Escape to Forest, MS: Days Inn's Cozy Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Days Inn in Forest, Mississippi. And I mean, diving. This isn't just a hotel review, it's an unvarnished, slightly chaotic, hopefully hilarious account of my stay. Consider this your disclaimer: I'm not a hotel critic, I'm just a person who needed a bed, some Wi-Fi, and maybe, just maybe, a decent cup of coffee. Let's see how it went…
SEO & Metadata, Because Apparently That Matters (Ugh):
- Title: Escape to Forest, MS: Days Inn's Cozy Getaway Awaits… (Maybe? A Review)
- Keywords: Forest MS, Days Inn, Hotel Review, Mississippi, Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Pool, Breakfast, Cleanliness, Safety, Rooms, Amenities, Spa, Dining, Laundry, Meeting Facilities, Road Trip, Budget Travel, Family Friendly, Pet-Friendly (or not!), Southern Hospitality (or the lack thereof).
Alright, Let's Get Messy:
So, I found myself needing a place to crash in Forest, Mississippi. Forest! Population: probably more cows than people, but hey, it’s the heartland, right? And the only real option was the Days Inn. I mean, it is a chain, so you kind of know what you're getting, right? Wrong. (Prepare for unexpected twists)
First Impressions & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof):
Pulling up, my first thought was, "Okay, this is a Days Inn." Beige bricks, a vaguely optimistic (and likely faded) sign, and a generous parking lot. Good start. Accessibility, though? Mmm, a little shaky for us peeps with physical challenges. While they claim to have facilities for the disabled (that's Facilities for disabled guests in the jargon), I didn’t actually see a whole lot of obvious ramps or anything that jumped out (like a sign in Braille). I'm not in a wheelchair, but my gut feeling is… well, I'd call ahead before booking if accessibility is a must. But the Elevator was there! And that's a plus, for sure.
The Exterior corridor situation was as advertised, which is a must for a roadside stay.
Checking In & Rooms (Promises, Promises):
- Check-in/out [Express]: Yeah, if you can navigate the slightly grumpy front desk attendant efficiently, you're golden.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a win! Especially when you’re, you know, traveling.
- Contactless check-in/out: I didn't see any sign of this, but maybe I missed it.
- Safety/security feature: There were some fire extinguishers and Smoke alarms. Good to know.
- Security [24-hour]: I suppose the 24-hour front desk counts?
Okay, the room. Ah, the room. Daily housekeeping – yes, my sheets could have stayed clean! Non-smoking room… I think I got one, because the smell wasn’t too bad. Rooms sanitized between stays … I truly hope so.
- Air conditioning: Worked like a charm, thank God. It was HOT out.
- Alarm clock: Check. A relic from another era, but it worked.
- Bed: The Extra long bed? That’s a lie. I’m 5'10", and my feet nearly hung over the edge, but the bed was okay – a little soft, a little lumpy, but again, needed a place to crash.
- Blackout curtains: Bless them. Needed.
- Coffee/tea maker: The Coffee/tea maker situation was… a Keurig. Score! (For a basic cup of joe.)
- Free bottled water: Yes, at least a bottle of water.
- Free Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi [free]* – YES! And it worked, mostly. The signal was solid.
- Internet access – wireless: Also solid and good.
- Refridgerator: Yes, a little fridge here.
- Shower: A Separate shower/bathtub? Ha! Okay, the tub was the bathtub, the shower was in the same area. Fine by me. The Hair dryer? Weak. But there was Hot water, crucial! The Towels? Thin but serviceable. The Toiletries? Standard, generic stuff.
- Desk, Ironing facilities, and laptop workspace I like to work. I spent my time at the desk, because it was the only space that could accommodate my laptop.
The Seating area was fine, I suppose, but I just wanted the wifi. Satellite/cable channels? Meh. The TV worked, but the channels weren’t super interesting. I had to find a show to watch (I think it was an old crime drama).
The Great Breakfast Debacle (And My Emotional Breakdown):
Alright, here's where things get… interesting. Breakfast. The Breakfast [buffet] – a cornerstone of any Days Inn experience, right? I walked in expecting… the usual. You know: sad, pre-made pastries. Stale cereal. And a coffee that tastes like sadness.
What I GOT was actually… surprisingly good. They had Western breakfast (eggs, sausage) and Asian breakfast (I think I spotted rice porridge, which I bypassed). They even had… Breakfast takeaway service which I didn't know about until after I ate, and Breakfast in room..
The Coffee/tea in restaurant was probably the best part. I had to drink three cups, after which I had to go find a bathroom.
But. But! Here's where the wheels nearly fell off. They ran out of… fruit! Like, no bananas, no oranges, nothing. I needed a banana, darn it! I needed to counterbalance all that greasy goodness with some… fiber! (The lack of fruit became a metaphor. For my life. For the world. I may have overreacted.)
Dining, Drinking & Snacking:
- A la carte in restaurant: Not that I could see. It was just a buffet situation.
- Coffee shop: No.
- Restaurants: Nope.
- Poolside bar: Nope.
- Happy hour: Don't think so.
- Poolside bar: Nope.
- Snack bar: Nada.
The Pool (Or, My Brief Encounter with Relaxation):
There's a Swimming pool [outdoor]. It’s small, but it was cool enough to walk to. I didn't go swimming, because it wasn't the type of pool to go swimming at, but I took a moment. There was no Pool with a view, though.
Things to Do (Beyond Just Existing Inside):
- Fitness center: Didn't see one.
- Gym/fitness: Nope.
- Spa: Ha! Not in my wildest dreams.
- Sauna: Nah.
- Steamroom: Get outta here.
- Massage: Nope.
- Spa/sauna: Nope.
- Body scrub: Body wrap, Foot bath… okay, let's just move on.
Cleanliness & Safety (Keeping it Real):
This is where I have to be honest.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Maybe? I didn't bring a microscope.
- Cashless payment service: Noticed.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: You hope so.
- Hand sanitizer: Yep, at the entrance. Good.
- Hygiene certification, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Room sanitization opt-out available, Shared stationery removed. This is all the basics.
- Individually-wrapped food options: I didn't see anything wrapped individually, but the restaurant was clean.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Maybe.
I'll tell you what – it wasn't the cleanest place I've ever stayed. The Daily housekeeping was okay, but I don't think anyone was Physical distancing of at least 1 meter.
Services & Conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, that was good.
- Cash withdrawal: Didn’t see an ATM.
- Concierge: No, but I didn't need one.
- Convenience store: Nope.
- Laundry service: Laundry service! I saw the options to wash my clothes!
- Luggage storage: No.
For the Kids (And the Kid Inside):
- Family/child friendly: Hmmm. I saw kids. If you could handle a long drive, there's a lot of things to do.
- Kids facilities: Didn't see it or know what they were.
- **
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're heading to Forest, Mississippi, the heart of… well, whatever Forest, Mississippi is… and we're doing it from the hallowed halls of the Days Inn by Wyndham. Buckle again. This is going to be a bumpy ride.
Day 1: Arrival and a Whole Lotta "Meh"
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN). My flight? Delayed. Of course. And the reason for the delay this time? "Mechanical issues." You know, just the kind of reassuring explanation you want when hurtling through the sky in a metal tube. My emotional response: mild existential dread, followed by a desperate craving for a pre-flight Bloody Mary.
- 2:30 PM: Finally, the plane lands. That sigh of relief? Real. The rental car? A slightly dented, beige sedan that smells faintly of old french fries. My emotional response: immediate nostalgia for the smell of old french fries.
- 4:00 PM: Check into the Days Inn. Let's be honest, the pictures online were… aspirational. Reality? Well, let's just say "clean" is a generous term. The air conditioning is humming like a dying lawnmower, the TV is a relic from the Jurassic period, and the carpet… oh god, the carpet. My emotional response: A sudden urge to burn everything. And maybe buy a new, clean carpet.
- 4:30 PM: Explore the "amenities." Pool? Closed for "maintenance." Fitness center? I think that's just a really old treadmill and a few dumbbells. Honestly, at this point, I wouldn't be surprised if the "continental breakfast" consisted of a stale bagel and a single, forlorn banana.
- 5:00 PM: Drive around town. Forest, Mississippi, is…quiet. Like, really quiet. I pass a gas station that appears to also sell hunting supplies, a Dollar General (essential, obviously), and a BBQ joint with a sign that just says "BBQ." My emotional response: A strange sense of calm. And a growing suspicion that I've accidentally stumbled into a David Lynch film.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner! That BBQ joint with the ambiguous sign. "BBQ" did not disappoint. Ribs, pulled pork, cole slaw: simple, delicious, and served with a side of Southern hospitality that almost made me tear up. Almost. My emotional response: Gratitude. And a sudden, powerful craving for nap.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the motel. TV time! I've flipped through every channel, and have now realized that the only channels that work are news and religious viewing. My emotional response: a sudden urge to leave and never come back.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. Because that's all there is to do.
Day 2: The Deep South and a Burger Odyssey
- 7:00 AM: Wake up and take a shower. Found a singular bar of soap. Thank God. My emotional response: grateful.
- 7:30 AM: Continental breakfast at the Days Inn. It wasn't as bad as I'd imagined. The bagel was stale, but the single, forlorn banana was surprisingly… edible? And now I'm over-caffeinated from the instant coffee.
- 9:00 AM: Drive to the "historic" town of Philadelphia, Mississippi. The name is a little weird, right? Why Philadelphia? Anyway, this supposed to be where the civil rights workers were murdered. Yeah, that's a fun sightseeing activity. My emotional response: A sense of somber reflection.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch: The search for a burger that isn't dry and sad begins. I ended up finding a cute little diner with a great burger. My emotional response: I love burgers.
- 2:00 PM: The Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum! Yeah… Let's just say my expectations were… low. But honestly, it was kind of fascinating. Cows. Tractors. Exhibits on the history of cotton farming. Who knew? My emotional response: surprisingly entertained.
- 4:00 PM: Back at the Days Inn. The air conditioning is still humming. The carpet is still suspect. My emotional response: I think I'm starting to hallucinate.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner: The BBQ joint… AGAIN. Because, you know, when you find something good, you hold onto it. This time I went for a pulled pork sandwich and it was worth it. My emotional response: content.
- 8:00 PM: Attempt to watch TV again. Found a cable show. Guess this is the night. My emotional response: mild amusement.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. Dreaming of BBQ and clean hotel rooms.
Day 3: Getting Out of Dodge and (Maybe) Finding Peace
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. The humming has ceased. What an absolute gift.
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast. Bagel. Banana. Coffee.
- 8:00 AM: Packing and planning the escape.
- 9:00 AM: Check out.
- 9:30 AM: Heading back to JAN. Maybe I will see a little more of Mississippi.
- 10:30 AM: Driving through the town. I think I am a little sad to leave, maybe not.
- 12:00 PM: Arrive at JAN.
Final Thoughts: Forest, Mississippi
Look, Forest, Mississippi, isn't Paris. It's not Rome. It's a town of gas stations, BBQ joints, and Days Inns that are… let's call them "characterful". But despite the slightly dubious hotel, the quiet streets, and the occasional existential dread, there was a certain charm to it. A quiet, unassuming beauty. And that BBQ? Worth the trip alone. Would I go back? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing my own carpet cleaner. And maybe a hazmat suit. And if they don't have a pool open, maybe I'll just stay in my room. This trip has been something.
Blacksburg's Hidden Gem: Courtyard's Unforgettable Stay (VA)
Escape to Forest, MS: Days Inn's Cozy Getaway Awaits! (Or Does It?)
Okay, spill the tea – is Forest, Mississippi, actually a place people *go* to, or is it just…there?
Alright, look, I'm not gonna lie. "Forest, Mississippi" doesn't exactly scream "Paris, darling!" My first thought was, "Huh... Forest. Sounds like trees." And guess what? It has trees. Lots of 'em. But people *do* go. Road trippers, visiting family (apparently a big deal), maybe someone's got a hankerin' for a good ol' fashioned chicken fried steak. It's not gonna be on the cover of Travel + Leisure, but hey, it's a *place*. A place with a Days Inn, at least... and that's kind of the point, right? That's *our* entry point here, our cozy, slightly-used gateway to adventure. Don't expect the Ritz, but expect... an experience. And that experience, my friend, it can be anything from a mildly underwhelming adventure to a full-blown, sleep-deprived, mosquito-biting revelation!
The Days Inn – what should I realistically expect from the accommodations? Be brutally honest…
Brutally honest? Okay, here goes: Expect... well, *Days Inn*. Think clean-ish, functional-ish, and probably older than your grandma's favorite pair of bluejeans. The sheets *might* be freshly laundered, but you'll be tempted to inspect them under a microscope. The air conditioning? Pray it works, because Mississippi heat is no joke. And the complimentary breakfast? Don't get your hopes up for gourmet waffles. Think pre-packaged pastries, questionable coffee, and maybe, *maybe* a sad little bowl of lukewarm scrambled eggs. I once stayed at one, and the "fitness center" was a treadmill in a closet. The *smell* of chlorine from the indoor pool, though... that's forever etched in my memory. I am not sure whether to be happy about it or not. The point is, manage your expectations. You're not there for luxury; you're there for refuge.
Is there anything *actually* *good* about staying at the Days Inn in Forest, MS? Like, a tiny nugget of joy?
Okay, yes! There *is* hope! (I think.) First, it's usually affordable. Budget travel, baby! Second, I can’t speak for everyone but I found the people working at the Days Inn to be, mostly... sweet. Small town folks who are generally just trying to get by, just like you. I once found the front desk lady to be beyond helpful. And listen, sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes the AC *does* work. Sometimes the pool is surprisingly clean. And sometimes, especially if you're road-tripping with a friend and have absolutely *no* other options at 2 AM, the sheer *lack* of expectation can be… liberating. You just roll with it. You embrace the mediocrity. And you might, *just might*, find yourself laughing at the absurdity of it all. It's not about the destination, it's about the journey... through stale pastries and lukewarm coffee, I guess.
Beyond the hotel, what is there *to do* in Forest, MS? Seriously, I’m running out of ideas…
Alright, brace yourselves. This is where things get... interesting. (Or, you know, not.) Forest, Mississippi, isn't exactly the Entertainment Capital of the World. Let's be real. You *could* drive around and admire the gas stations... that’s an idea. There's probably a local restaurant or two. I vaguely recall there was a park (with trees!), and *maybe* a movie rental place, if you're lucky enough to find one. I think there are some antique stores, which I do enjoy, but the last time I looked they weren't open. It's a place where you *make* your own fun. Which, honestly, can be a refreshing change from the relentless, hyper-stimulating world we live in. Bring a book. Play some cards. Stare out the window and ponder the meaning of life. Consider that the "attractions" are the conversations, the small moments, the people. I once spent three hours talking to a guy in a truck, and it was the best time of my day. I really did consider buying that truck for a moment! And the best part? If you're really bored, you can always... get back on the road.
Food! Where do I eat? Don't let me starve…
Food is the *most* critical part, am I right? Well, you are probably gonna encounter local diners in the area. Honestly, I think you can’t go wrong with a good diner. Burgers, fries, milkshakes – the classics. There might be some chain restaurants, too, if you're craving something familiar. I'd recommend looking at Google reviews. I really do! But be prepared for reviews that are either wildly enthusiastic or utterly scathing – there's usually no middle ground in small-town America. The truth, as always, probably lies somewhere in between. Don't expect Michelin-star cuisine. But do expect… food. And if all else fails? Convenience store snacks. I am a big advocate of convenience stores. They offer a variety of foods to satisfy any and all cravings!
What's the "vibe" like? Friendly? Quiet? People staring at you?
The vibe? Well, it's Mississippi, so expect Southern hospitality. People are generally pretty friendly. You might get a few curious stares, especially if you're not from around those parts. But mostly, things are slow. Relaxed. Quiet. It's a different pace of life. I remember there was a whole lot of slow driving! If you're coming from a big city, it might feel a little jarring at first. It might feel like time has, like, *stopped*. But embrace it. Unplug. Unwind. Sit on the porch with a sweet tea (or whatever your vice of choice is) and just... breathe. It's an opportunity to disconnect, to be... present. (Until the AC breaks down, and then you might curse the whole thing, but even that's part of the experience, right?)
Okay, I'M IN! But, what's the *one* thing to pack?
The *one* thing? Besides your toothbrush and some hand-sanitizer? (Seriously, pack the hand-sanitizer.) My advice: a good book. Or, if you're feeling *extra* adventurous, a sense of humor. Because trust me, you're gonna need it. Forest, Mississippi (and the Days Inn within it) is not for the faint of heart. It's a place where the unexpected is theInstant Hotel Search
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