Bloomington's BEST Kept Secret: Super 8 Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Bloomington's BEST Kept Secret: Super 8 Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - Seriously!
Alright, folks, buckle up. I'm about to spill the beans on… well, maybe not the best kept secret in Bloomington, but definitely a contender: the Super 8. Yeah, that Super 8. I know, I know, your expectations are probably lower than a limbo contest for ants. But trust me. After a recent stay, I’m actually rethinking my whole perception of budget hotels.
Let me preface this by saying, I'm not one for fancy. Give me a clean bed, hot water, and reliable Wi-Fi, and I'm a happy camper. But after a week at this Super 8? I'm seriously considering writing a love letter to the front desk staff. (Okay, maybe not, but they were genuinely helpful, even after I accidentally locked myself out of my room at 3 AM. Don't judge. Jet lag is a beast.)
First Impressions & Accessibility: Not Bad, Not Bad At All.
Okay, the exterior isn't exactly a five-star resort. But hey, it's clean. More importantly, accessible. (This is important, folks! Always check for accessibility!). The parking lot was spacious, and I appreciated the designated handicapped spots. The lobby? Surprisingly bright and welcoming. Definitely not the dingy, cigarette-smoke-infused nightmare I was expecting. An elevator? Yep. A ramp? Affirmative. Considering my slightly wonky knee and carrying a mountain of luggage, this was a godsend.
Let's Talk About the Rooms (and the Glorious, Glorious Wi-Fi!)
My room… it was… a room. You know, the usual. The decor wasn't winning any design awards, but the bed? Comfortable! Surprisingly so. And the pillows! Okay, I might be getting overly enthusiastic, but they were fluffy perfection. Like sleeping on a cloud that also supports my head.
And the Wi-Fi! Oh, the Wi-Fi! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And, get this, it actually worked. I’m talking streaming movies, video calls, the whole shebang. No lag! No buffering! My inner digital nomad was ecstatic. I mean, as someone who relies on the internet for, you know, surviving, this was a massive win. The internet access – LAN? Didn’t try it. Wireless? Sold.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Real Surprise.
This is where the Super 8 truly shined. In the era of… well, everything… I was genuinely impressed by their commitment to cleanliness and safety. They had hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. Like, strategically placed hand sanitizer ninja warriors. They were using anti-viral cleaning products too and providing daily disinfection of common areas. I felt way safer here than at some supposed "luxury" hotels I've stayed in! Rooms were sanitized between stays (as they should be!), and they even offered room sanitization opt-out. Impressive. Especially when combined with their "Staff trained in safety protocol". I felt safe, people. Actually safe.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Don't Go Hungry, but Don't Expect Gourmet.
Breakfast! Ah, the breakfast. The infamous Super 8 breakfast. Let's be real, it's not exactly a culinary masterpiece. But it's free! And it’s… there. I'm talking the usual suspects: cereal, toast, instant oatmeal, and the questionable, but somehow comforting, make-your-own waffles. They also offered a breakfast takeaway service, which was a godsend for my early starts.
Other Dining & Services
- Coffee/tea in restaurant - Yes!
- Coffee shop - No, not really, just in the lobby.
- Bar - None on site, but the hotel is a short drive to the bars on Kirkwood
- Restaurants - The hotel doesn't have its own restaurants, but it is walking distance from quite a few, and even more are available by taxi.
- Room service [24-hour] - Nope, it's a Super 8.
- Snack bar - There’s a convenience store in the lobby with snacks.
- Daily housekeeping: Thank you!
Amenities: The Hidden Gems (and Missing Pieces).
Okay, let's be real. This isn't a spa resort. No jacuzzi, no in-house massage therapists. But the gym/fitness center? I'm not a gym rat, but it was there, and looked serviceable. The swimming pool [outdoor]? Closed for the season, sadly.
Other Services & Conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes!
- Front desk [24-hour] - Very convenient.
- Concierge - Nope, but the front desk was helpful (see above).
- Convenience store: Yes, for snacks, drinks, and essentials.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, and they did a great job!
- Laundry service: Not on-site, but nearby.
- Luggage storage: Yes, helpful!
Getting Around: Easy Peasy.
- Car park [free of charge] - Winner!
- Car park [on-site] - Yes!
- Taxi service - Available.
In-Room Goodies: The Little Things That Matter.
Okay, here's a rapid-fire round:
- Air conditioning: Yes, and thank goodness!
- Complimentary tea: Yes, very appreciated.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes.
- Free bottled water: Yes!
- Hair dryer: Yes.
- Ironing facilities: Yes, a lifesaver!
- Non-smoking rooms: A must in my book!
- Refrigerator: Yes!
- Wi-Fi [free]: DUH!
- Window that opens: Yes!
The Not-So-Good Stuff (Because We Have To Be Honest).
Look, it's not perfect. The walls could be thicker. The decor is… functional. The in-room coffee wasn’t the best. And the elevator, while functional, had a slightly unsettling, humming sound.
Overall Impression: Seriously, Give It a Shot!
Listen, I walked into this Super 8 with low expectations. I walked out a convert. Clean, safe, with genuinely friendly staff, reliable Wi-Fi, and a bed that rivals those found in luxury hotels. For the price? Absolute steal. Bloomington’s BEST kept secret? Maybe. I’m not shouting it from the rooftops… yet. But if you're looking for a comfortable, affordable, and surprisingly pleasant stay in Bloomington, give this Super 8 a shot. You might just be as pleasantly surprised as I was. Just, uh, don’t forget your key card when leaving your room at 3 AM. Trust me.
Escape to Paradise: SpringHill Suites Conyers, GA Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. Because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-formatted itinerary. This is a Super 8 in Bloomington, Illinois, survival guide, courtesy of yours truly. Let's get real.
Super 8 By Wyndham Bloomington - My Ill-Fated Illinois Adventure (or: Why I Needed So Many Snacks)
Day 1: Arrival and the Crushing Weight of Small-Town Ambiguity
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at Super 8: Okay, the lobby smells like stale coffee and… optimism? Maybe. I’m running on fumes from the drive, already regretting not grabbing a bigger coffee at the gas station. This place is conveniently located next to a Denny's (score!). But the flickering fluorescent lights… they're starting to mess with my vision.
- Anecdote: The front desk guy… looked like he hadn't slept in days. He handed me the keycard, muttered something about the pool being "okay," and then vanished. Okay, cool. Let the adventure begin!
- 1:30 PM - Room Inspection & Panic: Room 217. God, I hope the sheets are clean. (Deep breath). Oh boy. Standard Super 8 fare. Two queen beds, a tiny TV that probably gets three channels, and a questionable-looking shower curtain. I’m immediately strategizing: how to get the best Wi-Fi signal and the optimal placement for my emergency chocolate stash.
- Imperfection: The bedside lamp is wonky. Doesn't want to stay on. Great. I'm already feeling this trip is slightly cursed.
- 2:00 PM - Denny's & the Existential Dread of the Grand Slam: Food. Necessary. I wander over to Denny's, the only viable option. This is Illinois, after all. It's what we have. I order the Grand Slam because it feels appropriate. My waitress, bless her heart, looks exhausted, like her soul has been worn thin from years of serving up hash browns. She shares a knowing glance with me, a silent agreement that we both understand the true meaning of "mid-American mediocrity" and the profound longing for avocado toast.
- Quirky Observation: The syrup bottle is sticky. Everything is sticky. This is a sign. A sign of things to come.
- 3:00 PM - Bloomington Scavenger Hunt (aka. Why Is Everything Closed?): I decided to actually try and do some things in Bloomington, you know? Google told me there was a great park. So I put my adventure hat on (pro tip: don't bother). I drove around. And around. Finding any cool places felt like some crazy quest. Finding the park was a quest. A quest with a bunch of closed gates.
- Emotional Reaction: Fury. Okay, maybe not. Just…mild disappointment? Mostly. I started feeling myself. A creeping sense of melancholy.
- 5:00 PM - Back to the Room & Dark Night of the Soul (and the TV Remote): Stuck. Completely. The remote is broken (surprise!). The TV only offers three channels: a news program, a home shopping network, and something that looks like it might be an old sitcom. I try to fix the wonky lamp. Fail. Staring at the ceiling. Wondering if I made a mistake.
Day 2: Finding the Light (and the Last Pack of Peanut Butter Crackers)
- 8:00 AM - The Breakfast Bar of Despair: The "breakfast bar" is a crime against humanity. The coffee tastes like sadness, the bagels are stale, and the plastic-wrapped pastries look suspiciously like they've been there since the Reagan administration. I grab a banana, a pathetic attempt at health.
- Strong Emotional Reaction: Rage (okay, maybe not rage, but significant irritation). I could make a better breakfast in my sleep.
- 9:00 AM - Redemption! (Maybe): I decided to tackle the local sights again! I visited a museum. It was decent. It was… something. But the gift shop! Oh, the gift shop. I bought a souvenir. I won't spoil it.
- Messier Structure: Okay, I'm skipping ahead. Let's be honest, the museums are the equivalent of a good nap.
- 11:00 AM - The Gas-Station Savior: Decided to take a detour. I spotted a gas station that looked like it could be the location for a horror film. However, I needed snacks. I bought all the peanut butter crackers.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch in the Car & the Power of Air Conditioning: Back in Bloomington, I found myself with a pack of crackers. I took it back to my car. It was the only haven of peace I could find.
- Opinionated Language: The crackers were amazing. The best thing that happened to me all day.
- 1:00 PM - THE POOL!!!! (Or: The Mild Disappointment): I was so going to swim in the pool, but it was too gross. The water looked murky, and there were suspicious black specks floating in it.
- Stream-of-Consciousness: I almost went in. Really I was so tempted. But the specks. The specks!
- 2:00 PM- Check-out: Time to make my own escape. The trip, the hotel, the trip’s purpose, I made it all up to myself. I did what I could.
- Final Emotional Reaction: Content. My adventure had ended. I had discovered, not so much the wonders of Bloomington, Illinois, but how to survive a trip like this. And that, my friends, is a victory in itself.
Important Notes (aka. My Super 8 Survival Kit):
- Bring Your Own Snacks: Seriously. Don't rely on the breakfast bar.
- Embrace the Mediocrity: It's the essence of the experience, I think.
- Lower Your Expectations: This is key. If you expect nothing, you won't be disappointed.
- Find the Humor: Because if you don't laugh, you'll cry.
This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. May your Super 8 experience be as… memorable… as mine. Godspeed.
Escape to Louisville: Luxury Suites Await at SpringHill Suites!
Bloomington's BEST Kept Secret: Super 8 Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - The Unfiltered Truth
Okay, spill! What’s the big secret about the Bloomington Super 8? Is it really *that* good?
Alright, alright, *calm down*. Look, "best kept secret" might be a *slight* exaggeration. I mean, it's a Super 8. But hear me out. I stumbled upon this place a few months back, desperate for a room (bleak Friday night, you know the drill). Bloomington was jam-packed, and I was THIS close to sleeping in my car. Then, BAM! The Super 8. And truthfully? I kind of loved it. In a weird, slightly-dingy, probably-haunted-by-a-ghost-player-of-the-lute kind of way.
The truth is, it's consistently *decent*. Which, in the cutthroat world of budget motels, is like finding a unicorn. The sheets? Actually clean. The breakfast? Well, it's the standard Super 8 fare but always *stocked*. And the staff? (See below. Seriously, they deserve a medal.)
Let's talk about the rooms. What are they *really* like? Don't sugarcoat it!
Okay, fine, I won't. They're not the Ritz. We're talking about a Super 8, not a penthouse suite. Picture comfortable (ish) beds. A TV that MAY or MAY NOT work flawlessly (usually does, though – surprisingly). The carpets... well, let's just say they've seen some things. Probably spilled chili from a long-forgotten wrestling convention. But, and this is crucial, the rooms are *well-maintained*. I haven't seen any crumbling walls or ominous stains (yet!). Mostly, the rooms are spacious (for what they are) and clean. And there's one specific room I ALWAYS request. (see below)
Also important - the rooms are actually QUIET, for the most part. Which, in a town filled with college kids and rowdy events, is a HUGE win. Especially after a long day of watching boring soccer.
The Breakfast! The holy grail! Is it a continental dream, or a continental nightmare?
Alright, buckle up. The breakfast is... predictable. But in the best way possible. They've got the usual suspects: stale but edible bagels, slightly questionable pastries, instant oatmeal (with the all-important toppings), and a waffle maker that’s seen more action than your ex. The coffee? Not gourmet, but it gets the job done.
Here's the thing: it's *always* available. And that means, regardless of my state of post-sleep, I'm able to fuel up. And I *always* get two waffles. And I never regret it. Okay, maybe I regret the sugar overload later, but in the moment? Waffle bliss.
Okay, the staff. You mentioned them. Are they saints, or...?
Okay. The staff. These people deserve sainthood. Seriously. Every single time I've been there, they've been unbelievably friendly and helpful. I once locked myself out of my room (oops), and the guy at the front desk didn't even bat an eye. He just smiled, got me a new key, and asked if I needed anything else. I suspect he's seen it all.
It's a subtle thing, but having staff that actually *care* makes a huge difference. They genuinely seem to want you to have a good stay. And that, my friends, is worth its weight in gold. The staff is, without a doubt, the best feature of this Motel!
Is there a pool? Because a pool can make or break a motel experience...
Nope. No pool. The only thing better than a pool is a pool AND a hot tub, and that's sadly, not here. This isn't a resort. But, hey, you're not paying resort prices either. You'd be paying more if they had a pool! I *personally* don't care, I'm more of a "stay in my room and watch questionable cable TV" kind of person. So... the lack of a pool doesn't bother me.
What's the location like? Is it actually *convenient*?
Okay, so it's not *right* downtown, but it's close enough. It's a short drive to the heart of Bloomington, to all the shops and restaurants. And it's SUPER easy to get to… *especially* if you're coming in off the highway (I am always coming in off the highway). Getting *out* of town is also a total breeze. It's my ideal location!
Any specific rooms to request? Spill the beans!
YES! I'm glad you asked! I'm not sure what the room numbers are, but ask for a room on the *second floor*, and preferably a room that is *not* at the end of a hall. Look, I'm not going to get too specific because I don't want to ruin my chances of getting *my* favourite room. But, in general, get as far away from the road if possible. It makes all the difference, trust me!
Okay, the BIG question: Would you recommend it?
Yes. Unequivocally. For the price, the cleanliness, the location, and the staff... absolutely. It's not perfect. It's a Super 8. But it gets the job done, and it does it *well*. If you're looking for a budget-friendly, no-frills, reliably decent place to stay in Bloomington, give it a try. You might be surprised. I know I was.
If I were to book a room for a big event (like a wedding), and wanted more than one room for more than one day, I'd probably look elsewhere (because they are *budget*). I'd want a room that was a little bit fancier. But, for a quick weekend getaway, or a last-minute booking? 100%.
Final Thoughts? Anything I missed?
Okay, yeah. One last thing. On my last trip, I was stuck in Bloomington for an extra night due to a blizzard. All the other hotels were charging ridiculous prices (supply/demand, you know). And here I was, safe and sound (andHotel Search Site
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