Lexington Getaway: Howard Johnson's Unbeatable Charm!
Lexington Getaway: Howard Johnson's Unbeatable Charm… Right? (A Review That's Actually REAL)
Okay, so I just got back from Lexington, and let me tell you, the Howard Johnson's… Well, "unbeatable charm" might be pushing it. But before you dismiss it entirely, hear me out. I'm talking FULL transparency here – the good, the slightly questionable, and the times I just wanted to scream into a pillow (loved that it had a pillow!).
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- Keywords: Lexington Hotel, Howard Johnson's Review, Accessible Hotel Lexington, Family-Friendly Lexington, Lexington Spa, Free Wi-Fi, Pool Lexington, Restaurant Lexington, Daily Housekeeping, Pet-Friendly (kinda!), Non-Smoking Rooms, Car Parking, Lexington Things to Do, Business Hotel Lexington, Conference Facilities, Couple's Getaway, Accessible Dining, Lexington Attractions, Laundry Service, Room Service, 24-Hour Reception.
- Meta Description: Honest review of Lexington's Howard Johnson's! Discover accessibility, amenities, dining options, and if it truly lives up to its "unbeatable charm." Read about my chaotic, hilarious, and sometimes frustrating stay!
(Alright, let's get messy and human!)
First Impressions & Getting In… Or Trying To:
The website promised a "charming" experience. Charming, eh? I drove up, and the building…well, it's a Howard Johnson's. You know the vibe. Clean, serviceable, but not exactly the Ritz. But hey, I'm here for a weekend getaway, not a fairytale.
Accessibility:
Now, accessibility is something I'm keenly interested in. You know, making sure everyone can actually use the place. I needed something that was Wheelchair accessible, which, thankfully, the website said they have. The ramp seemed a little… steep. I had to give it a little extra oomph. Inside? Mostly good! Elevator: yes! Corridors: wide enough. Facilities for disabled guests: I definitely saw some. But let's not pretend it's perfect. Still, a solid B+ on the accessibility front. Big points for that.
Check-in/Out: Quick and (Mostly) Painless
The Check-in/out [express] option was a lifesaver after that drive. The front desk staff, Front desk [24-hour] were pretty efficient (though the guy was definitely on the brink of a caffeine crash).
The Room: My Little Sanctuary…?
Okay, the rooms themselves. I snagged a non-smoking one (praise be!), and it was… decent. Air conditioning: Yep, and it worked. Thank goodness. Blackout curtains were a godsend to sleep in, while the Alarm clock didn't go off the first morning. Luckily, I had one on my phone. I like to work using a Laptop workspace in my room.. The Free Wi-Fi, which is of course Wi-Fi [free] was the most important thing. Had to stay connected, even when I wanted to be disconnected.
The bed? Comfy enough. Some of the other room amenities like the Coffee/tea maker seemed like a token offering, as the coffee wasn’t great, and by the third day I was starting to get into a bad habit. The Refrigerator, however, was a game-changer. Because of this I was able to keep my drinks cold.
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID Tango
Look, COVID is still a thing. I appreciated the effort in Anti-viral cleaning products and the Rooms sanitized between stays. They had a ton of Hand sanitizer stations, which is always a good sign. The Hygiene certification made me feel slightly better. However, there was no Room sanitization opt-out available, so I did wonder if they were overly cautious or just going through the motions.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: More Adventures…
Oh boy. Where to start?
- Breakfast [buffet]: Included, which is always a win. But… It was standard hotel fare. Think: Scrambled eggs that were possibly pre-made, rubbery bacon, and questionable pastries. I'm not usually a fan of Asian breakfast either. On the upside, the Coffee/tea in restaurant was pretty decent. The Breakfast takeaway service was a saving grace some days.
- Restaurants: There's a decent Restaurant on-site, the menu was pretty limited.
- Snack bar: Yes, which was handy for a quick bite.
- Poolside bar: It was closed, I'm pretty sure.
- Bar: Decently stocked, but the bartender looked bored.
- Room service [24-hour]: Awesome to have, especially when the restaurant was closed.
Things To Do, Ways To Relax… Or Not:
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: It was… fine. Clean enough, but not exactly picturesque.
- Fitness center: I peeked in. It looked used. Like, REALLY used. I skipped it.
- Spa: Don’t be tricked by the pictures! There's no Body scrub, or anything like that.
- Sauna, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom: Don't get your hopes up.
- Massage: Again, don't get your hopes up. Really, it was a straight forward basic place.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things (That Matter)
The Daily housekeeping was great for getting a clean towel (I always bring my own!) . The Laundry service was a lifesaver after my clumsy moment with the tomato sauce. Daily housekeeping was good, even if they did forget to replace the coffee filters one day.
For the Kids: A Mixed Bag
Family/child friendly, yes. Babysitting service, no. The Kids meal menu seemed reasonably priced.
The Flaws (Because Let’s Be Real)
- The internet? Yeah, it went down a few times, even though it was Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Internet access – wireless. And the Internet [LAN] option? I'm not even sure where you'd plug in these days!
- The noise. Despite the Soundproof rooms (supposedly), I could hear the neighbor’s TV. And the traffic. Constant traffic. Not ideal if you're looking for zen.
- The "Howard Johnson's" vibe…it's definitely present. Nothing particularly wrong, but it’s not winning any awards for design or atmosphere.
The Upsides (Because I’m Not Completely Cynical)
- The price. It was decent value, especially with the included breakfast (Breakfast [buffet]).
- The staff. Most of them were genuinely friendly and helpful, even when dealing with my various requests.
- The location. It was convenient for getting around Lexington.
- The bed, it's mentioned before and it's worth mentioning again.
Final Verdict: Unbeatable Charm… Debatable.
Would I stay at the Lexington Howard Johnson's again? Probably. It’s not perfect, but it's a solid, affordable option. If you're looking for a luxurious spa retreat or a Michelin-starred dining experience, look elsewhere. But if you just need a clean, comfortable basecamp for exploring Lexington and don't mind a bit of "charm" (read: character) along the way, then go for it. Just manage your expectations a little!
In Short:
- Overall: 3.5/5 stars.
- Would Stay Again? Maybe if I had to.
- Good For: Budget travelers, families, people who value location over luxury.
- Avoid If: You’re a picky eater, noise intolerant or really need a good spa experience.
So there you have it. My brutally honest – and hopefully helpful – review of Lexington’s Howard Johnson's. Happy travels!
Calgary's Carriage House: Unforgettable Hotel & Conference Experience
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! We're heading to Lexington, Virginia, and if I learned anything from my last trip, it's that even the best-laid plans… well, they unravel faster than a cheap sweater. Welcome to my Howard Johnson Lexington itinerary, the unvarnished truth edition.
Day 1: Arrival and the Art of Pretending You're Organized
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown in Lexington, or more like, a slightly bumpy landing in reality. First thing's first: finding this blasted Howard Johnson. Google Maps promised a straight shot, but knowing my luck, it's probably hidden behind a giant inflatable clown. (Don't judge, I have issues with clowns.) I'm already mentally preparing for a frantic phone call to my sister - she's the only one who can decipher my panicked rambling when I'm lost.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in. Praying for a room with a decent view and, most importantly, clean sheets. Last time, I swear the pillows were older than my grandpa. The "complimentary breakfast" better be worth it because I skipped lunch in anticipation of the "free" waffle.
- 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Unpack. This is where the facade of "organized traveler" crumbles. My suitcase explodes. Clothes everywhere. I attempt to hang things, give up, and just throw them on the closest available surface. The iron will be the death of me.
- 4:00 PM: A walk around the area, to start getting a 'feel' for the city. Looking for some snack and a drink. The plan is to find a charming little coffee shop, but I'll probably end up at a gas station, staring forlornly at a questionable hot dog.
- 6:00 PM: The "Dinner Debacle." I had grand visions of a romantic, candle-lit dinner. Now, I'm already stressed. I'll probably end up ordering some greasy takeout and eating it on the bed, while simultaneously watching an awful movie and battling a sudden urge to rearrange the room. The thrill!
Day 2: History, Hysteria, and a Possible Meltdown
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Let's see if the waffle maker is running. If not, it's the pre-packaged muffins… and despair.
- 10:00 AM: Museums! I’m talking about trying to look like I know what I'm doing. Starting with the Stonewall Jackson House. (Pro tip: pretend to know things, even if you don't. Nobody can tell the difference.) I fully expect to get hopelessly lost and have to ask a small child for directions.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Something quick and palatable. Preferably pizza.
- 1:00 PM: The Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Okay, now for the REAL history. (Fingers crossed I don't accidentally start saluting some cadets.) I'll be honest, I always feel a little inadequate around military stuff. So much discipline. So many uniforms. The plan is to appear interested and informed, while secretly wishing I had a comfy chair. I'd bet my bank account that there's a lot of walking involved.
- 4:00 PM: Take some time to just walk and process. I'll probably end up judging people.
- 7:00 PM: Fine dining! I'll be honest I'm tired and grumpy. Let's check out a restaurant. I'm hoping for something good to eat and a good mood.
Day 3: Sweet Relief and Departure (Maybe)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast round two! Maybe I'm getting the hang of this "traveling" thing.
- 10:00 AM: Get some last-minute souvenirs. (Because if you don't bring something home, did you REALLY go anywhere?) The pressure is on to find the perfect trinkets for the folks back home, or some of them are getting some dollar shop stuff.
- 11:00 AM: Farewell Lexington! I’m gonna call my journey a success if I don't leave anything behind, and if I have to stay another day.
- 12:00 PM: Check out.
- 1:00 PM: Head for the highway.
There you have it! My Lexington adventure. Wish me luck, because I have a feeling I’m gonna need it. And don't forget to tip the housekeepers generously. Oh, and maybe bring a book. You never know when a good cry will come in handy.
Dallas Park Central Getaway: Your Dream Residence Inn Awaits!
I mean, is it *perfect*? Absolutely not. Is it trying to be? Nope. And that's the beauty of it. It's a throwback, a time capsule, a place where you can feel... well, *unfussy*. It doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. And honestly, after the year I've had, that's a major selling point.
I was so worried about bed bugs, but it turned out to be just a slightly stale donut I found under the pillow. So... win? The point is, you're not paying for luxury. You're paying for an experience, and for the price, it over-delivers on… nostalgia. And yes, nostalgia can be a powerful drug. Especially when combined with a waffle cone.
I *would* have given the pool a 10/10, but I had some issues getting to the side. The pool felt like a sauna and the stairs were a little... shaky. But I did swim, and I'll admit, I may have even played Marco Polo with a group of five-year-olds. No regrets.
I ordered pancakes the first day. Fluffy perfection! And the coffee? Strong, black, and just what the doctor ordered to start my day. The second day, I tried the waffles. They were a little bland, to be frank, but the ice cream helped. Always the ice cream. (I did have to ask a woman if I could sit at her table because all the other tables were taken, that was awkward).
After my car broke down, I really thought I was going to lose my mind. But the staff were so helpful, so *kind*. They let me use the phone, offered me water, and even gave me a discount on the room. It was a very long day, and it ended up being an experience I will treasure. I would do it all over again.
The best part is the memories. (And the ice cream. I keep coming back to the ice cream, don't I?) I'm already planning my next trip. Maybe I'll even try the fried clams. Or maybe not… I'm not sure. The clams scared me a little. But the HoJo’s? Always a yes. Always.”
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