Escape to Luxury: Crowne Plaza Hickory's Unforgettable Getaway
Escape to Luxury? More Like a Crowne Plaza Hickory Adventure! (With a Few Quirks)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’ve just returned from a little getaway at the Crowne Plaza Hickory, and I’m here to spill the (sanitized, of course) tea. This isn't your sterile, corporate review, this is real – the good, the so-so, and the "wait, what just happened?" moments. I'm talking all the guts and glory, the awkward elevator rides, the surprisingly good coffee, and that questionable wallpaper.
Metadata (Because SEO and I Gotta Pay the Bills!):
- Keywords: Crowne Plaza Hickory, hotel review, accessible hotel, spa, pool, restaurants, North Carolina, Hickory, getaway, luxury, family-friendly, business travel, fitness center, Wi-Fi, COVID-19 safety, pet-friendly, meeting facilities, airport transfer.
- Description: Honest and comprehensive review of the Crowne Plaza Hickory, covering accessibility, dining, amenities, and overall experience. Includes details on COVID-19 safety measures, quirks, and personal anecdotes. Is it a luxury escape, or something else entirely? Find out!
- Category: Travel, Hotels, Reviews
Let's dive in, shall we?
Accessibility - A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Good!
Okay, first things first – accessibility. This is HUGE for me, and the Crowne Plaza gets a respectable, if not perfect, score. I was stoked to see plenty of wheelchair access throughout the property, from the lobby to the restaurants and lounges. The elevator was a lifesaver. Bonus points for the facilities for disabled guests generally being readily available. However, I did notice some potential issues with certain door widths (narrower than ideal in the hallways), and the exterior corridor, while offering quick access, might present some challenges in inclement weather. This could be improved.
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: I'm getting hungry just thinking about this. There were a few!
The "Relaxation" Zone - Spa, Pool, and My Quest for the Perfect Steam:
Alright, let's talk about the fun stuff. The pool with a view was definitely a highlight! Sparkling, and the sun glistening off the water. It was beautiful!
Then, the main event: the spa… or what I thought was the spa. I was dreaming of a blissful journey. I had specifically booked with the intention of getting some good relaxation in, and the sauna and steam room were listed. I was prepared for the world to melt away in heat and humidity.
But here's where my "Escape to Luxury" almost became an Escape from Reality. The steam room was… well, let's just say it felt more like a slightly steamy closet. Not the opulent cloud of hot, moist goodness I'd envisioned. I went into the sauna and it was, again, more lukewarm than volcanic. The other problem was the light – fluorescent, harsh, and definitely not conducive to relaxation. I left feeling… underwhelmed. I spoke, I complained but not it didn't work, and I just had to skip the experience altogether.
The massage was booked for my partner. It did not go bad at all. She loved it.
There's the fitness center, which I bypassed, due to the lack of energy I had, after that sauna. Plus, a spa/sauna option that I couldn't take advantage of.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – From Buffet Bliss to Room Service Regret
The buffet was the highlight. A spread of food! I had several plates of it, I could not stop myself. And the coffee was decent, which is critical for me, especially in the mornings. Breakfast [buffet] was my jam! Asian breakfast was there too, but the breakfast was great, I didn't need to try it.
The restaurants available included restaurants, and coffee/tea in restaurant. At a bar, with a poolside bar as well. The drinks available included a bottle of water, and a coffee/tea in restaurant. I had desserts in restaurant, which was what I lived on.
I tried the room service [24-hour], and let's just say it wasn't the highlight of my trip. The food was… edible, but not memorable. It arrived promptly, which was a plus. But it took a bit of the shine (and the steam!) off my experience.
I did see a snack bar and a vegetarian restaurant but I was too full to try.
Cleanliness and Safety – A COVID-19 Checklist!
Okay, I'm a bit of a clean freak anyway, but in these times, I'm extra vigilant. The Crowne Plaza Hickory gets a solid thumbs-up for their efforts. I noticed hand sanitizer readily available everywhere. They are using Anti-viral cleaning products which is good. I felt comfortable.
Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professionals-grade sanitizing services were running. And they weren't just saying it, I saw it in action! The staff was masked up and clearly trained in safety protocol was going on. They removed Shared stationery removed. I felt like I was safe!
Rooms – The Good, the Bad, and the Wallpaper
My room had the basics -- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, and other features. I would have liked a separate shower/bathtub though.
The Wi-Fi [free] was smooth, didn't glitch, I got my information. There was an Internet access – wireless.
The view was… passable. The Soundproof rooms were actually pretty soundproof.
The mirror was present, as was the mini bar.
Now, about that wallpaper. Let's just say it was a statement. Not necessarily a good statement, but definitely unforgettable. Maybe it's part of its charm?!
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
The Concierge was helpful, but I didn't use them too much. I did see the Dry cleaning, Laundry service, and Ironing service. The Luggage storage was a nice touch too.
For the Kids – Family Friendly Vibes
I didn't have my little ones with me on this trip, but it seemed they had Babysitting service, and Kids facilities.
Overall Verdict: Embrace the Imperfections!
So, would I recommend the Crowne Plaza Hickory? Yes, with a caveat. It's not a flawless, five-star experience. But it's comfortable, clean, and offers a good range of amenities. The staff is friendly, and the location is convenient. The imperfections – the wonky steam room, questionable wallpaper, and so-so room service – actually added to the charm. It's a place where you can relax (mostly), grab a decent bite to eat, and escape from the daily grind. Just don't expect perfection. Embrace the quirks, laugh at the wallpaper, and enjoy the pool. You might just have a surprisingly good time! I will give it 4/5 stars!
Gillette's BEST-KEPT Secret: Uncover the AMAZING Super 8!
Alright, buckle up, Buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into my potential, slightly-less-than-perfect, but hopefully hilarious, adventure at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Hickory by IHG in Hickory, North Carolina. This ain't gonna be your pristine travel brochure – think more like a slightly-stained, dog-eared copy of a really good novel you found at a garage sale. Day 1: Arrival, Reality Bites (and Maybe an Overpriced Cocktail)
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown in Hickory! Okay, "touchdown" is generous. More like, "slightly-delayed-because-the-check-in-line-was-longer-than-the-Mississippi-River-at-rush-hour" arrival. Seriously, did EVERYONE decide to come to Hickory today? I swear, I saw a family wrestling a mountain of luggage, a kid wailing about a missing stuffed unicorn, and a lady in a floral dress who looked like she’d just stepped out of a 1950s' postcard. Charming, really.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. The front desk lady, bless her heart, was trying. She was juggling calls, key cards, and a particularly grumpy-looking guest with the patience of a saint. Finally, I got my key. Up to the room! Oh god, the room.
- 2:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance. Okay, it's…a room. It has a bed. It has a TV. It has a questionable air freshener smell that's attempting to mask something else entirely. I found a weird stain on the carpet, maybe I'll name it. "Barnaby".
- 2:30 PM: Nap time. Let's pretend I haven't just driven for 5 hours and haven't been running on 2 hours of sleep from the night before.
- 4:00 PM: Venture out to get a map. Maybe I should actually, you know, see Hickory? Found a map in the lobby, apparently, the hotel has a pool and a gym. Who's got time for those things? I have to, I have to plan the things.
- 5:00 PM: Hit the hotel bar. Gotta assess the cocktail situation. Hope the bartender is good. I need a drink and a snack or I might lose it. The bar looks cute, but the prices…ouch. I ordered a "Hickory Sunset," because, you know, local flavor. Tasted like a vaguely fruity, overpriced sadness.
- 6:30 PM: Decide that the hotel restaurant seems a little too…hotel-y. Wander out to find some actual local food.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner at… (TBD - I'll find something, I hope). Maybe a burger? I'm leaning towards comfort food, because travel equals stress, equals needing a very large burger.
- 9:00 PM: Back to the room. Flip through the channels, land on something terrible, and immediately regret it. Contemplate ordering room service, but the prices are probably astronomical.
- 10:00 PM: Attempt to sleep. Sigh deeply. Think about all the things I forgot at home. Curse my packing skills. Drift off to sleep, hopefully dreaming of delicious, reasonably-priced burgers. Or maybe a unicorn. And a nap.
Day 2: Exploring Hickory (and my growing existential dread)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, feeling slightly hungover (damn that cocktail). Okay, maybe more than slightly.
- 7:30 AM: Hotel breakfast. Prepare for disappointment in the form of sad scrambled eggs and stale toast. There's a coffee machine, which I'm eternally grateful for.
- 8:30 AM: Actually hit the road and explore. Hickory should be interesting.
- 9:30 AM: Visit the Hickory History Center. Time to learn something! Or at least, pretend to. History museums are always oddly comforting, a gentle reminder that other people have existed and suffered (it doesn't have to be your problem).
- 11:00 AM: Coffee break! A local coffee shop, fingers crossed for something delicious. Hopefully, the barista is cool.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch somewhere. I've heard good things about the local BBQ. Must. Find. BBQ.
- 1:30 PM: Explore downtown in the city. Maybe I'll get lost. Maybe I'll find a hidden gem. Or maybe I'll just get irritated by the parking situation.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel, change into my swimsuit, and hit the pool. Or, let's be honest, maybe I'll just sit on the balcony and stare into space and contemplate my life choices.
- 5:00 PM: Shower. Maybe put on makeup, maybe not.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at a restaurant I found on Yelp. Cross your fingers for me!
- 9:00 PM: Back to the room. Read a book, watch TV. Sleep. Repeat.
- 10:00 PM: Try to sleep early, but I lie in bed.
Day 3: Departure (and the bittersweet taste of freedom)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, feeling surprisingly okay.
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast. The same as yesterday, just with a slightly different arrangement of the sad scrambled eggs.
- 8:30 AM: Pack. The worst part.
- 9:30 AM: Final wander around the hotel. One last look at the questionable air freshener smell, maybe a goodbye to Barnaby the stain.
- 10:00 AM: Check out. Pray the line isn't too long this time.
- 10:30 AM: Hit the road and head for my destination.
There you have it. My Crowne Plaza Hickory adventure, as seen through my slightly bleary, slightly opinionated, and generally unprepared eyes. Wish me luck. And, if you see me, maybe buy me a drink. I'll definitely need it.
Escape to Mankato: Your Dream Stay Awaits at Days Inn!
1. Okay, *exactly* what does "Escape to Luxury" *actually* entail? I'm picturing a butler. Is there a butler?
Alright, let's be clear. A butler? Nope. My expectations were *slightly* higher thanks to that marketing. But, and I stress this, it's solid. You get a room, the "luxury" room, and it's… well, it’s nicer than the standard. Think bigger TV, maybe a slightly comfier bed. And here's where it gets good: a bottle of wine, or sparkling juice if you’re on the wagon, which, honestly, after the week I had, seemed *highly* unlikely. Plus some choccies. Always a plus. And, crucially, a late checkout. Which, if you're me, is a *lifesaver* when you accidentally sleep through your alarm, again. But the true "luxury" comes down to forgetting about doing anything and actually lounging in the hotel, which I somehow forgot I could do.
2. The "Luxury" room! Details, please! Was it, like... *fancy* fancy? Did it have a view worthy of a Renaissance painting?
Okay, so the view… Let's just say it wasn't the Swiss Alps. It was… a parking lot. Okay, maybe a little dramatic. But it faced *a* parking lot. However, the *room* itself was pretty good, all things considered. There was a perfectly fine king-sized bed that I immediately sprawled across. The bathroom was clean, which is always a win. No gilded faucets, unfortunately. But a good shower. That, my friends, is half the battle. Honestly, after some travel, a good shower is like winning the freakin' lottery.
3. The wine! What kind? Was it… *good* wine? Because a bad vino can ruin a whole vibe.
Alright, real talk. I'm no sommelier. I'm more of a "is it red?" or "is it white?" kinda gal. The wine was decent. More importantly, it *wasn't* the cheap stuff that gives you a headache the next morning. I think it was a Cabernet Sauvignon. Or maybe a Merlot. Point is, it was drinkable. Which, again, after the week from hell, was a huge victory. I may have had two glasses. Or three... the details are fuzzy. I was *escaping*. And a lot of that "escape" involved me staring out the window and thinking about where my life went so wrong. But hey, whatever helps you relax, right?
4. Let's talk about the late checkout. Did you *actually* use it? Because I am notorious for being a last-minute packer. Did you sleep in?
YES! I did! This is the single best part, the gift that keeps on giving. I set, like, five alarms because I am a chronic oversleeper. I swear, I have a sixth sense for turning off alarms and going back to sleep. But the late checkout? Saved my sanity. It felt like a second morning. I woke up at a reasonable hour, which is a miracle in itself, and spent a gloriously lazy hour just… existing. No rushing. No emails. No commitments. Just pure, unadulterated… me. Honestly, I almost cried. I almost didn't have to scramble to get out the door. That's worth the price of admission right there.
5. The Spa! What treatments did you get? How was it? Spill the tea!
Okay, the spa. Yes, that was part of the deal. I got a massage. And it. Was. Amazing. Like, the kind of massage that makes you question your life choices, in a good way. I think I even drooled a little. Don't judge. The masseuse was a godsend. She knew exactly where to find those knots of stress I didn't even *know* I had. I honestly think I could have slept there all day. The only downside? Having to face the world again after. The "after-massage bliss" is quickly ruined by the harsh realities of the world.
6. Did you eat anything? This is important. What about the food? Is there a restaurant? Was it edible?
Yes, yes, food! There *is* a restaurant. I may have been a little too eager to order room service. Okay, a *lot* too eager. The food was… solid. Think upscale hotel fare. Nothing mind-blowingly gourmet, but definitely edible, and importantly, *convenient*. I had a burger that was… well, it was a burger. And fries. Lots of fries. Don't judge. Comfort food is a must on an escape. Let's just say I may not have had a salad even once. Regrets? Zero.
7. Okay, so the *overall* experience? Would you recommend it? Be honest, even if it's messy!
Okay, so here's the truth – it was *exactly* what I needed. A total reset. Was it perfect? Nope. Did the parking lot view kill my vibe a little? Maybe. But the late checkout, the massage, and the unashamed laziness? Gold. Pure gold. If you're looking for a truly luxurious, over-the-top, "forget your worries" kind of experience, maybe look elsewhere. But, if you're looking for a solid getaway, a chance to de-stress, and a reason to wear your comfiest pajamas for an entire weekend? Then yeah, I recommend it. Especially if you're anything like me – desperately in need of an escape, a good nap, and a slightly-too-generous glass of wine. Just go. Seriously. Go. And tell them I sent you. (They won't know who I am, but still, it's worth a shot.)
8. Did you accidentally leave anything in the room? Because I'm good at that.
Oh, you know it. I left my electric toothbrush charger. Because, obviously. I only realized it halfway home. It was a whole *thing*. Moral of the story: double-check EVERYTHING. And maybe invest in a backup charger. Because, you know, the world is full of imperfect people who forget things. Me. I'm talking about me.
9. And, the most important question: Did it actually feel luxurious?
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