Escape to Louisiana Paradise: Howard Johnson Houma's Unbeatable Deals!
Escape to Louisiana Paradise: Howard Johnson Houma's Unbeatable Deals! - A Review That's Actually Real
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Houma, Louisiana, and I'm here to spill the beans on the glorious Howard Johnson I crashed at. Forget stiff, boring reviews - this is the REAL deal, warts and all. Because let's be honest, that's what you're really looking for.
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- Description: A candid and detailed review of the Howard Johnson in Houma, Louisiana, covering accessibility, amenities (pool, spa, restaurant), cleanliness, safety protocols, dining options, room features, and overall value. Find out if this hotel truly offers "Unbeatable Deals" and whether it's the right choice for your Louisiana adventure!
- Meta Titles: Howard Johnson Houma Review: Is It Worth the Stay? Honest Opinions & Deals!
- Meta Descriptions: Find out NOW if the Howard Johnson Houma is worth your TIME and money! Read a REAL review, full of opinions, insights and EVERYTHING!
First Impressions (and Man, Were They Something):
Okay, so, pullin' up to the Howard Johnson, I gotta admit, my initial thought was, "Huh. It's… functional." You know? Not screaming "luxury," but definitely not screaming "abandon all hope, ye who enter here." The exterior corridor vibe gives it a specific charm, like almost a classic motel but updated enough to not make you shudder. And hey, there was plenty of parking. Free parking! Score!
Accessibility (Because Everyone Deserves a Good Time):
Now, I didn't personally need any specific accessibility features, but I made it a point to check things out because it's important. The website touted "Facilities for disabled guests," and I saw the elevator was running (always a good start). The front desk staff seemed genuinely ready & willing to help. Nice. They also have "Facilities for disabled guests" so that's a bonus.
Rooms (My Home Away From… Well, Not Home):
I snagged a non-smoking room because my lungs ain't built for that nonsense. And here's the deal:
- Cleanliness. Okay, it was clean. Like, really clean. They claim to use Anti-viral cleaning products and seemed to be adhering to some crazy, rigorous cleaning schedules. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. Room sanitization opt-out available? Didn’t see that option, but honestly, I didn't want to opt out. After the year we've had, a little extra disinfection is cool with me.
- My room had everything: Air conditioning (thank GOD), a refrigerator to chill my Abita, a coffee/tea maker for the morning, and a desk, perfect for pretending I actually work while on vacation. The Blackout curtains were a godsend, keeping out the early morning Louisiana sun.
- The Bed: This is where it got interesting. The Extra long bed was comfy enough, though that mattress felt like it had the slightest of dips in the middle. Still, I slept like a baby.
- They have all the usual stuff - Internet access (I used the Wi-Fi [free]), a private bathroom, and a Television with enough Satellite/cable channels to get me through the night when I couldn't sleep.
- They even had complimentary tea! Now, I'm a coffee person, but it was the thought that counts.
Important Room-Related Anecdote:
Okay, real talk. I'm a terrible sleeper in hotels. Always have been. Something about unfamiliar surroundings, the muffled sounds of other people… But here, I actually slept well. It was a shock. I chalk it up to a combination of the comfy (albeit slightly dip-y) bed and, I guess, the general sense of stuff-is-clean-here peace of mind.
Cleanliness and Safety: The New Hotel Must-Haves:
Let's break this down. Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed so. Daily disinfection of common areas? I saw it happening. There was a certain…efficiency about it that I kind of respected. First aid kit? Probably. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere? You got it. Individually-wrapped food options (more on that in a minute)? Yep. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Attempted, at least. The whole thing was…reassuring.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The Stomach's Perspective:
Let's be frank: I wasn't expecting Michelin-star dining. But I was pleasantly surprised.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet] was a bit of a circus, but a manageable one. They had the usual suspects: scrambled eggs, questionable sausage, some kind of carbs. Breakfast takeaway service if you're in a hurry. I went with the Asian breakfast but the Western breakfast was available as well.
- The Restaurant: There was a restaurant, and they offered A la carte food options. I had a salad in the restaurant one night, and it was… fine. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent. They had Desserts in restaurant but I was too full. They offer Alternative meal arrangement and Room service [24-hour] too.
- Snack Bar: I didn't see a snack bar, but with the Coffee shop there and the Poolside bar, you are covered.
- Poolside Bar: Ah, now this was more my speed. The Poolside bar had a good selection of drinks. I spent some time there. Happy hour was, well, happy. They also had a bottle of water as well.
Things to Do (Beyond Just Existing):
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: This was the highlight. The pictures don't do it justice. It's huge, sparkling blue, and exactly what you need after a long day of…well, whatever you're doing in Houma. And yes, it really does have a "Pool with view!"
- Fitness Center/Gym/Gym/fitness: I didn't use it. Let's just say my fitness journey is… ongoing.
- Spa: There was a spa. I even looked into getting a Massage, a Body scrub, and a Body wrap. The spa was clean. I did not get any, but I liked that it was available!
- Other Fun Things: They did have a Terrace, which was nice to sit to look over the pool.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter:
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Seriously, a must-have these days.)
Air conditioning in public area: Crucial.
Daily housekeeping: My room was immaculate, and the staff was prompt and friendly.
Laundry service: Useful.
They have Car park [free of charge] and Valet parking, plus the Car power charging station, and the Car park [on-site].
Cash withdrawal available.
They have a Convenience store. Getting Around:
Easy access to the hotel with Airport transfer, Taxi service.
Things that Could Be Better (Because Perfection Doesn't Exist):
- The décor is a bit… dated. It's like a time capsule, but not always in the best way.
- The gym, mentioned previously, could use some updating.
- While generally good, service could be a bit slow at times, especially during the breakfast rush.
Overall Verdict:
Look, the Howard Johnson in Houma isn't going to win any awards for luxury. But it's clean, comfortable, and, crucially, affordable. Given the price point, I thought it was a phenomenal value. If you're looking for a solid, no-frills place to crash while exploring Houma and the surrounding areas, you could do a lot worse. I'd recommend it. For the price, and the excellent pool, consider this place a winner.
Would I Stay Again?
Absolutely. I’d go back in a heartbeat. Especially if the pool is open. Especially after a day of eating too much jambalaya and exploring the bayou. It's not just a place to sleep; it's a launching pad for a Louisiana adventure.
Final Score: 4 out of 5 Bayou Crawfish. (That's good, folks. Really good.)
Escape to KC: Airport's Best-Kept Secret Hotel!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. We're venturing into the heart of Louisiana, and I'm laying out my "Howard Johnson by Wyndham Houma" adventure. This isn't your perfectly manicured, Instagram-filtered itinerary. This is real life, folks. Prepare for some questionable decisions, questionable snacks, and a whole lotta "well, that's life."
Day 1: Arrival, Doubt, and Dirty Laundry (Literally)
- (1:00 PM): Landed in New Orleans. Okay, first hurdle: the airport. I SWEAR the baggage carousel was designed to make you question all your life choices. Finally snagged my suitcase (which, let's be honest, probably has more duct tape than actual fabric at this point). Rented a car - a compact… because I'm trying to be frugal. I immediately regret it. This thing feels like a clown car.
- (2:30 PM): The drive to Houma… well, it's a drive. Lots of bayous, which are pretty enough, I guess. Started second-guessing my life choices. Like, why Houma? Why am I in Louisiana? I felt like I'm in a bad movie.
- (4:00 PM): Arrived at the Howard Johnson. It's… a Howard Johnson. I mean, it is. The pool looked a little green, which made me worry about what they're mixing here.
- (4:30 PM): Check-in. The front desk clerk looked like she had seen things. "Welcome, darlin'," she drawled, with a hint of something unreadable in her eyes. My room key worked, so, thumbs up, HoJo, thumbs up.
- (5:00 PM): Room debrief: Clean-ish. The TV's got a crack in it so I'm getting 80's horror movie vibes. The air conditioner sounds like a dying walrus. And most importantly, the ice machine is down the hall. I'll probably just sweat to death here, so I can't see if I can bring myself to venture out.
- (5:30 PM): Unpacked. Which is… a process. My packing skills peaked when I was 12. So I have 6 pairs of jeans, 3 t-shirts, and some undies. This is the stuff of nightmares.
- (6:00 PM): Found a laundry bag in the closet. Score! My travel attire now resembles a pile of dirty laundry.
- (7:00 PM): Ate dinner at a place called "The Shrimp Boat." Pretty good, actually. Maybe I’m starting to like this place.
Day 2: Swamp Tours, Humidity, and Existential Dread (With Gumbo)
- (8:00 AM): Okay, I have to be the person who wakes up earlier, I thought. My alarm, which I, for some reason, set to The Hokey Pokey song, almost gave me a heart attack.
- (9:00 AM): Breakfast in the HoJo: the usual continental garbage. But the waffle maker worked, I have to give it that.
- (10:00 AM): Swamp tour! YES. I paid EXTRA for the tour guide who sounded like a grizzled pirate. He also seemed to think I was a grizzled pirate. Which, after the night I had, I didn't argue.
- (10:30 AM - 1:00 PM): The tour was amazing. Alligators, snakes, egrets… the sheer swampiness of it all. It was like stepping into some kind of ancient, primal place. The humidity, though. Dear God, the humidity. I'm pretty sure I sweated out a whole human at this point.
- (1:00 PM): Lunch: Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place. It had the best gumbo I've ever tasted. Seriously, it was so good I almost cried. I'm pretty sure I spent an entire ten minutes just eating it.
- (2:00 PM): Back to the HoJo. The existential dread started kicking in. The room seemed dark, the air conditioner, still a dying walrus, was failing. I think I'm a bit overwhelmed, but I don't want to give up.
- (3:00 PM): Spent an hour trying to connect to Wi-Fi. It's bad. I think I’ve had better luck with a pigeon.
- (4:00 PM): Okay, here is a mess. The laundry. It was dry, I think, but the dryer had also somehow eaten one of my socks. And I swear, someone replaced my laundry detergent with perfume.
- (5:00 PM): I'm trying to decide if I feel like going out for dinner. It is probably going to be nothing, but I do want to order room service -- if I can.
- (6:00 PM): Decide to chill in the room. Watch terrible TV and listen to the walrus of an air conditioner. Order some sort of comfort food. Pizza.
Day 3: Departing Houma with mixed feelings.
- (8:00 AM): Wake up and get ready to go. I feel… a lot better.
- (9:00 AM): One last continental breakfast. The waffle maker almost broke, but it survived.
- (10:00 AM): Check-out. Goodbye, Howard Johnson. You were an experience.
- (10:30 AM): The drive back to the airport, with every song I loved playing in my head. I'm sad to leave, but also glad I got this experience.
Final Thoughts:
Houma, Louisiana: an experience. The Howard Johnson: a memory. This whole thing was nothing like what I expected, but I'd do it again. Probably. Maybe. Eh, who am I kidding? Absolutely.
Kerrville Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at La Quinta Inn & Suites!
Escape to Louisiana Paradise: Howard Johnson Houma's Unbeatable Deals! ...or Is It? Let's Find Out! (FAQ Edition)
Okay, Seriously, "Unbeatable Deals?" What's the Catch? I've Been Down This Road Before...
Alright, look, I’m not gonna lie. My expectations were… *cautious*. “Unbeatable” is a big word, you know? It's like when a used car salesman tells you a car is "immaculate." You KNOW there's a hidden dent somewhere. So, the catch? Well, maybe the catch is you're in Houma, Louisiana. Which, hey, can be a *good* thing! But it also means this isn’t the Ritz-Carlton. It's a Howard Johnson. And let's be honest, that comes with certain…expectations. They're banking on you needing a place to crash near the bayou. The “deals” mostly translate to "price that won't make you weep." Think reasonable, not royalty.
What Kind of "Louisiana Paradise" Are We Talking About? Alligators? Mosquitoes the Size of Small Aircraft?
Paradise is in the eye of the beholder, darlings. Let's just say the "paradise" aspect is more in the *being* in Louisiana – the *potential* for adventure. You're not gonna stroll out the door and have a gator try to steal your croissant; although, I *did* see a rather large lizard sunning itself by the pool…okay, maybe it was a *small* gator. The point is, you’re close enough to the bayou where you can *feel* the humidity, *hear* the insects chirping their little hearts out (a constant soundtrack, honestly!), and *smell*… well, a certain earthy something. It's Louisiana. Embrace the funk! And bring bug spray, seriously. Especially if you venture out to the swamp tours. My friend Carol, bless her heart, forgot hers and was subsequently feasted on. She's still scratching, I swear.
The Rooms, The Rooms! Are They…Clean? (And Not Just "Clean" in a Motel 6 Kind of Way?)
Alright, I'll level with you. "Clean" is a relative term. My initial reaction? "Okay, this is *functional*.” Think... well-worn, but largely scrubbed of anything actively horrifying. The air conditioning, thankfully, *did* work. That’s half the battle, I'm telling ya. Found a rogue dust bunny in one corner, and the carpet... well, it's seen some things. But hey, it’s a starting point if you're looking to be adventurous in Southeast Louisiana. The beds? Passable. They’re not sinking sand, and that's a win in my book. I did bring my own pillowcase. Always a good idea. But overall? It's not sterile, and it's not "fancy," but it's… habitable. Consider it a base camp for your Louisiana explorations. And tip the cleaning staff *generously*, they’re working *hard*!
Pool Time! Is the Pool Instagram-Worthy or a Cesspool? Be Brutally Honest!
Okay. The pool. Deep breaths. *The pool*. Look, it's a pool. It's *there*. I wouldn't necessarily throw a pool party and expect people to ooh and aah over the aesthetics, if you're really looking to impress your friends. I went in. I survived. It was… refreshing, considering the Louisiana heat. The tiles looked like they might have been cleaned sometime in the recent past. I did see a rogue leaf or two floating by, and a couple of… what appeared to be… *small* insects. Okay, maybe it wasn't the cleanest pool in the world. But it's a pool. It's usable. And if you need a quick dip to cool off, well… it does the job. Just maybe keep your mouth *closed* underwater. (And if the filter is working, I'm not sure. Still, I was at least able to get in and out... with all the required parts of my body.)
Breakfast? Free Breakfast? What’s the Deal? Is it Just… Toast?
Oh, the breakfast. The promised land of free carbs. Okay, brace yourselves. "Continental" means the bare minimum. Think… pre-packaged pastries that may or may not be edible (your mileage *will* vary), some questionable-looking fruit (I stuck with the bananas), and… yes, toast. Lots and lots of toast. And if you’re lucky, a waffle maker that probably hasn’t seen a deep cleaning since the Reagan administration. But hey, it’s *free*. And if you're looking for something to soak up the previous night's… *adventures*, well, you’ve got your base. It’s enough to get you started for a day of swamp tours and trying to decipher Cajun slang. Just don't set your expectations too high. (My advice? Grab some coffee and a banana, and hit up a local cafe for a proper breakfast. You deserve it.)
Houma Itself! Is There Anything to *Do* Besides… Stay at the Howard Johnson?
ARE YOU KIDDING?! Houma's the *highlight*! Forget the hotel for a moment. Houma is amazing! You're in the heart of Cajun Country, people! Swamp tours are a MUST. You'll see alligators, maybe even a sneaky nutria or two! (And, yes, you *can* hold a baby gator; I did. Don't tell my mom). The food is *spectacular*. Seriously, get ready for red beans and rice that will change your life. Boudin, crawfish, gumbo… your taste buds will be doing the happy dance for weeks. And the people? Kind, warm, and full of stories. Just be prepared for a slightly slower pace of life. And maybe… a lot of people chatting on the phone for too long. But you're there! It's the *opposite* of a boring trip! You can take a tour, eat all the food, and maybe make a friend.
Parking! Is There Parking? And Is It Free? (Because, Let's Be Honest, That's Crucial.)
Oh, honey, yes, there's parking. And yes, it's free. Praise the Lord (and the management)! Parking isn’t a problem. You’ll be able to park your rental car/beat-up pickup truck/gloriously old convertible right outside your door. Consider it a win in the grand scheme of things, I say. No fighting for spots, no squeezing into tiny garages. Just… park. And breathe a sigh of relief. You’re in Louisiana, and a parking spot is one less thing to stress about. After all, you need that mental energy for figuring out what "lagniappe" really means. Trust me, you'll hear it a lot.
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