York's BEST Kept Secret Hotel? (Super 8 Review!)
York's BEST Kept Secret Hotel? (Super 8 Review! - Buckle Up, Buttercups!)
Okay, okay, let's be real. "Best Kept Secret" is a bold claim, especially when we're talking about a Super 8. But hey, I'm game. I've just survived a whirlwind trip to York, Pennsylvania, and I'm here to give you the unvarnished, slightly caffeinated truth about this particular Super 8. Get ready, because this is gonna be a wild ride.
First Impressions & The Arrival Tango (Accessibility, Check-in/out… the Basics!)
The first thing you notice? Parking. It's free. Bless. After a marathon road trip with an equally marathon-sized bladder, this is a solid win. Car park [free of charge], check!
Now, about accessibility. Accessibility is on the list, and it is a big deal. I didn’t personally utilize any wheelchair features, but from what I could see, they've made an attempt. Elevator, check. The lobby seemed navigable enough, although the hallways felt a tiny bit narrow. I'd give it a solid "maybe" – call and ask for specifics if you need guaranteed wheelchair-friendly access in a room. Facilities for disabled guests, probably present but confirm. Check-in/out [express], check! was quick, although I felt a mild, existential dread the entire time, but that's probably just me. Front desk [24-hour], check! that's a lifesaver. The Contactless check-in/out option is a bonus for these germ-conscious times.
Room Rampage: (Amenity Overload!)
Alright, let's talk rooms. Available in all rooms: the basics are here. Air conditioning, check! (Thank god, it was humid). Free Wi-Fi, check! Wake-up service, check! (Though my own internal clock is usually a reliable alarm). Coffee/tea maker, check! (Crucial. Honestly, the coffee maker is the only thing that got me out of that room in the morning).
Now, the fun details. Additional toilet, Bathtub, Bathrobes, Slippers, Separate shower/bathtub… let's be real, we're talking Super 8 here. It's not the Ritz, but… it’s functional. The Bathroom phone? Honestly, who even uses those anymore? I’m not sure why that's even listed. Mini bar, Refrigerator, In-room safe box, are present, but don't expect them laden with expensive goodies.
The Blackout curtains saved my sanity. Seriously. They actually worked. Reading lights? Present. Desk, Laptop workspace – both are there. Pretty basic, but hey, you have a spot to work Internet access – wireless, check! Internet access – LAN, check! I'm old school, so I preferred the Wi-Fi.
And yes – Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This is a big selling point. Free bottled water, a nice touch. I do appreciate the thought. Soundproofing, well, let's say it does a decent job. I did hear a couple of… let's call them "zealous" air conditioning units from the other rooms, and a few loud conversations, but overall, I slept like a log.
Non-smoking rooms available, Non-smoking is checked. Probably smart.
The Culinary Gauntlet (Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – or Lack Thereof!)
Okay, this is where Super 8s (and this one's no exception) get a little… dicey. Breakfast [buffet] is listed, but "buffet" is a generous word. It’s… simple. Cereal, bagels, questionable fruit, and a waffle maker that's probably older than I am. Breakfast takeaway service is also an option, which I appreciated. Alternative meal arrangement, not that I saw, nor did I need. No Asian breakfast or cuisine, no Vegetarian restaurant, or Western anything. But, you're in York, not Paris.
Coffee/tea in restaurant – yes, but it's the same coffee that’s in your room. Desserts in restaurant, I highly doubt it. Poolside bar, again, highly doubtful. There's a Snack bar, I think, with vending machines, so… grab your own snacks. Bottle of water, check! Restaurants – there are none on-site. You're on your own. But hey, there are plenty of fast food joints nearby. That, or walk into York city for a night of true dinning.
My verdict? Don't expect a Michelin-star dining experience. Fuel up at a nearby eatery!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and the Spa of (My Own) Choice (or, Lack Thereof!)
Fitness center? Nope. Gym/fitness? Not here. Pool with view? Dream on. Swimming pool [outdoor]? There is a small outdoor pool, but I didn't try it. Seemed lukewarm at best. This isn't the place for a spa day, folks. No Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom or, for that matter, Massage. So, relax with your Netflix account.
What is there? You're in York, PA! This city has a lot of hidden gems and small shops.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Pandemic Particulars (Hygiene, Oh My!)
Okay, the pandemic era. Let's break it down. Anti-viral cleaning products, hopefully, used. Daily disinfection in common areas, I'd like to think it was. Hand sanitizer, present, but you're going to want to bring your own too. Hygiene certification, hmm… not sure about that. Individually-wrapped food options, yes, mostly. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter… well, that's on you. Professional-grade sanitizing services, I'd say they made an effort. Rooms sanitized between stays, I REALLY hope so! Safe dining setup, the basic breakfast setup was kinda safe. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, hopefully the case. Staff trained in safety protocol, I’d assume so. Sterilizing equipment, let's go with "possibly."
Access in the form of CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property are present. Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms, present, which gets a thumbs up.
Services, Conveniences & What You Need to Know (The Nitty Gritty)
Air conditioning in public area, check. Cash withdrawal, can probably be done. Concierge, not really. Currency exchange, no. Daily housekeeping, it was good. Doorman, no, but the 24-hour Front Desk is there. Dry cleaning, doubtful. Elevator, yes. Facilities for disabled guests, maybe. Food delivery, you're on your own. Gift/souvenir shop, no. Ironing service, yes, but you're probably going to have to ask. Laundry service, yes, though more likely a guest laundry. Luggage storage, probably. Meeting/banquet facilities, maybe. Outdoor venue for special events, no. Safety deposit boxes, yes. No Shrine, not the place.
For the Kids (Babysitting? Kids Meals? What?!):
This is a Super 8. No Babysitting service, Kids facilities, or Kids meal on offer. Family/child friendly? It sure is. Bring the kids!
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Secret? (The Honest Truth)
Look, this isn't going to be the highlight of your travel life, but if you're looking for a clean, affordable, and conveniently located place to crash in York, the Super 8 will do the job, I had a good stay. It's not fancy. It's not glamorous. It's a Super 8. But it's fine. The staff was friendly enough, the room was clean, the Wi-Fi worked, and the free parking was a godsend. That's all you need for a quick trip.
My "Secret" Offer for You – Because You Read This Far!
Okay, here's the deal. Use the code "YORKSECRETS" when booking (seriously, ask reception if you should do this) and get… wait for it… a free extra packet of oatmeal at breakfast. And maybe (just maybe) a smile from the front desk staff! (It's probably a long shot, but hey, it's worth a try.)
Book now! Go for it. You might just stumble upon your own York secret while you're there. And hey, it can't be that bad. I'm still here to tell the tale!
Rochester's BEST Hotel Near the University & Medical Center? (Hilton Garden Inn Review!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-formatted itinerary. We're heading to York, Nebraska, the heartland of…well, York, Nebraska, and this is gonna be a ride. Specifically, the Super 8 by Wyndham York, because let's be honest, we're not exactly ballin'.
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread in York (and the Parking Lot of the Super 8)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive in York. Okay, land in York. After a drive that felt like it took longer than the Oregon Trail. Seriously, is there a wormhole between Kansas and Nebraska? Anyway, hit the Super 8. First impressions? It smells… like a Super 8. Which, if you've stayed in one, you already know. A symphony of industrial cleaner and… something vaguely floral, trying desperately to mask something else. A deep breath and a prayer that the continental breakfast isn't a total disaster.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. The woman at the front desk is either incredibly tired or has seen some Things. "Room 112," she mutters, handing me a keycard that looks like it's been through a war. I swear, I saw a glint of pity in her eyes. Should I be worried?
- 1:45 PM: Room inspection. Okay, the bedspread is… well, it's there. The TV? Ancient. The bathroom? Let's just say I'm packing extra Lysol wipes. But hey, the air conditioning works. Small victories, people, small victories. The view from the window? The parking lot. A vast expanse of parked cars and… existential dread.
- 2:00 PM: Attempt at a "relax." I plop down on the bed and stare at the ceiling. This trip is supposed to be "rejuvenating," or something. In reality, I'm already thinking about the sheer volume of laundry I'm going to have when I get home.
- 3:00 PM: RAMBLE ALERT! Okay, so, I keep reading about how important it is to "disconnect." And here I am, in the middle of Nebraska, and the WiFi signal is weaker than my willpower. So, I try the unthinkable. I turn off my phone. I put it on airplane mode. Suddenly, I can hear… the hum of the refrigerator. Man, how often would I ever do that?
- 3:30 PM: Exploration of the immediate surroundings: The parking lot, a vacant lot, and a rather sad-looking McDonald's. I really needed that Big Mac. It somehow got me through.
- 4:00 PM: The "Explore York" mission. This is where it gets… tricky. York, you see, is not exactly buzzing. The main drag looks like a ghost town with a few businesses hanging on for dear life.
- 5:00 PM: The Big Decision: Dinner! Pizza? Burgers? The possibilities feel both exciting, and overwhelming. I decide to go to the local diner, the home of the "York Burger." The place is as "small town" as it gets.
Day 2: Pizza, Plains, and Profound Thoughts
- 8:00 AM: Continental breakfast. Here we are. The mystery revealed. It's… exactly what you'd expect. Stale pastries, instant coffee that tastes like despair, and a single, lonely banana. I grab a coffee and pray for strength.
- 9:00 AM: "York is the Center of the Universe" - I remember seeing a sign like this somewhere. Seriously? I go check it out. Ah yes, just a little plaque. And, you know, the rest of the universe! I start a little internal chuckle.
- 10:00 AM: I drive out into the plains, thinking about the pioneers. So, I started thinking hard about life. The wide open space feels like a metaphor for… everything.
- 12:00 PM: Back in York. I get lunch. I try another place. Nothing really exciting happens.
- 1:00 PM: Nap time. The best part of the whole trip.
Day 3: Heading Home and Final Thoughts
- 8:00 AM: Continental breakfast, take two. This time I bring my own coffee. Slightly less despair.
- 9:00 AM: Final check-out and final glance at the parking lot, a feeling of a strange camaraderie between me and the cars.
- 10:00 AM: The drive home. Is this all there is? How much laundry?
- 12:00 PM: I get back. I dump my bags. I fall asleep.
Post-Trip Reflections:
York, Nebraska, at the Super 8? It wasn't glamorous. It probably won't be on anyone's "must-see" list. But hey, I survived. And sometimes, that's enough. The imperfections, the boredom, the sheer ordinariness of it all? They were… comforting. Maybe there's something to be said for a trip that doesn't try too hard. Maybe it's in those quiet moments, the ones between the "sights," where the real stuff happens. And the free Wi-Fi, when it worked, was amazing.
Middletown's BEST Hampton Inn? (NY) Reviews & Deals Inside!
York, PA's BEST Kept Secret... Or Is It? My Super 8 Adventure!
Question 1: Alright, spill! Why are you calling a Super 8 a "secret"? Seriously?
Okay, okay, "secret" is a bit dramatic. More like... the kind of place you whisper about to your travel-weary friends. You know, the ones who are *also* broke and desperate for a place to crash between Philly and... well, somewhere else. Look, it's not the Four Seasons. But for the price, and considering the sheer improbability of finding anything *decent* at 2 AM when you're running on fumes and gas station coffee, it's a lifesaver. Think of it as the budget Bat-Signal for haggard travelers.
Question 2: Let's get down to brass tacks. What's the room like? Real talk.
Okay, the room. Picture this: a space that's seen things. And by "things," I mean probably decades of late-night pizza binges, questionable karaoke, and the occasional… well, let's just say "activities" I'd rather not dwell on. The decor? Let's call it "eclectic." Think 80s motel aesthetic, with a dash of "things the last guest probably left behind." My first thought was, "Wow, the carpet *really* ties the room together." (It was stained. Darkly.) But, you know what? It was… *clean*. And that matters. Honestly, after a 10-hour drive, the fact that the bed *didn't* have any visible stains might have been the best part of my day. The air conditioner, though? That thing was *loud*. Like, jet engine loud. But hey, at least it worked, and I got to witness my own personal blizzard.
Question 3: Breakfast! What's the breakfast situation? Because let's be honest, that's a make-or-break deal, right?
Oh, the breakfast. Okay, so, expectation management is key here. This isn't a Michelin-star experience. It's a continental breakfast, which, in Super 8 parlance, translates to: pre-packaged pastries that were probably baked sometime during the Carter administration, instant coffee (that tastes questionably like coffee), and the occasional sad-looking piece of fruit. They also had a waffle maker. A waffle maker! It *was* out of order. And that, my friends, brought me to the edge of despair. Okay, not really. But I'd psych myself up for the breakfast buffet and found myself with dry cereal and sour milk. So, I drank my (terrible) coffee and vowed to eat better at dinner.
Question 4: Did you encounter any... interesting characters? You know, the motel is known for them! What about the staff?
Ah, the characters. Yeah, there were characters. There was the guy who seemed to live out of his beat up old pickup truck parked outside. The woman who was having a very loud phone conversation involving a crying baby and a pizza delivery guy in the lobby. The staff? They were… functional. Not super friendly, not especially warm, but they got the job done. They weren't actively hostile, which, honestly, is a win in my book at 7 AM when I'm trying to function on about three hours of sleep. They seemed to know the type of people who stay there, and maybe, just maybe, were just a bit over it. It was a hard job, and honestly, I didn't blame them.
Question 5: Let's talk about the location. Convenient? Safe? Or… questionable?
The location is… conveniently located *on* a highway. And I mean, *right* on it. Which is great for accessibility but less so when you're trying to sleep and the endless stream of eighteen-wheelers sounds like a herd of rampaging elephants. As for safety? Look, I didn't feel actively threatened, but I wouldn't recommend wandering around after dark. Stay in the well-lit areas, lock your car, and keep your wits about you. It felt *safe enough*. I mean, you get what you pay for. I think I even spotted a security camera, which, in this day and age, tells you that the security is better than a hotel in Baghdad.
Question 6: Okay, you've been dodging the important question: would you stay there again? Really.
Okay, alright, here's the thing. Would I *choose* it if I had unlimited funds and could stay anywhere? Heck no. Would I stay there again if I was stranded on the side of the road, low on cash, and desperately needed a place to crash? You bet your sweet bippy I would. It’s… a Super 8. It's not perfect. It's not luxurious. It's not even particularly memorable in a GOOD way. But it's *functional*. It's clean (mostly) and it provides a roof over your head, a place to sleep, and a shower. And sometimes, that's all you need to survive a road trip. So, secret? Nah. But a reliable stop in a pinch? Yeah, probably. Just bring earplugs and manage your expectations. And maybe pack your own waffles.
Question 7: Let’s talk about that air conditioner again. The sound… was it truly that awful? Spill the tea on the white noise.
Oh dear goodness, the air conditioner. It wasn’t just loud; it was a symphony of despair. It was a rusty, wheezing, industrial-strength beast of a machine. Imagine a jet engine, being choked with dust and desperately trying to hold its breath, while simultaneously playing a polka. It was the kind of noise that vibrates through your bones and steals away your sanity, little by little. And the ironic part is that you need it because the room gets hot. I think the fact that I could *hear* it so clearly, even over the rumble of the highway outside, meant something. It's seared into my memory. If I ever go back, I am bringing a solid pair of earplugs, a white noise machine *and* noise-canceling headphones.
Question 8: Okay, last question. Overall, what's your final verdict? Would you recommend the Super 8 in York? And, if so, to whom?
My final verdict? Look, the Super 8 in York isn't going to win any awards. It's not going to be featured in Architectural Digest. But it's a place. And sometimes, that's enough. I'd recommend it... to *certain* people. Specifically, I'd recommend it to:
- Road-trippers on a budget.
- People who value function over fancy.
- Those who have a high tolerance for questionable coffee.
- Anyone who has ever driven all night and just needs a place to pass out for a few hours. This applies to anyone with kids.
- People who are slightly eccentric and find delight in the offbeat.
Avoid it if: you expect luxury, you're easily grossed out, or you're a light sleeper (seriously,Hotel Haven Now
