Houghton's Hidden Gem: Super 8 Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Houghton's Hidden Gem: Super 8 Review (You Won't Believe This!) - Seriously, Read This Before You Book!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to drop some serious truth bombs about Houghton's Hidden Gem: Super 8. Forget those sugar-coated brochures, because you're getting the real deal. And let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster. Buckle up because you're about to embark on a stream-of-consciousness journey of my experience.
First Impressions: The Arrival - A Slight Hiccup (and a Smile!)
Finding the place wasn't as straightforward as I'd hoped. My GPS, bless its little binary heart, decided to take me on a scenic tour of Houghton before finally coughing up the Super 8. The first thing I noticed? Not the most stunning exterior. Think…functional. But the HUGE plus was the car park [free of charge]. Score! Parking in bigger cities is a nightmare, so this definitely earned some brownie points. The front desk [24-hour] was a true lifesaver, as I arrived at what felt like the witching hour. The folks there? Super friendly, which is always a win after a long drive. Honestly, the check-in/out [express] was a breeze – so efficient.
Accessibility & Safety – A Mixed Bag (Mostly Good, Though!)
Okay, let’s talk accessibility. I didn’t personally need a wheelchair-accessible room, but I peeked at the details. The elevator was a definite plus! Facilities for disabled guests were listed, and honestly? Good on ya, Super 8. Seeing that kind of inclusivity automatically scores respect points. They also have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, which gave me some peace of mind. So, safety felt pretty solid overall. They even had fire extinguisher and smoke alarms – essential! I'd give them a solid B+ here.
Rooms: My Private Oasis (Mostly…!)
My room? Okay, let's be real, my room was a mixed bag. It wasn’t the Ritz, but it was clean, which, after a long day, is all that matters. The Air conditioning was a lifesaver – those Houghton summers can be brutal! The blackout curtains were a godsend, though I'm pretty sure a rogue beam of sunlight still managed to sneak in at dawn (rude!).
The Wi-Fi [free] in the room? Fantastic. Like, truly fantastic. Streaming my shows was a breeze. There was also Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN, which is great for those who prefer a hard line. The desk was functional, but not exactly Pinterest-worthy.
The Bathroom Chronicles (And the Missing Rubber Duckie!)
The bathroom, ah, the bathroom. It was…adequate. Towels, toiletries, all present and accounted for. The shower had decent water pressure (a win!), but I'd have loved a little more oomph. It did have a mirror, and the hair dryer worked! That is a huge win in my books.
The Little Things That Matter (and the Ones That Don't!)
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent! My room was magically cleaned while I was out.
- Mini bar: Nope. But, hey, who needs a mini-bar when there's a 7-Eleven a block away?
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes! A lifesaver in the morning.
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Alarm clock: Check. Though, I have my own phone alarm.
- Ironing facilities: Present, but I didn't need to iron.
- Soundproofing: Not completely soundproof, but decent enough that night!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: It's… Functional.
Okay, here's where it gets honest. The breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was there. You could get your basic continental breakfast. There's also Coffee/tea in restaurant, if that is your thing. I'm not going to lie, I've had better. I am someone who loves Asian breakfast, but in this case I was disappointed.
There’s no restaurant. There’s a snack bar, though. Restaurants and Coffee shop are always a win! If I had to choose, I’d stick to the coffee from my room. They do have Breakfast service, which is a plus.
Ways to Relax: The Spa Dilemma It is safe so say that this Spa does not exist. This hotel does not have a Pool with view, Sauna, or Steamroom
Things to Do & Getting Around: Exploring Houghton!
Houghton offers a ton of opportunities for outdoor adventures. This is a major positive for this town! There is Airport transfer, but I personally didn't need it. Car park [on-site].
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras That Count
- Cash withdrawal: Nope.
- Concierge: Not a traditional concierge, but the front desk staff were super helpful with recommendations.
- Currency exchange: Uh, no.
- Doorman: Nope.
- Daily housekeeping: YES! It made a difference.
- Ironing service: Not sure because I didn't need it, but a plus!
- Laundry service: They probably do!
- Luggage storage: Yup. Super helpful.
- Safety deposit boxes: Available!
- Smoking area: Yup.
Cleanliness and Safety: Covid-19 Considerations - Important Aspects!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Definitely felt that way. They were all masked and seemed serious about hygiene.
- Hand sanitizer: Available everywhere.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: I'm going to assume so, since everything felt clean.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Absolutely.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Makes perfect sense!
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They try their best.
- Cashless payment service: A huge plus!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly?
Meh. While they're Family/child friendly, I didn't see any specific Kids facilities. No Babysitting service either.
Overall Verdict: Houghton’s Hidden Gem? Maybe… But It Has Charm!
Honestly? This Super 8 exceeded my expectations. It's not glamorous, but it's clean, comfortable, and the staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. It's perfect for a budget-friendly trip where you need your basics covered. Sure, the bathroom isn't spa-worthy, but hey, it's practical! Overall, for the price and location, Houghton’s Hidden Gem is really good for a super stay.
My Personal "Quirk": The best part? Definitely how well the internet connection worked.
STOP! READ THIS BEFORE YOU BOOK!
Grab yourself a room at Houghton's Hidden Gem: Super 8!
Here's what you get:
- Super-fast Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Stream, work, or just browse the internet, no buffering needed.
- Clean, comfortable rooms where you can chill out after a long day.
- Friendly, helpful staff who'll make you feel welcome.
- Free parking – a HUGE win for road-trippers!
- Convenient location to make you feel relaxed.
Do you know what's not here? Super expensive rooms! That’s a deal in my book!
Book now and get ready to explore Houghton! You will love it!
Uncover the Secrets of Comanjilla, Silao: Mexico's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned scrapbook itinerary. This is the Super 8 Houghton, Michigan edition, a messy, glorious, and utterly subjective journey into the heart of… well, Houghton. Let's go!
Day 1: Arrival & the "Oh God, It's Cold" Moment
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Super 8. Honestly, the exterior… well, it’s a Super 8. Beige, practical, the kind of place you know you'll recognize instantly anywhere in the country. Finding the place wasn’t too hard. Driving there wasn't the easiest, but I made it to the hotel.
- 1:15 PM: Check-in. The guy at the desk, bless his heart, looked like he'd seen a thousand weary travelers. Which, let's be honest, he probably had. He was friendly though, gave me the key card and the "Have a good stay!" I gave me the "Sure thing!" back without much eye contact.
- 1:30 PM: Room reconnaissance. Okay, the bedspread is… functional. The bathroom is… clean. The TV… well, it’s a TV. I unpack enough to feel settled, then immediately start debating if I should have packed another sweater. Houghton in October? Brutal. I feel a chill already.
- 2:00 PM: First foray into Houghton. Decide to just wander. Walked out of the hotel, and… whoa. The wind. The lake effect. Dear sweet Moses, it cuts right through you. I immediately regret my choice of jacket. Should've brought my heavier one. I start walking towards downtown.
- 2:30 PM: Downtown Wanderings. This is it, I thought. "This is the town, I'm in! Alright, where do I even start?" I wandered into some shops. There's a bookstore (YES!), a fudge shop (tempting…), and a place that sells… well, I'm not sure what they sell, but it looked intriguing.
- 3:30 PM: Coffee Break. Found a cozy little cafe, the kind where everyone seems to know each other. I ordered a giant latte and just sat there, watching the locals. It was nice, and a great reprieve from the cold.
- 4:30 PM: The Bridge. Walking around the town, there's the bridge. The Portage Lift Bridge, the biggest, and only of it's kind. I'm standing on the side, with a great view. Watching it go up, it's pretty impressive, to say the least.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Found a place called "Roy's Pasties & Bakery." I am a sucker for a good pasty. Seriously, it was amazing. Like, flaky crust, savory filling, the whole shebang. I almost ordered a second one, but common sense (and my rapidly expanding waistline) prevailed.
- 7:30 PM: Settling in. Back at the Super 8. Watched some mindless TV. Maybe have a beer. Maybe a second.
Day 2: Copper Country and the Quest for the Perfect Shot (and Maybe Some History)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Super 8. The "continental breakfast" situation here is… well, let's just say it's not winning any awards. But free carbs are free carbs, so I choke down a waffle and some questionable-looking fruit.
- 9:30 AM: Heading to the Quincy Mine. Decide to visit The Quincy Mine. I'm no history buff. Really, history usually bores me. But how can you not be curious about a massive copper mine? The winding roads up the hill are beautiful, even if the grey sky is a little depressing.
- 10:30 AM: At the Mine. Went on the tour. I'm not usually one for tours, but it was actually pretty interesting. It was fascinating to see the scale of the operation, the machinery, the sheer back-breaking labor that went into it all. (And, frankly, made me grateful for central heating and the internet).
- 12:30 PM: Lunch. Found a diner. It was perfect. Greasy food, friendly waitresses, and the kind of ambiance that makes you want to stay for hours. Grabbed a burger. And fries. And a huge milkshake. Why, I don't know. But no regrets.
- 2:00 PM: Copper Falls. Attempting to find some beauty. I needed to find some kind of scenery. Went to Copper Falls. The hike there was pretty easy, the falls were beautiful. Spent some time taking photos. I was trying to capture the light, the way the water fell, the colors… but, you know, the pictures never quite do it justice, right?
- 4:00 PM: Back in Houghton. Walking around, I went to visit the Michigan Technological University. Walked towards the building. Some of the buildings were like Hogwarts (kidding, but kinda). Walked around the campus for a while.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Found a place that served, supposedly, a great pizza. It was good. Not as good as the pasty from the day before. But not bad, either.
- 7:30 PM: Settling in. Maybe I'll read a book. Think about going out. Maybe I'm feeling exhausted, though. Staying in again. The lure of the lukewarm hotel TV is just too strong.
Day 3: Departure & the Lingering Question of "Should I Have Brought More Socks?"
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Same deal as yesterday. Striving for a new waffle, but the taste has just faded away.
- 9:30 AM: Last minute shopping. Finding a souvenir. Grabbed a t-shirt that said "I Survived Houghton," and some pasties to go.
- 10:00 AM: Packing. I throw my bag, and I'm almost ready to go. But there's that sinking feeling. Did I forget something? Did I see everything? Did I order enough coffee?
- 11:00 AM: Check-out. The guy at the desk again, with the same weary smile. "Enjoy your trip, sir/ma'am." I give an obligatory "You too!" and head to the car.
- 11:30 AM: Driving away. Looking back, I find I enjoyed myself. The town was great. The cold was brutal. And it makes me think, maybe I should go again. Maybe. It could happen.
- 12:00 PM: That moment when I realized I'd left my favorite hat in the room.
This, my friends, is Houghton. It's not a perfectly orchestrated vacation, no. But it's real. And that's what matters. Now, excuse me while I go plan my next adventure… or maybe just take a nap. Depends on how much coffee I can get my hands on.
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