Escape to Liberal, KS: Your Perfect Days Inn Getaway Awaits!
Escape to Liberal, KS: My Days Inn Getaway… Was It Really a "Perfect" Escape? (Spoiler: Maybe Not!)
Okay, alright, let's be real. "Perfect Days Inn Getaway" sounds a bit… optimistic, doesn't it? Liberal, Kansas isn't exactly on the "must-see" list for most folks. But hey, sometimes you need a break. A pit stop. A place to recharge before braving… whatever the Kansas plains throw at you. And that's what I got. Brace yourselves, this is gonna be more than a simple star rating. This is a full-blown, messy, honest review.
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- Description: My unfiltered review of the Days Inn in Liberal, KS. Accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, dining – I cover it all, with a healthy dose of real-life observations. Is it a hidden gem, or just another motel? Read on and find out! Days Inn reviews, Days Inn customer review, Days Inn review, Days Inn Liberal.
Let's Dive In: The Good, the Bad, and the Surprisingly Meh
Accessibility: Did They Really Mean It?
Okay, first things first. I'm not disabled, but I appreciate a place that says it's accessible. The Days Inn in Liberal… well, it says it. Wheelchair accessible: CHECK. I saw ramps and elevators; I appreciate they have thought about people, but there's always a difference between a building just being accessible and being designed for accessibility. I did not see a single person using a wheelchair, so one must wonder if they even thought about people using them.
Getting Around (Or Not!):
- Elevator: CHECK. (Good for weary travelers and anyone with mobility concerns.)
- Exterior Corridor: CHECK. This is a motel, folks. Don't expect fancy indoor hallways. Which is good for accessibility really.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: CHECK! Finding a parking spot was thankfully easy, even when the place was hopping.
Cleanliness and Safety (This is a Big One, Post-Pandemic)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Claimed. (I'm trusting you on this one, Days Inn!)
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Likely. (I didn't see it with my own eyes, but it felt clean!)
- Hand sanitizer: CHECK. Everywhere. Bless.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Claimed. (Fingers crossed!)
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter; Staff trained in safety protocol: Well, that's a BIG question - one I'm not sure I want the answer to. I am sure their pay rate is not the best. I saw some staff chatting close, but the vibe seemed safe.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Unsure.
- Safe dining setup: Seemed reasonable in the buffet, more on that later
My Overall Feeling on Cleanliness: It's… Fine. Not sparkling, not gross. Just… functional. Which, honestly, is all I really wanted in a roadside hotel.
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (or Cell?)
Okay, let's get into the specifics.
- Air conditioning: CHECK. (Kansas heat is NO JOKE.)
- Blackout curtains: CHECK. (Crucial for sleeping off that long drive.)
- Desk: CHECK. (For pretending to work… or, you know, online shopping.)
- Free Wi-Fi: CHECK. (And THANK GOD! See more on that below!)
- Hair dryer: CHECK. (Because even in Liberal, we gotta look presentable!)
- In-room safe box: CHECK. (I'm more trusting than this, but some people like to store their life in there!)
- Mini bar: Nope. Sadly. I'm not gonna lie, I was a bit sad.
- Non-smoking: CHECK. (Smelling the lingering stench of smoke in an ostensibly non-smoking room is the WORST. Thankfully, this was not the case.)
- Refrigerator: CHECK. (Useful for storing… leftovers. Or beer, I suppose.)
- Satellite/cable channels: CHECK. (Because late-night TV is a guilty pleasure.)
- Seating area: A couple of chairs, which is fine.
- Shower: CHECK
- Wake-up service: I had my phone, so I didn't need it
- Wi-Fi [free]: CHECK (More Details Below!)
- Window that opens: CHECK! (Fresh air is a godsend!)
The Wi-Fi Saga: A Love-Hate Relationship
Okay, so the Wi-Fi [free] was a double-edged sword. It was free, which is always a plus. BUT the connection? Let's just say it went from "blazing fast" to "dial-up in the 90s" faster than you can say "internet outage." I spent a good hour trying to download a movie, only to give up and binge-watch whatever was on basic cable. Internet access – wireless: CHECK. Internet: CHECK. Internet [LAN]: DON'T THINK SO. This is a small town, it is forgiven.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling My Adventure (Or Lack Thereof)
- Breakfast [buffet]: CHECK! Ah, the infamous continental breakfast. This is the Days Inn's main show, and honestly, it was… standard. There was that rubbery scrambled eggs, some soggy bacon, and a sad assortment of pastries. But, hey, free coffee, right? Breakfast service: CHECK. Buffet in restaurant: CHECK The coffee was hot and the juice was on tap. I did not get sick. So, win!
- Restaurants: None on-site, technically. But a decent amount of options a short drive away.
- Coffee shop: Nowhere to be seen.
- Poolside bar: None (Unless you count the vending machine by the pool.)
- Snack bar: Nope. You're on your own, buddy!
The Pool: The Oasis… or the Slightly Murky Basin?
Swimming pool [outdoor]: CHECK Yes, there was a pool! A glorious, refreshing (or at least, potentially refreshing) pool! It's the kind of pool that calls to you on a scorching Kansas afternoon. I mean, the pool Pool with view: NO. The view from the pool was… the parking lot. But hey, it was a pool! The water was a comfortable temperature, and I even saw a few brave souls taking a dip. It wasn't exactly the Four Seasons, but it did the trick.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Sometimes)
- Air conditioning in public area: CHECK. (Thank goodness!)
- Cash withdrawal: CHECK. (ATM in the lobby!)
- Daily housekeeping: CHECK. (My room was always reasonably tidy.)
- Elevator: CHECK
- Laundry service: CHECK. (Thank goodness, I really needed that)
- Front desk [24-hour]: CHECK. (Always a plus!)
- Luggage storage: CHECK.
- Safe deposit boxes: CHECK. (I don't think I used it)
For the Kids (And the Kid in You!)
- Family/child friendly: CHECK. (Plenty of families were staying there.)
- Kids meal: NOPE.
- Babysitting service: NOPE
- Kids facilities: NOPE
The Verdict: Escape Achieved?
So, did I have a "perfect" Days Inn getaway? Absolutely not. But did I get a clean, safe, and reasonably comfortable place to rest my head, with a pool and free (albeit spotty) Wi-Fi? Yep. And that, my friends, is sometimes all you need. It wasn't fancy, it wasn't glamorous, but it was a perfectly functional pit stop on the road of life. If you're looking for luxury, go elsewhere. If you're looking for a decent, affordable place to stay in Liberal, Kansas? The Days Inn will do the trick.
Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars.
Would I recommend it? If you're passing through Liberal, sure. If you're seeking a romantic getaway and are looking for a luxurious experience, look elsewhere. It is a basic motel that ticks the boxes.
Escape to Houston's Hottest Spring Getaway: Residence Inn CityPlace!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're talkin' Liberal, Kansas, baby. Days Inn by Wyndham. Prepare for the rollercoaster of emotions that is… a trip.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of Beige
- 1:00 PM: Arrive in Liberal. Okay, first impressions… it's… Kansas. Sun is blazing, sky is ridiculously blue, and the airport is smaller than my childhood bedroom. Found my rental car, a… ahem… slightly-used, dusty sedan, that looks like it’s seen more tumbleweeds than miles. Honestly, I was expecting a DeLorean! Where are my flying cars, dang it?
- 2:00 PM: Check-in to the Days Inn. The website photos were… optimistic. Let’s call it that. The reality is a bit… beige. Beige carpet, beige walls, beige everything. It's like the room itself is subtly urging me to take a nap and reevaluate my life choices. I’m already contemplating a heist for some actual color in here.
- 2:30 PM: The Air Conditioning: a true story. That first blast of AC from the in-room unit hit me like a slap in the face. Ah, it's the Midwest in a nutshell isn't it?
- 3:00 PM: Unpack. Stare at the Gideon’s Bible thoughtfully. Wonder if they have a chapter on escaping the existential dread of beige motel rooms. Maybe I'll write one. Title? "From Days Inn to Destiny". Probably would only sell in Liberal, but, hey, I'd take it.
- 4:00 PM: Explore. What is there to explore, right? Okay, Google says… "Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz." Alright, well, not exactly what I had in mind, but when in Rome… or, well, Kansas.
- 5:00 PM: Dorothy’s House. Okay, okay, this is actually kind of… charming. The whole thing is a ridiculously wholesome homage to The Wizard of Oz. I mean, it’s not the Emerald City, but it's got heart. They have a "real" tornado simulator. It’s kinda cheesy, but I kinda loved it. The gift shop, naturally, had everything Oz related, from ruby slippers to…well, I don’t even know what some of that stuff was. I bought a tin man keychain. Don't judge.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. "The Brown Bottle," (the hotel's restaurant) according to Google maps. The menu promises “American comfort food”. I opt for the chicken fried steak. It arrives, bigger than my head, and drowning in gravy. It’s glorious. My arteries are screaming in happiness. This is worth the beige.
- 8:30 PM: Back to the beige. Sink into the questionable mattress. Watch some bad TV. Consider ordering pizza. Realize there are no pizza places that deliver. Embrace the solitude. This is my life now.
Day 2: A Whirlwind of… Well, Wind
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Grab some lukewarm coffee and a rubbery waffle from the hotel's "complimentary" breakfast. The other guests look as sleep-deprived and hopeful as I do. We exchange a silent pact of mutual suffering.
- 9:00 AM: The Coronado Museum. Actually…surprisingly interesting! Old historical exhibits! Lots of old maps and pictures of serious-looking Kansans from a long, long time ago. Pretty impressive!
- 11:00 AM: The Seward County Historical Society. More history! More serious old Kansans! But I liked it. I’m starting to get into this whole historical thing. Maybe I need a big sign to tell my other friends I’m no fun anymore!
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I find a small local place called "The Guymon Diner". The waitress calls me "honey". I love it. Order a burger and fries. They’re perfect. I could live here. No, wait… I’m getting ahead of myself.
- 1:30 PM: The "Big Splash Water Park." The name is ironic. The park is NOT big. It’s… adequate. And very windy. I spend about half an hour trying to secure my towel and not get blown away. I manage to enjoy the water slides, though. This is precisely what I signed up for!
- 4:00 PM: Return to the hotel. Take a nap. The beige is starting to feel… comforting. I am a beige, comfortable person now.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Back to The Brown Bottle. This time, I order the spaghetti and meatballs. It’s… adequate.
- 7:30 PM: Struggle with the TV remote again. Try to find a decent movie. Give up and read a book. Realize I’ve forgotten my book. Stare at the ceiling. Count the cracks.
- 8:00 PM: The Sky. Something else entirely. I get out of my room. The sky is huge here, and the stars… wow. I'm not a "star person", but even I'm impressed. The vastness is almost… overwhelming. It's beautiful, the kind of beautiful that makes you feel small and insignificant, in a really good way.
Day 3: Departure (and the Lingering Smell of Beige)
- 8:00 AM: Another beige breakfast. At this point, I’m starting to feel like a beige-colored breakfast pastry myself. Part of me wants to stay. Part of me wants to run screaming.
- 9:00 AM: One last look at Dorothy’s House. Feel a weird twinge of… sadness? Maybe I actually enjoyed it here? Am I… softening?!
- 10:00 AM: Check out of the Days Inn. The front desk clerk is friendly and efficient. I almost want to thank her for the beige – it’s been… an experience.
- 10:30 AM: Drive back to the airport. Make a mental note to invest in some color. Also, to try chicken fried steak again.
- 11:30 AM: Board the plane. Look out the window at the endless Kansas fields. Wonder what the people I've been seeing have been up to today.
- 1:00 PM: Arrive back home. Everything feels… different? Am I different? Or am I just tired?
- 1:30 PM: Unpack the suitcase. Find the tin man keychain. Smile.
- All Day: Contemplate the existential meaning of beige.
Escape to Liberal, KS: Your Days Inn Getaway...Maybe? FAQs (Brace Yourself!)
Okay, Seriously, Why Liberal, Kansas? Is This a Prank?
Look, I’m gonna be honest. Before this trip, my only reference to Liberal, Kansas was… well, a vague suspicion it *existed*. It felt like one of those towns dreamt up by a cartoon. But sometimes, that's precisely the point, isn't it? The element of surprise. Maybe you’re on a cross-country drive and need a pit stop – hey, the Days Inn is right there, practically begging you to pull over. Maybe you're a sucker for roadside attractions. Or, and this is a BIG maybe, you're genuinely curious about the heartland. That’s me. I’m forever chasing a random slice of the American pie, imperfections and all. Plus, I heard they have a replica of Dorothy's house! SOLD!
What's the Days Inn Like? Is it… Clean?
Alright, the Days Inn. Let's just say it's... *experienced*. My room? Well, let's put it this way: I gave the bedspread a *thorough* once-over before I even considered sitting on it. But, and this is important, it wasn't *un*clean. More like, "lived in," a polite way of saying it had seen some… stuff. The coffee maker? Looked like it had survived a zombie apocalypse, but thankfully, the coffee itself was surprisingly… drinkable. Don't expect the Ritz, but it’s generally the price you pay for a pit stop in Flyover Country. It's functional. Mostly. And listen, after a ten-hour drive, a bed is a bed, right? Comfort, that is until you start noticing all the *peculiar* noises the air conditioning makes…
Tell Me About this Alleged "Dorothy's House." Is it Worth the Trip?
OH. MY. GOD. Dorothy's House! Okay, full disclosure: I'm a sucker for Wizard of Oz. I practically *wept* when I saw the ruby slippers (the real ones, kind of). This replica is… quaint. It's not a fancy museum, okay? It’s… a house. That’s been carefully preserved, and I think I have to take my shoes off. It's all very mid-century, a little faded, but utterly charming. And the gift shop? Pure, unadulterated kitsch! I snagged a tin man keychain. It's the experience, the *feeling*. It's like stepping into a slightly dusty, but love-filled, tribute to a movie that shaped your childhood. And the staff? Super friendly and, well, *very* Oz-enthusiastic. They made it fun. Definitely worth the stop if you're even remotely a fan. Just, don't expect Hollywood glamour! Its magic comes from somewhere else.
Beyond Dorothy, What Else is There to Do? Surely, I Can't Just Stay at the Days Inn the Whole Time…
Okay, you *could* stay at the Days Inn the whole time. And if you did, I won't judge. (Maybe a little.) Seriously though, Liberal has… things. There's a lot of open space (duh). You can check out the "International Pancake Day" monument (I actually missed that, unfortunately, as I had pancakes in the Day's Inn). There's the Coronado Museum and the Mid-America Air Museum. Honestly, this trip is about embracing the unexpected. Embrace the long stretches of road, the vastness of the sky, and the feeling of isolation. It's an escape (even if that's not what you're expecting).
The Food Situation. What Am I Looking At? What Are the Restaurants Like?
Food. Ah, the eternal dilemma. You're in the Midwest, folks. Expect hearty portions and a distinct lack of kale salads. There were the usual chain restaurants, which, let's be honest, are reliable if not thrilling. I did stumble upon a local diner that had seriously good biscuits and gravy. No, seriously, GOOD. Like, I'm still dreaming about that gravy. It was a warm, comforting hug on a plate. Don't be afraid to venture off the beaten path—the best meals are often found in the most unexpected places. Just... maybe pack some Tums.
Any Tips for a First-Timer? What Should I Pack?
Okay, important tips! First, bring snacks. Lots of snacks! Road trips demand snacks. Second, download some podcasts or audiobooks—that open highway can get a little… lonely. Third, pack for all types of weather. Kansas weather is notoriously unpredictable. And finally? Embrace the weird. Embrace the unexpected. Don't go expecting a luxury vacation, go expecting an *adventure*. And bring a sense of humor. You'll need it.
The "International Pancake Day" Thing. ELABORATE!
Alright, so I *missed* the pancake thing, which is a source of deep personal regret, okay? From what I gathered, Liberal has a HUGE, long-standing tradition of celebrating Pancake Day, where they compete against Olney, England, in a pancake race. YES, you read that right. A pancake race! It’s a giant, international event. I’m kicking myself. I mean, a town that takes pancakes *that* seriously? I missed my calling, people! I’m considering a return trip just for the pancakes. And the spectacle. It's the kind of quirky, utterly unique thing that makes these off-the-beaten-path destinations so magical. Learn from my mistakes: check the calendar and plan your visit accordingly! Seriously. Pancakes!
Should I Actually Do This? Is it Worth the Drive?
Look, is Liberal, Kansas going to replace Paris on my travel bucket list? Probably not. But was it an experience? Absolutely. It was a chance to slow down, to see something new, to appreciate the simpler things. A chance to laugh at the slightly wonky air conditioning in the Days Inn. A chance to get lost in the magic of Dorothy's House. Yeah, it was worth the drive. But manage your expectations, be open to discovery (and maybe bring some air freshener for the car). If you're looking for the real, raw, unvarnished America, you could do a lot worse than a trip to Liberal. And hey, maybe I will see you there next Pancake Day, after all! (I probably will!)
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