Unbelievable San Antonio Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites Market Square Magic!
Unbelievable San Antonio Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites Market Square Magic! - A Review That's Actually Real (And a Little Disorganized)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a review of the Fairfield Inn & Suites Market Square in San Antonio. Forget those perfectly polished travel blogs, this is the raw, unfiltered truth, with all the bumps, bruises, and delicious Tex-Mex leftovers still clinging on. We're talking real feelings, folks.
First Impressions: The Good, the Maybe, and the "Hmm…"
Location, location, location! That's the first thing that hits you. Smack-dab in the heart of Market Square, a kaleidoscope of color, smells, and sounds. It's a vibrant, chaotic symphony, and the hotel is right there, ready to become your haven (or your launching pad, depending on your mood).
- Accessibility: Okay, let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way. Wheelchair accessible? YES! Elevator? Double YES. I didn’t need it myself, but seeing the ease of access for guests with mobility issues was seriously comforting. They seem to have put some thought into this, which is HUGE.
- Check-in/out [express/contactless]: Smooth as silk. Like, I was in and out faster than I could say "Whataburger." Touchless is definitely a plus in this post-pandemic world.
- First and Lasting Thoughts: The lobby is bright, airy, and smells faintly of… well, something clean. Not that cloying, overly-perfumed cleaner smell, but a genuine "clean." It’s also way better than the bus station smell I was bracing myself for.
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (with Some Quirks)
The non-smoking room was a necessity, and thankfully, it actually smelled like fresh air and not a chain-smoker's lair. The air conditioning was a lifesaver in that San Antonio heat. No sweaty nights here, thank goodness.
- Available in all Rooms – Major Wins:
- Free Wi-Fi? YES! And it actually worked. Imagine that! Didn't have to beg for a signal or pay extra. Bonus points!
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Essential for a morning caffeine fix. Saved me a fortune in Starbucks runs. But, the coffee… let's just say it wasn’t gourmet. It got the job done.
- Comfortable Bedding: Like sinking into a cloud after a long day of exploring. I actually slept well!
- Desk and Laptop Workspace: Got some work done without feeling cramped. Excellent for the freelance life.
- Fridge: Perfect for keeping my water and snacks cold.
- The Minor Annoyances:
- The Bathroom: Functional, but a little… cramped. I'm a regular-sized human, and I felt like I had to origami myself to use the toilet. The hair dryer was also a bit of a weakling, taking ages to actually dry my hair.
- The TV: Standard fare, nothing groundbreaking. Though a bonus point for on-demand movies!
- Window: Opened! Which is excellent, because sometimes, letting the outside in is a nice mood-booster. But the view was… well, it was of another building. Not exactly postcard material.
- A Little Anecdote That Matters: I had a late-night craving for tacos (duh, San Antonio), and I realized I'd forgotten to grab cash for the delivery guy. Panic! But then I remembered… Cashless payment service! Saved my taco-loving soul. That's attention to detail, people.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure
- Breakfast [buffet]: Included! And decent! I am generally wary of hotel buffets. But here, it was surprisingly good! Breakfast takeaway service for the win! The breakfast tacos were an obvious winner, too. I went back for seconds. And thirds. Judge me all you want.
- Coffee Shop: Always a good thing, especially if that hotel coffee isn't cutting it
- For dinner, it's all about the location: Market Square offers a buffet of dining options.
- Things I wish they had: A quick 24-hour eatery for late-night cravings or a pool-side bar.
- Desserts/Snack Bar: Did I mention those late-night cravings? A simple snack bar in the vicinity or some desserts would just take it up another notch.
Relaxation and Amenities: What I Didn't Get to Experience (But It's All There)
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: YES! Didn't get a chance to actually jump in, but it looked inviting and refreshing on a hot day.
- Fitness Center/Gym: If you're the type who likes working out, which isn't me, you'll appreciate this.
- Spa/Sauna: Nope, didn't indulge, but it was great to see it there! Maybe next time.
- Things I Wish I'D Done (and Regret):
- Enjoyed the Terrace. I bet it's lovely at sunset.
- Got a massage! After all that walking around, it would have been amazing.
Cleanliness and Safety: Peace of Mind in Uncertain Times
- Hygiene certification and Daily disinfection in common areas made a big difference.
- Hand sanitizer was readily available.
- Room sanitization opt-out available.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
- This hotel truly prioritized this aspect.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Daily housekeeping: Our room was always clean and tidy.
- Concierge: Helpful and knowledgeable (though I didn't need much help, to be honest).
- Laundry service/Dry cleaning: Essential for traveling types.
- Parking: Free! This is a major win, considering the downtown location.
For the Kids (and the Kid in All of Us)
- Family/child friendly.
- Not many kid-specific amenities, but the general atmosphere is relaxed.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location (Again!)
- Airport transfer: I didn't need it, but it's available.
- Taxi service: Easy to get a cab from the hotel.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes, as stated before, a HUGE plus!
Overall: Should You Stay Here?
Absolutely! If you're looking for a clean, comfortable, well-located hotel in San Antonio, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Market Square is a winner. It's not fancy, it's not pretentious, but it's solid, reliable, and a great base for exploring the city. The price is right too.
The Verdict: Four out of five stars. Would definitely stay again. (Maybe next time I’ll finally make it to the sauna!)
SEO & Metadata Stuff (Because That's What We Do Now):
- Keywords: San Antonio hotels, Market Square, Fairfield Inn & Suites, accessible hotels, free Wi-Fi, breakfast included, clean hotel, San Antonio attractions, downtown San Antonio, family-friendly hotels.
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Fairfield Inn & Suites Market Square in San Antonio, covering accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, dining, and the overall experience. Real-world observations, quirks, and recommendations.
- Title: Unbelievable San Antonio Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites Market Square Magic! (A Real Review)
- Category: Travel, Hotels, Reviews, San Antonio
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-lined-up itinerary. This is a REAL trip, with real feelings (and probably a slightly strained bladder at some point). We're starting in San Antonio, at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown/Market Square. Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it.
Day 1: Arrival, Tex-Mex Mayhem, and Mild Panic
- 3:00 PM: Arrive at Fairfield Inn & Suites. Okay, first off, the lobby is…serviceable. Not gonna lie, the expectation of "suite" made me think of plush robes and a jacuzzi. This is more like a slightly-larger-than-average hotel room. Fine. Whatever, I'm here for San Antonio, not the room service! The lady at the check-in desk, bless her heart, was having a day. Lots of sighing and a muttered complaint about "the system." I can relate.
- 3:30 PM: Dump luggage. I'm starving. No time for unpacking, that can wait. Gotta strategize food first. Market Square is supposedly right around the corner. Sounds promising.
- 4:00 PM: Walked to Market Square and immediately got overwhelmed. So many colors! So many smells! And everyone trying to sell me something. I'm a sucker for a good hand-painted sign, so I almost bought a "Beware of Dogs" sign, even though I don't HAVE a dog. Impulse control, people, it's a real thing.
- 4:30 PM: Tex-Mex Assault. I landed at a place called Mi Tierra. HUGE. Loud. Festive! And the tortillas…oh, the tortillas. I ordered a plate of enchiladas, which I'm pretty sure were bigger than my head. I ate until I could barely breathe, then ordered a margarita. You know, for hydration. And the mariachi band? They were fantastic! And so loud! It was sensory overload, but in the best possible way. I even got a little teary-eyed at one point. Maybe the tequila helped. Or maybe it was just pure, unadulterated joy.
- 6:00 PM: Staggered back to the hotel feeling like a stuffed sausage. Seriously, I waddled. Sat on the bed, stared at the walls, and thought about the fact that I needed to plan the rest of the trip. Ugh. Procrastination station, here I come!
- 7:00 PM: Attempted to watch TV, but kept falling asleep. The faint sound of a mariachi band, probably from the restaurant next door, drifted through the window. It was like a siren song, but for tacos.
- 8:30 PM: Forced myself to take a shower. I think I'm still 30% salsa.
Day 2: Riverwalk Revelations and Artistic Angst
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Continental, with the usual suspects, but the coffee surprisingly wasn't awful. Fueling up for a busy day!
- 10:00 AM: The Riverwalk! Okay, this is actually pretty amazing. The water, the trees, the architecture…it's all very picturesque. I tried to take some photos, but I’m apparently terrible at it. Ended up with 50 pictures of ducks.
- 10:30 AM Started a Riverwalk boat tour. I swear I heard a guy on my right talking loud on his phone for the entire tour. Ugh.
- 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: The Alamo: A Humbling Experience. This is where things got REAL. Walking into the Alamo…just wow. The weight of history hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s more compact than I imagined, but still it still has a powerful atmosphere. I spent way longer than I thought I would, just wandering around, reading the plaques, and trying to absorb it all. There was a moment where I just stood there, staring at the walls, and felt…something. Sadness? Respect? Pride? All of the above, probably. Definitely felt the urge to buy a flag or a cool hat. Didn't.
- 1:00 PM: The Alamo gift shop. Couldn't resist a t-shirt. "Remember the Alamo…and eat tacos." Perfect.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Art Museum Agony. The San Antonio Museum of Art was… interesting. I'm not an art person. I try to be, but I just end up staring at things and thinking "huh." But I did find a sculpture of a dog that I really, really loved. Spent way too long by it. The rest of the museum was a blur of polite nods and a growing sense of inadequacy. My feet were also killing me.
- 4:30 PM: Coffee break, desperately needed. Found a cute little cafe. People-watching is seriously the best.
- 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Back to the hotel. Need an emergency nap. The nap was fantastic -- so much for planning.
- 7:30 PM: Found a small place for dinner. Nothing glamorous. I need to make a plan.
Day 3: Missions and Reflections
- 9:00 AM: Started the day with a breakfast run to a local grocery store. Grabbed some yogurt, fruit, and a box of local pastries. Breakfast felt more enjoyable.
- 9:30 AM: Driving tours of the missions. I felt a strong sense of calm in most places. Amazing.
- 10:30 AM: Continued to the second mission. Was a bit more tired.
- 11:30 AM: Continued to the third mission. Wow, beautiful.
- 12:30 PM: Continued to the fourth mission. I think the heat got me.
- 1:30 PM: Realized I needed to find lunch.
- 2:30 PM: Back to the hotel, decided to order Chinese food, since I'm already overwhelmed. Ordered way too much food.
- 3:30 PM: Decided to get some rest.
- 6:00 PM: Decided to enjoy the hotel pool. It was nice.
- 7:00 PM: Watched some TV.
Day 4: Departure and Debrief
- 9:00 AM: Wake up, slowly. Pack.
- 10:00 AM: Final breakfast.
- 11:00 AM: Checked out of hotel.
- 12:00 PM: Drive to airport.
- 1:00 PM: Arrived at the airport.
Final Thoughts:
San Antonio, you were a whirlwind. Tex-Mex? Amazing. History? Intense. Art? Questionable. I'm tired, I'm probably still slightly greasy from the tacos, and I need another vacation to recover from this one. But would I do it again? Absolutely. This city has a certain charm that just… sticks with you. And the memories? They'll probably fade eventually, but the taste of those tortillas? That's a flavor I'll never forget. And yes, I’ll be back for more. Eventually. After I recover. I think I need a nap.
New Braunfels Fun Starts Here: Fairfield Inn & Suites Awaits!
Okay, so, is this place *actually* magical? The "Market Square Magic" kinda got my attention.
Hahaha! Okay, "magical" is…a stretch. Let's just say they're aiming for a certain vibe, and sometimes they hit it. The location *is* amazing – right in the heart of Market Square, so you're practically tripping over enchiladas and mariachi bands that felt like a dream to me. But "magic"? Look, the room wasn't *wrong* , but the first thing that struck me was that the 'deluxe' room felt more 'standard' room, a bit like a budget honeymoon suite with a questionable air freshener trying desperately to mask the scent of…well, I'm not sure. But the *location*? That's pure, unadulterated San Antonio charm. Walkable, vibrant, a feast for the senses. So, yes, the proximity to that magic makes the hotel... well, a really *convenient* portal to fun. Okay?
What about the rooms? Clean? Comfy? Did you find a rogue cockroach? (Asking for a friend...)
Okay, look, I'm a glass-half-full kinda person, but I'm also a realist. The room *was* clean-ish. You know, that "hotel clean" where you *hope* they got all the important bits. I did a quick sweep for anything that crawled or fluttered (you know, the ritual), and thankfully, nothing greeted me. Phew! The bed...oh, the bed. It was... fine. Not the cloud-like experience you crave after a long day of Tex-Mex-fueled explorations, but not a torture device either. Decent pillows, thankfully. The kind where you might actually sleep for a few hours and dream. However, I did notice a *teeny* smudge on the mirror and a suspicious crumb on the desk. Minor, I tell you. But, you know, it's the small things.
The free breakfast... is it worth waking up for? Lay it on me.
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Free breakfast. The siren song of budget travel. And let me tell you, it's a gamble. On a good day, you get slightly rubbery scrambled eggs, lukewarm sausage, and a waffle maker that *might* produce something edible. On a bad day (which, let's be honest in hotel breakfasts are a gamble), it's a beige parade of blandness. I swear, the coffee tasted like disappointment mixed with regret. But, you know, I'm not one to judge. I *did* fill up on fruit, if I may be so bold, and I'm not the biggest fan of hotel food as it is. So, my advice? Go in with low expectations, grab a bagel, and hope for the best. The real magic is outside, waiting for you.
Okay, spill the tea. Anything REALLY annoy you? This is the *truth* zone.
Oh, honey, the *truth*? Okay, here it is: the elevator was a disaster sometimes. Seriously. Imagine, huffing and puffing after a day of walking and a bunch of stairs! And *sometimes* the staff were a bit… well. They seemed more eager to be anywhere else but there. I guess they're human, too. But for better or worse, the attitude makes you doubt. I've had better service, and I've had worse. And then there was the *noise*. Market Square is alive, constantly, and you hear the music, the chatter, and sometimes, the street vendors. It's part of the charm, right? But if you're a light sleeper (like me), bring earplugs. Seriously. You'll thank me.
Let's talk parking. Is it a nightmare? Because, San Antonio...
Okay, parking. This is where things get a little… intense. The hotel has valet parking, which is convenient, but at a cost. If you're cheap like me, you're looking for the un-valet option: which is *very* nearby in a public garage. Finding a spot, especially at night? Pure Hunger Games. I did end up circling the block like a vulture, but, hey, I found a spot. And I *saved* money! It's honestly worth considering the valet, depending on your patience level, because, trust me, that walking can get old. But hey, at least you get to see more of the city on your way around.
So, overall: recommend or no recommend? Be honest, I've got an important trip coming up and I need opinions!
Alright, here's the deal. If you prioritize *location, location, location*, and you're on a budget, and you're relatively low maintenance, then YES, I would recommend it. Especially if you want to be absolutely *immersed* in the Market Square experience, walking out the door and in it. But if you're used to luxury or need a quiet, pristine experience, maybe look elsewhere. It has its flaws, sure, the noise, the sometimes-iffy service, all of it... but the access to the heart of San Antonio? Unbeatable. And ultimately, that's what I was after – the *experience* of being there, of the culture, the food, the *vibe*. And for that, it delivers. So, weigh the pros and cons, consider your priorities, and then make your decision. And bring earplugs. Seriously. You will thank me.
Okay, one last thing. The pool? Any good?
The pool! Oh, yes... I thought I had saved the best for last. It was a tiny little thing, a rectangular afterthought on the roof. Not *bad*, per se, but don't expect anything fancy. It felt like a glorified kiddie pool, but it was a lifesaver after a long day of walking and tacos during my stay! However, it felt a bit cramped, and the *temperature*? Not exactly a refreshing oasis for a hot San Antonio afternoon. It was a very average pool but it was still there. You can take a dip, but don't go planning any pool parties. Think of it as a way to rinse off the day's adventure before you crash into bed because you'll be tired. That's it. Take it or leave it. And don't forget your towel!
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