San Antonio Fiesta Fun! Unbeatable Deals at Super 8 by Wyndham
San Antonio Fiesta Fun? Hold My Margarita (Super 8 Review That's Probably Too Honest)
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to San Antonio, and let me tell you, my stay at the Super 8 by Wyndham? Well, it was an experience. Let's just say it wasn't all sunshine and roses, and I'm pretty sure my bank account is still recovering. But hey, that's travel, right? Let's dive into this thing piece by slightly disorganized piece, shall we?
First Impressions (and a Few Hiccups - or Four)
Pulling up to the Super 8, I was instantly hit with… well, let's be honest, a certain… charm. You know the kind. The kind that whispers, "This used to be super-chic, like, years ago." The exterior corridor, that’s a classic, and it immediately gives you that "road trip" vibe. Okay, cool. Now, the accessibility aspect. They do list "Facilities for disabled guests," but I didn’t actually need them so I can't give a concrete evaluation. However, for someone who needs it, I recommend calling ahead and pestering them to confirm – better safe than sorry, right?
Then, the check-in. Contactless check-in/out? Yes, technically. But more like, "Here's your key card, good luck figuring out the elevator." And speaking of elevators (another essential point for accessibility, by the way), it was slow. I swear, I considered running up the stairs a couple of times, even with (hypothetically) carrying luggage. The front desk [24-hour] was a plus, though. At least someone knew things!
Room Vibes: Where the Party (Maybe) Was Last Night
The rooms sanitized between stays, that's the claim…but…let me just say… a closer inspection, well, it revealed some, shall we say, character. The carpets? Let's just pretend they were retro. The air conditioning blasted, which was a lifesaver in the Texas heat. And the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was, thankfully, actually free and functional, saving my sanity and ability to post my Insta stories. Having Internet access – LAN in addition gave a sense of connectivity, despite having no intention of ever using it.
So, the room breakdown?
- Air conditioning: Check. Essential.
- Alarm clock: Yep (and thankfully, I didn't break it).
- Bathrobes: Nope. (But who needs a bathrobe when you're on the road? More room for souvenirs anyway!)
- Blackout curtains: Absolutely needed. Texas sun, guys. It's brutal, especially after a night of Fiesta shenanigans.
- Closet: Existed. With hangers! (Praise! Always running out of hanger space!)
- Coffee/tea maker: Present! And the coffee was… drinkable.
- Complimentary tea: I didn't ask for tea, but I'm sure it was there.
- Desk: Functional. Got some work done, even.
- Extra long bed: YES to this. Always choose the oversized bed! (Especially if you have a habit of starfish-ing in your sleep.)
- Free bottled water: Score! Hydration is key.
- Hair dryer: Standard issue, but functional.
- Non-smoking: Thank goodness.
- Private bathroom: Again, vital.
- Refrigerator: Useful for keeping those margaritas chilled!
- Satellite/cable channels: Good selection, if you’re into late-night TV.
- Seating area: A small chair, more a place to toss your clothes.
- Smoke detector: Good?
- Toiletries: Basic, but they got the job done.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Fiesta of… Choices?
Okay, let's be honest, the dining situation at the Super 8 wasn't exactly a Michelin-star experience.
- Breakfast [buffet]: It existed, but… let's just say I saw more appealing options at the gas station across the street. (That's not to say the Asian breakfast was terrible, just… not my personal taste.)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Okay, here we go. I need a good coffee!
- Poolside bar: Nope.
- Restaurants: Zero. Nada. Zilch.
- Snack bar: Nope, although the convenience store probably carried some snacks.
- Bottle of water: Always a welcome addition!
Things to Do (Other Than… Well, Sleep):
The Super 8's list of things to do was, well, a bit limited. It's not a resort, people. The pool, if you could call it that, was ok. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was functional, but small. The Fitness center was pretty sparse, and I didn't bother. Spa, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, were unavailable.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Silver Lining (Hopefully)
This is where the Super 8 did okay. I could see that they had Anti-viral cleaning products on display. The staff were wearing masks and you know, they "seemed" to be taking care. The Daily disinfection in common areas was a nice touch.
Services and Conveniences: The Small Stuff That Matters
They offered daily housekeeping, which was a plus. Laundry service and ironing service are convenient, if you need them, although I didn’t personally use them. Having a luggage storage area was nice for early arrivals and late departures. The Concierge didn't exist.
For the Kids:
Didn't see any, family/child friendly seemed like it was a possibility. The babysitting service would only be a nice touch if they had the amenities.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Didn't see any, and it was kind of the kind of place where you wanted to have your own car or use taxi service.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes! Free parking is always a win.
- Car park [on-site]: check.
- Car power charging station - Didn't notice one.
The Verdict: Fiesta-Ready with a Few (Significant) Caveats.
Would I stay at the Super 8 again? Well… it depends. I'm not going to lie, it wasn't a luxury experience. However, given the price point, it was clean-ish, it had a bed, the AC worked, and the Wi-Fi was decent. Most importantly, it serves as a base camp for adventures. If you're on a budget and prioritizing location for San Antonio Fiesta fun, this place will do. Just don't expect a spa day or gourmet meals. Lower those expectations, and you might have a decent time. Overall, I'd describe it as… serviceable.
Humboldt's Hidden Gem: Super 8's IA Secret Revealed!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is the Super 8 in Fiesta San Antonio, warts and all itinerary. We're going deep. We're going real.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of a Budget Hotel
- 1:00 PM: Arrived at San Antonio International Airport (SAT). The air conditioning in that terminal was fighting a losing battle against the Texas heat. Already sweating, which is my baseline setting, by the way. Found the rental car – a slightly dented, suspiciously beige sedan. This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship – or a slow descent into automotive madness.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in at the Super 8. Okay, let's be honest, going in I knew the decor would be a questionable mix of "attempted-chic" and "budget-chic" with a hint of "what decade even is it?". The air conditioning unit was a beast, though, and it was actually working. Small victories.
- 2:30 PM: Dropped luggage in the room (which, surprisingly, didn't smell of stale cigarettes… yet). The carpet, however, was giving serious "history of spilled things" vibes. Okay, let's focus on the AC.
- 3:00 PM: First impressions: The Super 8 is like that friend who always tries a little too hard but still manages to charm you with their enthusiasm. Its charm is hard to pinpoint, but I dig it.
- 3:30 PM: Flipped on the TV. Immediately hit a commercial featuring a talking chihuahua. I swear, this is the moment I knew I was in Texas. Also, the remote… the buttons are sticky. Sigh.
- 4:00 PM: The Quest for Coffee: Discovered the complimentary slightly coffee in the lobby. It's the kind that keeps you awake out of sheer fear of what might be in it. Drank two cups. Needed three.
- 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM: The Riverwalk Shuffle: Okay, so the Riverwalk. Picturesque, right? Wrong. It's overwhelmingly picturesque, a barrage of beauty and mariachi music at every turn. I mean, it's gorgeous, yeah, but all the strolling, the tourists, the endless options of restaurants… it's a sensory overload in the best way possible! Found a random spot for chips and salsa and took a breather. My feet already hurt.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner: Trying to find a dinner spot and get into a good spot: I, a human, was utterly unprepared for the sheer number of charming restaurants. I wanted to be spontaneous, but I had so many choices. I settled in a place that was highly ranked, but the seating wasn't great. The food was delicious, however! If I was still at home, I could rest now.
- 8:30 PM: Back at the Super 8. Debriefing with the hotel staff that I thought it was good. Staring at the TV again. The chihuahua is still being adorable. Starting to warm up to the Super 8.
- 9:00 PM: Existential dread rears its ugly head. Am I really going to enjoy my trip? My room? This is where the itinerary structure falls apart.
- 9:30 PM: Found a small, slightly stained, but acceptable bible in the desk. Browsed it.
- 10:00 PM: The Night's Sleep: The AC is humming, the streetlights are bleeding through the curtains, and I really should get some sleep for tomorrow.
- 10:30 PM: The bed is okay. Some things are okay. Gotta sleep.
Day 2: Fiesta Fever and the Art of Not Getting Lost
- 7:00 AM: Woke up to the faint scent of disinfectant (a Super 8 aroma, truly). Needed that coffee.
- 7:30 AM: The Breakfast Debacle: The "continental" breakfast. I'm not sure what continent it's supposed to be from. The muffins looked… questionable. Settled for a bagel, a banana, and existential dread for breakfast.
- 8:00 AM: Found a perfect spot, a small local store, and had something to drink before heading out.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Alamo Pilgrimage (and Panic): Okay, so the Alamo. Historic, important, yada yada. But the crowds! Ugh. It was like being in a slow-moving, sweaty mosh pit. Spent 20 minutes squinting at the details of the Alamo, and then my mind started to wander. Did anyone ever talk about the Alamo for longer than 20 minutes? Decided to leave. Found a good spot to eat, even bought some souvenirs. That's what I'm here for!
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Found a pretty good spot, and ate a lot.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Fiesta! Fiesta! Fiesta! The Fiesta parade was insane. Colors, music, people in ridiculous hats – pure sensory overload. I somehow managed to snag a decent spot. The crowds are manageable, and you can have a good time as long as you are willing to participate in the chaos.
- 4:00 PM: The crowds were overwhelming. I have to go back to the hotel.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner: The hotel staff gave recommendations. The food was delicious!
- 8:00 PM: Back at Super 8, processing Fiesta, exhaustion, and that weird stain on the carpet. Considering whether I'm actually enjoying this trip.
- 9:00 PM: Television. Chihuahua. Sticky remote. This is home now.
- 9:30 PM: Considering an early start to the breakfast.
Day 3: Departure and the lingering smell of possibility (and maybe disinfectant)
- 7:00 AM: The last breakfast!
- 8:00 AM: Check out. Found my car - still slightly dented, still beige.
- 9:00 AM: Goodbye, San Antonio!
Final Thoughts: The Super 8? It wasn't luxurious, it wasn't perfect, but it was a part of the experience. It gave me shelter, air conditioning, and a place to contemplate the existential dread of budget travel. San Antonio? Chaotic, vibrant, and ultimately, unforgettable. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I stay at the Super 8 again? Maybe. Probably. The heart wants what it wants. And sometimes, that heart just wants a working AC and a talking chihuahua on the television.
P.S. Don't forget to pack the antacids. You'll need them. And maybe some extra hand sanitizer. Just in case. This isn't just a trip, folks. This is a journey.
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