Red Deer's BEST Hotel? Microtel Inn & Suites Review (Shocking!)
Red Deer's "BEST" Kept Secret? A Microtel Inn & Suites Review (Seriously, Shocking!) - From Someone Who Actually Stayed There.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just survived… I mean, stayed at the Microtel Inn & Suites in Red Deer, and let me tell you, it's a whole experience. Forget meticulously crafted travel blogs, this is a dive straight into the messy, glorious truth. And, yes, there's SEO stuff thrown in there somewhere, because, you know, gotta get those Google eyeballs, right?
First Impressions (and a Slight Panic Attack)
Pulling up, let's be honest, it looks like any other roadside hotel. Nothing particularly groundbreaking, and my first thought was, "Okay, here we go." But… and this is where things get interesting… the entrance seemed… pretty darn accessible. Accessibility, check. Wheelchair accessible, absolutely. Good start! They even have an elevator, which, after a long drive is a godsend.
Getting Inside: Cleanliness and Safety (The Obsessive-Compulsive Section)
Okay, I'm a bit of a germophobe, so this part was crucial. And honestly? I was pleasantly surprised. They're clearly taking things seriously, with signs all over the place. They Daily disinfection in common areas is very visible. They had Hand sanitizer stations everywhere and Anti-viral cleaning products were clearly in use. I really appreciated the Cashless payment service offered. They're even boasting about Rooms sanitized between stays. I even saw them using Professional-grade sanitizing services. The staff was definitely Staff trained in safety protocol, which gave me a good feeling. Individually-wrapped food options in the breakfast area, and they have Sterilizing equipment out in the back.
It all smacked of a real effort, which, in the current times, is a massive relief. I did not, however, go around measuring the distance to be sure they were doing the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, but it felt pretty reasonable. I like that they also offer a Room sanitization opt-out available - always good to have options!
Room Sweet Room (My Sanctuary, and Maybe Yours)
My room? Pretty darn nice, all things considered. Non-smoking, thank goodness! I also took advantage to the Desk and the Laptop workspace. Blackout curtains were my best friend, especially after a long day. They had Air conditioning, a Refrigerator, and a Coffee/tea maker – essentials, people, essentials! The Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]) worked like a charm, and it was so refreshing to have Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!. They actually have Internet and Internet [LAN] available. Oh, and the bed? Honestly, the Extra long bed was a dream. And some Complimentary tea too!
Bathroom Bliss (And My Slightly Faulty Memory)
The bathroom was clean, with a Separate shower/bathtub. The Toiletries were… well, hotel toiletries, but they were there. I think. Did I use them? I honestly can't remember. What I do remember is the water pressure. Solid. No weak dribbles here. And the Hair dryer worked. So, points for practicality. I will say this though I cannot confirm all the features, it was a bit of a blur. However, I am certain that they have Towels, Mirrors, and a Mirror that you could actually see yourself in!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (My Hunger Games)
Breakfast, ah, breakfast. They have a Breakfast [buffet] but it's a bit understaffed. Not a massive spread, but they did have the basics: cereal, toast, fruit, and… well, I can't remember everything. I think there was an Asian breakfast option for some variety. The Breakfast takeaway service was available, which was helpful. There’s a Coffee/tea in restaurant. I swear I also saw a Coffee shop, but I wouldn't bet my life on it. They have Restaurants on site!
The Amenities: Things to Do (or Not Do, As the Case May Be)
This is where Microtel starts to… underwhelm. There's a Fitness center, which, let's be honest, is probably the size of a closet. I didn’t go in. I was too busy relaxing. I'm not sure they have a Pool with view. To my utter disappointment, they do not have a Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
Services and Conveniences (Yay for the Little Things!)
They offer Daily housekeeping, which, again, is a godsend. They have Laundry service and Ironing facilities, yay! They also have Facilities for disabled guests! The Front desk [24-hour] is a lifesaver. They took Cash withdrawal, which is always convenient. I think I saw a Convenience store too! Luggage storage is offered - always great! The Car park [free of charge]!
For the Kids (Bless Their Little, Energetic Hearts)
While I didn't have any kids with me, the hotel seemed pretty Family/child friendly. There's a Babysitting service available. They have Kids facilities that I'm not sure of.
Getting Around (Because, Let's Face It, You're Probably Driving)
They have a Car park [free of charge].
Things I Didn't See (And Maybe Missed)
I'm pretty sure they don't have a Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Sauna, Shrine. They do have Smoking area. I’m not sure, but I think it’s an Exterior corridor. Probably not the romance capital of the world, but it’s clean and comfortable. I'm not sure I saw a Couple's room, let alone a Proposal spot.
The Verdict: Shocking, in a Good Way
Is Microtel Inn & Suites the fanciest hotel in Red Deer? Nope. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. BUT… for the price, the cleanliness, and the genuine effort they're making to keep things safe and comfortable, it kicks butt. It's a perfectly solid choice and I'd recommend it in a snap.
The Shocking Truth: A Compelling Offer You CAN'T Refuse
Tired of overpriced hotels that skimp on cleanliness and common sense?
Here's the deal: Book your stay at Microtel Inn & Suites in Red Deer TODAY and get 15% off your stay! Plus, we'll throw in a complimentary breakfast upgrade (because who doesn't love an extra muffin?). But hurry, this offer disappears faster than the last donut at the buffet! Just use code "REDDEERROCKS" at checkout. You won't regret it. (Probably.)
Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Hidden Gem of Villa Vennendal
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because you're about to get the unvarnished truth about my highly-anticipated, slightly-disastrous (but ultimately memorable) stay at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham in Red Deer, Alberta. Prepare for a rambling, opinionated, and utterly unfiltered account. This ain't your grandma's itinerary, honey.
Microtel Mayhem: A Red Deer Diary (aka, Things I Did… and Didn't Do)
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic
1:00 PM - Arrival: Okay, so the drive up from Calgary was fine, mostly. Except for that one moment where I swear a rogue tumbleweed tried to take out my windshield. Seriously, Alberta, what's with the tumbleweeds? Anyway… check into Microtel. Front desk guy, bless his heart, seemed a bit… overwhelmed. He fumbled with the keycards for a solid five minutes before finally handing me one that didn't immediately lock me out of my room. Small victories. My room? Standard Microtel fare. Clean-ish. The floral bedspread, while not offensive, screamed "1998." I debated whether to cover it with my own blanket (which I'd regrettably forgotten). Decided against it. Live dangerously, right?
2:00 PM - Grocery Store Recon & the Quest for Decent Coffee: First order of business: sustenance. Drove to the nearest grocery store. Spent way too long agonizing over potato chip flavors. Settled on "Dill Pickle" (because when in Canada…). Coffee situation was dire. The in-room coffee maker looked like it had suffered some serious abuse. Decided to brave the hotel lobby coffee. Verdict: lukewarm, weak, and tasted vaguely of sadness. Took a giant swig of my purchased water. It was all I had. I was in despair.
3:00 PM - The "Oops, I Forgot My Bathing Suit" Moment (and the resulting existential crisis): Planned to hit the pool. Except, you know, the one I'd forgotten to pack my bathing suit. Facepalm. This led to a solid hour of staring at my reflection and questioning all my life choices. Why did I pack a book on the history of gardening but NOT my swimsuit? This is the core of my being revealed right here. I guess I am a failure.
4:00 PM - The "Red Deer, You're Cute (But Where's the Buzz?)" Stroll: Forced myself outside. Walked a bit of Red Deer. It's… nice. Clean, even. A little… sleepy? Found a park. Watched some kids playing soccer. Felt a pang of nostalgia for my own childhood… and then remembered the utter humiliation of always being the last one picked for teams. Nope, not gonna let the emotions get the best of me.
5:00 PM - The Search For Dinner (and the Unintentional Dive Bar Adventure): I was hungry. Google maps! It lied. Walked to the first place recommended. NOPE! It was a sad closed burger joint. Desperate, I stumbled into a place called "The Rusty Nail" (not the actual name, but it felt right). Dingy. The bartender (a woman named Brenda with a voice like gravel and the most incredible eyeliner) gave me a side-eye as I sat down. Ordered a burger and a beer. The burger was… decent. The beer was cold. Brenda was hilarious. We talked about everything from the price of gas to the perils of online dating. Ended up staying way longer than I’d planned. This was the unexpected highlight. Brenda, you magnificent, gravel-voiced goddess, thank you for saving my day.
8:00 PM - Return to the Floral Bedspread & Doubt: Back at Microtel. The bedspread still taunted me. Read half a chapter of my gardening book (irony). Watched a random Canadian nature documentary about beavers. Felt a growing sense of unease about the number of rodents in this country. Should I have stayed at a nicer hotel? Yes. Did I care enough to move? No.
9:00 PM - Contemplating the Microtel Breakfast (and the potential horrors that await): The complimentary breakfast looms. The thought of rubbery eggs and industrial-strength coffee fills me with dread. Praying for yogurt. And maybe a miracle.
Day 2: The Microtel Existential Continues
7:00 AM - The Breakfast Battleground: Against my better judgment, I went. The eggs? Rubbery. The coffee? Even weaker than yesterday's sad attempt. The yogurt was a tiny cup of something that vaguely resembled dairy. I ate a single stale muffin and fled. It was a battle I was not prepared to win.
8:00 AM - Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (and the surprising delight): Figured some culture was needed to counteract the breakfast trauma. The museum was… surprisingly good. Learned about Red Deer's history (turns out, lots of cows). Saw some actual cool art. Felt… slightly less like a failure. Wow.
10:00 AM - The "I Need to Get Out of this Room" Panic. Back at Microtel. The floral bedspread now actively mocking me. Stared out the window. The parking lot was not a source of inspiration. Stared at the ceiling. Nothing. Must. Get. Out.
11:00 AM - The Quest For the Perfect Donut (which led to a minor sugar coma): Headed to a local bakery (recommended by Brenda, bless her). Donuts. Glorious, sugary donuts. A dozen. Maybe more. Ate them all. Felt a brief moment of pure, unadulterated joy… followed by a significant sugar crash. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
1:00 PM - The Afternoon Nap of Shame: Back at Microtel. Donut coma had hit hard. Took a nap. Woke up feeling… vaguely disoriented. And still questioning my life choices.
2:00 PM - More Random Wandering & the Search for Something… More Walked to a park. Found a goose. It hissed at me. Decided to leave it alone. Felt profoundly unproductive. Red Deer is just… Red Deer, I guess. The whole place seems very… practical. Where's the soul? Where's the chaos? Where's the adventure?
5:00 PM - The Rusty Nail Reunion (and the accidental karaoke): Back to The Rusty Nail. Brenda. Beer. Talked. She convinced me to do karaoke. I have a terrible voice. I belted out a power ballad. The entire bar was surprisingly supportive. The whole experience was… liberating? Shocking? I don't know but I'm feeling great.
8:00 PM - Contemplating Departure & the Return of the Floral Bedspread: Goodbye, Red Deer (for now, perhaps). Back at the room, the bedspread beckoned. I didn't even fight it. I just embraced the mediocrity.
9:00 PM: Last Supper? Thought about the last meal of the trip. Probably McDonald's.
Day 3: Leaving & Unresolved Issues
- 8:00 AM: Check Out & the Epilogue of the Tale Slept in. Checked out. Red Deer was…fine. Microtel? Microtel was Microtel. But Brenda…Brenda was a legend. As I left I was pondering when the next time I would see her again.
Final Thoughts (aka, Confessions of a Rambling Traveler):
Look, the Microtel wasn't the lap of luxury. The coffee was awful. The floral bedspread… well, let’s just say it could use an update. But I survived. And maybe, just maybe, a stay at a place like this, filled with its own little joys and imperfections, is the kind of chaotic energy my life craves. And I learned that sometimes, the best memories are made in the most unexpected places. And even the less than ideal can become a story.
Escape to Paradise: Mahabaleshwar's Fiesto Stay Villa Awaits!
1. Okay, spill the TEA. Is Microtel Red Deer actually…good? Or is it a trap?
2. Let's get real about the *room*. What's the sleeping situation like? Are we talking comfortable? Or… other?
BUT… the pillows. Oh, the pillows. One was fine. The other? Flat as a pancake. I almost sent it back down to housekeeping with a note: "Needs more… life."
The overall cleanliness? Pretty good. No mystery stains, no lingering smells of… well, you know. But… let’s just say the corners under the bed probably hadn’t seen a vacuum in a minute or two. I’m picturing dust bunnies plotting world domination.
3. The dreaded BREAKFAST… Tell me *everything*. Scrambled eggs of despair? Syrupy pancakes of regret?
Now, the "scrambled eggs." I approached them with *extreme* caution. I've seen some things in hotel breakfast buffets… Let's just say these were edible. Not gourmet. Not life-changing. But, you know, fuel. They served their purpose. Along with the pre-cooked sausage patties. Honestly, the biggest win? The coffee. It was actually… drinkable! (I've stayed in places where the coffee tasted like motor oil. This wasn't that.)
4. Location, location, location! Is it convenient to…anything? Like, actual things a person might want to do?
5. Let's talk STAFF. Were they friendly? Helpful? Or did they secretly hate their jobs and everyone in them?
6. The pool & fitness center? Because let's be honest, some of us are still trying to live our best lives…
7. Okay, let's get to the CORE here. What's the *absolute worst* thing about Microtel Red Deer? What almost made you walk out?
8. The BIG question: Would you stay there again? And WHY?
Here’s the thing: If I needed a clean, comfortable-ish place to crash for a night, on a budget, and the location worked for me? Yeah, I'd probably book it. It's WAY better than some of the other budget options I’ve encountered in my travels. But if I wanted a luxurious experience? A romantic getaway? A place with ambiance? Absolutely not. This is pure function over form, baby. And sometimes… that's all you need. So, Microtel Red Deer? You're not the *best* hotel in the world. But you're… alright. And that, for the price, is a victory.
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