Mesa's BEST Hotel Deal: Days Inn & Suites Near Phoenix!
Mesa's BEST Hotel Deal?: Days Inn & Suites Near Phoenix - A Messy, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Days Inn & Suites Near Phoenix in Mesa, Arizona. The promise of a "BEST Hotel Deal" got my travel-weary heart all aflutter, and I'm here to give you the unvarnished truth. Trust me, it's going to get real, real quick. This isn't your sanitized, perfectly-organized travel blog spiel. This is me, after a few days, a slightly questionable breakfast buffet, and a whole lotta observations.
First Impressions (and the Smell of…something):
Pulling up, it's…well, it's a Days Inn. You know the drill. Exterior corridors, the ever-present hum of the AC units, and that slight motel-y smell that I can never quite place. Is it cheap cleaning product? Ghosts of cigarette smoke? The mystery continues. The accessible ramp was a godsend for my suitcase-laden struggle, though. Score one for accessibility!
Accessibility: Spotty, if I'm honest. While the ramp impressed, I didn't see a ton of obvious adaptations beyond that. I’d need a more thorough investigation if I really needed it to be functional.
Check-In (and a Moment of Mild Panic):
Check-in was…efficient. Not warm, not fuzzy, just…done. The front desk folks were polite but, well, let’s just say they weren't exactly jumping up and down to provide extra amenities. The fact that there was a 24hr front desk eases some anxieties.
Services and Conveniences (A Mixed Bag, Really):
- The Good: Daily housekeeping was, thankfully, on point. Clean towels, fresh sheets – the basics were covered. Free parking was a definite win. The elevator was a must-have, though!
- The "Meh": A convenience store! Score! Though, the selection was…limited. A selection of essential condiments wasn't just in the room, it was EVERYWHERE.
- The "Uh-Oh": While they advertised a business center, it felt neglected. A Xerox/fax machine? I'd like to see it.
Rooms: The Battleground of Comfort and Practicality
Okay, here’s where things get interesting. The "suites" part of the name is… generous. My room had:
- The Essentials (Yay!): Air conditioning (thank GOD), a comfy bed (praise be!), a working TV with a plethora of channels, and free Wi-Fi. (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms is listed - it's a must).
- The Annoyances: The carpet was a bit… worn (carpeting is a must for a hotel, I believe). The bathroom was functional, but the water pressure was a little pathetic.
- The "Wait, What?": The "desk" doubled as a mini-bar counter. Limited in-room storage meant my bag became an obstacle course. I wanted a laptop workspace, but the lighting was terrible!
Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Cleanliness and Safety: Trying to Feel Secure…
- The Good: I'm a huge proponent of safe food and hygiene, so anti-viral cleaning products and rooms sanitized between stays were encouraging. Staff trained in safety protocol is a massive relief.
- The Unknown: The "daily disinfection in common areas" seemed…vague? I didn’t see anyone scrubbing anything with a hazmat suit. (Though, the presence of Hand sanitizer was good.)
- The Slightly Concerning: I couldn't exactly be 100% sure what was happening in the kitchen.
Rooms sanitized between stays is something I want to know about as a guest. For the Kids: (Mostly) an Afterthought.
There were no real kid-centric amenities. Kids meal? Nope. Babysitting? Not on offer. Family-friendly? Eh, depends on what you consider family-friendly.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Breakfast Buffet Memoir…(shudder)
Okay. Let's talk about the breakfast. It’s included. Bless the free breakfast gods! But… the breakfast buffet was where I encountered my first moment of true hotel despair.
- The Good: There was coffee. Lots of coffee. It might not have been the best coffee, but it was coffee. Bagels, cereal. Good.
- The Bad: The scrambled eggs were… questionable in texture. The fruit looked like it had seen better days. The whole operation felt a bit… uninspired. I just wanted a damn salad in restaurant.
- The Ugly (Emotionally): The sight of the lukewarm sausage was enough to trigger a minor existential crisis. I couldn’t stomach the Asian breakfast although it was on offer!. The buffet in restaurant wasn't great.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: (Mostly, You’re on Your Own)
There's a fitness center, which I didn't use because, well, I'm on vacation. A swimming pool (outdoor), and, if you believe the brochure, a pool with a view. I spent most of my time avoiding the pool. There was no sauna, spa or spa/sauna or steamroom, all of which are things I would have enjoyed in the end.
Internet Access: The All-Important Wi-Fi Thank heavens for the Wi-Fi [free]! After the morning coffee and buffet, I needed the internet more than ever! Getting around: Airport transfer, bicycle parking, car park [free of charge], car park [on-site], car power charging station, taxi service, valet parking, I don't know why the Days Inn would have those, although it's nice to see.
My Final Verdict:
Is the Days Inn & Suites Near Phoenix the "BEST Hotel Deal" Mesa has to offer? Let's be honest, no. But is it terrible? Not necessarily. It's… functional. It's the beige of hotels. If you're looking for a clean, affordable place to crash for a night or two, with free Wi-Fi, and you're not expecting a luxury experience, it'll probably do the trick. Just pack your own breakfast bars. And maybe some industrial-strength hand sanitizer.
SEO & Metadata Snippets (Because THAT’S what this is all about, right?):
- Title: Days Inn & Suites Near Phoenix - Honest Review: Accessibility, Amenities & WTF Breakfast!
- Meta Description: Unfiltered review of the Days Inn near Phoenix, Mesa. Honest assessment of accessibility, rooms, breakfast & amenities (or lack thereof). Is it a deal? Read on…
- Keywords: Days Inn Near Phoenix, Mesa hotel review, cheap hotels Mesa, accessible hotels, budget travel, Arizona hotels, free Wi-Fi, hotel breakfast review, Days Inn review, Hotel review
- H1: Days Inn & Suites Near Phoenix: The Good, The Bad, and the Breakfast You Can't Unsee.
- H2: Accessibility - is the Days Inn accessible?
- H2: The Rooms: What's Inside (and What's Missing)
- H2: The Buffet: A Culinary Adventure (Not Always in a Good Way)
- H2: Cleanliness and Safety: Is it Safe or Super-Safe
- H2: Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Buffet Memoir…(shudder)
- H2: Services and Conveniences (A Mixed Bag, Really)
- H2: Things to Do/Ways to Relax: (Mostly, You’re on Your Own)
- Image Alt Text: Days Inn Near Phoenix - Exterior, Room, Breakfast Buffet (and Maybe Some Regret).
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to embark on a journey of pure, unadulterated planning – or, more accurately, winging it – for a stay at the Days Inn & Suites in Mesa, Arizona. This isn't some polished, Instagram-filtered experience; this is the real deal. Get ready for some travel chaos, real-life frustrations, and maybe just a teensy bit of triumphant joy.
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Mesa Near Phoenix – The Unofficial Itinerary (aka, The Plan That'll Probably Get Sideways)
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and Questionable Pizza
- 1:00 PM: Whew! Finally landed. Phoenix Sky Harbor was, as always, a glorious hot mess. Got to love that Arizona sun, though. Headed to the rental car… which, bless its little heart, looked like it had seen more action than a used car salesman on Craigslist. Okay, we’ll get through this. First mission: Days Inn in Mesa.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. Okay, the lobby smells… specific. Kind of like chlorine mixed with… old carpet? Let's just say it's got "character." The front desk guy was super chill, which is always a plus. Got the key, and prayed for a room without a peeling wallpaper.
- 3:00 PM: The room… well, it's a room. The AC is humming really loudly, which is definitely going to make sleeping fun eyeroll. Okay, unpack. Where are my snacks?
- 4:00 PM: Existential dread sets in. Staring at the ceiling with a general feeling of “What am I doing with my life?” I should have packed a better book. And what is that stain on the carpet? I don't want to know.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Decided to order pizza delivery because, let's be honest, sometimes you just need pizza. And the best part? I don't have to cook it! Ordered from a place called "Pizza Perfection" – it sounds too good to be true, I'm calling it now.
- 7:00 PM: Pizza arrived. "Perfection" is definitely stretching it. It's edible. Let's leave it at that. I’m suddenly very tired and just want to watch terrible TV. Here goes nothing.
- 9:00 PM: Realized the channel selection is… limited. Found a show about competitive hot dog eating? I think I'll pass. Bedtime after lots of eye rolling.
Day 2: Desert Hikes, and a Run-In With a Tumbleweed (Probably)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. The hum of the AC is still going strong. Caffeine needed. Badly.
- 7:30 AM: Found free breakfast. Yay!! The "continental" spread included stale bagels, questionable coffee, and a single plastic fork. "Continental" my foot! But hey, beggars can't be choosers.
- 8:00 AM: Time for a hike! I decided to drive to Usery Mountain Regional Park. All these cacti make me feel very official desert explorer!
- 9:00 AM: Hiking, yes! The desert is… surprisingly vibrant. Okay, it's hot, really hot, but the colors are incredible. I definitely sweated through my shirt in the first 15 minutes. Maybe I should have brought more water. And a hat. And sunscreen. Basically, I’m a walking disaster.
- 12:00 PM: Back from the hike! My legs are jelly. Chugged all the water and decided a post-hike nap is in order.
- 2:00 PM: Nap over. Time for some shopping. My credit card is nervous.
- 4:00 PM: Headed back to the Days Inn to collapse.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner, AGAIN. Maybe I'll brave a real restaurant. I hear there's a great Mexican place nearby. I'll take a gamble!
- 7:00 PM: The best Mexican food I have ever had in my life! The margaritas? Perfection. Everything.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the days inn to get ready for sleep. I'm glad I was able to shower and get ready, or else I would have a tough time getting to bed.
Day 3: Poolside Disasters and Farewell (ish)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Consider pretending I'm still asleep, but the day beckons.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast (same sad spread as yesterday).
- 10:00 AM: This is the moment I've been waiting for – the pool. I packed my swimsuit! Sunscreen on and ready to go. It's a glorious thing, until…
- 10:15 AM: The Pool Disaster. The pool is closed for maintenance. Apparently, something involving… something gross they didn't want to explain to me. Okay fine, I’ll go back to the room and spend the day getting ready for checkout.
- 11:00 AM: Decided I'm going to pack up everything. Time for my flight home!
- 2:00 PM: Checked out and got into my car for one last look. The car is a hotbox. Headed to the airport.
- 3:00 PM: Airport security. Everything went better than expected. This time.
- 5:00 PM: Boarding call. Goodbye Mesa! It was… an experience.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was not perfect. There were questionable pizzas, AC, and not the best pool. But sometimes, those imperfections make the best memories. I survived! And for the most part, I had a really good time. Would I stay at the Days Inn again? Maybe. For the price, it did what it was supposed to do: provide a place to lay my head. The desert? Absolutely. I would go again in a heartbeat. And that, my friends, is what matters. Now, I am ready to be home!
Escape to Paradise: Miami's Hotel Arya Awaits!
Days Inn & Suites Near Phoenix: The Truth (and a Few Laughs) About That "BEST" Deal
Okay, "Near Phoenix"... How NEAR are we *really* talking? Is it a drive or a death march?
Alright, let's be honest. "Near Phoenix" is… subjective. Think *closer to Mesa* than Phoenix proper. Google Maps told me it was like, a 20-minute drive. HA! Try closer to 45 with rush hour, maybe even an hour if you hit a random dust storm (Phoenix things, you know?). One time, I was *so* late for a meeting, I nearly considered calling a helicopter. (Okay, I didn't. I couldn't afford it, and seriously, who has a helicopter just *lying around*?). Plan accordingly. Think of it as a mental warm-up for the day, a chance to listen to that podcast you've been putting off. Or, you know, cry internally in traffic. Your call.
Is the "Best Deal" actually a deal, or am I getting tricked into a budget hotel nightmare?
Okay, this is where it gets interesting. The price? Generally, pretty good. Like, 'I can actually afford to eat dinner this week' good. But here’s the catch… and it’s a doozy. Think of it like a dating profile: the pictures are *amazing*, and then you meet them in real life... And the reality is a bit… different. The rooms are cleanish, the beds are… there. They exist. The continental breakfast is… well, it’s continental. Expect slightly stale bagels, watery orange juice, and the strong possibility of someone having already snagged all the good pastries. My advice? Pack your own granola bars. Thank me later.
Breakfast. Can we talk about the breakfast? What's the real story?
Breakfast at budget hotels. Oh, the *drama*. Okay, picture this: You're bleary-eyed at 7:00 AM, desperately clutching a travel mug of instant coffee you made in your room (thank GOD for the coffee maker, even if it's seen better days). You stumble into the "breakfast area." It's always a gamble, I swear. Sometimes you get decent, rubbery eggs. Sometimes, you get… the aftermath. I once saw a child attempt to build a fort out of the cereal boxes. It was a feat of architectural ingenuity I can't deny. However, the milk was already gone, and the tiny, plastic bowl seemed permanently attached to the toddler. Listen, lower expectations. Pack protein bars, if you are wise.
Are the rooms *actually* suites? Or just… bigger rooms?
That "Suites" part? Debatable. Expect a slightly larger room than your average hotel room. Might have a separate sitting area… that's basically a pull-out couch and a slightly dubious-looking armchair. Don't expect a separate bedroom with a full kitchen or anything glamorous. Think… "roomier room." Think like "a slightly bigger box to put your luggage and yourself into after a long day in the heat." It works, but understand the parameters. I once stayed there with a whole family, and it was… cozy. Let's leave it at that, shall we. I'm still having therapy about it.
The pool... Is the pool a shimmering oasis, or a green, algae-filled swamp of disappointment?
The pool. Oh, the pool. It’s the great unknown. Sometimes, it’s sparkling, inviting and it's the perfect place to park yourself and enjoy a quiet moment of doing nothing. Other times… let's just say the water has a certain *hue*. And the chlorine? It can strip paint. Check it before you jump in. Seriously. Look for the signs. The general state of the pool, along with the presence of screaming children, is the usual tell. And towels? Pack your own. Trust me on this one. I really wish I had before, but that isn't a problem most days.
Okay, let's talk about the staff. Are they helpful, or are they overworked and ready to stage a coup?
The staff? Bless their hearts. They're usually trying their best. They're the unsung heroes of the budget hotel world. They're definitely dealing with a lot. I've had experiences ranging from genuinely helpful and friendly to, "I've been awake for 36 hours, and I’m just trying to survive." Be kind. A little patience goes a long way. And a small tip? Might just make your stay a little… smoother. And if you happen to see a staff member looking particularly stressed, consider sending them a chocolate bar. It's a win-win. One time, I complained. I know, I'm *terrible*. But the shower was cold. They fixed it. That's a good sign!
Is it worth it? Should I book it? Give it to me straight!
Alright, here's the deal: For the price? Yeah, it's a reasonable option. Just don't go in expecting the Ritz-Carlton. Think of it as a functional, budget-friendly base camp for your Phoenix/Mesa adventures. Manage your expectations. Pack some snacks. Bring your own towels. And maybe, just maybe, pack a sense of humor. Because you're going to need it. I've stayed there when I was broke, and frankly, I survived. I've stayed there when I was desperate for a cheap place to be, and felt grateful. It's not going to be a life-changing experience. You'll get a bed, a shower, and maybe a slightly-stale bagel. But, the best deal may be just that. A deal.
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