
Rochester's Hidden Gem: Henrietta's BEST Residence Inn?
Henrietta's "Best" Residence Inn: A Review That's Less Brochure, More "Me After a Long Day"
Okay, let's be honest, when you type "Rochester hotels" into Google, you're bombarded. But finding a good one, that's the real quest. And this Residence Inn in Henrietta… well, it's been on my radar for ages. Seen it, driven by it, contemplated it. Finally, I caved. Here's the messy, truth-telling breakdown of my experience:
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Good
Okay, right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. I'm not personally mobility-impaired, but I'm always looking out for it. And from what I saw, it's pretty decent. Wheelchair accessible? Check. There’s ramps, elevators, the whole shebang. Facilities for disabled guests? Yep, looks like they thought of things like grab bars, accessible showers (important!), and wider doorways. Now, I didn’t use any of these features, so I can't vouch for the fine details, but the presence is promising. Bonus points for the elevator -- really, any hotel is practically useless without one. The CCTV in common areas and security [24-hour] also adds a layer of reassurance.
Room's the Thing (And It's Gonna Get Rambly…)
Alright, let's get to the main event: the room itself. Mine was… alright. Perfectly functional is the best way to describe it. The air conditioning purred quietly, thank goodness. Seriously, nothing ruins a hotel stay quicker than a noisy AC unit. The blackout curtains were my heroes. I’m a light sleeper, and the thought of the dawn sun poking through a crack in the blinds fills me with dread. These? They delivered. Pitch black. Bliss.
(Here comes the messy part… buckle up)
Okay, so confession time: I'm a total slob. My desk at home is a monument to chaos. So, the fact that there was a desk, was great. But (and here's where the imperfection hits) the laptop workspace was a bit cramped. Fine for a quick email binge, but not ideal for, say, writing this very review! The internet access - wireless worked perfectly (praise the Wi-Fi gods!)…but I did have to, like, find the password. Not a huge deal, but it could have been easier. Oh, and the in-room safe box? I didn't even bother using it. I'm trusting, what can I say?
The bed was comfy enough, I guess. Not life-changing, but I slept. The extra long bed was a plus, in case you're a tall human like my neighbor! I was glad to have the mini bar for midnight snacks. It was a bit sparse (no free chocolate? Really?), but I’m not complaining. The bathroom situation? Standard. The shower got the job done. The towels were… towels. Clean, fluffy… nothing to write home about, but I wasn’t expecting anything else. The toiletries looked suspiciously like they'd been purchased in bulk. Functional, again. The slippers that were there gave a touch of luxury, but I did not touch it.
The best part of the room? The coffee/tea maker. Seriously. I'm obsessed with my morning coffee, and having it right there at the ready, not having to stumble down to the lobby. Score!
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-era Anxiety? Mostly Soothed.
Look, let’s face it, the whole pandemic thing has changed how we experience everything, even hotels. The daily disinfection in common areas and the hand sanitizer stations were reassuring, even if I did still secretly bring my own wipes. The fact they offer room sanitization opt-out available is a nice touch. The staff trained in safety protocol seemed to be genuinely trying to be cautious. And the individually-wrapped food options at breakfast were a sign they take it seriously. Was it perfect? No, but it felt safer than it could have.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Real Mixed Bag
This is where things get… interesting. I love a good hotel breakfast. I look forward to it! The breakfast [buffet] was functional, but no gourmet extravaganza. The buffet in restaurant had the typical offerings: pre-made omelets (mostly fine), cereal, some fruit, and the usual suspect pastries. Nothing too exciting, nothing terrible. They also had breakfast takeaway service, which was a lifesaver when I was running late one morning.
They had a coffee shop, which was a godsend. I got my caffeine fix. And the snack bar was a nice touch for when I got hungry (which, let's be honest, is often). Okay, the poolside bar was non-existent. I thought there was such a thing, but I was wrong. A few cocktails, but nothing exciting.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: You're in Henrietta, Remember?
Now, let's temper expectations here. This isn’t the Four Seasons. The fitness center was small but functional. A few treadmills, some free weights. Nothing to write home about but good for a quick workout. There was a swimming pool [outdoor]. I didn't swim in it, but it looked inviting. The sauna did not exist.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things
I did not test out the babysitting service, but it was there. The doorman was cheerful. The concierge was helpful when asked. Laundry service was there, which is fantastic when you're travelling. And the meeting/banquet facilities? I didn’t use them, but seemed extensive.
The Verdict: Worth it?
Look, this isn't a luxury hotel. It's a Residence Inn. It's comfortable, not extravagant. It's functional. It’s clean. It gets the job done. If you're in Rochester for business, visiting family, or just passing through, it’s a solid choice. Will I remember it fondly in years to come? Probably not. But, did I experience a good stay? Yes. The proximity to the other stores and restaurants, car park [free of charge], and car park [on-site], were a huge plus. Would I stay here again? Maybe. (If the price is right!) Just don't expect a spa day. Or a Nobel Prize. But hey, at least you'll get a decent night's sleep. And sometimes, that's all you really need, right?
SEO & Metadata (A Messy, Honest Attempt):
- Keywords: Rochester hotel, Henrietta hotel, Residence Inn Rochester, accessible hotel, free Wi-Fi, pool, breakfast, extended stay, clean hotel, safe hotel, reviews
- Title: Henrietta's BEST Residence Inn? A Real-Talk Review (Messy, Honest & Human)
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Residence Inn in Henrietta, NY. Accessibility, rooms, food, cleanliness, and more! Not your typical hotel brochure.
- Relevant Tags: #RochesterHotels #HenriettaNY #HotelReview #ResidenceInn #Accessibility #Travel #HotelLife #HonestReview #MessyButReal #GoodButNotGreat #TravelHacks #NYHotel

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile travel itinerary. This is me unraveling the glorious, chaotic mess of a planned trip to the Residence Inn Rochester Henrietta, New York. I'm not promising perfectly streamlined efficiency. I'm promising…well, me.
Itinerary: A Week of Rochester Realness (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Beige)
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for Wi-Fi (aka The Great Henrietta Hunt)
- Morning (ish): Alright, flight's landed! Finally, sweet, sweet upstate New York. The anticipation? It's a churning mix of excitement and the dull ache of recycled airplane air. I'm thrilled to trade the California sunshine for… well, whatever Rochester's got. (Secretly, I'm hoping for a decent autumnal foliage show. And maybe a hot cider that doesn't taste like spiced dishwater.)
- Mid-morning: Taxi from the airport. The driver, a nice-enough guy, launches into a ten-minute monologue about the questionable quality of Rochester's pizza. (Note to self: Investigate pizza situation immediately.) He drops me off at the Residence Inn, which, in my hungover state from the previous flight, looks like a gleaming beacon of beige. Honestly, it's a lot of beige.
- Afternoon: Check-in. The receptionist (bless her heart) has that weary look of someone who's seen it all. I understand. I, too, have seen… the endless scroll of hotel booking emails. The first order of business? Wi-Fi. Because, priorities. (And let's be honest, I need to update my Instagram with a picture of… beige.) The Wi-Fi password? Let’s just say I had a minor breakdown trying to decipher it, followed by a minor triumph when I eventually did.
- Evening: The hotel room! It's…beige. A comfortable beige, but beige nonetheless. I'll need to spice this place up. Maybe a strategically placed scarf? A rogue houseplant? (I'm not lugging a whole plant across the country.) For dinner, I'm thinking something easy. Delivery? The local diner. Now, on to planning for Day 2.
Day 2: The Strong Museum of Play and Existential Dread (with a Side of Garbage Plates)
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. The free continental breakfast. The coffee is…well, it exists. The waffle maker is a battlefield. There is no such thing as a fresh waffle. It's an interesting, and rather harrowing, experience. But free! So, you know, it is what it is.
- Mid-morning: Strong Museum of Play! This is what I'm really here for. The museum is a blast from the past. I'm a kid again! Except…I have to navigate the crowds of actual kids. There's a terrifying-ly realistic Sesame Street exhibit. I feel like I'm in The Truman Show. The whole museum is overwhelming in the best possible way.
- Afternoon: A Garbage Plate pilgrimage. I will be honest. The name…is inauspicious. But the legend? It's real. I find a local joint, the kind of place where the servers call you "hon" and the air smells of delicious grease. I'm getting it. It's a chaotic, messy, glorious mountain of fries, meat, macaroni salad, and sauces. It's a culinary monument to the city. Frankly, I feel a bit ill afterward but I haven't moved from the booth. This. Is. The life.
- Evening: I crash back in the beige fortress. TV and an early night. I probably shouldn't eat anything.
Day 3: A Hike that Almost Broke Me (And a Quest for Local Brews)
- Morning: So, I decided to be healthy. Yeah, I know. A hike in Letchworth State Park! The "Grand Canyon of the East," they call it. I chose a trail. Turns out that trail was a mountain. I'm not a mountain person! After a sweaty, nearly vertical incline, I'm convinced I'm going to die. The view at the top? Spectacular. The emotional payoff? Huge.
- Afternoon: Reward! I'd like to see some of the local craft breweries, but I found that there are so, so many! It’s overwhelming! So, I picked a few with charming names and good reviews. I've had enough of the world. I'm going to curl up in a booth and drink delicious beer.
- Evening: Back at the hotel. I spend an hour sorting through the pictures I took. There's a ridiculous amount of blurry pictures. I consider creating a "My Epic Hiking Fail" slideshow. I take a long bath.
Day 4: Eastman School of Music and the Search for a Soulful Tune
- Morning: I had planned to attend a concert at the Eastman School of Music. Unfortunately, I found out that I bought the wrong tickets. I decide to explore the city! I discover that Rochester is a city of trees and old brick buildings (a charming combination).
- Afternoon: I decide to head the Public Market. The market is loud, lively, and overflowing with…everything. Fresh produce, funky artwork, and people watching gold. I buy a bag of maple-glazed pecans that I devour in record time.
- Evening: I buy some snacks and have an early night. I've burned out my social battery.
Day 5: The Memorial Art Gallery and the Battle with My Inner Critic
- Morning: Memorial Art Gallery
- Afternoon: My inner critic is really loud. I decide that it needs to simmer down.
- Evening: I spent the whole day trying new things. I'm quite proud of myself.
Day 6: The End is Nigh (Or, My Last Dance with Beige)
- Morning: Relax. I don't have anything planned. I go for a swim in the hotel pool. There are a lot of children in the pool. I love children.
- Afternoon: Packing. The end is arriving faster than I thought! I've got a load of laundry to do, which is always fun on vacation. I'd like to find a souvenir.
- Evening: One last garbage plate. Why not? No shame!
- Night: I'm going home! To the airport!
Day 7: Farewell (Or, See Ya Later, Beige!)
- Morning: The flight home. This time, I’m ready. Ready for the plane food. Ready for the long line at security. Ready for… maybe… missing Rochester.
- Afternoon: I'm home!
So there you have it. A week of planned chaos, accidental adventures, and probably way too much beige. This is not a flawless itinerary. This is a promise of an honest, unfiltered experience. And that's what makes the journey worth it, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find a decent coffee.
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So, Should I Stay Here? Give Me the Verdict!


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