Huntington, WV Getaway: Fairfield Inn & Suites Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Huntington, WV Getaway: Fairfield Inn & Suites Review (You Won't Believe This!) - A Messy, Honest Take
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a little Huntington, WV adventure, and let me tell you, it was… something. And by "something," I mean I stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites. Prepare yourselves for a review that's less "polished travel blog" and more "drunken confession booth" after a long day on the road.
Metadata Before We Dive In (Because SEO, I Guess):
- Keywords: Huntington WV, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Pool, Breakfast, Cleanliness, West Virginia Travel, Hotels, Travel Review
- Meta Description: Honest and unfiltered review of the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Huntington, WV! Read about accessibility, amenities, breakfast, cleanliness, and more. Did I have a good time? Well, you'll just have to read on…
(BEGIN STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS - GRAB A COFFEE, YOU'LL NEED IT)
Okay so, Huntington. Honestly, I wasn't expecting a whole lot. I mean, West Virginia, right? But hey, everyone deserves a vacation, even if it's just a quick weekend getaway. And the Fairfield? Well, it looked…fine. The pictures online were all clean and shiny, like they'd been Photoshopped by a team of robots. Spoiler alert: the reality was a little less slick.
First Impressions: Accessibility & Getting in the Door (or, My First Mini-Panic Attack)
Accessibility… okay, this is important. Because, hello, I'd rather know before I arrive if I'm going to be wrestling with a narrow doorway and a flight of stairs with a luggage cart.
Wheelchair Accessible: The rooms were advertised as accessible. And I will say, they did have ramps leading into the hotel, which I appreciated. Getting around the hotel wasn't too bad, though I did notice the elevator felt a little slow. Like, "contemplate the meaning of life as you ascend to the third floor" slow. BUT! They did have them, so that's a win.
Services and Conveniences - The Usual Suspects
- Car Park [free of charge], Car Park [on-site]: Yep. Parking was free. And, surprisingly, it wasn't a total Mad Max nightmare. Always a plus!
- Elevator: See above. Slow, but present.
- Laundry service: Didn't use it, but good to know it's there. My travel companion said it was decent.
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]: Fairly painless check-in. Not exactly "express," but certainly not brutal.
- Cash withdrawal: Didn't need it, but the option was available.
- Concierge: No concierge, boo.
- Facilities for disabled guests: I'm going to chalk this down to "adequate." Could be better, could be worse.
The Room - The Good, the Bad, and the "Wait, Is That Mold?!”
Available in all rooms - The details:
- Air conditioning: Praise the HVAC gods! Needed that, badly.
- Alarm clock: Functioned as advertised, unlike some.
- Bathrobes: Nope. Not in my room. Maybe in the fancy-pants suites? Highly unlikely.
- Bathroom phone: Seriously? Like, who uses a bathroom phone anymore?
- Bathtub: Yes, thank goodness. I'm a bath person.
- Blackout curtains: YES! Crucial for a good night's sleep. And maybe hiding from the West Virginia sun.
- Coffee/tea maker: The most important appliance, right? My coffee maker was my lifeblood!
- Daily housekeeping: Yeah, this was a mixed bag, which I'll get into later.
- Desk: The desk… it was a desk. Functional.
- Extra long bed: Thank heavens! I'm tall, and I hate the bed-ends (which are just a menace!).
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated, especially after a long drive.
- Hair dryer: Yep.
- High floor: I was on the third floor.
- In-room safe box: Didn't use it, but nice to have.
- Internet access – Wireless: THE SAVIOR! more on that later.
- Ironing facilities: Actually used it! Saved me from looking like a wrinkled mess.
- Laptop workspace: It worked!
- Mini bar: Nope.
- Non-smoking: YES! That's a standard these days and a big blessing.
- Private bathroom: The bathroom was basic. Functional.
- Refrigerator: The fridge was so-so, better than nothing.
- Satellite/cable channels: Good. The TV worked.
- Seating area: It wasn't luxurious seating, but hey, a place to sit other than the bed.
- Shower: Did its job.
- Smoke detector: Thank. God.
- Sofa: Nope, but my room was decent.
- Soundproofing: Mmm, not stellar soundproofing. I could hear the hallway happenings, at times.
- Telephone: Used it to order pizza, which will be another story…
- Towels: Clean-ish.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Bless the Wi-Fi gods. It was fast enough that I could catch up on some important emails.
The Room Cleaning - The Dark Underbelly
Okay, let's get real here. I'm not sure how diligently the rooms are cleaned between guests. On my first day, the room, while appearing nominally clean, had…let's just say a lingering smell that was highly questionable. I'm a person who likes to sniff the air (I know, I know, it's weird). And the air in those first moments? Not the freshest.
Additionally, the second day? The bed was made, the towels refilled. But… the bathroom floor hadn't been touched! Not a vacuum, not a swipe. Which is…off-putting.
Cleanliness and Safety - The COVID Blues
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Rooms sanitized between stays: This entire section, while important, seemed mostly for show. The level of "actual" sanitation did not match up.
The Pool (Or, How I Almost Died of Boredom)
Okay, this is where things got a little…pathetic. The Swimming pool? It was outside. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was cold. I mean, COLD. And the view… well, it wasn't a pool with a view… it was a view of a parking lot. And some sad-looking shrubbery. I lasted about five minutes before retreating back to the lukewarm warmth of my room.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The Culinary Adventures (Sort Of)
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ah, yes, the infamous breakfast buffet. I am, as a rule, a buffet person. But this one…it was a disappointment. The Western breakfast options were the usual fare: eggs that looked suspiciously like plastic, slightly rubbery bacon, and a waffle maker that seemed to be on its last legs. I stuck with the fruit, but the fruit also wasn't fresh.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: The coffee was… well, it existed.
- Snack bar: Nope.
Things to Do (Or, How I Found Out Huntington Isn't Exactly a Nightlife Mecca)
Honestly, there's not a whole lot right on site at the Fairfield for "things to do". Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking for a full-blown amusement park! But… the gym, with it's broken treadmill, (which I did not use, btw, because, again, broken!), the pool's sad state, and all of its other options (sauna, spa, massage) being completely unavailable? It leaves you feeling slightly stranded.
Internet Access:
- Internet Access: The Wi-Fi was the saving grace! The Internet access – wireless, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! were fast, and reliable. Phew.
My Final Verdict (And the Moral of the Story)
Look, the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Huntington, WV isn't going to win any awards. It's a decent, functional hotel. It's got a bed, a bathroom, and, crucially, working Wi-Fi. The breakfast is…forgettable. The pool is a tragedy. The cleanliness is… a dice roll, to be honest.
Would I stay there again? Maybe, if I absolutely
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… real life, squished into a few days in Huntington, West Virginia, all starting from the hallowed halls of the Fairfield Inn & Suites. Let's see if we survive, shall we?
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Awkward Buffet
- 14:00 - Check-in at Fairfield Inn & Suites Huntington: Okay, first impressions. Lobby? Clean enough. The air conditioning is blasting like a polar vortex escaped into the Ohio Valley. This is crucial. I'm a sweaty mess just from lugging my suitcase from the car. Found a parking spot without circling the block three times, so we are already winning.
- 14:30 - Room Reconnaissance: The room itself… it’s a room. King bed? Check. Is the TV from the Jurassic period? Possibly. Does it have the option to stream Netflix? YES! Crucial. Seriously, a hotel room without Netflix is basically a prison cell. I unpack. The suitcase is a disaster zone of wrinkled clothes and questionable snacks. This is a problem.
- 15:00 - Hotel's "Complimentary" Buffet Mishap! OH. MY. GOD. I swear, I was so looking forward to it. But the selection of breakfast foods which also include dinner food was slim and not exciting. They really are the "suits" in Fairfield and Suites, not the "food" people.
- 16:00 - A Ramble Through Huntington: Needed to stretch my legs after the buffet… disaster. So, I walked around, just to get the lay of the land. Took a deep breath, the air was heavy with humidity and the distant scent of…something industrial. It's Huntington WV, gotta love it.
- 18:00 - Dinner at a Local Restaurant: "Mama Rosa's Italian Restaurant" - according to Google, the best italian food in town. It was busy, which I always take as a good sign! The food was good, but I swear the server, bless her heart, was new. Tripped over her words, spilled some water, but at least she was trying!
- 19:30 - Back to Base Camp: Back to the sanctuary of the hotel room! The king bed, my saving grace.
Day 2: Exploring the Faint Charm and the Weight of History
- 08:00 - Breakfast Scavenger Hunt (attempt two): Okay, I'm going back down to the buffet. Determined. I will find something edible. Found the waffles, so that is a massive win.
- 09:00 - Marshall University Campus: Today it's the Marshall University campus. Wandering around the campus, it was like the air itself held the weight of the past. I walked by the memorial to the 1970 plane crash, a somber reminder of the tragedy. My stomach churned with a mix of sadness and the lingering effects of the buffet.
- 12:00 - Lunch at a Local Diner: Time for a REAL meal. Googled "best diner near me" and found "Jim's Steak and Spaghetti House". It was packed, I was tired, and starving. So I had to order take out from the shop.
- 13:00 - The Blunder of the Blunder of the… Museum: "Huntington Museum of Art" - I'm not much of an art person, this seemed like a good idea at the time. Let's just say, my attention span maxed out after about 45 minutes. By the way, I think I sneezed in one of the galleries and no one heard me, which is a major win.
- 16:00 - Driving Around, Just Because: Let's be honest, I needed to burn some time. I went for a leisurely drive. The scenery was… well, it was there. Sometimes you just need to stare out the window and let your brain turn to mush.
- 19:00 - Dinner and Re-Evaluation: Went to a place called "The Peddler Steakhouse". The view was nice, the food was… adequate. The service, as it turns out, was really slow.
- 21:00 - Bedtime… Finally! So, back to my temporary home. The king bed beckons.
Day 3: Farewell Huntington, and a Touch of Existential Dread
- 08:00 - Breakfast (The Last Stand): Third time at the buffet. Found more waffles. I'm starting to suspect I have a waffle addiction.
- 09:00 - Checking Out: Checkout was a breeze. The desk clerk, bless her heart, seemed genuinely happy to see me go.
- 09:30 - The Drive Home and the Ghosts of "What If" The drive home. As I crossed the state line, I started to think about the "what ifs" and the "could have beens" of my short trip.
- 12:00 - Last Thoughts. The Good and the Bad: Huntington, you were… an experience. Did I love it? No. Did I hate it? Also no. I mean, I’d come back… maybe.
So. There you have it. Huntington, unfiltered. A jumble of good food, questionable choices, and my own personal brand of awkwardness. And hey, at least I survived. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. And maybe a good therapist.
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Fairfield Inn & Suites in Huntington, WV: The Honest (and Slightly Messy) Review You Didn't Ask For
Seriously, is this place *actually* good? I've seen some conflicting reviews. Spill the tea!
Okay, buckle up, because the "good" is… complicated. Look, I’m not gonna lie, my expectations were rock bottom. Huntington, WV, while lovely in its own quirky way, isn't exactly known for luxury hotels. And Fairfield Inns? They’re usually… fine. This one, though? It’s a bit of a rollercoaster. Some days it feels like a solid B, other days it's veering wildly into C- territory, especially if you're a coffee snob like myself. More on that later, trust me.
The truth is, it depends on *when* you go, *who* you are, and what you're looking for. If you're hoping for a Ritz-Carlton experience, RUN. If you're looking for a clean, decently priced place with free breakfast, and a pool, it might be your jam. Just... manage those expectations, yeah?
The Breakfast: Is it *really* free, or is it the usual sad continental spread?
Ah, the breakfast. The cornerstone of any hotel experience, in my humble (and often very hungry) opinion. It *is* free. And it *is* usually the usual continental fare. But let me tell you about my one breakfast experience because it was, truly, a *moment*.
Picture this: I wander down, bleary-eyed, to the breakfast area. My caffeine levels are dangerously low. I spy... the waffle maker. Now, I am *not* a waffle person. Too much effort, too many sticky utensils. But today? Today, I decided to live dangerously.
So, I whip up a waffle. It's... perfectly acceptable. Fluffy, golden-brown (mostly). Then, this: the syrup dispenser. It's one of those push-button things. I press, and... NOTHING. I press again. Still nothing. I peer at the syrup bottle. Empty. Utterly, devastatingly empty. I let out a sigh that probably could have powered a small motor, but I was not done. I look around, there is no staff, there is nobody. I went for juice at least, but I just kept thinking about how that could be my last waffle of my life.
And yet, later, when I went down the stairs, there the staff was refilling the syrup, like they'd heard my silent waffle despair. So again, is the breakfast good? Sometimes. Is it free? Yes. Is it always an adventure? Absolutely. The chaos makes it worth it.
Is there a pool? And is it actually *swim-able*?
Yes, there's a pool! And, yes, it's generally swim-able. I mean, it's not Olympic-sized or anything, but it's clean-ish and, for a hotel pool, perfectly adequate. I even saw some kids having a *blast* in there. Made me slightly jealous, to be honest.
Just… don't expect a spa-like experience. It's not. It is what it is. A place to cool off. A place to do some laps (if you're ambitious). A potential hazard zone for rogue pool noodles. You know, the essentials.
What about the rooms? Are they clean? Comfortable? (Because honestly, I'm scared of hotels now.)
Okay, so the rooms... this is where things get *interesting*. On my visit, everything was clean enough. I didn't see any creepy crawlies or anything. The bed was… well, it wasn't the most luxurious mattress in the world, but I slept. And for me, that's a win. The pillows were decent. The air conditioning worked. The shower had hot water. These are all basic necessities, yes, but sometimes those basics are hard to come by.
The decor? Let's just say it's… functional. Think beige. Think generic hotel art. Think what you'd expect. No complaints, no rave reviews. Just a room. The one tiny thing I did find odd was the placement of the TV… but then again, I'm always complaining about something.
Anything specifically horrible? Like a deal-breaker?
Hmm. "Horrible"? That's a strong word. Nothing *truly* jumps out as a deal-breaker. But, my god, the coffee! This is a personal vendetta. The in-room coffee was… weak. Watery. Tasted vaguely of sadness. I’m a coffee addict, okay? I *need* my morning, you know?
The other thing is perhaps the location. It's in Huntington, so there's that, in itself (kidding!), but it's a bit of a drive from the more exciting parts of town. But then again, you're staying in Huntington. What do you want?
Is there a gym? Because all this talk of breakfast might mean I need to work out.
Yes, there is a gym. It's… small. Like, really small. Think a treadmill or two, some weights, and maybe a few other bits and bobs. It's definitely not a full-blown fitness center. If you are a serious gym rat, you are better off getting a day pass to somewhere. But for a quick workout, it'll do. And hey, at least it *has* one. That's more than some hotels can say! Or at least that it has a gym that's not made up of 1980's equipment.
Okay, so *overall*… would you recommend it? Give it to me straight.
Alright, here's the deal. It depends. If you're passing through Huntington, need a clean, convenient place to crash for a night or two, and aren't expecting five-star luxury, then yeah, it's a solid option. Fairfield Inn & Suites in Huntington is… *fine*.
I wouldn't recommend it for a romantic getaway or anything like that. But for a practical, budget-friendly trip, it works. Just remember to bring your earplugs (for the occasional hallway chatter) and your own coffee (because, seriously, the coffee).
And maybe… just maybe… if you're lucky, you'll get a good waffle. And that, my friend, is worth its weight in syrup. Or, you know, *something*.
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