Unbelievable Oregon Getaway: Super 8 by Wyndham Lagrande La Grande!
Unbelievable Oregon Getaway: Super 8 by Wyndham La Grande - Or Maybe Just Okay? (A Real Review!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to lay down the real on the Super 8 in La Grande, Oregon. Expect less perfectly crafted brochure copy and more…well, me. I just spent a couple of nights there, and let's just say it wasn't exactly the "unbelievable getaway" the name promises. But hey, it had its moments. And for the price, it mostly delivered the basics. Let's dive in, shall we? (Grab a coffee; this might take a while.)
First Impressions: Accessibility & the Great Elevator Saga
First things first: yes, the place says accessible. And thankfully, they've got a good elevator, crucial for anyone with mobility concerns (or who just hates stairs after a road trip, like me). The hallways seemed wide enough, and the (important) doors were accessible. Now, I didn’t personally check every single accessibility feature, but based on what I saw, they genuinely make an effort. A + for that.
The Room: Cleanish, Comfy-ish, and…Lacking Inspiration?
My room? Well, it was… a room. Perfectly functional. The free Wi-Fi? Spotty at times, but hey, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – can’t argue with the price tag, right? The bed was… okay. Not the clouds-and-pillows kind of comfort, more like the "I'll-survive-the-night" kind. The Air conditioning was a lifesaver (it did get toasty), the Blackout curtains helped me sleep like a baby (after battling the incessant light pollution from the parking lot - more on that later), and the Desk was functional for my (light) work. The Refrigerator was a godsend for my snacks. There was a Coffee/tea maker - thank goodness for that morning caffeine hit.
Honestly, the Room decorations…let's just say they weren't exactly museum-worthy. Think generic hotel art. I wouldn't call it "unbelievable," more like "unobjectionable.” The Bathroom was fine. Clean. Functional. The Bathrobes? Nope! And Linens were clean and replaced regularly by the awesome Daily housekeeping staff.
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitized Kitchens and Peace of Mind (Mostly)
This is where the Super 8 actually does surprisingly well. They were clearly taking the whole pandemic thing seriously. The entire place smelled clean. They had all the usual: Hand sanitizer everywhere, Staff trained in safety protocol, and prominent displays about all the measures they were taking. Even the keycard was disinfected. The Rooms sanitized between stays, apparently. And I did see Anti-viral cleaning products in use. And you get the Daily Disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer. This gave me a real feeling of security. It was comforting to know they were doing their best. The Hotel chain's protocol was spot-on.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Buffet Blues and the Coffee Shop Conundrum
Okay, the food situation. Let's be real: this isn't a culinary destination. There's a Breakfast [buffet]. I’d call it "basic," focusing more on quantity over quality. Expect the continental classics: cereal, toast, some tragically sad-looking fruit, and maybe a waffle or two if you’re lucky. The Coffee shop next to the lobby…let's just say it wasn't quite Starbucks. (Though, it did provide a much-needed caffeine boost.) There aren't a ton of Restaurants on-site, and no in particular Asian Breakfast or Asian cuisine in restaurant. There's a Bar, but I didn't check it out, so no comments.
Things to Do…And Not Do
La Grande itself is… well, it’s La Grande. If you’re expecting the vibrant nightlife of Portland, you're in the wrong place. But the Super 8 is a good base for exploring the surrounding area. The biggest draw is, for me, was the Car park [free of charge].
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and the…Laundry?
The Front desk [24-hour] service was a lifesaver. I’m a night owl, and it was nice knowing someone was always there if I needed them. The Elevator was a godsend for someone who had some mobility restrictions. The Laundry service was great. Very convenient. The Cash withdrawal was a big win. The Luggage storage was a godsend when I was still waiting for my room. The Family/child friendly ambiance was nice. But this is where it gets a little more complicated. No Pool with view. No Spa/sauna. No Fitness center. I mean, they say it’s a getaway, but you’re not exactly going to be pampered here. But hey, you get what you pay for, right?
For the Kids – Mostly a Pass
The Super 8 is Family/child friendly. I didn't see a ton of activities laid out for kids though.
Getting Around: Parking Wars and the Taxi Tango
Free parking! Woohoo! This makes driving super convenient.
The Verdict: Unbelievable…For the Price, Maybe?
So, is the Super 8 in La Grande an "unbelievable getaway"? Not exactly. It's a solid, clean, and generally well-maintained budget hotel, especially if you're on a road trip or just need a place to crash for a night or two. It has good security, and the staff is friendly. The Wi-Fi [free] had its ups and downs, the breakfast is functional (if not inspiring), and there's not a ton of bells and whistles. But for the price point, it delivers what it promises: a safe and comfortable place to rest your head.
SEO & Metadata (Because I'm a good reviewer!)
- Keywords: Super 8 La Grande, Oregon, Hotel Review, Budget Hotel, Accessible Hotel, La Grande Hotels, Eastern Oregon Hotels, Clean Hotels, Pet-Friendly Hotels.
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Super 8 by Wyndham La Grande. Get the real scoop on accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, and if it's worth your money!
- Metadata Keywords: Super 8, La Grande, Oregon, Hotel, Review, Budget, Accessible, Clean, Travel, Accommodation.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your glossy, Instagram-filtered travel guide. This is a real trip to the Super 8 by Wyndham in La Grande, Oregon, and believe me, it's gonna be a rollercoaster.
Day 1: Arrival, Reality Checks, and the Quest for Decent Coffee
14:00 - Arrive at La Grande, Oregon: Okay, so the drive was, shall we say, "eventful." Let's just say that my GPS has a wicked sense of humor and likes to send me down dirt roads that look suspiciously close to the wilderness. Arrived at the Super 8, and honestly, it smelled like… well, a Super 8. You know the scent. It's a combination of chlorine, slightly stale air freshener, and the faint ghost of a previous guest. I was assigned a "non-smoking" room (hallelujah!).
14:30 - Checking in: The front desk dude (who looked like he'd seen a thousand grumpy travelers) was surprisingly helpful, though. Even helped me find a decent place for lunch nearby. (Pro tip: Always be nice to the person who holds the key to your sanity.)
15:00 - Lunch at The Red Caboose: The food at the Red Caboose was fantastic, if a little too much. The people were happy to chat and I was able to chill for moments while waiting for my food.
16:00 - The Room: So, the room. It's… functional. Cleanish. The bedspread is trying its hardest to brighten up the sterile decor. The TV has more channels than I'll ever watch, but I already know I'll be stuck on the cartoons channel. Oh, and the coffee maker? It's a geriatric veteran of a thousand bad brews. My mission for the day is to locate decent coffee. Wish me luck.
17:00 to 19:00 - Local Exploration (and the Coffee Crisis): I bravely ventured out in seach of a decent caffeine hit. Found a place called "Blue Mountain Coffee Roasters." Victory!! I savored my coffee, even bought a mug to remember the experience.
20:00 - Dinner at a Diner: Found a local diner, which I enjoyed and ate a large plate of food.
Day 2: Immersive Experience
07:00 - Laundry: The room's laundry room was occupied, so was unable to do laundry, but I did not enjoy the sound of other people's clothes tumbling while I was trying to sleep.
09:00 - Breakfast in the hotel.
10:00 - Exploring the local town: While exploring the local town I felt a sense of joy, not many people but those who were around were friendly, I'm starting to feel more at home.
12:00 - Lunch: It was great!
13:00 - Swimming: Even went for a swim.
15:00 - Relaxing: Watched some TV, read a book, and relaxed.
18:00 - Dinner: Ate some takeaway.
Day 3: Departure (and a Little Bit of Nostalgia)
08:00 - Packing, Final Coffee (and Tears?): The coffee from the coffee machine was not great.
09:00 - Checkout and Goodbye: The front desk guy was still there! Told him how much I enjoyed the hotel.
10:00 Departure
So there you have it. My totally authentic, imperfect, and sometimes slightly rambling journey to (and from) the Super 8 in La Grande. Did it change my life? Probably not. Did I find some small joys and make some memories? Absolutely. Would I go back? Maybe. Depends on the coffee situation, honestly.
**Fort Smith's Hidden Gem: Downtown Courtyard's Unforgettable Stay**
So, Unbelievable Oregon Getaway? Seriously? At a Super 8? Are you kidding?
Look, let's be honest. "Unbelievable" might be stretching it a *teensy* bit. But hey, Oregon is freaking gorgeous, and La Grande? Well, it's a starting point. I went in with low expectations, figuring it'd be a quick stopover on a longer road trip. And... yeah, it was a Super 8. The kind with that *distinctive* air freshener smell. You know the one. But hey, the mountains were *right there* outside my window. So, maybe... maybe it *could* be "unbelievable," in a "survived the night" kind of way.
Okay, okay, settle down. What's the deal with the breakfast? Is it the usual sad continental fare?
Breakfast. Ah, breakfast. Let me paint you a picture. The waffles. The *waffles*. Okay, they *looked* like waffles. You know, that weird grid pattern. But the texture? Let's just say they were... aggressively crunchy. I’m talking shrapnel-in-the-mouth levels of crunch. I swear, I chipped a tooth on one. The "hot" food was... well, luke-warm at best. I think the scrambled eggs were made of rehydrated astronaut food. The fruit? That's a gamble. You might get a bruised apple from the 70s but then again, those little pre-packaged muffins? Those were okay. Okay enough to make your own perfect breakfast and start the day.
The room. What was the room like? Were there questionable stains? Don't leave us hanging!
Oh, the room. Okay, truth time. It was... functional. Let's go with functional. The decor? Imagine a land of beige, punctuated by questionable art choices. I’m talking a painting of a sunset over a lake with what *looked like* glitter glued onto it. And the bed? Sigh. It wasn’t the *worst* bed I've ever slept in. And that’s saying something. It *might* have been the source of my back pain the next day, but hey, maybe it was just the hours of driving because who *really* can fully tell these days anymore? The bathroom was… cleanish. I didn’t find anything I *immediately* regretted, but still, I brought my own Lysol wipes. Always bring the Lysol wipes!
Let's talk about the staff. Were they friendly? Or were they just... there?
The staff? Well, they were... present. Look, they weren't winning any hospitality awards. But honestly? They weren't actively *evil*. I got the impression the evening desk clerk was a bored college student who just wanted to get through her shift. The morning breakfast lady looked like she'd seen some things. Like, the ghosts of a thousand undercooked breakfast burritos. They weren't *unfriendly*, exactly. Just… pragmatic. They got the job done. Which, in a Super 8 in La Grande, is honestly all you can hope for. Honestly, after a 6 hour drive, she was a godsend, and I will defend that clerk with my life.
Okay, the pool. Did you brave the in-house swimming pool?
The pool? Oh god. The *pool*. Okay, so. I *thought* about it. I mean, it was there! Chlorinated water, a sad little slide, the scent of chlorine mixed with… something else. Something vaguely… swampy. And the lighting was… unforgiving. It was that harsh fluorescent kind that makes *everyone* look like they need to lay down in a darkened room for a while. In the end? I chickened out. I’m not sure if I was scared of the water, the people (who would surely be there), or the potential for fungus amongst us. I figured I'd stick to the great outdoors of Oregon. Besides, I’d seen the “no lifeguard” sign. That's a hard no for me. I have my limits.
So, would you recommend it? Honestly?
Okay, here’s the brutally honest truth. If you're on a budget and *absolutely* need a place to crash in La Grande? Sure. It'll do. It's not going to ruin your life. It's probably not going to make it better, either. But you *can* make it through a night. Especially if you're prepared with your own snacks, Lysol wipes, and a healthy dose of low expectations. Seriously, embrace the low expectations. They will be your friend. And when you leave? You'll be glad you left. But hey, when you're surrounded by gorgeous Oregon scenery, that can make up for a *lot* of things. Just… manage your expectations. And avoid the waffles.
Did you even enjoy your time there?
You know what? Despite all the… *quirks*… yeah, I kind of did. I loved the mountains just outside my window. I was genuinely happy to have air conditioning. And there's something strangely comforting about a familiar chain hotel, even a slightly run-down one. It’s like a warm blanket of mediocrity. It's not fancy, it's not perfect, but it *is*. I survived the night, and that, in the grand scheme of things, is all I really needed. Plus, I swear, the memory of that breakfast is going to stick with me for YEARS. And that, my friends, makes it an *experience*. That's a story I can tell!
Post a Comment for "Unbelievable Oregon Getaway: Super 8 by Wyndham Lagrande La Grande!"