And Maybe Get a Little Lost)
First things first: Accessibility. This is HUGE for me. I'm not in a wheelchair, but my needs are more… invisible (read: prone to dramatic meltdowns if the coffee isn't strong enough, the Wi-Fi drops out, etc.). Thankfully, Facilities for disabled guests were listed, which, whew! (I’m still trying to decipher how extensive that list is. My understanding and experience are somewhat different.) I also saw something about an elevator, which is always a win. So, thumbs up on that front, albeit a cautious one until I know the full scope.
The Room – My Sanctuary (or at least, a Temporary Home)
Alright, the room itself. Let's be honest, the pictures online were… optimistic. The reality? Well, it was clean-ish. And that's saying something after the drive I had.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (praise be!), Alarm clock (useful, though I managed to sleep through it anyway), Bathrobes (yay luxury!), Coffee/tea maker (essential!), Hair dryer (thank god, my hair is a disaster), Free Wi-Fi (more on that later), Internet access – wireless (see above), Minibar (I was hoping for more than water and… something that looked suspiciously like a protein bar?), Refrigerator (perfect for my stash of emergency snacks), Satellite/cable channels (needed for mindless television, which I definitely need), Shower (essential), Towels (clean… mostly), and even a Window that opens. (A little fresh air is always welcome.)
The Wi-Fi: My Digital Lifeline
The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! listing? Glorious. Free Wi-Fi on the menu? I’ll take it. And, you know what? It actually WORKED. Now, that might seem trivial. But when you’re a blogger (ahem, a writer) who needs to upload…well, everything… constant connectivity is crucial. Especially when the rest of your life feels about as connected as a dial-up modem in the 90s. And yes, I actually did use the Internet [LAN] to download a massive file, but that was out of desperation.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Slightly Questionable Buffet)
Ah, the Dining, drinking, and snacking situation. Let's break this down, shall we?
- Restaurants: Yep, plural! They offered a A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet] (more on that later), and Soup in the restaurant (I’m a sucker for soup). But the real highlight (and, let's be honest, the low point) was the Breakfast [buffet].
- The Buffet Saga: Look, I've seen better, and I've most definitely seen worse. Let's just say the eggs were… questionable (more like a yellow, rubbery substance), the bacon was crispy enough to shatter glass, and the coffee tasted like dishwater. I ate some of it because I was starving after a particularly long bout of driving. I mean, there were croissants, so they were decent.
- Asian breakfast: Did not try.
- Asian cuisine in the restaurant: Did not try.
- Western breakfast: Did actually try.
- Western cuisine in the restaurant: Did not try.
- Poolside bar: Couldn’t see one.
- Room service [24-hour]- a savior…
- Snack bar: I think yes, but don't recall…
Ways to Relax (and Possibly Get Away from the Slightly Rubbery Eggs)
- Pool with view: Yes, and it was actually lovely!
- Spa/sauna: Okay, here's where things get a little dicey. The Spa itself (I use that term very loosely) had Body scrub (Didn't try), Body wrap (didn't try), Foot bath (didn't try).
- Gym/fitness: There was a gym, but I didn't have the energy to even look at it.
- Sauna, Steamroom: Both looked pretty… basic.
- Massage: Actually, I did indulge in a massage. Decent, but nothing to write home about.
- Swimming pool / Swimming pool [outdoor]: Check and check!
Cleanliness and Safety – The New Normal (and the Lingering Smell)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: The hotel stated they used them, which is a huge plus, especially in the current climate.
- Breakfast in room: A nice touch, though I didn't use it.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed legit.
- Hand sanitizer: Plentiful, which is important.
- Hygiene certification: (I had no idea if they got it. I didn't check, and if I had, I might’ve been scared.)
- Rooms sanitized between stays: I assume so.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Yes.
For the Kids (because, let's face it, sometimes we need a break)
- Family/child friendly: Seemed to be, with a few families about.
- Babysitting service/Kids meal: Didnt try.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter (and the Occasional Disappointment)
- Air conditioning in public area: Thank goodness! (Arkansas summers, anyone?) Not sure how effective or what they were set to, but it was better than not having it.
- Concierge: Did not need.
- Currency exchange: I didn't check, but the sign was there.
- Daily housekeeping: The daily housekeeping was efficient. But, and this is a big BUT… the room still smelled.
- The Mystery Aroma: That lingering scent… I’m still unsure what it was. A hint of old carpet? A whisper of bleach? A phantom whiff of… something else entirely? It wasn’t terrible, but it was definitely noticeable. And yes, I tried to ventilate the room. I even left the window open for an hour (hence, the window’s inclusion in Available in all rooms).
- Ironing service: (Did not use)
- Laundry service: (Did not use)
- Elevator: Yay
- Facilities for disabled guests: Check.
Getting Around (and the Inevitable Parking Drama)
- Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]: YES. No extra fees for parking. Major win!
- Taxi service: Available, as they seemed to be everywhere, but did not need.
The Conclusion (aka, My Brain Dump)
Would I recommend the Cross Creek Inn & Suites? Well… it’s complicated. For the price, it was decent. The free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver. The staff was friendly enough. The pool was great. But the food was… not great. And the smell… oh, the smell.
Ultimately, it's a solid choice for a business trip or a family vacation, but if you're seeking the lap of luxury, you might want to manage your expectations. It’s got the basics down, safety wise, and the location is very central for Fayetteville. I give it a solid C+. Room for improvement, definitely. But hey, maybe that’s just the charm
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're going on a trip to the Cross Creek Inn & Suites By IHG in Fayetteville, NC, and trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride. Expect no pristine organization here. I'm winging this thing like a one-legged pigeon in a hurricane.
My "Plan" (More Like a Loose Suggestion)… Pray for Me:
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of a Budget Hotel
Time: Sometime after noon. Honestly? Who even knows. My flight was delayed (surprise!), which meant I spent an extra two hours breathing recycled airplane air and contemplating the meaninglessness of existence.
Destination: Cross Creek Inn & Suites, Fayetteville. Alright, alright, finally. Finding the place was actually easy, unlike that one time I tried to navigate the Paris metro while fueled solely by croissants and sheer stubbornness.
Transportation: Aeroplane (eventually), then a slightly terrifying rental car. Gotta love those budget airline deals… also gotta love the fact that those deals include baggage fees.
Mood: Exhausted, bordering on bewildered. Seriously, the airport had me questioning everything. Were those gate agents even human?
Arrival and Initial Impression: Okay, first impressions. The lobby… it's… beige. Beige and vaguely institutional. The air conditioning hummed, a comforting drone that could lull you into a nap or slowly drive you mad (jury's still out on that one). The check-in process was smooth. A lady with a kind smile handed me my keycard. I immediately dropped it. Classic me.
I got to my room. The bedspread? A floral massacre. I think my grandmother had curtains in a similar pattern in the 70s. I surveyed the room. Two double beds (for solo travel, what even?), a tiny TV that looked like it was from the Clinton administration, and a distinct aroma of… well, hotel. You know the smell. It's a mixture of cleaning products, stale air, and a ghost of someone else's life. Did I feel good? No, but I had a bed. I mean… it looked clean. Probably.
The Shower Saga: After unpacking, my next mission was to take that shower. I turned the handle and… nothing. No water. Just a pathetic, sputtering sound. So, I called the front desk and they sent someone up. This is where our hero, a burly dude with a surprisingly gentle demeanor, came in. He tinkered, he jiggled, he muttered, and finally, glorious water. "Low pressure," he explained. "But it works." It worked. But I think it had more pressure in a watering can.
Evening meal: After the shower, I had to eat something. I was hungry and the options were… limited. I decided to try the little "grill". The pizza was bland, but at least it arrived quickly, and the bartender was very friendly. I had no plans for seeing the city, so I watched some tv while eating.
Day 2: History, Hot Weather, and a Burger That Almost Broke Me
- Time: Morning, hopefully.
- Destination: Fort Bragg. The actual reason I'm here.
- Transportation: Car for sure.
- Mood: Slightly less existentially dread-inducing. Shower victory helped.
- Fort Bragg: Let me just say, Fort Bragg is HUGE. I got lost almost immediately. And I mean, seriously LOST. I ended up driving past a bunch of tanks and soldiers and feeling like I’d stumbled into a movie set. I didn't do a tour… I got a little bored with all the history.
- Lunch: Alright, so after all that military stuff, I was craving something. The air was thick with humidity, making me feel like I was constantly wrapped in a warm blanket. I found a local burger place. The burger was… legendary. It was a behemoth, dripping with cheese and bacon and all sorts of glorious, artery-clogging goodness. I ate the whole thing. I think that might have been a mistake. I paid for it later. Mostly in stomach pains.
- Evening: Went back to the hotel. The AC was still humming. I spent the rest of the day and evening basically horizontal, trying to digest that burger. Watched some more TV. Ordered some more bland food from a delivery service.
Day 3: Departures and Reflections (Mostly on Burgers)
- Time: Way too early. Pack-up time.
- Destination: The airport. Freedom! (And the promise of more recycled airplane air.)
- Transportation: Rental car, airport shuttle, plane
- Mood: Mostly just sore from that burger. And vaguely melancholy. It's funny, after all the chaos, I almost felt…attached to the beige walls of the hotel. Almost. Don't get any ideas.
- Departure: Leaving the hotel was uneventful. Checking out was as breezy as the check-in. On the flight, I pondered it all. The beige, the burger, the weird shower. The fact that I'm pretty sure I saw the same lady behind the counter every. Single. Time.
Final Thoughts (and a Confession):
The Cross Creek Inn & Suites? It was… a place. It provided shelter, hot (mostly) water, and the opportunity to contemplate the vastness of the universe while staring at a floral bedspread. It wasn't fancy, but it was functional. The location was fine (if you're into driving around). The staff was nice.
And that burger? I'm still thinking about that burger. Maybe it was worth it. Maybe not.
Would I recommend this trip? Well, that depends on your definition of "recommend." If you’re looking for luxury, skip it. If you’re looking for an honest, slightly messy travel experience with a side of existential dread and an unforgettable burger, then maybe… just maybe… this is the place for you.
One thing is for sure: I feel like I experienced Fayetteville, NC. The whole experience was messy, but it's hard to feel anything but. I would not have it any other way.
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Escape to Fayetteville: Cross Creek Inn & Suites - You Gotta Know This! (or Don't, Whatever)
Okay, Spill the Tea: Is Cross Creek Inn & Suites *Actually* Luxurious? The Website Lied to Me Before...
Luxury? *Lux-u-ry?* Let's just say, "luxurious" is a word with, shall we say, *interpretive flexibility.* Look, the photos online are, of course, airbrushed to all hell. But...and this is the thing…it's *Fayetteville.* Expectations need some serious lowering.
Here's the REAL deal: My room was...clean. Like, shockingly so. I mean, I've stayed in places where you're pretty sure the last guests were raising a family of dust bunnies under the bed. This...this was cleaner. The sheets were...sheets. Not sandpaper. And the bed? Surprisingly comfy! Definitely a step up from that hostel in Prague where I swore a colony of bedbugs was plotting my demise. So, yes, *compared to Prague hostels,* it's luxurious. Compared to a Four Seasons? Nah. But hey, it's a solid, comfortable, and dare I say…pleasant place to crash after a long day of…well… doing things in Fayetteville.
Oh, and the "free breakfast"? Don't get your hopes up for artisanal everything. Think toaster waffles. Lots and lots of toaster waffles. I swear, I saw a guy take like, seven. Seven! The mad lad. But those waffles, man…they hit the spot after a night of questionable decisions. So, yeah. "Luxurious"? Debatable. "Acceptably comfortable and providing a solid starting point for a morning's adventures"? Absolutely!
The Pool! The Pictures Promised Paradise! Is it…pool-like?
Alright, the pool. This is where the "luxurious" facade starts to crack a little. Let’s be honest: it’s a motel pool. Don't expect a cascading waterfall or a swim-up bar serving those tiny umbrella drinks. I'm pretty sure I saw a rogue leaf floating in there that had been there since the Clinton years. The water looked…well, it looked like pool water.
But here's the thing: After a sweaty day of...I can't even remember what I was doing but it involved the sun and probably a regrettable amount of barbeque, that pool was AMAZING. It was cool, it was wet, and it was a welcome respite from the sticky Fayetteville heat. I even saw a little kid cannonball into the shallow end, spraying water everywhere. Made me nostalgic for my own careless youth! The chlorine smell? Strong. The chlorine burn on your eyes? Legendary. But you know what? It was *perfectly fine.* It served its purpose. I survived. And I'd probably get back in there again, especially if there was a desperate need to cool off after some shenanigans.
Parking! I'm a Terrible Parallel Parker. Am I Doomed?
Parking? Oh, you're asking the important questions. Well, the good news is: yes, there’s parking. The BETTER news is: it's pretty standard. I'm talking "motel parking" standard. Which, in practice, means it's ample and free. Now, if you are *incredibly* unlucky you might have to walk a whole...thirty feet...to get to your room.
Personally, parking is a huge source of anxiety. I swear, I have a mental block. But even *I* managed to maneuver my rusty old hatchback into a spot without causing any major incidents. No dents! No confrontations with angry pickup truck drivers! It’s a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. I think, in the grand scheme of things, you will be more than ok.
Location, Location, Location! Is it close to *stuff*? I'm all about the *stuff*.
Location, location, *location.* Ah, the age-old real estate mantra. The Cross Creek Inn & Suites? It’s…adequately located. It’s not *right* downtown, but it's also not in the boonies. You're going to need a car, let's be real. Fayetteville isn't a stroll-around kind of town. But you're within a reasonable driving distance of… well, everything.
I'm terrible with directions, and even *I* managed to find my way to some pretty decent restaurants. There’s a Wal-Mart nearby (because, America!), gas stations galore, and enough other things to keep you occupied. I even managed a quick nip down to a local brewery. The Inn is well placed to be close to a wide variety of experiences, you just have to decide which ones to go on! So, yeah, the location is probably fine. Don't expect to walk everywhere, but don't expect to be stranded in the wilderness either. You should be good to go!
The WiFi! I Need to Update My Instagram. STAT. Is it…usable?
WiFi. The bane of the modern traveler. The lifeblood of those who relentlessly document their every waking moment on social media. The Cross Creek Inn & Suites delivers…WiFi. It works. Sometimes. I mean, it didn't drop out on me in the middle of a really important cat video, so that's a win!
Was it lightning-fast? No. Could I have streamed a high-def movie without a hitch? Also no. But did it let me check my email, scroll endlessly through Twitter (or X, or whatever we're calling it these days), and annoy my friends with vacation photos? Yep. Mission accomplished. So, the WiFi? It's functional. Don't expect miracles, but it'll get you through the day without too much technological despair. Just…maybe don’t rely on it for anything *super* important. Save the critical zoom calls for a cafe with a better connection.
Okay, Real Talk: What's the One Thing I Should Absolutely Know Before Booking? The *One* Thing?
Alright, here’s the gospel. If you're expecting *perfection*, or something resembling the Ritz, you’ll be disappointed. Don’t go there expecting pristine luxury, and you won’t be disappointed. You *might* be surprised, but you probably won't be disappointed.
The *one* thing? Manage your expectations, but embrace the experience of it! You’re in Fayetteville, not Monaco. Embrace the modest charm, the slightly-dingy-but-still-somehow-okay aesthetic. Enjoy the waffles. Jump in the pool, even if you're not sure it has been cleaned recently. This place provided me with the base from which I did some absolutely brilliant adventures, and I remember more of the *adventure* than I do the hotel. And if you go with the proper mindset? You could actually…have a pretty good time. Maybe even a *great* one. You might even end up with a delightfully weird story to tell later. You have the power!
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