Orlando's BEST Kept Secret? This Hotel Will SHOCK You!
Orlando's BEST Kept Secret? Hold On To Your Hats! (You're Gonna Need It)
Alright, people, buckle up. Because I just got back from… well, let's just say a shocking experience in Orlando. The kind that leaves you whispering, "Did that really happen?" I’m talking about a place that claims to be Orlando's “best kept secret.” And after everything, I can see why they're trying to keep it under wraps. Let’s dive in, shall we? Buckle up, this is gonna be a wild ride.
The Atmosphere (or lack thereof… sometimes)
Okay, first impressions. The exterior was… well, it existed. Not exactly a knock-your-socks-off kind of place. More like, “functional.” The exterior corridor thing made me think of a slightly nicer motel, but hey, who am I to judge a book by its… brickwork? But remember, that's just the outside. We need to dig deep to get to the real secret.
Accessibility: Navigating the Labyrinth (or the elevator, either way)
I didn't personally need to check things out from a wheelchair perspective, but I did notice they had facilities for disabled guests and an elevator. The elevator was decent, though it did have that faint smell of… well, I’m not sure what it smelled of, but it was definitely elevator-esque. I’m giving it a solid "Meh."
Cleanliness and Safety: Are We Safe? (Mostly, I Think?)
This is where things got interesting. They were seriously on top of their hygiene game. Anti-viral cleaning products were clearly in use. They had daily disinfection in common areas, and the staff, bless their hearts, were trained in safety protocol. Hand sanitizer was everywhere – like, even in the plant pots! (Shared stationery removed? Excellent! I hoard pens.) The whole room sanitization opt-out available thing was intriguing. I was tempted to opt-out, but I'm a wimp when it comes to germs, so I went with the sanitization. Rooms sanitized between stays, felt solid, though again a bit of a meh. Then there was the Cashless payment service, thank heavens! I can never remember how to handle physical money these days.
They even offered a Doctor/nurse on call, which is comforting. And they had a first aid kit, which is useful. The whole Safe dining setup felt legit, though I didn't eat in very often (more on that later).
The Most Mind-Blowing Experience: The Pool (And the View? Maybe?)
Okay, so let's talk about the Swimming pool [outdoor]. This is where it gets good (or bad, depending on your perspective). I went with HIGH expectations after reading reviews that had me ready to cry.
The pool was… there. It was a pool. It was technically Swimming pool, and there was a pool with a view. The view, however, was of the… parking lot. A meticulously kept parking lot, mind you, but still a parking lot. It was like a surrealist painting. The juxtaposition! The audacity! I'm still not sure if I was supposed to be impressed or… confused? I'm leaning toward confused. But I spent a good long time sitting in the deck chair and staring at the parking lot. I mean, it was a break! The sun was shining, and the water was cool. No complaints about the water
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Adventures (And Misadventures)
The restaurants were… present. I can't really say more than that. There was an A la carte in restaurant situation, a Buffet in restaurant (which I avoided like the plague). The Coffee/tea in restaurant was average, at best. There was a Poolside bar. It served… what? Oh, yes: watered down iced tea and warm beer. Maybe I just picked a bad day. Maybe it's the whole "secret" aspect that meant the bar staff were sworn to a vow of mediocrity. Again, more of a meh, in the grand scheme of things.
I was hoping for the Happy hour to save it, or the Happy hour food and drink at the bars, but no such luck.
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the (Potentially) Haunted
My room, you ask? Well, it had an Air conditioning, thank goodness. Air conditioning in public area was a godsend too. It had a Desk, some Linens, and a Seating area (mostly for staring at the not-so-scenic view). The In-room safe box gave me a sense of faux security. Free Wi-Fi. It also provided Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless - a step into the future. I thought I’d be using both, but hey, it was just the wifi.
There was a Mirror to check my hair, an Alarm clock, and a Refrigerator, all the essentials! The Coffee/tea maker was… well, it made coffee and tea. No complaints. This was good, really.
Here’s the thing. My Non-smoking room might have also been a Soundproof rooms, but I’m not sure. The walls were… interesting. I also found my Bathtub, so that was great. The bathroom was tiny, and I could not find the Bathroom phone.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things (Or Big, Who Knows?)
They had the standard stuff: Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, and a Concierge who was…trying their best. The Cash withdrawal was a lifesaver, and the Currency exchange was a plus. A Convenience store meant I could get snacks, but I'm still haunted by the bottle of water I paid $8 for. I mean, come on!
On-site Event Hosting: Meeting, Seminars and More
This place even hosted events! I mean, it had Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, and even Seminars, according to their website. Imagine the networking! Imagine the… awkward small talk. I did not get to participate, so I am only guessing.
For the Kids: Child Friendly!
There were hints of a Family/child friendly vibe. Though I did not have a child, so I could not verify.
Getting Around: Airport Transfer (And Parking Lot Views)
The Airport transfer was efficient, thankfully. The free Car park [free of charge] was HUGE, which was good because it's a good thing. The Bicycle parking was there.
Bottom Line: Should You Go? (Maybe, But… Be Prepared)
Look, this place is… an experience. It's not perfect. Far from it. But it's got a certain… je ne sais quoi. It's quirky, it's a little rough around the edges, and it definitely keeps some secrets. But if you're looking for an adventure, a place to tell people about later and a place to laugh at the memories, and if you're not too picky about parking lot views, then sure, give it a shot. Just lower those expectations. And maybe bring your own beer. Or maybe just call your therapist before you go.
Ham Lake's Hidden Gem: AmericInn Review & Booking!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is my Howard Johnson on International Drive, Orlando, survival guide. Think less "polished brochure" and more "slightly caffeinated, sleep-deprived diary of a human's attempt to have fun in the Florida sun."
Day 1: Arrival (and the Great Pool Panic of '24)
- 1:00 PM: Land at Orlando International (MCO). Ugh, airports. Always a test in patience. Did I pack enough snacks? That's the real question. Finding the right baggage claim carousel is an Olympic sport, right?
- Anecdote: Okay, so last time I was here, I nearly lost my luggage. It ended up in Texas. Not ideal when your vacation starts in Orlando. Lesson learned: bright pink luggage tag, ALWAYS.
- 2:00 PM: Shuttle to Howard Johnson on International Drive. Crossing fingers it's relatively painless. Praying for a pleasant driver, and even more, praying for A/C that works. Let the games begin!
- Quirky Observation: The International Drive landscape is… unique. A bizarre tapestry of tourist traps, questionable restaurants, and flashing lights. It's simultaneously overwhelming and utterly captivating.
- 3:00 PM: Check-in, pray the room isn't a dungeon. Clean sheets? Please, let it be clean sheets. And for the love of all things holy, decent Wi-Fi.
- 3:30 PM: Room inspection. Heavy sigh. Okay, it's… functional. The carpet looks like it’s seen some things, but the air conditioning is working. Excellent. Unpack, then straight for the pool.
- 4:00 PM: The Great Pool Panic of '24 begins. I'm talking chlorine smell, screaming kids, and a general sense of blissful chaos. Find a chair, attempt to relax.
- Emotional Reaction: This is the best kind of chaos! The sun on my face, the sound of splashing, the sheer, unadulterated joy of being here. I LOVE IT.
- Messy Structure/Rambling: Okay, so maybe the pool water is a tad cloudy. And yes, there’s a kid currently doing an interpretive dance with a pool noodle directly in front of me. But honestly, it's amazing.
- 6:00 PM: Taco Bell (because, vacation). Fuel up before…
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a random chain restaurant. Anything but the pool!
Day 2: Theme Park Mayhem (and the Unexpected Joy of a Souvenir Spoon)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Coffee. Lots of coffee.
- Strong Emotional Reaction: Ugh, mornings. But, I suppose, the prospect of theme park fun is the only thing that gets me out of bed.
- 9:00 AM: Head to the park! This is where specifics start to get… hazy. Because let's be honest, the actual day is going to be a blur of lines, rides, and overpriced snacks.
- Opinionated Language/Natural Pacing: Ok, so it's a theme park, I have no idea which exactly, they all, at the end are pretty much the same, so I'm not gonna be particular. Get the fast passes, or whatever they call them.
- 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Park time. Rides, food, more rides, overpriced souvenirs (gotta get something).
- Anecdote: Last time… I ended up on a ride I was definitely not tall enough for, which caused a slight, um, "internal struggle". The attendant was not pleased. Yeah.
- Letting it get stream-of-consciousness: Wait, what ride was it? Oh yeah, the one where I… oh god. Don't make me think about it. Just… pictures. Photos. That's all. No, wait, the lines. Remember the lines?
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the park. Pizza. I hate pizza. But when you're in a theme park, pizza is the law.
- 7:00 PM-7:30 PM: Doubling Down on a Single Experience Okay, I need to be honest. This whole day was, for the most part, a hazy blur of lines and overpriced popcorn. But there was one thing that made it all worthwhile: The Souvenir Spoon. Yes, the spoon. I have a weakness for them. So I bought one. It’s engraved with "Orlando Memories". I love it. It's perfect. I'm not kidding myself: I'll probably never use it to eat anything. But it’s there. And I love it.
- 7:30 PM: Exit the park.
- 8:30 PM: Get back at my hotel. Sleep.
Day 3: Rest and Relaxation (and the Search for the Holy Grail of Coffee)
- 9:00 AM: SLEEP IN. Glorious, blessed sleep.
- 10:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Praying the continental offering is edible. More coffee is absolutely essential.
- Quirky Observation: It’s amazing how hotels can manage to make even the most simple of breakfasts… challenging.
- 11:00 AM: Pool time again! This time, determined to actually relax. Maybe read a book. Maybe take a nap…
- 1:00 PM: LUNCH!!! And the search for great coffee. I walked around the hotel until my feet hurt, I ask at the front desk and there was no luck. I did everything! But I didn't find it. I really needed that coffee. I went to a fast food restaurant and it was like that, so I didn't have coffee. I guess, I will have to survive and try some other places with the hope I can finally find that.
- 2:00 PM: Still no coffee. Consider a coffee shop. Do some shopping at the hotel store.
- 3:00 PM: More pool, reading, attempting to avoid sunburn.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner.
- 6:00 PM: Some local shows.
- 7:00 PM: Back again in the hotel.
Day 4: Departure (and the Bitter-Sweet Goodbye to Questionable Carpet)
- 8:00 AM: Last breakfast. Sad face.
- 9:00 AM: Pack. Seriously considering smuggling the souvenir spoon back home (shhh!).
- 10:00 AM: Check out.
- 11:00 AM: Shuttle to the airport. Sigh. The end of the vacation means the end of doing whatever I want.
- 12:00 PM: Airport. Security. Hoping I haven't forgotten anything important. Praying for a smooth flight.
- 1:00 PM: Flight.
- Strong Emotional Reaction: Farewell, Orlando. Farewell, questionable carpet. Farewell, chaotic pools. Until next time… I'll miss it. (Maybe.) (Probably.)
- *(Insert actual flight time here): LANDING AT HOME.
Final Thoughts:
Look, was it perfect? Absolutely not. Was it exactly what I needed? Absolutely. And that souvenir spoon? Worth every penny. Until next time, Florida… and probably, another Howard Johnson.
Champaign's BEST Kept Secret: Super 8 Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Okay, spill it! What's the "Best Kept Secret" hotel you're raving about? And why "shocking"? My interest is... piqued!
What ACTUALLY makes it "shocking"? Is it like, haunted or something? (I’m a sucker for a good ghost story).
Okay, the art thing sounds… expensive. Is this place going to break the bank? 'Cause my budget looks like a sad, deflated balloon right now.
Let's talk about the rooms. Are they… clean? And are the beds comfortable? Because I'm not sleeping on a rock!
What's the food situation like? Because a good hotel has GOOD food, right? Tell me about the restaurant, and the drinks.
**Rambling Time:** *Okay, I'm going to get real for a second. I've been to a lot of hotels, and the bar scene is often… sad. Bland cocktails, disinterested bartenders, and a general air of "meh." Not here. This place is *alive*. It's buzzing! And the cocktails are, dare I say, *inspired*. I think I ordered, like, three. Don't judge. I was relaxed and soaking in the atmosphere, and let the good times roll.*
Are there any downsides? Anything I need to be warned about?
Who is this hotel *REALLY* for? Is it family-friendly? Romantic getaway? Business trip?
Okay, you've convinced me to consider it. Any final thoughts? Anything I absolutely MUST do if I go?
**Must-Do List:** * **Explore the Artwork:** Seriously, wander around and LOOK. Take your time. There's a lot to discover. * **Have a cocktail at the bar.** The bartenders are amazing. * **Eat at The Boheme.** Even if it’s just an appetizer. Or three. * **Take a long bath.** Seriously, the tubs are fantastic.
And… just relax! It's a special place. Go and enjoy it. And *tell* me what you think! (I’m nosy).
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