Ottawa Getaway: Unbelievable Comfort Inn Starved Rock Deal!
Ottawa Getaway: A Comfort Inn Starved Rock Deal – My Honest Take
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on this "Unbelievable Comfort Inn Starved Rock Deal" in Ottawa. And let me tell you, "unbelievable" is a loaded word. I went in with a mix of hope and skepticism, and emerged… well, let's just say my experience was a rollercoaster that occasionally stalled at the top of the hill before slowly lurching downwards again. This is gonna be long, and messy, just like my travel habits.
SEO & Metadata (because, let's be real, we gotta get that Google love):
- Keywords: Ottawa Getaway, Comfort Inn, Starved Rock, Illinois, Hotel Review, Accessible Hotel, Free Wi-Fi, Swimming Pool, Breakfast, Spa, Fitness Center, Cleanliness, Safety, Pet-Friendly (even though they’re not), Ottawa IL, Vacation, Travel, Deals
- Metadata: Description, keywords, and other technical aspects optimized for search engines. Yada yada.
Now, let’s get down to it!
The Pre-Arrival Jitters & Accessibility:
Finding this deal online was a breeze. Click, click, booked! That's the beauty of it. But the anxiety always kicks in before you even leave the house. Will it be as advertised? Will there be hidden fees? Will I remember to pack underwear? (The answer is almost always no.)
Accessibility: They say it's accessible. And, bless their hearts, they try. There's a listing of "Facilities for disabled guests." The website implies things. Okay, so here’s the deal: I'm not in a wheelchair, so I can’t thoroughly vet this from that perspective. But I took a good look. Elevators are present, which is a huge win. The public areas seem reasonably navigable.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Hoo boy. See, the restaurant is in the hotel, so that’s a yes. But how accessible is it? I honestly didn’t see any big red flags, but I wasn’t specifically looking for them. It's not a Michelin-starred establishment, so I wouldn’t expect a huge accessibility focus on the ambiance.
Internet: A Tale of Two Wi-Fis (and a LAN that I Didn't Bother With):
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! Hallelujah! And it worked… mostly. The connection strength was a bit spotty in my room. Sometimes, I felt like I was connecting to the internet via carrier pigeon. Other guests, I overheard, were having similar issues. It’s a minor gripe, but in this day and age, a reliable Wi-Fi connection is practically a human right.
Internet [LAN]: Okay, this is where I failed. I didn't bother plugging in a cable because, honestly, who carries LAN cables anymore? So, I can't give you a definitive review on the LAN. Sorry. But it's there, I guess? Good for you if you're into that ethernet life.
Internet services/ Wi-Fi in public areas: Generally, the public Wi-Fi seemed better. Less pigeon-related connectivity. Good for doomscrolling while waiting for the elevator.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: The Spa Dreams & Fitness Reality
This is where my expectations, and my hopes, started to… deflate.
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 website was selling me a vision of relaxation. A holistic oasis. A luxurious getaway. The reality was… a bit different.
Fitness Center: It had equipment. I’m not sure how often it was used, but there was some. I peered in. It looked… functional. But nothing that would inspire a fitness guru.
Swimming pool [outdoor]: Ah, yes, the outdoor pool. My kids were so excited. We'd envisioned lazy days, splashing around in the sun. Upon arrival, the pool was… closed. (It was a little after Labor Day, so probably my bad for dreaming.) The potential was there! Picture it: a sparkling blue oasis, flanked by lounge chairs… Instead, we got a locked gate and a very disappointed child.
Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, Massage: Nope. None of that. The “Spa” was, as near as I could tell, non-existent. Maybe I missed a secret grotto? I double-checked the website. False advertising? Perhaps. Sigh.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitization Symphony
This is where the Comfort Inn really shined. During the pandemic, it's paramount. They made it clear the hotel was taking precautions.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They were all there (or at least, the illusion of all there).
The lobby smelled vigorously clean, which is a good sign. Hand sanitizer was plentiful. The staff wore masks. I felt… safe.
The Room: A Mixed Bag of Comfort & Clutter
Available in all rooms: Almost all rooms had most of these things.
Additional toilet: Nope.
Air conditioning: Yes, thankfully.
Alarm clock: Check.
Bathrobes: Nope.
Bathroom phone: I didn't have one, but maybe some rooms did?
Bathtub: Yes, which was great for the kids.
Blackout curtains: Yes! Thank you, sweet baby Jesus.
Carpeting: Standard hotel carpeting. Nothing to write home about.
Closet: Sufficient.
Coffee/tea maker: Yes! My morning sanity saver.
Complimentary tea: Yep! A nice touch.
Daily housekeeping: Yes, if you wanted it.
Desk: Functional.
Extra long bed: Standard.
Free bottled water: Yes! Yay!
Hair dryer: Check.
High floor: I wasn’t on a particularly high floor, but the elevator was good.
In-room safe box: Yes.
Interconnecting room(s) available: Not for me, but I saw those connecting doors.
Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless: Already covered.
Ironing facilities: Yes, including an ironing board.
Laptop workspace: The desk.
Linens: Clean.
Mini bar: Nope.
Mirror: Big.
Non-smoking: Yes.
On-demand movies: I didn't try.
Private bathroom: Yes.
Reading light: Yes.
Refrigerator: Yes.
Safety/security feature: Yep.
Satellite/cable channels: Lots of channels.
Scale: Oh dear God, no! (Just kidding… well, mostly.)
Seating area: A small sofa and a chair.
Separate shower/bathtub: Combined.
Shower: Functional.
Slippers: Nope.
Smoke detector: Yes.
Socket near the bed: Thank goodness.
Sofa: Yes.
Soundproofing: Mostly good! I didn’t hear the screaming kids next door.
Telephone: Yes.
Toiletries: Basic.
Towels: Clean.
Umbrella: Nope.
Visual alarm: I didn't check.
Wake-up service: Probably.
Wi-Fi [free]: See above.
Window that opens: Yes! Fresh air!
The room itself was… clean. It wasn’t sparkling, but it wasn’t grimy either. The bed was comfortable enough, and the blackout curtains were pure gold. The décor was the standard, generic Comfort Inn variety – functional but not particularly inspiring. It was clean. That's what matters.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast (and the lack thereof)
This is where things got really interesting.
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: The hotel had a restaurant that
Shangri-La Colombo: Sri Lanka's Paradise Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered travel itinerary. This is the REAL deal, the raw, the wonderfully messy journey through the Comfort Inn Ottawa Starved Rock Area – and let me tell you, it’s going to be an experience. Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for Good Coffee (and Sanity)
- Morning (or What Passes for Morning After a 6-Hour Drive): Arrive at the Comfort Inn. Oh, the sweet, sweet relief of finally parking. I’m already a walking billboard for car seat grooves and existential dread. The desk clerk is… well, she’s there. Pleasant enough, just the right amount of polite indifference that says, "Yes, I've seen your kind before." Check-in chaos. I swear, unpacking from a road trip feels like moving.
- Quirky Observation: The vending machines are a silent judgment. They know I’m going to succumb to a bag of stale chips later. They always know.
- Mid-Morning: The coffee. The sacred coffee. The hotel coffee is… adequate. Let's call it that. It's the beige equivalent of caffeine delivery. So, the IMMEDIATE mission: Locate a coffee shop that understands the importance of a good, strong, soul-reviving cup. The internet promised "Bruce's Coffee & Tea". Fingers crossed. Praying the barista wasn't named "Karen". (Okay, I'm working on that. Just letting go of ALL the triggers!)
- Emotional Reaction: The coffee was… alright. Not life-altering, but it did its job. Much needed.
- Afternoon: Wander around Ottawa. Get my bearings. Okay, I admit it: I spent a solid hour trying to find a parking spot that didn't involve parking on a hill. I’m from flat-as-a-pancake land, okay? Hills terrify me. I am not a mountaineer.
- Anecdote: Tripped on a curb while looking at a pretty building. Graceful, I am not.
- Evening: Dinner at a local diner. Standard fare. I overate. Regret is my constant companion.
- Messier Structure: Okay, the diner was… underwhelming. The fries were mushy, the burger was… a burger. The waitress had seen it all. Which made me feel a little bit judged, honestly. Plus, the fluorescent lighting was a mood killer. And the music was that elevator muzak stuff, you know? Just sort of… there. But hey, I got to experience a piece of small-town America, greasy spoon and all.
Day 2: Starved Rock State Park and the Triumph of the Trail (and then the Soreness)
- Morning: Starved Rock! Finally. The hype is real, folks. The pictures don't do justice to the raw, untamed beauty. This is where it gets interesting. I found the French Canyon… the trails were muddy, and I took a tumble (again!).
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: The sheer scale of the place took my breath away. Seriously, the bluffs, the waterfalls… it was an assault on the senses in the best way possible. I just felt this overwhelming awe.
- Afternoon: Hiked, gasped, took a million photos (probably took the exact same shot a dozen times), and felt my legs slowly turn into jelly. I'm probably getting more steps than I get in a year. I’m not sure what I’m doing out there.
- Anecdote: I witnessed a squirrel steal a whole granola bar from a backpack. I'm not going to lie, I was impressed.
- Messier Structure: So the mud… oh god, the mud. And the crowds. I need to learn how to say no to groups of people. I really need to work on that.
- Evening: Back to the hotel. Showered off the mud, and crashed. Pizza. (Because, pizza.) And Netflix. The soothing balm of the internet. I don’t know if the pizza was good, I was just tired.
Day 3: A Day of Redemption (and Maybe a Little More Wandering)
- Morning: The comfort of the hotel bed, I would be staying here. But, no. Breakfast. The free hotel breakfast is… well, it's free. More beige food. I'm pretty sure a waffle tried to judge my life choices. I ate it anyway. Regrets, I've had a few.
- Quirky Observation: People at breakfast. Some are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Others (like me) are still half-asleep, silently judging the world.
- Mid-Morning: Back to Ottawa! More exploration. Less mud. More… well, more whatever I feel like doing. I might check out the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Museum and find out more details about the "Starved Rock" history.
- Emotional Reaction: Maybe history will make me a better person? Or at least get me inspired.
- Afternoon: Shopping. Because, retail therapy. Found a cute little bookstore. Bought a book about… whatever. Something escapist.
- Evening: Deep Dive: I will double down on the Starved Rock experience. I'm determined to catch the sunset at the Lover's Leap Overlook.
- Messier Structure: The sunset was the perfect end to the trip. I may have cried. It's a thing. The colors, the quiet, just the end of the day. Perfect.
Day 4: Leaving and Reflections
- Morning: Breakfast. Goodbye, Ottawa, farewell, Comfort Inn, whatever. Check out. This time, surprisingly smooth.
- Day: Road Trip.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: I'm leaving. What I learned. Well, I learned to be less of a jerk to myself, and a little more open to what the world has to offer. I will see and feel more and judge less.
- Anecdote: I forgot my phone charger! Again!
So, there you have it. That’s my Comfort Inn Ottawa Starved Rock Area itinerary. Messy, imperfect, and hopefully, a little bit entertaining. Remember, it’s not about the perfect picture, or the flawless plan. It's about the experience. The smells, the people, the accidental falls, the too-much-coffee-and-pizza-and-emotional-overload moments. It's about being there. Now go out there and make your own beautiful mess.
Escape to Paradise: Koh Ngai's Hidden Gem - Thanya Resort Awaits!
Ottawa Getaway: Unbelievable Comfort Inn Starved Rock Deal - Let's Get Real, Folks!
Okay, spill the beans: Is this deal *actually* as good as it seems? I'm skeptical, I admit it.
Look, I've been burned by "too good to be true" deals more times than I care to admit. But honestly? Yeah, the Comfort Inn Starved Rock deal? It's pretty darn good. I mean, you're not getting a five-star resort experience, let's be clear. Picture this: me, last month, staring bleary-eyed at the computer screen, fighting off a post-Thanksgiving food coma, and *bam!* This deal popped up. Free breakfast (more on *that* later, trust me). Close to Starved Rock State Park. A *pool* (important for my inner child). And the price? Okay, it wasn't *dirt* cheap, but it was definitely under my "I-might-actually-go-somewhere" budget. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Read on...
What about the actual *rooms*? Are they clean? Are they… bearable? I've seen some motel horrors in my time.
Alright, let's talk rooms. The Comfort Inn isn't exactly the Ritz, you know? Think… clean, functional, and maybe a *little* dated. My room was… fine. Clean sheets (always a win!). The bathroom was… well, it was a bathroom. The towels were… well, they were *towels*, let's just leave it at that. I didn't find anything particularly horrific. No dust bunnies the size of small dogs. No unexplained stains on the carpet. No ghosts (that I'm aware of). My biggest complaint? The noisy air conditioner. Seriously, it sounded like a small airplane taking off. But after a long hike in Starved Rock, I was so exhausted I just passed out. Problem solved!
Tell me about the "free breakfast." Is it actually *edible*? And specifically, what's the coffee situation? A deal-breaker for me if the coffee is swill.
Oh, the free breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. Let's just say you're not getting a gourmet brunch experience. Think of it as a buffet designed to *keep you alive* until lunchtime. The usual suspects were present: scrambled eggs (questionable consistency), sausage (questionable origin story), waffles (potentially made in the back room by sentient robots), and the usual array of sugary cereals. The fruit? Well, let's just say I stuck to the apples. And the *coffee*? Okay, the coffee. It was… drinkable. Not amazing. Not terrible. Think… "fuel". It got me caffeinated enough to tackle the trails, so I'll give it a pass. But pack your own emergency Starbucks VIA packets, just in case. You've been warned. I swear the juice tasted like melted Jolly Ranchers.
Starved Rock State Park - is the drive worth it? What's so great about it?
ABSOLUTELY! The drive to Starved Rock? Totally worth it. The park itself? Breathtaking. Seriously. I'm not even a "nature person" (unless you count watching nature documentaries on Netflix), but Starved Rock blew me away. The canyons! The waterfalls (depending on the season)! The hiking trails, ranging from easy strolls to "are-you-kidding-me-that's-steep?!" inclines. I swear, I had to crawl up a part of one trail. My legs were screaming. My lungs burning. But the view from the top? Magnificent. Just… magnificent. Go. Seriously. Just pack good shoes, and maybe bring a walking stick. And water. LOTS of water. I almost died of thirst.
So, what activities are there *besides* hiking in Starved Rock? Anything for us less... outdoorsy types?
Okay, so, full disclosure: I'm not a hardcore hiker. I'm more of a "stroll-around-the-block-while-talking-on-my-phone" kind of person. I was pretty much *forced* to do the hiking thing. Beyond hiking, though... well, the area has some other options. You could check out the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. I didn't. Looked kinda boring. There are also a few restaurants in the area. And the town of Ottawa itself is... quaint. There are some little antique shops (I’m not a fan). I spent most of my time at the park hiking. I'm lazy, okay? There's a reason they have the same kind of hotel packages every year.
Alright, let's get to the down-and-dirty details. What are the *actual* downsides? Nothing is perfect, I know. I'm looking for the dirt.
Okay, the downsides. Let's be brutally honest, shall we? First, the Comfort Inn itself is... just a Comfort Inn. It's not glamorous. Don't go expecting luxury. Expect utility. Then, the noise. As I told you, the AC. Constant drone. Other guests. Kids (LOTS of kids). The "free" breakfast, while technically free, will never win any culinary awards. And the location, while close to Starved Rock, is in a… well, it's not the most aesthetically pleasing part of town. Mostly chain restaurants and gas stations. But hey, you're there for Starved Rock, right? And finally, the biggest downside? The crowds at Starved Rock. Especially on weekends. Prepare to share the trails with hordes of other people. It can feel a bit... like a theme park. But hey, it could be worse. Like being stuck at home.
Would you *recommend* this deal? Be honest!
Okay, the million-dollar question. Would I recommend the Comfort Inn Starved Rock deal? Yes. With caveats. If you're looking for a cheap-ish getaway, a comfortable (enough) place to crash after a day of hiking (or pretending to hike), and a chance to experience the natural beauty of Starved Rock State Park? Absolutely. If you're expecting a luxurious vacation, or a culinary delight? Maybe look elsewhere. For the price, the location, and the experience, it's a good deal. Just don't expect miracles. And pack your own decent coffee. You’ll thank me later. Seriously.
Let's talk parking. Is there enough parking? Because I hate circling a hotel looking for a spot.
<Stay And Relax
