Lakeland Getaway: Days Inn & Suites - Unbeatable Deals & Comfort Await!
Lakeland Getaway: Days Inn & Suites - Unbeatable Deals & Comfort…Maybe? A Review That's Actually Honest
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to tell you about my recent stay at the Days Inn & Suites in Lakeland. The tagline promises "Unbeatable Deals & Comfort Await!" and well, let's just say the truth is… complicated. This review is going to be less polished brochure and more "what actually happened to me" – the good, the bad, and the slightly-burned-popcorn-in-the-microwave-esque ugliness.
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- Meta Description: Honest review of Days Inn & Suites Lakeland, FL. Deals, comfort, and real-life experiences. Accessibility, amenities, and what to expect. Is this the ideal hotel for your Lakeland trip? Read on!
- Title: Lakeland Getaway: Days Inn & Suites Review - Deals, Comfort & the Truth!
Alright, deep breath. Let's dive in.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (Like My Laundry Day)
Okay, so the brochure says "Facilities for disabled guests." And… they technically have them. The elevator worked, which is a huge win, especially since I'm not getting any younger and my knees are starting to sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies. However, maneuvering the hallways in a wheelchair could be a tight squeeze in some areas. And the ramps? Well, let’s just say they were definitely there. Whether they were up to code… I'll leave that to the experts. (Rating: 3.5/5 - room for improvement, for sure.)
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges:
I didn’t spot anything specifically labeled as "accessible lounge." The breakfast area (more on that later) seemed… adaptable. Still, I might need to double-check that.
Wheelchair Accessible:
See above. Kinda.
Internet Access - The Lifeline (Literally, Sometimes)
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Hallelujah! Because, let's be honest, in this day and age, internet is as important as breathing, especially when you have a toddler with no attention span. The Wi-Fi… well, it functioned the majority of the time. There were a few moments where I felt like I was back in the dial-up era, but overall, it was passable. I even managed to stream a few kitten videos to de-stress. Praise be! (Rating: 4/5 - could be faster, but hey, it's free!)
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet Services, Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Yep, and they have the LAN connection - though I couldn't tell you how to hook it up…
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Where's the Zen?
Things to do: I didn't use them as such but they could be used, from things to do on the hotel itself to suggestions for what you might do outside the hotel.
Ways to relax: Okay, this is where it gets interesting. They claim to have a spa. The glossy brochure certainly implies a relaxing oasis. The reality? Well, I'll tell you a story.
- The Spa That Wasn't (…Quite): I was so looking forward to some serious pampering. The idea of a body scrub, a body wrap… pure bliss! I mean, I was already picturing myself, relaxed, stress-free, and smelling like a freshly-baked cookie. I went down to the "spa," which was described in the brochure. Buuut when I arrived it was a room filled with a massage table and… well, not much else. It was a massage room, not a full day spa - I was disappointed. There were no scrubs or wraps available. A very nice masseuse offered me a massage (which, to her credit, was excellent) but it wasn't the full spa experience I was hoping for. This went down as bad. (Rating: 2/5 – False advertising on the spa!)
- Pool with a View: The pool was alright. Perfectly fine for a dip.
- The Sauna and Steamroom: I looked into the sauna door and it was a little worse for wear. I skipped that.
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: See above!
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: They had a small exercise room with treadmills and basic weights - it looked clean.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Pandemic Edition
Anti-viral cleaning products & Professional-grade sanitizing services: They claimed to use them.
Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: Nope! The breakfast was a communal buffet.
Daily disinfection in common areas: Hard to say.
Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: I didn't need either, thank goodness.
Hand sanitizer: Available, which is appreciated.
Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: They tried.
Room sanitization opt-out available: This wasn't offered on our stay, they didn't ask.
Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Seemed like it, but hard to say for sure.
Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Not really in the breakfast area.
Rooms sanitized between stays: Probably, hopefully…
…And The Breakfast Buffet – A Story of Resilience: Okay, the breakfast buffet. Let's just say it wasn't exactly a gourmet experience. It had the staples: scrambled eggs (questionable provenance), sausage, waffles, cereal, and some sad-looking fruit. The coffee? Let's just say it tasted… awake. I'll give them credit for the effort, but it wasn't exactly Instagram-worthy. I did manage to find a delicious waffle with some syrup. (Rating: 3/5 - you get what you pay for, I guess.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Adventure
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: - There were various restaurants, a bar, and a poolside bar.
Bottle of water: YES! That was the best thing about the hotel. They gave out free water bottles.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things
Air conditioning in public area: It worked, thank goodness. Florida heat is no joke.
Audio-visual equipment for special events: Did not see.
Business facilities, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, 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: They had a lot of things. Laundry, housekeeping, event hosting.
Cash withdrawal: I’m pretty sure they had an ATM.
For the Kids: Kid-Friendly…ish.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They claim to be. They let the kids run around during breakfast.
In the Room: Where You Actually Sleep
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: The rooms were… adequate. Clean, surprisingly. The bed was comfortable enough, although the pillows were a bit… flat. The air conditioning worked, which was a lifesaver. The bathroom was clean and functional. The
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is the REAL deal: a messy, glorious, slightly manic peek into my stay at the Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and a healthy dose of "what was I thinking?"
Lakeland, Florida: The Days Inn & the Descent into Mild Chaos
(Because let's be honest, Lakeland isn't exactly Paris, and that's part of the charm, right?)
Day 1: Arrival, Mild Disappointment, and the Pursuit of Snackage
- 1:00 PM: Arrival & the Lobby of Lies. Okay, "suites," huh? Let's just say my room, while technically having a separate sitting area, resembled a slightly larger closet. The "continental breakfast" listed online? More like a continental whisper. A sad little waffle maker, some suspiciously stale muffins, and coffee I wouldn't feed to my least favorite houseplant. Still, that AC was a lifesaver. Florida heat, ugh.
- 1:30 PM: Unpacking & the Silent Judgment of Hotel Carpeting. Unpacked. The carpet made me think, "is this what my future will look like? Staring at patterns like this, regretting life choices?"
- 2:00 PM: The Urgent Search for Snacks. Okay, crisis mode. I needed sustenance. Desperately. The vending machine held the promise of Cheetos dust and regret. Found a Dollar General down the street. Score! Bought enough chips, candy, and questionable iced tea to fuel a small army. My emotional support snacks.
- 3:00 PM: Pool? Maybe, or the Curse of the Sticky Lounge Chair. Seriously considered a dip in the pool. Considered. But the potential for stickiness, the Florida sun beating down, and the general vibe of utter relaxation… Nah. Comfort in air conditioning.
- 4:00 PM: TV and the Endless Clutter of Thought. Channel surfing. Landed on a nature documentary. Alligators. Suddenly, I was completely lost in thought. The vastness of the universe. The meaning of life. All while staring at a gator sunbathing in the Everglades. This is the magic of travel, people. The total and utter, delightful mess of randomness.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner & the Great Pizza Debacle. Ordered pizza from a local joint. The reviews online were mixed, which should have been a red flag. But I was hungry. The pizza arrived. It was… a culinary crime. The crust was like cardboard, the cheese was a congealed goop, and the toppings tasted like despair. Ate half a slice. Called it a night. Watched more TV.
- 9:00 PM: Bed and the Sweet Embrace of the Mattress. Attempted to sleep. Tossed and turned. This mattress and I had a complicated relationship.
Day 2: The Botanical Gardens & The Awakening
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast 2.0 - The "I Learned My Lesson" Edition. Okay, no more motel coffee. Found a coffee shop downtown. Life-changing.
- 9:00 AM: The Botanical Gardens – A Glorious Dose of Green. Oh my GOD. This was it. The gardens! The sheer explosion of color, the delicate fragrance of flowers, the friendly butterflies fluttering around… I could have stayed there all day. I. Did. Not. Prepare for the sheer joy of walking around and letting my brain decompress. I found myself starting at a turtle for way too long too. I am a nature documentary now.
- 11:00 AM: Gardens 2.0: I spent a lot more time here than I thought. I decided to do every experience the garden had. I even took some pictures of the pretty pond of fish. I even enjoyed myself!
- 1:00 PM: The Great Lunch Misadventures. Found a local diner. The ambiance was…old-school, to put it mildly. Had the "special"—a meatloaf sandwich that tasted suspiciously like it had been sitting in the warming tray since the Clinton administration. Ate it anyway.
- 2:00 PM: The Afternoon Nap of Doom Back at the hotel. Needed to nap off the meatloaf. Woke up with a crick in my neck and a vague sense of existential dread.
- 3:00 PM: The Shopping Expedition That Never Was. Thought about shopping. The local malls beckoned. Then, remembered the crowds, the fluorescent lights, and the overwhelming feeling of… nope. No. Stayed in my room.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner, Round 2 - Back on the Hunt. Desperate for better food. Attempted to cook something in my room using the microwave and a fork. The results were… questionable. Gave up and ordered another pizza. This time from a different place. Slightly better. Still not good. The great pizza drought continues.
- 8:00 PM: The Great Television Binge. Watched a bunch of shows on the TV. Some were really good. Others were trash. The endless cycle of entertainment.
- 10:00 PM: The Sweet Embrace of the Mattress, Again. Tried to sleep. Still felt that crick in my neck.
Day 3: Departure, Reflections, and the Quest for the Perfect Cup of Coffee
- 9:00 AM: Checkout… and the lingering question of, "Will I ever find good coffee in Lakeland?". The checkout process was painless. The staff was mostly nice.
- 9:30 AM: Coffee, It's Personal. One last desperate attempt to find a decent cup of coffee before leaving. Went to the same coffee shop from yesterday. Finally, a good cup of coffee. The universe rewards perseverance, I guess.
- 10:00 AM: The Final Reflections on the Days Inn - and Life. Well, it wasn't glamorous. It wasn't perfect. It was a hotel, it was in Florida. But I had a good time? (I think?)
- 11:00 AM: On the road again!. The city, and the hotel, were behind me. I'm ready for the next journey.
Final Thoughts:
Lakeland, you were… an experience. The Days Inn & Suites, you were… well, you were a place to stay. The chaos, the bad pizza, the existential dread, the unexpected joy of the Botanical Gardens – it was all part of the adventure. Would I return? Maybe. But next time, I'm packing my own coffee maker. And maybe a hazmat suit for the pizza. And now, onto the next adventure!
(And that's the truth. I wouldn't have it any other way.)
Hyatt Place Lakeland Center: Your Dream Lakeland Getaway Awaits!
Lakeland Getaway: Days Inn & Suites - FAQ (Because Let's Be Real, You Have Questions)
Okay, Seriously, About Those "Unbeatable Deals"... Are They Actually?
Alright, alright, let's cut the marketing fluff. "Unbeatable" is a strong word, right? And honestly, sometimes it feels like hotels say that about *everything*. BUT... *whispers conspiratorially*... I actually think they're pretty darn good, most of the time. Look, I've been a budget traveler my whole life. I’ve seen some *things*. I've slept in places that made me question my life choices. So, when I saw the Days Inn deal, I was skeptical. Naturally. But!
The deals, especially mid-week, are often genuinely competitive. I snagged a room last month for like, fifty bucks! Okay, granted, it *was* Tuesday and the air conditioning was a bit...vigorous, almost *too* vigorous, like a hurricane in a shoebox, but still! Fifty bucks! That's less than I spend on takeout coffee in a week. So yeah, check the usual travel sites, compare, and you'll probably find something worthwhile. Don't expect a Ritz-Carlton experience for that price, obviously. But for a clean, comfy place to crash while exploring Lakeland? Yeah, the deals often live up to the hype. Definitely check those midweek stays, you'll thank me later. And by the way, the free breakfast is... well, it's free. More on that later (prepare yourselves).
Speaking of Breakfast... Don't Tell Me It's All Just Stale Donuts and Weak Coffee?
Ugh. Donut anxiety. I know the feeling. And, okay, look. I'm not gonna sugarcoat this (pun absolutely intended): Yes, there *are* donuts. And yes, the coffee... well, it's there. It'll wake you up, eventually. It's the kind of coffee that makes you think, "Is this coffee? Or just...brown-colored water with a vague caffeine suggestion?"
But! Here's the thing. There's *usually* also other stuff. Think: the usual breakfast fare. Toast, bagels (sometimes), the infamous "waffle maker" (which I'm convinced is a national treasure), maybe some scrambled eggs (which, let's be honest, can be a gamble. Sometimes they’re fluffy clouds of goodness, sometimes they're… well, textured). Fruit is a gamble, too. You might get some sad-looking apples, but hey, it's free! And, you know, there's always the cereal option, which is a lifesaver if you're a picky eater like yours truly. I once, when I was feeling particularly adventurous, made a waffle, piled it high with scrambled eggs and some…questionable-looking fruit. No Regrets. The point is, it's *free*. And in a world that seems determined to charge you for *everything*, free breakfast is a victory. Don't expect gourmet, but go in with an open mind (and maybe your own coffee creamer).
Tell Me About the Comfort... Is It Actually Comfortable? I'm a Princess (Or at Least Pretend to Be).
Comfort. The holy grail of travel, right? Okay, so, the Days Inn in Lakeland isn't going to win any awards for interior design. Don't expect a plush pillow menu, a rainfall shower head, or a butler to unpack your bags. However! I find the rooms to be perfectly… adequate. They're clean. The beds are…fine. They're not the *best* beds I've ever slept in, but they're a hell of a lot better than some of the questionable hostel beds I've endured. I’ve seen better beds, but I've seen WORSE. And really, that's the key. At the price, you can’t expect the Ritz.
The air conditioning situation is… variable. That's the politest way I can put it. Sometimes it’s a roaring glacier, sometimes it seems like it's just…thinking about cooling. (Pack a sweater regardless). But hey, you're there to explore Lakeland, not to hang out in the room all day, right? And the shower? Okay, so maybe the water pressure isn't going to blast you into next week, but it gets the job done. It's a clean, functioning, reasonably comfortable place to rest your weary head after a day of exploring. And let's be honest, sometimes you just need a clean, quiet place to decompress with a cheesy Netflix binge and not have to worry about paying for a ridiculously overpriced bottle of water.
What's the Deal with the Pool? Is It Gross?
The pool. Ah, the pool. Where dreams of leisurely afternoons are often… tempered by reality. Okay, look. The pool at the Days Inn is *usually* fine. I haven’t personally contracted any strange illnesses after a dip. The water *tends* to look clear. There are usually some plastic chairs, maybe a table or two, and, if you're lucky, a slight breeze.
One time, though... One time, I was there, and let's just say there were a few more… leaves… than I would have preferred. And a rogue pool noodle or two. But hey, it's a pool! Stuff happens. Overall, it's a perfectly acceptable place to cool off after a day in the Florida sun. I mean, it's not the Four Seasons pool, but it's a pool. And sometimes, that’s all you need. Just don’t go in expecting pristine perfection. Manage your expectations. And maybe bring your own towel (just in case).
Is It Close to Things? I Want to See Lakeland!
Location, location, location! That's the mantra, right? Well, the Days Inn in Lakeland is…conveniently located. It's not *right* in the heart of downtown, but it's close enough. You’ll definitely need a car to get around Lakeland, but it's easy to get to the places you’d be interested in visiting. You can easily drive to the main attractions, like the Polk Museum of Art, and the various lakes. Honestly, the location is one of the biggest selling points. You're not stuck in the middle of nowhere, and it's a decent base for exploring the area. Check Google Maps to get a better feel, but you aren't signing yourself up for hours upon hours of driving, definitely a win! Just keep an eye on traffic, especially during rush hour (Florida traffic. *shudders*).
What's the Wi-Fi Like? Because I Need My Cat Videos. Seriously.
The Wi-Fi. Oh, the eternal struggle! Okay, the Wi-Fi at the Days Inn is…serviceable. Don’t expect lightning-fast speeds that will make your online gaming buddies jealous. You’ll probably be able to stream your cat videos, check your email, and upload the obligatory vacation photos to Instagram. It's not always the most reliable, and sometimes it will cut out on you… usually right in the middle of a crucial cat video. But for the most part, it's adequate. I've managed to survive the ordeal, and my cat videoBook Hotels Now
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