Escape to Paradise: St. John's Luxury Getaway at Delta Hotels
Escape to Paradise (Maybe?): My Messy, Honest Take on Delta Hotels' St. John's 'Luxury Getaway'
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just clawed my way back from a stay at the Delta Hotels' St. John's location, and I'm here to spill the tea. Or, you know, the lukewarm coffee from the in-room maker. "Luxury Getaway," they called it. Let's just say my definition of "luxury" might differ from corporate marketing… dramatically. Still, St. John's is awesome, and hey, there were some highlights. Let's get into it, shall we?
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First Impressions & The Hunt for the Holy Grail: Accessibility (and other stuff)
Okay, let’s rip the band-aid off first: Accessibility. The website claimed they had facilities for disabled guests. Great. I'm always cautiously optimistic, especially because genuine accessibility isn't just a checklist item; it's a commitment. So, I specifically requested a wheelchair-accessible room, because my partner uses a wheelchair sometimes, and it's a deal-breaker. We get there, and… well, let's just say there was a scramble. Turns out the "accessible" room had a door that required the strength of a lumberjack to open. The bathroom was passable, with the right grab bars, but the shower felt like a slightly enlarged phone booth. And while the elevators were there (thank God), the overall feeling was more "checked the box" than "thoughtful design." Look, Delta, if you're gonna call it accessible, mean it. Real accessibility means understanding the whole experience, not just the bare minimum. So, big points fail here.
(Accessibility Score: 2/5 - Room for major improvement.)
Rambling About Internet, Because… Well, Internet.
Ah, Internet. Crucial, right? Especially when you're trying to work (or, you know, stream some bad reality TV). Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! They boasted. And you know what? For once, the hotel delivered. Download speeds were actually decent, which is a freakin' miracle compared to some places. They also had wired internet, which is a throwback but good to see. I mean, what if you're a super-hacker who needs an Ethernet connection? Okay, probably not happening, but the option was there.
(Internet Score: 5/5 - Surprisingly solid internet!)
The Great Food Fiasco (or, Dining & Drinking, with a Side of Chaos)
Okay, the dining situation. This is where things got… interesting. The official story: multiple restaurants, a bar, room service [24-hour], and all the breakfast options under the sun. The reality: a confusing maze of options, limited availability, and service that sometimes felt like they were actively trying to be slow. The Asian breakfast caught my eye, but it wasn't always available. The buffet in the restaurant was, let's say, of varying quality. I did manage to snatch a decent salad in the restaurant one evening, and the coffee/tea in the restaurant was okay (though the in-room stuff was…well, you get the idea). The poolside bar was charming on paper, in reality it was closed most of the time. The poolside bar was closed most of the time. The happy hour was…well, it existed. I am pretty sure I was served by the same person everyday and she was excellent.
One morning, I ordered Breakfast in room. I imagined a decadent spread, maybe with some fresh fruit and pastries. What I got was a slightly-cold waffle and a shriveled piece of bacon. My partner burst out laughing, probably because I made such a face. What a mood.
(Dining & Drinking Score: 3/5 - Needs serious consistency and a dash of passion.)
Relaxation Nation (Or, The Glorious Promise of Bliss… and the Reality Check)
Right, moving on to the Spa/Sauna stuff. They had it! Or, at least, they claimed to. The spa menu looked divine – Body scrubs, body wraps, massages. I fully intended to indulge. But alas, the spa was closed for maintenance? Booking woes? A phantom? Who knows. I never got the chance to get a Body scrub, body wrap, massage.
Now, the fitness center (gym/fitness) was… well, it was there. Look, it was a gym, people. The equipment looked functional, though I didn't actually use it. The swimming pool [outdoor] and the Pool with a view was closed due to repairs. Sad. The Sauna also was closed.
(Relaxation Score: 2/5 - The promise of relaxation, unmet. The spa bit was a major disappointment!)
Cleanliness & Safety (The COVID-19 Edition)
Okay, let's be real: these days, cleanliness and safety are paramount. And Delta Hotels seemed to take it quite seriously. There was Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere (a little too everywhere at times!), and the staff were definitely masked up and following protocols. There were Rooms sanitized between stays, and options for Room sanitization opt-out. The breakfast takeaway service was helpful. The Safe dining setup was good. It was reassuring to see. So at-least, they did a solid job with the basics.
(Cleanliness & Safety Score: 4/5 - Felt generally safe and secure.)
The Room Itself (A Mostly Good, but Slightly Underwhelming, Experience)
Okay, the room. The non-smoking rooms were a plus. The Air conditioning was a godsend, especially because the weather can be unpredictable. We had a decent view, not spectacular, but not bad. The blackout curtains were fantastic, and I slept like a log. The bed was comfy enough, and the slippers were a nice touch. There were a lot of amenities. There was a refrigerator, a laptop workspace, a coffee/tea maker. The mini bar was stocked, but I have no intention of overpaying for it! The internet access – wireless worked without a problem. The towels and bathrobes were appreciated. Overall, the room was reasonably functional, but nothing I'd write home about. I wish there were more sockets by the bed.
(Room Score: 3/5 - Functional, but could use some extra touches.)
Odds and Ends (The Bits and Bobs of Hotel Life)
- Services and conveniences: The elevator was essential. The daily housekeeping was polite and efficient. The concierge was friendly, though a little overwhelmed at times.
- For the kids: I'm not a parent, but the family/child friendly seemed okay, though I didn't see much in the way of kids facilities.
- Getting around: The Car park [free of charge] was a definite win.
- Security: The Front desk [24-hour] and Security [24-hour] felt reassuring.
Final Verdict: A Mixed Bag, Honestly
Look, Delta Hotels' St. John's location isn't a bad hotel. It's… fine. It has potential. The location is excellent, the basics are covered, and the staff, for the most part, are trying. But the "Luxury Getaway" tagline is a stretch. It needs to seriously address accessibility issues, and the dining experience needs a major overhaul.
Would I go back? Maybe. If the price was right and I really needed to be in that area. But I'd probably lower my expectations significantly.
(Overall Score: 3/5 - Room for improvement, but still a decent option.)
Calumet's BEST Hotel? AmericInn Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Alright, buckle up Buttercup, because this isn't your sanitized, bullet-pointed travel itinerary. This is a messy, glorious, slightly-hungover account of my time at the Delta in St. John's. Prepare for feels, folks. And maybe a slight craving for Fish & Brewis.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Moose Chase (and Fail)
1:00 PM: Landed in St. John's. The wind! Dear sweet Jesus, the wind. Almost blew me right back to the mainland. Grabbed my rental – a little hatchback, christened "The Seagull" (because, you know, Newfoundland). The driver's seat felt a bit… sticky. Hmm. A harbinger of things to come, perhaps?
2:30 PM: Check-in at The Delta. Honestly? Pretty standard hotel lobby. Clean, efficient, blessedly free of screaming children. The staff were incredibly polite, which, after the flight from hell (three crying babies and a dude who kept clipping his nails), was a gift from the travel gods. I got a room on the 8th floor, overlooking… well, the parking lot. Still, the promise of a comfy bed was enough to momentarily soothe my weary soul.
3:00 PM: Unpacked. Admired the view (parking lot). Made a mental note to raid the gift shop later for a decent souvenir.
4:00 PM: The Great Moose Chase Begins. I'd heard tales of moose roaming free, and decided I NEEDED to see one. Headed out towards the East Coast Trail, armed with my phone and a naively optimistic spirit. Famous last words, right?
- The Reality of Moose-Hunting: Three hours of winding coastal roads, scenic vistas that I barely registered because I was laser-focused on the peripheral, and a whole lotta nothin'. Lots of trees. Lots of ocean. No moose. Not even a dang squirrel. Seriously, where were all the moose?! This was the first of several hilarious failures.
7:00 PM: Gave up on the Moose and back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
8:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant, "The Newfoundland Tavern." Okay, the menu was solid, if a bit predictable. Had the Cod tongues though! So, so good. The server had this amazing brogue and a twinkle in his eye. Felt instantly at home, like I could stay here forever.
9:30 PM: Back in the room, crashed. Jet lag was hitting hard. Scrolling through the travel recommendations and made a mental note to explore Signal Hill the next day.
Day 2: Signal Hill, Jellybean Row & The Iceberg That Wasn't
8:00 AM: Woke up. The sun was shining! Breakfast was a predictable buffet, but hey, they had decent coffee. Necessary fuel for the day ahead.
9:30 AM: Drove up to Signal Hill. The view. OH MY GOD, the view. Breathtaking. I could have stayed there all day, just gazing out at the ocean, trying to breathe in all the beauty. The Cabot Tower! Did a little history, but mostly just drank in the scenery.
- Anecdote: Standing on the edge of the cliff, I swore I saw an iceberg. A real, honest-to-goodness iceberg! I started waving, pointing frantically and yelling "ICEBERG! ICEBERG!" Turns out? Just a particularly large, white buoy. Mortified. A true vacation moment.
- The Real View: Beautiful harbor. Even better from up high.
12:00 PM: Lunch at a charming little cafe in the heart of St. John's. Discovered Fish & Brewis. And, my friends, it’s a revelation. Bread, salted cod, and… well, that's all I need.
1:30 PM: Jellybean Row! So, so much color. Giddy. Took approximately 1,000 photos of those adorable houses. The place radiates joy. Did a loop and started questioning my life choices, in the best way possible.
- The Imperfection: Okay, here's a confession. While taking photos, I accidentally (and I swear it was accidental) bumped into another tourist. Spilled her coffee. Felt awful. Apologized profusely. She was surprisingly cheerful about it. We ended up having a nice chat.
- Emotional Ramblings: Was overcome here. So many tiny houses, all beautiful. Was ready to just move here.
4:00 PM: Attempted a hike, another fail, ended up on the rocky shore feeling overwhelmed from the lack of a moose.
7:00 PM: Dinner at a pub. Had a Guinness. Feeling content.
9:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Watched some terrible reality TV. Fell asleep.
Day 3: Random Adventures & Farewell
9:00 AM: Breakfast. Same as yesterday, but with slightly diminished enthusiasm.
10:00 AM: Decided to get lost. Wandered around the city, stumbling upon hidden alleyways, quaint shops, and a truly magical bookstore. Bought a book of Newfoundland poetry.
11:30 AM: Visited a local gallery. The art was interesting, but the real entertainment was the gallery owner, an eccentric woman with bright red lipstick and a booming laugh. She told me a story about a lost cat. Was happy.
1:00 PM: Last lunch. Got my last taste of Newfoundland food.
2:00 PM: Checked out of the Delta. Said goodbye to "The Seagull."
3:00 PM: At the airport. Reflecting on the trip. The wind, the beauty, the moose I never saw. The kind people. The food. It was all an experience.
4:00 PM: Take off from St. John's (NL) CAN. Goodbye.
- Emotional Overload: I'm officially in love with Newfoundland. I'm already planning my return.
- Final thought: I'll never forget it.
What's the absolute FIRST thing I need to know about... well... *gestures vaguely at everything*?
Okay, deep breath. Seriously. I'd say the absolute *first* thing is acceptance. You *will* mess up. You *will* stumble. You *will* feel like you're flailing around in a kiddie pool while everyone else is doing synchronized swimming in the Olympic-sized version. It's okay! I'm still learning *every single day*. I could tell you a fancy, technical answer (and I *could*), but really, the first step is just... not beating yourself up when you inevitably faceplant. I've faceplanted so hard I created small craters in my life.
Alright, so I'm ready to dive in. Where do I *actually* start? Because there's SO MUCH.
Ugh, the sheer volume is terrifying, isn't it? It's like staring into the abyss of a Wikipedia rabbit hole. My best advice? Pick ONE thing. Literally. One tiny, manageable little brick to build on. I remember when I was trying to learn to make… (and then I trailed off, because honestly, it's a blur of half-finished crafts and broken dreams). Anyway, I started with something stupidly easy. I went rogue and did nothing for days. It's like, "Yeah, I'll get to it. Maybe." Then I'd start again. And *that's* the key. Start small. Celebrate the small victories. You conquered the first hurdle.
So, what if I get completely, utterly stuck? Like, I hit a wall and can't move forward?
Oh honey, welcome to my life. I hit walls so frequently, I've considered getting a sponsorship from drywall companies. Seriously though, it happens. And when it does, don't panic. (Easier said than done, I know). The important thing is to recognize the pattern, step away. Go for a walk. Watch something completely brain-numbing on TV (reality TV is my go-to for this specific purpose). Or, and this is my personal favorite, embrace the glorious art of procrastination. I’m a *master*. Come back to it later with fresh eyes. Sometimes all you need is a good night's sleep and the problem magically dissolves.
What about all the *negative* voices? The ones that say "You can't do this! You'll fail!" How do you deal with the constant self-doubt?
Ugh, the internal monologue. The eternal hecklers. The naysayers in your own head. Honestly, some days I just want to throw a metaphorical pie at them. And sometimes I *do* throw a metaphorical pie. I find it so helpful! But seriously, the self-doubt is brutal. Here's what helps *me*: I write those voices down. Literally. I get it all out on paper. Then, I argue back! I try to be my own best friend and tell myself, "Hey, you've done hard things before. Remember that time you…" and then I remind myself of a past win, no matter how small. Those negative voices? They're liars and *they thrive on negativity*. Don't give them oxygen. And surround yourself with supportive people. Seriously, find your cheerleaders, even if it's just one good friend.
Okay, but sometimes I completely *hate* the process. It's tedious and frustrating. Is that normal?
YES! A thousand times YES! Absolutely normal. Honestly, if someone tells you they *love* every single second of every single thing, they’re either lying to you or are a robot. It gets boring, difficult, and sometimes… I just want to scream. Especially when I get to the boring repetitive part. I have a tendency to want to speed past all the necessary steps. So what do I do, you ask? I give myself permission to feel that way. I let myself be frustrated. I might even rant to a friend. And then, usually, after a good moan and groan, I try to remember *why* I started in the first place. What was the goal? What was the appeal? And then I take a deep breath and get back to it. The only surefire way to not get the reward is to quit.
What's the biggest mistake people make in your opinion?
Oh, easy. The biggest mistake by far? Thinking they have to be perfect right from the start! It's like expecting to be a gourmet chef after one cooking class. It's just not going to happen! You know, there are people who start something and they are instantly really good at it. I think they're magic. But for most of us, it's a messy, iterative process. Embrace the imperfections. Laugh at your mistakes. Learn from them. And remember, the journey is the destination – and sometimes, the journey is a total disaster, and that's okay! Because often, the messiest, most imperfect moments are the most memorable and meaningful. Seriously, the best stories always involve a bit of a hot mess, don't they?
How do you stay motivated when, let's be honest, the thing I'm working on feels utterly pointless?
Okay, this is a tough one. Because, let's face it, sometimes things just feel…pointless. Like, "Why am I even bothering?" I have SO been there. I’ll give you a couple of ideas that work…sometimes. First, break it down. If the big picture feels overwhelming, chop it into tiny, ridiculously small steps. Celebrate each tiny win! Second, and this is crucial, remind yourself WHY you started. Write it down. Put it on your wall. Get a tattoo (just kidding… mostly). Visual reminders can work wonders. Also, tell a friend. Just spilling the words about why you are doing this can help you feel more enthused. If *nothing* works? Take a break. Seriously. Sometimes, you just need to step away and recharge. It's okay to admit you're not feeling it and step back. Don't force it. Sometimes a little distance can bring back the passion. And, look, if it *really* feels pointless? Maybe it *is*. And that's okay too! Re-evaluate. Maybe it's not the right fit. Life is way too short to spend it on things you hate.
I'm terrified of failing. What's your advice?
Oh, sweetie, failure is inevitable. I'm a professional failure. I fail at *everything*! But, and this is a big but, it's not the end of the world. It really isn't! Failing is how you learn. Failure is *data*. It tells you what doesn't work. It gives you information! It forces you to adjust, to adapt, to grow. The fear ofUrban Hotel Search
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