Escape to Miramichi: Your Perfect Days Inn Getaway Awaits!
Escape to Miramichi: My Actually Honest Days Inn Getaway Review (Because Let's Be Real)
Okay, so I just got back from a "perfect" getaway to the Days Inn in Miramichi, NB. Emphasis on the quotes, because let's face it, perfection is a myth, especially when you're traveling. But hey, I'm here to spill the beans, the good, the bad, and the slightly soggy (more on that later).
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- Description: My unvarnished review of the Days Inn Miramichi, covering everything from accessibility and cleanliness to the questionable merits of the "Asian" breakfast and the surprisingly decent pool. Expect honesty, humor, and a healthy dose of reality.
Accessibility & The Lay of the Land (Or, My Failed Attempt at a Smooth Entrance):
Right off the bat, the website promised accessibility. And yeah, the elevators were working, and the front desk was thankfully on the ground floor. ACCESS: So, on the plus side, the elevator was a godsend for my weary legs. But, the initial approach involved navigating a tiny, slightly rickety ramp – not exactly confidence-inspiring, considering the "wheelchair accessible" claim. I'm ambulatory, so it was manageable, but if I actually needed a wheelchair… well, let's just say I'd be requesting assistance. It’s the little things, isn't it? Like the slightly too-high-for-short-people front desk. I'm guessing they've got someone who can help you if you need it, but if you aren't, you might feel like you are trying to order a Big Mac at a drive-thru!
Rooms: The "Cozy" Factor (And the Mystery of the Extra Towel):
My room offered everything listed in the Available in all rooms category: Air conditioning that blasted like a hurricane, a desk where I pretended to work (emails are work!), a surprisingly comfy bed, and a mini bar that was conveniently empty (a mixed blessing – less temptation, more disappointment). I did appreciate the blackout curtains, which saved me from the harsh sunrise. I'm starting to see why high floors are appealing! The bathroom did the necessary, though the shower pressure was a tad anemic. Then there was the extra towel, what's the deal with that, I asked? Is it for the floor in case of a flood? Nobody seemed to know, nobody wants to talk about it! Oh well, I can complain later.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Sanitization Olympics (And My Inner Germaphobe):
Okay, this is where the Days Inn actually scored some serious points. Despite my general distrust of all things hotel-related, I was genuinely impressed by the cleanliness. The rooms sanitized between stays was obvious. There was a noticeable "fresh" smell, which I assume came from the Anti-viral cleaning products being used. The Daily disinfection in common areas also put my mind at ease. I even witnessed staff zealously wiping down elevator buttons. I have a feeling that the room sanitization opt-out available is a total formality (that's just a hunch). The hand sanitizer stations were strategically placed, and everyone seemed to be masked up. I felt… relatively safe.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Breakfast Buffet Debacle and the Poolside Bar (That Wasn't):
Let's talk food. The Breakfast [buffet] was… an experience. The "Asian Breakfast"? It was more like "Asian-inspired-interpretation-of-American-breakfast." The sausage, it was slightly less like… sausage? And some of the pastries looked like they'd had a rough night. I grabbed some Coffee/tea in restaurant, which was passable, and a hard-boiled egg. So, there was always the Breakfast takeaway service, which was great. The Coffee shop wasn't open on the day I was looking, but I can't complain. Now, about that Poolside bar: it didn’t exist (I swear, it was listed, but not in my reality - and no, I wasn't hallucinating!). I did find a Poolside bar. So I had to grab a drink from the bar.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Spa, the Pool, and the… Not a Lot of "Aha" Moments:
The pool[outdoor] was a highlight. It had a pool with view (the parking lot, but still!). It was clean, relatively uncrowded, and a perfect temperature. I spent a good chunk of my time there, blissfully floating away. I did see a Fitness center, so I'm sure there was a place to work off all the carbs. The Spa was advertised, but… well I don’t know where that was. It appeared to be just that advertised. The Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath didn't materialize (again, maybe I was the problem?). I was really hoping for some relaxation, but there was the Massage and I didn't see it either.
Services & Conveniences: The Small Stuff (and the Big Issues):
The Wi-Fi [free] worked… most of the time. The Daily housekeeping kept things tidy, even if my own mess-making capabilities are legendary. The Front desk [24-hour] was helpful. The Cash withdrawal was convenient. The elevator was a lifesaver. But the Laundry service? The Dry cleaning? I’m pretty sure they wanted me to go away.
For the Kids: Mostly a Non-Issue (Unless You Have Super-Kids): There was mention of the Babysitting service and I didn't see it. The Family/child friendly and Kids meal were also not present.
The Verdict (The Messy Truth):
Was the Days Inn Miramichi a "perfect" getaway? Nah. It had its quirks, its disappointments. But it fulfilled its fundamental purpose: A clean, safe place to rest my head, with a decent pool. If you're looking for luxurious, five-star pampering, look elsewhere. But if you want a decent, affordable base for exploring Miramichi (and you're okay with a slightly wonky breakfast), this is probably a good option. It's not amazing, but it's… adequate. And sometimes, adequate is just fine. I'd come back – maybe. Maybe. And I'll definitely bring my own coffee next time.
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Alright, bucko, lemme tell ya about this grand adventure, a grand adventure, mind you, to the fabled land of Miramichi, New Brunswick. Yeah, yeah, I know, "Miramichi?" you're thinking. "The name sounds like a sneeze." But let me tell you, it's a place. And Days Inn by Wyndham? Well, it's where I decided to base this whole shebang. Prepare yourself, because this isn't your standard, "polished itinerary." This is real life.
Day 1: The Arrival & The "Welcome to Canada…ish"
14:00 - Arrival at Days Inn Miramichi: Okay, so the drive from…wherever, who cares? - was a slog. Traffic, the usual. Found the Days Inn. It smelled. Like, a generic, vaguely clean-but-not-quite-clean motel smell. You know the one? But the staff? Bless their hearts. They were trying. I could almost hear the Canadian politeness straining to break through. Check-in was smooth enough, but, and this is a major but, my room key didn't work. Twice. "Just a glitch," the woman at the desk chirped. Right. Glitch. Anyway, got to my room. It’s… functional.
15:00 - Settling in & The Quest for Coffee: Okay, first things first: caffeine. Needed it. Badly. Now, the Days Inn did promise a coffee maker. And, bless it, there it was! But… the coffee… It tasted like sadness. Like the kind of sadness you only feel on Monday mornings after a hurricane blew through your life. I needed something stronger. Spotted a Tim Hortons a bit down the road. Bingo!
16:00 - The Tim Hortons Debacle: This demands its own paragraph, nay, chapter. Tim Hortons. The holy grail of Canadian caffeine. Except… the line. Oh, the line! It snaked out the door. And the people! They all looked so Canadian. So polite. So… patient. I, on the other hand, was on the verge of a caffeine-fueled meltdown. Finally got to the counter. "Double double, please!" I barked, feeling a little less Canadian myself at that moment. They looked at me, smiled, and still weren't in a hurry. They were out of the donuts I wanted. Had to settle with a mediocre muffin. Worth it.
17:00 - Exploring the Miramichi River (Attempt 1): Had to walk to the river. This area of NB is famed for salmon fishing. I tried to find the famed fishing docks and walked aimlessly and ended up on a very quiet road. Back to the hotel I went.
18:00 - Dinner, the Search Continues: Days Inn, thankfully, does not offer meals. Found a local eatery, "Fiddlers' Green." Which was a pretty cool name. The food? …Decent. Nothing to write home about, but the beer selection was good, and the locals were friendly. One guy, Frank, kept trying to tell me about his prize-winning salmon fishing. He’s probably been talking about it for decades. I was tired.
19:00 - Unpacking & Regret: Back in my room. Unpacking. Realizing I forgot my phone charger. My brain feels like a giant marshmallow that's been microwaved for too long. So, pretty much regretting everything at this point.
21:00 - Sleep: Knocked out.
Day 2: Fishing, Floundering & Finding the "Real" Miramichi
07:00 - Breakfast, the Coffee Battle Continues: The "breakfast" at Days Inn… well, let's just say I'm grateful for the Tim Hortons coffee I smuggled in. Instant coffee, and pre-made scrambled eggs. I will avoid this as much as I can.
08:00 - The Salmon Fishing Expedition (Take 1): Right, so I figured, “When in Miramichi…" Got a recommendation for a guide. Costly. They tried, bless them, they really did. The river was gorgeous, the air crisp, the whole "fishing" schtick was charming. I caught… nothing.. I watched the guide catch 5.
12:00 - Lunch (and the Emotional Fallout of a Failed Fishing Trip): Back at the hotel, dejected. Eating a sandwich. I'm a failure.
13:00 - The Miramichi River (Take 2) & Scenic Beauty: Okay, so I sucked at fishing. Fine. Moving on. Decided to just look at the river. Walked along a scenic riverside path. The water was calm, the trees were green, and the whole scene was unexpectedly beautiful. Took some deep breaths. Feeling better. Actually… kinda relaxed. Who knew?
15:00 - A Moment of Reckless Shopping: The tourist trap of Miramichi. A shop that sold everything from moose-shaped mugs to maple syrup. Went in. Left with a tiny, ridiculously overpriced, hand-painted wooden loon. I'm a sucker.
16:00 - A Miramichi History Lesson (Kind Of): I googled Miramichi, apparently this place has a history, the details of which weren't the most interesting .
19:00 - Dinner, "The Best Pizza in the World (Possibly)": Found a place called "Pizza Delight." Now, I'm not a pizza snob, but the pizza was delightful. Okay, maybe not the best in the world, but after the fishing disaster and the history lesson, it was a welcome win.
21:00 - Another Night, Another Struggle for Sleep: the pillows at the Days Inn are… well, they’re there. Trying to sleep, but the faint hum of the mini-fridge is driving me nuts.
Day 3: Farewell, Miramichi (Or, The Escape)
07:00 - Breakfast (Reluctantly) & The Great Escape: The Days Inn breakfast. Again. Managed to choke it down. Quick check-out. The attendant was super nice. She said, "I hope you enjoyed your stay!" I smiled and said, “Me too!” (technically I did, I saw a lot, but not by choice).
08:00 - The Road: Hitting the road! The car. The open road. Freedom!
10:00 - Reflecting… (Maybe): All in all, Miramichi was… an experience. Not exactly a highlight reel. But hey, I saw some stuff. I drank some coffee. I learned that some places are not as cool as people said.
11:00 - Final Thoughts (And A Vow): Never underestimate the power of a good double-double. And next time, better research. Maybe bring my own pillow. And definitely, definitely pack a phone charger.
Escape to Miramichi: Your Perfect Days Inn Getaway Awaits! (Or Does it?)
Okay, spill the beans: What *actually* makes the Days Inn Miramichi “Perfect”? (Because, let's be real, nothing's *actually* perfect, right?)
Alright, let's get this straight: "Perfect" is a marketing word. It's like, "luxury" - it's all relative. But, in the context of a budget-friendly getaway to Miramichi, the Days Inn shines… kinda. Honestly, it's the location. Seriously, it's RIGHT there, smack dab in the middle of everything. You're practically tripping over restaurants, the river's a hop, skip, and a splash away, and the staff... well, they're *usually* friendly, which is a win in my book.
My personal experience? Last time, I was dying for a decent coffee after a six-hour drive. The *actual* coffee? Well, it was that classic hotel-style coffee, let's just say it wasn't a flavour explosion. But the *thought* of not having to drive another 20 minutes for a caffeine fix? Priceless. Plus, the free breakfast… it filled a hole. A very breakfast-y, slightly-stale-pastry-filled hole, but a hole nonetheless!
The Rooms: Are they actually clean? (And can I live without bugs? Please?)
Okay, the room situation. This is where things get a bit… *variable*. Look, it's a Days Inn; you're not paying Ritz-Carlton prices. Generally, yes, they're clean. Like, I've never found a colony of anything creepy. The housekeeping staff *try*. I say "try" because, you know, life happens. One time, under the bed… let's just say I found something that probably shouldn't have been there. It was… a sock. A single, lonely, *suspicious-looking* sock. I just... I left it. Don't judge me, I was tired. The shower pressure, though? That can be hit or miss. Sometimes you're getting a full-body massage, other times it's a sad trickle. Pack a good book to read while you wait for the water to warm up!
Speaking of breakfast… What's the deal? Free continental? What kind of continental? Because frankly, I have high standards.
Ah, the breakfast dilemma. This is where you have to manage expectations. It's *free*, remember? So, think: muffins, pastries (the aforementioned slightly-stale variety), some kind of bread for toast (which might be stale too, let's face it), maybe some sad-looking cereal, and the aforementioned coffee. They usually have some yogurt and fruit, too. It's enough to "fuel" you for a morning exploring Miramichi, but not necessarily enough to make you jump for joy.
Here's a pro-tip: Pack a banana. And maybe some instant oatmeal. Because you *will* be thankful. I learned this the hard way. Once, I relied solely on that breakfast. I’m pretty sure I spent the entire morning plotting a bagel heist. And the juice? Well, let's just say it was the colour of a very pale tangerine and tasted vaguely of… something fruity.
Is there a pool? Because a pool is *essential* for my stress levels. (Or, you know, just a quick dip).
Yes! And it's… *a pool*. It’s indoor, which is a plus, especially in the unpredictable Miramichi weather. It's generally clean, and good enough for a refresh. Don’t expect a lap pool. It's more of a splash-around-and-socialize situation. Think kids with water wings, and maybe a couple of old-timers doing laps at a snail’s pace. The best thing, truly, is the hot tub. Get in the hot tub. You will be delighted. I once spent a delightful hour in the hot tub with a bunch of kids. They were splashing, but I was at peace. Pure bliss.
What about the staff? Are they helpful? (Because I'm directionally challenged, and need all the help I can get).
They are, generally, very helpful! Honestly, the staff at Days Inn Miramichi are usually pretty great. They're not going to bend over backwards to fetch you a solid gold toothbrush, but, they're usually friendly and know pretty much all the things you need to know about Miramichi. And if you're directionally challenged, which, hey, no shame in that game, they can point you in the right direction (pun intended!). I, on the other hand, once asked them for directions to the nearest gas station, which was literally across the street. I blame the drive.
One time, though, I swear, I saw a front desk clerk wrestling with the coffee machine for a solid fifteen minutes before giving up. Bless her heart.. I ended up just going to Tim Hortons. But hey, it happens! Overall, definitely a net positive on the helpfulness scale.
The Location: What's nearby? What can I *actually* do?
The location is the MAJOR selling point. You are *so* close to everything! Restaurants galore. Pubs. (I may or may not have spent a considerable amount of time at the local pub. It's a research project, okay?). The river is right there for fishing, boating, or just a scenic stroll. Downtown Miramichi is walkable. You can explore history, go for a hike, see some local shops. There are tours, festivals. It's a great base for exploring the area. I loved the fish-and-chips near the river. Seriously, you won't be bored. Unless you *want* to be bored, which is also fine. Then, just... sit by the pool and read.
Okay, final verdict: Should I book it? Give me the truth!
Look, if you're looking for a luxurious getaway, maybe look elsewhere. But, if you want a budget-friendly, convenient basecamp for exploring Miramichi, the Days Inn is a solid choice. It's not perfect, it has its quirks, but it's clean enough, the staff are generally friendly, and it's right in the heart of everything. Embrace the imperfections. Pack your own coffee (and a banana). And go have an adventure! I'd book it again. In fact, I might have already… don't tell anyone.
Parking situation? Because I'm terrified of tight spaces.
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