High River Getaway: Unbeatable Super 8 Deals! (AB, Canada)
High River Getaway: Super 8 Deals? More Like Super… Meh? (Alberta Edition!) - A VERY Honest Review
Okay, buckle up folks, because this isn't your average sanitized hotel review. I'm diving headfirst into the High River Super 8 (because, let's be honest, that was the draw – the price!), and I'm bringing you the unvarnished truth. Forget those fluffy corporate statements, I'm talking real talk. Consider this a travel diary entry after a slightly underwhelming, yet kinda charming, stay.
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First things first: Accessibility. They say they have facilities for disabled guests. I didn't personally need them, but I did see an elevator, which is always a good sign! I'll give them a tentative thumbs-up. But I can't fully vouch for the accessibility of the rooms themselves; I only saw the lobby. So, proceed with caution if you have specific needs.
Cleanliness & Safety: The New Normal, The "Meh" Normal. Let's be real, the post-pandemic world has changed everything. This place definitely seemed to be trying. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Probably, but I'm not sticking my nose in people's cleaning supplies to verify! They had dispensers of hand sanitizer everywhere, like the holy water fonts of the germ-averse. Rooms sanitized between stays? I hope so, because frankly, the memory of the last roadside motel bed I slept on still haunts my dreams.
I did appreciate the individually-wrapped food options at breakfast (more on that later). They're doing their best, I guess. Staff trained in safety protocol? They had masks on, so…yup. Safe dining setup? More or less. I saw some plastic dividers. It's a try. The whole thing felt, well, hygiene-certified… probably. I'm just glad I'm not the type to spend mental energy on things like this.
And the little details? Hand sanitizer was available, but it’s like they bought the bulk stuff with the lowest alcohol content possible. It was the impression of cleanliness… and that's what counts, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Buffet is…a Thing. Alright, let's talk food – and by “talk,” I mean, let's wrestle it into submission. The Super 8 breakfast is legendary…for its lack of legendary quality. Breakfast [buffet] it was, and what a buffet! I mean, I ate. But if I'm honest? It was about as exciting as watching paint dry. There were breakfast [buffet] staples, I suppose: Asian breakfast options were available, and Western breakfast options were available. Like, your basic toast (which was stale), bagels (which were also stale), and maybe some sad-looking scrambled eggs that looked more like science experiments. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yep. Coffee was the sort that tastes like disappointment on a cold morning. The kind you drown in sugar to make it palatable. However, I might have stolen a container or two of the little chocolate hazelnut pastries, and they were, let’s just say, a source of quiet pleasure.
I'm pretty sure there was a coffee shop nearby. But considering the lacklustre coffee at the hotel, I'm afraid I didn't venture out. Restaurants? Not within the hotel, but there were some nearby. Sadly, I can't tell you what they're like.
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the Totally Fine. Okay, my room. Let's be honest, it wasn’t the Ritz. But it was clean enough. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in, even if they did smell faintly of… I don't know, used curtains. The air conditioning worked, thank God. And the free Wi-Fi? Actually, it worked! Miracle of modern technology! I mean, free Wi-Fi in all rooms – and it functioned! My Internet access – wireless actually worked! Bless.
The desk was big enough to set up a laptop, and the desk light actually worked. Mini bar? No. Refrigerator? Yes, a mini-fridgy-thingy which meant my ice cream was safe. Bathrobes? Absolutely not. Toiletries? Standard issue, but they got the job done. The shower was okay – the water was hot, which is really all I ask for. And the extra long bed was comfy enough.
The satellite/cable channels were plentiful; I actually wasted (or, as I call it, "enjoyed") half a day just watching reruns of “Friends.” The soundproofing? Well, maybe it’s the thin walls of a motel like this, but I swear I could hear the couple next door arguing about whose turn it was to use the hairdryer… all night. But hey, at least it wasn’t my argument! (I would've had to join in).
My biggest "huh?" moment? The mirror. It was, like, right there. It was useful. It reflected light, and…that's it! (Okay, it did allow me to do my hair).
Things to Do (or Rather, Not Do): This is High River, Alberta, people. The main draw is… being in High River, which is…a drive from everything. "Things to do" from the hotel's perspective mean having enough space for parking and having a nice, wide-open lobby. If you're looking for Spa, Sauna, or a Gym/fitness center… you are sorely mistaken. (I'm not exactly expecting a masseuse to be on call in the parking lot). There is a swimming pool [outdoor] I think, but I'm unsure of the particulars. I think they were hoping you just go explore. And explore I did! (To Calgary, of course!)
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Suspects. They had your basics covered. Air conditioning in public area? Check. Cash withdrawal? Probably. Concierge? Nope. Daily housekeeping? Yep. Elevator? Yes. They Luggage storage? Probably. Laundry service? Didn't need it, so I dunno. Front desk [24-hour]? Yep! Hallelujah!
For the Kids: Family/child friendly. I wouldn’t necessarily say "family friendly." There’s no playground or anything. Just… a room. Maybe some free cartoon channels? I don’t have kids, so I can't fully tell.
Getting Around: The Parking Lot Is Huge. Okay, this is easy. Car park [free of charge]? Yes. Car park [on-site]? Yep. Taxi service? Probably. Airport transfer? Nah, it's a motel in High River.
Final Verdict: Super 8 High River? It's a Solid "Meh."
Look, it's not the worst place I've ever stayed. It's clean enough, the price ain't bad, it has a bed. It's a place to crash. It's the kind of place you'd book for a road trip where you're not planning to spend much time in the hotel. It's a perfectly functional representation of the budget hotel experience, and no more. It's not glamorous, it's not luxurious, but it's there if you need it. Don't expect miracles, and you won't be disappointed. Just grab those stolen little chocolate hazelnut pastries and try to get some sleep.
Rating: 3 out of 5 "Meh" Stars.
Owatonna Medical Center? Your Comfort Awaits at Quality Inn!
Alright, buckle up buttercups. We're going to High River, Alberta. Population: Who knows? Enough to have a Super 8, and that's all that matters. Forget meticulously planned itineraries. This is more like… a suggested route, a messy, glorious suggestion.
The High River Hustle: A Stream-of-Consciousness Adventure
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic
1:00 PM - Arrival at the Super 8 (Or, the Joy of Knowing You're Not in a Dump): Alright, first impressions: It’s clean. Like, REALLY clean. And you know what? That's a win. After a flight that felt like I was sharing a sardine can with a toddler who loved screaming, the simple, stark, beige-ness of the Super 8 is a godsend. The lobby smells lightly of chlorine and… is that… air freshener? I'm already feeling slightly less like a crumpled sock. Grab the key, try not to make eye contact with anyone, and head to the room.
1:30 PM - The Room Reconnaissance & The Bed Dilemma: Okay, the room. Bed! It's… a bed. Two of them. Double? Queen? Who cares! It’s a bed. I flop down. Ahhhhh… the sweet, plastic-covered bliss. I'm going to regret this later when I'm trying to sleep. But for now… Zzzzzzz… No, no sleep. Gotta unpack. Find the damn hairdryer. This trip requires a functioning hairdryer, because I packed like a goddess with long hair.
3:00 PM - First Ventures: The Town Square & the Quest for Coffee: They say there's a town square. I think I saw it on Google Maps. Heading out to the wild, armed with nothing but my phone and a desperate need for caffeine. Found it! The town square… It has a statue of a horse and maybe five shops. High River, you're a vibe. Coffee shop? Ah, yes! The other priority. "The coffee house". It's a short walk.
3:30 PM - Unforeseen Friendships at the Coffee Shop: This coffee shop, wow. Filled with locals, and it's one of those places where you instantly feel out of place, which is my favorite. I ordered a latte. But while I wait and people watching, the woman next to me, a farmer with hands like she had wrestled a bear, starts chatting. Turns out her name is Betty, and she's the best thing to happen to my day. She tells me all about her prize-winning pumpkins and the time she saw a UFO. She also knows literally everyone in town. "You staying at the Super 8? Good. It's clean." Betty is the High River oracle.
5:00 PM - The First Supper Showdown (or, "Where do people actually eat here?") Betty recommended the "The Rickey's All Day Grill". Time for dinner. Getting there was an adventure I was not ready for. Let me tell you Rickey's is packed, because everyone I could see there was a local. I ordered the Fish and Chips. They were… acceptable. The highlight, by far, was the waitress, whose name was Deb, and she was hilarious. "More tartar sauce, darlin'? You know, I think I could give that some legs… and a new career!"
Day 2: Exploring (and Possibly Getting Lost)
- 8:00 AM - The Super 8 Breakfast Buffet: A Culinary Rollercoaster: The buffet…oh, the buffet. It's free, so I can't complain. The usual suspects: waffles that taste suspiciously like cardboard, questionable sausage links, and coffee that could strip paint. I choose to go for the fruit, which has a suspicious color.
- 9:00 AM - The Highway: Taking a drive. I'm going to find the place with the beautiful view. I'm in the middle of nowhere but in the heart of it all.
- 12:00 PM - Main Street Mystery & The Book Nook: A charming little bookstore. I find a book about the history of Alberta, which takes me back to what Betty told me about the town. I was there almost all day.
- 5:00 PM - Debriefing at Rickey's & a Moment of Pure, Unadulterated Sadness: Back to Rickey's! Deb's on again. I order a second fish and chips, because hey, it's easy. Deb asks, "So, how's your stay in High River going? Find any hidden gems, darlin'?" I tell her about Betty, the weird-but-wonderful bookstores, and how I almost got eaten by a cow trying to take a picture. And then, for some reason, I started talking about a breakup from years ago. Deb listened, she nodded, she patted my hand. And then she brought me, without me asking, a piece of chocolate cake. "Sometimes," she said, "a little cake fixes everything." Deb, you are a national treasure.
Day 3: Departure & The Aftermath.
- 8:00 AM - The Final Buffet, The Final Inspection, The Final Bit of Plastic-Covered Bliss: Farewell, Super 8! I actually kinda like it now.
- 9:00 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Scramble & The Gas Station Revelation: A gas station at Exit 242. Every gas station has the same stuff. I have never been so happy to see beef jerky.
- 10:00 AM - The Road Home & The High River Hangover: Driving away. Thinking about Betty, about Deb, about the horse statue, and about the fact that a town I'd never even heard of, has somehow gotten under my skin. High River… you strange, beautiful place. I’ll be back. (Probably. Maybe.) And next time, I'm getting a picture with that horse.
Okay, so... Super 8 in High River? Really? What's the deal with these "Unbeatable" deals? Sounds sketchy, tbh.
Alright, alright, I get it. "Super 8" and "Unbeatable Deals"… it *does* feel a little… well, like you're about to be abducted by aliens. But listen, High River's Super 8 (AB, Canada, FYI – gotta be precise!) is actually… kinda decent. Honestly, they're not pulling punches about the low-budget, but the rooms are clean, the staff is surprisingly friendly, and yeah, the deals are usually pretty sweet. Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure, budget-travel edition. You *might* get the screaming kids down the hall, but you also *might* stumble on a hidden gem of a roadside diner you would have missed if you stayed in some fancy-schmancy place. My advice? Keep your expectations low, and then you might be pleasantly surprised. Plus, you'll have more cash for, ya know, actual fun stuff.
Is the breakfast *really* as bad as everyone says? Like, cardboard-eggs bad?
Oh, the breakfast. Prepare yourself. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. It *is* a strong contender for the "least inspiring breakfast of all time" award. Think: pre-packaged muffins that seem to defy the passage of time, some suspicious-looking juice, and the aforementioned potential-cardboard eggs. But here's the thing... sometimes it's *exactly* what you need. Hungover? Jetlagged? Just wanting something, ANYTHING, to soak up the night before? It gets the job done. Plus, there's usually instant coffee. And I, for one, am a sucker for instant coffee when I'm on the road. It's… nostalgic. Don't go expecting gourmet, go expecting survival fuel.
Is High River itself worth visiting, or am I just stuck in a Super 8 purgatory?
Okay, *now* we're talking! High River is actually pretty charming. It's got that small-town vibe that, frankly, I'm a sucker for. Think friendly faces, cute shops, and a real sense of community. Plus, and this is a big plus, the Super 8 is super close to everything! You're practically a stone's throw from the main street and its shops. You *need* to wander down there. Don't expect big city thrills, but do expect authentic small-town experiences, and genuine hospitality. And the surrounding area? Stunning! The foothills of the Rockies are just a short drive away. Hiking, exploring... it's all there for the taking. Seriously, get out of the Super 8 (after you've eaten that questionable breakfast, of course) and *explore*!
Tell me about the "Unbeatable Deals." What kind of stuff are we talking about?
Alright, the deals. This is where things get interesting. They typically have specials. Sometimes it's a flat discount. Sometimes it's a multi-night stay for cheap. They often have seasonal promotions, so check the website or call. Honestly, it fluctuates all the time. The best deal I ever got? A ridiculously low price for a midweek stay, plus a discount at a local restaurant that did amazing ribs – like, fall-off-the-bone, melt-in-your-mouth amazing. But here's the trick: You have to be flexible. You have to be willing to travel off-season. And you have to be willing to, you know, stay at a Super 8. But if you're okay with those things, you can score some serious savings. That rib discount alone made it worthwhile! And the rib place, man, absolute gold. Seriously. I'd go back just for those ribs.
What's the Wi-Fi situation like? I need to post selfies (and maybe work a little).
Okay, the Wi-Fi. Deep breaths. It's… functional. Mostly. It's not the fastest. It can be a little… temperamental. There will be times when you're staring at a buffering circle contemplating the meaning of existence. There will be times you accidentally download a gigabyte of updates during the night, all while you're trying to stream Netflix. But honestly, it's enough to get your emails, your selfies, and perhaps even squeeze in a teeny bit of work if you *absolutely* have to. Just lower your expectations. Embrace the slow. Use it as an excuse to disconnect. Or, you know, just tether to your phone. (Pro-tip: always bring a portable charger. Trust me on this.)
Are the rooms actually clean? Because hotel cleanliness is… vital.
Okay, here's the honest truth about cleanliness at the High River Super 8: It's generally *pretty* clean. Not five-star-hotel clean. Not hospital clean. But, in my experience, they do a decent job. I haven't encountered anything truly horrifying. I've seen some dust, maybe a rogue hair or two (hey, life happens!), but nothing that made me want to run screaming into the night. They seem to put effort into the housekeeping. Look, it's a budget hotel. You're not going to get perfection. But they try. And as long as you don't expect a sterilized environment, you'll be fine. I'm a germaphobe, and I've survived. That's saying something.
What are some things to DO in High River or the surrounding area that are REALLY worth it?
Oh MAN, this is my jam. Okay, beyond the rib restaurant (I’m still not over it), here's the real deal. First, walk the downtown. Browse the cute boutiques, grab a coffee at a local cafe, and just soak up the atmosphere. It’s charming, really it is. Second: The Bob Snodgrass Rec-Plex. Seriously, whatever your sport or interest is, check out the facilities. They're excellent. Then, you have to get in the car and *drive*. Head west towards the foothills. There are stunning views, hiking trails, and just a sense of peace you can't find in the city. Seriously, driving that area is the best. Don’t be afraid to explore the backroads. You might stumble upon hidden gems. And if you're into history, local museums are worth a visit. Also the river. Go see the river, man! Beautiful. And then, of course… back to those ribs. I'm serious. They're worth planning your trip around.
Any tips for making the Super 8 experience, you know, *less awful*?
Okay, survival tips for the Super 8: First, pack earplugs. You *will* thank me. Second, bring your own pillow if you're picky. The hotel pillows can be… a gamble. Third, BYO coffee, if you are a coffee snobHidden Stay
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