Mystic's Hidden Gem: Howard Johnson by Wyndham – Unforgettable Stay!
Mystic's Hidden Gem: Howard Johnson by Wyndham – Unforgettable Stay! (Or, "Did I Just Accidentally Book a Vacation?") - A Messy Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the Howard Johnson by Wyndham (Mystic, CT!), and honestly? My brain is still a little scrambled. "Unforgettable Stay" they say? Well, they ain't kidding. This was less a polished review and more a… experience. Let's dive in, shall we? (Deep breath).
Metadata & SEO Stuff (Gotta do it, right?):
- Keywords: Mystic CT Hotels, Howard Johnson Mystic, Accessible Hotels, Spa Mystic, Pool with a View, Family-Friendly Mystic, Hotel Reviews, Connecticut Getaway, Free Wifi, Wheelchair Accessible, On-site Dining, Mystic CT Attractions, Pet-Friendly (kind of… see below!), Business Travel Mystic.
- Meta Description: A ridiculously honest review of the Howard Johnson by Wyndham in Mystic, CT! Accessibility, amenities, food, and all the quirks. Was it good? Bad? Did I accidentally discover a hidden gem or a… well, you'll see.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag with a Silver Lining
Alright, let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way first: Accessibility. This is crucial, and while the HoJo tries, it's not perfect. Wheelchair accessible? Yes, mostly. Ramps are present, and the elevators seemed reliable (a small victory!). The bathrooms in the accessible rooms were definitely a thumbs up. The hallways? A little tight. If you're reliant on a wheelchair, call ahead and drill down on specific room details. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions.
The Silver Lining: The staff, bless their hearts, really tried. They were genuinely helpful when I had a mini-meltdown about the room access. That kind of effort earns serious points. They also have facilities for disabled guests.
Access: CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside the property gave me a sense of security, which, bonus points! I always appreciate feeling safe.
And then there’s the… quirks…
Rooms: My Little Sanctuary or… a Slightly Odd Time Capsule?
So, the room. Air conditioning? Check. Internet access – wireless? You betcha. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – Amen! That was a lifesaver. Got my laptop, my books, and what, "Work from Home" days? No problem. Free bottled water, Coffee/tea maker, an alarm clock… all the basics were present.
But then… Carpeting in the room. Why? Seriously, why? And the blackout curtains? They almost worked. Almost. Some sunlight would still get through. The bed was okay. The linens… Well, let's just say they were… clean. Additional toilet and Separate shower/bathtub: nice! Bathtub? YES! After a long day of exploring, I had to sink in there.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Post-Pandemic Reality Check
Here’s where things got interesting. The anti-viral cleaning products were evident, and the daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring. They definitely took things seriously, which is a massive relief in these times. Rooms sanitized between stays too.
The safe dining setup was thoughtful. Hand sanitizer was everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol. The whole vibe conveyed: "We care about keeping you healthy."
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Hiccups)
Okay, let's get to the good stuff. Restaurants: Yes, plural! Restaurants is a tough one for me. If this hotel had a good restaurant, maybe I would be rating it better. There were Asian cuisine in restaurant -- which I did not try. I do not like Asian food. Western cuisine in restaurant sounds better to me but was also very generic. Buffet in restaurant? A definite plus, and a good-sized one, but the food was all-in-all a little uninspired. I tried the bar, and they sure made a mean cocktail (I might have had one too many… don't judge!). The Poolside bar was excellent!
A la carte in restaurant!! It was a decent experience, honestly.
The Imperfect Details
- The coffee shop coffee was… well, let’s just say I’m glad there was a coffee/tea maker in the room.
- The breakfast buffet was solid, if not earth-shattering.
- The poolside bar was also a godsend. *The snacks were good. *There was no vegetarian restaurant.
- The desserts in the restaurant were good!
Ways to Relax: Dive in, But Maybe Not Too Deep
Swimming pool [outdoor]? YES! And it's gorgeous. A pool with a view. Really relaxing. I spent a whole afternoon just floating around. You can have your body scrub and body wrap, but I’m not the Spa type. I’m more of a “sit by the pool and do nothing” type of person.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, But…
They have babysitting service! For the kids: Yes, they are family/child friendly! Kids meal? I did not try it.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag, But Helpful!
The concierge was decent. The daily housekeeping was appreciated. The convenience store? A lifesaver for that forgotten toothbrush! Laundry service. Dry cleaning.
More Quirks:
- Elevator? Yes, but I was constantly waiting for that thing.
- Cashless payment service. This is a huge plus right now.
- Invoice provided on request, and not charging my credit card.
- Luggage storage: Convenient!
Things to Do: Beyond the Hotel Walls
Mystic itself is charming. This isn’t exactly a destination hotel. Its about exploring the town.
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge]? YES!
- Car park [on-site]? YES!
- Taxi service? Easy peasy!
To Sum It Up… Or Not?
Look, the Howard Johnson by Wyndham in Mystic isn't perfect. There are quirks, the rooms could use a refresh, and the accessibility could be improved. But for a hotel in this price range? It's a solid choice. The staff's effort, the pool, the location – these things really make a difference.
Would I go back? Honestly? Yeah, probably. I secretly just want another afternoon by that pool.
Final Verdict: 3.5 out of 5 Stars (with a slight emotional bias towards the awesome pool)
Hyatt Place Lakeland Center: Your Dream Lakeland Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a trip - and I'm using "trip" in the most exhausted-but-excited-to-get-away-from-it-all sense of the word. My mission? To infiltrate the Howard Johnson by Wyndham Mystic, CT, and see if it lives up to the faded glory of its motel moniker. Prepare for typos, tangents, and the raw, unfiltered truth.
Day 1: Arrival and Accidental Seafood Consumption
- 1:00 PM - Arrival & Initial "Wow, It's…Motel-y" Impressions: Pulled up to the HoJo. First thoughts? "Yep, that's a Howard Johnson." The iconic orange roof. Already, I'm fighting the urge to burst into a rendition of "Please Mr. Postman" but I'll save that for later. The check-in was… efficient. Like, surgically efficient. No chitchat, just "Room key, enjoy your stay." Fine by me. My emotional reaction? A weary acceptance. I've been traveling longer than I've been at home these days.
- 1:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance & The Questionable Carpet: Okay, room. It's… clean. Mostly. The carpet, though, feels like it's seen some things. Unspeakable things. I'm trying not to think about the history. The TV seems to work, which is a win. A small… VERY small… win. This is where my brain starts to wander. I swear, I'm still trying to figure out the logistics of a self-cleaning hotel room system that doesn't involve magic. Seriously, why isn't that a thing?
- 2:00 PM - Mystical Mystic Stroll (and Hunger!): Time to hit the town! Mystic, supposedly, is charming. I'm hoping my expectations aren't too high. First impression? Tourists. Lots of tourists. Feeling the familiar tug of hunger, I stumble upon a place called "The Captain's Table" because, what else?
- 2:30 PM - Seafood Catastrophe (and Triumph?): I ordered the lobster roll. Now, I'm from a landlocked state, so I'm basically a lobster roll virgin. The roll itself? Fine. The lobster? Rubber. Seriously, it was like chewing on a repurposed tire. My internal monologue turned frantic. "Oh God, am I doing this wrong? Is this how lobster rolls are supposed to be? I feel so inadequate." I'm pretty sure I heard a giggle from the table next to me, but was too embarrassed to look.
- 3:30 PM - The "Real" Mystic: Wander around the quaint shops and admire the beautifully maintained homes. The harbor: charming. The people: generally friendly. My mood? Improved exponentially since the lobster roll trauma. I'm starting to believe the brochures.
Day 2: Maritime Museum Mishaps & Ice Cream Enlightenment
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast Bonanza (or, The Free Continental Conundrum): The Howard Johnson's "free continental breakfast." Let's just say it was… functional? The toaster was a fire hazard, the coffee tasted like sadness, but the mini-cereal boxes are a small victory. Gotta find the small victories.
- 10:00 AM - Mystic Seaport Museum: A Sea of Regret (Jk, it was awesome mostly): The Mystic Seaport! Okay, this is where it gets good. The ships! The history! The feeling that you're stepping back in time! This place is legit. Walking aboard those tall ships, I actually felt a flicker of excitement. The exhibits are well-done, and the staff very knowledgeable (and patient). I didn't get the name of the ships, but the experience was worth the wait.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch & the Quest for Redemption: After all that maritime history, my appetite returned with a vengeance. This time I went for the fish and chips. Much improved. My emotional response? A sigh of relief.
- 2:00 PM - Shopping the Town: A little bit of shopping to see what is in the local stores. I ended up buying a t-shirt of a lobster roll. It will remind me to never order the lobster roll again.
- 3:00 PM - The Holy Grail of Ice Cream: Okay, this is the most important part of the trip. The place is called "Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream". I got the chocolate peanut butter cup. Friends, it was a religious experience. The creamy, the sweet, the salty…I'm tearing up just thinking about it. This ice cream has transformed my entire day.
- 4:00 PM: The Great Escape: Time to leave the Hotel.
Day 3: Departure & Reflections (and More Ice Cream Dreams)
- 8:00 AM - Farewell Continental Breakfast: The toaster is still trying to kill me. But you know what? I'm almost starting to like the sadness-flavored coffee. Or maybe I've just surrendered to the experience.
- 9:00 AM - Check out and the final, wistful look: Quick check out. No drama. The entire experience was a quiet, solid… okay. Will I remember this trip? Likely not every detail. But I'll remember the ice cream, the ships, the slightly-creepy carpet, and the quiet charm of Mystic. Would I recommend the Howard Johnson? Look, it's a motel. It's clean enough. It's functional. It's a base camp for exploring Mystic. Don't go expecting luxury. Go expecting a somewhat-worn, but strangely comforting embrace of nostalgia. And definitely, definitely get the ice cream.
- Departure & the Road Ahead: Back where I was. Already dreaming of that ice cream. And maybe, just maybe, a better lobster roll next time.
Mystic's Hidden Gem: Howard Johnson by Wyndham – Unforgettable Stay! (Kinda...) FAQs - The Real Deal
Alright, let's be real. Staying at the Howard Johnson in Mystic wasn't exactly a life-altering experience. But... it was something. Let's dive into the (occasionally questionable) details.
1. Is it REALLY a "Hidden Gem"? (Spoiler: Maybe, maybe not.)
Okay, the "Hidden Gem" thing? Marketing, people, marketing. Look, it's not a Ritz-Carlton. It's a Howard Johnson! BUT, and this is a big but, for the price and, let's be honest, the proximity to EVERYTHING Mystic has to offer... yeah, it kinda is. You're not gonna get Egyptian cotton sheets, but you might get a clean room and a decent breakfast. And sometimes, that's all you need after a day of exploring the Mystic Seaport.
My experience: I went in expecting concrete and peeling wallpaper. What I got? A clean enough room, a functioning air conditioner (praise be!), and a surprisingly comfy bed. I mean, I slept like a log! (After a couple of beers at the Olde Mistick Village, of course...)
2. What's the deal with the pool? (Because, let's face it, we’re all judging the pool.)
The pool. Ah, the pool. It's... there. It's an outdoor pool, so if you're expecting turquoise water and poolside service, keep dreaming. It's functional. It's the kind of pool where you'll see kids (and adults, let's be honest) splashing around, probably mostly chlorine-scented, and maybe a stray inflatable shark. I suspect the water is regularly treated with something that could probably dissolve a small car.
My experience: I actually *wanted* to swim. But it was a surprisingly blustery day and the water looked a little, how shall we say, “cloudy"? Ended up sticking to the hot tub (which, thankfully, was hotter than the surface of the sun). And yeah, there were definitely some questionable characters relaxing/staring from across the pool area. But hey, everyone else was having a good time.
3. The Breakfast! How bad is it REALLY? (Because, let's be honest, budget hotels...)
The breakfast... Oh, the breakfast. Okay, prepare yourselves. It’s continental, which means you're getting the usual suspects: waffles (made with that weird batter machine), questionable pastries, cereal that's likely been sitting out since the Eisenhower administration (or so it seems), and a variety of juices that taste vaguely of fruit. You’ll be using disposable plastic plates and flimsy cutlery. Not a culinary masterpiece, but hey - you're getting free food. Free food is the best food.
My experience: The waffles... Well, let's just say they were a learning experience. I think I poured the batter too high the first time. It overflowed! I spent five minutes trying to rescue a waffle that looked like a burnt pancake-monster. On the plus side, there was a *surprisingly* decent coffee. So, you might have to endure a slightly depressing breakfast, but at least you will be caffeinated!
4. What about the Location? Is it actually close to everything?
Yes, the location is good. Really good. You're kinda "in the thick of it," so to speak. Close to the Seaport, the Aquarium, Olde Mistick Village... all within a short drive (or a slightly longer walk, depending on your enthusiasm and ability to handle the New England weather). Parking can be a little tight sometimes, especially during peak season, but generally, it's manageable. Bonus: There’s a Dunkin' Donuts right next door. Caffeine salvation at your fingertips!
5. Okay, so, any major downsides? (Besides the obvious...)
Honestly, the "major downside" is that it's not the Four Seasons. There's a certain "lived-in" quality to the place. The décor is…dated. And some of the rooms feel a little... claustrophobic. You might hear your neighbors talking/snoring/fighting/whatever through the walls. (My neighbors? They clearly had a *fascinating* relationship. Let's just say I learned a lot about their arguments). Another drawback: the elevators were on the slow side and looked like they hadn't been upgraded since 1977. That said, there was no real show-stopper.
6. Would you go back? (The ultimate question!)
Yes. Absolutely. For the price, the location, and you know…the kind of slightly-shabby-but-charming vibe. Plus, it's a far cry from the cookie-cutter experience you get at a lot of chains. It's got character. It’s got…stories. It may not be perfect, but it's a solid, affordable option. And honestly? I'm a sucker for a good deal and a somewhat-underwhelming breakfast. I'm a simple person and I can handle the occasional lack of frills. I might even get a waffle again. Wish me luck.
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