Escape to Shelbyville: Microtel Inn's Unbeatable TN Getaway!
Escape to Shelbyville: Microtel Inn – My Unfiltered Tennessee Getaway (Spoiler: It's Complicated!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, sanitized travel review. We're diving HEADFIRST into the Microtel Inn in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and, well, let's just say it was a ride. This isn't some perfectly curated Instagram post; it's the real, messy, hilarious (and occasionally frustrating) truth.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag & a Learning Curve
First off, the Accessibility thing. Microtel says they're accessible, and they do have features like an Elevator and Facilities for disabled guests. But let me tell you, navigating this place felt a bit like an adventure in itself. Finding accessible parking was a bit of a hunt, and while the room I (eventually) got was technically accessible, it was… functional, rather than thoughtfully designed. The bathroom, while boasting grab bars, still had a slightly awkward layout. I mean, hey, at least it was there, right? I've certainly seen worse. (And felt worse trying to navigate them!)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast Blues & a Quest for Caffeine
Let’s talk about the most crucial part: food. Microtel offers the usual Breakfast [buffet], but let's just say my morning started with a search for something edible. I'm not gonna lie, the Asian breakfast was, well… interesting. It definitely wasn’t what this Western palate was primed for, but hey, gotta be adventurous, right? The Coffee/tea in restaurant? Adequate. But I seriously considered a mid-morning pilgrimage to a nearby coffee shop. The sheer availability of Coffee/tea maker in my room was a lifesaver. I’m a caffeine fiend. Also, the lack of any obvious on-site options like a Bar or Poolside bar felt like a missed party opportunity. Who doesn’t want a margarita by the pool in the Tennessee heat?
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitization Shuffle
Okay, I’m a perpetually anxious traveler, which is why I pay extra attention to cleanliness. Microtel seemed to be taking things seriously, or at least trying. There were signs about Daily disinfection in common areas and hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. My room, after a quick once-over, seemed clean enough. The fact they offer so many options, like Anti-viral cleaning products and Rooms sanitized between stays, definitely helped allay my worries. The amount of Hand sanitizer available was impressive. Maybe a little too much? I felt like I was living in a germaphobe's dream – if you can call it that. All that said, it seemed like they did a pretty good job and followed the guidelines they professed.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams Dashed (Mostly)
This is where things get a little…sparse. The hotel advertises a Fitness center, but my weary legs were not quite up to the challenge. More importantly, the idea of a Spa, Massage, or even a simple Sauna seemed to exist only in the realm of hopeful marketing copy. No dice, folks. No spa, no steamroom, no foot bath. My relaxation dreams were… deflated. However, there is a Swimming pool [outdoor]. Though, I will admit the pool gave me a ‘meh’ feeling.
Services and Conveniences: The Unexpected Perks
But, here’s where Microtel redeemed itself a little. The Concierge was surprisingly helpful, even if they lacked the charm of a five-star hotel. I was genuinely impressed, and quite relieved. They were friendly and willing to help with anything and everything. They also arranged for me to visit some nearby attractions. The Daily housekeeping was efficient, the Laundry service was a godsend after my messy road trip, and I appreciated the simple convenience of the Cash withdrawal service. Having a Convenience store nearby was a major win for late-night snack attacks.
My Room: Home Base (with Quirks)
Now, the room. Ah, my little temporary sanctuary. It was, at its core, functional. It had Air conditioning, which in Tennessee is basically a necessity. The Wi-Fi [free] was, praise be, reliable. The Free bottled water was a nice touch. The TV offered Satellite/cable channels, which kept me entertained during the occasional moments of boredom. The Blackout curtains? Life-savers after a long day of travel.
But there were also… quirks. The Alarm clock was ancient. The Bathroom phone seemed like something out of a museum. And, the walls were a touch thin, so I got a little too familiar with my neighbors' TV choices. Also, an extra-long bed would've been nice. Oh, the things they omit in the pictures!
For the Kids: (Mostly) Understated
The hotel is Family/child friendly, though it doesn't seem to have any dedicated Kids facilities. Babysitting service? Not that I saw. So, if you’re traveling with little ones, pack your own arsenal of entertainment. No Kids meal options either.
The Overall Vibe: Budget-Friendly, But Not Flawless
So, the verdict? The Microtel Inn in Shelbyville is a budget-friendly option, and it definitely kept a solid roof over my head. It’s clean enough, safe enough, and generally gets the job done. It's not a luxurious getaway, nor will it set your world on fire. But it's a decent choice if you're looking for a base camp while you explore Tennessee. And don't expect too much from the spa services situation. Just be prepared to embrace the quirks, grab a coffee, and enjoy the ride. Shelbyville has a lot to offer, and the Microtel Inn… well, it’s a place to start. My advice: manage your expectations, pack some snacks, and be ready for an adventure.
Escape to Truth or Consequences: Your Travelodge Adventure Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into… Shelbyville, Tennessee! Specifically, the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham. I, my friends, am a seasoned traveler. By seasoned, I mean I've survived more road trips than I've had hot dinners (which, let's be honest, isn't saying much). So, here's my utterly unvarnished, potentially disastrous, possibly enlightening itinerary for a whirlwind stay in the heart of Tennessee, complete with all the messy imperfections of life itself.
Day 1: Arrival and "Whiskey Whispers" (or, Trying to Find Something to Do)
- 3:00 PM - Check-in Debacle (Okay, maybe not a debacle, but it was close.) Arrived at the Microtel. First impression? Clean. Not the sterile "clean" of a hospital, thank the heavens, but the sort of clean that whispers promises of a comfy bed and decent Wi-Fi. Pro tip: Don't show up hangry. I made that mistake. Turns out, "free breakfast included" doesn't magically materialize before you check in. The front desk lady, bless her heart, looked like she’d seen it all. Probably has. Living in Shelbyville. I felt a pang of empathy, then remembered my empty stomach.
- 3:30 PM - Room Assessment and a Moment of Zen (or, The Bed is the Only Thing I Care About Right Now) Room unpacked. Standard hotel room fare. Two beds. A TV. The A/C. I threw myself on the bed, testing the mattress. Verdict: Acceptable. Definitely not a cloud, but I've slept on worse.
- 4:00 PM - Quest for the Local Flavor (or, Where's the Damn Coffee?) Okay, time to explore. I heard Shelbyville has a brewery. This seems like my kind of place. I will call ahead and pray for availability.
- 4:30 PM - Whiskey Trail Dreams I am calling. And oh man, the anticipation is building.
Day 2: The Microtel's Secret Life and the Pursuit of Deliciousness
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast Bonanza (or, The Saga of the Waffle Iron) "Free breakfast"… let's see. The usual suspects were present: lukewarm scrambled eggs that looked suspiciously like they came from a pre-packaged box, some dubious sausages, and those little individually wrapped pastries. But the waffle iron? Oh, the waffle iron. It was the star of this breakfast. Getting a waffle to actually come out cooked on this thing was a feat of engineering, artistry, and a little bit of divine intervention. It took me three tries, BUT I got a waffle. It was heaven. I've developed a passionate appreciation for hotel waffles.
- 8:00AM - Gym Time: The hotel gym. They call it a gym. It has a treadmill and some free weights. Whatever. I ran, a lot. Needed to work off those waffles.
- 9:00 AM - Shelbyville Adventures: I tried to find some fun things to do, but for real it's a small town where you could only see three things. I decided to do the local museum and that was an experience!
- Lunch Later Today - Food Court Okay I am not sure about this but after the museum I will need some food.
- Afternoon and Evening - Relaxation and Reflection (or, The Bed - Again) Back to the hotel. TV on, maybe a book. I'm not going to lie, the tranquility of just… being in a hotel room is appealing.
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Smell of… Cleanliness?
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast Redux (or, The Waffle Iron - Again!) Another waffle attempt. Another small moment of triumph. I can't get enough of this waffle.
- 8:00 AM - Last Minute Checks and Final Thoughts: Checked out. Found some coffee nearby. Said goodbye to the front desk lady, who, I swear, winked at me. Did she know about the waffle saga? Probably.
- 9:00 AM - The Road Calls (or, The End of This Beautiful Disaster) The Microtel…it's not the Ritz. It's not even a particularly memorable hotel in the grand scheme of things. But it was clean, comfortable, and provided me with a damn good waffle iron experience. Shelbyville? Well, it’s got its charms. It's the kind of place where the pace slows down, the air smells faintly of… something. Mostly, it's a place that lets you just be. And sometimes, that's the best kind of trip of all. Safe travels people.
So, like, what *is* this "Escape to Shelbyville" thing, anyway? Sounds… vaguely threatening.
Alright, so "Escape to Shelbyville." Marketing, am I right? Sounds like a prison break or something. Real talk: it's the Microtel Inn in Shelbyville, Tennessee. They lure you in with promises of, you know, *escape*. Escape from the everyday, the grind, the crushing weight of adulting. And for a night or two, maybe they kinda, sorta deliver.
Look, I'm not gonna lie, when I booked it, I was at DEFCON 1. Family drama, work stress, the cat decided my favorite sweater was a scratching post. I needed *out*. Shelbyville… well, it felt like the end of the line. But hey, at least it was a line leading *away* from the chaos.
Is the Microtel actually *nice*? 'Cause I've seen some… motels. Don't want to end up starring in a low-budget horror film.
Look, let's be brutally honest. It's not the Ritz. But it *is* clean, which, honestly, is half the battle. The rooms… they're… functional. Think: clean sheets, a decent shower (crucial!), and furniture that doesn't scream "haunted." My particular room had a… let's call it, *eclectic* array of artwork. I'm pretty sure one of the prints was of a lighthouse. In the dessert? Maybe? It was enough to make me mildly chuckle. The point is, it didn't traumatize me.
And here's a crucial nugget: the air conditioning. Worked. Like a champ. In July. That, my friends, is almost worth the price of admission alone.
What's the breakfast situation? Because a grumpy traveler needs sustenance.
Ah, breakfast. The eternal question. Okay, here's the lowdown: it's the classic Microtel breakfast buffet. Think: waffles that you make yourself (always a gamble), pre-packaged muffins (occasionally edible), and that weird scrambled egg substance. Look, it's not gourmet. It's fuel. It'll get you going. I tried the waffles. Let's just say, they were waffles. I managed to get them brown, not burnt which is an absolute victory.
The coffee? Well, it was warm. And caffeinated. That's all I ask for, really. If you're a coffee snob, bring your own. Which I should have done. Note to self!
But what *is* there to *do* in Shelbyville, Tennessee? Is it just… fields? And cows?
Okay, let's be real. Shelbyville isn't Paris. You're not gonna be overwhelmed by the dazzling array of cultural experiences. BUT! It has its charms. And hey, sometimes, *fields* and *cows* is EXACTLY what you need. I found a nice little brewery downtown - a welcome surprise. I'm not a drinker, usually, but I tried a sample, just for the experience. The beer was...beer. Fine. The people were friendlier than your average city slicker. That made a difference.
Also, it's close to Murfreesboro if you're hankering for a little more action. Which, honestly, I wasn't. Shelbyville was peace. Or, at least, the semblance of peace that you can find in a beige room with a questionable lighthouse print.
Okay, let's get to the nitty-gritty. Any major downsides? Like, the bedbugs were a problem? (Please say no!)
Bedbugs? Nope. Thank. God. That would've broken me. The WORST part? The pillows. Oh, sweet merciful pillows, they were… well, they were *pillows*. They were about as comfortable as a brick. I swear, I spent half the night trying to mold them into something resembling a head-resting device. I had to fold two over to get that sweet, sweet satisfaction. They really did make it a "getaway", because I was GETTING AWAY from sleep.
And the WiFi? Let's just say it was… spotty. Good for a digital detox, I guess. But if you need to, you know, *work* or even just watch some Netflix, be warned. Bring a book. A real one. So very important.
So, would you go back? Honestly.
You know what? Yes. Without a doubt. Despite the pillows. For me, Shelbyville and the Microtel wasn't about the *experience*, it was about the escape, even if it was temporary. It was a clean, quiet place, a place to recharge. And sometimes, that's worth more than all the fancy hotels in the world. Would I recommend it to everyone? No. But, if you're looking for a budget-friendly, low-key getaway with a good AC unit, and you're not expecting luxury, then yeah. Head to Shelbyville. Just pack your own pillow.
And maybe a coffee machine. I'm still kicking myself about the coffee.
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