Gillette's BEST-KEPT Secret: Uncover the AMAZING Super 8!
Gillette's BEST-KEPT Secret: Super 8 - A Wobbly Step into Paradise (and Back Out Again)
Okay, so, Gillette's Super 8. The words alone conjure up images of, well, let's be honest, slightly less glamorous travel experiences. But hold on to your hats, folks, because this wasn't your grandpa's Super 8. This was… something else. Or at least, it tried to be.
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- Keywords: Gillette Super 8, Wyoming hotels, Super 8 review, accessible hotels, spa hotel, fitness center, pool, dining, family-friendly hotel, pet-friendly hotel (though, spoiler alert, not always!), free Wi-Fi, Gillette WY.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of Gillette's Super 8, revealing its hidden gems, quirks, and whether it truly lives up to its "best-kept secret" hype. Accessibility, amenities, dining, and overall experience dissected.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Like a Box of Unsorted Socks
Right off the bat, the idea of accessibility was there. The hotel featured Elevator access (thank the heavens, because I’d already packed more than I should have). And, according to the pamphlet, Facilities for disabled guests were a thing. However, navigating the sometimes-narrow corridors with a suitcase felt like a Tetris game. My advice: call ahead and double-check specifics. Don't assume anything – I learned that the hard way.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Don't know of any. I was too busy trying to figure out to get to my room, so I wasn't paying attention to the location of any accessible restaurants.
Wheelchair accessible: Limited information on this.
Internet Access: The Wi-Fi Whisperer (or Lack Thereof)
Internet: Ah, sweet, sweet internet. Crucial for all the Instagrammable moments, and… you know, work.
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Yes, a massive gold star for this. The signal sometimes felt like it was beamed in from, like, a distant moon, but hey, it was free.
Internet [LAN]: Couldn't find it. I didn't even have to touch the phone.
Internet services: The actual speed… let's just say I ended up tethering to my phone just to send an email.
Wi-Fi in public areas: Spotty at best. You’re better off finding a strong signal in your room than relying on the lobby.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Spa, the Sad, and the Sauna
This is where things got… interesting.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: None of these things were actually available. The brochure definitely promised a spa experience. I even saw the sign! But when I asked, I was told, with a shrug, that it was "temporarily closed." (Apparently, "temporarily" in this case meant "indefinitely.") This was a major emotional gut-punch. I'd been dreaming of this spa day all week.
Fitness center, Gym/fitness: It looked like a repurposed broom closet with a couple of treadmills and some rusty weights. I bravely ventured in and lasted all of three minutes before retreating. It was less "fitness center" and more "existential dread corner."
Pool with view: Yes, there was a pool. The view? Uh, it was of the parking lot. It wasn't the most inspiring vista. The pool itself was, however, clean and pretty decent to swim in.
Sauna: Closed with the Spa.
Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep, outdoors. Heated. That was a definite win.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitization Nation (Mostly?)
Okay, here’s where the Super 8 really impressed.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hot water linen and laundry washing, 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: They were taking it seriously. I actually felt relatively safe. Which is a huge deal these days.
Breakfast: … let's talk about that. The breakfast takeaway service was the way to go, because the breakfast [buffet] itself, while available, was a little… precarious. Think pre-wrapped pastries, some sad-looking fruit, and coffee that tasted like it had been brewed in a boot.
Hand sanitizer and Daily disinfection in common areas: Plentiful and visible throughout the hotel. A reassuring sign, even if the smell sometimes hinted at a chemical warfare lab.
Room sanitization opt-out available: You could, theoretically, opt out of room sanitization. Because who doesn't want a potentially unsanitized room after a long day of travel?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (Or Not)
A la carte in restaurant, 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: I'm being generous in saying that there were some options. The brochure claimed a lot. But in reality? The dining scene was… limited. Think vending machine snacks and the aforementioned questionable breakfast situation. The nearby restaurants had better options.
Essential condiments: There were condiments at the breakfast, but it felt like the food was just an afterthought.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and the Elevator Surprise
Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens, . Most of these amenities were included and were of decent quality.
Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: The elevator was a big hit! The other services were fine, but didn't blow my hair back.
Cashless payment service: Thankfully, they had this, which was appreciated.
For the Kids: Babysitting Service… (or Not?)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Claimed to be family-friendly. The options are a bit small.
Access: The Front Door Fiasco
- Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, . The front desk was open 24 hours. The entrance was a bit off, so there was a moment of confusion
Getting Around: Wheels, Wheels Everywhere (Except Maybe the Spa)
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Free parking was the highlight. Everything else was available, but not necessarily impressive.
Available in all rooms: The Little Things That Matter (Sometimes)
Rooms had all of the essentials.
Additional Thoughts & Ramblings:
Okay, so, Gillette's Super 8. It’s not a bad hotel. It's just… not a great hotel. It's a solid, dependable place to crash, maybe with some friends. The staff was friendly, but the service was inconsistent. The cleanliness was commendable. The amenities… well, let's just say the brochure oversold it a little. Still, it did have its charms. I'd give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars. It's the sort of place you'd
Tulum Paradise Found: Unbelievable Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa Deal!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to embark on a Gillette, Wyoming adventure that's less "polished travel brochure" and more "confessions of a weary traveler who just really needed a clean bed and some free breakfast." This is the Super 8 by Wyndham Gillette, baby. And let me tell you, it's going to be a wild ride.
Day 1: Arrival, Expectations vs. Reality, and a Whole Lot of Caffeine
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown Gillette (sort of). Okay, let's be honest, "touchdown" is a pretty generous term. More like "graceful descent into a town that maybe, just maybe, has more than three stoplights." The drive in was a blur of endless prairie, and by "endless," I mean the kind of endless that messes with your serotonin levels.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in at Super 8. Expectation: Clean, friendly, a beacon of rest. Reality: The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and desperation. The front desk person looks like they've seen some things. I get my key. First impression? Okay, it's not the Ritz. But hey, free breakfast, right?
- 2:00 PM: The Room. And the Mystery Stain. Okay, here we go. The door creaks open. The air conditioning groans to life. And… well, it's a room. Bed, TV, surprisingly functional bathroom. And then I see it. The stain on the carpet. I don't want to know what happened there. I won't ask. I'll just… try not to breathe too deeply.
- 2:30 PM: Caffeine Fix. Coffee. I need coffee. Badly. The complimentary coffee station boasts a pot that looks like it's been on the warmer since the dawn of time. I try it. It's… something. Let's just say it's black. And caffeinated. And gets the job done.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Reconnaissance Mission: Gillette. I decided to hit the town, after the stain was out of my sight, and a quick nap to make it bearable. Okay, Gillette you are very pretty! The town, and the area has the most wonderful people.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at… somewhere. Gillette's not exactly known for its Michelin-starred restaurants. I wander around, and finally settle on some restaurant with a pretty basic menu. The food is… fine. Edible. Fuel. That's all it needs to be.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the Super 8. "Entertainment" Time. There’s a TV. I channel-surf, realizing the internet is so slow, it's almost like being back in the 90s. I settle for a movie I've seen a million times. It's comforting.
- 9:00 PM: Attempt at Sleep. The Bed, the Noise, and the Lonely Sigh. The bed's… there. The air conditioner drones. Some distant car alarm beeps. The pillows are… well, they exist. I sigh. Travel is glamorous, they said.
Day 2: The Great Outdoors (Mostly, The Outside of a Mine)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast, The Buffet of Dreams (and Regrets). The free breakfast. This is the moment I've been waiting for! Waffles! Cereal! Hard-boiled eggs that look suspiciously green. I load up on the waffles (because, why not?) and some questionable coffee.
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Mine. And The Landscape. I head out into the beautiful wilderness of Gillette. I just had to take in the beauty.
- 12:00 PM: The Restaurant. I head back to the restaurant for lunch. The friendly staff and the great customers, made me feel like a local.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Wind Down. I head back to the hotel to just wind down and relax.
- 5:00 PM: The Night. Dinner somewhere random again. Then, back to the Super 8 for another night of not much.
Day 3: Departure (And a Deep, Deep Sigh)
- 7:00 AM: The Last Breakfast. Hope and Despair. One last waffle. One last attempt to not make eye contact with the questionable eggs.
- 8:00 AM: Check-out. Goodbye, Super 8! Farewell, Gillette! I hand over my key, feeling a strange mix of relief and… well, maybe a little bit of fondness for the place. It was messy. It wasn't perfect. But it was… an experience.
- 8:15 AM: The Long Drive. The endless prairie stretches out before me. And I realize… I'm going to miss this. In a weird, sort of messed-up, caffeine-fueled way.
- 9:00 AM: Goodbye.
Gillette Super 8: Your Burning Questions (and My Messy Reactions!)
Okay, so Gillette's been teasing this "Super 8" thing... and frankly, I was skeptical. Another razor promising the moon, right? But the hype? It's got me, and I'm ready to dive in! Let's get this hairy (pun intended, duh) show on the road...
What IS the Gillette Super 8, anyway? Like, *actually*?
Alright, alright, settle down. From what I gather (and from a lot of frantic online searches while avoiding work, naturally), the Super 8 seems to be Gillette's attempt to, well, revolutionize shaving. Apparently, it's got *eight* blades, which sounds terrifying and amazing all at once. Seriously, eight blades? My face is already trembling. They're claiming it'll be the closest, most comfortable shave you've ever had. We'll see about that, Gillette. We. Will. See.
Eight blades?! Won't that just rip my face off?
Okay, this is the question that kept me awake at night for a week. My skin is sensitive. Like, ridiculously sensitive. I'm talking "red patches at the slightest provocation" sensitive. My initial thought? "Instant bloodshed." But, they claim the blade geometry is *designed* to minimize irritation. They've got these fancy terms like "precision-engineered" and "micro-comb." Ugh, marketing. BUT... I've read some early reviews (and watched way too many YouTube videos, my shame) and they're actually saying it's surprisingly gentle. So… maybe? Fingers crossed, people. Fingers crossed. Maybe I’ll start an online diary dedicated to my post-shave experiences. "Day 1: No blood! Victory!"
How does it compare to the Gillette Mach3/Fusion5/etc. that I already use?
This is the crucial question. I'm a Mach3 guy, through and through. Been loyal for years. The Mach3 has never let me down. Okay, maybe *once*. The morning of that job interview, the one that turned into a complete disaster because I was so distracted by the itching and redness the razor left. BUT GENERALLY! I've been content. So, the Super 8 better be SPECTACULAR. From what I can gather, it's supposed to be a SIGNIFICANT step up. Closer shave, longer-lasting blades, less irritation. But is it worth the (probably) higher price tag? That's the million-dollar question. (Well, the twenty-dollar question, realistically.) Gotta see if it's worth upgrading my whole shaving routine, the thing that I do every single morning, the one activity that I can get on autopilot! Imagine having to concentrate on shaving! The horror.
What about the handle? Ergonomics? Is it going to slip out of my soapy hand and stab me?
OMG, YES! The handle is EVERYTHING. I've had razors that feel like they're made of ice. You know, the kind that just *fly* out of your hand the second you start lathering up? I've seen pictures – the Super 8 handle looks pretty sleek, and I’m really hoping it has a good grip. No one wants to accidentally recreate a scene from a slasher film in their bathroom. I am absolutely terrified of this. I will need to test it. Under extreme shaving conditions. Like, in the SHOWER! I'll let you know.
Where can I buy this mystical Super 8? And how much will it cost, approximately?
Well, that's always the kicker, isn't it? I haven't seen a release date yet (and honestly, if it already is out it is already sold out), but I'd wager it'll be available at all the usual suspects: big box stores, pharmacies, online retailers. As for the price... Brace yourselves. More blades = more $$$$. I anticipate it being on the higher end of the Gillette spectrum, perhaps at a price point that makes me wince a little bit every time I need to buy replacement cartridges. Ugh. But, hey, a good shave is worth, what… a small fortune? Okay I'll calm down. For my beard, maybe. For you all, I'd say let's wait for the after market for discounted or used deals.
Is it actually worth the hype, or is this just another marketing ploy?
I wish I knew! Honestly, I'm a sucker for a good marketing campaign. They've got me hooked. But I am also perpetually disappointed by almost every beauty/grooming product promising me the world! I’m cautiously optimistic, but I’ll be honest, I'm also a little cynical. I'm waiting for the moment it slices my face into ribbons. I'm planning to try it, and I'll report back with the unbiased truth. (I’m already planning the post. "The Super 8: My Existential Crisis in Eight Blades" or something equally dramatic.) Stay tuned, folks. The suspense is killing me (and my facial hair is, apparently, not.).
Alright, let's say I buy it, use it. How long will the blades last? That's important.
This is a CRITICAL question! Blade life is everything, right? Especially when you're shelling out the big bucks. I've currently got a blade that lasts, what, maybe a week before it feels like I'm dragging a cheese grater across my face? Gillette claims these new blades are more durable, with better lubrication strips. (I'm picturing tiny moisturizing superheroes protecting my mug.) But let’s be realistic, how long they last depends on how often you shave, how tough your whiskers are, and how well you take care of the blades. The promise is longer, which I REALLY hope is true. Seriously! The cost per shave is truly going to make or break this thing. If these blades die out in the week, it's a no-go, no matter how good the shave. I'll keep you posted if I find any life-extending tips. Maybe I'll try that whole "pat dry the blade" thing… although I'm lazy. Very, very lazy.
Okay, okay, I'm thinking about making the jump. I am. But I'm also nervous. REALLY NERVOUS. What if this is a complete waste of money?
Look, I get it. It’s a commitment! Shaving is personal. This is a big leap to go from a razor you know to something new and with eight blades.Stayin The Heart
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