Coon Rapids Getaway: Unbelievable Baymont by Wyndham Deal!
Coon Rapids Getaway: Baymont by Wyndham… Deal of the Century? (Or Maybe Just a Weekender)
Alright, let's dive into this Coon Rapids adventure, Baymont by Wyndham style. "Unbelievable deal" they say? Well, hold onto your hats, folks, because sometimes "unbelievable" just means… well, we'll get to that. I went in expecting a budget-friendly escape, and, let's be honest, a chance to finally conquer that novel I've been 'working' on for a year. Did it deliver? Let's break it down, shall we? (And yes, I'm reviewing the whole shebang, not just the room. Don't worry, I'll get to the Wi-Fi situation--it was crucial for research… or you know, scrolling.)
SEO & Metadata Stuff (Don't worry, I'll be myself again soon!)
- Keywords: Coon Rapids, Baymont by Wyndham, hotel review, Minnesota, Budget travel, accessibility, Pool, Spa, Breakfast, Wi-Fi, Family-friendly, Pet-friendly (sort of!), Affordable, Weekend getaway, Cleanliness, Sanitization, Coon Rapids hotels, Minnesota hotels, Hotel deals, Family travel, Couples retreat.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Baymont by Wyndham in Coon Rapids. Is it a hidden gem or a budget traveler's battlefield? Find out about the amenities, cleanliness, accessibility, food and (most importantly) the Wi-Fi! Prepare for laughs, maybe some tears, and definitely some strong opinions.
- Category: Travel, Hotel Reviews, Budget Travel.
First Impressions & The Real Deal (Accessibility, Cleanliness, and My Sanity)
Okay, first off, the accessibility. Now, I don't need full accessibility, but I appreciate it. And the Baymont…well, they try. They have an elevator (essential!), and some facilities for disabled guests. The exterior, with its exterior corridor, felt a little… motel-y, but hey, I wasn't expecting the Ritz. The car park [free of charge] was a welcome sight after that hellish drive.
Walking in, the lobby was… clean. Mostly. There were a LOT of hand sanitizer stations, which, in the current climate, is a huge plus. And kudos for the CCTV in common areas and security [24-hour]. It felt relatively safe. I say relatively because, well…let's get to the room.
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (And Wi-Fi Woes)
The room… it wasn't huge, but it had the essentials. Air conditioning? Check. Desk? Check. Wi-Fi [free]? Double check…but also, a big question mark.
The Wi-Fi situation was, let's just say, a saga. They claim it’s Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, and it technically was. Sometimes. I spent approximately 30 minutes wrestling with the connection, desperately trying to upload a single photo of my cat (priorities, people!). It intermittently died. The signal was weaker than my willpower to resist the free continental breakfast's pastries. Apparently, the Internet access – wireless was…well, inconsistent. There was also Internet access – LAN, which, let’s be real, who even has LAN cables anymore?! Anyway I'm not tech savvy enough to know if it worked better. I did have a Laptop workspace, but I spent most of the time staring at the spinning wheel of death. Forget streaming entire movies! My writing productivity plummeted, but I digress.
The alarm clock was ancient, though it did work. One morning, I was jolted awake, realizing I was late for a massage I'd booked. Wake-up service? I gave up on that after the first day.
My room did, however, have a mini bar that was empty. Coffee/tea maker? Functional, though I used the complimentary tea until it ran out. Blackout curtains were my best friend, and the soundproofing was…so-so. I could still vaguely hear the muffled screams of joy coming from someone's kids in the hallway. Non-smoking? Thank the heavens. Non-smoking rooms? They have them!
Cleanliness?
They claim Rooms sanitized between stays and the Daily disinfection in common areas. Again, I felt it was relatively clean. I actually felt safe. But the Anti-viral cleaning products didn't fully erase my paranoia. You know the feeling, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Journey
Okay, the breakfast. The free Breakfast [buffet]. It existed. There was the usual: pastries that were dry but technically edible, instant coffee, questionable scrambled eggs, and the joy of Breakfast takeaway service for those early morning escapes. I did appreciate the Individually-wrapped food options because you know, hygiene, right? But it did lack any real inspiration. Asian breakfast or lunch? Nope. Vegetarian options? Not exactly. Though there might be a Coffee shop, but I never found it.
They have a Poolside bar which was closed during my visit. There’s a Snack bar, I think, in the lobby. Mostly vending machines though. There might be a Restaurant that, from what I could tell, isn’t in the building.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and the "Spa" (Let's be Real)
The Swimming pool [outdoor] looked… inviting. Sort of. It was heated and looked clean. But I didn’t indulge.
There’s a Fitness center. I peeked inside. It looked…like a fitness center.
Massage booked! I needed it after the drive!
Spa/sauna? They have a spa, apparently. And they have a Sauna and a Steamroom. I'm now considering a second visit with a dedicated relaxation focus.
The Pool with view was, well, it had a view. Of other buildings.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly?
The place is definitely Family/child friendly. I heard a lot of screaming. I think they have Kids meal options.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Comforts
The front desk [24-hour] was helpful. They were also very polite. The Cashless payment service was a plus. Daily housekeeping was a blessing. Elevator was a must. The concierge was helpful, but I didn't use them much. Gift/souvenir shop? I didn't see one. Free bottled water!
The Downside: My Minor Gripes (and a Dash of the Real)
The room decorations? Minimalist, to put it kindly. Let's call it "functional." Extra long bed? (Good). Mirror? Check. The Window that opens was actually nice for a little fresh air. But it wasn't a dream experience. I'd say, a good place to rest your head.
My rant about the Wi-Fi is a testament to how much it mattered to me. The Verdict: Unbelievable Deal?… Maybe.
Would I go back? Probably. Especially if I get the same ridiculously reasonable price. It's a solid choice for a budget-friendly trip, especially if you're not planning on doing much work (or streaming, or anything that requires a stable internet connection) in your room. The cleanliness and service did surpass my expectations, but the Wi-Fi? That's where this hotel almost lost me. Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars (with a strong emphasis on "for the price"). The Wi-Fi really knocked it down. But I'd stay for a weekend and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick escape without selling a kidney.
Escape to Paradise: South Coast Winery's Unforgettable Temecula Getaway
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-printed travel itinerary. This is going to be a mess… a glorious, sweaty, slightly-hungover mess, born from trying to actually enjoy a stay at the Baymont in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Let's see if we survive this…
The Coon Rapids Caper: A Semi-Coherent Itinerary (Pray for Me)
Day 1: Arrival, Pizza, and Existential Dread in the Pool (or, “Why Did I Choose Coon Rapids?”)
2:00 PM: Arrive at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP). Alright, flight went okay. Found my checked bag! Small victory. Now… the rental car. Hertz, you're already testing my patience with this line. (Muttering: "Coon Rapids… Coon Rapids… what were you thinking, brain?")
3:30 PM: Finally get the keys. The rental car is… a beige sedan. It smells faintly of old french fries and despair. Perfect. GPS set for Baymont Coon Rapids. The drive? Well, it's Minnesota. Lots of flat, lots of sky, and a whole lotta nothing at the moment.
4:30 PM: Check in at Baymont. The lobby… it's… Baymont. You know the drill. Plastic furniture, faint smell of chlorine and regret. The clerk seems utterly indifferent to my existence. Which, honestly, kind of vibes with how I feel right now. Room key acquired.
5:00 PM: Room Reveal. Okay, actually… the room is… surprisingly okay. Clean sheets, a decent TV, and no visible signs of infestation. Small victories, people! Unpack. Immediately realize I forgot my phone charger. Damn it. This is going to be a thing.
6:00 PM: Pizza Time! Gotta eat, right? Google Maps points me towards the nearest pizza joint, "The Rusty Spoon." They claim to have deep-dish. Deep dish is a non-negotiable for me. And, for the love of everything, I hope it's good.
7:00 PM: Pizza assessment. Verdict: Adequate. Not Chicago-level deep-dish, but satisfies the hunger. The Rusty Spoon itself… well, it's seen things. But the service was fast and friendly. And I'm not judging.
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM: Pool time! Okay, I've been putting this off. The indoor pool at the Baymont is calling. I'm a little hesitant. Indoor pools always have a certain energy, don't they? A kind of humid, slightly-chlorinated, "anything can happen" vibe. I decide to take the plunge.
- Here's the thing about hotel pools. They're often…a mixed bag. This one is perfectly acceptable. The water is surprisingly clean, and the surrounding area features the usual suspects: damp towels, chlorine smell, and a family of seven, happily splashing. I quickly become the solitary guy in the corner, nursing a lukewarm coffee from my room and observing the chaos. (Is it just me, or does the pool water seem to be blending with the carpet around it?)
- An emotional journey… yes, I'm feeling it. Initially, a brief surge of joy—pool! Then a splash of awkwardness. This is an emotional rollercoaster of a pool excursion. I decide to spend a little more time as I watch families making memories, kids squealing, and old timers floating. As the temperature dropped, so does my motivation to stay. My emotions… well, I start to feel a little deflated, and I head back to my room.
10:00 PM: Attempt to watch TV. Flip through channels. Find nothing of interest. Stare at the ceiling and wonder how I ended up here, in Coon Rapids, on a Tuesday. Consider ordering a pizza… again. Decide against it. The existential dread is strong tonight.
Day 2: Mall of America Mayhem! And Finding Some Spark.
9:00 AM: Wake up. Feel surprisingly okay. That pizza was a lifesaver, and sleep helped.
- Breakfast at the hotel is what you'd expect. Oatmeal, bad coffee, and some stale pastries. Fueling up for the day.
10:00 AM: Road trip to the Mall of America! I set the GPS; it says about 45 minutes. This part of the trip is a rollercoaster of "Oh my god I forgot my charger" vs. "Mall of America!" The highway is fairly uneventful, until I'm suddenly surrounded by gigantic billboards and the promise of shopping heaven.
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Mall of America. Alright, buckle up. This place is massive. My plan is to… well, I don't really have a plan. Explore, marvel at the sheer scale of everything, and try not to get completely lost.
- The roller coaster: Absolutely necessary. Riding that is a blast, and honestly, it actually lifted my spirits.
- Checking out the shops: I spent an hour in a bookstore. So much better than I thought. I could spend my entire afternoon doing it, if I could.
- The People: The Mall is an ecosystem rich with human diversity. I see families, teenagers, tourists, and everyone else! It’s exhilarating and exhausting all at once.
4:00 PM: Head back to the Baymont, tired but mostly satisfied with my choices.
7:00 PM: Dinner time! Trying a local spot in Coon Rapids. Maybe something… non-pizza. Still debating between a burger or a salad. (The struggle is real.)
8:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Phone almost dead. Regret deepening. Need to invest in a portable charger. Seriously.
Day 3: Farewell, Coon Rapids (and the Search for a Charger)
9:00 AM: Check out. Smooth and efficient. The front desk clerk is still utterly indifferent. Fair enough, I am too.
9:30 AM: Final attempts to find a phone charger: Gas stations, convenience stores. Failure. Begin to contemplate a life without technology. Suddenly, a gas station I hadn't tried before! Miracle! Charger acquired.
10:00 AM: Leave the Baymont.
10:30 AM: Head back to the airport. The thought of being home is all that I can think about.
12:00 PM: Flight home. Saying goodbye to Minnesota.
Final Thoughts (and Regrets):
Coon Rapids. You were… something. Definitely got a good dose of reality. The Baymont: totally fine. Nothing to write home about, but safe and clean is all I needed, and not as bad as I feared. I should have packed a charger. Seriously, lesson learned.
Would I go back? Maybe. Probably not. But I had a unique experience, and I'm thankful. I got some laughs, some questionable pizza, and a renewed appreciation for the simple things. And hey, at least I survived. Until next time!
Huntsville's BEST Courtyard Hotel: University Drive Perfection!
So, "Unbelievable Deal," huh? What's the catch? (Don't lie to me. I've seen the fine print before.)
Alright, alright, let's address the elephant in the… well, the slightly questionable-smelling room. "Unbelievable Deal" is a strong phrase, yeah? Look, it *is* pretty cheap. Like, "I'm still shocked I booked it" cheap. The catch? Well, you're in Coon Rapids. And it's the Baymont. Remember those old motel scenes in movies with the flickering neon signs? Could be that. But listen, it's a roof, a bed (hopefully clean-ish), and a chance to escape the monotony. That's worth something, right? Plus, cheap booze in town, always a plus.
What's the actual *room* like? Please, be honest. Did the last guest leave a... *surprise*?
Okay, here's the truth. I booked this thing expecting a room that's seen better decades. And the truth is... it's not *terrible*. The bed... I won't say it was the *most* comfortable bed ever, but I slept. Surprisingly soundly, actually! The TV? Functional. The bathroom? Well, the water ran, and that's a win sometimes, right? I checked for… well, let's just say I definitely didn't find any "surprises" left by previous tenants, I'm proud of that. The carpet... that's seen some things. Don't stare. Don't think. Just… walk. But hey, for the price, you can't expect the Ritz. They did have complimentary soap, and let me tell you, I appreciated that more than I should probably admit.
What amenities are included? (Besides the lingering scent of air freshener, hopefully.)
Air freshener? Honey, you'll *need* the air freshener. Okay, amenities. There’s a pool. I didn't brave it. Looked...green. And I'm not sure I trust public pools *anywhere*. It has the promised WiFi. It worked, mostly. Sometimes it would randomly go out, and let me tell you, after a long day of doing… well, whatever you do in Coon Rapids… the sudden WiFi drop was a personal insult. There’s a free breakfast. Don't get your hopes up. It's the standard continental fare of questionable quality, but free carbs and cold cereal are always a good start. You might want to bring some of your own granola. And coffee - make sure you bring your own coffee or just bite the bullet and go to a gas station for the good stuff. The one across the street had a decent selection. Really, though, the best amenity is the escape. A temporary one, at least.
About that "Coon Rapids" part… What's there to *do*? Please tell me it's not just a giant, beige void.
Okay, Coon Rapids. Let's be real, it ain't Paris. But it wasn't a total beige void either, I swear! I did a little research. There are parks, apparently one with a skate park, and some decent-looking restaurants. The local brewery? I hear it's decent. And honestly? Sometimes, the best thing you can do on a getaway is *nothing*. Just, breathe. Read a book (I did! Seriously, that bed, as questionable as its origins may be, was perfect for reading. And the AC worked!). Walk around and talk to some people. Okay, so maybe I went a little bit deeper. I found a place that sold comic books. I was there for like an hour. And I love horror movies, so I found a pretty decent movie theater. Just…manage your expectations. It's the kind of place where a friendly "hello" at the gas station can make your whole day. The key is to embrace the low-key. Embrace the… the quiet.
Okay, so you've been there. Would you *recommend* it? Honestly?
Look, this is the big question, right? Would I recommend the "Coon Rapids Getaway: Unbelievable Baymont by Wyndham Deal?" Honestly? It depends on *who* you are. And what you need. If you're looking for luxury, skip it. If you're looking for Instagram-worthy photos, probably not. If you're looking for an escape, a cheap place to crash, and a chance to… well, just *be*, then yeah. I actually did. It's a quirky, imperfect, and maybe slightly depressing at times experience. But hey, isn’t life like that?
I came back with some stories. I *saw* some things. And I got a good night's sleep. And sometimes, that's enough. The Baymont is not going to be a perfect experience. The town isn't Paris or New York. But if you go in with the right expectations, you might leave with something more than you thought. Plus, think of it as a character-building experience. You might find yourself appreciating the little things more. Like a clean(ish) pillowcase. And that, my friends, is a win in my book.
Tell me *more* about the breakfast situation. Is it edible? I MEAN REALLY, IS IT?
Breakfast. Oh, breakfast. Let's just say, I've had better. I've definitely had worse. Think… lukewarm scrambled eggs that may or may not have come from a carton of… well, eggs. Cereal that's been sitting out since the dawn of time. And… the coffee. The coffee was… brave. It was coffee, sure, but it had a certain... *je ne sais quoi* of stale grounds and desperation. But here's the thing: I needed coffee. Desperately. I, therefore, poured a large cup, took a deep breath, and drank it. It did the job. I survived. I even got to sit at a table with a small, ancient-looking gentleman who seemed to have spent his entire life at that very Baymont, every single day. We didn't speak. But we shared a silent understanding. We were both there. We were both awake. And we were both drinking… the coffee. I wouldn't say it was *good*. But it was part of the *experience*. And that, my friends, is what makes it so… memorable.
What's the *vibe* of the Baymont? Think specific. Are we talking "friendly and welcoming" or "creepy and unsettling"?
The vibe… hmmm. Okay, buckle up. This isn't going to be a warm and fuzzy answer. It's a mix. A really weird mix. It was decidedly *not* creepy. The staff seemed… fine. Maybe a bit tired, but who can blame them? The place had a palpable sense of "been there, done that." The peeling wallpaper, the slightly off-kilter artworkBudget Travel Destination
Post a Comment for "Coon Rapids Getaway: Unbelievable Baymont by Wyndham Deal!"