Escape to Mitchell, SD: Your Perfect Days Inn Awaits!
Escape to Mitchell, SD: Days Inn – My Honest-to-Goodness Review (Prepare for a Rambling Ride!)
Okay, folks, buckle up. This ain’t gonna be your sterile, perfectly-formatted travel brochure review. This is reality. We’re talking about the Days Inn in Mitchell, South Dakota, and let me tell you, after a long, long drive, it was a damn welcome sight. We booked it mostly because, well, it was there, it had a pool (crucial for wrangling a kid after hours on the road), and because, let’s be honest, the prospect of an actual bed sounded like a dream.
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- Keywords: Mitchell SD, Days Inn, Hotel Review, South Dakota Hotels, Accessible Hotel, Free Wi-Fi, Swimming Pool, Corn Palace, Family-Friendly, Cleanliness, Breakfast, Travel Review, Road Trip, Budget Hotel.
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Days Inn in Mitchell, SD - accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, dining, and that thing that makes you go "huh?" Stay or steer clear? Find out here!
First Impressions (AKA, The Drive-In-From-Hell):
Seriously, the drive was epic. Think endless skies, rolling hills, and… well, more hills. Our poor car was begging for mercy. Pulling into the Days Inn, I was hoping for a sanctuary. Honestly, the exterior? Pretty standard Days Inn. Nothing fancy, but hey, it existed. And that was enough.
Accessibility – The Good and the… Well, Let's Call It "Room for Improvement":
Okay, this is important. My sister travels with mobility issues, so accessibility is key. While the elevator was present (thank GOD), the ramp up to the lobby felt a little… steep. Inside, the lobby was generally navigable.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, generally. Elevators present. But the outside ramp could definitely be friendlier.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Saw designated parking. Didn't check the rooms specifically this time, but I assume there'd rooms available.
- Elevator: Present and functioning. Phew!
The Room – My Oasis (and Its Tiny Flaws):
We got a room with… wait for it… two queen beds! Bliss.
- Air conditioning: Worked like a charm. Needed it. Badly.
- Free Wi-Fi: Glorious. Essential. Even if they didn't have it, I'd be forced to praise them for it. Seriously, trying to entertain a kid without Wi-Fi on a road trip is like trying to herd cats using a bowl of jello.
- Internet Access: Yep, included.
- Internet Access – Wireless (WiFi): Absolutely. Connected instantly.
- Alarm clock: Present, but I'm not sure it actually worked. Thankfully, my brain is an alarm clock these days, set to "child-wakes-up-at-dawn." (Insert eye roll & sigh emoji here)
- Blackout curtains: Essential! We needed to get the kiddo to nap and actually stay asleep. Success!
- Coffee/tea maker: Crucial! See: "child-wakes-up-at-dawn".
- Desk: Handy for that late-night work I pretended to do while secretly watching Netflix.
- Refrigerator: Needed for that life-saving milk and snacks.
- Hair dryer: Present.
- Satellite/cable channels: The absolute minimum for a hotel.
- Towels: Fine. Towels are towels.
- Toiletries: The usual hotel-y stuff. Fine.
- Additional toilet: Nope - no additional toilet.
- Bathtub and Separate Shower/Bathtub: It had a bath shower so, the kiddo was happy and I had a chance to rest.
- Linens: Fine, if a bit thin.
- Hot Water: Excellent.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Soundproofing: Did its job.
- Safety/security feature: The usual. Can't remember what the door was, but it worked.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Essential to my sanity.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Good News!
Honestly, I’m a bit of a germaphobe, especially post-pandemic. I was pleasantly surprised.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Seemed like it!
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Probably, or at least I hope so.
- Hand sanitizer: Available in the lobby.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed professional and polite.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Or: "Breakfast, the Saga!")
Okay, the breakfast. The free breakfast. I had low expectations, and those were perhaps… exceeded in a roundabout way. It was the standard continental fare, but with a slight, endearing chaos.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The star of the show… or at least, the thing everyone was there for.
- Breakfast service: The buffet was there.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Available.
- Coffee shop: Not applicable.
- Buffet in restaurant: Available.
- A la carte in restaurant: Nope!
- Vegetarian restaurant: Nope, this isn't that kind of place.
- Western breakfast: Yep, the usual.
- Asian breakfast: Surprisingly, also an option.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Possible (grab and go), which came in very handy.
- Bottle of water: Available.
- Room service [24-hour]: No!
Let’s get into the breakfast experience for a moment. The real highlight? The waffle maker. The magical, ever-tempting waffle maker. My kiddo became obsessed. It's like a tiny, sugary factory of joy. The problem? The line. The eternal line. People, I get it. Waffles are good. But the sheer determination to get a waffle was something to witness! I witnessed it multiple times myself. Worth it.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax (The Pool!):
This is where the Days Inn really shined, at least for us. The outdoor pool was… glorious.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes, and it was clean, and the water temperature was perfect.
- Poolside bar: Nope.
- Spa: No spa, not at all, no extra services.
After hours in the car, jumping in that pool felt like pure, unadulterated freedom. The kid splashed, I relaxed (sort of), and for a few precious moments, the road trip melted away. Bliss.
Services and Conveniences (The Helpful Stuff):
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a good thing.
- Daily housekeeping: They did a good job.
- Cash withdrawal: I didn't need it.
- Laundry service: Didn't utilize it.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes, and it's easy to park.
- Convenience store: I don't remember one, so I'll guess no.
- Elevator: Yes!
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes!
- Internet: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: There were some facilities.
- Pets allowed: No.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Nope.
- Bicycle parking: I wish, but I'll bet no.
For the Kids (The Kiddo's Verdict):
- Family/child friendly: Absolutely!
- Kids facilities: The pool was the biggest draw.
- Babysitting service: The kiddo would love the extra time at the pool.
- Kids meal: NOP.
The kiddo loved it. The pool was the star. The waffle maker was a close second.
Getting Around (The Important Stuff):
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes, plenty of parking.
- Airport transfer: Nope.
- Taxi service: Possible, I'm sure.
Quirks, Imperfections, and Honest-to-Goodness Truths:
Okay, here’s where the review gets real. There was a slight stain on the carpet. The shower pressure could have been better. The breakfast area had a slightly… institutional feel. But you know what? It didn't matter. We were tired, we were hungry, and we were grateful for a clean, comfortable place to crash.
My Verdict:
The Days Inn in Mitchell, South Dakota? It’s not the Ritz. It’s not fancy. But it’s a perfectly decent, clean, and family-friendly place to rest your weary head. Would I stay there again? Absolutely. Especially if that waffle maker is still going strong.
Gettysburg's Hidden Gem: Uncover the Baladerry Inn's Secrets!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This ain't your grandma's carefully crafted itinerary. This is my attempt to survive a few days in the Days Inn by Wyndham in Mitchell, South Dakota. Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it.
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (and Pizza!)
1:00 PM - Arrival at Mitchell, SD: Okay, first off, Mitchell is… Mitchell. It's… there. I booked the Days Inn because, let's be honest, budget. As I pulled up, I got hit with a wave of… beige. Beige siding, beige parking lot, beige… everything. I swear the sky itself looked a little beige today. That's when the existential dread started creeping in. Am I destined to become one with the beige? Will my soul be forever stained with the scent of chlorine and lukewarm coffee?
1:30 PM - Check-In and Hotel Room Shenanigans: The front desk clerk seemed perpetually mid-sentence, which made the check-in process… interesting. Got my key card, mumbled a thank you that probably translated to a low-level panic, and headed off to my room. Key card didn’t work. Twice. Then a third time! You know what's scary? That little light flashes red! Then the room. It wasn't bad, per se. Just… intensely unremarkable. Like a beige canvas begging for a splash of… well, anything. Maybe a rogue glitter bomb? I'm just saying.
2:00 PM - Urgent Pizza Retrieval: My stomach was a rumbling beast after hours on the road, and I realized I hadn’t eaten since breakfast at 5:00 AM. I had to take action! I looked up Dominos nearby. It was a life-saving decision. As I was heading there, I had an epiphany: Pizza! My mood immediately improved. The pizza was, predictably, Domino's pizza. Consistent, dependable, and perfect.
3:00 PM - The Mitchell Corn Palace (attempted): It's the Corn Palace, people! The World's Only Corn Palace! How could I not go? Well… construction. That's right, when I get to the Corn Palace, it was covered in scaffolding and tarps. Devastation. I took some photos from outside, trying to channel some kind of artistic appreciation for the… building materials.
4:00 PM - Hotel Room Hibernation and Mild Depression: Back in the room, I decided to embrace the beige. I put on my comfiest sweatpants (which, let’s be honest, are the only pants I pack) and settled in for a nap. Let me just say: those hotel pillows are evil. Flat, lumpy… they actively conspire against a restful sleep. I woke up feeling more tired than when I started, and a general sense of… ennui? Settled over me like a damp blanket.
6:00 PM - Dinner Back to Dominos. Seriously. Don't judge.
7:00 PM - TV Time and the Unbearable Lightness of Being… in Mitchell: Watched TV. Lots of local commercials. So many car dealerships. So much… beige. Contemplated ordering a pizza.
Day 2: The Corn Palace Strikes Back! (Sort Of)
8:00 AM - Wake Up Call and the Breakfast Debacle: The free "breakfast" at the Days Inn. Oh. My. God. Don't get me wrong, I'm not fancy. But this… this was an experience. The powdered eggs looked like something I might find in an archaeological dig. The "sausage" patties had the consistency of… well, I'm not sure what. Let's just say, I opted for the pre-packaged, suspiciously shiny danish. It’s not supposed to reflect light!
9:00 AM - Battle for the Corn Palace! (Take Two): After breakfast I figured, "Heck, if I'm here, let's try the Corn Palace again." And it was still under construction. But this time, I went inside. Okay, the interior was actually pretty cool. The murals are impressive. The sheer… corn-ness of it all is… something. I bought a postcard. You know, just in case I ever need to prove I existed outside of my beige hotel room!
11:00 AM - The McGovern Library: Okay, so Mitchell is… let's say, "not exactly bursting with exciting attractions." So I looked it up and heard the McGovern Library. It was… a library. A very nice library! Great books. Beautiful. I spent an hour there looking through the books and just enjoying the silence.
1:00 PM - Lunch: Found a local diner. The food was… hearty. I ate an entire plate of mashed potatoes. I also chatted with some locals.
2:00 PM - The Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village: Okay, this was actually pretty cool. A real archaeological site where people used to live! I spent a couple of hours there, climbing through the dirt and imagining what it was like.
5:00 PM - Hotel Room Blues and Impulse Buy: Back in the room, I decided to spend time browsing. And that’s how I ended up accidentally ordering a life-sized cardboard cutout of… a llama. Don’t ask. I needed something to break up the beige. It should arrive in about a week.
7:00 PM - Dinner: Back to Dominos.
Day 3: Departure and the Longing for Color
8:00 AM - Breakfast: Back to the breakfast of questionable origins. I ate my danish while trying to imagine that the powdered eggs were actually… sunshine.
9:00 AM - Last Glance at the Corn Palace and Mitchell Farewell: Did one last drive past the Corn Palace. Gave it a nod. Made my exit.
10:00 AM - Departure: I left Mitchell, feeling… a little bit melancholy. It wasn’t the most thrilling destination. But it was… real. And I learned something about the beige. And the cardboard llama. And the power of pizza.
(Ongoing) - Post-Trip Meditations: I'm currently sitting at home, unpacking, and staring longingly at my walls. They are beige. The call of the rainbow is strong, strong. Did I really spend all that time in Mitchell? Did it actually happen? The jury's still out, but I have my postcard. And my memories. And, hopefully, my llama. Wish me luck. I’m going to need it.
Escape to Mitchell, SD: Your Perfect Days Inn Awaits! (Probably... Maybe) - A Slightly Haphazard Q&A
Alright, alright, you’re thinking "Mitchell, South Dakota? Days Inn? Really?" Look, I get it. But before you automatically write it off as some desolate highway stopover, let me tell you… it has its… charme. And, well, the Days Inn *could* be your base camp for it all. Let's get messy with some questions, shall we?
1. So, what's the *deal* with Mitchell, anyway? Besides the World's Only Corn Palace, of course. (Trust me, that's a whole other level)
The Corn Palace. Ugh, okay, *fine*. It's corn. On a building. Really, really decorated corn. It's iconic, I guess. I mean, you *have* to go. But beyond that… Mitchell is… a place. A *very* Midwestern place. It's got friendly people, wide open spaces, and a pace of life that's about two gears slower than the rest of the world. Think… slow. Real slow. Think Grandma's molasses cookies baking slow. (And yes, my grandma makes the BEST molasses cookies. I’m getting off track…). Anyway, back to Mitchell. It's about exploring the rolling plains, driving to the lake, and breathing in air that smells like… well, fresh air! Which, depending on your origin, might be a welcome change. I was thinking, after a long trip in the car, I even cried a little because the air was so fresh. Did that happen to you before? I don't know why I am telling you this, maybe because I'm thinking the place is worth seeing if you're up for some peace. And good biscuits. They have good biscuits.
2. Is the Days Inn actually… decent? Or should I pack a hazmat suit?
Okay, look, it's a Days Inn. Manage your expectations. It's not the Ritz. It's not even a particularly fancy Motel 6. But, and this is a big but, I found mine to be… surprisingly okay. Cleanish, reasonably priced, and the free breakfast… well, let's just say those waffles *looked* good, even if they tasted vaguely of… well, processed ingredients. I *did* get a kick out of their, 'grab and go' breakfast. They did have some sort of pastries that reminded me of my childhood. It felt familiar, comforting even. (Don’t judge me, I was tired from the drive!) The staff? They were genuinely nice. Like, *really* nice. I’m talking small-town, everyone-knows-everyone-else kind of nice. And hey: a clean bed and a hot shower after a long day of… well, whatever you're doing in Mitchell… is a win. Just… maybe wipe down the surfaces with a Clorox wipe, you know, just in case. Look, I'm not saying it's luxury, I'm saying it's functional. Functionality, especially after a long drive, should be appreciated.
3. What's there to *do* in Mitchell? Beyond the Corn Palace, I mean. Be honest.
Okay, here's where the fun starts, or at least, where you might accidentally stumble into fun. Besides the Corn Palace (which you *will* visit. You WILL), there's…
* Lake Mitchell: The lake is all right. You can fish, swim (if you dare, the water is cold!), or just chill by the shore. You'll meet a lot of locals. Now, the water is fine, just a little chill, but the scenery... it's what you'd expect: wide open, with a little bit of trees and that kind of scenery that makes you feel right at home.
* Dakota Discovery Museum: A surprisingly interesting museum! It's got exhibits on local history, Native American heritage, and… well, stuff. You might actually learn something! I'm not the biggest fan of museums, but even I found myself entertained.
* The Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village: A real archaeological site! It’s pretty cool to walk around and think about the folks who lived there ages ago.
* The Mitchell Public Library: Yeah, okay, I'm getting desperate. But hey, maybe you need a quiet place to read! It's really nice, and it's located in a really nice, old, historic building.
* Drive around: Seriously. Just… drive. Get a feel for the landscape. See the endless fields of corn. Watch the sunset. There's a certain, almost hypnotic, beauty to the vastness. The sunsets are stunning. I saw one so beautiful that it took my breath away.
So, yeah, it's not exactly a nonstop party. But it's… different. And sometimes, different is a good thing. My main advise, just drive around.
4. Food! What's the food situation? I can't survive on processed waffles alone.
Ah, food. The lifeblood of any vacation! Mitchell's got… options. Don't expect Michelin-starred dining, but you can find some comfort food gems. The local diners are your friend; think hearty breakfasts, big portions, and bottomless coffee. (Pro-tip: Tip well, the waitresses are amazing!). I also had some amazing local beef. It's all about comfort. * Local diners: Definitely check out the local diners. They are a must. * Chain restaurants: There are chain restaurants also. * Grocery store: And of course, there are grocery stores.
5. Best tip for surviving (and possibly enjoying) a stay at the Days Inn in Mitchell?
Manage your expectations! This is a solid rule. And embrace the slower pace. Bring a good book. Don't be afraid to strike up a conversation with a local (they're usually friendly). Pack some snacks (because, let's be honest, the vending machine might disappoint you). And, for the love of all that is holy, take a deep breath and RELAX. Mitchell, South Dakota, isn't about the glitz and glamour. It's about a different kind of experience. So, just let yourself *be*. I mean, it's not the South of France, but it has a charm, a quiet, unassuming charm. You can find something to like. And hey, maybe you'll even find yourself… *enjoying* the Days Inn.
Oh, and one more thing: bring some hand sanitizer. Just in case. (I swear I’m not trying to scare you!).
6. Will I regret going to Mitchell?
That depends on you! If you're looking for non-stop thrills and a big city scene, then yes, probably. (Uptown Lodging
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