Southington Getaway: Book Your Dream Stay at Residence Inn!
Southington Getaway: My Dream Stay? (Mostly) at Residence Inn! - A REALLY Honest Review
Okay, so here's the deal. I just got back from what was supposed to be a relaxing little jaunt to Southington, Connecticut, and I figured I owed you all the dirt, the good, the bad, and the seriously questionable about the Residence Inn. They practically begged me to stay! Here's my take – unfiltered, raw, and with a healthy dose of "maybe I should have just stayed home."
First Impressions & Accessibility – More Smooth Sailing Than Expected!
Finding it wasn't a trauma. The GPS held its own. And praise the travel gods – accessibility seemed pretty solid. The stuff that should be there, was there. Wheelchair accessible was a big win. They had an elevator, which is crucial for someone like me who sometimes feels like climbing stairs is a personal Everest. Front desk folks were super helpful, especially the one dude who seemed to genuinely care. He helped me lug my ridiculously oversized luggage in and out. So, points for that! Car park [free of charge] – Score! That's always a bonus, especially when you've got a trunk full of souvenirs (and questionable impulse buys).
Internet & Tech Shenanigans (Or lack thereof)
Alright, let's talk internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – Hallelujah! Because, you know, can't live without Instagram and the eternal online hunt for the best pizza (more on that later). The Internet [LAN] thing? Honestly? I didn’t even look for it. My ancient laptop might have exploded. The Wi-Fi in the room was good enough, I guess. Internet services in general seemed fine, you know, the basics. The Wi-Fi in public areas worked okay too, but honestly, I spent most of my time holed up in my room – let's face it, I’m kind of a hermit when I travel.
Cleanliness & Safety – They REALLY Took it Seriously (Maybe Too Seriously?)
Okay, so about the cleanliness and safety: They really went overboard. Like, borderline paranoid. Which, in the current climate, is understandable. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services… It was like living in a hazmat suit factory. Not complaining, mind you! Hand sanitizer stations EVERYWHERE. Felt safer than my own apartment.
The whole “safe dining setup” was a bit… awkward. Food wrapped in plastic, individually portioned… less dreamy, more “airplane meal in disguise.” But hey, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Sterilizing equipment, Staff trained in safety protocol. They take their job seriously. I'm still trying to figure out if I was more freaked out by the cleanliness or comforted by it.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Food Adventures (and Misadventures)
Here's where things get… interesting. Breakfast [buffet] – which they described as a "buffet" but it really wasn't, more like a "pre-made breakfast station." It was a bit of a grab-and-go situation, which, for a leisurely vacation, was a bummer. I missed the glorious, greasy spread of a proper buffet. The Asian breakfast (yes, seriously!) was a choice I regretted immediately. A real culinary nightmare.
There’s a Coffee shop, and for this coffee addict, that’s a major plus. They had decent coffee, and I basically fueled myself for the whole trip with caffeine. There's a Snack bar, too, which provided late-night chips and candy. They'd also set up a Happy Hour, which I did not attend, because… well, this is a family-friendly hotel. You're not going to find me at happy hour in Southington, Connecticut.
Restaurants, Room Service, and Other Culinary Curiosities. I ate at a local pizza place after my first night there, thank god. Otherwise, the hotel had its own offerings, with A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, None really made me jump for joy, and room service [24-hour] was never quite tempting enough to tempt me.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – The Spa That Wasn't Quite a Spa
Okay, so the amenities. Let's get real. They claimed to have a Spa. But… "Spa" is a generous term. There was no Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom. There was a Fitness center, though. And a Swimming pool [outdoor]… which was closed. So basically, relax… the hard way.
For the Kids – Family-Friendly… But Not Too Family-Friendly
They leaned heavily into the "Family/child friendly" thing. Babysitting service? Never heard of it. Kids facilities? Maybe a tiny game room? I didn’t have kids with me, so I wasn't paying close attention. But I got the vibe it was more geared toward business travelers than vacationing families.
Services and Conveniences – The Good, the Bad, and the Missing
This is where the Residence Inn went from "pretty good" to "could be better." The Air conditioning in public area? Thank goodness. The Concierge? Always appreciated, even though I mostly managed on my own. Daily housekeeping? Yes, please. Doorman? Nah, not really. Honestly, I spent more time figuring out how the elevator worked.
Business facilities – they had the basics, the Business facilities, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, Projector/LED display, Xerox/fax in business center. But you're not going to find me at a corporate event in Southington, Connecticut.
The Convenience store was a lifesaver for snacks and forgetting my toothbrush. Invoice provided? That's always helpful for the expense report. Luggage storage – essential. Safety deposit boxes – always use them, especially if you have valuables!
The missing stuff was more the bummer. No Food delivery options from nearby restaurants. No Gift/souvenir shop. I’d also completely missed a Laundry service as well. This is why I’m so perpetually in need of clean clothes.
Available in All Rooms – The Nitty-Gritty of the Room
Here's where the Residence Inn truly shined. The Air conditioning was a godsend. The Alarm clock actually worked! Bathrobes? Yes! A Bathtub for soaking after a long day of… well, nothing much in Southington, actually. Blackout curtains? Essential for sleeping in. The Coffee/tea maker – my best friend. The Desk and Laptop workspace were perfect for (pretending to) work. The Refrigerator kept my beer cold. Satellite/cable channels for mindless TV gazing. The Seating area was comfy. Separate shower/bathtub. It was pretty much a perfect room. They’d also brought in Towels, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, and everything else you’d possibly want. The Wi-Fi [free] worked great and a window that opens.
The Hiccups & My Emotional Rollercoaster
Okay, so I might have gotten slightly hangry at one point. The lack of a decent breakfast buffet, combined with the… ahem… limited dining options in Southington, almost broke me. But! Room decorations were nice! And you know what? The staff? They were generally pretty great. Even offered a Wake-up service. So, I'm happy with that.
Getting Around & Other Stuff
They did have Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking. So it's great, they've got it.
Accessibility Score: 9/10 – Big points for actually being accessible. Cleanliness Score: 10/10 – Maybe a bit too clean? Food Score: 6/10 – Could use some serious help. Room Comfort Score: 9/10 – Couldn't ask for more in the room. Overall Experience: 7/10 – A solid, if slightly sterile, stay. Would I go back? Maybe. If they promise a better breakfast and a real spa. And maybe a pizza recommendation!
SEO & Metadata (Because I'm Trying to Be Helpful, Even if I'm Rambling):
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- Meta Description: Honest review of the Residence Inn in Southington, CT! Accessibility, cleanliness, food, amenities – the good,
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sterile, perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is me, raw, unfiltered, and probably still trying to figure out the coffee machine at the Residence Inn in Southington, CT. Let's get this messy, imperfect, and hopefully hilarious show on the road!
Residence Inn Southington - My Southington Saga (and, let's be honest, mostly the hotel)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (Kinda)
- 3:00 PM: Officially landed. Check-in. First impressions? Clean. Beige. You know the drill. This is not a place to expect a vibrant explosion of color. This place is…competent. The front desk lady, bless her heart, probably deals with travel-weary souls like me all day. I offered a slightly manic smile and a “Doing great!” when she asked how I was. Lie. I'm always “doing great” when I'm exhausted.
- 3:30 PM: Room. King bed. Success! That’s all I need at this point. Wait… no microwave? Oh dear. This is the kind of thing that makes me question all my life choices. Is a microwave that much to ask? I feel a sense of profound disappointment.
- 4:00 PM: Unpacked a bit. The drawers are surprisingly spacious. I’m already plotting how to live in this room forever. Maybe take up knitting? Become a hermit? The possibilities are endless and terrifying.
- 4:30 PM: The room… is quiet. Like TOO quiet. I turn on the TV. Channel surfing is apparently a thing of the past as there are too many options.
- 5:00 PM: Venture out to the "market". It's like a grown-up vending machine. I grab some chips and a water bottle. I may need to ration these.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. There's a passable Applebee's 2 miles from here… or I could starve. I decide on Applebee's. Feeling like I need to eat a decent meal. That was a strategic move.
- 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Back in the room. Watched some… TV.. Stared into space. Contemplated the meaning of life while simultaneously trying to figure out the remote. Eventually, I fell asleep.
Day 2: Local Explorations (Or, the Search for Decent Coffee)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast! (Free, thank god, I think I'll need some more of that). The usual hotel breakfast fare: Scrambled eggs that are a questionable shade of yellow, sad-looking fruit, but hey, the coffee's decent. I start the day with a coffee.
- 8.00 AM: Decide to hit the gym… I did a few reps with the weights, then decided I was good.
- 9:00 AM: Driving to the mall to find a caffeine fix beyond the hotel. I'm on a mission.
- 9:30 AM - 12 PM: Mall exploration! Found a coffee shop. Spent too much on a pastry. Saw a weirdly aggressive squirrel outside. These little creatures are seriously judging me.
- 12:30 PM: Back at the hotel. Ate my pastry in the room while watching tv. It's kind of a sad, lonely activity. Still, the pastry was delicious.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The afternoon was a blur. Did some work. Watched a movie. I feel like someone is always watching me, I can’t shake that feeling of being watched.
- 5:00 PM: Decided to have dinner elsewhere… and ordered an incredible burger, which made up for the previous day’s subpar meals. Food is definitely the highlight of this trip.
- 7:00 PM: Attempted to use the pool. Not entirely sure what I was expecting. Ended up leaving because of the kids.
- 8:00 PM: Back in the room. More TV. More remote control futility. The feeling of contentment is starting to feel good!
Day 3: Departure (With a Touch of Melancholy)
- 7:00 AM: Coffee. Scrambled eggs. More of that suspiciously yellow breakfast. I'm starting to respect the eggs, they do their job.
- 8:00 AM: Packing. Trying to avoid the crushing reality of going back to…well, back to things. Southington has grown on me, in a weird, beige, slightly boring way.
- 9:00 AM: Final check of the room. Did I leave anything crucial? I hope not.
- 9:30 AM: Check out. I said goodbye to the front desk lady. I think she'll miss me.
- 10:00 AM - Departure: Driving away. Southington is in my rearview mirror. There will be a few things that I will miss about this place.
Final Thoughts & Ramblings (And a Slight Plea for a Microwave)
Look, the Residence Inn Southington isn't exactly the kind of place that inspires poetry. But, hey, it was clean, the bed was comfy, and the coffee, once I found a proper source, was decent. I did enjoy the peace, I suppose. I got work done and I ate a few good meals.
However, I now understand the importance of a microwave for an extended stay.
Overall, a strangely satisfying experience in a completely unremarkable hotel. Which, I suppose, is the ultimate testament to its success? Would I go back? Maybe. But you can be sure I’ll be packing my own microwave next time. And maybe a small, emotionally-supportive squirrel.
Marshall, TX Getaway: Fairfield Inn & Suites Awaits!
Southington Getaway: Residence Inn FAQ - Because Let's Be Honest, You Have Questions (and Probably Doubts!)
Okay, So What *Actually* Makes This Residence Inn "Southington Getaway" Worth it? Is it Just ... Parking? (I'm Looking at YOU, Hotels that Charge $50 a Night!)
Alright, let's get real. Is it a five-star, diamond-studded, caviar-on-every-corner kind of place? Nope. But... and this is a big BUT... it's comfortable. For a decent price. Parking? Free. That's a win right there, especially if you've been traumatized by city hotel parking fees like yours truly. Trust me, I once paid more to park overnight than I did for a fancy dinner. I'm still bitter.
The "Getaway" part, well, that depends on why you're going. Visiting family? Solid choice. Business trip with the potential for actual sleep instead of wrestling with a thin, scratchy hotel blanket? Yessss. Trying to escape your own house for a weekend of blissful solitude? Maybe. It's not the Ritz (thank goodness!), but it's clean, spacious (the suites are *fantastic*), and the free breakfast... well, it's hotel breakfast. Expect standard fare, but there's always something you can cobble together. Cereal, fruit, maybe some slightly-suspect-but-somehow-still-edible scrambled eggs. You're on vacay - lower your standards just a *little* bit.
The "Free Breakfast"... Is it Really Free? Like, *Actually* Free? Or is it the "Free" that Makes You Want to Cry and Just Order a Bagel?
Okay, let's address the elephant in the breakfast buffet – the "free breakfast." Here's the deal: it's *there*. It exists. And it *is* included in the room rate. So, yes, technically, it's free. (Unless, of course, you factor in the psychic cost of enduring it.)
Real talk: Don't expect Michelin-star quality. Think: pre-packaged waffles (sometimes slightly soggy – embrace the sogginess, it's part of the experience!), instant oatmeal, fruit that's seen better days (but hey, fiber!), and various other items designed to fill you up without necessarily delighting your taste buds. I’m not gonna lie, sometimes I just went for the coffee and a rogue banana. But, I’m also a cheapskate, so I at least *tried* to get my breakfast dollar’s worth. I once saw a family of five make a beeline for the waffle station as soon as it opened. That's commitment! Good for them, I say.
Bottom line: It's a convenience. It's something to fuel your day without requiring you to leave the hotel and fight for a table. Manage your expectations, and you'll be just fine. Plus, they always have an orange juice machine! (Always a plus.)
The Rooms…Are They Really as Spacious as They Claim? I'm a Clutter Magnet.
Alright, fellow clutter-collectors, this is important. Yes, the rooms *are* spacious. Especially the suites. I’m telling you, they’re almost apartment-sized. The standard rooms are still decent though, and you won’t feel like you're crammed into a shoebox, which, hey, is a huge win in the hotel world.
I stayed in a suite once, and I swear, I almost got lost. There was a separate living area, a full kitchen (perfect for stashing your takeout leftovers), and a surprisingly comfortable bed. It was glorious. For a few precious hours, I could pretend I was a fancy hotel executive, ordering room service (which, let’s be honest, I probably wouldn't because I'm cheap, but the *option* was there!). The extra space is a lifesaver if you’re traveling with kids (or, like me, just a lot of stuff). You can actually *move* around without tripping over suitcases, which is a minor miracle.
Pro Tip: Request a high floor. Less noise, better views (even if it's just of a parking lot – hey, at least it's *your* parking lot!).
What About the Pool? Is it a Tropical Paradise or a Slightly Chlorinated Puddle of Disappointment? And the "Fitness Center"? Is it a *Gym* or Just a Treadmill in a Closet?
Okay. Let's address the crucial questions: The Pool and The Gym. I'm always cautiously optimistic about hotel pools and gyms, because the reality often falls short of the brochure photos.
The pool: It's... a pool. It's indoor, which is a plus if the weather's being a brat. It's a decent size, big enough to swim laps, definitely big enough to just splash around. Don’t expect a water park! The kids *will* probably love it, though. I remember one time, I went to the pool. I did a few laps, got a little sunburned (oops, should have put on sunscreen), and then… well, I got hungry. So the pool? Functional. Not the centerpiece of a tropical vacation, but a welcome respite from the Connecticut weather. Plus, nobody is judging you if you lounge in a pool chair reading a trashy novel.
The Fitness Center: Look... it's not Equinox. It's not *great*. But it's there! They usually have a treadmill or two (sometimes with working TVs, sometimes not - a gamble!), an elliptical machine, some weights. It's a functional space. If you’re a hardcore fitness fanatic, you might be utterly horrified. But if you just want to get a little movement in, you can probably make it work. I’ve seen worse “fitness centers.” And, let’s be honest, after a long day, sometimes just *thinking* about exercise is enough. (Don't judge me.)
Are There Any Hidden Fees? Because I'm Tired of "Resort Fees" That Appear Out of Nowhere!
Ah, the age-old question! Hidden fees… they're the bane of every traveler's existence! And honestly, I *hate* them. It’s like the hotel sneaked into your wallet and started pilfering your money while you weren’t looking. No one likes that. So, as far as I know, *there aren't any sneaky resort fees at the Residence Inn Southington*. (I'm knocking on wood as I type this.)
That said, *always* double-check your bill upon checkout. Read those numbers *very* carefully. Are there any charges listed that you weren't expecting? If you see something you don’t understand, *ask*. Don't be shy! It's your money, and you have every right to inquire. I once got charged for a mini-bar item *I didn't even touch.* It was a saga of back-and-forth emails, but I got my money back. The point? Be vigilant! (And learn from myHotels With Kitchen Near Me
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