Ames's BEST Hotel & Conference Center: Gateway Awaits!
Ames's BEST Hotel & Conference Center: Gateway Awaits! - Or Does It Actually Wow? A Messy, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the swirling, sometimes-soothing, sometimes-slightly-stressful world of Ames's BEST Hotel & Conference Center. Let’s be real, the name "Gateway Awaits!" is a pretty bold promise. Does it actually deliver a gateway to anything truly amazing? Let's find out, shall we? (I'm gonna make a mental note to see if there’s a real gateway nearby. Probably not).
First Impressions & Accessibility (Accessibility, Elevator, Facilities for Disabled Guests, etc.):
Okay, I’m starting out strong: Accessibility is a major win. Seriously, if you’re concerned about accessibility, you're in good hands. The hotel is genuinely accommodating. Elevators? Check. Ramps? Check. They've got that "Facilities for Disabled Guests" box ticked and then some. This is a huge relief. They’re actually thinking about everyone, and that's a HUGE plus in my book. The 24-hour front desk is a lifesaver, especially if you arrive at an ungodly hour (like I seem to do… every time).
The Room (Available in all rooms, A Whole Lot of Stuff):
My room. Oh, my room. I’m gonna be honest: it didn't reinvent the wheel. Standard hotel room fare, but… clean. Crucially, CLEAN. Which is important, especially because I'm one of those people who immediately check the cleanliness, like some kind of… cleanliness detective. I'm talking: Daily housekeeping? Double check! I'm also a HUGE fan of blackout curtains. I’m practically nocturnal when I’m travelling, and these were a godsend. They also had all the usual suspects: Air conditioning (thank God!), coffee/tea maker, a mini-bar (which, let's be honest, is sometimes terrifyingly expensive…), and a safe (which, let's also be honest, I always forget to use). The Wi-Fi [free]? A definite YES, which is basically a necessity for the modern world. The extra long bed was a nice touch, because you know… I like to spread out. Speaking of spreading out, the seating area was… fine. Definitely not luxurious, but functional.
Internet Access (Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet Services):
Okay, let’s be real, the Internet is the lifeblood of modern existence. You’re probably reading this because of the internet! So, I’m happy to report: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! It was reasonably fast. I mean, I managed to stream some stuff (critical for a weary traveler), so that's a win in my book. I think there was also Internet [LAN], but honestly, who uses that anymore? And the Internet services were fine – nothing earth-shattering, but reliable enough to avoid any major digital meltdowns.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Restaurants, Bars, Breakfast, Etc.):
Now, this is where things get… interesting. I went to the restaurant one morning, all hopeful for a Breakfast [buffet]. It was… a buffet. Not amazing, not terrible. Standard hotel buffet fare. I did appreciate the Coffee/tea in restaurant; it’s crucial to my survival. The Asian breakfast piqued my interest, but I stuck with the tried-and-true Western option. There was a bar, which I might or might not have visited for a cheeky happy hour. I'd heard other people talking about it, nothing special, nothing dire. The Poolside bar was… enticing. I, however, have a habit of wanting to see the hotel, the rooms, and the facilities before I even think of that. Which meant, I missed out on happy hour, and then had to go back to my room to work. The Bottle of water in the room was a thoughtful touch, but I could've used more. I'm always parched, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Overall the Dining, drinking, and snacking were adequate.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax (Spa, Pool, Fitness, Etc.):
This is where BEST gets it's name. This could be a MAJOR highlight. Swimming pool [outdoor] sounded wonderful, but I, sadly, didn't have time. I was working. So I couldn't take advantage of the Pool with view. A view sounds like real vacationing. Fitness center: Yes. And I, the sloth that I am, did not go. Shame on me. But, from peeking through the window (yes, I judged from afar), it looked well-equipped. Spa: This is where BEST potentially shines! There’s a Spa/sauna, which is intriguing. I think there was a Body wrap and a massage on offer. I really should've treated myself. Next time, dammit, next time!
Cleanliness and Safety (Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection, Hygiene certification, etc.):
Look, we’re all a little obsessed with this stuff these days, right? And BEST Hotel gets it! They're taking it seriously. I saw Daily disinfection in common areas happening. There was Hand sanitizer everywhere. I felt pretty confident about the whole cleanliness situation. The Room sanitization opt-out available is a nice touch of choice. They even had individually-wrapped food options which always makes me feel safe. Staff trained in safety protocol, also a good sign.
Services and Conveniences (Concierge, Laundry, Car Park, etc.):
Okay, let’s run down the list: Concierge - didn’t need them. Daily housekeeping - as mentioned, appreciated. Laundry service - again, didn’t try it. Car park [free of charge] - YES! Always a win. Free parking is a beautiful thing. There was a Convenience store, perfect for late-night snack runs (which I definitely didn’t do). Business facilities - I saw them, I barely used them, because I was working. But, you know, they were there.
For the Kids (Babysitting, Family Friendly, Etc.):
I didn’t have kids with me, so I can’t personally vouch for the kid-friendliness beyond mentioning that they do have Family/child friendly facilities. I did see a Kids meal option, and that always gets a gold star.
Getting Around (Airport Transfer, Car Park, etc.):
Car park [free of charge] - as mentioned, a winner. I didn't use Airport transfer, but it’s available. Taxi service available as well.
The Downsides (Because Nothing is Perfect, Right?)
Okay, here’s the honesty bomb: the BEST Hotel isn't going to blow your mind. It's not the Ritz. It’s a solid, reliable option. The decor is a little dated in places (which, honestly, sometimes feels more homey than super modern), and the restaurant… well, the restaurant is fine. Not a gourmet experience, but perfectly edible. Some of the amenities, like the spa, I didn't even get to check out properly, which is my fault.
Quirky Observations & Emotional Reactions (The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Odd):
One thing I did notice: the TV remote had more buttons than the space shuttle. I swear, you could launch a satellite with that thing. Took me five minutes just to figure out how to turn the volume up. And, random thought: I felt like the elevator music was stuck on elevator-y Muzak from 1987. Kinda nostalgic, kinda… annoying.
The Bottom Line & Compelling Offer:
So, does "Gateway Awaits!" live up to its name? Well… it depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a luxurious, five-star experience, this probably isn't it.
BUT – and this is a big BUT – if you are looking for a clean, accessible, comfortable, and conveniently located hotel with a serious commitment to your safety and well-being, then Ames's BEST Hotel & Conference Center: Gateway Awaits! is an excellent choice. It's especially great if you're attending a conference, or just need a reliable place to crash for the night.
Here’s the Deal, Folks:
Book your stay at Ames's BEST Hotel & Conference Center: Gateway Awaits! and receive:
- Free Wi-Fi (Because, duh.)
- Complimentary Parking (Save those dollars!)
- Peace of Mind: Experience their industry leading Cleaning Practices.
- Access to the Fitness Center to burn off that buffet breakfast (I won’t judge).
- 15% off any Spa Treatment (because you deserve to
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. We're going into the heart of… Ames, Iowa. The Gateway Hotel and Conference Center. Yep. Prepare yourselves for the rollercoaster that is my brain, and my trip. Let's do this…
The Gateway Gauntlet: A Semi-Coherent Ames Adventure
Day 1: Arrival, Ambivalence, and Airport Anxiety (Plus Pizza?)
- Morning (ish): The flight into Des Moines. Oh, the joy. Or, rather, the anticipation of joy. I'm perpetually five minutes away from a full-blown panic attack in an airport. The TSA guy looked like he'd seen things, man. I swear he knew I was still trying to sneak in that travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer – the one that’s technically too large. I may or may not have had to dramatically plead with the nice woman about the importance of sanitized hands in a post-pandemic world. She remained unmoved.
- Afternoon: Shuttle to Ames. The landscape began to change from airport chaos to… well, very flat cornfields. I was immediately nostalgic for hills, but I could feel in my gut that the landscape provided a unique charm. The driver, a cheerful fella named Dale, regaled me with tales of Iowa State football and the "best dang pie" in Ames. Pie! Okay, Dale, you've got my attention.
- Late Arrival at The Gateway Hotel: Okay, the lobby is… fine. It's a hotel lobby. Everything had that generic hotel smell, a blend of disinfectant and something indefinable. I somehow got stuck on the elevator with a woman who kept humming the first few bars of a song, but never sang the words. I felt… unsettled.
- Check-in: The check-in guy actually chuckled when I asked if they had a room with a view. "Of cornfields? Pretty much, ma'am." I’m laughing, but I'm also internally screaming. My room is… fine. Again, fine. It has a bed, a TV, and those tiny, ridiculously overpriced shampoo bottles. I immediately try to steal one.
- Dinner: Pizza at a local place Dale recommended. It was… amazing. Okay, maybe the jet lag amplified the experience, but the thin crust, the perfect amount of cheese, it was a religious experience. I ate an entire small pizza by myself. No regrets. I would have married that pizza.
Day 2: Conference Chaos, Complicated Coffee, and the Search for Soul (and Maybe a Decent Sweater)
- Morning: Breakfast buffet at the hotel. It's a culinary minefield. The scrambled eggs looked suspiciously like they might be made of… something. The bacon, however, was crispy and, frankly, a life-saver. I fueled up. Needed it. The conference started, and after a single hour, I was already overwhelmed. Too many people claiming to know the secrets of things I knew absolutely nothing of.
- Mid-Morning: Attempted to get coffee. The hotel coffee situation was grim. Weak, watery, and tasted like disappointment. I tried the espresso machine, which resulted in a geyser of hot water and a very perplexed look from a nearby attendee. Finally, I surrendered and got a lukewarm cup from the conference hall. Sigh.
- Lunch: The conference lunch was a buffet - again. The food was… well, let's just say it wouldn't get a Michelin star. I mostly ate the roll. The potato salad was suspiciously green. I may have judged it.
- Afternoon: Stuck in a lecture on "Synergy in the 21st Century." I zoned out approximately nine minutes in and started planning my escape. That led to a mental rabbit hole of all the other places I'd rather be. The speaker had a monotone voice and a sweater that looked like it was made of recycled dryer lint. Decided I needed a new sweater, stat.
- Evening: Wandered aimlessly around Ames. Found a cute, local bookstore. Decided to embrace the small-town charm of the entire experience. I spent an embarrassingly long time trying to find the right sweater. Success! Found a cute little knit with a pattern of tiny sheep.
- Dinner: I'm still full of pizza. Bought a carton of ice cream at a local grocery store. Ate it in my room while watching some random show on TV.
Day 3: Breaking Free, a Brewery Break, and the Departure Drone
- Morning: Skipped the conference. Burned out. Went for a walk. The air in Iowa is different. Crisp, clean. I actually liked it.
- Mid-Morning: Found a really cool, local coffee shop. The coffee was excellent. Decided to buy multiple cups and attempt to re-enter the world.
- Lunch: Another buffet! I bravely attempted the mystery meat - it wasn't terrible!
- Afternoon: I wandered towards a brewery. The brewery was awesome. Craft beer, pretzel bites, and actual conversation with real humans. Spent a good few hours there, discussing everything and nothing. This was by far the best discovery of the trip. I was genuinely enjoying myself!
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: The hotel shuttle back to the airport. I felt surprisingly okay about leaving. I actually felt… strangely fond of Ames, even though I started out skeptical. Maybe it was the pizza. Maybe it was the beer. Maybe it was the tiny sweater sheep.
- Departure: The flight home. No major airport meltdowns this time. Victory!
Overall Impression: The Gateway Hotel in Ames is a fine place to stay. The conference? A mixed bag. But Ames? Well, Ames is… surprisingly alright. It's a place where you can breathe. And eat really, really good pizza. Would I go back? Probably. But next time, I'm bringing my own coffee. And maybe a spare pizza. And definitely a bigger bottle of hand sanitizer. And maybe an entire suitcase dedicated to sweaters. Okay, I'll stop.
(P.S. I left a review online. I'm pretty sure it was a rambling mess. But honest.)
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Is This Going to Be a Lecture? Because, Ugh, No.
Okay, But Like, The Core Issue? Lay It On Me. (If You're Up For It)
Did You, Uh, Screw Up? Basically.
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Are You Suffering? (Be Honest.)
Did You Learn Anything? (Or Is This All Just a Train Wreck?)
What's The Worst Part Of All This, Really?
