Hickory's Hidden Gem: Days Inn & Suites Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Hickory's Hidden Gem: Days Inn & Suites Review (You Won't Believe This!) - A Rambling Account
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just emerged from a whirlwind stay at the Days Inn & Suites in Hickory, NC, and well… “Hidden Gem” might be stretching it, but trust me, this review is gonna be a ride. Prepare for some brutally honest, slightly chaotic, and hopefully, entertaining thoughts.
Metadata & SEO Jargon (because I have to!): Days Inn Hickory Review, North Carolina Hotels, Accessible Hotels Hickory, Free WiFi Hotels, Swimming Pool Hotels Hickory, Family-Friendly Hotels, Pet-Friendly Hotels (UNAVAILABLE!), Hotel Deals Hickory, Clean Hotels, Budget Hotels North Carolina. (Ugh, feel dirty now. Let's move on…)
(Accessibility) - The good news: they say they're accessible. The website boasts it, but honestly, I didn't have specific accessibility requirements myself. I did see elevators (YES!), and the front desk seemed accommodating. HOWEVER, and this is a BIG however, I didn't personally vet it for wheelchair accessibility beyond a cursory glance. So, caveat emptor if you have specific demands. I’d recommend calling ahead and actually talking to them about your needs. Don't just trust the website! (See, even I have doubts!)
(On-site accessible restaurants / lounges) - Nope. Nada. Zip. Don't even think about it. This is a Days Inn, people. Expect to drive or order in. Which, frankly, works.
(Wheelchair accessible) - As mentioned, I assume they have the necessary infrastructure, but verify, verify, VERIFY. Don't just take my word for it, or the website's. A phone call is your best bet.
(Internet Access) - FREE WIFI IN ALL ROOMS! – HALLELUJAH! Okay, maybe I'm easily pleased, but reliable Wi-Fi is a MUST in my book. And this place delivered. (Unlike that other hotel I stayed in last month…don't get me started.) The signal was strong, I streamed Netflix without buffering, and I even managed to conduct a video call with minimal pixelation. God bless the internet!
(Internet [LAN]) - They offer it, but let's be real, who needs wired internet in 2024? I didn't even bother looking for a LAN cable.
(Internet services) - See above. It works. Praise be.
(Wi-Fi in public areas) - Yeah, it’s there, apparently. But I'm a room-hog. The lobby, the pool…I didn't explore those zones.
(Things to do, ways to relax) - Okay, now we're getting to the meat and potatoes…or, you know, the questionable gravy.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: It was…there. I peered out the window. Looked clean-ish. The view? Well, it was of the parking lot, but hey, at least it had water! I didn't test the temperature. Judging by some people there it was tolerable.
- Fitness center: I walked in. Three machines, none looking particularly new. I’m not a gym rat, but even I thought it needed a serious upgrade. Probably better for stretching than serious workouts.
- Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Steamroom: LOL. This is not a "Spa Retreat." It’s a Days Inn. Manage your expectations. This ain't the Ritz, folks.
- For the kids: Babysitting (nope), family-friendly (debatable - see "swimming pool" above), kid’s meals (HA! Not on-site).
(Cleanliness and safety) - Here's where things get…interesting.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer: These are good signs! I saw the cleaning staff, and the lobby looked relatively spiffy most of the time.
Breakfast in room: Nope. But see below for the wonderfulness that is the complimentary breakfast.
Breakfast takeaway service: No!
Cashless payment service: Yes, thank GOD. I hate fumbling with cash.
Doctor/nurse on call: I didn’t need one, but I'm guessing they have information.
First aid kit: Probably.
Hygiene certification: I couldn’t see a visible certificate.
Individually-wrapped food options: Yes!
Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly. It's a hotel, not a deserted island.
Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: These are all good signs.
Safe dining setup: Considering there isn't a restaurant on-site, this is a moot point.
Shared stationery removed: Praise the lord.
Staff trained in safety protocol: Seems so.
Hot water linen and laundry washing, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Sterilizing equipment: Good points!
(Dining, drinking, and snacking) - Ah, the crux of the matter!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Here's where we get real. The "buffet." Let me paint a picture. Imagine a warm oasis in a desert of mediocrity. Okay, that's not accurate. It was a standard continental breakfast. Waffles (you have to make them yourself!), pre-packaged pastries, cereal. The coffee was…well, it was coffee. Decent, I'd say, unless you, like me, need a triple shot of espresso to function. The best part? The glorious, beautiful, life-affirming (okay, slightly dramatic) fresh fruit: bananas, and oranges. It was the highlight of my morning. Seriously.
- Alternative meal arrangement: I didn´t ask and probably there are some options.
- Asian, Western, International cuisine in restaurant: No Restaurant.
- Salad, Soup, Desserts in restaurant: Nonexistent.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour, Coffee shops, Bar, Snack bar, A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Bottle of water, Happy hour*: See above: Nope! Unless you count the vending machine as a bar.
(Services and conveniences) - Okay, let’s get through this rapid-fire.
- Air conditioning in public area: I assume so. It was hot, I didn't notice.
- Business facilities: They have a business centre, but I didn't use it.
- Cash withdrawal: You're on your own.
- Concierge, Doorman, Elevator: No concierge, no doorman, elevator is a YES!
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes, bless them!
- Convenience store: Nope, but a gas station with snacks is a short drive.
- Currency exchange: Nope.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, which was a relief!
- Dry cleaning, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: All a no.
- For the kids: I covered that. Skip this.
(Available in all rooms) - Here's the nitty-gritty:
- Additional toilet: Nope.
- Air conditioning: YES. Essential for a Southern stay.
- Alarm clock: Yep. Beep beep.
- Bathrobes, Bathroom phone: No and no.
- Bathtub: Shower only in my room.
- Blackout curtains: YES! (I need sleep.)
- Carpeting: Yeah, a bit worn.
- Closet: Adequate.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes, bless them.
- Complimentary tea: The coffee and tea choices were nice, though.
- Daily housekeeping: Yup.
- Desk: Functional.
- Extra long bed: I didn’t measure.
- Free bottled water: Nope.
- Hair dryer: Yup.
- High floor: Didn't request, didn't get.
- In-room safe box: Nope.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Maybe.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless: Covered above.
- Ironing facilities: Yes.
- Laptop workspace: The desk.
- Linens: Clean-ish.
- Mini bar: HA!
- Mirror: Plenty.
- Non-smoking: YES. Praise
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into… a Day in the life (or maybe days in the life) at the Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hickory, North Carolina. Don't expect a perfectly manicured itinerary. This is gonna be more like a road trip playlist – a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll, and definitely a whole lot of me-being-me.
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hickory: The "Hickory Hoedown" Itinerary (ish)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Pillow Debacle (and a Questionable Pizza)
1:00 PM: Land in Hickory. Ha! Land is an exaggeration. More like, I trudged into Hickory. Flying always leaves me feeling like I've been wrestled by a cloud. Finding the Days Inn was easy – bless GPS – but parking? Oy vey. Managed to squeeze into a spot that maybe wasn’t actually a parking space. Fingers crossed the car’s still there tomorrow.
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Check-in. The front desk guy was nice enough, but seriously, are all hotel lobbies inherently designed to feel slightly… sterile? Like a doctor's waiting room, but instead of pamphlets on varicose veins, there's a vending machine full of questionable snacks.
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Room Reveal. Okay, the room… It’s… a room. Clean enough, I guess. But the pillows. The PILLOWS! They were of the "rock-solid-and-probably-stuffed-with-bricks" variety. My neck is screaming. Currently contemplating a heist to steal the pillows from the other room’s bed, but that seems a little… excessive, even for me.
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Attempt to work from the hotel. I thought I could, but it turns out, my usual internet requirements aren't supported.
6:00 PM: The Hunger Games. Decided pizza sounded good. Googled “best pizza in Hickory.” The reviews were… mixed. Took a leap of faith and ordered from a place with a name that sounded suspiciously like a children's book villain. The pizza arrived, and my initial thought was: "Is this… is this even pizza?" It was edible. Technically. But the experience left me questioning my life choices.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Channel surfing. Found a crime show marathon. Got hooked. Now I'm convinced everyone in Hickory is a suspect. Definitely not the best way to prepare for sleep, but I’m committed now.
9:00 PM: Attempt one: Sleeping. Pillow… still undefeated.
Day 2: Coffee Chaos, the Catawba Science Center, and A Roller Rink Revelation.
7:00 AM: Wake up. Neck: stiff. Pillow: still mocking me. Coffee is a necessity at this point. Headed to the hotel's breakfast bar, where the coffee was… well, it was coffee. The kind that tastes like it's been brewing since the Eisenhower administration. Made myself a waffle, which I promptly dropped on the floor. My morning is going swimmingly.
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Decide I will not let the day get the best. Check Emails, make calls (hopefully my voice is okay).
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Catawba Science Center. Turns out, Hickory is a bustling hub of scientific endeavor. Okay, maybe not. But the Science Center was surprisingly fun! They had a planetarium show with cheesy special effects. I loved it. It felt like a childhood dream.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch break. Found a diner. Ordered a burger. It was simple. It was good. It was exactly what I needed after all that science-ing.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Roller Rink. Okay, confession: I haven’t been on roller skates since I was, like, nine years old. But there was a roller rink, and I couldn't resist. It was the best and worst decision of my life. At first, I was a wobbly mess, clinging to the railing for dear life. Then, something… magical happened. I was flying! Okay, "flying" is an overstatement. I was skating… at a moderate pace. And I fell. Hard. But getting back up, dodging flying elbows, feeling the music vibrate through my bones… it was, dare I say, pure joy. Pure, sweaty, bruised joy.
6:00 PM: Room service. No! I'm kidding. There is none. I ordered delivery (again. I learned my lesson the first time, so I ordered an extra pizza!)
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: More channel surfing. I'm starting to suspect that the local cable company is involved in a conspiracy to bore me into next week.
9:00 PM: Attempt two: Sleeping. Brought my own pillow from my car.
Day 3: The Check-Out Blues and the Journey Home (and the lingering flavor of pizza).
8:00 AM: Wake up. No thanks.
9:00 AM: Check out. The front desk guy was still nice. Said "have a good day" like he actually meant it. I thought about rating him a 10/10 just to be helpful. I didn't.
9:30 AM: Drive home.
And then…: The aftermath (AKA, the things I'll remember).
- The pillows. They will haunt my dreams.
- The Roller Rink. My knees are still screaming, but I'll never forget that feeling of flying.
- The pizza. It was fine.
- Hickory. It wasn't what I expected, and maybe that's what made it so… memorable. It's the weird, wonderful, slightly messy kind of place that grows on you.
So, there you have it. The unvarnished, gloriously messy, and utterly human account of my Hickory adventure at the Days Inn & Suites. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't glamorous. But it was real. And sometimes, that's more than enough.
Lincoln's Hidden Gem: Downtown Courtyard Hotel (Haymarket Charm!)
Hickory's Hidden Gem: Days Inn & Suites Review (You Won't Believe This!) - FAQ (Or Maybe You Will... After Reading This)
Okay, seriously, is this place REALLY a hidden gem? My expectations are currently residing somewhere between "budget motel" and "crime scene."
Whoa there, friend. Hold your horses (and maybe your hazmat suit). "Hidden gem" might be a *slight* overstatement. Let's just say it's... an experience. It depends on your definition of "gem," honestly. If your definition includes: squeaky floors that seem to taunt you, a breakfast buffet that looks suspiciously like a science experiment gone wrong, and a distinct aroma of "yesterday's laundry," then you might be in luck. But hey, I will say this: the staff? Generally lovely. Beyond helpful. That *almost* makes up for the questionable carpet stains. Almost.
The photos online look… filtered. What’s the REAL deal with the rooms?
Oh, the photos? Bless their hearts, they hire *really* good photographers. Think of the pictures as aspirations, maybe? The reality is… let's just say "charming in a slightly dilapidated way." My first room? The air conditioning sounded like a dying walrus. And the lamp? Wobbly. Threatening to topple over if you even *looked* at it cross-eyed. But the bed… the bed was surprisingly comfortable! (This is key. Seriously.) And hey, the TV worked. Which, in this day and age, is a major win, right? Right?! I swear, I spent a good hour just trying to figure the remote, then got my reward for watching a terrible show late at night. It was one of the best nights of my life. Or one of the worst, I can't recall.
They mention a "complimentary breakfast." How bad are we talking? Is it a "grab-and-go-bagel-wrapped-in-plastic" situation?
Prepare yourself. It's... *a breakfast*. Let's leave it at that. There *are* bagels. Wrapped in plastic. There’s also a waffle maker. (Pro tip: make your waffle before you see what's actually *in* the waffle batter. Ignorance is bliss.) The "fruit" selection? Well, let's just say I think I saw a lonely, slightly bruised apple and a few suspiciously overripe bananas. The coffee is… coffee. Don't go in expecting anything artisanal. But hey, free is free, and it’s edible. Mostly.
Are the staff friendly? Because a surly staff can ruin ANY experience.
This is where the Days Inn *redeems* itself! Seriously. The staff at Hickory are wonderfully friendly and helpful. They're like that aunt you only see at Christmas, who always gives you an extra hug. I mean, I once accidentally locked myself out of my room (early morning brain malfunction - don't judge!) and the front desk person, bless her heart, fixed it with a smile and a genuine "No problem at all!" That's worth a lot. Seriously. A LOT. They're the reason I’d consider going back. They make up for the slightly questionable décor and the potential for a rogue fruit fly in the breakfast area. They're *golden*.
Okay, but what about the *location*? Is it convenient? Is it, you know, safe?
The location is… decent. It's not right downtown, but it’s near enough to the highway, which is a win. It's also surrounded by your typical roadside fare – fast food joints, a gas station, the usual suspects. The parking lot felt safe enough. But honestly, I was too exhausted from trying to decipher the AC to worry too much. I will say, it's NOT the kind of place where you can just stroll out at midnight for a romantic moonlit walk (unless you REALLY like the idea of encountering… things). But for a quick overnight stop, it works. It serves its purpose. It fulfills the bare minimum requirements of human survival, one might even say. Except maybe the breakfast, which I've established is... an experience.
Is there a pool? Because a pool is a deal-breaker for me.
There IS a pool! And… it's not terrible. Honestly, it's a perfectly acceptable pool. It's outside, which is nice. It was clean. Mostly. I saw some kids having a blast in it. Now, it’s not a five-star resort pool, obviously. But after a long day of driving, a quick dip is exactly what you need. It's pretty much the best part of the whole situation. And, let's be honest, sometimes the simple things are the best things, right? Like a lukewarm pool in Hickory, North Carolina.
Would you recommend it? Honestly. Be brutally honest.
Okay, *brutally* honest time. If you're looking for luxury, avoid. If you are expecting the Ritz, RUN FAR, FAR AWAY. HOWEVER… If you’re on a budget, need a convenient stopover, don't mind a few quirks, and value genuinely nice staff, then… yes. Maybe. It really depends on your tolerance level for… charming imperfections. I wouldn’t be rushing back, but I might go again. The bed was surprisingly amazing. And the staff... the staff really did make a difference. So, ultimately, maybe this is the sort of "hidden gem" that grows on you: not perfect, but certainly memorable. You've been warned. But hey, if you go, tell me what you think! I might change my mind. My brain's still processing the whole breakfast situation.
The one thing you hated and the one thing you loved?
Okay, here goes. Hated: The air conditioning. I felt like I was sleeping next to a dying robot. It sounded like it was trying to cough up a lung, and the temperature swung wildly between "arctic blast" and "sweat-lodge." It drove me crazy. Loved: The staff. Specifically, the lady who worked the front desk. Not only was she friendly and efficient, but she was also genuinely concerned that I was having a good stay. She answered all my dumb questions with a smile and went above and beyond when I needed help. Seriously, that kindness is a powerful thing, considering the state of the AC unit. If I did go back, it would be to personally thank her for saving this place.
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