Olympia's Hidden Gem: Unbeatable DoubleTree Luxury Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. Because we're diving headfirst into a review that’s less "polished travel brochure" and more "real-life adventure, complete with questionable life choices and existential dread." This isn't just a hotel review; it’s therapy. And hopefully, it helps you decide if this particular place is worth your sanity. Let's get messy, shall we?
(Keywords: Accessibility, On-site dining, Wheelchair friendly, Free Wi-Fi, Spa, Fitness, Cleanliness, Dining, Services, Room amenities)
First off, the basics, because, let's be honest, sometimes you just need to know.
Accessibility: Okay, gotta say, ACCESSIBILITY gets a BIG thumbs up. They actually thought about people who don't bounce around like caffeinated kangaroos. Wheelchair accessible? Tick. They weren’t just saying it; there were ramps that weren't death traps, elevators that didn’t give you the heebie-jeebies, and Facilities for disabled guests that seemed genuinely designed for comfort, not just a tick-box exercise. Major kudos.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Yeah, they're in the game here too, which is HUGE. Navigating a hotel with a wheelchair that has restaurants scattered around like a drunken scavenger hunt is just a nightmare. So, cheers to the easy access.
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Wi-Fi in public areas: Alright, the WIFI. The lifeblood of the modern traveler. The good news? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually WORKED. Like, I could stream cat videos without wanting to chuck my laptop out the window. The public areas had it too, but honestly, who hangs out in public areas when you have a comfy bed and endless cat videos beckoning? Internet [LAN] was available – good for the old-schoolers, I guess, though I’m not sure who still uses ethernet cables anymore.
Now, let’s get into the real nitty-gritty, what I cared about… and what I hated.
Things to do, ways to relax… and the inevitable existential crisis
Okay, I tried to relax. I really did. That’s the point of a vacation, right? Apparently, though, my brain is wired for chaos. The Pool with a view was admittedly stunning – you know, the kind that makes you feel like you're in a music video. But then I got distracted by the pigeons. Were they judging me? Probably.
Then there's the Spa/sauna. I’m not a "spa person," if I'm honest. I sweat enough just trying to find the remote. But, okay, the Sauna was… hot. Very hot. I felt like a slowly simmering sausage. The Steamroom just made me feel like I was trapped in a humid alien pod. So, yeah, the relaxing thing? Didn’t quite pan out for me. I think I need therapy. Or maybe just more cat videos.
Let's see… Foot bath? Maybe I should have tried that, actually. I was too busy trying not to make eye contact with the woman getting a Body scrub next to me. Awkward. Body wrap? No, thank you. I have enough body issues.
The Fitness center? Okay, I tried (again). I walked in, assessed the equipment, saw the mirror reflecting my past life choices, and walked straight back out. Let's just say I'm more of a "Netflix and chill" kind of fitness enthusiast. Gym/fitness? Same deal.
Cleanliness and safety… or, the germaphobe's guide to survival
Okay, this is where things got interesting. In a good way. They were definitely taking this whole Cleanliness and Safety thing seriously.
Anti-viral cleaning products: Check. Daily disinfection in common areas: Check. Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Like, you couldn't avoid the stuff. Made me feel slightly insane, but hey, better safe than sorry, right? Individually-wrapped food options: Good, though it made me feel like I was at a space station. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They were trying. It's hard to do when everyone's jockeying for the buffet line, though. Professional-grade sanitizing services: Supposedly. Felt clean, anyway. Room sanitization opt-out available: Huh, interesting, I didn't know that was a thing. But nice to have the option. Rooms sanitized between stays: Good. Safe dining setup: Reasonably so. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Also good. Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to be, bless their hearts. Sterilizing equipment: Yep. All the buzzwords were in place.
Breakfast in room: Tempting, but I'm a messy eater. Breakfast takeaway service: Also good. I chose to avoid the Breakfast [buffet] because I was tired the night before.
Dining, drinking, and snacking… where the real fun (and the inevitable regret) begins
So, let's talk food. The Restaurants? Plural. Okay. Sounds promising.
A la carte in restaurant: Yeah, but I'm a buffet kinda person. I like to eat every food. Alternative meal arrangement: Not sure what this meant, but I didn't need it, thankfully.
Asian breakfast: Tempted, but chickened out. Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yup, that's there. Western breakfast and Western cuisine in restaurant: Also available. I had the Western breakfast on the first day. I regret nothing.
Bar: Yes. Several. Bottle of water: Always appreciated. Coffee/tea in restaurant and Coffee shop: Essential. Desserts in restaurant: Uh, hello? YES. Happy hour: Blessedly available. International cuisine in restaurant: A solid bet. Poolside bar: Nice touch.
Room service [24-hour]: A godsend. Especially when faced with a severe case of "I-don't-want-to-leave-my-room." Snack bar: Handy. Soup in restaurant: Didn't try it, I'm afraid.
Things I absolutely loved:
- Room service, 24-hour! Because sometimes you just need a burger at 3 AM. And it arrived on time.
- The staff. Always smiling, helpful.
- The Wi-fi.
Things that could have been improved:
- The pigeons – they never stopped judging.
- The sheer amount of food on offer. My waistline (and self-esteem) took a hit.
- The "relaxing" aspect. But maybe that’s just me.
In summary:
This place is a solid contender. It's safe, reasonably clean, and has a lot of amenities. The accessibility is fantastic. The food is plentiful. You might even relax… if you're better at relaxing than I am. Would I go back? Honestly? Yeah, probably. Mostly for the room service. And the cat videos.
Escape to Paradise: Unbeatable Westin Tampa Waterside Deals!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn’t your perfectly coiffed travel brochure. This is my Olympia, Washington, adventure, as lived…and as likely to be a little bit of a hot mess. Here we go, from the surprisingly comfy depths of the DoubleTree.
Day 1: Arrival & Attempting to Adult (Spoiler: Failed. Beautifully.)
1:00 PM: The DoubleTree Debacle (and Sweet, Sweet Cookies). Okay, let's be real. Flying is the worst. But you know what makes it slightly less terrible? That stupidly good DoubleTree cookie at check-in. Like, they could serve me cardboard, and I'd still be vaguely happy, as long as that cookie was there. Checked in. Room's…fine. Standard hotel room. Slightly sterile, but hey, free cookies! (Am I obsessed? Maybe.)
2:00 PM: Orientation to the Parking Lot. First order of business? Figure out the parking situation. Olympia seems to have a lot of…parking lots. Wandered around for ages, finally found the one that kinda looks like the one I was supposed to be in. Lost my bearings in the rain. This is a good start.
3:00 PM: Downtown Detour & Hunger Pangs. Found my way downtown – which, let's be honest, is a gem of a city. Gorgeous architecture, the capitol dome… (Okay, I'll admit it, it's pretty). But the hunger pangs are kicking in. Like, serious, "hangry" vibes. Ended up in a greasy spoon diner. (More on that later).
4:00 PM: Capitol Building…Impressive, But Is It Cookie Impressive? Decided to actually do something tourist-y. The Capitol Building. Impressive. Really, really impressive. All that marble and grandeur…but still, not as impressive as a DoubleTree cookie. (I'm sorry, I can't quit them.)
5:00 PM: Dinner…Disappointment. Headed back to the greasy spoon diner for dinner. It wasn't as good the second time. Lesson learned? Don't go back to the same disappointing place twice in a day.
6:00 PM: Attempted relaxation. Failed. Back at the hotel. I try to relax, maybe read, maybe watch some terrible TV. Nope. Brain's still buzzing from the day. Probably going to end up staring at the ceiling for a good hour.
7:00 PM: Cookie Redemption (Again!). Managed to sneak a few more cookies from the front desk. The joy, the pure sugar-fueled joy!
9:00 PM: Collapse. Sleep. Hopefully.
Day 2: The Olympia Exploration (Plus an Unexpected Emotional Rollercoaster)
9:00 AM: Breakfast Battle. Hotel breakfast..free and mediocre. I'm pretty sure that's a rule. The coffee is…functional. The waffles? Meh. A definite step down from the cookie.
10:00 AM: Olympia Farmers Market… Smells Delicious! Headed to the Olympia Farmers Market, which is a riot of colors and smells. I could spend hours here. Got lost in the crowd, and the sheer volume of local produce. The energy is incredible. (And almost makes up for the awful breakfast).
11:00 AM: The Waterfront Wanderings…And the Seagull Incident. Olympia's waterfront is genuinely lovely. Walked along the boardwalk, breathing in the salty air. Then a seagull swooped down and tried to steal my coffee. Okay, that was a low point. Almost lost it. (I chased it, yelling. Embarrassing, but the coffee was mine!)
12:00 PM: Lunch Adventure - The Unexpected Gem! Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place that specialized in soup and sandwiches. Didn't look like much from the outside. But the food! Amazing. Seriously, best Reuben sandwich I've had in ages. The kind of place that instantly makes you feel like a regular, even though you've never set foot in it before. It was like a mini-vacation within the vacation. (This is what travel should be about.)
1:30 PM: The Olympia Historical Society. A Tearful Moment. Okay, this is where things get unexpectedly emotional. Wandered into the Olympia Historical Society, expecting some dry facts, maybe a dusty display case. Nope. They had this exhibit on…the local logging industry. Photographs, personal stories, the whole works. And suddenly I was just…floored. Tears! Full-on, snotty crying. It's embarrassing to admit, but it connected me to the city in a way the cookies never could!
3:00 PM: Trying to Shake off the Emotion. Needed a distraction. More walking. Found a bookstore. Bought a book. Felt better.
4:00 PM: The Olympic Flight Museum – An Ode to Machines. This was one of the cooler experiences. Saw the Olympic Flight Museum. Amazing aircraft. A fantastic exhibit dedicated to the history of aviation.
5:00 PM: Dinner – Solo and Contemplative. A quiet dinner at a local restaurant. A little bit of reflecting. The beautiful, messy, imperfect reality of travel is the magic.
6:00 PM: Back to the DoubleTree - Cookie Comfort. And, okay, maybe a cookie (or two) before bed. (I swear I'm not addicted, I'm just…fond…of them.)
Day 3: Departure & The DoubleTree's Farewell
9:00 AM: Final Breakfast, Cookie Countdown. This time, I decided to skip the hotel breakfast and head straight for my final visit to the cookie area at the lobby. The realization hits me that this is the last day, the last cookie! The gravity of it all!
10:00 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping (or, Panicking). Ran around trying to find something to bring home. Ended up buying a coffee mug. (Classic. And slightly embarrassing.)
11:00 AM: The Farewell to the DoubleTree. Check-out. And the most difficult moment of all…the goodbyes to the DoubleTree cookies.
12:00 PM: Departure…and Already Planning the Return. Goodbye, Olympia! You've been wonderfully weird. And I'll be back. Maybe just for the cookies. (Probably just for the cookies.)
This is real. This is what it feels like. This is me.
Escape to Paradise: Dusit D2 Naseem Resort - Your Unforgettable Jabal Akhdar Getaway
So… what *is* this whole thing even *about*? (Seriously, I'm lost.)
Why is this so… rambling? And… honest? *Uncomfortably* honest?
Okay, fine. Fine. But… how am I supposed to *use* any of this? Like, what's the practical application?
So… what about stuff? What are some examples? Give me *something* concrete!
Why is this so… dramatic? Is this a cry for help?
Is there, like… a *point* to any of this? A deeper meaning?
Okay, I think I get it. But… what if I'm still confused?
