Escape to Stone Mountain: Days Inn's Unbeatable Atlanta Getaway!
Escape to Stone Mountain: Days Inn's Unbeatable Atlanta Getaway - A Seriously Unvarnished Review
Okay, let's be real. When you hear "Days Inn," you're not exactly picturing a luxurious spa retreat, are you? I went into this "Escape to Stone Mountain" experience hoping for the best, bracing myself for the…well, let's just say potential. And let me tell you, it was a trip. Buckle up, buttercups, because here's the lowdown, warts and all.
Metadata Before We Dive In (Because, you know, SEO):
- Keywords: Stone Mountain, Days Inn, Atlanta, Georgia, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Family Friendly, Swimming Pool, Free Wi-Fi, Breakfast, Stone Mountain Park, Budget Travel, Georgia Getaway, Atlanta Hotel, Pet Friendly, Hotel Reviews, Stone Mountain Activities.
- Title: Escape to Stone Mountain: Days Inn's Unbeatable Atlanta Getaway?! (A Seriously Honest Review)
- Meta Description: Considering a trip to Stone Mountain and the Days Inn? Read this brutally honest review, packed with insights on accessibility, amenities, and if this Atlanta getaway is really "unbeatable"! (Spoiler: Maybe?)
- Relevant HTML tags like H1, H2, etc.
Getting There & The First Impression (A Little Rambling, Just Like Life):
Finding the place was easy enough. Stone Mountain is pretty well…stoned, a giant rock that's hard to miss. Driving up, the Days Inn looks perfectly…Days Inn-ish. You're not blown away; you're not disappointed. Just…there. The exterior corridor situation is a classic, especially when, like me, you're dragging a ridiculous amount of luggage (don't judge). But hey, at least it felt like a throwback to a simpler time – before hotel elevators had become the norm in my world.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (But They Try!)
Okay, this is important. Accessibility is a big deal for me. I need to know if places can accommodate my mobility needs. The good news? Wheelchair accessible it is! I saw ramps, and the elevator was a relief. The rooms themselves were, as advertised, Facilities for disabled guests were available, and the team seemed genuinely committed to making things work. HOWEVER, the devil, as they say, is in the details. The bathroom, while having additional toilet support, felt a little…cramped. Not impossible, but definitely a challenge.
Rooms, Glorious (or Not-So-Glorious) Rooms:
Alright, let's get into The Rooms. They're functional. Clean-ish. They had Air Conditioning (thank the sweet baby Jesus, this is Atlanta, after all!), a desk if you needed a place to work (I didn't, thankfully), a refrigerator for keeping my emergency snacks cold (vital), and a coffee/tea maker. The TV had a decent selection of channels. Free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver and available in all rooms, seriously a must.
The Wi-fi was a mixed bag. One minute it was screaming along, letting me binge watch trash TV, and the next… crickets. I ended up using the Wi Fi offered in public spaces, which was still decent.
The Daily housekeeping was appreciated, but not flawless. And the soundproofing? Let's just say I got to know the neighbors' kids quite well.
Oh! & the bed? The extra long bed was great for my 6'3" frame, but the pillows… well honestly, they were more like decorative bricks. Bring your own if you're particular.
The Breakfast Ritual (A Story in Itself, Honestly):
Alright, the Breakfast. This is where things got wildly unpredictable.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet itself was… well, it existed. A rotating stage of Asian breakfast and the standard Western breakfast, or at least a budget version of it. Eggs, sausage (sometimes), toast, and the infamous waffle maker. My first day was a disaster, a true "What am I doing with my life?" moment. The waffle batter dispenser was broken. Let me repeat that. The. Waffle. Dispenser. Was. Broken. What is life without a waffle in such a situation? But eventually they fixed it, and by the end of the time, I'd mastered the art of the "double-waffle with a side of slightly rubbery sausage" routine, which isn't terrible, I guess. I was a man who’d conquered Stone Mountain and yet there was something about the waffle machine that eluded me. By Day 4, despite my best efforts, I had to give up.
Food & Drink:
- Restaurants: Okay, let's be clear. This isn't a culinary destination. There are restaurants, but I didn't make it for A la carte. The Coffee shop was okay for a quick caffeine fix. The coffee itself was palatable and cheap.
The Pool – A Moment of Zen (Maybe):
Ah, the Swimming pool! It’s a reasonable size, outdoors, and thankfully clean. I managed to catch a bit of sun one afternoon and just…float. Poolside bar? Nope. Just the sun and the water.
Ways to Relax (Or Not):
- While they have a Gym/fitness room but I'm not really a gym person. I found it to be pretty standard, but clean.
Cleanliness & Safety (The Important Stuff):
- Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and the staff did have the air of people who knew how to do their job. Hand sanitizer stations were everywhere, which is always good. The Staff trained in safety protocol. The Safety/security feature in the rooms and around the property looked solid.
Things to Do Beyond the Days Inn (Stone Mountain Itself):
This is the real reason you're here, isn't it? Stone Mountain Park is AMAZING. The hiking is killer, the views are ridiculous, that laser show at night is awesome (check the schedule, though!).
Services and Conveniences (The Fine Print):
- Cashless payment service made things easy. Contactless check-in/out was a good move. On-site car park was free and welcome.
For the kids
- Are there even any Kids facilities? Yes, if you count the playground at the park. I didn't need the Babysitting service, but it was available.
The Verdict (The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Grungy):
Okay, so here's the deal: The Days Inn at Stone Mountain is not a luxurious experience. It's affordable, functional, and perfectly acceptable as a base for exploring the park and the surrounding area. The accessibility is a good starting point. The breakfast is a gamble. The pool is a win. The rooms are… functional. The price is right. Most importantly, it's a gateway to the amazing Stone Mountain Park.
My Final Rating:
- Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars (would be higher if the waffle machine worked consistently!)
- Would I go back? Probably. Especially if they promise to keep that waffle machine running. And provide better pillows.
- Perfect for: Budget travelers, families who want a good base camp for Stone Mountain adventures, people who prioritize location over luxury.
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're talking about a week in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Days Inn by Wyndham, baby! Let's see if we can survive this… and maybe even have some fun.
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (Welcome to the South!)
- 1:00 PM: Arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Holy humidity, Batman! Why did I think a trip to Georgia in August was a good idea? The sweat immediately started beading on my forehead. Already regretting the non-breathable polyester blend of my "travel shirt."
- 2:30 PM: Taxi to Days Inn. Alright, the hotel. Okay? It's… a hotel. Let's just say it's got a certain… charm. The air conditioning in the lobby is trying, bless its little plastic heart.
- 3:00 PM: Checked in. The front desk clerk, bless her soul, looked like she'd seen things. Wars. Love lost. Disappointment. I felt an instant kinship. "Room 212," she mumbled, handing me the keycard. "Enjoy." Enjoy? Honey, I'm just trying to survive.
- 3:30 PM: The Room. It's… clean enough. The bedspread is questionable. The TV… well, at least it has a TV. I'm mostly worried about the carpet. I've seen documentaries. This carpet has probably seen some things.
- 4:00 PM: Okay, first order of business: a grocery run. I need snacks. I'm pretty sure I’ll emotionally eat my way through this trip. Stopped at a local grocery store. Found… surprisingly great local peaches. Score! Also, a display of "Moon Pies." I might have to try those.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Went to a diner down the street. The waitress, bless her heart, kept calling me "sweetie." It felt genuine, not like the forced cheer of other places. The fried chicken was… divine. Seriously, Southern fried chicken is a religious experience. I ate so much, I feel like I might need a nap.
- 8:00 PM: Watched some TV. The cable selection is… varied. Landed on a marathon of a true crime show about cults. I’m starting to get the very uneasy feeling that I've wandered off into a fever dream.
- 9:00 PM: Okay, I'm going to bed. Need to mentally prepare for Stone Mountain tomorrow.
Day 2: Stone Mountain Park – Is This Heaven?
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Days Inn. Surprisingly not terrible. The stale waffles were… edible. The coffee was definitely coffee. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
- 10:00 AM: Stone Mountain Park! HOLY MOLY. It's BIG. Like, really, really big. The sheer audacity of carving those Confederate figures into the mountain… it’s… something. I'm trying to wrap my head around it, but mostly I'm just thinking about how hot it is. Seriously, I'm melting.
- 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Ascending Stone Mountain. Took the gondola because I'm a wimp and it was hot. The view from the top is breathtaking, no lie. You can (allegedly) see Atlanta! But mostly, I saw humidity. So much humidity. The sheer scope of the park is impressive. The Confederate carving… is still there. It's… complicated.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch. Awful cafeteria food at the top. My stomach is doing the little dance.
- 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Rambled around the park. Saw the Antebellum Plantation and the Grist Mill. Okay, the plantation was… a complex experience. It brought up all sorts of mixed emotions that I'm still unpacking.
- 3:30 PM: Spent an excessively long time at the petting zoo. Like, seriously, I'm in my 30s. But those goats were adorable. I needed a moment of pure, unadulterated joy.
- 4:00 PM: Walked through the "Scenic Railroad". It was… a train. A train full of kids of various ages.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Found a small, family-owned BBQ place. The ribs were so good, I nearly wept. I feel like I’ve spent a whole day eating, but it's worth it.
- 7:00 PM: Went to the "Lasershow Spectacular". Let's just say it's… intense. Lasers! Music! Giant mountain! A bit corny, but also kind of magically awful.
- 9:00 PM: The hotel room again. My legs hurt. My brain hurts. Is this what they call vacation, or is it just the inevitable march toward the heat death of the universe?
Day 3: Rest and Redemption (Or at Least, a Few Hours of Air Conditioning)
- 9:00 AM: Sleep in!
- 10:00 AM: Still trying to figure out the hotel room climate control. The humidity is a weapon.
- 11:00 AM: Grocery store run. Grabbed bottled water, plus a bag of chips and a soda. Yes, I'm contributing to my own demise. No regrets.
- 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Read by the tiny, questionable pool. The pool water felt warm! And dirty! But I needed to do something. I read a novel. It was great.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner. Decided to try a different diner. It was a disaster. The food was awful, and the service was even worse. I swear, the server forgot about me. I tipped 50 cents.
- 7:00 PM: Back in the room, watching TV. Feeling slightly depressed. This is the part where you start to question all your life choices.
- 8:00 PM: Ordered pizza. Comfort food. At least it's something I can count on.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 4: A Deep Dive into History (Or at Least, a Museum or Two)
- 9:00 AM: Still trying to shake off the diner of despair.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Visited the Stone Mountain History Museum. Okay, it's… informative. But also, a little… sanitised? The historical perspective felt slightly off, but hey, it's still a museum!
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a local sandwich shop. Good, solid, not-awful sandwich. Needed that.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Went to the Gwinnett History Museum. Actually pretty interesting, although it felt a little… random. History is messy. This museum was, too.
- 5:00 PM: Checked out a cute little antique shop. Bought a bizarre trinket.
- 6:00 PM: Thinking about dinner. Trying to decide if I want to risk another restaurant.
- 7:00 PM: I chicken-out on going out. Got groceries and a microwavable dinner and ate that in my room.
- 9:00 PM: TV. Sadness.
Day 5 - The Great Atlanta Adventure!
- 8:00 AM: Slept in somewhat.
- 9:30 AM: Took the bus for a long trip to Atlanta, not that exciting.
- 12:00 PM: Went to The Georgia Aquarium. That was amazing, even though I wasn't expecting the biggest aquarium in the Western hemisphere.
- 2:00 PM: Walked around Centennial Olympic Park. The fountain show was fun.
- 4:00 PM: Went home, tired.
- 6:00 PM: Went to a local diner, I got the chicken again.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep, and the feeling that I might make it through this trip.
Day 6: Farewell, Stone Mountain (and Maybe, Some Kind of Enlightenment?)
- 9:00 AM: Final run to that peach stand I saw the other day. Loaded up on peaches to take home. They actually taste like sunshine, or what I imagine sunshine tastes like.
- 10:00 AM: Final breakfast at the Days Inn. Stale waffles, but I don't care anymore.
- 11:00 AM: Checked out, giving the front desk clerk my sincerest farewell. She smiled at me, which was… kind.
- 12:00 PM: Spent my last hour in the hotel room, simply doing absolutely nothing.
- 2:00 PM: Drove to the airport and went home.
**Day
Luxury Getaway Awaits: Baymont by Wyndham Elko (NV) Review
Escape to Stone Mountain: Days Inn's Unbeatable Atlanta Getaway? Let's Dive In! (Seriously, We're Diving...)
Okay, Okay, So What *IS* This "Unbeatable" Deal? Sounds Kinda Sketchy, TBH.
Alright, alright, before you start picturing a dodgy motel room with questionable stains, let's break it down. The "deal," as advertised, usually involves a stay at the Days Inn near Stone Mountain, plus tickets to the park. They often throw in a free breakfast, which, let's be real, is probably continental (think: lukewarm coffee, plastic-wrapped muffins, and the vague hope of a waffle). But hey, for the price? Doesn't *always* suck.
My Take: Look, you aren't booking the Ritz. You're booking *convenience*. Stone Mountain is EPIC, and if you're trying to do it on a budget, this can be a decent starting point. It's a base camp. Think of it like... a slightly less-than-glamorous base camp to conquer the giant, awesome granite mountain. Emphasis on *slightly*.
The Stone Mountain Park Itself: Is it Actually Fun? Or Just... A Rock?
Oh. My. Gosh. Stone Mountain? It's way more than just a rock! Though, the rock is pretty darn impressive. It's like, the world's biggest paperweight, but, you know, made of granite. And with carvings. And a whole lotta history (a *complicated* history, as they say).
But the *park*, ah, the park! It offers everything. Hiking trails that vary from "a gentle stroll suitable for grandmas" to "slightly terrifying, but with a killer view that makes you feel like you can touch the sky, and briefly regret all your life choices." Think, "Will I make it to the top? Maybe. Should I have eaten less pizza last night? Definitely." Seriously though, the view from the top is EVERYTHING. (Pro Tip: take the gondola up. Trust me... or face the wrath of my aching calves from last time.)
Plus, there's the laser show at night! Which is, admittedly, pretty cheesy, but also… kinda cool. And the kids' activities! A petting zoo, a playground that will exhaust your tiny humans in approximately 30 seconds, and all sorts of other things that will tire you out just thinking about.
My Experience (Rambling): Okay, so last time... we went with our kids, ages... let's say "energetic." We took the gondola up, which, blessedly, spared my knees. The view was breathtaking, as promised. Then, the kids spotted the Adventure Course. Which looked innocent enough. It was not. It involved climbing ropes, wobbly bridges, and me, screaming internally, "DON'T FALL! DON'T FALL! I can’t... I’m not fit enough… Don’t… please!" It was exhilarating and terrifying. And my kid wanted to do it AGAIN directly after. Send wine.
The Days Inn: Let's Get Real. What's the Room Actually Like?
Here's the deal on the Days Inn: it's… serviceable. Don’t go expecting luxury. The rooms are often dated, but usually clean-ish. Think "functional" over "fabulous." The beds? Well, they're beds. You'll sleep. Hopefully. The air conditioning *usually* works, a MUST in Atlanta in the summer.
My Take: It's a budget friendly choice. Be prepared for a little... "character." You might hear your neighbors. The décor isn’t necessarily the stuff of Instagram dreams. But it's a place to crash after a long day of hiking, screaming at your kids on the Adventure Course, and overeating funnel cake at the park. And honestly, after all that, you'll likely be happy just to have a bed.
What About the "Free Breakfast"? Don't Lie to Me.
Okay, fine. The "free breakfast"… is what it is. We're talking your standard continental fare. Expect the usual suspects: waffles (made by a machine! Yay!), maybe some pre-packaged pastries, the aforementioned lukewarm coffee that kinda tastes like sadness, and juice that could be mostly sugar water from a carton.
My Take: Honestly, I always tell myself, "It’s free, what can I expect?" And then I eat three waffles. It's a good starting point before heading out to the park for a day of serious adventures.
Logistics: How Do I Get Around? Is Parking Awful?
Okay, this is actually important. You'll need a car. The Days Inn is *near* Stone Mountain, but not walking distance unless you're a superhuman hiker. Parking at Stone Mountain Park itself… can be a nightmare, especially on weekends and holidays. It's vast. You can spend half your day just trying to find a spot, which will set the tone for the day.
My Experience: Last time, we arrived late-ish and circled the parking lot like vultures looking for a sign of departure for about 20 minutes. It's maddening. Make sure you factor in extra time to find parking, especially if you plan on arriving after 10 am. And wear comfortable shoes. Seriously, considering the insane parking situation, you’ll have to walk from wherever you find a spot and could be further than you think.
Is This "Escape" Actually Worth the Price?
Ultimately, the value depends on what you're looking for. If you're on a tight budget and want an affordable way to experience a fantastic attraction like Stone Mountain, then YES. It's generally a decent deal. Just go in with realistic expectations.
My Opinion/Rant: Look, are there nicer hotels? Absolutely. Are there hotels with gourmet breakfasts? Yes, definitely. But you're not paying for them. You're paying for a chance to hike a giant rock, see a laser show, and exhaust your kids (and yourself). And that... is priceless. It's the memories, the laughter, the questionable decisions… the sheer *exhaustion* of it all. And sometimes, a slightly disappointing, but free, waffle at the Days Inn perfectly encapsulates the whole, gloriously messy experience. So, go. Just go, and be prepared for a great time. and wear comfortable shoes.
Any Insider Tips? Like, Secret Hacks to Surviving?
Okay, listen up, grasshopper. This is where the *real* secrets come out:
- Pack snacks. Seriously, bring more snacks than you thinkRoam And RestsDays Inn by Wyndham Atlanta Stone Mountain Stone Mountain (GA) United States
Days Inn by Wyndham Atlanta Stone Mountain Stone Mountain (GA) United States
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