Wallingford's BEST Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites Review (You WON'T Believe This!)

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Wallingford New Haven Wallingford (CT) United States

Wallingford's BEST Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites Review (You WON'T Believe This!)

Wallingford's Best Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - A Messy, Honest Take

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your typical five-star review. This is real talk about the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Wallingford. And let me tell you, after a recent stay, I have feelings. Lots of them. Prepare for a rollercoaster of pros, cons, and possibly a few tangent-fueled rants. Consider this your warning.

First Impressions: The Arrival Gauntlet

The big question: Was the Fairfield Inn & Suites Wallingford the best? Well, that depended on the moment, honestly. Rolling up, the exterior was… well, Fairfield-esque. You know, clean lines, a slightly corporate aesthetic, maybe a hint of "we've seen this before." But hey, parking was easy. And free. That's a win in my book. Speaking of which, the Car park [free of charge], I appreciated it.

Inside, things were… relatively accessible. Accessibility is a big deal to me these days, and they’ve made an effort. The lobby was spacious with wide doorways. Wheelchair accessible, yeah, seems so. They even had an Elevator (praise be!). Okay, a decent start.

Check-in: Contactless? More like Confusedly Contactless…

They advertised Contactless check-in/out. Awesome, right? Less human interaction, more blissful solitude, I could get behind that. Except the digital process gave me a little bit of a headache. I’m not the most tech-savvy traveler, and I felt a little lost in the digital ether. It took me a few tries to navigate the system. Eventually, a friendly staff member materialized and actually helped me, which was a lifesaver. Kudos to the staff for that. (The Front desk [24-hour] certainly helped with this!)

The Room: Clean, Cozy, and… Predictable.

Okay, let's get real about the room. You know what you're getting with a Fairfield. It was clean, thankfully. Cleanliness and safety were clearly a priority, which I deeply appreciated. They’re doing all the right things during these weird times, and from what I could tell, the Anti-viral cleaning products were working, as well as Rooms sanitized between stays. The Room sanitization opt-out available, but I wasn’t tempted to decline. My particular room had a decent layout. Plenty of Air conditioning, and a good Desk for my work. The Internet access – wireless (and Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!) worked like a dream, which was a huge relief. I was even able to watch some On-demand movies, which was a bonus. The Bathroom was compact but functional, and the Shower pressure was surprisingly good. The Blackout curtains were a godsend to block out the early morning sun.

The Imperfections: A Room with a View… Of the HVAC Unit.

Now, here's where things get interesting. My 'view' was… well, it was of the HVAC unit. On the roof, I'm guessing. I chuckled. "The View of the Unseen", I thought to myself. Also, the walls, they weren't exactly soundproof. The Soundproofing could have been a bit better. I could hear the neighbor's sneeze (I'm exaggerating… slightly). The fact that the Smoking area was outside did help in regards of smoke smell.

Bedtime: The Bed. It's All That Matters.

The bed? Pure, unadulterated bliss. Seriously. The Extra long bed was heavenly. I'm not a small person, and I felt like I was submerged in marshmallowy goodness. I fell asleep instantly, and it was glorious. That's really all that mattered.

Food, Glorious Food (and Drink): A Mixed Bag.

Okay, the food situation. Breakfast [buffet] was included. A buffet! In a post-pandemic world? Talk about living on the edge! I was a bit wary, but the staff were very meticulous. Individually-wrapped food options aplenty. Honestly, it was good. Standard fare: eggs, sausage, toast, cereal, fruit. Nothing earth-shattering, but perfectly respectable. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent. And I had a cup of coffee that was great. There was also a Coffee shop, but I didn't check it out. There was also, thankfully, a Breakfast takeaway service, which I found to be very useful.

Didn't get a chance for Asian breakfast, but I'd like to try!

The Little Things That Made a Difference:

• Daily housekeeping was fantastic. The room was always spotless.
• The Alarm clock worked.
• Free bottled water was a nice touch.
• The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. They were really good in assisting.
• Facilities for disabled guests are available.

Things I Didn't Get To Experience, But Might Have Enjoyed:

• The Fitness center. I'm a couch potato.
• The Swimming pool [outdoor]. Too cold.
• The Spa. I’m not a spa person.

The Bottom Line: Worth the Stay?

Yes. Absolutely. The Wallingford Fairfield Inn & Suites isn't going to win any awards for innovation or groundbreaking design. But it's a solid, reliable choice. It's clean, comfortable, and the staff are great (and very helpful). For the price point, it's a win. Was it "the best hotel" in Wallingford? Maybe! Probably! I'd stay there again, and to me, that's the highest compliment.

Final Score: 4 out of 5 Stars (for the bed alone!) I'd definitely recommend it to a friend.

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• Title: Wallingford's BEST Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - Honest & Messy
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Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Wallingford New Haven Wallingford (CT) United States

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my whirlwind tour of Wallingford, Connecticut, and I'm staying at that… let’s just say “functional”… Fairfield by Marriott. Expect less "polished itinerary" and more "internal monologue fueled by caffeine." This is not sponsored (thank god).

Day 1: Arrival and the Questionable Glory of Discounted Pizza

• 1:00 PM: Arrive at Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford. The flight? Predictable. The baggage claim? Always a gamble. Did my lucky socks get me a good run of it? Debatable! I swear, every time I pick up my bag I hold my breath, like I am afraid of what I will find in there.

• 2:30 PM: Finally, rental car time! I’m praying they don’t try to upsell me on the SUV again. Last time, I got stuck on a gravel road trying to find a "quaint" B&B (don't ask). Thankfully, they didn’t, and I drove toward the hotel, making a wrong turn almost immediately. Whoops.

• 3:30 PM: Check-in. Fairfield by Marriott… it is fine. The lobby smells faintly of chlorine and ambition. The front desk clerk, bless her heart, seems to have seen it all. She hands me the key card, which, based on my past experience, will inevitably fail at least three times. I am not wrong.

• 4:00 PM: Unpack (sort of) and mentally prepare for… well, whatever Wallingford has waiting for me. I did a bit of research (ok, a very little bit), and the reviews seem to paint a picture of a place trapped somewhere between "charming" and "utterly unremarkable." My kind of town.

• 4:30 PM: Snack break! I heard there was a place that specialized in discounted pizza. I mean, seriously, what could go wrong? I head on over the "Pizza Palace". I got a slice of pepperoni, and a slice of cheese. Oh, it was everything a person wants! That is to say, a terrible, cheap slice of pizza. Now, I'm not one to say a bad slice of pizza. But, this pizza had some real serious problems.

• 5:30 PM: After the pizza, I decide to wander around the town. I get lost, and ask a girl for help. She looks at me like I am insane, I mean, I can't blame her. I make it with her help. I thank her, and she runs away.

• 6:30 PM: Back at the hotel, I see the gym. Nope. The pool? Closed. I order some takeout. It is fine. I watch some tv. Nothing good on. I go to bed.

Day 2: The Quest for the Perfect Coffee (And the Impending Doom of Laundry)

• 7:00 AM: Alarm! Coffee. Must. Have. Coffee. The hotel coffee maker looks like a relic from the Cold War. The coffee tastes like the tears of a very sad, extremely caffeinated bean. I'm going to have to venture out for a proper cup. I am a coffee person, coffee first, conversation maybe.

• 8:00 AM: Local café hunt! I'm looking for a recommendation, a local joint. The coffee is mediocre, but the pastry display? Magnificent. I get a blueberry muffin that could be the work of the Gods. I devour the muffin, savoring every last crumb. This is perfection.

• 9:00 AM: Visit a local park. I stroll through the park. I make a few observations: (1) Connecticut is green. (2) I'm surrounded by ducks. (3) I really need to do laundry. I make my way back.

• 10:00 AM: Laundry. The dreaded laundry. I have all the quarters, and it is the right time. I get a load going when I realize my socks are missing. Those lucky socks from baggage claim. I am going to be sad if I can't find them. I eventually found them, in my suitcase.

• 11:00 AM: Lunch. A local diner. The waitress is the friendliest person I've spoken to all day. I order a burger and fries. It is good. It's the best burger I've had in weeks.

• 12:00 PM: Back to the hotel. I relax. Then, I think of what to do next. I decide to walk around again.

• 1:30 PM: Another trek. I see more things. I find a cat, and try to befriend it. The cat is not interested. I give up.

• 2:30 PM: I go to the local museum. The museum is small, but it is still interesting. I learn about the history of the town. I take some notes.

• 3:30 PM: Back to the hotel.

• 4:00 PM: The gym! I've made a mistake. I am not an athlete. I make a quick exit.

• 5:00 PM: Dinner. I order some food. It arrives, its fine. I eat.

• 6:00 PM: I order some beer.

• 8:00 PM: Bed

Day 3: Leaving the Nutmeg State (With a Few Regrets and a Whole Lot of Laundry)

• 7:00 AM: I wake up. Coffee. The hotel coffee isn't as bad today! Maybe it's the anticipation of leaving. Or maybe I'm just too tired to care.

• 8:00 AM: Check-out. Everything I own is stuffed in random bags. It's a good thing I'm a pro at this. Or at least, I'm getting better.

• 8:30 am: Drive towards the airport, I make a few wrong turns. I stop for an extra coffee, I am not ready to leave.

• 10:00 AM: Drop off the rental car.

• 10:30 AM: Back to security. The line is not long, which is an actual miracle.

• 11:00 AM: I am on the plane. I am heading home.

• 12:00 PM: I am home.

In short, Wallingford, you were… interesting. I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon, but the memory of that blueberry muffin? That's a keeper. Connecticut, you've got a certain charm, even if it's a slightly chaotic, slightly off-kilter charm. And, well, at least I have clean socks now.

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Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Wallingford New Haven Wallingford (CT) United States```html

Wallingford's "BEST" Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites: A Review (You WILL Believe This!) - FAQ Style (Or Maybe Just My Ramblings...)

Okay, seriously, is this Fairfield Inn *really* the best in Wallingford? Like, REALLY?

Alright, buckle up, buttercups. "Best"? That's a loaded word, isn't it? It’s like asking if a plain bagel is ‘the best’ bagel. Depends on what you’re craving, right? I mean, it’s *Wallingford*, Connecticut, people. We’re not exactly talking about the Ritz Paris. But here's the thing: given the options, and the state of things, yeah, the Fairfield Inn & Suites holds its own. It's clean, (usually) the staff is nice, and the free breakfast actually, shockingly, isn't terrible. Think of it as the reliable friend who always shows up on time and brings a decent bottle of wine, even if they're wearing slightly questionable shoes.

Let's talk about the *suites*. Are they worth the extra dough?

Okay, the suites. Here’s where things get… interesting. The *idea* of a suite is lovely. Two rooms! Space to *breathe*! But let me tell you about my last stay. I booked a suite, thinking, "Ah, luxury! I shall spread my belongings like a majestic eagle!" The reality? The “living area” was basically the size of my childhood closet. And the "door" separating the two rooms? Let's just say I heard every snore, shuffle, and desperate midnight bathroom run from the other side. So, are they worth it? *Maybe* if you're traveling with kids and need a little separation. Otherwise? Save your money and get two queen beds in a regular room. Seriously.

The breakfast. The dreaded *free breakfast*. What's the deal?

Ah, the breakfast. This is where the Fairfield Inn actually, truly, surprised me. I've been burned by so many hotel breakfasts – the lukewarm scrambled eggs, the cardboard-textured waffles, the plastic-wrapped fruit. This one? The eggs are sometimes, *sometimes*, even fluffy. The waffles, while definitely not gourmet, are edible! And the coffee? Alright, it's hotel coffee. But it's hot, it exists, and sometimes, in the morning, that's all you need to face another day. Pro tip: grab a banana. They’re always the same. And they're always there. Reliable bananas.

How's the pool? Because… *pool*.

Okay, the pool. It's there. It’s… fine. It's an indoor pool, which is great for those icy New England winters. But let’s be honest, it’s also the site of many a questionable swimsuit choice and a healthy dose of chlorine fumes. I remember one time, I was there, trying to relax. And there were like… children, having… well, you know. Children. Splash, scream, the whole shebang. It wasn’t exactly a spa experience. My advice? Go early. Before the tiny humans descend. Otherwise? Temper your expectations. It's a pool. It's wet. You get it.

Parking? Is it a nightmare like some hotels?

Parking? Thank heavens, no. It's pretty straightforward. Plenty of parking available. It's free, which is always a win. You won't be circling the block for an hour, sweating and muttering under your breath about the lack of available spots. This is a definite plus in my book. Wallingford isn't exactly known for its parking abundance, so this is a huge plus. Seriously, good parking is a gift from the hotel gods.

The staff – are they helpful and all that jazz?

Staff... usually good. Sometimes, AMAZING. I had one experience where my key card wasn't working (classic!), and the person at the front desk, she just… radiated helpfulness. Fixed it immediately, offered me a water bottle (hydration is key!), and even gave me a heads-up about a local restaurant I'd never heard of. Made the whole experience so much better. Other times? Well, there have been a few, let's say, less enthusiastic encounters. But hey, everyone has bad days, right? Overall, they're decent humans doing a job. And that’s what counts.

Okay, so, the BIG question: would you stay there again?

Look, if I'm in Wallingford and need a place to crash, yes. Absolutely. It's convenient, it's cleanish, the breakfast is… passable… and the parking is easy. It's not a romantic getaway. It's not luxury. Hell, it's not even *exciting*. But it's reliable. It’s the comfortable pair of slightly-worn-but-still-functional sneakers you always reach for. It gets the job done. And sometimes, in the grand scheme of things, that's all you really need. Just don't expect miracles. Or a mint on your pillow.

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Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Wallingford New Haven Wallingford (CT) United States

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Wallingford New Haven Wallingford (CT) United States

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