Champaign's BEST Kept Secret? This Urbana Hotel Will SHOCK You!

Best Western Plus Champaign/Urbana Inn Champaign (IL) United States

Champaign's BEST Kept Secret? This Urbana Hotel Will SHOCK You!

Champaign's "BEST Kept Secret"? My Unfiltered Take on This Urbana Hotel That Blew My Mind (and Maybe Yours Too!)

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on this Urbana hotel that claims to be Champaign's "Best Kept Secret." And let me tell you, after my stay, the "secret" is probably that they're undercharging! 😂 Prepare for a review that's less polished brochure and more… well, me, rambling about the good, the bad, and the gloriously unexpected.

First Impression: Access and Vibes (and the Initial Panic!)

Okay, first off, the accessibility. I was genuinely impressed. Wheelchair accessible throughout, wide hallways, and elevators that weren't the size of a phone booth. Kudos! They even have facilities for disabled guests, which, let's be honest, not every place thinks about. (Important note: While they say "pets allowed unavailable", I didn't see any, but if Fido's your travel buddy, double-check!)

Now, the vibes. Stepping inside, I kinda felt like I'd stumbled onto a movie set. It wasn’t that sterile hotel-chain feel. There was actual ART on the walls, damn. And the lighting? Chefs kiss They've clearly put thought into this place. And it worked - a little. It’s not perfect and I think this place would benefit from a good dose of some lived-in realness, but that’s just me. I'm a messy bitch.

The Rooms: A Sanctuary (Mostly) and Internet Woes

The room itself? Ah, yes, the rooms. Let's break it down because this is where things get interesting, and by "interesting" I MEAN where my OCD kicks in.

• The Good: Air conditioning blasted like a blizzard (thank you, sweet baby Jesus!), a seriously comfy bed with a blackout curtain situation that was chef's kiss for sleeping in, a well-stocked mini-bar (hello, guilty pleasure!), a desk, and a sofa big enough to disappear into. Bathtub was HUGE. Also, free Wi-Fi that actually worked!
• The Quirks: My hair dryer was from like, the Stone Age. I think it might've predated electricity. The Internet access – LAN? Yeah, I’m guessing that would have been useful if I still used Netscape Navigator. Thankfully, the Wi-Fi [free] was…mostly reliable. More on that later.
• The Extra Touches: Bathrobes? Check. Slippers? Check. Complimentary tea and bottle of water? Bless you, hotel gods.

The Internet Saga: Love, Hate, and the Eternal Buffer Wheel

Okay, so the Wi-Fi [free]… It was… temperamental. One minute streaming, the next minute… a buffering wheel of doom. This is where my OCD truly started to act up. I needed the internet. I was working. And, well, I'll admit it, also watching bad reality TV. I called the front desk (which, by the way, was staffed 24/7, and I was NOT expecting that), and they were super helpful, but the issue kept popping up. I eventually just learned to live with it, but seriously? Get that Wi-Fi sorted, people!

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure

Alright, let's talk about food! This is where my experience was… diverse.

• Restaurants: I’m a huge fan of restaurants, and one was open, thankfully!
• Breakfast is King: Their Breakfast [buffet] was AMAZING, especially after the internet debacle. They knew what they were doing here - I ate a solid 7 meals of food and wasn't even mad about it! They also had a great Asian breakfast. I have a weird thing for Asian cuisine in the restaurant, so that was heavenly.
• Later in the day: The Poolside bar was a fun place to have a cocktail while I made a fool of myself in the water.

Relaxation and Pampering: Spa-tastic? (and a confession)

Okay, here's a confession: I am not a spa person. I’m more of a "Netflix and chill" kind of gal. But this hotel tempted me. And I succumbed.

• The Spa: Their Spa/sauna was stunning, and the steamroom was pure magic. And I think I may have accidentally fallen asleep in the sauna. Don't tell anyone!
• My Guilty Pleasure: I actually, actually had a massage. And it was divine. The therapist was fantastic, the music was calming, and I walked out feeling like a new human.
• Pool with a view: I took a dive in the Swimming pool [outdoor]. And I was happy.

Cleanliness, Safety, and Those Little Extras That Matter

This is the important part. In these crazy times, you WANT to feel safe.

• Safety First: They were on it. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff trained in safety protocol, and visible CCTV in common areas. I felt really safe. They were rocking the safe dining setup and giving me peace of mind!
• Rooms Sanitized: Yeah, they seemed clean enough. The whole Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas thing? Felt reassuring.

Services and Comforts: From Concierge to Convenience

• Convenience is Key: They literally had everything! Concierge? Check. Laundry service? Check. Dry cleaning? Check. On-site event hosting? Probably.
• Extras: They have things like cash withdrawal, currency exchange, and a gift/souvenir shop (which I totally browsed!). Also, I'm a huge fan of daily housekeeping. Bless.

For the Kids (and the Kid in You)

Though I didn't travel with kids this time since I'm still on the dating scene, I did get the sense that this hotel gets families. They have babysitting service available!

The Bottom Line: Should You Stay Here?

Absolutely. Despite the minor internet hiccups, and the slightly dated hair dryer, this place delivers. It's got charm, comfort, great food, and a genuinely helpful staff. Yes, the title of "Best Kept Secret" might be slightly ambitious (the word got out to me, after all!), but it's definitely a hidden gem. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised. And if you see me there, buying up all the pastries at breakfast, come say hi! I'll be the one with the guilty smile and a full stomach. 😉

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Best Western Plus Champaign/Urbana Inn Champaign (IL) United States

Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your grandma's perfectly-formatted itinerary. This is my trip to the Best Western Plus in Champaign/Urbana – the real version. Prepare for tangents, whines, and a healthy dose of "Did I really just do that?"

My Champaign/Urbana Adventure: A Messy Masterpiece (or Maybe Just a Mess)

Day 1: Arrival & the Illusion of Control

• 1:00 PM - Arrival & Check-In Debacle: Okay, first off, let's talk about getting here. Flight delayed. Because, of course. And then the rental car, a little tin can with a GPS that seems to think Champaign is still in the Jurassic period. Found the Best Western, though. Hurray! At least, until check-in. Apparently, my online reservation totally misunderstood my need for a non-smoking room. "We're full," the desk clerk says, with the air of someone who's heard it all. "We can try to find you something." Oh, the anticipation. Finally snag a room, and it's… fine. Beige. Beige-colored. Beige-everything. I'm already mentally repainting.

  • Emotional Reaction: Mildly panicked (delayed flight), deeply annoyed (rental car), cautiously optimistic (check-in – but mostly just wanting to collapse).

• 2:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance & the Quest for Snacks: Standard hotel room drill. Unpack, scope out the bed (is it clean clean?), and the all-important: Where are the snacks?! Vending machine. Sigh. My nemesis. I'm convinced they put the worst snacks in vending machines. Settled for a bag of mystery chips and a diet soda. Regrets already.

• 3:00 PM - First Champaign Impression: The Drive-By: Decide to drive down North Prospect Avenue, just to get a lay of the land. That's when I spot it – a place called The Blind Pig – not exactly what I was expecting? I’m picturing dark wood, maybe some blues music. The reviews are mixed, some like it, some say the atmosphere is pretty much just a bar. Worth a shot? Probably not, but it's on the list, the mental list.

• 4:00 PM - The Search for Actual Food: The chips have worn off. Hunger is a beast. Yelp time! Found this place called Black Dog Smoke & Ale House. Okay, I'm a sucker for good BBQ and beer. Hoping for some actual good food. Fingers crossed!

• 6:00 PM - Black Dog Redemption (or, At Least, Better Than the Chips): Okay, Black Dog…wasn't bad. The pulled pork sandwich was a solid 7/10. The beer selection was decent. Atmosphere was what you’d expect: loud, busy, friendly, and, oh-so-delicious. I would definitely eat there again.

• 7:30 PM - Back to the Beige Fortress & Netflix: Embrace the hotel room life. Seriously, is there anything better than collapsing on a (hopefully) clean bed with the TV remote? Netflix and chill (with myself).

  • Quirky Observation: The hotel bath mat looks like a very sad, beige creature. I'm starting to question my life choices.
  • Emotional Reaction: A sense of quiet desperation mixed with a hint of relief.

• 9:00 PM - Sleep (Hopefully): Aim for a solid 8 hours. Tomorrow, I want to be productive… which, knowing me, probably means more aimless wandering and snack-related decisions.

Day 2: Seeking Culture (And Maybe a Decent Cup of Coffee)

• 7:00 AM - The Coffee Quest: Hotel coffee is a tragedy. Heading out, armed with a Google Maps search for "best coffee Champaign/Urbana." Wish me luck!
• 8:00 AM - Coffee Found! Cafe One51, you are my Savior! The search paid off. Cafe One51. Coffee was incredible! The place was buzzing with students and locals. A real taste of Champaign life!
• 9:00 AM - Krannert Art Museum – My Inner Critic Just Got a Workout. I've always said I like art, but…the Krannert Art Museum. Impressive. The sheer volume of, you know, art, was a bit overwhelming. My inner critic was loud. What does it mean? Is it good? Do I get it? I’ll admit, I wandered around, pretending to understand modern art. Spent a good amount of time staring at one painting, and then I realized I was staring at the wall.
• 11:30 AM - Lunch at a Local Diner: (Not the one everyone recommended). Found a small, unassuming diner just around the block from the museum. The service was friendly, and the food was greasy, comforting, and perfect. I decided to live dangerously and ordered the special: a patty melt. Oh, the joy.
• 1:00 PM - Attempting University of Illinois Exploration: The University of Illinois! It's huge. Like, "I could get lost and never be seen again" huge. I wandered around, gawking at the architecture and feeling incredibly old. Seriously, the energy is palpable, the students are full of life, and I'm just… me. Tried to find a specific building I recognized from a movie (I'm not sharing what movie). Failed miserably.
• 3:00 PM - The Bookshop Escape (And Impulse Buy): Found a used bookstore. Heaven! Hours later, after many a browse and a few very-necessary purchases (book on bad history novels).
• 5:00 PM - Dinner Plans: The Quest for the Perfect Pizza: Pizza. It's a universal need. Yelp is my friend again. Going for something simple, something comforting, with a side of optimism.
• 7:00 PM - Pizza Verdict: Papa Del's Pizza is a Winner! Papa Del's Pizza was a massive, delicious slice of heaven. I've officially found my happy place!
• 8:00 PM - A Quiet Evening of Reading and Regret (Slightly)/: Back to the hotel. Book in hand. And contemplating whether I should have ordered an extra slice of pizza.
  • Emotional Reaction: Pizza bliss mixed with a tinge of overeating remorse. But mostly bliss.
  • Messy Rambling: Maybe I should have tried to take in a show? Would’ve been nice… but exhaustion wins. Always.
• 9:00 PM - Bedtime (Probably earlier than planned): The siren song of sleep is calling.

Day 3: Departure & the Unanswered Questions

• 7:00 AM - Hotel Breakfast… Again: Sigh. The buffet is… well, it's a hotel buffet. Ate some cold cereal, watched some bad news, and vowed to find somewhere to get a proper breakfast at the airport.
• 8:00 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Search: Quick dash to a local shop for a "I Survived Champaign/Urbana" t-shirt (because, why not?).
• 9:00 AM - Checkout & Farewell to Beige: Said goodbye to the beige palace.
• 10:00 AM - Airport Drama: (Almost missed the flight)
• Departure: On the plane, heading home, and already planning my return. Champaign/Urbana, you weird, wonderful place, I'll be back.
  • Emotional Reaction: A mix of exhaustion, accomplishment, and a weird kind of fondness.
  • Opinionated Language: Honestly, I'd recommend this little trip to anyone. Just, you know, don't expect perfection. Embrace the mess.

There you have it. The raw, unfiltered truth about my Champaign/Urbana adventure. I hope you enjoyed it. And if you’re planning a trip, I hope it’s just as wonderfully imperfect as mine.

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Best Western Plus Champaign/Urbana Inn Champaign (IL) United States```html

Champaign's BEST Kept Secret...? Oh, This Urbana Hotel – Buckle Up, Buttercups!

Is this Urbana hotel *really* a hidden gem? Like, actually?

Okay, fine, let's get this out of the way. "Hidden gem" is a loaded phrase, isn't it? Makes you think of dusty attics and forgotten fortunes. In this case? Well, let's just say it's *remarkably* under-the-radar. I was skeptical, I *swear*. Seen my share of "gems" that turned out to be… well, not. But this Urbana hotel? It's got something. Maybe it's the offbeat charm. Maybe it's the… well, you’ll see. Let's say, yeah, maybe. Definitely worth the curiosity peek.

What's the "shocking" part? Don't leave me hanging!

Alright, alright. Deep breaths. Okay, so the "shocking" element isn't a spider the size of your head or anything. But… it’s the unexpected. First of all the vibes. It’s like stepping back into a time, maybe a time that was just a *little* kitchy. One of those places where you're immediately thinking, "Oh, *this* is an experience." I remember the first time I checked in. The desk clerk, bless her heart, seemed genuinely thrilled to see *someone*, like I’d personally rescued her from a desert island. Made me realize how long it's been since anyone else had checked in.

Is it… clean? Because I'm a little germaphobe-ish.

Okay, this is vital, because I'm... well, I'm *not* a total clean freak, but I'm not signing myself up for a biohazard zone. The rooms are clean. Like, genuinely clean. Not sterile-hospital clean, thankfully. More like, "Grandma's house, but she really likes to dust" clean. I'm not going to lie, there are certain areas where the age of the place shows. Maybe a little faded wallpaper in the hallways. A slight, shall we say, "vintage" scent in some corners. But? The sheets? Crisp. The bathroom? Sparkling. Deep breaths. It's good. It's definitely good.

What's the food situation like? Is there even food?

Oh, *food*. This is where things get… interesting. They *do* have a dining area, or at least something that *used* to be a dining area. Apparently, they used to serve breakfast, but after a few comments about the lack of the breakfast buffet, maybe they’re scaling it back. I’m not entirely sure. But there *is* a vending machine. And, hey, there are always local restaurants nearby! Which is sometimes a better idea anyway.

Okay, but what's *actually* good about it? Beyond the vintage scent?

Alright, alright, I'm getting to the good stuff! Let me tell you something... it's the *feeling*. Seriously. It's the lack of… corporate-ness. The lack of chain-hotel pretense. It's *real*. It's got a certain lived-in quality that's hugely refreshing. I swear, it feels like an old friend sometimes. It also has a weird, almost nostalgic charm. Maybe the way the sunlight streams in through the windows. Maybe the squeaky elevator that sounds like it's seen some things. It is honestly bizarre. But I love it.

Tell me about a specific experience that really sold you on the place.

Okay, buckle up. This is a story… You know how sometimes you just need a little peace? A break from the relentless *noise* of everything? Well, I was in a *state*. Just… fried. Work was a nightmare, my car was making a noise that sounded like a dying walrus, and I was pretty sure the world was ending. I booked a room on a whim. No expectations. Didn’t matter, I just needed to escape. I got to the hotel late, probably around 10PM, and the desk clerk, the same one I mentioned earlier, was practically asleep at the wheel. I woke her up, felt awful. "Oh, honey," she said, looking me up and down, "you look like you need a good night's sleep. Here's your key. Room 304. Don't let the bedbugs bite!" (She was joking *probably*). I got to my room, dumped my bags, and then... it hit me. The quiet. Like, *real* quiet. No traffic, no sirens, no blaring TVs. Just… silence. And the bed! The best part was the bed. Look, I'm a bed snob. This was a time of the bed that was both comfortable and felt loved. Woke up the next morning feeling… human again. Not fixed, mind you. But better. And that, my friends, is worth *everything*.

Any downsides? Because nothing's perfect, right?

Oh, yeah, there are downsides! You *need* to know this. The elevator, as mentioned? It’s slow. Real slow. Like, makes-you-consider-walking-up-the-stairs slow. The WiFi is... spotty. Let's just say you'll want to bring a book or a good, old-fashioned, reliable hotspot. And don't expect a gym. Or a pool. Or anything resembling luxury. This isn't a spa retreat. It's a… well, a charmingly *imperfect* escape. But honestly, that's part of the appeal.

Should I go? Seriously, should I?

I can't *tell* you what to do! I'm not your travel advisor! But… if you're tired of the same old, same old? If you appreciate a bit of character, and can handle a little… *rustic-ness*? If you're looking for something different? Then, yeah. Go. Just… don't expect perfection. Expect a bit of a time warp. Expect a warm welcome. And prepare to be… surprised. You might hate it. You might love it. I personally? I can't wait to go back.

```Honeymoon Havenst

Best Western Plus Champaign/Urbana Inn Champaign (IL) United States

Best Western Plus Champaign/Urbana Inn Champaign (IL) United States

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