Red Deer Getaway: Unbelievable Days Inn Deal! (AB, Canada)
Red Deer Getaway: Days Inn Deal - My Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Review
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Red Deer, Alberta, and I'm ready to spill the beans on the Days Inn deal everyone keeps yammering about. Let’s be real, I wasn’t expecting the Ritz. I was going for cheap, cheerful, and, crucially, a weekend escape from my screaming kids. Did I get it? Mostly. Did I survive? Definitely. Let's dive into this, shall we?
Overall Vibe: Budget-Friendly But…
The whole experience screamed "budget-conscious traveler." Which, hey, sign me up! That said, don't expect perfection. Think more "reliable Toyota" than "shiny new Tesla." I'm a sucker for hotel chains, and Days Inn, well, it's a chain. You know what you're getting, and in this case, it wasn't bad.
Accessibility: Okay, But Could Be Better
Okay, first off, the elevator was a lifesaver. Needed that after lugging all my luggage (and the aforementioned screaming kids) up the stairs. They do have facilities for disabled guests, which is great to see. However, I didn't specifically probe to find out where the wheelchair access was on the side.
Cleanliness and Safety: Trying Hard
The pandemic has clearly left its mark. They were very serious about cleanliness. Hand sanitizer stations were everywhere, and I appreciate that. They'd used Anti-viral cleaning products and had Professional-grade sanitizing services. Apparently, they even use Sterilizing equipment. I think they wanted our help and protection from COVID so much. The staff was clearly trained in safety protocols, which gave me a teeny bit of peace of mind. I didn't opt for the room sanitization opt-out because, frankly, after the road trip with the kids, I wanted all the help I could get. I saw constant cleaning of things like elevator buttons. I also liked the Cashless payment service.
The Room: Basic Comfort (and the Wi-Fi Saga)
My room situation was, well, it was like the budget edition of a hotel room. The non-smoking rooms are appreciated. The Air conditioning was a blessing, especially after a hot day of… whatever we did in Red Deer. I'll eventually get to that. I'm here to report on the Days Inn. It also had Air conditioning in public areas too.
- The Good: The bed was comfy enough, and the blackout curtains were a godsend for those late-night attempts at Netflix marathons (shhh, don't tell the kids!). There were linens & towels.
- The Okay: The bathroom was functional, although the shower wasn't exactly spa-like. The bathrobes were missing, even though they're listed as available. The mirror was in working order. They have coffee/tea makers, so I was happy because I was up at 6 am with the kids for breakfast, not even the hotel's.
- The Bad: The Wi-Fi! Okay, so they have Wi-Fi [free], and Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!. Sounds great, right? Wrong. The connection was spotty. Constantly dropping out. I did have Internet access – wireless, so I can use it on my phone. I was ready to throw my laptop out the window a few times during that week. Seriously, I'm pretty sure the Wi-Fi was powered by hamsters on tiny treadmills. I was in my room, in a corner, and the Wi-Fi was just not working in my room. At all.
I actually ended up using my phone as a hotspot for most of the trip. Note to self: always invest in a stronger data plan.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: (Limited, But Hey, It's Red Deer!)
Let's be honest, Red Deer isn't exactly the Riviera. The Fitness center was there, but it looked like it hadn't been touched since the 90s. It's there, but I wouldn't dare use it. I was too busy trying to fix the Wi-Fi. There was a Swimming pool [outdoor], but I didn't check it out.
- Things I didn't check out (due to Wi-Fi drama): I didn't check out whatever they had!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Buffet & The Bar
Breakfast was included with the deal. The Breakfast [buffet] was a classic hotel buffet, the kind where you take a deep breath before you go near the scrambled eggs. I ended up eating Breakfast [buffet] every morning. I am always excited for food when I am not paying for it. They had Buffet in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Western breakfast. There was a Coffee shop and Coffee/tea in restaurant, so those were good. I did not eat any Soup/Desserts/Salad at all.
There was also a Bar. I had a drink, hoping to drown my Wi-Fi sorrows. They also have a Poolside bar, but in the cold of Alberta, I will pass.
Services and Conveniences: Pretty Standard Stuff
- The Good: The Daily housekeeping was appreciated. The Concierge was helpful (when I could get a signal to ask for directions). A Convenience store was there if you needed snacks -- very convenient.
- The Okay: They have Laundry service and Dry cleaning. I didn't use these.
- The Meh: Luggage Storage, Car Park, etc.
For the Kids: Babysitting & More (Maybe)
The hotel seemed Family/child-friendly. There were even some Kids facilities. They do offer Babysitting service, but I didn't use it.
Getting Around: Parking & Driving
They have Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]. I just parked.
My Final Verdict: It's a Deal (But Lower Your Expectations)
Overall, the Days Inn in Red Deer was a decent experience for the price. It wasn't perfect. The Wi-Fi was awful. But, hey, it had the basics: a bed, a bathroom, a pool (maybe), and enough amenities to get us through the weekend. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, I'd recommend it, just pack an extra dose of patience and a hefty data plan. And maybe a good book (for when the Wi-Fi fails, as it inevitably will).
MetaData/SEO Stuff (Because, you know, I need to get paid for this rambling):
- Keywords: Red Deer, Alberta, Days Inn, hotel review, budget travel, hotel deal, clean hotel, family travel, Wi-Fi, pool, accessible hotel, Red Deer hotels, Alberta hotels, Canadian travel.
- Page Title: Red Deer Getaway: Honest Review of the Days Inn Deal (AB)
- Meta Description: My unfiltered review of the Days Inn in Red Deer, Alberta! Find out if it's worth the deal – Wi-Fi woes, family-friendly features, and all the gritty details you need to know before you book. Accessibility discussed.
**Rating: ** 3 out of 5 stars (Would be 4 if that Wi-Fi actually worked!)
Escape to Comfort: Stadium Blvd. Extended Stay Columbia, MO
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's perfectly manicured itinerary. This is my attempt to survive (and maybe even enjoy) a stay at the Days Inn by Wyndham in Red Deer, Alberta. God help me. Here we go:
Day 1: The Great Arrival (and immediate skepticism)
- 1:00 PM - Arrival & The Dreaded Lobby: Woof. Landed at the Days Inn. Let me tell you, the "lobby" is a perfect example of beige, a color that screams "we're functional, not fun." The woman behind the counter, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen a thousand lost souls – which, frankly, Red Deer might produce. Got my keycard (which, let's be honest, will probably demagnetize itself by the time I get to the room), and headed up. Praying for no bed bugs.
- 1:30 PM - The Room (and a mild breakdown): Room 217. Okay, okay, not terrifying. At least the air conditioning works, and the bathroom isn't actively dripping. The carpet, however, looks like it's seen a fair share of spilled coffee and tears. My emotional reaction? Mild disappointment is an understatement, and then the light flickers… and then, the remote. Oh. My. GOD. How can it be broken already?
- 2:00 PM - Lunch (Attempted): Found a sad little Wendy's a few blocks away. The chili tasted suspiciously like it had been sitting there since… well, since the last time I was in a Red Deer Wendy's, probably. Ate it anyway. Hunger conquers all, I guess.
- 3:00 PM - Red Deer Exploration (Round 1): Decided to be optimistic and actually explore. Struck out on a walk to the nearby River. It has a beautiful skyline, that being said, the air is thin, and I had to go back to my hotel, a little tired, and a little cold. I should have packed a sweater, but eh, what's life without a little suffering?
- 6:00 PM - Dinner & The Questionable Bar: There's a restaurant attached to the Days Inn. Bold move, Days Inn. Bold. The menu is… comprehensive, shall we say? Everything from deep-fried everything to… something vaguely resembling a salad. Opted for the burger (can't go wrong, right?). Wrong. It was fine. The bar, however, was a different story. A lone bartender and 3 regulars sat around a table. It was the perfect kind of place to sit, reflect, and consider my life choices, but I didn't.
- 8:00 PM - TV & Existential Dread: Back in the room. The remote is STILL broken. Spent a good hour trying to find something, anything worth watching. Ended up staring at the flickering, broken screen, contemplating the fleeting nature of existence. Welcome to Red Deer, friends.
Day 2: The Heartland Hustle (or, "Why am I here?")
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast of Champions…or, at least, "Breakfast": Included breakfast. The "buffet" offered a selection of: stale muffins, watery coffee, and, surprisingly, a waffle maker! Spent a solid 20 minutes trying to get a decent waffle out of that beast. Success was somewhat achieved.
- 9:00 AM - Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery: Actually, a rather pleasant surprise! Some pretty cool art and exhibits. Felt a smidge cultured, then promptly lost it looking at some terrible painting. The museum did have a few good pieces, some native art as well.
- 12:00 PM - Downtown (and another attempt at food): Walked to a cute place for a quick bite. The sandwich was good, and the people are friendly.
- 1:30 PM - The Actual Reason I'm Here (Work): Back to the hotel, trying to get some work done in the morning. It's a blur of emails, video calls, and trying not to let the Wi-Fi drive me to insanity. The internet decided to take a day off. Lovely.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner (Takeout Regret): Ordered takeout, was too lazy to go out. Regret is a dish best served microwaved (or so it seemed). Still, a great way to cap off the productive day.
- 8:00 PM - Back to the Couch (and the flickering TV): And, of course, the remote still doesn't work. I swear, a tiny part of me is starting to miss the quiet of nature, even if the nature is the flickering TV, that has no real source of entertainment. Oh well.
Day 3: The Escape (or, "Thank God for a Flight Home")
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast of Slightly-Less-Stale Champions: Same breakfast buffet, slightly more determined to get a good waffle. Success! I am now a waffle master.
- 9:00 AM - "Last Looks" & Panic Packing: One last, desperate glance at the room before a hurried packing. Checked all my things, and realized that I was losing time. My flight was right around the corner. Oh well.
- 9:45 AM - Check-Out (and a sigh of relief): Gave back the demagnetized key card. Thanked the woman at the front desk who looked like she could use a vacation, like me.
- 10:00 AM - Red Deer Departure (Hallelujah!): Goodbye, Days Inn. Didn't hate you, didn't love you. You were… an experience. And Red Deer? Well, it's definitely a place. But I'm definitely glad to be leaving. On to the next adventure!
Red Deer Getaway: Unbelievable Days Inn Deal! (AB, Canada) - Your Questions (and My Rambles!)
Okay, spill the tea! What *IS* this "Unbelievable Days Inn Deal" everyone's talking about in Red Deer? And is it actually *good*?
Alright, alright, hold your horses! It's a deal, a deal folks! Basically, it's a super-cheap stay at a Days Inn in Red Deer. I saw an ad (probably on some discount travel site – like, who *doesn't* lurk those?), and my inner cheapskate squealed with joy. Honestly? It felt a little sketchy at first. Cheap usually means... well, you know... questionable, shall we say?
So, is it good? Depends. For the price? Surprisingly, YES. But are we talking luxury? Absolutely not. Think clean-ish. Think slightly dated. Think... the faint scent of chlorine and possibly, *maybe*, a lingering memory of someone's forgotten pizza from a week ago. (I'm probably exaggerating, but you get the picture.)
But for a quick getaway, a place to crash on a road trip, or if you're trying to avoid overspending on one thing, it works. I went with the wife last month. We needed a break. The kids are exhausting at the moment, and we needed a weekend away. She didn't want to go in the first place, but after the trip, she was happy; even asked, "Can we go again?" (I'm not saying it wasn't fun, but I still didn't love it as much as I thought I would).
What's included in the deal? Free breakfast? A pool? Actual rooms?
Okay, let's go item by item, shall we? Yes. The *rooms* are real. They had beds and everything. The TV worked! (though the channel selection was like something from the 80s, but hey, vintage is in, right?).
Breakfast: Ah, the sacred breakfast. It's... adequate. You get your standard continental fare: toast, those weird little pre-packaged muffins (which I confess, I love), cereal, maybe some sad-looking fruit, and coffee that, let's be honest, tasted vaguely of sadness and regret, but hey it's fuel! We did get some good-tasting coffee from a local shop later, so it was worth it.
Pool: This is where things get interesting. The pool *exists*. It's there. It's... a pool. It was clean! (I'm a germaphobe, and I survived!) But the chlorine smell was *intense*. Like, you could taste it in your throat. Also, the hot tub? Looked a bit questionable. I kept my distance. I didn't trust it. (You might be fine. I'm just a worrywart, okay?) Be sure to bring your own towel.
Is it family-friendly? Should I bring the kids?
It depends on your family. If you have kids that are used to luxury hotels, maybe not. You'll be fielding constant questions about "Why isn't there a waterside?!". If your kids can entertain themselves, and you're looking for a cheap place to park them while you explore Red Deer, absolutely! There is a pool, remember? (See previous rant about the chlorine).
We *did* see a lot of families there. There's a playground nearby. Honestly? It felt a little... chaotic. Kids running around, screaming. But that's families for you. If you've got little ones, and you're good with a bit of noise, it's totally doable. If you're looking for a romantic escape, maybe avoid the weekend. (Or maybe this is your thing? I'm not going to shame you!)
What's nearby? Things to do in Red Deer?
Red Deer! Okay, let's be honest, it's not exactly the Riviera. But, hey, it's got its charms. The Days Inn itself isn't *right* in the middle of things. You'll likely need a car to get around.
Things to do (from my limited experience, because, frankly, I spent most of my time at the hotel):
- Shopping: There's a big mall (that really felt like every other mall).
- Restaurants: Lots of chain restaurants. Nothing particularly inspiring, but a convenient way to quickly eat.
- G.W. Harris Park: I kept hearing about it! There are trails by the Red Deer River, good for a walk.
- Alberta Sports Hall of Fame: If you can't go to the Hockey Hall of Fame, this is the closest thing you've got!
- Gasoline Alley Museum: Who *doesn't* love vintage cars and seeing how people drove back in the 50s?
Honestly? We spent a lot of time just... hanging out. Sometimes that's the best part of a getaway, right? We found a decent coffee shop. We had a decent pizza. We sat in our quiet room and enjoyed the fact that we were away from home. (Even if the room decor screamed "1990s hotel.")
What about parking? Is it free?
Yes! Parking is free! Hooray! That's one less thing to worry about, right? I hate paying for parking. Makes me feel like someone is trying to actively nickle-and-dime me. I had no issues. Plenty of space.
Okay, you've intrigued me (or, at least, not completely scared me off). What was the *best* part of your trip? The worst?
Alright, the good and the bad! Brace yourselves:
The BEST part: Getting *away*. Seriously. Just unplugging from the day-to-day grind and, you know, staring at cable TV. That feeling of a weekend stretching out ahead of you with zero responsibility? Sublime. And yes, the *price*. Still can't believe how cheap it was. Felt like *winning*.
The WORST part: The *noise*. Walls are thin, folks. VERY thin. Our room was right next to a group of kids and we got the brunt of every single shout, scream, and running-hallway-game. (And don't even get me started on the slamming doors). If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs. Seriously. I *beg* you. Or, if you're lucky, you'll be placed in a room on the other side of the hallway. That's what happened to us, and we didn't have any complaints!
Also, the breakfast. Okay, I know I said it was okay, but there was one particular muffin... it tasted like it had been sitting out since the Jurassic period. I won't go into detail, but let's justBook Hotels Now
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