Charlotte's BEST Hotel Deal? Microtel Inn & Suites University Place - Unbeatable Prices!
Microtel Inn & Suites University Place: "Unbeatable Prices!" … But Is It Unbeatable Experience? A Deep Dive (and a Few Rambles)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the Microtel Inn & Suites University Place in Charlotte. "Unbeatable Prices!" they shout from the digital rooftops. And yeah, the price is pretty darn attractive, especially for us budget travelers who aren't exactly rolling in dough. But is cheap always cheerful? Let's find out, shall we?
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Getting In & Getting Around (A Little Like Navigating a Maze…Sometimes)
First things first: Accessibility. They have a pretty good setup, thankfully. Elevator? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Check. I saw some ramps too, which is a huge plus. Navigating the hallways? Well, it's kinda like one of those old video games. It's not exactly the easiest flow, but not impossible, either. Just be prepared to backtrack a time or two. Airport transfer is an option (thank goodness!), but I'd recommend checking the cost and scheduling beforehand. Car park [free of charge]: MAJOR win, especially if you’re driving into Charlotte!
Rooms: The Good, The Okay, and the "Oh, That's…Interesting"
Let's talk rooms. You've got your standard fare: Air conditioning, TV, Coffee/tea maker. The Wi-Fi [free] worked pretty well, which is a HUGE relief. I hate paying extra for internet – come on, it's 2024!
My room's biggest "charm"? The Soundproofing…well, let's just say it wasn't exactly soundproof. I could vaguely hear my neighbor's TV, which, on the one hand, let me know I wasn't alone. On the other hand…couldn't they just turn it down a little? (Tiny rant over.)
Now, the "Oh, That's…Interesting" part. Let's just say the room decor felt a little…dated. The carpets? They've seen things. The bathroom? Functional, but not exactly spa-like. But hey, for the price, you can't expect the Taj Mahal.
Cleanliness: The Sanitization Station Saga (and My Germaphobe Tendencies)
Here's where things get interesting. Cleanliness and safety are obviously huge priorities these days. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so believe me, I'm looking. And, I gotta say, Microtel is trying. They boast about Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and even Rooms sanitized between stays. They even have an opt-out.
They had Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere, which, honestly, made me feel a little less crazy. I also noticed they have Smoke alarms and Smoke detectors. And, Fire extinguishers are in place. Gotta feel secure where you place your head for the night.
Now, here's where it gets a little messy (in the best way, I hope!). I did see the staff cleaning diligently (I’m pretty sure I saw them). But I also noticed a rogue dust bunny in the corner of the hallway that somehow managed to survive the disinfection onslaught. (I’m not kidding, it was HUGE!) I’m pretty sure it was laughing at all of us.
So the sanitation seemed good, but not perfect, but I think it's a valiant effort, honestly. I'd score them a solid B+ in cleanliness.
Dining & Sipping: The Breakfast Buffet Bonanza (and the Curious Case of the Coffee)
Okay, let's talk about Dining, drinking, and snacking. The Breakfast [buffet] is a standard Microtel affair. You've got your scrambled eggs (definitely artificial), your questionable sausage links, some sad-looking pastries, and of course, the all-important waffle maker! They had some Fruit, which was definitely a plus!
Now, the coffee…oh, the coffee. It's not amazing, let's put it that way. (Sorry, Microtel, it's the truth!) I'd recommend grabbing a pre-made Starbucks or something from the Coffee shop.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, The Not-So-Good, and the "Hmm, Interesting…"
Air conditioning in public area is good, but it was almost too cool in certain parts of the lobby (bring a sweater!). Cash withdrawal is available. They have Daily housekeeping, and they have a Convenience store.
They also had the Business facilities, which I thought was cool!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: If You Like to Swim, You're in Luck!
Sadly, I did not get to use the Swimming pool [outdoor]. It looked nice, though!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, But Don't Expect Nanny McPhee.
They say they are Family/child friendly. I didn't see any Kids facilities, like slides or such.
The Verdict: Unbeatable Price, With a Few Quirks
So, back to the original question: Is Microtel Inn & Suites University Place an "Unbeatable Deal"? Well, for the price, absolutely. It's clean enough, safe enough, and has enough basic amenities to be a solid choice for budget travelers.
The Good: The price, the free Wi-Fi, the accessibility (mostly), the clean-ish rooms, and the "I'm trying, really!" attitude of the staff.
The Not-So-Good: The dated decor, the slightly spotty soundproofing, the so-so coffee, and the occasional rogue dust bunny that seems to mock you.
The Quirks: The overall vibe is…functional. It's not a luxury experience, but it's not meant to be.
Would I stay there again? Yeah, probably. Especially if I was just passing through, on a tight budget, and needed a clean, safe place to crash. Just pack your own coffee and a good sense of humor.
Ann Arbor's BEST Kept Secret Hotel: Microtel Inn & Suites Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups! This isn't your perfectly-ironed, Instagram-filtered itinerary. This is the real, messy, beautifully flawed adventure I planned at the Microtel in Charlotte. Emphasis on planned. Execution? Well, that's where the fun (and the potential for disaster) begins. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Charlotte/University Place, here we freakin' come.
(Pre-Trip Ramblings – The "High Hopes" Phase)
Ugh. Packing. I'm basically a professional packer at this point, but every time it feels like the first time. Jeans? Check. Comfy shoes? Check. That "essential" book I'll definitely read? You betcha. (Spoiler alert: I won't). I booked this trip for a little "me time" – some serious solo recharge. My therapist said I needed to "get out of my head." Easier said than done, Doc. Easier said than done. Anyway…
(Day 1: Arrival & The Great Room Regret)
2:00 PM: Arrival & Check-In Drama: Okay, first hurdle: traffic. Of course, I hit every single red light between my place and the Microtel. My GPS sounded like a nagging toddler, and I'm pretty sure I developed a twitch. Finally! I pull into the parking lot, and, good lord, it's HUGE. Finding a parking spot took longer than the drive itself. Check-in was predictably bland. "Welcome to Microtel." "Here's your key." Blah blah blah. No friendly smiles, just the cold efficiency of the hotel machine. Room 312. Sounded ominous already. (I swear, I always get the room with the wonky air conditioner).
3:00 PM: The Room's Revelation (and the Air Conditioner's Betrayal): This is where things took a turn. The room. It was… clean. Functionally clean, but devoid of any soul. The kind of room where you're not sure if anyone's ever lived there. The air conditioner did, in fact, sound like a dying walrus. I almost considered complaining, but, you know, the whole "avoiding human interaction" thing I'd been going for. Sigh. I flopped on the bed, ready to feel refreshed… but the fluorescent lighting felt like a physical blow. This was not the relaxing sanctuary I'd envisioned.
4:00 PM: The Hunt for Coffee (and the Near-Collapse): Desperate for caffeine. The hotel advertised free coffee/tea, but my stomach's growling. The "lobby" (a glorified hallway with a few sad chairs) promised a Keurig. But alas, my Keurig (which makes me think of my ex) seemed a tiny bit broken, with a bunch of stale coffee in the corner. I was defeated and went back to my room.
5:00 PM: Dinner Debacle: I decided to be adventurous and try the hotel's "recommended" restaurant…but I was disappointed. The food was okay, but the service was slow. I was alone, so it didn't bother me MUCH, but it could have been better.
7:00 PM: Forced Relaxation & Channel Surfing: Attempted to watch a mindless sitcom on TV. Failed miserably. The Wi-Fi was barely functional, which meant I couldn't escape into the digital world. I ended up staring at the ceiling, wondering if this whole "solo trip" thing was a spectacular mistake. Maybe I should just call my cat, Mittens.
9:00 PM: Pre-Sleep Anxiety & Doomscrolling: This is what I came here to avoid. Scroll, scroll, scroll, all on my phone. Ugh. I knew it was unhealthy, but I could not escape it.
(Day 2: Charlotte Exploration & A Whole Lot of "Meh")
7:00 AM: The Breakfast Barrage: Free breakfast! At least a slight win. The "continental breakfast" was… well, it existed. Waffle machine. Cereal that looked like it’d been sitting there since the Reagan administration. And a sad attempt at fruit. I did manage to choke down a coffee (the Keurig was working slightly better today). This wasn't going to be a Michelin-star meal, I knew that.
8:00 AM-12:00 PM: A "Tour" of the "Attractions": I planned to "experience" Charlotte! This was going to be the "cultural immersion" part of my trip. I set out to see some museums. The first, "The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art," had some cool stuff, but I'm not sure I am cool enough. The next was also super boring, and I needed to head back to the hotel for a nap.
1:00 PM: The Unexpected Joy of Room Service (Sort Of): Okay, technically, the Microtel didn't have room service. But I ordered a pizza and had it delivered. It was pure, greasy, cheesy bliss. I ate it in my room, sprawled on the aforementioned bed, finally feeling a pang of contentment.
3:00 PM-6:00 PM: The Pool Predicament: The website advertised an "outdoor pool!" I pictured myself, lounging by the pool, finally feeling relaxed. Turns out, the pool was small, crowded with screaming kids, and looked more like a giant, slightly-chlorinated puddle. I lasted about five minutes before retreating to the room, defeated.
7:00 PM: A Second Pizza, Just In Case: The first pizza was good, so I had another. Don't judge me.
8:00 PM-10:00 PM: The Great Escape: I spent the evening packing my bags, getting ready to head home. There was nothing else to do.
(Day 3: Departure & Realizations)
7:00 AM: The Farewell Breakfast (The Same Sad One): Yep. Same cereal. Same questionable fruit. But this time, I ate it with the weary resignation of someone who had seen it all.
8:00 AM: Check Out & The Sweet Taste of Freedom: I escaped. I checked out, and I was free. I took the long way out, just to be sure.
9:00 AM: Reflections - (Did it work?) The trip wasn't perfect, or even particularly good. But amidst the chaos of the hotel, and my own imperfections, I realized a few things: I didn't go to get what I thought I needed: a perfectly relaxing vacation. I went to get away from it all, and in the process, I learned I'm not capable of perfection. And, ultimately, that's okay.
Microtel? It was a trip, alright. Would I go back? Maybe… if they promise a slightly less dismal air conditioner.
Escape to Paradise: The Lodge at Flying Horse, Colorado Springs
Microtel University Place: You Gotta Be Kidding Me... This Good?! (FAQ, Because Let's Be Real, We're Skeptical)
Okay, spill it. What's the *actual* deal with this "Unbeatable Prices" claim? Sounds fishy.
Alright, alright, I get it. "Unbeatable Prices" screams "catch" quicker than you can say "bogus advertisement." Honestly, that's *exactly* what I thought. I'm a cynical traveler, hardened by years of hotel scams and bait-and-switch tactics. But... and this is where it gets weird... this place, Microtel University Place, is actually... kinda true to its word. Seriously. I've stayed at places that cost triple the price and were WAY worse. They're running some kind of black magic deal, I swear. Probably involves sacrificing a goat to the budget gods. I haven't figured it out yet, but I'm not complaining. My wallet sure isn't!
Is it… clean? Because, you know, "budget-friendly" often equates to "questionable cleaning standards."
Okay, look. Let's be real, alright? I'm a clean freak (well, not *super* freak, but you get the idea). I'm talking, like, "inspect the sheets for stray hairs" level of paranoid. And yeah, I went into Microtel with my hazmat suit practically zipped up. But... SURPRISE! It was cleaner than some supposedly "luxury" hotels I've been to. The room I stayed in, the bathroom, the carpets, everything was actually... decent. Not sparkling surgical theatre clean, mind you, but definitely above "I'm gonna need a tetanus shot" tier. And that, my friends, is a win in my book. Though, maybe bring your own lysol wipes, just in case. Old habits die hard, right?
What's the catch? There's gotta be a catch. Does the shower dribble? Is the TV from the Stone Age?
Okay, yes, there are "catches," of sorts. But they're, honestly, pretty minor. The shower pressure wasn't, like, Niagara Falls. More of a… gentle stream. Which, after a long day, honestly, was kind of relaxing. And yes, the TV is a bit... old school. Flat screen, yes, but the channel selection wasn’t exactly a Netflix smorgasbord. But who needs constant streaming when you're trying to *escape* the real world for a night?! The biggest 'catch' I'd say is that, you know, it *is* a budget hotel. Don't expect a Michelin-star breakfast buffet. They have a "grab and go" thing, which is fine if you're after some sad breakfast cereal and some suspiciously-colored orange juice. But hey, you're saving enough money to go grab a REAL breakfast somewhere else. It's all about priorities, people.
Tell me about the location. Is it in the middle of nowhere? Am I going to get mugged?
So, here's the deal. It's in University Place, which means it’s... near the university. Shocking, I know. It's not *super* close to the crazy nightlife of downtown Charlotte, but it's a perfectly fine location. It's right near the major roads. And, as far as the Mugging Factor goes? No, I didn't get mugged. I walked around at night, and felt safe. Now, I am a pretty burly woman, I admit. But seriously, It's not a sketchy kind of place. You’re not gonna find yourself on some true crime documentary segment. There are restaurants and shops, all within a reasonable distance. So, you're good! You're more likely to get attacked by boredom than a mugger, honestly. Bring a good book.
Okay, so the price is good, it's clean-ish, and not in a crime-ridden hellhole. Anything *really* bad?
Alright, this is where I need to vent… and, yes, it involves the coffee. The free coffee. Oh, the coffee. It was... an experience. Like, a very *dark* experience. I’m pretty sure it was made from recycled coffee grounds that had been sitting in a vat since the Mesozoic Era. I actually *gagged* the first morning. I’m not kidding. It was so bitter, so acrid, that it made my taste buds scream. I’d rather drink dishwater, honestly. So, yes. The coffee. Bring your own instant, for the love of all that is holy. Or, you know, hit up a nearby Starbucks. That, my friends, is the *one* truly awful thing about this place. Everything else? Totally manageable. Okay. Almost. Coffee… UGH.
Would you actually stay there again? Be honest!
Absolutely. Without a doubt. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. Despite the coffee. Hell, despite the slightly-dribbly shower. Because the price is *that* good, and the overall experience is *that* decent. I'm a practical person. I value a clean room and a good night's sleep more than fancy toiletries and hotel room robes I'll probably never use. If you're looking for a place to crash without emptying your wallet, Microtel University Place is the real deal. Just... BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee). Seriously, this is NOT A DRILL.
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