Escape to Indy's Hottest Hotspot: Residence Inn Fishers!
Escape to Indy's Hottest Hotspot: Residence Inn Fishers - A Frankly Unvarnished Review (With Maybe Too Much Coffee)
Okay, folks, buckle up. This isn't your sanitized, sterile travel blog post. This is real - my bleary-eyed, slightly-over-caffeinated take on the Residence Inn Fishers, Indiana. I just got back, still unpacking, and the afterglow (and the laundry) is hitting hard. Let's dive in, shall we?
The Big Picture First: Is it Worth It?
Honestly? Yeah, probably. For a mid-range hotel, it punches above its weight. But, as always, the devil's in the details. And trust me, I've found the damn devil. Multiple times.
Accessibility? A Mixed Bag – (My Knee Screams in Agreement)
- Wheelchair accessible: Listed as a feature, which is good. But remember, "accessible" is a spectrum. I'm not in a chair, but I have a bum knee, and navigating the property felt… variable. Some areas, like the lobby and main public spaces, were fine. Others, like the hallways near the fitness center (more on that later… shudder), felt a little cramped, like the wheelchair-friendly lanes were an afterthought.
- Elevator: YES! Necessary.
- Facilities for disabled guests: I'm not comprehensively testing this. But it is listed, implying they have the basics covered.
- The Verdict: Good effort, but some areas could benefit from a re-think to make it truly accessible.
Cleanliness and Safety? (Cue the Germaphobe in Me)
Okay, this is HUGE these days, right? I'm a borderline germ-a-phobe, so I was watching like a hawk.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Yay! Sounds scientific and reassuring.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Good, good.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Hmm… I didn't see this. Probably missed it in the fine print. I’m a bit OCD, I’d have opted in.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Excellent in my opinion.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Fingers crossed they’re actually using that training!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! Love it.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Essential.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Okay, I could live with that.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried! It was… a bit of a challenge during breakfast.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Again, good.
- Safe dining setup: A work in progress. More on that under "Dining."
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I am assuming so. I didn't lick the plates.
- Sterilizing equipment: I'm hoping this meant a good cleaning.
- The Verdict: Overall, they're making an effort, which is appreciated. I felt reasonably safe, but you still need to be vigilant.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (Breakfast, and My Personal Hell)
Alright, let's get to the good stuff. Or, in this case, the stuff that made me want to shove a croissant in my face and run screaming.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The star of the show, for better or worse. They try to do a good job here, but the sheer volume of guests made it chaotic. The lines moved at a glacial pace. The food was… well, it was standard hotel breakfast fare. Waffles, eggs, sausage. Nothing to write home about, but it's what you expect. But the chaos… The coffee machine was broken one morning, which, as a functioning human being, nearly broke me. A gentleman in front of me loudly complained about the "weak-ass coffee." I agreed. Then he stole my cinnamon roll. I'm still not over it.
- Breakfast takeaway service: They had to!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: See above… though the free coffee was available. I needed more.
- Restaurants: Technically, it's one restaurant. It's the breakfast area.
- Snack bar: I didn't spot a dedicated snack bar.
- Poolside bar: No such luck.
- Room service [24-hour]: Nope.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Not really.
- Happy hour: Yes! Drinks! (Needed.)
- The Verdict: Breakfast needs serious improvement, mostly in crowd control and Coffee Strength. It's the heart of the hotel, and it's a chaotic mess. The happy hour saved the day, especially after the cinnamon roll incident.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: (The Fitness Center – shudders)
Okay, let's be real. I planned to hit the gym, read by the pool… yeah, that didn’t happen. But here's what could have happened:
- Fitness center: OMG. I took one look at it and, nope. It was tiny. Overcrowded the one time I walked by. The equipment looked… unloved. The air was thick with the scent of… well, let’s just say it wasn't fresh.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Looked okay, I guess.
- Spa/sauna, steamroom: None. Well, they are not listed as a feature.
- The Verdict: Skip the gym. The pool looked fine, for a quick dip, maybe.
- Massage: No massage.
Internet and Techy Stuff: (Bless WiFi!)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Praise be! Worked perfectly. I could stream my shows, browse the internet, and even (gasp) work a little.
- Internet: Okay, I suppose it had internet.
- Internet access – wireless: See above.
- Internet access – LAN: I didn't see any.
Services and Conveniences: (The Essentials)
- Luggage storage: Standard, useful.
- Laundry service: Nice to have, but I didn't use it.
- Cash withdrawal: Useful.
- Concierge: Didn't see a concierge, but the front desk folks were helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, thank goodness.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yup.
- Air conditioning: In the room, thank god.
- Elevator: See above. Needed.
- Car park [free of charge]: Free parking is a blessing.
- The Verdict: Standard, but functional.
For the Kids (If You Dare):
- Family/child friendly: Seems to be.
- Babysitting service: Listed, but I didn't use it.
- Kids meal: Not sure
Rooms: (My Little Sanctuary – Mostly)
- Non-smoking rooms: YES.
- Blackout curtains: Bless them.
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Comfy bed: Check.
- Refrigerator: Helpful.
- Coffee/tea maker: Indispensable… when the coffee machine downstairs is broken.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yes, again!
- The Verdict: The rooms were clean, functional, and comfortable. A decent sanctuary from the breakfast madness.
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge]: Amazing.
- Airport transfer: Not sure.
- Taxi service: I am sure it is available.
Overall Impression: (The Honest-To-God Verdict)
Look, the Residence Inn Fishers isn't perfect. It has its flaws – the breakfast, the potentially cramped spaces, and the gym. But for the price point, it's a solid option. I’d definitely stay there again, but next time, I'm bringing my own coffee maker (and maybe a security guard for my cinnamon roll). The staff was generally kind and helpful (especially the check-in person and the front desk); the rooms were clean and comfy. If you're looking for a decent, reasonably priced hotel experience in Fishers, IN, you could do worse. Just pack your patience. And maybe a flask of coffee. Or, you know, a cinnamon roll-sized decoy.
Salem's BEST Kept Secret: Phoenix Inn Suites Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's rigid travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the glorious, messy, and utterly unpredictable adventure that is… Residence Inn Indianapolis Fishers! (Side note: Fishers? Seriously? Sounds like a fishing village swallowed by the Midwest. I'm already intrigued).
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (…with a side of pool time)
1:00 PM: ARRIVAL! Ugh, airports. My least favorite liminal space. Crowds, stale air, that weird hum of unspoken anxiety. Anyway, finally made it to the Residence Inn. Check-in was… functional. No warm fuzzies, no dazzling smiles, just the efficient clicking of keys. Honestly, after that flight, I needed a hug from a fluffy kitten, not a room key.
- Anecdote: Fun fact: I almost tripped over my own suitcase in the lobby. Elegance, people. I’ve got loads of it.
1:30 PM: Room Reconnaissance. Okay, not bad. Standard Residence Inn stuff: a sofa, a kitchen corner (score!), and a bed that looks… suspiciously comfortable. Time to unpack. Or, you know, throw my clothes in a pile and then stare at my reflection for 20 minutes contemplating the meaning of existence. Decisions, decisions.
2:30 PM: Pool Time! I know, I know, I’m supposed to be a sophisticated traveler, exploring the local culture. But the thought of slathering myself in sunscreen and doing absolutely nothing but float is unbelievably appealing. Plus, I saw kids splashing around earlier, and let me tell you: their unbridled joy is infectious. And hey, maybe I'll finally master that backstroke I've been "working on" for years. (Spoiler: I won't.)
4:00 PM: Snack Attack & Local Intel. Cruised the on-site "market" . It’s essentially a glorified vending machine filled with microwaveable meals and suspiciously vibrant snack cakes, but hey, desperation is a fuel. I grabbed a bag of chips & water bottle for myself.
- Quirky Observation: The vending machine’s choices are both exciting and disappointing. A culinary roller coaster, a delightful paradox of sugary treats and processed mysteries.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Gym Fail. Okay, I tried. The gym was surprisingly well-equipped. I lasted about 15 minutes on the treadmill before my brain decided to stage a protest, followed by my legs. Definitely a hard pass.
7:00 PM: Dinner. Options, options! Considering a grocery run (kitchen!) and some takeout. Maybe Indian? Thai? The eternal question that plagues all humans.
- Emotional Reaction: The thought of figuring out dinner is making me slightly homicidal. I hate decision-making after a long travel.
8:00 PM: TV and Decompression. Gotta wind down somehow.
- Opinionated Language: The included streaming services are adequate. Nothing to write home about, but at least I can turn my brain off and let a sitcom wash over me.
Day 2: Fishers Exploration (and the Ongoing Search for Good Coffee)
8:00 AM: Breakfast Debacle. Free breakfast at the hotel (score!). But… it's the usual suspects. Dry scrambled eggs, suspiciously perfect-looking sausage, and the ever-present mystery fruit salad. Coffee is… well, it's coffee. Drinkable, I guess. The quest for a decent latte continues.
- Messier Structure: Okay, let's be honest. The coffee. Is a problem. I am a deeply caffeinated individual, and this barely registers. I'd trade world peace for a decent espresso right now.
9:00 AM: Drive to Indianapolis (downtown).
- Rambles: Indianapolis is surprisingly charming. The architecture, the vibe… I was expecting a flatland of strip malls. Nope! Okay, maybe a few strip malls, but also some cool buildings.
10:30 AM: Visiting a museum. Fine arts, the history of Indiana… Honestly, I just wander aimlessly, soaking in the atmosphere.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: The museum was underwhelming. Art that seemed like it could have been done by a talented middle-schooler and the history of Indiana? Sorry Indiana, your history is a little bit boring.
12:00 PM: Lunch. Found a spot for lunch. The food was just fine, but the noise was loud.
1:30 PM: Time for the drive back to the hotel.
3:00 PM: Pool time again! It was nice.
4:00 PM: Happy hour at the hotel.
- Anecdote: You meet some interesting characters at these things. Last night I talked with a guy who claimed to be a professional squirrel whisperer. No, really.
5:30 PM: Dinner. The kitchen, again.
7:00 PM: The search for coffee.
- Doubling Down on Experience: Okay, the coffee quest. I'm not giving up! I spent a solid hour scouring Yelp for coffee shops near Residence Inn. My phone battery took a hit. I drove around for a bit, got lost for a good chunk of time, and then, finally, finally, I found a little independent coffee shop. It was glorious. Rich, robust, and worth every single frantic minute of searching. I felt reborn.
Day 3: Departure (and the lingering sadness… about the coffee)
- 8:00 AM: Another Breakfast Adventure. Okay, the breakfast buffet is starting to look like a hostile environment. I’m seriously considering smuggling in my own coffee and a stash of granola bars.
- 9:00 AM: Packing. The ultimate travel chore. Finding all the chargers, deciding what to leave behind, and desperately trying to fold clothes in a way that actually fits in the suitcase.
- 10:00 AM: Final room inspection/
- 11:00 AM: Check out.
- 12:00 PM: One last longing look at the coffee shop.
- 12:30 PM: Adios, Fishers. Adios, Residence Inn. Until next time… and trust me, if I'm back, I'm bringing my own coffee. Or, at least, building a shrine to the coffee shop that saved me.
Okay, Seriously, Is This Place Actually NICE? Like, *Really* Nice?
Look, "nice" is subjective, right? My definition of "nice" usually involves clean-ish sheets and a coffee maker that doesn't sound like a dying robot. And yeah, the Residence Inn Fishers, generally speaking, *is* nice. It's got that whole "extended stay" thing going on, so think big rooms. The ones with the little kitchens? Game changer. My first stay? Horrendous. I pulled up, it was a stormy night. Now, I've got a bad habit of driving when I'm stressed, and well, there was a minor fender bender on my way, so I was already 0/10. The key card wouldn't work, the elevator smelled faintly of chlorine and regret, and the breakfast the next morning? Cold eggs, hard bacon – the works. But, you know what? The rooms are HUGE, like, you could practically host a small rave in some of them. (I didn't. Mostly.) The TV, thankfully, did work. (Huge plus after the hell of the drive.) Later stays? WAY better. So... mostly nice, but prepare for the occasional hiccup.
The Free Breakfast. TELL ME EVERYTHING. (And Try Not to Lie.)
Okay, breakfast. The holy grail, the reason we *all* book these places, right? The Residence Inn Fishers breakfast... well, it's variable. One day it's a glorious spread of hot waffles, fluffy scrambled eggs, and actual decent sausage. The next? It's like they raided a dumpster behind a Denny's. I swear to god, I saw a lone, sad blueberry muffin just sitting there, judging me. Okay, I'm being dramatic. Mostly. They usually have *something* edible. The coffee is generally passable, which, let's be honest, is half the battle. They also usually have yogurt, and cereal, so even if the hot food is a bust, you can usually cobble together something. My advice? Go early. Grab the good stuff before it's ravaged by the late-risers. And always, ALWAYS check the waffle iron. It's the wild card.
What About the Pool? Because Sometimes, You Need to Just…Swim.
The pool... Ah, the pool. It's indoor, which is fantastic for those Indiana weather curveballs. Size-wise, it's perfectly adequate for a few laps or a leisurely float. Now, I'll be honest… during one stay, I was feeling particularly stressed (see, traffic, again!), and I decided to sneak in a late-night swim. The dim lighting, the echoing sounds of the room...it was almost spooky. But in a good way? Yes, in a good way. No kids screaming, no chlorine-drenched goggles – just me, the water, and my existential dread. (Kidding! Mostly.) Now, I wasn't the only one there. There were some fellas doing laps. Still, great for the mid-afternoon family funtimes, just don't expect a luxury resort pool. It is what it is.
The Fitness Center - Does It Actually Have Anything Useful?
Look, I'm not a fitness guru. My idea of exercise is walking to the vending machine for a bag of chips. BUT! Even *I* can tell a decent gym from a… well, a depressing corner with a treadmill that’s seen better decades. This one's decent. Treadmills, some free weights, maybe a bike or two. Enough to get your heart rate up and ignore the fact that you're trapped in a hotel room. It's no Equinox, but it'll do the job if you're feeling motivated. Which, let's be real, is a big "if" when you're on the road.
Is There a Grocery Store Nearby? 'Cause, I'm Not Eating Waffles Every Day.
Bless your heart, you. Yes! There's a Kroger practically spitting distance from the hotel. Like, a stone's throw. Perfect for stocking up on snacks, microwaveable dinners, and all the essentials needed for a truly successful extended stay. There's also some restaurants, but hey, they probably have waffles.
Parking: Is It a Nightmare? Am I Going to Circle Forever?
Parking's generally pretty good. Lots of spaces. No, you probably won't be circling for an hour like you *might* at some of those downtown hotels. It's not perfect, sometimes it's a bit of a walk, but it's not a dealbreaker. This, my friends, is a GOOD thing.
Pet Policy... Is it Pet-Friendly? Please, I Need to Know for My Furry Overlord.
Yes! I think. I'm pretty sure. Double-check with the hotel directly, but I'm *almost* positive they allow pets. I seem to remember wagging tails and happy barks during my stays. (Though, to be fair, I might be projecting. I love dogs.) But call them to be 100% sure. They'll tell you about fees and any restrictions, because, you know, those rules and regulations.
What About the Staff? Are They... You Know...Human...?
The staff? Alright, the staff. They're… fine. Mostly. They're generally helpful, but remember, they're probably dealing with sleep-deprived travelers all day. I remember one time, I was being a complete disaster - and I mean, epic level disaster - losing my keys, forgetting the room number, and generally being a mess. But, to my surprise, the front desk person was actually kind and patient. She even cracked (like, a really small) smile. So, yeah, mostly human. Smile at them. Be polite. They'll appreciate it. Or they'll pretend to. Either way, it helps.
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