Lancaster's BEST Kept Secret: Unbeatable Inn Deals!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into a review of Lancaster's BEST Kept Secret: Unbeatable Inn Deals! And trust me, I've got a few things to say. Forget the pristine, perfectly polished hotel reviews, because I'm bringing the real deal: the messy, the wonderful, and the utterly human experience of actually staying somewhere.
First, a disclaimer: I went into this expecting… well, I don't know what I expected. Maybe a slightly worn-down motel, maybe a hidden gem. I ended up somewhere in between, with a whole lotta unexpected sprinkled in. And that, my friends, is what makes it interesting.
SEO Bait (aka, what Google wants): This place is definitely playing the accessibility game, and that's a HUGE plus, especially in a world where inclusivity is, you know, important. They list Wheelchair accessible – good start! And they have Elevator, which is a game-changer for anyone with mobility concerns. Details on specific room accessibility would be awesome (and a must for a truly inclusive experience), but the bones are there.
Internet, Internet, Internet! (Because let's be real, we’re addicted): Okay, so Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – YES! This is a non-negotiable in 2024, people. Forget the days of paying extra for that sweet, sweet internet. They also mention Internet [LAN] – which is a bit old-school, but hey, if you’re a retro gamer, right on! They seem to have Internet services covered, and mentioning Wi-Fi in public areas is crucial. I found the Wi-Fi pretty solid – didn’t drop out during my Netflix binge (a very important test).
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID Edition (because this is still a thing, sadly): Now, this is where things get interesting. They claim a lot of safety measures: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Sterilizing equipment. That's quite the list, right? Now, did I see all of that in action? Well… let's just say I saw evidence of some of it. The hand sanitizer was plentiful, and the staff definitely seemed to be taking things seriously. But sometimes those "professional-grade sanitizing services" felt a little… invisible. I’m a believer, but I'm also a skeptic. Still, points for trying. And the Room sanitization opt-out available is a smart move, allowing guests to choose their level of comfort.
The Perks: Relaxation Station (and maybe a bit of overpromise?): Okay, the big guns! Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, and a Foot bath! WOAH NELLY! That's a lot of pampering promises. Now, I saw a pool. It was nice. Did I see the view? Not exactly, it was a bit overcast. The sauna? Possibly. The steamroom? Nope. The spa? Definitely not what I envisioned. Maybe I had expectations. I didn’t manage to get a treatment and I'm still kicking myself about that. I’m not saying it wasn’t there. I'm saying the execution could have been… clearer. The fitness center was decent, though. So, score one for the treadmill.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (with some surprises): Okay, the Dining, drinking, and snacking section is where things get really interesting. They list a ton: A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, and even a Bottle of water! And the reality? Again, a bit different. The buffet was… well, it was there. The coffee was good, though. The happy hour was happy. The a la carte menu looked promising, but I ended up with the soup, which was surprisingly delightful. The bar was lively – a good place to unwind after a day of, well, whatever you're doing in Lancaster. The point is, they had options. Don't go expecting Michelin star food, but you won't starve.
My food experience was particularly messy. I'd been on the road for hours, and I was hangry. I stumbled into the restaurant, desperate. The menu was a blur. I ordered the "Chef's Special Soup" while simultaneously berating myself for not getting the "Western Breakfast." And then… It arrived. It was a creamy, tomato-based concoction with some beautifully crusty bread. It was perfect. It hit every spot. I actually shed a single, happy tear into my soup. It was one of those moments that made you feel… human. It wasn't fancy. It wasn't Instagram-worthy. But it was real. And that, my friends, is sometimes all you need.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras (and the occasional hiccup): Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Concierge, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator (again, bless!), Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, On-site event hosting, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, Terrace, and the ever important Xerox/fax in business center. Okay, that's a lot. I used the laundry service – it was efficient. The daily housekeeping was on point. The staff were generally friendly, which makes a huge difference! The doorman? Well, I never actually saw a doorman, but the door was open, so… I'd say they tried! And the convenience store? Perfect for a late-night bag of chips.
For the Kids: Family Friendly? (Let’s Find Out!) The For the kids section lists Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, and a Kids meal. I don’t have kids, so I can’t speak from experience, but it looked geared towards families. I saw some very happy youngsters splashing in the pool. So, a thumbs up from me, though the actual facilities would need a more objective assessment.
Access: Security Blanket (and a bit of paranoia): CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, and Soundproof rooms. Yep, they seem to be aiming for a safe and secure environment. Seeing CCTV cameras in hallways and around the outside definitely made me feel a bit more secure, which is always a plus, especially when traveling solo. The 24-hour front desk is a must for me.
Available in All Rooms: The Essentials (and some pleasant surprises): Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, Bathtub, Bathroom phone, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, 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, Satellite/cable channels, 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], and Window that opens! That’s a well-stocked room. The bed was comfortable (extra long is always appreciated!), the water pressure in the shower was excellent, and I loved the blackout curtains
Escape to Mississippi: Hampton Inn Jackson Richland Hwy 49 - Your Perfect Getaway!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my charming little adventure in Lancaster, PA. And by “charming,” I mean, let’s see if this place can live up to the promise of a comfortable stay. This is gonna be fun, I can already tell, probably.
The Grand (And Likely Slightly Crumbling) Plan: Lancaster, PA - Americas Best Value Inn - May 15th-18th
Day 1: Arrival, Inn-ventory, and a Burger Odyssey (And a Tiny Freak-Out)
- Morning (May 15th, approx. 10:00 AM): The Great Drive Begins! Well, “great” in the sense that I’m finally getting out of my apartment. Packed the car like a Tetris champion…meaning it's a complete cluster, but hey, everything’s probably in there. Fingers crossed the GPS doesn't reroute me through the Bermuda Triangle. Road trip snacks: check. Obsessive playlist of 80s power ballads: double-check. Mental pep talk: triple-check.
- Afternoon (May 15th, approx. 3:00 PM): Arrival at Americas Best Value Inn. Oh… boy. The pictures online… well, let’s just say they interpreted reality pretty liberally. It looks like the color scheme was “beige and slightly more beige.” The parking lot? A glorious collection of cracked asphalt and questionable foliage. Did I just see a squirrel wearing a tiny fedora? (Probably not, but my imagination is working overtime already, thanks to the stress of the drive).
- Inn-ventory: Okay, room inspection time. I will say, it’s clean-ish. The carpet is…uh… a statement. The air conditioning sounds like a dying walrus. And the bathroom… well, let's hope the water pressure is up to par. (Spoiler alert: it was not). I am already feeling slightly less enthusiastic about this whole thing.
- Quirky Observation: There’s a vending machine in the hallway that's selling… expired chips. Is this a metaphor for my life? Maybe.
- Evening (May 15th, approx. 6:00 PM): Burger Quest! I'm starving. Headed to that diner I'd read about online – "The Cozy Corner Diner" (because, of course). Finding it was the REAL adventure. GPS got me lost twice, the directions were about helpful as a screen door on a submarine. Finally found it, though. And after I’d ordered the biggest burger on the menu, I immediately regretted it because it was absolutely massive. The food was decent, the atmosphere was pure small-town America, but my stomach feels like it's protesting. Now I’m in a food coma. It was the kind of burger you build a monument to!
- Night (May 15th): Watched some TV. The remote control was…sticky. (Ugh). Tried to call it a night, but the AC unit became a symphony of dying beast sounds.
Day 2: Amish Country and the Emotional Rollercoaster of Simplicity (And a Near Disaster)
- Morning (May 16th, approx. 9:00 AM): Amish Country Bound! Breakfast at the Inn was… free. The "continental," as they called it. Let's just say a pastry and some suspiciously orange juice can keep away the hunger pains. Packed some granola bars and bottled water, because I'm smart. Today, I'm being a tourist!
- Mid-Morning (May 16th, approx. 10:30 AM): The Countryside! Driving through the rolling hills of Amish country is… breathtaking. The farms are meticulously kept. The horse-drawn buggies… well, they're everywhere. It’s like stepping back in time, and it's oddly peaceful. I feel a twinge of… something. Maybe it's guilt for my messy life. Maybe it's the incredibly fresh air?
- Lunch (May 16th, approx. 1:00 PM): Amish Market Stop! Found a HUGE market and dove right in. The aroma of baked goods… oh, sweet heaven. Bought some whoopie pies (obviously), fresh apple cider donuts (double-obviously), and homemade jams. The vendors were friendly, but a little… reserved. They’re watching you, you know. I get the feeling I'm committing some kind of fashion crime with my ripped jeans and rock band t-shirt.
- Afternoon (May 16th, approx. 3:00 PM): Barn Tour. This is where things went pear-shaped. Decided to take a tour of a working farm. It was beautiful, really. The animals, the fields, the… Oh, God. I got stuck in a muddy field. My car…my poor, poor rental car… was sinking. Needed a bit of help to get pulled out and it was an embarrassing scene; feeling like a complete idiot.
- Evening (May 16th, approx. 7:00 PM): Dinner and Reflection. Decided to hit up a little dinner spot, to calm down and think. The whole thing felt like a sign to slow down, so I focused on the meal. After all the chaos, the simple meal of chicken pot pie was a welcome break.
- Night (May 16th) : Back to the Inn. I decided to take a long, hot shower to wash way all the mud and stress.
Day 3: Lancaster City and the Art of Browsing (And a Dose of Reality)
- Morning (May 17th, approx. 9:00 AM): Exploring Lancaster City. Drove into the city, ready for some culture and some shopping.
- Morning (May 17th, approx. 11:00 AM): I wanted to see the arts. First stop: a museum. It was interesting, but not what I’d expected… a bit too… stuffy. I felt like I was supposed to know more about art history than I do.
- Afternoon (May 17th, approx. 1:00 PM): Shopping & Lunch. Took myself to a local shop to browse, and then found a cozy café, where it was quiet and the sandwich was outstanding.
- Afternoon (May 17th, approx. 3:00 PM): Reality Check. Lancaster has charm, sure, but it is also a city with its own set of struggles. Saw some homeless people. Suddenly, my little trip seemed very privileged. It was a bit jarring.
- Evening (May 17th, approx. 7:00 PM): Dinner at a local restaurant. The food was nice, service was great. But the experience wasn’t particularly remarkable.
- Night (May 17th): Checked out of the Inn. The key card didn't work. Needed three trips to the front desk to get it right. The dying walrus AC was probably as happy as I was for the exit.
Day 4: Farewell, Lancaster (And the Eternal Quest for a Decent Hotel)
- Morning (May 18th, approx. 9:00 AM): Goodbye, Lancaster! Checked out (again, and thankfully, the key card worked this time). Quick breakfast at a diner. Packed up the car, and tried to remember where I'd left my car.
- Morning (May 18th, approx. 10:00 AM): The Drive Home. The drive home. Filled with the usual mix of boredom, reflection, and the nagging feeling that I forgot something. (Pretty sure I did).
- Final Thoughts: Lancaster: a mixed bag. The Amish countryside: gorgeous. The food: mostly delicious. The Americas Best Value Inn: ahem. Would I go back? Maybe. But next time, I'm springing for a nicer hotel. And maybe learning how to drive a buggy. Or, you know, just staying home. Who knows? Right now, all I know is I'm ready for my own bed.
Lancaster's BEST Kept Secret: Unbeatable Inn Deals! (aka, My Wallet's Savior) - FAQs & Ramblings
Okay, spill. What *is* this "Unbeatable Inn Deal" thing anyway? Sounds like a scam. (My inner cynic is screaming!)
Alright, alright, I get it. Skepticism is healthy. Let me tell you, I was right there with you! For *years* I thought it was some kind of timeshare trap, or worse, a hotel that smells faintly of mothballs and regrets. Nope! It's basically a network (and I'm NOT a networker, by the way, ugh) of smaller, often family-run, inns and B&Bs throughout Lancaster County that, for reasons beyond my comprehension (and I'm not complaining!), offer ridiculously good deals. Think deep discounts, free breakfasts that *actually* taste good, and sometimes... *gasp*... a bottle of local wine waiting in your room. Seriously. Take my money!
So, like, what kind of "deals" are we talking? Because "discounted" can mean a whole lot of nothing.
Okay, let's be brutally honest: I'm a cheapskate. But I'm a *savvy* cheapskate, and I've seen some things. We're talking deals that made me question reality. Imagine a place that *normally* charges $200 a night – gorgeous, historic, the works. And boom, it’s suddenly, like, $120 or even lower. Sometimes even lower! That’s enough to make me skip a few lattes (gasp!) and still be able to afford, you know, actual *fun*.
Consider the time I got a suite with a fireplace and a jacuzzi for… wait for it… under $150!? The catch? None that I could find! Except, maybe, I was so relaxed I almost missed my dinner reservation. Almost. I rallied, though. Priorities, people.
Where do I even FIND these magical deals? Is it hidden in a dusty old book somewhere? Because I love those.
Nope, no dusty books (though if you find one, let me know!). The main hub is, well, I can't give the *exact* spot. It's part of the secret, you know? Let's just say it's a website, a directory, that a friend introduced me to. It's all fairly straightforward, but *please*, for the love of all that is holy, *read the fine print*. Some deals are seasonal, some are for mid-week stays, some require you to say, "I love chicken pot pie!" (I'm kidding... mostly). And, here's a pro-tip: Check their social media too, and sign up for the newsletter (even though I hate getting emails, but the deals....!)
Are these places... nice? Or am I going to end up in a room haunted by poltergeists and questionable floral wallpaper?
Right. That's the big fear, isn't it? I completely get you. Fear of the wallpaper is a legit concern. And, truthfully, I've had *one* experience that gave me serious "Amityville Horror" vibes. (Okay, maybe not *that* bad, but the flickering lights and the distant whispers of "room service" were spooky). Let's blame it on my adventurous spirit. But! The vast majority of these places are charming, well-maintained, and genuinely nice. Think cozy fireplaces, comfy beds, and breakfasts that would make your grandma jealous. Trust me, though, read reviews. Always. Especially the ones complaining about the noisy furnace. You've been warned.
And let's be real. Even the occasionally dodgy bathroom arrangement becomes charming after you realize you're paying a third of what it's worth. I think my willingness to forgive imperfections has actually made me a nicer person. Maybe. Probably not.
What's the "catch"? There's *always* a catch! What's the hidden cost?
Okay, okay, you’re a smart cookie. I get it. The catch? Well, sometimes, you *have* to book in advance. Like, seriously, I missed out on a killer deal because I procrastinated (shocking, I know). And, yeah, some deals have blackout dates. Holidays, big events, you know the drill. But honestly? Those are minor annoyances. The biggest "catch" is that... you might get *addicted*. Seriously. Now I'm constantly checking to see if there's a new deal. My friends are starting to avoid me because I'm always talking about my latest "find." Help me.
Oh, and there's another, potentially ruinous, catch: The incredible quality of the food will force you to rethink your entire life and what you've been eating. Prepare for a sudden desire to learn how to bake a perfect loaf of sourdough. I'm not joking. I'm considering therapy to deal with my sudden sourdough obsession.
Is this good for families? Or is it all couples snuggling by the fire (which sounds lovely, to be fair...).
Depends. Some inns are definitely geared towards romance. Think four-poster beds and rose petals. But a good number of them are family-friendly! They'll have connecting rooms or suites, and some even have play areas or kid-friendly activities nearby. Read the descriptions carefully. Don't be the family who shows up at the ultra-romantic B&B with three screaming toddlers. It's a recipe for disaster (and judgmental stares - which, admittedly, can sometimes be entertaining). I took my nieces and nephews on a trip last summer. They loved it. I regretted it. They're *loud*.
Alright, back to the food! What about the breakfast? Because a bad breakfast can ruin everything.
Okay, breakfast. This is where these inn deals *shine*. Forget those sad continental breakfasts with stale muffins and lukewarm coffee. These places? They go *hard*. Think homemade waffles with fresh fruit, fluffy omelets, locally sourced sausage, the works. I've had breakfasts that were better than some restaurants! And the coffee? Usually excellent, which is essential for me. Honestly, the breakfast alone is almost worth the price of admission. Almost. I might even risk the aforementioned questionable wallpaper for a good breakfast. Almost. No, wait, I'll skip the wallpaper.
What about accessibility? Do these deals cater to people with mobility issues?
