Luverne's BEST Hotel? GrandStay Inn & Suites Review!
GrandStay Inn & Suites, Luverne: My Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on the GrandStay Inn & Suites in Luverne, Minnesota. I'm not gonna lie, I went in with zero expectations. Luverne? Seriously? But hey, a road trip's a road trip, and a weary traveler needs a place to crash. And let me tell you, after spending a few days there, I have A LOT to say. Let's dive in, shall we?
First Impressions (and the Great "Cleanliness & Safety" Frenzy)
Right away, I was hit with that… hotel smell. You know the one? A weird blend of industrial cleaner and vaguely floral air freshener. But surprisingly, the GrandStay wasn't bad! It actually smelled, dare I say it, clean. This was a huge relief considering the world we're living in. (That's right, I'm talking COVID, baby!)
They really push the whole "safety" thing. There are signs everywhere about hand sanitization and social distancing. They're even proud of their "anti-viral cleaning products"! I swear, I saw them wiping down the vending machine three times in a single day. I also noticed the "Rooms sanitized between stays." (Thank goodness!)
What Really Impressed Me (and Where They Kinda Messed Up)
Okay, here's the deal: the "Rooms sanitized between stays" is absolutely key, especially for someone like me, who is, let's just say, a germaphobe by nature. I could tell the room was REALLY well done.
- Hygiene certification? Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Double check.
- Hand sanitizer stations? Everywhere. (I probably used enough of that stuff to sterilize a small hospital.)
The Breakfast Debacle (or, My Quest for a Decent Cup of Coffee)
Listen, I need my coffee. Seriously. It's a vital component of my existence. And the breakfast situation? Well, let's just say it was… interesting. They offered a buffet, but clearly, COVID had thrown a wrench in the works.
Okay, so, "Breakfast [buffet]" was, as I was told, "Breakfast takeaway service" in that you were able to take what you needed. I didn't have any breakfast in my room, but there were also a few "Individually-wrapped food options", which were probably safe. The coffee, however? Not great. It was that lukewarm, watery stuff that seems to be a staple in most hotel breakfast areas.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (or, The Search for Something Beyond the Vending Machine)
As far as Dining, drinking, and snacking goes, the GrandStay doesn't exactly offer a culinary wonderland. No fancy "Restaurants," and I didn't see any Bar or "Poolside bar". There wasn't a "Coffee shop", either.
Things to Do (Because Luverne Isn't Exactly Vegas)
So the "Things to do" around the hotel weren't as expansive as the hotel itself claims. There was really a "Fitness center". I glanced in, but I'm not exactly a gym rat, so I noped out pretty fast. It reminded me of one of those gyms that would be in a casino, but it was also in a hotel.
In my opinion, the hotel's "Swimming pool [outdoor]" was the real appeal! I took a dip, and the views were great!
Amenities & Accessibility (The Good, The Bad and the Somewhat Confusing)
- Accessibility: I applaud the effort. There are "Facilities for disabled guests" listed.
- "Wheelchair accessible": Seemed well laid out, but I didn't need to test this extensively.
- Internet? "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Yes, please! And it worked perfectly, which is a small miracle in itself.
- "Car park [free of charge]": Bonus points for this! Parking's the bane of my existence.
Room Specifics (The Details That Matter)
My Room! It was… fine.
- "Air conditioning": Essential.
- "Blackout curtains": Thank goodness. Sleep is precious.
- "Internet access – wireless": Crucial.
- "Refrigerator": Always appreciated for keeping snacks (and my sanity) cold.
- "Non-smoking": Hallelujah.
- "Separate shower/bathtub": Always a plus!
But I had a very small complaint: There was no "Bathrobes"! I love hotel bathrobes. They're like a warm hug after a long day.
For the Kids (A World I Don't Understand, But Still…)
I'm not a parent, so the "For the kids" section had nothing on me. But I did notice they have a "Family/child friendly" atmosphere.
In Conclusion (My Honest Take)
The GrandStay Inn & Suites in Luverne isn't the Ritz. It's Luverne, for goodness sake! But it's clean, the staff seemed to genuinely care, and it's a solid choice for a budget-friendly stay with a good focus on cleanliness and safety.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. (Lost half a star for the coffee situation, the other for the missing bathrobes!)
Escape to Coastal Comfort: Days Inn Robstown, TX
Alright, buckle up buttercups! You're trapped, I mean, IN for a whirlwind tour of… Luverne, Minnesota. Specifically, the GrandStay Inn & Suites. God help you. I say that with a mix of dread and morbid curiosity. Let’s see what we can unearth. This is going to be less “polished travel brochure” and more “drunk uncle at a family reunion.” Consider yourselves warned.
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for Reasonable Expectations
- 14:00 - Arrival at GrandStay. Luverne, MN. Oh joy. The vast, flat expanse of the Midwest. Honestly, the drive itself was an experience. Seems like the only entertainment are "World's Largest" things just waiting to be photographed from a vehicle. My expectations are… let’s just say, managed. Found the place okay. Parking lot is adequate, maybe a little too much gravel. That crunching noise? Already starting to grate on my nerves.
- 14:30 - Check-in Meltdown (or at least, Grumbling). The front desk… the woman was nice enough, I guess. But the automated "Welcome to GrandStay!" felt a little… forced. And the room? Well, it's a room. Carpet is probably… carpeted. A faint smell of chlorine? Maybe the pool? They mention a pool. My God, I may have to visit a pool.
- 15:00 - Room Reconnaissance and Existential Dread. The air conditioning is a thump monster. Like it's actively trying to escape. Okay, the bedspread is… a color. The TV is… present. I need a beer. Stat. Existential thoughts start to creep in. "Why am I here? What am I doing with my life?" Is this what retirement feels like? My first time at the place, after going to the internet: "It's a solid hotel, I'd give it a 7/10. The pool is nice." What else am I supposed to do in Luverne?
- 16:00 - The Hunt for Provisions (and Reality). The "hotel guide" promises a vending machine. Thank GOD. This is the stuff of life. I just have to find it. Okay, I am back, with a bag of chips and a Pepsi. Vending machines are a gamble. They haven't failed me yet.
- 17:00 - The Great Luverne Orientation (Through a TV Screen). Flipping through the channels. The local weather forecast is… bleak. Wind chill warnings. I love the Midwest! There is also a rerun of "Family Feud." Steve Harvey's face and constant energy is a nice distraction. I might be stuck here with the television all night. I am going to grab a shower.
- 18:00 - Dinner Dilemma. The "restaurants" seem slightly… far away. Okay, I'm not sure what a steak is in Luverne. I'm hungry, and tired. I eat the snack. I do some simple stretches, and I am ready for bed.
Day 2: Embracing the Mystery (and the Indoor Pool, Possibly)
- 07:00 - Wake-up Call (from the A/C). Another day, another grand adventure in the land of… well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. This morning, a bit of a dilemma. The breakfast buffet mentioned in the hotel guide. The idea of hotel breakfast? Is it actually… edible? It's my civic duty to try.
- 08:00 - The Breakfast Barrage. Omelets? Waffles? Okay, the waffle is… surprisingly good. The coffee is… coffee. The whole setup feels a little like a staged scene from a sitcom. People wandering around in various states of disarray, the hushed tones of polite conversation. The waffle makes the situation significantly better.
- 09:00 - Luverne Exploration (Maybe). Should I venture out? I've got some options. The "historic downtown," the "rock museum," or a walk. Or just nap. It's all too, too daunting for a Tuesday.
- 10:00 - The Indoor Pool, The Abyss of Chlorine. The moment of truth. I have arrived at the indoor pool. It's… a pool. The chlorine is strong. Very strong. Kids are splashing. (My thoughts: this is a pool, it is supposed to be for kids) I can't help but feel slightly melancholy. I’ll take a dip. Maybe. Actually the pool water is nice and warm, and it is pretty relaxing.
- 11:00 - Poolside Contemplation. I am a little hungry. I go back to my room.
- 12:00 - Lunch and the Question of Purpose. Vending machine again. I might be out of the hotel.
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Scent of… Luverne
- 07:00 - Wake up, it's almost over! Packing. Wishing I had booked at least a second night.
- 08:00 - The Final Breakfast Battle (and the Waffle’s Redemption). Went earlier this time. Waffle again.
- 09:00 - Farewell to the GrandStay, or "Adieu, My Brief Abode." Time to go. The parking lot gravel gives me the final goodbye crunches.
- 10:00 - Driving and the Processing. The drive out of Luverne is uneventful. Reflecting on the trip: It wasn’t bad. It was… an experience. I got to sleep. I got to swim. I had waffles. The memories are coming.
- 11:00 - Post-Luverne Blues (and Plans for the Future). Will I return to Luverne? Probably not. Have I said "Luverne" too many times? Probably.
And there you have it. A glimpse into my less-than-glamorous stay in the GrandStay Inn & Suites. Remember, the world isn’t always exciting, but it’s almost always… something. And sometimes, the most interesting thing is the waffle.
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Alright, spill the tea. Is the GrandStay really "Luverne's BEST Hotel?"
Okay, okay, let's get this out of the way. Look, "best" is subjective, right? But...and this is a BIG but...for Luverne, yeah, probably. I mean, listen, this isn't the Ritz. This isn't even, like, a fancy Hampton Inn. But for Luverne? It's a freaking oasis. Clean. Spacious. Has a pool (more on that later). It’s got the basics down and a few extra tricks up its sleeve. Plus, convenience is King (or Queen).
What about the rooms? What's the vibe like?
Rooms...hmm. Picture this: perfectly average hotel room. They’re spacious, which is a huge win. I'm a claustrophobe, so that automatically puts them in the "approved" category. The bed? Comfortable enough, I’ve slept in worse (a tent during a torrential downpour springs to mind). The decor? Well, let’s just say it hasn't exactly seen a recent episode of "Interior Design Masters." Think practical, neutral tones, with the subtle charm of...well, let's call it "functional." Don't expect to be blown away by the design. But the important thing is EVERYTHING seems clean. And in my book, that's HUGE.
The breakfast. The dreaded hotel breakfast. Is it...edible?
Oh, the breakfast. Ah, the breakfast. This is where things get...interesting. It's the classic continental situation. Think: waffles (YES!), cereal, fruit (sometimes looking a little past its prime, honestly), the usual suspects of bagels and muffins, and the ever-present, mysteriously scrambled eggs. They also had things like sausages and bacon (sometimes). Its not the worst by any means but a little more "fresh" would be nice. But I'm not gonna lie, those little waffle makers? They are a godsend. They make things okay.
That pool. Tell me EVERYTHING about that pool.
The pool. Ah, the pool. This is where the GrandStay *really* shines (pun intended, because it's indoor and the lighting is...well, you get it). I'm not going to lie; the first time I saw it, I was a little…underwhelmed. It's not Olympic-sized, people. But it's clean! The water’s a decent temperature. And OH MY GOODNESS, it has a hot tub! And this is where it's personal for me. *This* is where the GrandStay won me over. After a long day of driving, that hot-tub was basically a hug for my soul. I swear, I spent a good two hours that night just marinating in bubbles and letting all my worries melt away. The little details matter and they did a great job. It was a huge win after such a long day.
What about the staff? Are they friendly?
Honestly? The staff is lovely. Everyone was helpful and polite. They seemed genuinely happy to be there. I swear, one of the receptionists remembered my name after, like, two interactions. That's magic in my book! A simple “Good morning,” a smile – it makes such a difference. I remember asking for extra towels once (because I spill EVERYTHING) and they were on it in, like, five minutes. Amazing.
Any downsides? What wasn't so great?
Okay, let's keep it real. The Wi-Fi could be a little patchy sometimes. It wasn't a deal-breaker for me, per se, but it did cause some minor outbursts of frustration when I was trying to stream my favorite bad reality TV show. And the gym? Well, it's there. With the basics. It's not exactly a state-of-the-art fitness center, but if you’re desperate for a quick workout, it'll do. But honestly there wasn't much I didn't love.
Is it worth the price?
Given the location and what you're getting, yes. Absolutely. It’s clean, it's comfortable, it has a pool and hot tub (NEED I SAY MORE?), and the staff is great. You're not staying in a palace, but you're getting a solid, reliable experience. Honestly, based on my own experiences, it's more than worth the money.
So, would you recommend it?
Look, if you’re going to Luverne, and you want a place that’s clean, comfortable, and has a dang hot tub? Then, YES! Absolutely, a thousand times over, YES! Just don't go expecting a five-star resort and you'll be golden. The GrandStay Inn & Suites is a reliable, comfortable option in a quiet town. My hot tub memory is still one of the best hotel experiences I've ever had. Luverne, you have a winner.
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