Horsham's Hidden Gem: TownePlace Suites Review - You WON'T Believe This!
Horsham's Hidden Gem: TownePlace Suites Review - You WON'T Believe This (Maybe?)!
Okay, so I just stumbled out of the TownePlace Suites in Horsham, and honestly, my brain feels like it's been through a tumble dryer. This place… it's a thing. They say it's a "hidden gem," and honestly, after my stay, I'm not entirely sure if that's a compliment or a threat. Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up, because this is gonna be a long one.
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First Impressions (or, How I Survived the Check-In):
Finding the place wasn't too bad. Got directions and everything. Right off the bat: Accessibility – I didn't personally need it, but I did scope things out. Elevator? Check. Wheelchair accessible rooms? Seemed like they had 'em. And a car park [free of charge]? Score! Though, good lord, are people really that bad at parking? I saw a minivan taking up two spots. Just a sign of things to come, I guess. They also seemed to have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside the property.
The check-in process was… efficient. Contactless check-in/out? Yep. I appreciated that, especially since the gal behind the counter clearly had a long day. No personal connection, but hey, I wasn't looking for a friend. Just a room. It was thankfully 24/7 front desk if anything went south.
The Room (My Temporary Fortress):
Alright, the room. My home for the next few days. And let me tell you, it was… perfectly… fine.
- Available in all rooms: Okay, let's be real. This "all rooms" stuff is the bare minimum, right? But, Air conditioning? Check. Alarm clock? Present. Bathrobes? Nope. Bathroom phone? Mercifully, no. I hate those things. Bathtub? Yes, a perfectly adequate one. Blackout curtains? Praise be! I need my beauty sleep. Closet? Yep, even managed to squeeze in my (entirely necessary) collection of novelty t-shirts. Coffee/tea maker? Crucial. Complimentary tea? Nice touch. Daily housekeeping? Almost too clean! I like a little lived-in chaos, personally. Desk? Essential for pretending to work (on travel reviews, naturally…). Extra long bed? Thank GOODNESS. I’m a tall gal. Free bottled water? Always appreciated. Hair dryer? Yes, though, honestly, I rarely use it. High floor? Nah, I got a ground floor room. In-room safe box? Fine. I mostly just wanted a place to hide my snacks. Internet access – LAN? Hmmm. Internet access – wireless? YES! Wi-Fi [free]? DOUBLE YES! The speed was surprisingly decent. Ironing facilities? Thank the gods. Laptop workspace? Yep. Linens? Fresh and clean. Mini bar? Nope, but the fridge was a decent size. Mirror? A few. Non-smoking? Absolutely. On-demand movies? Didn't bother. Private bathroom? Obviously. Reading light? Yay. Refrigerator? A good size, perfect for the aforementioned snacks and drinks. Safety/security feature? Smoke detector, check. Satellite/cable channels? Lots of choices. Scale? gulp. Seating area? A small sofa and a chair. Separate shower/bathtub? Separate. Shower? Fine. Slippers? Nope. Smoke detector? Yup. Socket near the bed? YES! Sofa? Comfortable enough. Soundproofing? Pretty good; I didn't hear the minibar guy sneeze, so that's a win. Telephone? Present and accounted for. Toiletries? Basic, but got the job done. Towels? Plenty. Umbrella? Nope. Visual alarm? Didn't need it. Wake-up service? Probably, but I just set my alarm.
So, yeah. The room was… functional. Clean. Predictable. Exactly what you expect from a chain hotel. I wouldn't go writing poetry about it, but it served its purpose. Especially appreciated the window that opens. Always a bonus.
Cleanliness and Safety – Because, You Know, Times:
The whole COVID thing. Sigh. This is where things get interesting. They say they’re taking it seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? I mean, you'd hope so? Cashless payment service? Yes. Daily disinfection in common areas? Seemed like it. I did see some cleaning happening. Hand sanitizer? Everywhere. Hygiene certification? No idea. Individually-wrapped food options? More on that later. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? They tried. Professional-grade sanitizing services? Maybe? Room sanitization opt-out available? Not sure. Rooms sanitized between stays? Definitely. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Seemed like it. Staff trained in safety protocol? Probably. Shared stationery removed? Good!
Food, Glorious Food (or, "Surviving the Breakfast Buffet"):
Okay, here's where the "hidden gem" part gets… dicey. Breakfast [buffet]? They call it a buffet. More like a carefully curated selection of individually-wrapped pastries, pre-packaged yogurt, and… well, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly a culinary masterpiece. Breakfast takeaway service? Yes. Asian breakfast? Nope. Asian cuisine in restaurant? Uh, no. Buffet in restaurant? See above. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Coffee was acceptable, tea was… well, it was tea. The coffee shop, as it were, was the lobby and was very limited. Hot water linen and laundry washing? Probably. A la carte in restaurant? Not applicable, for the breakfast only. Bottle of water? Yes. Alternative meal arrangement? None that I experienced. Desserts in restaurant? See breakfast. Happy hour? Nada. International cuisine in restaurant? Again, no. Poolside bar? Nope. Restaurants? Limited selection – see breakfast. Room service [24-hour]? Nope. Salad in restaurant? See breakfast. Snack bar? Nope. Soup in restaurant? See breakfast. Vegetarian restaurant? See breakfast – but they did have fruit! Western breakfast? Present and accounted for and then some. Western cuisine in restaurant? See breakfast.
My main takeaway? Don't go expecting a Michelin-star experience. But the breakfast got me through. Okay, maybe that's a low bar.
Amenities and "Things to Do" (More Like "Things to Do Without Leaving the Hotel"):
Ah, the fun stuff. Let's see what we had to work with…
- Pool with view? Nope. It was the indoor swimming pool, and didn't seem to have views.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]? No, but there was an indoor swimming pool. It was… functional. A chlorine-scented oasis, if you will.
- Gym/fitness? Yep. I didn’t venture in, but it was there. A treadmill and some weights in a room.
- Fitness center? See above.
- Spa? Nope.
- Spa/sauna? No.
- Sauna? No.
- Steamroom? No.
- Massage? Not in the hotel.
- Body scrub? Nope.
- Body wrap? No.
- Foot bath? No.
- Air conditioning in public area? Yes.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events? Not that I saw…
- Business facilities? Yep. Business center? A few computers. Xerox/fax in business center? I think so?
- Cash withdrawal? Nope.
- Concierge? Nope.
- Convenience store? Yup – snacks and drinks.
- Currency exchange? LOL.
- Daily housekeeping? Yes.
- Doorman? Nope.
- Dry cleaning? I think so.
- **Elevator
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your grandma's perfectly pristine travel itinerary. This is the real, unvarnished, slightly-caffeinated truth about my stay at the TownePlace Suites in Horsham, PA. Let's get messy!
The Horsham "Adventure" - A Stream of Consciousness Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Beige
- 14:00 (ish): Arrive at TownePlace Suites. First impression? Beige. So much beige. The lobby is a symphony of blandness. Am I already bored? Maybe. Check-in is smooth enough. The woman at the desk is pleasant, though I swear I caught a flicker of "another one" in her eyes. Understandable.
- 14:30: Room. Finally. Ah, a tiny, slightly-beige oasis. Standard issue kitchenette (I'll probably use it for instant coffee and the secret stash of chocolate I always bring). The TV remote looks like it's been through a war.
- 15:00: Attempt to unpack. Fail. Why do I bring so much stuff? My suitcase is basically a black hole.
- 16:00: The Great Grocery Store Quest. Needed sustenance. Found a Wegman's. Wegman's is the Promised Land. Wandered the aisles, overwhelmed with choices. Ended up buying far too much. Regret the giant bag of chips later.
- 18:00: Dinner at the hotel. No, actually, I gave up on the "free breakfast" (which, let's be honest, is probably just a pile of stale bagels and sad-looking fruit). Ordered a pizza for delivery. Pizza arrived. Ate. Slept.
- Evening: Stayed awake to work till 3am and woke up at 10am the next day.
Day 2: The Business-Trip Blahs and the Unexpected Spark
- 10:00: Morning. Slept until 10. That's a win. Drag myself out of bed, feeling the familiar pang of missing my own bed even though I just left it.
- 10:30: Attempt to make coffee. Kitchen skills, at best, are basic. Almost set off the smoke alarm. Good start.
- 11:00: Work, work, work. The bane of my existence, but must be done, I suppose. The hotel room becomes my office-ish space. The office chair, of course, is designed for someone who's either five feet tall or made of pure steel. My back is already screaming.
- 13:00: Lunch: leftovers from last night's Pizza (cold pizza is a real debate!). Think about the meeting later.
- 15:00: The Meeting. Business-y. Nothing I can't handle. But my brain is already starting to wander.
- 17:00: The Unexpected Spark! Found a running trail nearby! I am a runner, a real, honest-to-God runner. Suddenly, the beige feels a little less prison-y.
- 18:00: The Run. The run was perfect, absolutely perfect. The crisp air, the changing fall colors, the slight ache in my legs that just made my heart feel more alive. Pure bliss. For an hour, the business trip, the beige, everything just faded away. I'm smiling.
- 19:00: Dinner. I feel good, so I treat myself. Local brewery! Good brew, good food, good company.
- 22:00: Bed. Collapse. Sleep like a baby.
Day 3: The Breakfast Debacle and the Bitter Farewell
- 07:00: Breakfast: Attempt #1. The "free breakfast" is, in fact, a culinary crime scene. The oatmeal is watery, the bagels are rocks, and the fruit is a mystery. I retreat. Get a coffee and a muffin at a local shop. Much better.
- 09:00: One last meeting.
- 12:00: Check out. This whole trip feels messy. The beige has worn me down.
- 13:00: Departure. Goodbye Horsham, PA! See you… probably never.
Random Ramblings & Observations:
- The pool: Saw it. Did not use it. I find hotel pools to be inherently sad.
- The staff: Mostly friendly, but the cleaning crew deserves a raise. Hotels are messy places.
- The Wi-Fi: It worked. Mostly.
- My Emotions: A rollercoaster. Boredom, frustration, a moment of pure joy on the running trail, a brief sense of accomplishment. The usual.
- The Big Picture: It's a business trip. It's functional. It's not glamorous. But that one run? That made it all worthwhile. And in the end, isn't that what counts?
So yeah, that's it. Not pretty, not perfect, but honest. And that's what matters, right? Now, time to go home and sleep in my own bed. Peace out, Horsham. (And maybe invest in some new beige paint).
Escape to Comfort: Columbia's Best Extended Stay Suites Await!
Horsham's Hidden Gem: TownePlace Suites Review - You WON'T Believe This! (FAQ - Because You Need to Know!)
Okay, Okay, Spill. Is This Place REALLY a "Hidden Gem"? (and, like, worth my hard-earned cash?)
Alright, alright, let's get to the point. "Hidden Gem" might be stretching it a *teeeeeny* bit. More like... a refreshingly decent option in a sea of... well, let's just say "meh" hotels around Horsham. Look, I've stayed in some *places*. Places that made me question my life choices. This? TownePlace Suites? Actually… it's pretty darn good. It’s not The Ritz, folks, but for a suite-style hotel, it punches above its weight. Think clean, functional, and, crucially, not smelling faintly of despair like some hotels I've endured. They actually *care* about the little things! (More on this later. Oh yes, *much* more.) Is it perfect? Ha! No, no hotel is perfect. But is it worth it? *Generally* yes. Especially if you're staying a few days. This is *not* a drive-in-and-out kind of place.
What's the Deal with the "Suite" Part? (Like, are we talking glorified shoebox or actual space?)
Okay, *finally* something interesting. The suites are… well, they *are* suites! No, seriously. I booked a one-bedroom, and I actually had… room! (Insert delighted squeal here). A proper living area, a separate bedroom, a *kitchenette*! (And not just the kind with a suspicious microwave and a dodgy coffee maker… this one was actually pretty legit. More on *that* in a sec, trust me.) I could *breathe*. I could actually *walk around* without constantly banging into furniture. It was a glorious feeling after a LONG day of… well, let's just say work-related stress that involved too much caffeine and not enough sleep. The sofa was comfy enough to collapse on after a long day, too. Winning!
The Kitchenette… Tell Me EVERYTHING. (Because, let's be honest, hotel kitchens can be a disaster.)
Alright, buckle up, because this is where things get *interesting*. The kitchenette… was a game-changer. Okay, rewind. Before I go full-on gush-mode, let me manage expectations. It’s not a full-blown chef's kitchen, obviously. But it had a fridge (a *good* fridge, not the under-the-counter kind that barely chills anything), a microwave (again, not the kind that explodes your Pop-Tarts), a dishwasher (bliss!), and… a stovetop. Yes, a stovetop! I actually cooked… *gasp*… a real meal! (Okay, it was mostly frozen veggies and pre-cooked chicken, but still! Progress!). The plates and cutlery were decent quality, which is a huge plus. My biggest… well, let’s call it a *quirk*… is my coffee addiction. And this place? They had a *proper* coffee maker. Not a pod machine. A *real* coffee maker. You know, the kind you can actually make a decent pot of coffee with? (I’m getting excited again, aren’t I? Sorry. Coffee is life). I feel like the kitchenette deserves its own dedicated FAQ section, TBH. It's that good. Really.
Breakfast... The Eternal Hotel Question. Is it edible? (And is it actually *free*?)
Ah, breakfast. The make-or-break moment for any hotel. Yes, it's included. And yes… it's *mostly* edible. Okay, it's not a gourmet brunch buffet, but hey, it's *free*. They had the usual suspects: scrambled eggs (not the best, but… passable), sausage (same deal), some kind of waffles you make yourself (always a win), fruit (mostly okay), and… the holy grail: coffee. And, yeah, the coffee was better than a lot of other places. Look, I usually pack my own breakfast bars, because, frankly, I’m a breakfast snob. But I *did* find myself grabbing a waffle or two. The whole experience was… pleasant. Not a soul-crushing way to start the day. Huge points there.
Location, Location, Location! How Convenient Is It, Really? (And am I going to need a car...or a kayak?)
The location is… decent. It's Horsham, so don't expect to be right in the middle of a bustling metropolis. You *will* need a car. Absolutely. No kayaking required (unless you *really* want to). It's close to a bunch of restaurants and shops, which is handy. It's also (allegedly) close to some businesses. I was there for… let's say a private family… uh… thing. So I didn't venture out a lot. But, from what I saw, it's pretty easy to get around. Freeway access isn't too far, and the area *seems* safe. Definitely beats some of the... *ahem*… questionable neighborhoods I've unwittingly ended up in over the years. (Shudders).
Okay, So… Any Downsides? (Because nothing's perfect, right?)
*Sigh*. Alright, yes. There were a few… *minor* hiccups. The Wi-Fi? Could be stronger. It glitched out now and then, which is a nightmare when you're trying to catch up on emails. And one morning, the air conditioning decided to… well, not. It got HOT in my room! Had to call reception, which, to be fair, they quickly fixed. The walls are thin. Seriously thin. I could hear the neighbor's TV and their… *ahem*… enthusiastic conversations. Let's leave it at that. But overall, that's pretty much it. It’s not a dealbreaker. But, you know, it keeps you grounded in reality.
The Staff! Are They Actually… Nice? (Or just pretending to be?)
Okay, this is important. The staff… were actually *nice*. And I mean genuinely nice, not the forced-smile-bordering-on-creepy kind. They were friendly, helpful, and, crucially, *responsive*. When the air conditioning konked out, they sent someone up immediately. When I asked for extra coffee pods… well, let's just say they *understood* my coffee needs. (Bless them!). They were also super helpful with some… *ahem*… last-minute requests that I won't bore you with. Let's just say I felt very taken care of. This is a HUGE deal. Good customer service can make or break a stay.
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