Escape to Columbia's Vista: SpringHill Suites Luxury Awaits!
Escape to Columbia's Vista: SpringHill Suites - More Than Just a Room, It's a… Well, Let's See! (My Honest, Slightly Rambling Review)
Okay, folks, buckle up. This isn't your polished, perfectly SEO-optimized review. This is me after a stay at the SpringHill Suites in Columbia's Vista, spilling the beans, good and bad, like a dropped coffee mug. And trust me, there were plenty of coffee mugs involved.
First Impressions: Shiny and…Accessible?
Right, so the title screamed "Luxury Awaits!" and yeah, the lobby did look slick. Modern, clean lines, huge windows… blah, blah, blah. But here’s where things get interesting and where the accessibility stuff starts.
- Accessibility: HUGE props to SpringHill Suites on the accessibility front. I mean, a true thumbs up. The website was crystal clear, listing all the features. Wheelchair accessible? Check. The ramps weren't death traps but gentle slopes, thank sweet mercy. And the elevators? Spacious enough that I didn't have to contort myself like a pretzel to get the wheelchair in. I'm not personally in a wheelchair but I always look for accessibility to gauge an establishment's value.
- Lobby Vibes: The lobby itself was well-lit and airy. Easy navigation, well-spaced furniture… you know, the basics. They were clearly thinking about folks with limited mobility, which is always a win in my book. They had a little area that might have been for wheelchair assistance and a nice, long front desk.
- Internet Access: Now, here's a funny story. The promise of Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a siren song. I needed to work… or at least pretend to. Internet? Yeah, available. Internet [LAN]? Apparently, for the tech-savvy old-schoolers. I stuck to the Wi-Fi [free] option, which was a bit spotty, to be honest. I mean, it worked, but more like a hesitant turtle than a speedy cheetah.
- Internet Services: So, I ended up working from the Internet and Wi-Fi in public areas to avoid the drops in my room. Fine, but not ideal. The Business facilities, (Xerox/fax in business center) looked closed.
The Room: Sanctuary or…Slightly Flawed Fortress?
My room? Let’s break it down, shall we?
- Available in all rooms: I'm not sure what any of those mean. I think there was a window that opens, which was nice, since I am a smoker.
- Additional toilet: I didn't need it, which is a good thing.
- Air conditioning: Yes, glorious air conditioning!
- Alarm clock: I used my phone (the new reality?)
- Bathrobes: Nope. I need bathrobes.
- Bathroom phone: Ugh.
- Bathtub: Yes! I'm a bath person.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for sleeping in.
- Closet: Standard, did the job.
- Coffee/tea maker: Absolutely vital for a morning person like me.
- Complimentary tea: Okay.
- Daily housekeeping: Nice, though my room seemed to get cleaned at odd hours.
- Desk: A good, solid desk.
- Extra long bed: YES. I'm over six feet, and hotels often fail me.
- Free bottled water: Score! Hydration is key.
- Hair dryer: Used, loved.
- High floor: I requested it, got it.
- In-room safe box: Never used, always there.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Good, I guess, if you're traveling with a huge group.
- Internet access – LAN: Ugh.
- Internet access – wireless: Got it.
- Ironing facilities: Fine, but who irons anymore?
- Laptop workspace: See "Desk".
- Linens: Fine.
- Mini bar: Empty. Sigh.
- Mirror: Yes.
- Non-smoking: I broke all kinds of laws.
- On-demand movies: Decent selection.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Reading light: Needed.
- Refrigerator: Yes.
- Safety/security feature: Seems sensible.
- Satellite/cable channels: Lots of channels.
- Scale: I avoided it.
- Seating area: Fine.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Excellent.
- Shower: Good water pressure.
- Slippers: Missing.
- Smoke detector: Present, thank god.
- Socket near the bed: Important.
- Sofa: Fine.
- Soundproofing: Not amazing.
- Telephone: I didn't use it.
- Toiletries: Fine.
- Towels: Fluffy.
- Umbrella: Nope.
- Visual alarm: Good for accessibility.
- Wake-up service: Not used.
- Wi-Fi [free]: See above.
- Window that opens: Yes, and I used it.
A Tiny Detail, a Big Impact! – I got the perfect view of the highway from my room, which was a total buzzkill.
- It did not feel like a Couple's room.
- The Smoke detector did not get me out of the Smoking area.
- The Soundproofing - well, I could hear the highway.
The Good, The Bad, and the Caffeine-Fueled:
- Breakfast: Okay, here’s the thing. Breakfast [buffet] was the name of the game. Buffet in restaurant options were okay, but it felt like…well, like a buffet. Standard stuff. The coffee? Let’s just say it was the fuel for my review. I think there was also Coffee/tea in restaurant.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking:
- A la carte in restaurant - wasn't listed.
- Alternative meal arrangement - I'm not sure what that means.
- Asian breakfast - doubtful.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant - No.
- Bar - looked open.
- Bottle of water - They had a bottle of water, so I'm guessing it was a free bottle.
- Desserts in restaurant - doubtful.
- Happy hour - Yes!
- International cuisine in restaurant - Nah.
- Poolside bar - Closed.
- Restaurants - They had one.
- Room service [24-hour] - Didn't need it, but it's there.
- Salad in restaurant - I saw a salad.
- Snack bar - no, but the mini-mart was okay.
- Soup in restaurant - Didn't see it.
- Vegetarian restaurant - Doubtful.
- Western breakfast - Yep.
- Western cuisine in restaurant - Yep.
- Cleanliness and safety: The staff clearly took COVID precautions seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Seemed like it. Lots of Hand sanitizer stations. Rooms sanitized between stays, definitely. I liked the amount of Hygiene certification. I didn't feel unsafe at all.
- Cashless payment service - yes
- Doctor/nurse on call - Nice.
- First aid kit - good.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing - I hoped.
- Individually-wrapped food options - Yes.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter - Mostly.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services - yes.
- Room sanitization opt-out available - I'm so afraid of this.
- Safe dining setup - I don't know, man.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items - Hopes.
- Shared stationery removed - Don't care.
- Staff trained in safety protocol - Yes.
- Sterilizing equipment - didn't see it.
- Things to do, ways to relax:
- Body scrub - seriously?
- Body wrap - you're killing me.
- Fitness center - I was too lazy.
- Foot bath - Nope.
- Gym/fitness - See above.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive into the glorious, chaotic, and probably caffeine-fueled world that is my attempt to map out a trip to SpringHill Suites Columbia Downtown/The Vista. This isn't some pristine, brochure-perfect itinerary, oh no. This is real life, folks. Expect tangents, complaints (because, let’s be honest, nobody enjoys EVERYTHING), and the occasional existential crisis brought on by a particularly bland breakfast buffet.
THE GREAT COLUMBIA, SC ADVENTURE (or, "Me vs. The Vista and Hopefully Not Losing My Mind")
(This is where I'll eat my words later because I'm basically winging this whole thing.)
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and the Promise of BBQ (Maybe)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Ugh, airports. I swear, the air quality in these places is specifically designed to make you feel vaguely ill. Hoping the Uber driver isn't a chatty Cathy. (I'm introverted, okay? Silence is golden.)
- 1:45 PM: Uber (hopefully chat-free) to SpringHill Suites. Praying for a good room. You know, the kind that doesn't face a dumpster or the noisy HVAC unit. Fingers crossed. Side note: I always feel like a weary traveler in these moments, even though it's usually just a short flight. Drama queen much? Maybe.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. Unpack. Assess the room. Immediately check for bed bugs. (Okay, maybe that’s a LITTLE paranoid, but TRUST ME. I HAVE ISSUES.) My first impression will be crucial. Is it all clean and tidy? Is it quiet? Does it at least smell like clean? The fate of my sanity hangs in the balance.
- 3:30 PM: Attempt to work. (I do have to, you know, do things while I'm here.) Find a comfortable spot in the room. Struggle with hotel Wi-Fi. Swear loudly at the computer. Eventually resort to using my phone’s hotspot. This is just the kind of start to a trip that sets the tone for a perfect, chaotic mess of events.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner! THE ULTIMATE GOAL: Columbia BBQ! This is the whole reason I'm here. Trying to decide between all those BBQ joints. I've read the reviews, of course. But the choices! So many delicious options. I think I need to go with my gut at this point and maybe just try one that feels "right." If it's bad, I'm blaming you, random internet reader (not really, but I'll be disappointed.)
- Possible options: Palmetto Pig BBQ or Big T's BBQ (more research needed!)
- 7:30 PM: Post-BBQ Coma. Walk around to digest the deliciousness. Or just collapse back in the hotel room and watch something mindless on TV. Possibly involving a bath. (I like baths.)
- 9:00 PM: Realize I forgot to pack something important. (This is basically guaranteed.) Panic slightly. Decide it's not THAT important. Go to sleep. Dream of pulled pork and crispy edges.
Day 2: History, Hot Sauce, and Self-Doubt
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The dreaded, inevitable breakfast buffet. Pray for good coffee. Hope there are at least some edible scrambled eggs. (I'm a breakfast snob, what can I say?) This is probably where I'll start to question all my life choices.
- 9:00 AM: Visit the South Carolina State House. I feel like I should go, you know, for the culture. And history. Pretend to be interested in politics. Take pictures. Secretly compare it to the Capitol building in West Wing (because I’m a nerd).
- 11:00 AM: Explore the Congaree National Park. This is supposed to be amazing. Like, old-growth forest amazing. Hoping I don’t encounter any alligators. Actually, maybe I DO want to see an alligator. (But from a safe distance, obviously.) Embrace the serenity. Or trip over a root and break an ankle. One of the two.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Possibly a picnic in the park, weather permitting. Or maybe just a sandwich from the hotel. (Again, the weather is a deciding factor.) Try not to spill anything. (I am a messy eater.)
- 2:00 PM: The South Carolina State Museum. This is supposed to be fun. Hopefully, my lack of sleep doesn't make me feel like I'm falling asleep in the exhibits. Learn some things. Pretend to understand the history of the state. (This might be difficult.)
- 4:00 PM: The Hot Sauce Quest! Columbia is apparently a hot sauce mecca. I've heard whispers of fiery glory. Must. Find. The. Hottest. Sauce. Prepare for tears, possibly. (Why do I do this to myself? I don't really like things THAT spicy, but the thrill of the burn is irresistible.)
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Something lighter after the hot sauce experience. Maybe a salad? Or maybe a giant pile of comfort food. My tastebuds will tell me what to do.
- 7:30 PM: Contemplate my existence while staring at the Columbia skyline (or maybe just the hotel room ceiling). Realize I haven’t bought any souvenirs yet. Panic slightly. Make a mental note to rectify this tomorrow.
Day 3: Shopping, Reflection, and Departure
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast (again). Seriously considering just sticking to coffee and toast. Or maybe just skip it and try to sleep in. (Tempting.)
- 9:00 AM: Shopping. Find a local shop that has something unique. Purchase a "I <3 Columbia" t-shirt. Possibly a ridiculous hat. Embrace the tourist in me.
- 11:00 AM: A final walk around the Vista. Soak in the atmosphere. Maybe grab a coffee. Or just wander.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Something quick and easy. Maybe try a local cafe?
- 1:00 PM: Back to the hotel to pack. Worry about fitting everything into my suitcase (I always overpack.)
- 2:00 PM: Check out. Say goodbye to the nice people at the front desk.
- 2:30 PM: Uber to the airport. Reflect on the trip. Did I accomplish everything? Probably not. But that's okay. It's the little things, the unexpected moments, that make a trip truly memorable (even if I can't remember them clearly.)
- 3:30 PM: Airport security. Contemplate the meaning of life while waiting in line.
- 5:00 PM: Flight home. Fall asleep mid-air, dreaming of BBQ and hot sauce (and not getting eaten by an alligator.)
- Post-Trip: Immediately start planning the next adventure. (Because I apparently enjoy stress and being slightly overwhelmed.)
AND DON'T FORGET…
- The Bathroom Factor: I'm going to rate every public restroom I encounter. Cleanliness is key!
- The "Did I Leave the Hair Straightener On?" Paranoia: Expect multiple checks of the hotel room before leaving.
- The "Embrace the Unexpected" Philosophy: Because, let's be honest, things will ALWAYS go wrong. Embrace the chaos!
So that's my plan. Wish me luck. (I'm going to need it.) This trip will likely be a glorious, messy, and hilarious adventure. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Merrillville's BEST Kept Secret: Super 8 Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
So, "Luxury Awaits," huh? What's the *deal* with this SpringHill Suites? Is it actually... luxurious? (And what *is* luxury anyway?)
Alright, let's be honest. "Luxury Awaits" is, let's say, *aspirational*. SpringHill Suites isn't, like, a Four Seasons, okay? You're not gonna have a butler drawing your bath with rose petals (though wouldn't *that* be nice after dealing with the kids all day?!). But... it's *good*. Like, really good for the price point. Think "upscale comfortable."
The suites are genuinely spacious. I mean, I'm used to banging elbows in hotel rooms, but *actual* space to breathe? Yes, please! The beds were comfy – crucial, because let's be honest, sleep is the *real* luxury in life, especially when you're juggling work *and* trying to pretend you're not secretly judging everyone on social media (guilty!). And the free breakfast? Don't even get me started. The waffles alone are worth the price of admission. (I may or may not have eaten three. Don’t judge my life choices.)
Okay, breakfast... is the breakfast *really* all that? I'm a picky eater. (And are there enough outlets?)
The breakfast... is a contender. Not Michelin star, but, like I said, waffle-tastic. They had the standard stuff: eggs (scrambled, overcooked, but eggs nonetheless!), sausage (slightly questionable origin, but hey, protein!), cereal (the sugary kind – score!), and, bless their hearts, *fruit*. (I always try to eat *some* fruit to pretend I'm a functioning adult.)
And the outlets? Okay, this is *important*. Listen up, tech addicts! I counted, like, a million. Okay, *maybe* not a million, but more than enough to charge your phone, your laptop, your e-reader, and that questionable, slightly-too-loud vibrating back massager you keep in your carry-on. Seriously, I was so relieved. Nothing worse than a dead phone battery when you're trying to pretend you're on a relaxing getaway, right? (Especially if you have teenagers sending you constant demands for snacks.) One tiny thing: They *could* use a few more USB ports built into the walls… just saying, SpringHill Suites, consider it a suggestion for the future!
The "Vista" part - What’s the view like? Does it *actually* have a vista? Because I've been burned before...
Okay, this is where things get... nuanced. The Vista part? It depends. Honestly. If you're expecting sprawling mountain vistas à la Switzerland? Temper those expectations. The *view*? It's Columbia, SC. It’s, well, urban. You'll probably be looking at some buildings, maybe a parking lot, possibly a glimpse of the sky and the blessed sun in the morning. My room? Okay, let's just say it wasn't *bad*, just... not exactly postcard-worthy. I did manage to catch a pretty sunset over the city one evening, which was actually quite lovely. So, it’s a gamble, but don't write off the sky itself, because that's the real show anyway.
Pro-tip: If a "view" is *critical* to your happiness, call ahead and specifically request a high floor room facing... something remotely interesting. And remember, even if your view is just a brick wall, you're still away from your real life, right? Perspective, people, perspective!
What about the pool? Because, yes, I need to know. Pool or no pool? And is it kid-friendly?
YES. There is a pool. Thank goodness. I NEED a pool. After a day of… adulting… a pool is CRUCIAL. But here’s the thing: it's not a giant, resort-style pool with a swim-up bar (sigh). It's a perfectly serviceable, indoor pool, which is AMAZING in all weather but especially when you're from a place that *gets* weather! It's clean, it's warm, and it’s perfect for a quick dip. I even managed to snag a few precious moments of peace floating on my back, pretending I was a starfish. Heavenly.
Kid-friendly? Oh, absolutely. Saw plenty of little ones splashing around, which is fantastic, but also… well, let’s just say the serenity-seeking adult might need to strategically position themselves at the far end. Bring earplugs. And maybe a small, discreet flask of something strong to enjoy quietly in your room later. I'm not saying you *need* it, but….
Location, location, location! Is it actually in a good spot? Close to... *stuff*?
The location? Pretty good. You're in the Vista, which, in Columbia, is a *vibe*. It's walking distance (or a short Uber ride – depending how much you've enjoyed the breakfast waffles) to restaurants, bars, and a few shops. I'm not a shopper, but I did wander into a cute little boutique, which was pleasant enough. More importantly, there were *multiple* places that served something more than lukewarm coffee and day-old pastries. That, my friends, is a win.
The downside? Parking. Oh, the parking. It can be a glorious free-for-all, if you get there at the right time, or a brutal search for a spot. Plan accordingly. (I may or may not have circled the hotel for a solid 20 minutes one afternoon, muttering darkly about the lack of available parking. I *might* have considered parking in a fire lane. But I didn't. I swear.)
The Service? What's the Deal with The Staff?
Look, service can make or break a stay, right? And this is where SpringHill Suites really shines. Everyone was genuinely friendly and helpful. Seriously, I felt like they actually *wanted* me to enjoy my stay, which is a refreshing change from the surly indifference you sometimes encounter. They were super-accommodating. (I managed to somehow lock myself out of my room at 10 pm. Not my proudest moment. They got me back in with a smile and zero judgement.)
One small observation: The housekeeping staff worked *incredibly* hard. Seriously, those folks deserve all the praise and all the raises. They kept the place spotless, and as someone who can leave a trail of chaos in my wake, I appreciated it.
Overall: Would You Go Back? (Be Honest!)
Yes. AbsolutelyBook Hotels Now
Post a Comment for "Escape to Columbia's Vista: SpringHill Suites Luxury Awaits!"