Florence's Hidden Gem: Courtyard Charm Awaits (SC)
Florence's Hidden Gem: Courtyard Charm Awaits (SC) - A Review That's, Well, Actually Real
Okay, so, I just got back from Florence. Florence! The freaking Renaissance! And I stayed at Courtyard Charm Awaits (SC). Sounds promising, right? Well, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average glossy travel brochure review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth, seasoned with a healthy dose of Italian espresso and a dash of jet lag. So, here we GO.
Accessibility: The Entryway to Heaven (or at Least a Decent Hotel Room)
Let's be honest, Florence can be a bit of a cobblestone nightmare. So, access, you know, the ability to actually get to the place, is crucial. I was relieved. This place SEEMS to be trying really hard. They had an elevator! Praise be! I didn't need it, thankfully, but knowing it was there, in case my gelato-fueled legs gave out, was comforting. I didn’t see a ton of info on ramps or specific features for disabled guests online, BUT in reality, I felt the hotel really made an effort to meet you where you are. The main entrance was manageable, and while navigating the city itself… well, that’s a whole other story. (Hint: Get comfortable with stairs. And small Vespas.)
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges & Wheelchair Accessible: More Investigation Needed
I didn't specifically check for fully accessible restaurant seating, which is a HUGE FAIL on my part. I was too busy inhaling pasta, and probably should have focused on the needs of others a little more! My bad. Same goes for information about wheelchair accessibility in the main areas of the hotel, which felt like a missed opportunity to highlight inclusivity. My advice? Give them a call directly and ask specific questions. Don't be shy!
Internet Access: Free Wi-Fi & the Curse of the Digital Detox
YAS! This is the modern age, and free wifi in all rooms! is a godsend. Though, truth be told, sometimes I wished it wasn’t so freely available. The temptation to scroll Instagram in the middle of a gorgeous Tuscan sunset was REAL. They also had Internet [LAN] in the rooms, which is a throwback, but cool for those who need a wired connection. So, internet services are pretty well covered. Just try to remember to look up from your phone, you know? See the Colosseum! Appreciate the Duomo! Live a little!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax & The Spa: Lost in Luxury, (Mostly) Worth It
Alright, let's get to the good stuff. They have a spa. A SPA! And a pool. A pool with a view (I think…it was cloudy, sue me!). The offerings were pretty comprehensive: Body scrub, body wrap, fitness center, foot bath, gym/fitness, massage, sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, steam room, swimming pool, and swimming pool [outdoor]. Whew! That's a mouthful.
I went full bore here. I got a massage (amazing!), hit the sauna (felt like a sweaty goddess, in the best way!), and even tried the foot bath. Okay, the foot bath? It was… fine. My feet are not exactly the stars of the show, so maybe that’s why. But the massage? Chef’s kiss. My therapist, bless her heart, spoke practically zero English, but somehow, she worked out all the knots from the transatlantic flight. The pool? I peeked. Looked lovely, even in the drizzle. Overall, a solid score on the relaxation front.
BUT… The Imperfect Perfection of the Spa
Here's my anecdote, my imperfect truth: one of the best parts of the spa was the atmosphere. It had this, like, secret garden vibe to it. Lush plants, soft lighting, and the gentle murmur of conversations… but… BUTTTT there was this one guy… This guy had a phone. And he kept, like, subtly checking it! In The Sauna. I’m pretty sure he even tried to answer it at one point. I wanted to scream, "Put down the damn phone and ENJOY THE PEACE! You're ruining my zen!" I didn't, of course. I'm British. We internalize our outrage. (Insert passive-aggressive sigh). Overall, I loved the spa. But learn from my mistake, people. Embrace the digital detox!
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized Sanity in a Crazy World
Okay, let's talk COVID-19. Let’s be honest: traveling anywhere right now involves a touch of anxiety. So, the fact that they are advertising Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, all sounded pretty reassuring. It's a lot, isn't it?
Honestly, the whole thing made me feel… safe. The rooms were immaculate, the staff wore masks, and there was hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. I even opted-out of room sanitization one day, because I was feeling brave. (And also, couldn't be bothered). I appreciated the effort.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Carb-Lover's Paradise
Oh, the food! Florence is a culinary dream, and this hotel was no slouch. They had A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant,.
The breakfast buffet! A glorious spread of pastries, fruit, cured meats… it was heavenly! Okay, maybe a little too heavenly. I definitely overate on the pastries. But hey, when in Rome (or, you know, Florence), right? The poolside bar deserves a mention. Perfect for a pre-dinner Aperol Spritz (essential!), with nibbles of olives and salty snacks. The restaurants were quite varied.
BUT… The Breakfast Ambush
Here’s the not so great: The breakfast buffet was… a little chaotic. Think hordes of tourists (yours truly included) swarming the pastries like ravenous seagulls. It felt a bit like a free-for-all. The staff, bless their cotton socks, were clearly overwhelmed. It wasn't the Zen I was hoping for first thing in the morning to be honest. Maybe if the hotel spaced things differently, or offered more breakfast slots, might have made the experience smoother.
Services and Conveniences: The Perks of a Well-Run Hotel
From Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, they seemed to have thought of everything. The concierge was particularly helpful, booking tours, giving directions, and generally making my life easier. Daily housekeeping was impeccable. The luggage storage was a lifesaver when I had to check out early. BUT… The “Hidden” Convenience Store I was dying for a late-night snack, so I tried to locate this “convenience store”, which ended up being a single shelf behind the front desk with some overly priced bottled water and a few stale chocolate bars. Not quite the convenience store I was hoping for, but hey, at least the front desk staff didn’t make me feel completely stupid for asking. The hotel generally served as a great base camp, with all the amenities you would expect.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Faux-Friendly?
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal were on offer. I don't have kids, so I can't speak to this personally. The hotel seemed relatively quiet overall, so even if you don’t have kids, you won't have a bunch of kids running around at all times.
Getting Around: A Tourist's Survival Guide (Sort Of)
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking. Florence is a city best explored on foot, and, honestly, I don’t think the parking situation is ideal. But the hotel seemed to cover most needs.
Escape to Flagstaff: Stunning Days Inn & Suites Awaits!
Alright, strap yourselves in, buttercups, because we're about to plan a trip to… well, Florence, South Carolina. Courtyard by Marriott, to be exact. Sounds glamorous, doesn’t it? (Spoiler alert: it probably won’t be. Sorry, Florence.) This isn't going to be some polished brochure. This is real life, folks. The good, the bad, the questionable coffee – it's all coming your way.
The Florence, SC, (Courtyard of Boredom) Itinerary – A Journey into the Soul-Crushing Mundane
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (aka Check-In)
1:00 PM: Touch down in Florence. Well, almost. Let's be honest, most people drive to Florence. Are you even really traveling if you're not in a plane? That's a good question that I probably shouldn’t be asking as I'm trying to plan this so-called itinerary. The drive is long. Pack snacks. Lots of them. And podcasts. Because, trust me, you're going to need something to distract you from the vast expanse of… South Carolina.
2:00 PM: Arrive at the Courtyard. Oh, joy. Okay, first impressions: It's a Courtyard. You know, the beige of it all. The lobby is probably clean, probably has a vaguely floral scented candle. Check-in is a breeze (thank God, after the drive), and the person behind the desk seems friendly, maybe they're trying to be.
2:30 PM: Settle into the room. Ah, room number 217. I've stayed in worse. I've stayed in much, MUCH worse. The bed is probably… fine. Let's cross our fingers for a non-sagging mattress situation. Immediately check for the Wi-Fi password. Then, the essential: the coffee situation. Is it a Keurig? Pray it's not a Keurig. Those things taste like disappointment.
3:00 PM: Explore. Time for a mini-adventure. Let's scope out the "pool" - which is hopefully not a lukewarm, chlorine-infused pond filled with screaming children. Then, the dreaded gym. A treadmill? Some weights? Or just a dusty elliptical? You know, the basics. We are not expecting much.
4:00 PM: The "business center." (LOL) I'd be willing to wager that it has one or two computers that are probably from the early 2000's, a printer that's likely out of ink, and a weird smell. Avoid. It's probably for the best.
5:00 PM: Dinner. Options are limited. We're not exactly in a culinary mecca. But, we can attempt to find something… maybe a chain restaurant? Or perhaps, if we're really lucky, a local diner with questionable health code ratings and a killer cheeseburger. Crossing my fingers again.
7:00 PM: Back to the room. Exhausted by the sheer… nothingness of the day. Watch some mind-numbing TV, maybe browse some social media, pretend to be productive. The highlight of the day might be the complimentary (hopefully decent) shampoo.
9:00 PM: Bed. Sleep. Pray for tomorrow to bring something, anything, even slightly interesting.
Day 2: The Pursuit of (Limited) Entertainment
7:00 AM: Wake up. Hopefully not with a crick in your neck from the "fine" mattress. Coffee, if the gods are smiling. If not, well, let’s go find some.
8:00 AM: Breakfast in the Courtyard’s “restaurant" shudders. Pray it's the usual sad buffet with rubbery eggs and that weird, suspiciously bright orange juice. Maybe, skip it.
9:00 AM: It's time to face the music that is the local attractions. The Pee Dee River? A park? A museum? Google search time. Don't get your hopes up. Florence isn't exactly known for its vibrant cultural scene. (I’m starting to feel a little guilty, ripping on Florence, but I'm not going to lie…).
10:00 AM: Head out for an attraction. Okay if you're into the local history, there's the Florence Museum. Otherwise, there is a shopping center. You have your choice. Enjoy.
1:00 PM: Lunch. We're probably sticking with the chain restaurants for now. Maybe a burger, maybe some pizza. Whatever can fill a temporary hole in the soul.
2:00 PM: This is when things get interesting. Let’s make a break for it to somewhere nearby, maybe a nearby town? It's time to have a little more adventure.
5:00 PM: Re-energize: Head back to the Courtyard.
6:00 PM: Dinner. Try a different restaurant. You know, to keep things… stimulating.
8:00 PM: Back at the room for the evening. Get ready to watch some TV, read a book, or just stare at the ceiling in silent contemplation of the meaninglessness of life.
9:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 3: Escape! (Or, the Departure)
7:00 AM: Final wake-up. Coffee, if you're still up for it.
8:00 AM: Check out, with a deep sigh of relief.
9:00 AM: Final quick drive.
10:00 AM: Depart.
The Bottom Line:
Look, Florence, South Carolina, isn't Paris. It's not Rome. It's not even Charleston. But hey, maybe you'll find a hidden gem. Maybe you'll meet some interesting people. Or maybe, you'll just discover how much you appreciate the comforts of your own life. The most important thing is to roll with it, lower your expectations, and embrace the mediocrity with a sense of humor. And definitely pack those snacks. You'll need them.
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Florence's Hidden Gem: Courtyard Charm Awaits - FAQ (Because Let's Face It, You Need Answers!)
Okay, spill the beans. What IS this "Courtyard Charm" thing anyway? Is it even real? Sounds like something my Nonna would make up.
So, how do I *find* this elusive "Courtyard Charm"? Is it like a scavenger hunt? Because I’m terrible at those.
What kind of "Charm" are we talking about? Is this mostly food, or...?
Okay, I'm sold. But I'm impatient. Any specific examples you can give me? Like, *now*?
Any tips for avoiding disappointment? Because I have high expectations. And I don't handle disappointment well.
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