Hyatt Place Durham Southpoint: Your Dreamy Durham Escape Awaits!
Hotel Review: A Rollercoaster of Expectations (and Slightly Soggy Slippers)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because reviewing this place is like trying to herd cats while riding a rollercoaster built on Jell-O. I'm talking a full-spectrum, warts-and-all, honest review. No sugarcoating here, unless they actually left sugar packets in the room. (Spoiler alert: they did, but the coffee was… well, we’ll get to that).
SEO & Metadata Brain Dump (Before the Chaos Begins):
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- Metadata: [City Name] luxury hotel review. Accessible rooms, spa, pool, family-friendly amenities. Free Wi-Fi, safe stay. Honest review, personal experience.
Okay, meta-bullshit aside. Let's dive in.
The Arrival & First Impressions (or, the Moment My Slippers Became BFFs with the Humidity):
First off, the Accessibility. This place claims to be accessible. And they do have an elevator (thank the sweet baby Jesus, because my suitcase is like a small, angry gorilla). But, uh, navigating the hallways with a wheelchair? Let's just say it might require a tiny bit of Tetris mastery. Some hallways were a bit tight, and a couple of ramps were, let’s politely say, more challenging than they looked. Still, kudos for trying.
Once I'd conquered the obstacle course, checking in was a breeze thanks to the Contactless check-in/out. Bonus points. I’m a germaphobe, and that little bit of tech eased my mind. The lobby, though…let’s call it “grand” in that slightly dated, kind-of-trying-too-hard way. The air conditioning in the Air conditioning in public area felt like someone had placed a small polar bear in the corner to keep an eye on it.
Now, the room. The holy grail promised Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, and they delivered. And yes, Wi-Fi [free] - praise be! It worked! Internet access – wireless - also great. And that, dear readers, is where the good news about the internet ended. More on this later.
The room itself? Decent. Air conditioning – check. Alarm clock – check (although it’s the kind that could seriously wake the dead). Coffee/tea maker – check (we’ll get to the coffee). Desk, Laptop workspace – check (convenient). The slippers? Those little fabric sock-things they give you? They’re my new best friends. I practically lived in them, especially after discovering how damp the bathroom floor got.
The Bathroom phone was a nice touch, I guess, but my phone died first.
Cleanliness and Safety: Playing It Safe (Mostly):
Alright, in this post-pandemic world, it’s all about the safety, right? They were trying. Rooms sanitized between stays they claimed. Anti-viral cleaning products? Checked. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep. Lots of Hand sanitizer stations. Staff trained in safety protocol seemed to be true. I spied a few staff members using the provided Hand sanitizer. But, and it’s a big but, the execution was slightly…patchy.
The Room sanitization opt-out available thing seemed a bit odd - as though they were saying “You may opt out of cleaniness, should you so desire.”
I did appreciate the little things: Individually-wrapped food options (thank god for that), Safe dining setup (even though the breakfast buffet felt a little…sparse), and Staff trained in safety protocol.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Buffet Bliss to Breakfast Blunders
The Breakfast [buffet] was…an experience. As mentioned above, it was a bit sparse. There were Asian breakfast options, which, while tasty, did nothing for my craving for pancakes. The coffee was…thin. Like, watered-down-slightly-bitter-water thin. I swear, I spent half the morning chasing the caffeine fairies. Coffee/tea in restaurant – yes, but buyer beware. There was a Coffee shop but it wasn't open at the crack of dawn…when I needed it most!
I did eventually find some decent, albeit pre-made, juice boxes.
Restaurants – yes, plural! One had Asian cuisine in restaurant. There was a Western cuisine in restaurant too, and it was…fine. I didn’t starve. The Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver a couple of nights when I just wanted to wallow in some room-service comfort food and On-demand movies.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa-tacular?
The Spa? Oh, the Spa! They promised nirvana. Massage? Yes! Body scrub? Yes! Body wrap? Double yes! I went for the works. The massage was… good. Not life-changing, but good. The Steamroom and Sauna were lovely. The Pool with view – stunning. I spent hours just staring out at the scenery. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was a welcome respite from the humidity.
The Fitness center was another story. The Gym/fitness was decent, but I had to wait and wait and wait for an open treadmill.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Unexplained
Daily housekeeping was, thankfully, efficient. The Luggage storage was helpful. Concierge was available and useful. The Dry cleaning was quick. The Elevator was vital.
But I was seriously questioning the need for a Shrine in the middle of the lobby. And the presence of a Safety/security feature in the room was reassuring.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Frenzy (or, the Babysitting Situation)
They claim to be Family/child friendly. There was a Kids meal available, but I didn’t try it. The Babysitting service was available, though I didn’t need it.
Getting Around: Smooth Sailing (Assuming You Can Find the Boat):
Car park [free of charge] – score! Though it was a bit of a hike from the room. The Airport transfer was smooth and painless.
The Internet Debacle (Or, My Love-Hate Relationship with Wi-Fi)
Okay, remember earlier when I said the internet situation was complicated? Here’s the deal: The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was… intermittent. One minute it would be blazing fast, the next, it would be slower than a sloth on Valium. I tried to work a couple of times. Forget about it. I actually considered getting a Internet [LAN] connection, but I gave up in the end.
The Overall Vibe: A Work in Progress
Look, this place has potential. It’s trying. It’s got some good things going for it. The staff is generally friendly, the location is great, and the spa is a definite highlight. But, it needs a few tweaks. The internet needs a serious overhaul, the breakfast buffet needs some oomph, and the accessibility needs a little more, well, accessibility.
Final Verdict:
Would I stay here again? Maybe. If I was in the area and on a budget, yes. Considering the price, I wasn't ecstatic, but not miserable.
Luxury Staycation: Chicago's Hidden Gem - SpringHill Suites Lincolnshire!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is a Hyatt Place Durham Southpoint Blands (NC) experience, or at least my somewhat erratic attempt to survive it, in all its messy, glorious, human-ness. Grab a coffee (you’ll need it) and let's dive in.
Day 1: Arrival, Ambivalence, and the Quest for a Decent Cup of Coffee
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Smooth(ish) landing, which is a win considering my inherent fear of flying. The first thought? "Is there a Chick-fil-A?" (Priorities, people). The second thought? "Please let the rental car process be painless." Spoiler alert: it wasn't. The rental car guy had the charm of a wet sock. He did, however, get me the smallest SUV known to man. So, minor victories, I guess.
- 2:30 PM: Finally, freaking made it to the Hyatt Place Durham Southpoint Blands. It looks… like a Hyatt Place. Clean enough, I'll give it that. The lobby vaguely smells of lemon and a hint of disinfectant, which is the hotel equivalent of a blank canvas. Checking in was quick. That's a plus. Room? Standard. Beige. Functional. My inner monologue: "Okay, room. Let’s not judge. It's just a place to… exist, mostly."
- 3:00 PM: The coffee situation. This is crucial. Decent hotel coffee is a life-or-death matter for me. Tried the in-room coffee. Result? A bitter, lukewarm disappointment that tasted vaguely of sadness. Clearly, a pilgrimage to the nearest decent coffee shop is in order. Google Maps to the rescue! [Insert existential crisis over the fact that I rely on Google Maps to navigate the world.]
- 4:00 PM: Coffee Rescue Mission: Found a local joint. Holy moly, the coffee was divine. Like, life-affirming, makes-you-want-to-weep-with-joy divine. Grabbed a pastry too. The best kind of afternoon.
- 5:00 PM: Strolling through the Southpoint Mall. (It's right there, after all). I'm not a huge mall person, but sometimes you need to be around people and the hum of consumerism, even if you're not buying anything. Wandered aimlessly. People-watching is always entertaining. (I spotted a woman with a magnificent hat and a tiny, yappy dog. I'm already planning her life in my head.)
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Found a chain restaurant in the mall. (I'm nothing if not adaptable). Food was, well, food. Acceptable. Nothing to write home about, except maybe to my cat, who is very concerned about my eating habits.
- 8:30 PM: Back to the room. Sinking feeling that I’ve had too much coffee and a tiny glass of wine. I'm watching whatever's on TV, and I can't help but feel… a little directionless. Travel can be like that sometimes, a strange mix of excitement and a vague sense of "What now?"
- 9:30 PM: Attempt to read a book. Fail. The beige walls are subtly judging me.
- 10:00 PM: Bedtime. Hoping for a better tomorrow.
Day 2: Trying to Be Cultured, Failing Gracefully, and the Miracle of Wifi
- 7:00 AM: Attempt to rise with the sun. Fail. Snooze button is a siren song.
- 8:00 AM: Hotel Breakfast. (Complimentary, thankfully). Okay, this is surprisingly decent. Waffles! Yes, please. And the mini-muffins? Acceptable. The coffee, though… still a gamble.
- 9:00 AM: "Cultural Activity" – The Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This was a game-changer and the thing I really wanted to do. OMG, this place is beautiful. I'm not usually one for organized gardens, but this place is breathtaking. So many flowers, colors, and amazing architecture. Felt a momentary connection to nature. I went through the Japanese garden. Absolutely serene. I got lost in my head. Felt a deep sadness to realize that I might not get to come back.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Found a little café near the gardens. A sandwich and some iced tea. Simple, delicious. Contemplated the meaning of life. Or maybe just the best type of bread.
- 1:00 PM: Back to the hotel for some much-needed downtime. (And wifi! Thank goodness for wifi!) Spent an hour just catching up on emails, scrolling through social media, and generally feeling like a human being again. The world is connected.
- 2:00 PM: Impulse shopping. I bought a book at the hotel gift shop. "The joy of getting a book". This seems like an interesting read.
- 4:00 PM: Gym. I attempted. Ran on the treadmill for a bit. Felt self-satisfied. Then realized I hadn't packed workout clothes. Embarrassment ensued. I left, promising to return the next day.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Went back to the Mall. I needed to buy something. I went back to a restaurant. Mediocre.
- 8:00 PM: Back in the room. Another TV episode. Attempt to relax.
- 9:00 PM: Scrolling through social media. Everyone else seems to be living a more exciting life. I'm just in a hotel room. Existential crisis part two.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 3: The Road Less Traveled (or, The Day the Car Decided to Hate Me)
- 7:00 AM: Another attempt to rise early. Failed. This trip is full of failures.
- 8:00 AM: Another hotel breakfast. Waffles again. I would love to start a breakfast blog where I just critique the food, and my day, but who has time for that?
- 9:00 AM: Decided to be adventurous. This is where things went sideways. I wanted to drive to a small town I'd heard about. Headed out. The car made an ominous thunk.
- 9:30 AM: Pulled over. Looked underneath. Nothing obvious. Called the rental car company. They were about as helpful as a screen door on a submarine. More waiting. More frustration. More time wasted.
- 11:00 AM: The rental car company (finally) sent a tow truck. (The driver was surprisingly chatty, telling me all about his ex-wife and his passion for competitive eating. Quite the distraction.)
- 12:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Defeated. Discouraged. Ordered room service, specifically a burger, which seemed to be the only thing that could possibly make me feel better. It didn't.
- 2:00 PM: Decided to give up on the "adventure" and just hang out at the hotel. Read my book. Took a nap. Reflected on the absurdity of life.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Back to the mall and the reliable predictability of fast food.
- 8:00 PM: Packing. Preparing for departure.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. With the vague hope that tomorrow will be less of a dumpster fire.
Day 4: Leaving, Longing, and the Lingering Smell of Lemon
- 7:00 AM: Woke up. Tired. Sad to leave.
- 8:00 AM: Final hotel breakfast. (Waffles, of course). Contemplated the meaning of the waffle.
- 9:00 AM: Checking out. Easy.
- 9:30 AM: Back at the airport.
- 11:00 AM: Boarding. Finally.
- 12:00 PM: Take off. "Goodbye, Durham. Goodbye, mediocrity. Goodbye, beige walls." I found myself thinking about that beautiful garden, that amazing coffee, and the woman with the hat. This trip was a mixed bag, a little bit tragic, a little bit fun, and honestly, a little bit… relatable. Because that's life, isn't it? Messy, imperfect, full of unexpected thunks and the constant quest for a decent cup of coffee. And, hey, at least I didn't completely mess up the entire journey.
- 1:00 PM: Landing back home.
So, there you have it. My brutally honest, and probably not very helpful, travelogue of a trip to Durham. Would I do it again? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing my own coffee maker. And maybe a hat. And a tiny dog. And maybe, just maybe, I'll have a less dramatic rental car experience.
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So, like, what *is* this even about?
Why did you decide to do *this*? Is it a cry for help?
What if I don't understand anything?
What's your favorite color? You know, for science.
Tell me about something you *really* hate.
What's something you're really, *really* good at?
What's the meaning of life? Please. Hurry.
Is there going to be more of this?
Ok, fine. One more question... are you, like, happy?
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