Is This Douglas (MI) Motel Heaven or Nightmare? BLUE STAR SHOCKER!
Is This Douglas (MI) Motel Heaven or Nightmare? BLUE STAR SHOCKER! - My Honest (and Possibly Over-the-Top) Review & Plea for a Book!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the Blue Star Shocker! in Douglas, Michigan. My soul is still reeling, my credit card is… well, let's just say it took a hit, and I'm here to tell you the truth. Forget those sanitized travel blogs – this is the real deal. Prepare for a rollercoaster, because the Blue Star Shocker is nothing if not… an experience.
(Disclaimer: My experience is just that – mine. Mileage, as they say, may vary. Also, I'm using a lot of exclamation points because I'm excited!)
First Impressions & The Accessibility Angle (Because I'm a Conscious Traveler!)
Okay, so, Accessibility. This is where things get… interesting. The website says they're on it. But let's be real, folks. "Facilities for disabled guests" is vague as heck. Were there ramps? Yes. Did they feel like they'd been built in the 1970s and never updated? Also yes. The elevator? Well, it existed, let's put it that way. I didn't need to use it, but I imagine the ride might be a little… character-building. Wheelchair accessibility within the rooms themselves? I'm hesitant to say "complete" without knowing the specifics of individual needs. (Rating: C+ - room for serious improvement!)
Internet, Glorious Internet! (and the Perils of Being Disconnected!)
Alright, this is crucial. I'm a digital nomad. My lifeblood is Wi-Fi. And the Blue Star Shocker promises Wi-Fi, in all rooms, free of charge! YES! And you know what? It worked. Mostly. Sometimes, in the dead of night, I'd get kicked off, and panic would set in. The thought of being cut off from the digital world… it was… horrifying. The Internet services were, thankfully, okay. No Internet [LAN], thankfully, I don't need anything like that. Still, I had my laptop workspace ready, just in case. The Wi-Fi in public areas? Honestly, I didn't even try. I was glued to my room, praying to the Wi-Fi gods every single moment. (Rating: B – Praise be for working Wi-Fi! Needs a little more stability!)
Cleanliness & Safety: Is it Safe to Breathe Here?
Let's be blunt: in THESE times, cleanliness is paramount. So, the Blue Star Shocker claims to be on it with all those Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They also have Hand sanitizer everywhere. I think they might actually be doing it? I didn't see anyone licking door handles, which is a good sign! Staff trained in safety protocol? Probably. The Safe dining setup in the restaurant? More on that later. I’ll admit, I didn't have a Doctor/nurse on call, thankfully! (Rating: B – Seems decent, but I’d still pack my own wipes!) I never ended up using any of the First aid kit either!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food… or Not?
Okay, this is where the "Shocker" part really came into play. The Restaurants are restaurants. They have them! They have a bar! They have a Poolside bar! But… the experience. Oh, the experience.
Let's start with the Breakfast [buffet]. Supposedly, Breakfast service is available. I opted for the Breakfast takeaway service, because, honestly, the thought of elbowing my way through a Buffet in restaurant at 7 AM felt… daunting. They offered an Asian breakfast, which, while intriguing, didn't quite call to me. I did enjoy a Coffee/tea in restaurant, and a Bottle of water with my meal. The A la carte in restaurant option seemed… extensive. Like, maybe too extensive. I did appreciate the Happy hour. The Poolside bar… well, I never actually went to the pool. See previous anxieties about the Wi-Fi. I did appreciate a Salad in restaurant. The Desserts in restaurant were… there. Like, they existed. (Rating: C – Food is food. But nothing to write home about, and the whole experience felt strangely… sterile?)
Things To Do, and Ways to Relax? Ha! (Mostly Wi-Fi Hunting…)
Things to do? Hmm. Well, there's a Swimming pool [outdoor]. I mentioned I never went, right? The Fitness center? I squinted through the window, it looked… unused. There's a Spa/sauna? Not in my budget!
To be honest, ways to relax for me consisted of desperately trying to connect to the Wi-Fi, trying not to think too hard, and reading light in the room. I did enjoy the provided desk, to organize my thoughts. Body scrub, Body wrap, Gym/fitness, Foot bath, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Swimming pool, etc? Nope. Nope, nope, nope. (Rating: D – Unless your idea of "relaxation" is staring at a wall and praying for a strong Wi-Fi signal, you're out of luck.) But, hey, you never know, it might be your cup of tea, just, I found myself spending most of my time in the hotel's Seating area.
The Room! (My Sanctum, My Fortress, My Temporary Home)
Okay, let's talk rooms. My room? It was… a room. It had the Air conditioning that blasted a hurricane of cold air, which was nice. Available in all rooms? You bet! But it had an Alarm clock that I couldn’t figure out. Bathtub was standard. It had a Coffee/tea maker, which was a lifesaver. Complimentary tea? A definite plus! I had a Desk! Extra long bed? I'm tall, and I still had room to sprawl. Free bottled water? Yes! Hair dryer? Check. High floor? I hope so, I didn't want to be on the ground level. In-room safe box? I don't have valuable, so I couldn't say. The closet was fine. The Mini bar was also fine, I didn't end up using it. The On-demand movies were… a feature (mostly I was watching my laptop). The Private bathroom was functional. The Refrigerator was great. Satellite/cable channels? Sure, whatever. Seating area was nice. The Shower worked. The Slippers were a nice touch. The Smoke detector was there. The Soundproofing? Let’s just say I heard things, things I didn't want to hear. Telephone was there. And Wi-Fi [free]. The Window that opens. Additional toilet, nope, I only received one. (Rating: B – Functional, clean-ish, but not exactly luxurious.)
Services and Conveniences: The Bits and Bobs
They offer Air conditioning in public area. I'm a big fan of Air conditioning in public area. The Business facilities seemed… well, there. Like, if you needed the Xerox/fax in business center… go for it. The Cash withdrawal option? I never used it. Concierge seemed nice, I never spoke to them. Daily housekeeping! My savior! Doorman? I think so. Elevator? Yes! Facilities for disabled guests? Already covered. The Gift/souvenir shop? I blinked and missed it. The Invoice provided? I got my invoice. Ironing service? I never iron. Laundry service? Nope. Luggage storage? Thankfully, yes, for my endless luggage. Meeting/banquet facilities? Seemed… adequate. The Safety deposit boxes? Probably. They have a Terrace. Car park [free of charge]! Which is essential. Taxi service? Yes! Valet parking? No. (Rating: B- The basics are covered, but don't expect miracles.)
For the Kids? (I Didn't Have Any… But I Did See Some!)
There's Babysitting service! Hooray for the parents! Family/child friendly! The Kids facilities maybe were there, I didn't notice anything. Kids meal? I didn't hear anyone screaming! (Rating: C-ish – Potentially kid-friendly, but I lacked firsthand experience.)
Escape to Utah's Oasis: Hilton Garden Inn Sandy's Unbeatable Deal!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we are diving HEADFIRST into a gloriously messy, opinionated, and probably slightly hungover adventure at the Blue Star Motel in Douglas, Michigan. Forget your perfectly curated Insta stories, this is REAL LIFE. Let's do this.
Blue Star Motel – Douglas, MI: A Trainwreck in Paradise (But in the Best Way Possible)
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Panic
- 1:00 PM: ARRIVAL. Whew. After a five-hour drive from… well, doesn't matter. The car's a mess. Snacks everywhere. The kids are (mostly) quiet. Husband's already complaining about the Wi-Fi. Classic. The Blue Star, with its retro vibe, is… well, it's definitely there. It's got that "reminds you of your grandma's house after she's been gone a while" charm. Which, frankly, I kinda love.
- 1:15 PM: Check-in. The woman at the front desk, bless her heart, looks like she's seen a LOT. I'm guessing a lot of the lake effect snow, maybe a few questionable decisions. She gives off a vibe that I might too develop if I lived in this town. She's friendly, though, which is the most important thing. The key jingles. Good.
- 1:30 PM: Room Reality. Okay, so the photos online were kind. Let's be honest. The floral wallpaper is… intense. The bedspread? Questionable stains. But! The view? Actually, kind of breathtaking. Lake Michigan, gleaming tauntingly in the distance. Forget the bedspread, let’s find the nearest beach. I'm already plotting my escape.
- 2:00 PM: Lunch at the Saugatuck Brewing Company. OK, so maybe it's a little closer to Saugatuck than Douglas, whatevs. The burgers are decent. The beer? Excellent. Already feeling better, and less concerned about the potential bedbug situation. (Okay, not really, but I'm trying to be positive!). Saw some real characters at the bar. A biker with a handlebar mustache and a tiny dog in a vest. A group of women who looked like they'd been best friends for 50 years. This is what I call atmosphere.
- 4:00 PM: Beach time! Oval Beach. Beautiful. Stunning. The sand is like powdered sugar. The water is freezing. Jump in, gotta do it. Cold water, and sandy everything. The kids are happy, which is a win. Husband is complaining about the sand in his bathing suit. He's the type that will take 3 days to dry off.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at The Farmhouse Deli & Pantry in Douglas. Super cute place with a farm-to-table kind of vibe. Their BLT was to die for. The ambiance, and the people watching, were top-notch.
Day 2: Coastal Chaos & Questionable Decisions
- 9:00 AM: Coffee and the motel's pathetic excuse for breakfast. Instant oatmeal, questionable toast, and weak coffee. Thankfully, I packed my own French press and good coffee. This is the difference between surviving and thriving, folks.
- 9:30 AM: Quick walk around town. Douglas is… tiny. Adorable, but tiny. Hit up a few shops, saw a funky art gallery. Found a small, super old book store and a vintage clothing shop. I'm a sucker for quirky.
- 11:00 AM: A Trip to the Dunes: (This is where things get REAL). Okay, so we decided to hike the dunes. Me, the kids, the easily-discouraged husband. HUGE mistake. The sand is relentless. The climb is brutal. Halfway up, I wanted to throw myself into the lake. Kids are complaining. Husband is wheezing. I'm pretty sure I saw a mirage. We made it, eventually. The view from the top? Absolutely worth it. Breathtaking. Stunning. Made me forget the agony of the climb. For a few glorious minutes. Then the wind picked up and we were all covered in sand again. Downhill was equally treacherous, I almost broke an ankle.
- 2:00 PM: Refueling. Found a little ice cream shop on the way back to the motel… and well, lets just say, I doubled down on the sugar intake. Needed it after the Dune assault.
- 4:00 PM: RELAXATION! Okay, this is a lie. More truthfully, “attempting to relax.” Got the kids to play quietly (miracle). Got a book. Got 30 minutes of peace before they found the boredom button.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant that may or may not had a fire hazard. I think the last time this place saw a renovation was during the Carter administration. Had a burger, it was okay. My husband ordered the fish, he's been complaining about it ever since.
Day 3: Farewell, For Real This Time, Plus Reflections
- 9:00 AM: Final motel breakfast. Trying to be positive. Trying to appreciate the retro charm. Trying to avoid the questionable bedspread. Okay, I'm just going to eat my oatmeal and get on with it.
- 9:30 AM: Packing. Oh, the joy. Never seen so many sand-covered clothes in my life.
- 11:00 AM: One last walk along the beach. Soak it in. I'll miss it. Will I come back? Probably. Even with the questionable bedspread and the relentless sand.
- 12:00 PM: Checkout. Goodbye, Blue Star. You were… an experience. Don't get me wrong, there were moments. The sunset over the lake. The laughter of the kids. The delicious beer.
- 12:30 PM: The Drive Home. Already dreaming of a shower and a proper bed.
- 1:00 PM: Reflecting:
- The Good: The lake. The food. The peace and quiet. The people (mostly). The chance to escape. The memories.
- The Bad: The bedspread. The sand. The hikes. The questionable food. The potential bedbugs.
- The Ugly: Maybe the lack of sleep?
- Final Thoughts: This trip? It was perfect. Perfectly imperfect, anyway. It was messy, it was hilarious, and it was real. And that, my friends, is what makes it all worthwhile.
Now, if you will excuse me, I'm off to scrub the sand out of every crevice of my being. Until next time, Douglas!
Venice Beach Getaway: Your Dream Travelodge Awaits!Is This Douglas (MI) Motel Heaven or Nightmare? BLUE STAR SHOCKER! (Brace Yourselves…)
Okay, First Things First: What IS the Blue Star Shocker? What are we REALLY talking about?
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. The Blue Star Motel in Douglas, Michigan. It's… an experience. Think old-school Route 66, but maybe Route 66 after a really rough night. It *looks* promising online, with those retro-cool vibes. But the reality? Well, that's where things get *interesting*. We're talking about a place with a strong potential to evoke either nostalgic bliss or the kind of "I need a shower after this" feeling. Seriously. It's a coin toss. And the "Shocker" part? That's my attempt at dramatic flair. Consider it a warning label, because, well, you'll see.
So, Heaven or Hell? Give it to me straight!
Ugh. It's… nuanced. Honestly. Look, if you're going for a pristine, luxury experience? Run. Run far, far away. This is NOT the Ritz-Carlton. If you appreciate a place with character, a sense of history (and maybe a few ghosts… just kidding… mostly), and you're not afraid of a little… *texture*… then you might find a weird kind of charm. My personal take? I have VERY mixed feelings. I’m somewhere between "This is delightfully quirky" and "I think I need a tetanus shot." Okay, I'm leaning closer to the quirky after writing this. But, like… be warned.
Alright, spill the tea. What are the MOST egregious sins, the major red flags?
Okay, here's the lowdown, folks. First off: the cleanliness. It's… variable. Let's just say I've seen cleaner gas station restrooms. I’ve also seen worse. It's not *disgusting* per se, but it's definitely not spotless. Think older, possibly slightly neglected. The air conditioning unit in my room sounded like a dying walrus. Seriously, I had to choose between cool and sleep. I, uh, chose to sweat. And don’t even get me started on the possible, *potential* presence of… critters. Look, I didn’t SEE anything, but I *felt* things. And the windows… well, they might have seen better days. They might have met the 60s. Seriously. Prepare to feel like you’re staying at your weird uncle’s place, which, in some ways, is charming. But also slightly terrifying.
But… is there ANYTHING good about it? Come on!
Okay, okay! I'm not *trying* to be a downer. Yes! There are definitely redeeming qualities! The location is fantastic. Smack dab in the middle of Douglas, walking distance to shops, restaurants, and the beach! That's HUGE. The retro vibe can be genuinely appealing, especially if you're into that mid-century modern aesthetic. The staff (at least the one I encountered) was incredibly friendly and helpful. Honestly, they seemed like they were trying their best. And the price... it's relatively affordable, especially compared to some of the fancier places. This is a huge plus for travellers on a budget. And hey, there’s a certain… *authenticity* to the place that you just don’t find in chain hotels. It feels like a place with a story, a place that has actually *lived*. Still, prepare for the "lived" to include possible ghosts, or at least a very, very old fridge.
Tell me about a specific experience, something that really encapsulates the Blue Star.
Oh, man. Okay, let me tell you about the *bed*. The bed. It was... springy. Like, REALLY springy. Every time I moved, I felt like I was being launched into space. It’s the kind of bed where you’re constantly second-guessing whether you’re actually *in* the bed, or somehow being suspended above it. I swear to god, the mattress was older than me. I ended up sleeping on my side, curled up in a ball, trying to avoid any unnecessary bounce. And the *sound*! Oh, the sounds! The air conditioning (the dying walrus). The creaks. The groans. The faint, almost imperceptible hum of… something… vibrating in the walls. It was a symphony of vintage motel despair. But you know what? I kinda… loved it. It’s absurd. It’s ridiculous. It’s fundamentally flawed. But it’s *memorable*. And maybe, just maybe, that's the point. Because at least it was *real*. It was more human than most hotels. And I'm not going to lie, the bizarre nature of the whole experience made it hilarious to recount later. My friend and I are still telling the mattress story and laughing to this day.
Okay, so the bed sounds truly horrific. What about the bathroom? Don't let me down!
The bathroom… Hmm. Let’s just say it wasn't a spa day. The water pressure was… optimistic. The fixtures were, shall we say, vintage. There might have been a lingering scent of… cleaning products, vaguely mingled with something else that was less, well, *fresh*. The showerhead, well, it was more of a dribble-head. And the towels… they were thin. So thin, honestly. Like, I’m pretty sure the towels came from a parallel universe where they prioritized texture over absorbency. I half expected them to dissolve in my hands. But you know what? It *worked*. Sort of. It wasn’t ideal, but I survived. And, again, there's something to be said for the sheer *experience* of it all. It added to the overall sense of "I'm in a time capsule!"
I'm bringing the kids! Should I even *consider* this place?
Ehh… that's a tough one. Here’s the brutally honest answer: I wouldn’t recommend it if you have very YOUNG children or if you’re the type who freaks out at the slightest imperfection. Think about it. Springy beds, potential… critters… questionable cleanliness. Do you want to spend your vacation constantly worrying? Maybe not. *However*, if your kids are older and resilient, and if you're looking for something… different… and you're willing to embrace the chaos? Maybe. It depends on your tolerance for adventure… and potentially, a few mild allergic reactions. The charm factor is definitely higher for older kids, though. They'll probably find the whole thing hilarious. Just pack extra Clorox wipes.
Okay, give me the Bottom Line: Would you go back to the Blue Star? And what would you tell someone considering it?
Would I go back?… Hmm. It's complicated. Honestly? Probably. But with very, VERY cautious optimism. I'd probably bring a sleeping bag. And industrial-strength air freshener. And maybe a Hazmat suitHotels With Balconys
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