Escape to Middletown: Goshen's BEST La Quinta Inn & Suites!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a review of [Hotel Name]! Forget the pristine, polished fluff pieces – this is the real deal, warts and all, sprinkled with my genuine, unvarnished opinions. And if you're thinking of booking a room, listen up, because I'm about to give you the lowdown, the nitty-gritty, and the downright weird stuff. Let's go!
Accessibility & The First Impression: A Struggle and Then Some Sparkle
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. Keyword alert! Wheelchair accessible? Check. That's a big win. Elevator? Yep. Facilities for disabled guests? Supposedly. However, it wasn't perfect. Navigating the lobby with my friend in a wheelchair felt a little… clunky. Some ramps were a bit steeper than they needed to be, and door widths were iffy in certain areas. Minor grumble. But the staff? Absolutely lovely. They jumped in to help without hesitation, which, honestly, goes a long way. First impression: a bit of work needed, but heart definitely in the right place.
Internet: The Eternal Question of Connectivity
Okay, the internet. Sigh. This is where it gets complicated. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms?! Yes! Hallelujah! And it actually worked! I've stayed in places where "free Wi-Fi" translates to "radio silence." Not here. Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas all marked as available, and they are! The Wi-Fi in the lobby was… well, let's say it struggled during peak hours. But in my room? Solid. Fast enough to stream my favorite shows, which, let’s be real, is a deal-breaker for me. Pro Tip: If you're a heavy internet user, snag a room closer to a Wi-Fi router.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: A Complicated Dance of Expectations and Realities
Food, glorious food! Restaurants? Plural! And that's music to my ears. A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Snack bar, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant – it's a veritable buffet of choices, which is fantastic! BUT, and there's always a but isn't there, I'm going to break it down.
- Breakfast: The buffet was a mixed bag. The Asian breakfast wasn't for me (I'm a bacon and eggs type of person), but the Western options were pretty decent. The coffee? Drinkable, but not amazing. The fresh fruit was a lifesaver though.
- Restaurants: I tried the international cuisine restaurant one night. The atmosphere was lovely. Very romantic. Too romantic. The food was good, but not mind-blowing. I mean, I've had better pasta, but I've also had much worse. The service, however, was impeccable. The staff were attentive without being intrusive.
- Poolside Bar: This was the highlight. Sitting by the pool, sipping a cocktail (they make a mean margarita!), and nibbling on snacks? Pure bliss. The poolside bar is where I spent a significant amount of my time.
- Room Service: Okay, this is where things went a little sideways. I ordered room service late one night (don't judge, the margaritas were flowing). The food arrived incredibly fast, but the burger was… well, let's just say it wasn't exactly gourmet. However, what I really loved was the late night 24-hour room service.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Poolside Lounging, and the Elusive "Me Time"
Okay, let's talk relaxation! Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor] – the options are plentiful. But did it live up to the hype? Mostly, yes.
- Spa: I treated myself to a massage. It was divine. An hour of pure bliss. The masseuse was incredibly skilled, and the spa itself was beautiful and serene. I left feeling like a new person. That was the point.
- Pool: The pool with view was a spectacular place to just chill out. Plenty of deck chairs, and the staff were always on hand to bring you drinks and towels. Poolside bar was a huge selling point.
- Fitness Center: I wandered in the fitness center only once. (I promise, my intentions were good!) It was well-equipped, but I was more interested in lounging than lunging. It is there, though, for the genuinely motivated.
Cleanliness & Safety: Navigating the Covid-Era Minefield
Okay, this is important. I'm one of those people who are very aware of cleanliness, and I'm hyper-sensitive to health and safety these days. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Hand sanitizer? Everywhere! Hygiene certification? Yep. Room sanitization opt-out available? Yes, if you want. Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed very much so. The staff were wearing masks, and they made me feel comfortable. I felt safe. And that's what matters, especially in these crazy times.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
This is where [Hotel Name] really shined. Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center… the list goes on and on. Highlights:
- Concierge: Super helpful. They helped me book tours, get recommendations for restaurants, and generally made my life easier.
- Daily housekeeping: The rooms were always spotless. Fresh towels, fresh linens – everything was perfect.
- Convenience store: Always a bonus! Perfect if you need a quick snack or a forgotten essential.
- Cashless payment service: Available.
- Doorman: Very friendly and helpful.
For the Kids & Family-Friendliness:
I'm a solo traveller, but I noticed that [Hotel Name] is very Family/child-friendly. Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal were on offer. There seemed to be plenty of families staying there, and the kids all looked happy.
Rooms & Amenities: The Heart of the Matter
Alright, let's talk rooms! They have Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, 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, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, 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], Window that opens. Basically, they've thought of everything. My room was a good size, with a comfortable bed, and a fantastic view. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver.
Getting Around & Location, Location, Location…:
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking You should have no problems getting around! The location of the hotel, in the heart of the city was amazing! Everything was within walking distance (or a short taxi ride).
The Imperfection: The Minor Freak-Out
There was one minor hiccup. I locked myself out of the safe! Panic ensued! But the staff came to my rescue (they were incredibly understanding, when I was just… not). The safe was fixed quickly, and I was back in business. But that initial moment of abject terror… that's something I'll remember! I'm just saying, it made the whole stay a lot
Escape to the Dolomites: Indulge in Luxury at Pineta Pastry Hotel
Alright, buckle up buttercups! This isn't your grandma's itinerary. We're going to La Quinta in Middletown-Goshen, NY… and we're gonna live it. Forget perfect, embrace chaos. Get ready for the Real Real.
Day 1: Arrival, Mild Panic, and Questionable Pizza
1:00 PM (ish): Arrive at La Quinta. Already late. Traffic was horrendous. Honestly, the GPS kept telling me to go down dirt roads. I swear, it wanted me to live off the land FOR A MOMENT. You know, communing with nature. NOT MY BAG. Anyway, finally pull up. First impression? Clean(er) than I expected. Relief washed over me like a cheap wave of bleach. But parking? A whole different kettle of fish. Managed to snag a spot after circling like a vulture for 10 minutes.
1:30 PM: Check-in. The woman at the front desk, bless her heart, was having a day. Said something about a "system crash." Looked like she'd seen a ghost. Did a pretty good job of faking a smile, though. Keys, hopefully, to a non-haunted room, in hand. I pray.
2:00 PM: ROOM! Okay, not bad. Bed looks comfy. Bathroom… well, it has a shower, and that's what matters. Attempt to unpack, immediately get overwhelmed. Why do I bring so much STUFF? Seriously, it's a weekend trip, not a cross-country trek. Deep breaths.
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM: The Great Internet Struggle. Wi-Fi password? Needed. Connection? Absent. Spent what felt like an hour wrestling with the router. Eventually, after much cursing and muttered prayers to the IT gods, something clicked. Victory! Then, immediately lost it again. Giving up.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Okay, food. Desperate for sustenance. Found a pizza place online that looked… promising? (Disclaimer: Never trust online reviews.) Ordered a pepperoni pizza. Walked in. The place looked like it hadn't seen a deep cleaning since, well, forever. The pizza? Let's just say it tasted vaguely of cardboard and regret. A single tear rolled down my cheek after the first bite. Maybe it was the salt. Who knows?
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Back at the La Quinta. Fumbled around with the TV, finally finding something tolerable to watch. Mindlessly, began to scroll through my phone, eventually stumbling on a few too many posts of everyone else’s fun travel adventures. Suddenly, loneliness hit hard, so I was glad for the pizza, even if my stomach has decided to stage a protest. I then took a long shower.
8:00 PM – Bedtime: I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, debating whether to order more pizza, and if so, from ANYWHERE ELSE. The answer? No. My self-esteem took a real hit today. I swear. I think I might need to start journaling just to get my thoughts out.
Day 2: The Great Outdoors (Kinda), and a Surprising Revelation
7:00 AM (ish): The free breakfast. Ah yes, this is what it’s come to. I went to the "breakfast" area. They had a waffle maker. I got a waffle. It was…fine. I ate two. I also saw someone using a waffle iron to make toast. Smart. I should have thought of that.
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Decided to be virtuous. The outdoors! Go for a little hike. Headed to a nearby park that looked…picturesque online. Arrived. The "trail" turned out to be less a trail and more a muddy, overgrown path. After a few stumbles, a near-miss with a rogue root, and a brief encounter with a swarm of angry mosquitos, I took one look at the muddy, overgrown path, and said "Nope.” A bit of a disaster. Seriously, my sneakers are already looking worse for wear, and my mood is taking a hit. Ugh.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch. Found a diner that was straight out of the 1950s. The waitress was probably older than the diner itself but had the loveliest smile. Had a burger and fries, and it was everything a greasy-spoon burger should be. Food of the gods. Actually, the best thing that has happened so far.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Random Driving Around. Needed something to shake up my mood. So, I just started driving. No plan, just driving. Ended up on some backroads. Saw some cows. Got lost. Twice. But, in the chaos, found something unexpected (and kinda cheesy): a roadside antique shop! Found an old book, and a goofy figurine.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Needed a nap. Slept for about 2 hours. Woke up feeling slightly more human.
6:00 PM – Bedtime: Ordered takeout from a local Thai place. It was actually pretty good! Ate in my room while watching a truly terrible reality TV show. Found myself strangely enjoying it. Maybe I'm embracing the chaos of this solo adventure, the unexpected turns, the moments of "what was I thinking?" Maybe it’s liberating.
Day 3: Departure and The Aftermath
- 7:00 AM (ish): Breakfast again. Waffle, naturally. This time I made the toast. Was feeling less despair and more… contented.
- 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Checkout. Fast and painless. Said goodbye to the front desk lady. We shared a knowing look. I think we both understood.
- 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Hit some of the local shops. The town has charm, I guess. Found a few things.
- 11:00 AM: Gas station stop. Grabbed snacks and drinks for the road.
- 12:00 PM: Final thoughts. Was this trip a disaster? Mostly. But, would I do it again? Perhaps. I had time alone with my thoughts. I laughed. I cried. I ate questionable pizza. I survived. Life is like the waffle maker. It's messy, sometimes frustrating, but if you let it, it can be surprisingly satisfying.
- 1:00 PM: Arrive home. Unpack (eventually). Begin planning next adventure. Because, despite the chaos and the questionable food, I'm already starting to miss the freedom.
So, what even *is* this "thing" we're talking about? Seriously, is there an actual "it" to define?
Ugh, that's like asking me to define "happiness" on a Monday morning. Okay, okay, deep breaths. "It" is... well, it’s the thing you're probably already thinking about. The thing that's always in the back of your mind. The thing you’re actively *trying* to avoid thinking about right now, because, let's be honest, it's all a bit overwhelming. It's that feeling of... existing. The joy, the pain, the utter confusion of it all. Did I mention it's messy? Because it absolutely is. It's like trying to catch smoke in a butterfly net. Good luck with that.
Is this a hobby? Like, do people “do” this "it"?
Haha! God, I wish it was just a hobby. Imagine: "Oh, I'm just *doing* the existential dread today. Fancy a cuppa and some nihilism later?" No. This… experience… it's not a hobby. It's a constant companion. It's like that clingy friend who always shows up uninvited, eats all your snacks, and then complains about the crumbs. Sometimes, you try to "do" things *about* it. You might join a support group (which, let's be honest, can be a hilarious train wreck), read a book (that either soothes you or makes things *way* worse), or attempt to meditate (I usually just end up thinking about what I'm having for dinner). But the "it" itself? It's always there, lurking in the background, humming that annoying tune.
What are some common symptoms of this "it"? (Asking for… well, me, mostly.)
Oh, you want the laundry list, huh? Okay, buckle up: Doubt. Self-doubt. More doubt. Overthinking, naturally. Comparing yourself to everyone on social media – a classic symptom, right up there with the flu. Sudden urges to learn a new language, start a small business, or move to a remote island (which always sounds amazing until you consider the lack of decent Wi-Fi). An overwhelming desire to scream into the void… or, you know, write ridiculously long FAQs about… well, *it*. Honestly, the symptoms are pretty much anything that keeps you from enjoying a good television show without questioning the meaning of life. I'm currently battling an intense craving for ice cream. Coincidence? I think not.
Does anyone else experience this "it"? (Please say yes…)
YES! Oh my god, YES! You are absolutely, unequivocally *not* alone. Seriously, if you think you're the only one, you're either a sociopath or a blissful idiot (and, honestly, I kind of envy you). Humans, in all their glorious, flawed, neurotic splendor, have been wrestling with this "it" since, like, the dawn of time. Think of the cave paintings! They weren't just drawing bison, you know? They were probably asking the same damn questions we are. So, breathe. Join the club. We have… well, we have existential angst and a shared collection of unanswered questions. And maybe some decent snacks on the side. We're working on that. It's a work in progress, just like everything else.
How do you *deal* with this "it"? (Because, you know, I'm failing miserably.)
Deal? Ha! Honey, "dealing" is a myth. It's like trying to tidy up chaos. You might get it looking presentable for a few minutes, but then *BAM* – another wave of "it" crashes over you. What *I* do? Well, I stumble through. I try to find small joys. Coffee. A good book. The brief satisfaction of finally folding fitted sheets (which, honestly, is a miracle). I lean on friends, though sometimes I annoy them with my constant ruminating. I exercise, mostly to avoid staring at my own reflection in the mirror for too long. It's a work in progress, like I said. Some days are a victory, some days I just want to curl up in bed and hide from the world. And you know what? That's okay too. It's real. It's human. And sometimes, that's all you can do.
Is there a cure for this "it"?
A cure? Ha! If there was a cure, do you think I'd be sitting here writing this mess? No, there is no magic pill, no secret mantra, no perfect Instagram filter to banish "it." Anyone who tells you otherwise is either selling something or hasn't actually *felt* this… "it." I *wish* there was a cure. Imagine a world free from the nagging worry that you're wasting your life, or that you're slowly turning into your parents, or that you're not doing enough. It’d be… well, it’d be bliss. But I suspect we’re not designed for bliss. We're designed for the struggle. For the mess. For the beautiful, terrible, wonderful, chaotic *it*.
What *is* the point, though? Seriously.
Oh, you went there, huh? The big one. The question that keeps us up at night, staring at the ceiling, wondering what the hell it is all for. And… I don't know. I honestly don't. Maybe there isn't a point. Maybe there’s just… *is*. Maybe the point is to find some joy in the chaos. To connect with others. To try your best, even when your best feels woefully inadequate. To eat that extra slice of cake. To laugh, even when you feel like crying. To look up at the stars and feel a tiny, insignificant speck in the vastness of the universe, and still think, "Hey, this is… something." Honestly, I don’t have the answers. I’m still figuring it out. But hey, at least we're in it together. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need another ice cream.
