Grand Forks Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at La Quinta Inn & Suites!
Grand Forks Getaway: La Quinta Inn & Suites - My Honest Take (The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Odd)
Alright, folks, buckle up. I just spent a whirlwind weekend in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and let me tell you, it started at La Quinta Inn & Suites. And, well, it was…an experience. This isn't your perfectly polished, stock photo review. This is the real deal. Get ready for some stream-of-consciousness, unfiltered opinions, and maybe a few tangents.
SEO & Metadata Blitz (Just Because I'm Supposed To, eyeroll)
- Title: Grand Forks Getaway Review: La Quinta Inn & Suites - Unbeatable Deals? My Real-Life Experience
- Keywords: Grand Forks hotel, La Quinta Inn & Suites review, North Dakota accommodation, accessible hotel, free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center, breakfast, clean hotel, family-friendly, pet-friendly (if applicable), Grand Forks attractions.
- Description: My brutally honest review of La Quinta Inn & Suites in Grand Forks. Covering accessibility, cleanliness, amenities (pool, gym, breakfast), service, and whether it’s worth the price. Expect a mix of pros, cons, and my unfiltered thoughts.
First Impression: The Arrival and…Well, The Elevator.
So, arriving in Grand Forks, the flat, expansive prairie feeling was a bit…overwhelming. You kind of feel the wind here. It's significant. Okay, La Quinta. Check-in was supposed to be contactless, but the lovely lady at the front desk, bless her heart, still made me fill out a form. Old school charm, I guess? And the elevator. Oh, the elevator. It wasn’t the speediest… but it got the job done. I felt like I was on a slow-motion journey to the top, contemplating the meaning of life. I think it was accessible, but I am not that sensitive to these things. All the areas are wheelchair accessible.
Accessibility – Did They Get it Right?
Okay, the accessibility stuff is important. And honestly, it looked like they'd put some thought into it. The website claimed everything was Wheelchair accessible but I couldn't test it all I had to check. There was a good effort made with the rooms, wider doors, bars in the loo, and the swimming pool had a lift, that's cool. I couldn’t find any specific accessibility on-site restaurants.
The Room: Finally, I Can Decompress!
My room was pretty standard La Quinta fare. Clean, which is always a huge plus. The air conditioning blasted out its existence with full force. The bed was comfy. Honestly? I was tired. I’d driven for an eternity, and the thought of collapsing on that bed was pure bliss. I mean, blackout curtains are key! I am all about my sleep. I appreciated the little things, like the included coffee/tea maker. There were plenty of sockets nearby. The desk area was decent for those of us who might have to work. The free Wi-Fi, I'll be honest, was a lifesaver. It was easy to connect.
Internet Mania! – (Or, How I Stayed Connected and Didn't Throw My Laptop Out the Window)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms is a godsend. My life revolves around the internet. I had to work. The LAN connection, for the nerds out there, was there, but I didn't even dig that deep. The Wi-Fi in the public spaces was also good – I did not waste any time on the front desk. The thing is: I had ZERO issues with the internet. It was fast. Reliable. A minor miracle, frankly, in the realm of hotel Wi-Fi.
Amenities Galore (or, What They Claimed to Have)
- The Fitness Center: Yes, there was a fitness center. I…did not use it. I was on vacation! But for those inclined, it looked reasonably stocked with the usual suspects. Treadmills, weights, the whole shebang. I gave it a quick peak. It was okay, not stellar, but good enough I guess.
- The Pool and (Possibly) a Pool View: The pool was indoor, and it was decent. It seemed clean. The pool view? It was a view of…the parking lot. But I wasn’t there for the scenery, I was there to swim!
- The Spa (or Lack Thereof): Let me be clear: This ain't a spa resort. There's no massage, no sauna, no steam room, no body wraps. If you're looking for a spa day, you'll need to go somewhere else. That's fine. No great expectations.
- Things to Do (Around the Hotel): Um…well, that's Grand Forks. There is a lot to do. The concierge might be helpful, but again, I did not use it.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Covid-19 Factor
This is paramount. With COVID still a thing, I was hyper-aware. I appreciated the hand sanitizer stations everywhere. The rooms seemed clean. They claimed to use professional-grade sanitizing services. Rooms sanitized between stays. Individually-wrapped food options at breakfast. The staff was wearing masks (though with varying degrees of enthusiasm, I must admit).
BUT the big one: The breakfast.
Breakfast: The Make-or-Break Meal (And It Almost Broke Me)
Okay, here we go. The breakfast situation. My honest take? It was…variable. There was supposed to be Asian cuisine included, but I saw none of it. No actual food. Maybe I am just weird, but I think I need to actually physically see the food to eat it? There were several options: breakfast [buffet], Breakfast takeaway service, and Breakfast in room. I had a weird reaction. The staff looked frazzled and stressed. I felt guilty. The breakfast area was bustling, and it reeked of… well, of what you'd expect from a hotel breakfast buffet? The usual culprits were there: mediocre scrambled eggs, questionable sausages, and those little pre-packaged muffins that taste like sawdust. I was not expecting a Michelin-star experience, but I did expect something. I ended up grabbing a banana and a coffee to go, and I ate them in my room.
It was still free in the end.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – An Odyssey of Options (Or Not)
So, on-site, there wasn't much. There was a coffee shop, but as for anything that goes beyond a quick cup of joe, you are on your own. Room service? Not 24 hours. Restaurants? Nope. A bar? Nope. A snack bar? Nada. I did not test the other options in the facility. Therefore, you are entirely dependent on other places.
Services and Conveniences
The front desk was 24-hour, which is always a good thing. They had a convenience store, a daily housekeeping service (thank god!), and there was an elevator. There was a car park on-site, and it also seemed free. The elevator was a real journey, but at least it was present! They offered laundry and dry cleaning.
For the Kids – Family Friendliness (or, How Much Noise Can You Tolerate?)
It seemed family-friendly with some kids' facilities, but I was not travelling with kids.
Getting Around
Free car park. Bingo!
Final Verdict: Worth the Deal or a Grand Forks Fiasco?
Look, La Quinta Inn & Suites in Grand Forks is what it is: a solid, dependable, budget-friendly hotel. It's not fancy. It's not luxurious. But it's clean, the Wi-Fi is reliable, and the staff are friendly (even if a bit overwhelmed at breakfast).
The Good:
- Cleanliness.
- Free Wi-Fi (a true lifesaver).
- Accessible.
- Good, solid location.
- Free parking.
The Bad:
- Breakfast – a definite letdown.
- Amenities are limited.
- Elevator (could use a pep talk).
The Slightly Odd:
- The vibe around the breakfast area made me panic.
- The parking lot view from the pool.
Would I Stay Again?
Honestly? Yeah, probably. For the price, what do you expect? If I'm back in Grand Forks, I'd definitely consider it. Just…maybe skip breakfast, and grab something down the street.
Ocean Springs Getaway: Days Inn Biloxi's Coastal Charm Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to chronicle a stay at the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Grand Forks, North Dakota. And let me tell you, it’s not just a hotel experience, it’s… well, it’s something. Here's what happened, more or less, as I remember it, because honestly, the days all bled into one another after the first…
The La Quinta Grand Forks: A Love Story (Maybe)
Day 1: Arrival and the Eternal Quest for Wi-Fi
- 3:00 PM - The Great Check-In: Okay, so picture this: me, weary from a flight, luggage overflowing with questionable choices, and a distinct craving for a ridiculously oversized Diet Coke. The front desk person was… well, they were there. Efficient, yes. Overflowing with North Dakota charm? Jury’s still out. Key card in hand, I’m off!
- 3:15 PM - The Room Reveal (and the Wi-Fi Agony): Entered the room. It was…a room. Clean-ish, probably. Bed? Looked promising for a nap. Wi-Fi? HA! The bane of every modern traveler's existence. Seriously, I spent a solid twenty minutes contorting myself into various yoga-esque positions, trying to catch a signal. I swear, I considered climbing out the window and hugging the fire escape, just for a bar. Gave up. Ordered pizza instead.
- 6:00 PM - Pizza, Pondering, and the Parking Lot: Pizza arrived. Excellent! Ate it in bed. Afterwards I thought I will get some fresh air at the parking lot. Turns out it's just another parking lot. There I saw a couple of guys doing something to their trunk with a flashlight. I ignored them. Decided to visit nearby stores, but later I didn't.
- 9:00 PM - The TV Odyssey: Managed to get some decent Wi-Fi for a while, before it died again. So I turned on the TV. The channel lineup was… interesting. Let’s just say I spent an hour flipping through channels, eventually landing on a documentary about competitive cheese sculpting. Yes, really. This is the kind of entertainment you get in Grand Forks at night.
Day 2: The Breakfast Barrage and the Quest for Activity
- 7:00 AM - The Breakfast Battleground: Breakfast. This is usually a love-hate situation, but the La Quinta offered a free breakfast. It was… fine. Standard hotel fare. Waffles (which were edible). Cereal (a bit stale). Coffee (needed some serious caffeine). I swear, there must be some kind of unspoken breakfast etiquette at these places. People hovering. Grabbing. The tension is palpable. It’s like a food-related Hunger Games, but with more beige food.
- 9:00 AM - The Gym-ish: Okay, so I attempted to hit the gym. The key word here is attempted. The equipment looked like it hadn’t been used since the Clinton administration. One treadmill had a clear malfunction – a distinct squeak that seemed to emanate from its very soul. I lasted maybe 10 minutes. Decided to go for a walk in the city.
- 11:00 AM - The Frozen North (and the Empty Museums): Spent the mornign walking in Grand Forks. It was cold, but beautiful. I visited some museums. Which were virtually empty. I got to see the exhibits pretty much by myself. Nice and quiet.
- 4:00 PM - Poolside Reflections: Decided to relax at the pool. The pool was lukewarm, and it was quite nice actually. But a child started screaming, so I had to run.
- 7:00 PM - Craving: I craved the pizza, so I ordered the same pizza, and again, I ate it in the bed.
Day 3: Departure and Existential Dread
- 7:00 AM - The Breakfast Encore: Same breakfast, same battleground, slightly less enthusiasm.
- 9:00 AM - Check-out and a Moment of Truth: Check-out. Easy enough. As I was heading out of the hotel. I thought to myself … "Was that it?" The whole experience. Was this a microcosm of life? A series of fleeting moments, unremarkable breakfasts, and questionable Wi-Fi? I don’t know.
- 10:00 AM - The Road, The Thoughts: I hit the road, leaving Grand Forks. I thought about the hotel, the city, the pizza, the Wi-Fi. Then I turned on the radio…
The Verdict:
Look, the La Quinta in Grand Forks isn’t a five-star resort. But it's a hotel. And it's an experience. It gave me what I needed: a bed, a roof, and a constant reminder that, even in the middle of North Dakota, the human spirit can find a way to laugh at the absurdity of it all. And the pizza? Gold. Absolutely gold.
Escape to Terre Haute: Fairfield Inn's Unbeatable Comfort Awaits!
Grand Forks Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at La Quinta Inn & Suites! (Uh...Maybe?) – FAQs That Are Actually *Real*
Okay, so "Unbeatable Deals" *really* mean "Unbeatable Deals"? Like, what's the catch? Because let's be honest, there's ALWAYS a catch.
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. "Unbeatable" is a strong word, isn't it? Look, I've been burned. I've seen deals that looked like they were gonna be a vacation paradise, and *bam!* Turns out, the “deal” was a complimentary stay in a broom closet.
So, here's the deal (pun intended, deal with it). La Quinta in Grand Forks often *does* have good prices. Especially if you book in advance or, y'know, can handle going during the dead of winter. Like, when it's so cold your eyelashes freeze halfway through a blink. (True story, happened to a friend. We laughed… eventually.) The catch? Well, sometimes the "deal" means the pool is closed (again, winter), or construction is happening next door and the jackhammers love a 7 AM wake-up call. Check the fine print! And maybe pack earplugs. Just in case.
What's the breakfast situation like? I heard it's… free? (Because seriously, free breakfast is everything.)
Ah, the free breakfast. The siren song of budget travelers. Okay, so at La Quinta, yes, *usually* there's a free breakfast. And, again, let's be real: it's not the Michelin-star breakfast buffet of your dreams. You're probably looking at your standard continental fare. Think: waffles (you make 'em yourself, usually), some kind of cereal (the sugary kind, naturally), maybe some sad-looking hard-boiled eggs, and the coffee. *The coffee.* It's hit or miss. Sometimes, it's blessedly caffeinated, the fuel I need to face the day. Other times… well, it's the color of dishwater and tastes vaguely of regret.
I remember one time… *shudders*. I went down at 6:30 AM, full of optimism for those waffles. But the waffle iron was broken! I stared at it, devastated. My inner child, she was not pleased. Then, the coffee machine started making this mournful *glug-glug* noise, like a dying robot. It was the low point, frankly. My mood was so bad that I went and just sat in the lobby, nursing my despair. It's free, so manage your expectations, you know?
Are the rooms clean? I'm not a princess, but I also don't want to share my bed with any uninvited guests (bugs, dust bunnies, etc.).
Cleanliness is… subjective, right? Okay, so, I've stayed at La Quinta in Grand Forks a couple of times. Mostly, yes, the rooms have been clean. But! And there's always a "but," isn't there? Once, I walked in and there was a stray sock under the bed. (Whose sock? Where did it come from? The mysteries haunt me.) Another time, a *teeny* spider. I mean, I just… shuddered. I'm not gonna lie, I’m kind of a clean freak, but it was really small, so, I shrugged.
Just be sensible, people. Check the sheets before you dive in (that's just good travel advice), and maybe bring some sanitizing wipes for the remote control. The basics. If you're super germaphobic, maybe spring for a more expensive hotel. But me? I always just bring my own pillow cases and trust to the best. I'm not looking for perfection, just a place to crash after a long day of… well, Grand Forks things.
What about the pool and gym? Do they actually *have* them? (And are they any good?)
Okay, the pool and gym situation is a bit of a gamble. Yep, they *usually* have them. But...the pool's not exactly the lap of luxury. Think: chlorine. Lots and lots of chlorine. But it's a pool! A place to splash! So, yay, I guess.
The gym? Well, it *exists*. Often, it's a small room with a treadmill, maybe a bike, and some free weights that look like they've been around since the dawn of time. Don’t go in hoping for a state-of-the-art fitness center. My experience? I tried running on the treadmill once. It sounded like a dying something. I lasted about five minutes before I decided that the Grand Forks air was fitness enough.
Is the staff friendly? Because nothing ruins a trip faster than surly hotel employees.
This is a good question! In my experience, the staff at La Quinta in Grand Forks is generally… fine. Not overly bubbly, not particularly rude. Just… there, doing their job. And, honestly? That's okay! I've encountered some truly memorable hotel staff – both good *and* hilariously bad – and sometimes, all you want is someone who can help you find your room without judgment. (Looking at you, the time I accidentally set off the fire alarm at 3 AM in Vegas...long story.)
But! And again, there’s a big "but." I had one exceptional experience. One time, my car broke down on my way into town. I was stranded. The front desk person, bless her heart, went above and beyond. She called a tow truck, found a nearby auto shop, and even offered me a ride! So, it really depends. Honestly, most of the time, they meet the “minimum acceptable level”. But that one incident... it made me want to give them a raise! So, it really, REALLY varies.
Okay, so finally, should I book it? Is this a good deal? Give it to me straight!
Alright, here's the unfiltered truth. La Quinta in Grand Forks is… not the Ritz-Carlton. It's not the Four Seasons. You're not going for luxury. You're going for a place to sleep, shower, and maybe grab a waffle (if the waffle iron is working).
BUT! It's often a good value. Especially if you're on a budget or just need a place to crash for a night or two. I've stayed there because it allows me to stay in Grand Forks and explore without breaking the bank. If the price is right, and your expectations are in check (see above re: the coffee), then yeah, book it. Just remember to pack earplugs, a sense of humor, and maybe your own coffee. Just in case.
And don't expect perfection! Embrace the wonkiness, the imperfections, the occasional stray sock. You'll probably have stories to laugh about later. Just… don't come crying to me if the waffle maker is broken on your trip. I warned you.
What's the parking like? I hate circling the block for an hour.
Okay, here's a good thing! Parking at5 Star Stay Find
Post a Comment for "Grand Forks Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at La Quinta Inn & Suites!"