Escape to Michigan's Coast: Fairfield Inn & Suites New Buffalo Awaits!
Escape to Michigan's Coast: Fairfield Inn & Suites New Buffalo - My Chaotic, Coastal Caper! (A Review That’s Probably Too Long)
Alright, buckle up buttercups! This is gonna be a long one. I just got back from a whirlwind escape to New Buffalo, Michigan, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites was my basecamp. I'm still picking sand out of my… everywhere. So, here's the lowdown, raw and unfiltered, with all the messy bits included. Consider this a verbal vomit - of the good, the bad, and the slightly questionable.
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- Meta Description: Unfiltered review of Fairfield Inn & Suites New Buffalo, Michigan! Accessibility, amenities, food, and a whole lotta opinions on a coastal escape. Is it worth the trip? Let's dive in! (Spoiler: It's complicated.)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (and My Tiny Triumph)
Okay, let’s start with the important stuff. Accessibility. Now, I have my own specific mobility issues that make this a HUGE factor. The Fairfield Inn & Suites in New Buffalo attempts to accommodate, but it’s not perfect. I’m a wheelchair user, and the ramps leading into the hotel were manageable, but the automatic doors needed some umph from me and my trusty companion, "Bessie" (my wheelchair, don't judge!).
- Wheelchair Accessible: Check. But could be smoother.
- Elevator: Yep! Essential!
- Accessible Rooms: They offer them. I didn't book one this time, but I saw them. Looked decent. Call ahead and confirm! They even had grab bars! Which, I’ll tell you, are a godsend after a day of attempting to navigate the beach sand.
- Bathroom: The regular rooms I was seeing had limited space for a wheelchair so be sure about the accessible options which could definitely be a plus.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: Honestly, my stay was pretty quiet so the restaurant was also quiet. I did not go at the bar and just stayed in my room most of the time.
Internet Access: Connected, But Not Always in the Zone
Look, in this day and age, Wi-Fi is essential. I need to work (unfortunately). The Fairfield offers it, but I definitely struggled at times.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Mostly true. Sometimes I had to reset my phone, other times it was strong enough to stream a movie. Definitely a mixed bag.
- Internet [LAN] Didn't try, because, who are we kidding?
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Better than in my room, go figure. The Lobby area was pretty good.
Things to Do, Ways To Relax: Spa Dreams and Poolside Shenanigans
Okay, this is where the Fairfield REALLY tried to shine. And mostly, it did! Now, the spa is a bit of a tease. Yes, there are options…nearby. The hotel doesn’t actually have a spa within its walls. This was a bit disappointing for a spa-loving person like myself. But there are plenty of massage places, I can tell you that.
- Fitness Center: I peeked in. Looked…sufficient. I skipped the gym (beach, sand, walking - exercise enough).
- Swimming pool: The pool situation was pretty awesome! Outdoor pool with a view was perfect for the kids.
- Sauna, Spa/Sauna, Steamroom: Similar to the spa, these are not present directly in the hotel. Keep this in mind.
Cleanliness and Safety: Slightly Obsessive, But Comforting
Since we’re still in (kinda) post-pandemic times, I was watching pretty closely.
- **Anti-viral cleaning products, *Daily disinfection in common areas*, **Hand sanitizer, **Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, **Staff trained in safety protocol, **Sanitizing equipment, **Rooms sanitized between stays *I felt pretty safe overall. The staff really tried to keep up, and I appreciated the attention to detail.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere: Checked.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Good option.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast Bites and Bar Delights
Food. My other passion! My room didn't have a kitchen so.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfast was decent, buffet-style. Waffles were a must. Nothing to write home about, but filled the hungry void.
- Restaurants: The hotel had a restaurant, but I preferred eating other places.
- Poolside bar: Pretty decent! Drinks were well made!
Services and Conveniences: From Concierge to (Almost) Everything
Let's be real, convenience matters.
- Air conditioning in public area: A blessing in the humid Michigan summer.
- Concierge: Helpful, but more of a "front desk" with some local suggestions.
- Convenience store: A lifesaver for snacks and forgotten essentials.
- Daily housekeeping: Spot-on. My room was always tidy, even with my trail of mess.
- Elevator: Thank goodness.
- Food delivery: Yes, and the variety was impressive.
- Luggage storage: Helpful.
- Smoking area: Separate, which I appreciated.
For the Kids: A Playground of Fun?
I didn't travel with kids, but I saw plenty of families having a blast.
- Family/child friendly: Definitely.
- Kids meal: Saw options at the restaurant.
- Pool: Perfect for splashing.
Available in all rooms:
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Old-school, but works.
- Coffee/tea maker: Standard, but a lifesaver for a caffeine addict like me.
- Desk: Nice to work on (when the internet was cooperating).
- Hair dryer: Check.
- Internet access – wireless: See above.
- Ironing facilities: No complaints.
- Mini bar: Standard mini-fridge for all my precious snacks.
- Non-smoking: Yes, and that's a huge plus.
- Private bathroom: Yep.
- Refrigerator: Another win!
- Satellite/cable channels: Nice to have something to watch at night.
- Seating area: Okay enough to chill out after a long day.
- Shower: Fine.
- Smoke detector: Phew!
- Telephone: Didn't use it.
- Wi-Fi [free]: See above.
- Window that opens. Always good to have.
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes, and plentiful.
The Good, The Bad, and The Slightly Bizarre (My Personal Ramblings)
Okay, deep breaths. This hotel was…fine. It ticks a lot of boxes. It’s clean, the staff are friendly, and the location is fantastic. Right by the beach, easy access to everything New Buffalo has to offer.
- The Good: The location, the pool, the cleanliness, the comfy bed, the breakfast waffles, and the general friendly vibe.
- The Bad: The inconsistent Wi-Fi, the missing in-house spa, and the slightly wonky accessibility. The rooms aren't that special.
- The Bizarre: Okay, and this is a small thing, but… the elevator music. It was some kind of elevator-synth-pop mix that I'm pretty sure was beamed in from 1987. It was…memorable. I can still hear it.
Would I go back?
Probably. The location and the overall value make it a solid choice. Next time, I’ll call ahead and book a specific accessible room. And maybe, just maybe, request they update the elevator playlist. Seriously, my ears need a break.
Final Verdict: Three and a half stars. A solid option for a coastal escape, but with room for improvement. Make sure you know what you're getting, and pack your own spa kit! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go wash the sand out of my hair. And maybe listen to some actual music.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercup! This ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is the real deal, a gloriously messy, emotionally charged, probably-slightly-overpacked trip to New Buffalo, Michigan, centered around the Fairfield Inn & Suites. Let's see if I can manage to follow this, or if it just falls apart spectacularly.
NEW BUFFALO CHAOS: A Fairfield Inn & Suites Foray (Probably)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Hotel Vibes
(Afternoon – Late): Arrive in New Buffalo. Ugh, the drive. Always the drive. This time, I'm determined to not get hangry and to actually enjoy the scenery. (Famous last words, right?) Check into Fairfield Inn & Suites. You know, that weird, pre-packaged feeling you get in chain hotels? Like, everything's perfectly symmetrical and vaguely soulless. I'm already looking for the soul. Maybe I'll find it in the complimentary coffee? (Spoiler alert: probably not.)
Rambling Thought: I swear, the lobby smells faintly of chlorine and regret. Or maybe that's just me.
(Late Afternoon/Early Evening): Unpack. (Which, let's be honest, is just shoving everything haphazardly into drawers). Assess the room. Does it have decent wi-fi? Crucial. Does it have a mini-fridge? Even more crucial for late-night snack emergencies.
Emotional Reaction: Relief! The air conditioning actually works! Small victories, people.
(Evening): Dinner. I'm torn. Do I go for the safe option and grab something immediately nearby? Or do I take a chance and explore downtown? The struggle is real, and the rumbling in my stomach is not helping.
Minor Category of Doubt: Is it still light outside? And I have yet to get an idea of the surrounding of this beautiful town.
Day 2: Beach Bliss (and Potential Disaster)
(Morning): Breakfast at the hotel! Okay, let's be honest again I am not a breakfast person but I'll give it the old college try. Cereal, maybe some questionable-looking scrambled eggs. Probably burn the roof of my mouth on the coffee. Embrace the blandness. Embrace the hotel breakfast experience.
Quirky Observation: The guy next to me is wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a visor. Dedication. I aspire to that level of vacation commitment.
(Mid-Morning): Head to the beach! New Buffalo has a gorgeous beach, and that's the whole point. Sunscreen, check. Towel, check. An unrealistic expectation of looking effortlessly glamorous while wading in Lake Michigan? Absolutely.
Messier Structure: Okay, this is where things might go south. I’m notoriously bad at relaxing. I'll probably spend the whole time worrying about rogue seagulls swooping in for my fries or the undertow snatching my sandals.
(Afternoon): Beach time. Swimming. Maybe try to actually read a book. Or at least pretend to. I always have the intention but seldom the focus for reading.
Anecdote: Last time I tried swimming in a lake, a rogue fish (or, let's be real, probably a tiny minnow) brushed against my leg. I screamed like a banshee and nearly drowned myself. This time, I'll be prepared. I am definitely prepared emotionally. I would probably drown myself again.
(Late Afternoon): Ice cream! Gotta have ice cream. Find the most ridiculously over-the-top sundae in town. It's a vacation right, so it is my moral obligation.
Rant: Why are ice cream cones always so melty? It's pure chaos.
(Evening): Dinner somewhere downtown. Find one of the local spots. Seafood is on the menu. Maybe. If I've recovered from the terror of the lake.
Day 3: Wine Tour and the Imponderable
(Morning): Sleep in! (If possible). Or, you know, try to. The hotel seems kid-friendly, so there will be a considerable amount of noise. Wish me luck.
Emotional Reaction: Seriously considering getting a room on the top floor.
(Late Morning/Early Afternoon): Wine tasting! The area has wineries. I know I should plan to get a driver but I am terrible with this kind of organization. I will wing it.
Opinionated Language: Okay, I'm not a wine snob. But I do have opinions. And I have a feeling I'll develop even more opinions after a few glasses.
(Afternoon) - Doubling Down: I decide to go to that wine tasting. It was worth it..
Stream-of-consciousness After the first wine, ah, I am already a professional. The food that it is pairing, is just amazing. But I can't talk about other stuff right now. It is amazing.
(Late Afternoon): Head back to the hotel, maybe hit the pool if I'm feeling brave.
Imperfection: Probably forget to apply sunscreen…again.
(Evening): Dinner. And the pondering of life. Try to figure out how to feel relaxed. Maybe a book, maybe a movie.
Day 4: Departure and Existential Baggage
(Morning): Hotel breakfast again. Embrace the predictability. Maybe this time I'll make a friend at the waffle station.
(Late Morning): Checkout. Pack. Reflect on the trip. Did I find any soul at the Fairfield Inn, or was it all just chlorine and regret? (Spoiler alert: probably a little of both.)
Emotional Reaction: Sad to leave, but also secretly happy to return to the familiar chaos of home. And probably slightly hungover.
(Afternoon): Drive home. Contemplate the meaning of life. Realize I'm already planning my next trip.
This, my friends, is a travel itinerary. It's not pretty. It's not perfect. It's probably going to go completely off the rails at some point. But hey, at least it’s honest! Wish me luck. I have a feeling I'll need it.
Escape to Michigan's Coast: Fairfield Inn & Suites New Buffalo Awaits! - Err, Does It REALLY? A Messy FAQ
So, like, is this Fairfield Inn in New Buffalo *actually* worth the hype? I keep seeing it everywhere.
Okay, deep breaths. Hype? Look, let's be honest. New Buffalo is already adorable. Like, aggressively adorable. So, a Fairfield Inn… it's not exactly the Ritz, you know? But yeah, it's pretty darn good. Clean, the breakfast *usually* doesn't make you regret your choices (more on that later), and the location is actually killer. You can kinda walk to the beach (which, hello, vacation!), and there are some decent restaurants nearby. My friend, Brenda, she's REALLY picky. She was dreading it. "Fairfield Inns are for road trips, not *vacations*," she kept grumbling. Guess what? She actually enjoyed it! Which is saying something because Brenda once swore off all cheese after a particularly traumatic fondue incident. (Don't even ask.)
Bottom line: Don't expect the Four Seasons. Expect a solid, reliable basecamp for your beach escapades. Think of it as a reliable golden retriever, not a perfectly groomed show poodle. Gets the job done, cuddly enough.
Let's talk breakfast. Is it the usual continental buffet doom, or is there hope?
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. The breakfast situation... it's a mixed bag, like a bag of Halloween candy with all the good stuff already swiped by your sibling. They *say* it's free, which is always a plus. Usually, there are waffles (ALWAYS a win), some sad-looking scrambled eggs (occasionally), and a selection of pastries that range from "surprisingly edible" to "cardboard with a sugar glaze".
The Imperfection/Anecdote Alert! Here's the thing. One time, and I’m not kidding, the waffle machine was a battlefield. Like, total war. Dripping batter everywhere. Kids running amok. Someone actually *yelled* at the hapless staff member restocking the OJ. It was pure, unadulterated chaos. But hey, at least the coffee was hot! And, you know, after the initial panic, it was kinda hilarious. Embrace the mess, people! It’s more memorable than a perfectly pristine breakfast bar.
My advice: Hit the waffles early, before the "waffle wars" commence. Otherwise, manage your expectations, and maybe pack some granola bars. Or just find a good diner in New Buffalo. There are some GREAT ones.
The beach! Is the beach *actually* walkable from the hotel? Is it a good beach? Tell me everything!
Okay, the beach! This is where the Fairfield Inn *really* shines. Yes, it's walkable! Not a death march, mind you. Maybe a pleasant stroll. Say, five to ten minutes, tops. Depending on how many ice cream stops you make along the way (and, let's be real, there WILL be ice cream stops).
And YES, the beach is generally pretty darn good. It's Lake Michigan, so the water's refreshing (code for: cold!), but the sand is usually soft and golden. Sunsets? STUNNING. I mean, seriously, bring your phone and prepare to spam Instagram. The views are that good. Be prepared for crowds in peak season, though. Gotta get there early to snag a prime beach spot.
Quirky Observation Incoming! One time, I saw a seagull try to steal a whole sandwich right out of someone's hand. It was epic. I swear, that seagull looked smug. So, yeah… watch your food. And bring a good book. And maybe a towel.
Okay, but the *rooms*? Are they claustrophobic tiny boxes? What's the deal?
Claustrophobic boxes? Well, let's just say you're not booking a penthouse suite, alright? They’re not *huge*, granted. But they're clean, well-maintained (usually), and honestly, comfortable. They generally have a mini-fridge (essential for those after-beach beers), a decent-sized TV (for escaping the family after a long day), and decent beds. I slept well! That's a win in my book.
Emotional Reaction Time! I will say, I did get a room with a *terrible* view once. Like, facing the parking lot. It was a little… depressing. I felt like I was living in a corporate purgatory. But, after a quick call to the front desk, they were able to (miraculously!) switch me. So, if you get a dud view, SPEAK UP! Don't suffer in silence. Your vacation deserves better. And while we’re at it, the pillows are decent. Not amazing. Not terrible. Decent.
Anything else I should know before I book? Are there hidden fees, terrifying hotel ghosts, or anything I need to be prepared for?
Hidden fees? *Generally* no, but always double-check the fine print. I’ve had some sneaky resort fees elsewhere ruin my experience, but nothing *too* egregious here.
Terrifying hotel ghosts? I haven't encountered any, personally. But hey, I'm not a paranormal investigator. If you *do* see a ghost, please let me know! I love a good ghost story.
Messier Structure and Occasional Rambles Alert! Okay, seriously though... parking. It can get a little tight, especially during peak season. Get there early to snag a good spot. And don't be afraid to ask for extra towels. The pool is smallish, but it serves the purpose of cooling you off. There's a fitness room. I haven't used it. I'm on vacation. And the staff? They're usually friendly and helpful. Sometimes a bit overwhelmed (particularly during the waffle wars), but generally genuinely trying to make your stay pleasant. And honestly, that goes a long way.
Stronger Emotional Reactions/Opinionated Language! Look, it's not a perfect hotel. But it's a perfectly *decent* hotel. And for the price and the location? It's a solid choice. Don't overthink it. Just book it, pack your sunscreen, and get ready for some serious beach relaxation. Prepare to recharge your batteries. That's really what it's all about, right? And maybe try the ice cream place on the corner. Seriously. It’s worth all the calories. You deserve it. You’ve earned it. Now, go have fun!
Okay, one more thing! Tell me about the location, location, location. What's *right there* and how long of a drive is everything?
Doubling Down on a Single Experience - Location Crazy! Okay, let me just rave about the New Buffalo location for a minute. It's literallyWeb Hotel Search Site
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