Utica's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Utica's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - Buckle Up, Buttercups!
Alright, let's get real. We're talking about a Days Inn in Utica, NY. My expectations? Mildly optimistic. I anticipated the beige, the vaguely stained carpets, the questionable continental breakfast. What I didn't anticipate was… well, let's just say this place has some serious secrets, and I’m spilling the beans. Prepare yourselves.
First Impressions & Location, Location, Location (and the Lack of Glamour)
Okay, so Utica. Let’s be honest, it's not exactly known for its glitz and glamour. But that's part of the charm, right? The Days Inn sits… somewhere. Not "prime real estate" by any means, but it's accessible. Getting Around: They offer Airport Transfer, which, depending on your arrival situation, might be key. Otherwise, Car park [free of charge] is a massive win. Seriously, free parking? In this economy?! Sold. They also have Car park [on-site], so you're covered either way. Don’t expect a valet, though. This isn't the Ritz. But the convenience is king.
CCTV in Common Areas and Security [24-hour] offered a decent feeling of safety. Plus, CCTV outside property meant I wasn't totally paranoid about my beat-up Corolla.
Accessibility: Bless Their Little Hearts (Seriously!)
This is where I was genuinely impressed. Facilities for disabled guests weren't just a checkbox; they were clearly considered. They offered Elevator access (phew!), and the general layout seemed thoughtful. I didn’t personally experience all the accessibility features, but from what I could see, they were serious about it. Bravo, Days Inn!
The Room - My Fortress of… Okay-ness
Let’s be clear: it's a Days Inn room. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (essential in upstate New York’s unpredictable climate!), Alarm clock, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, Ironing facilities (thank GOD), Refrigerator. Basic, but functional. The furniture? Well, let's call it "vintage." But everything worked. The Bed was… acceptable. Not the best sleep of my life, but not the worst. I’ve had worse.
Internet Access: (More on this in a bit)
Room decorations were… minimal. Think "beige on beige" with a print of… something abstract. Non-smoking rooms were a must (thank the heavens!), and I appreciated the Smoke detector and Safety/security feature throughout.
Internet – The Good, the Bad, and the Streaming… (Okay, Just the Good)
Okay, this is where the secret starts to reveal itself. Internet access – wireless was FREE. And, get this, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! AND it worked! (I'm still reeling from the fact that their internet speed didn't crash just from me opening a YouTube for a quick fix of vintage cooking shows). I am talking about good Wi-Fi, strong Wi-Fi! Finally, a hotel that understands my streaming needs!
Cleanliness and Safety: Are We Safe or What?!
This is where things get impressive. Post-pandemic (well, still during the pandemic, let's be real), safety is, you know, kinda important. And the Days Inn? They nailed it. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer practically everywhere, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They offered Room sanitization opt-out available. I felt safe! Even with a messy person like myself. They also provide Staff trained in safety protocol which gives reassurance.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast: The Verdict
The one area I was slightly disappointed? The breakfast. Breakfast [buffet]! It was the classic Days Inn fare: bagels, cereal, some questionable fruit, and instant coffee. The Buffet in restaurant was a bit of a letdown, but let's be honest, I wasn't expecting Michelin-star.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Here’s where the Days Inn really shone. Daily housekeeping (AMAZING!), Dry cleaning (a lifesaver for a last-minute business trip), Luggage storage, and Laundry service (essential!) all point to a well-run establishment. Cash withdrawal on site, a Convenience store, and even Food delivery. They have thought of everything!
For the Kids (and the Kid in You)
I didn’t travel with kids, but I did see Family/child friendly aspects. Not a waterpark or amusement park, but a safe place for families. They offer Babysitting service, and Kids meal.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (or Not, Really)
Okay, so the Days Inn isn't a spa resort. Swimming pool [outdoor] and a Fitness center are the only real offerings, and I did not use it.
The Verdict: Utica's Surprisingly Delightful Secret
Look, this isn't the Four Seasons. But for the price, the cleanliness, the surprisingly decent Wi-Fi, and the overall effort they put in? The Days Inn in Utica is a winner. It’s not perfect, sure, but it's solid. It's comfortable. It's… dare I say… charming in its own quirky way.
If you're looking for a no-frills, clean, and safe place to stay in Utica, the Days Inn is your best kept secret. You’ll leave feeling like you got a bargain and, hey, you might even enjoy yourself. 4/5 Stars. Highly recommend!
Escape to Paradise: Courtyard St. Augustine Beach Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're about to dissect my Utica, NY, adventure at the glorious… ahem… Days Inn by Wyndham. Let's be honest, the word "glorious" might be a slight exaggeration. But hey, we’re here, we're surviving, and we're gonna document the heck out of it. Prepare for a bumpy ride, because that's pretty much the nature of my travel style.
Days Inn by Wyndham Utica, NY: A Love-Hate Relationship (Mainly Hate, Let's Be Real)
Day 1: Arrival, and the Eternal Search for Free Wi-Fi (and a Decent Pillow)
- Afternoon (ish): Landed, bleary-eyed, at the Utica-area airport (which, let's be honest, is basically a glorified airplane shelter). Grabbed my rental car – a bright yellow behemoth that screamed, "Look at me, I’m lost!" – and pointed it towards the Days Inn. The drive was… pastoral. A lot of cows. I swear one of them gave me the side-eye.
- Check-in Chaos: The front desk person (bless her heart, she looked about 12) seemed genuinely surprised to see a human. "Oh! Uh… room 217?" she stammered. Okay, fine. Room 217 it is. The key card predictably failed on the first try. And the second. And the third. Finally, brute force got the door open.
- Room Reveal (and a Crisis): The room… well, it existed. The decor screamed "1980s," but I'm pretty sure the carpet whispered, "1950s." Found a stray hair on the pillow. My pre-utensils-era ancestors would have been like, “Meh, it’s fine, the hotel’s on the budget.” Immediately began the epic quest for Wi-Fi that wasn't slower than a snail on Valium. I'm talking desperate wandering, crouching in the lobby, pleading with my phone. Finally got a signal (sort of) in the breakfast area. The bagel selection was… limited. Okay, so it was a single, slightly stale, everything bagel. But the coffee was hot, which is a win, I suppose.
- Dinner Disaster (and a Lesson in Culinary Sadness): Googled "best restaurants near me." Ended up at a diner that looked promising from the outside, but the "comfort food" was more like "existential dread on a plate." Soggy fries, a burger that tasted vaguely of sadness, and a milkshake that had the consistency of wallpaper paste. I swear, I left feeling older (and slightly hungrier) than when I walked in. The waitress, bless her heart, was probably the only redeeming quality that night.
Day 2: The Utica Zoo (And the Unexpected Emotional Breakdown)
- Morning: Decided to be optimistic and embrace a day of "adventure." The Utica Zoo was on the list! Figured, "Hey, animals, guaranteed smiles, right?" Wrong. Absolutely wrong. The Utica Zoo is a vibe. Like, a very specific, slightly melancholy vibe.
- Zoo-monium: The animals looked… contemplative. The lion seemed to be contemplating the futility of existence. The monkeys were judging me. The polar bear… well, the polar bear was a little bit sad. Seeing those poor animals in small enclosures was… humbling. And also slightly heartbreaking.
- Emotional Overload: Okay, I admit it. I teared up. Not full-on sobbing, but a definite misty-eyed moment. There's something about seeing any animal cooped up in a small space that strikes a chord. It made me think about the things I'm grateful for, like… you know… not being a lion behind bars. It was a lot to take in. And the gift shop? Full of plushies I very nearly bought.
- Post-Zoo Regret (and a Pizza Rescue): Spent the rest of the afternoon wandering aimlessly, processing my existential zoo crisis. Found a local pizza place that, thankfully, rescued me from the brink of culinary despair the other night. Deep dish pizza. The only thing that could comfort me at that moment. The pizza place, though? Seemed like it was stuck in the 80s.
- Evening: Back to the hotel. More Wi-Fi struggles. More staring at the ceiling. More questioning my life choices. Starting to feel less “adventurer” and more "professional hotel room lounger."
Day 3: Downtown Utica and a Faint Glimmer of Hope (and a Slightly Greasy Burger)
- Morning: Forced myself out of bed. Attempted (and failed) to navigate downtown Utica. It has a certain… character. Let's just say the parking situation is "challenging," and the architecture is… well, it's historical.
- Downtown Exploration (and a Fleeting Moment of Joy): Found a local coffee shop that actually made decent coffee. The espresso machine worked! And the barista was… dare I say… charming. It was a small victory, but I'll take it.
- Lunch and a Slightly Greasier Return: Had lunch at a burger joint. The burger was… good. Not life-changing, but a solid, greasy burger. I left feeling slightly more optimistic about humanity.
- Packing and Departure (and a Sigh of Relief): Packed up. The Days Inn had served its purpose. It provided shelter. It gave me a story to tell. It gave me a reason to appreciate my own bed. Checked out. Said goodbye to the 12-year-old at the front desk. And drove away, feeling… strangely grateful.
Final Thoughts (and a Totally Honest Rating):
Look, the Days Inn wasn't perfect. Far from it. It was a little rough around the edges, a little… let's say "lacking in luxury." But did I survive? Yes. Did I learn anything? Probably way more than I wanted to. Would I go back? Probably not. But hey, at least I have some stories for the grandkids (assuming I ever have any).
Rating: 2 out of 5 "Everything Bagels" (and a significant deduction for the Wi-Fi)
Escape to Paradise: Peñasco del Sol Hotel - Your Rocky Point Oasis Awaits!
Utica's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - FAQ
Is this really a "best kept secret"? Like, *really*?
Okay, okay, simmer down. "Best kept secret" might be a *slight* exaggeration. Let's call it... a diamond in the rough, found amidst a sea of… let’s just say, *other* options in Utica. You know, compared to some of the fleabag hotels downtown. I'm talking about the ones where you're afraid to turn off the lights. So yeah, maybe. It's surprisingly... not terrible.
What's the *deal* with the *food*? Because a continental breakfast is... well, it's a continental breakfast.
Ah, the continental breakfast. The culinary battlefield where your hopes and dreams meet pre-packaged pastries. Look, are we talking Michelin star quality? Absolutely not. But! Let me tell you a story. One time, I got there late, and the bagels… were… stale. Like, *rock* stale. I nearly broke a tooth. But then, and this is the kicker, there was this *one* woman – bless her heart – she was refilling the coffee and saw my pain. She, without me even asking, went to the back, *dug* around, and produced a fresh, warm bagel. That, my friends, is service. That's not just a breakfast, it's a… a *moment*. A testament to the human spirit combating the blandness of… well, you get it. Usually, it's the usual: cereal, some sad fruit, and the coffee that's either scalding or lukewarm. But the bagels? Go early if you want a good one.
The rooms… what are they like? Do I need to bring my own hazmat suit?
Alright, breathe. No hazmat suit required (probably). The rooms are… cleanish. Look, they're not luxury suites. You're not getting a pillow menu. They're functional. The beds are… beds. Some are okay, some sag a bit. But the *sheets*... now the sheets! Sometimes, gloriously crisp and clean. Other times… well, let’s just say the housekeeping could be a *little* more meticulous. I once found a rogue hair that wasn't mine. I panicked. Deep breaths. It's a gamble. Bring some Clorox wipes, just in case. The bathrooms? Functional. The water pressure? Acceptable. I've had worse. MUCH worse. The air conditioning usually *works*, which is a huge plus during those Utica summers that feel like a sauna filled with mosquitos.
Is there a pool? Because, you know, Utica.
Yes! There is a pool! And it's… something. Depends on the day. Sometimes it's sparkling, a beacon of chlorine-scented joy. Kids splashing, adults relaxing. Pure, unadulterated hotel pool vibes. But then, there are the other times. The times when the water looks a little... *murky*. When you can't quite tell if that's a rogue leaf or something... bigger. Honestly, the unpredictability is part of the charm. I went once and the pool was closed for cleaning (totally understandable). I went another time and it closed early because of a "chemical imbalance", the lifeguard said. It's always a gamble. Pool-adjacent, sure. But a true poolside paradise? Eh... Temper expectations.
The staff... are they… friendly? Or do they look like they hate their jobs?
Okay, the staff… is… alright. Mixed bag, honestly. Some are super friendly, genuinely helpful, and go above and beyond. You can tell they care about the guests. They'll offer recommendations, crack a joke, and make you feel welcome. Then, there are others who... well, let's just say they've seen a few too many Utica winters. They're efficient, but the enthusiasm is… lacking. It's all about the luck of the draw. One time, I had a truly lovely woman at the front desk who completely saved my trip with a smile and a quick fix to my reservation mishap. The next time? Let's just say I felt like I was inconveniencing them by existing. It's a gamble, but hey, that's life, right?
Tell me more about that ONE time, it sounds like it made an impression. The *worst* time.
Ooooh, you want the juicy stuff, huh? Alright, buckle up. Okay, so it was a conference. Like, *the* conference. All my hopes and dreams (and career goals) were riding on this. I'd booked a room at the Days Inn. Standard procedure. Arrived late, exhausted, ready to crash. The first red flag? The key card didn't work. Twice. Finally, after a stern-faced encounter with the front desk assistant (the less enthusiastic one), I got a working key. Walked into the room... and it smelled. Like, *really* smelled. Like a combination of stale cigarettes, old carpet, and… something else I couldn't quite identify. It was a scent that clung to the back of your throat. The bedspread? Stained. I swear I saw a suspicious… stain. The kind you’d rather *not* scrutinize too closely. The bathroom? Hair in the sink. The shower? Water pressure that could barely moisten a houseplant. I tried to call the front desk. No answer. Repeatedly. I was trapped. Trapped in a room of olfactory despair and questionable cleanliness. I considered sleeping in my car. Seriously! The whole experience? Utterly deflating. The worst part? I was supposed to deliver a keynote the next morning. I walked into that conference, sleep-deprived, smelling vaguely of despair and old hotel. Never again. Never forget, the Utica Days Inn, you nearly broke me, but I survived… I survived.
Okay, fine, what's the *one* thing that redeems it? Is there anything good?
Okay, listen, amidst all the chaos and the questionable cleanliness, there's one thing. The *location*. It really *is* convenient. Close to the highway, close to… well, *things* in Utica. And the *price*. Let's be honest. It's usually cheaper than the other places, which is a huge plus when you're on a budget (or just cheap like me). Plus, sometimes, just *sometimes*, you get a room that's surprisingly okay. You know? The kind where everything works, the sheets are clean, and the lack of aroma is… a blessing. It’s a gamble, but if you're not expecting luxury and are just looking for a place to rest your weary head, it could work. Emphasis on *could*.
So, would you recommend it? Seriously.
Ugh… it's complicated. Okay, let'Your Stay Hub
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