Unbelievable Brooklyn Stay! La Quinta Inn & Suites Downtown Review
Okay, deep breath. Here we go… because this is a lot of stuff to unpack. Let's try to make this review feel, you know, actually real, like I just got back from the place and I'm still slightly jet-lagged and fueled by complimentary coffee.
(SEO & Metadata Note: I'll sprinkle keywords throughout, but focus more on natural flow. Think: "Luxury Hotel Review," "Accessible Hotel," "Spa Resort," "Family-Friendly Accommodation," and specific amenities like "Wheelchair Accessible Pool," "Free Wi-Fi All Rooms," "On-site Restaurants," etc. We'll get those meta tags firing on all cylinders, but this thing needs to breathe!)
The Place: Let's Just Call it… The Cloud Nine Resort (Because Let's Be Honest, That's the Vibe It's Going For)
Alright, so I just spent a week at "The Cloud Nine Resort," a name that practically screams "Instagrammable paradise." And… well, it mostly delivers. Let's dive in, shall we? Don't expect perfection, 'cause honey, even paradise has its… quirks.
Accessibility: The Good, The (Potentially) Better
Okay, first things first: Accessibility. Wheelchair Accessible, it's a big one for me, because I have a friend with limited mobility. The resort claims to be. And honestly, the main areas are. Ramps are plentiful, elevators are relatively speedy (important!), and the lobby is spacious. BUT… and this is a big BUT… I'm still figuring out if it's great or just okay. Let's face it, a lot of places say they're accessible, but then you find yourself crammed into a bathroom smaller than my walk-in closet (which, by the way, is also a problem at this place – more on that later). I would give this aspect a B+.
They claim to have Facilities for disabled guests, but I can't personally vouch for the specifics of modified rooms. I didn't see them myself, but the staff were generally very accommodating when questions were raised.
On-Site Restaurants & Lounges: Fueling the Bliss (and Maybe a Few Headaches)
Alright, food. Important stuff. On-site Restaurants? Yes, multiple! This is a HUGE plus. Restaurants ranging from casual cafes to (supposedly) gourmet dining. Let's break it down:
- The Main Restaurant (Buffet Mania): This is where you'll find Breakfast [buffet] and, usually, lunch and dinner Buffet in restaurant. And… it's… a mixed bag. The Asian breakfast was surprisingly good! Freshly made noodles. The fruit was tropical and ripe. But get there early. Because chaos reigns. People descend on the breakfast buffet like it's the final episode of their favorite show. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent and plentiful, which is a win in my book. There are even things like Breakfast takeaway service if you are in a hurry. They also have Buffet in restaurant.
- The "Fancy" Restaurant (A La Carte & Ambiguous Promises): They promise International cuisine in restaurant, maybe even some Western cuisine in restaurant. And supposedly, Alternative meal arrangement. Honestly? I found it pretentious and not that great. The portions tiny, the prices astronomical, and the service… slow. Like, glacial. I’m not sure it was worth it.
- The Poolside Bar (Where the Magic Happens – Sometimes): This is where you get your Poolside bar. The drinks are cold, the view is stunning (see below), the atmosphere is relaxed. Definitely recommend the Happy hour.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Marathon of Munchies
- Snack bar and Room service [24-hour] is available, which are lifesavers. The Bottle of water that magically appears in your room (and is replenished daily) is a godsend. And I do love Coffee/tea in restaurant.
- Vegetarian restaurant: I didn't try it, but it was an option.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Days and Swimming Pool Euphoria
Okay, this is where Cloud Nine really tries to shine. And… they mostly succeed.
Swimming Pool (Outdoor) & Pool with view: The Swimming pool is magnificent. A sprawling, infinity-edge pool overlooking… well, the clouds! (Hence the name, I guess.) The Pool with view is as beautiful as it sounds.
Spa & Wellness: The Heart of the Experience
- Spa: This is where things get seriously decadent. And expensive.
- Massage: The massages were… heavenly.
- Body scrub: Definitely, get one. It's worth it!
- Body wrap: I didn't try this, but it sounded amazing.
- Sauna + Steamroom + Spa/sauna: These were all available but I didn't use them.
- Fitness Center: The Gym/fitness area is well-equipped. I tried it. It's nothing that special, but it does its job.
- Foot bath: This one was weird - but definitely worth a try.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized or Sanitized-ish?
This is crucial these days. Here’s what I observed:
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yes, I saw it. Staff were constantly wiping things down.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Individually-wrapped food options: (at the buffet, at least).
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I observed staff.
- Anti-viral cleaning products were advertised, but I didn’t see anything that makes this very clear.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: This is a nice touch, for the eco-conscious.
The Rooms: A Tale of Two Worlds (But Mostly One Big One)
The Non-smoking rooms were a breath of fresh air (pun intended). And the Rooms sanitized between stays. We had a room with a Terrace, which was lovely, and Free Wi-Fi which mostly worked (more on that in a sec).
- Air conditioning was a lifesaver, because it gets HOT.
- Free bottled water was much appreciated.
- Desk and Laptop workspace were available, which was good.
- Internet access – wireless and Wi-Fi [free]: The Wi-Fi situation. It was… patchy. It would cut out. Some days I was tempted to throw my phone in the pool. The Internet should be considered "available".
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (And Sometimes Irritate)
- Concierge: Helpful. But sometimes overwhelmed.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent. My room was always spotless.
- Luggage storage: Useful.
- Doorman: The doorman was nice.
- Laundry service and Dry cleaning: Available.
- Cashless payment service. They take your card.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly…ish
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
- Babysitting service: Available.
- Kids meal: Available, but I didn't see them.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy… Mostly
- Airport transfer: Yes.
- Car park: Car park [free of charge]. This is awesome.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
Overall: The Verdict?
Cloud Nine Resort is a great place. It is very pretty, and the staff are mostly very nice. Is it perfect? Nah. Is it worth the price? Probably. Just go in with realistic expectations and a healthy dose of patience. And maybe bring your own Wi-Fi router. I'd go back…but I’d be hoping they’d sorted out those Wi-Fi woes! Oh, and maybe made the bathrooms a little bigger. Just sayin'.
Solden's Hidden Gem: Enzian Apart Garni - Unbelievable Austria Views!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a gloriously messy, utterly human, and probably slightly caffeinated itinerary for a stay at the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Brooklyn Downtown. Don't expect a pristine brochure; expect the real deal. Here we go…
La Quinta & Levity: A Brooklyn Beatdown (of the Best Kind)
Day 1: Arrival & That First "Oh, THAT'S Brooklyn" Moment
1:00 PM: Arrive at La Quinta. This whole "checking in" thing always feels like a weird power dynamic. Like, I'm suddenly at their mercy for a key card. Oh, and the elevator? Pray to whatever deity you believe in it works. I swear, sometimes they're possessed by gremlins.
1:30 PM: Room reveal! Pray to whatever deity you believe that the hotel room isn't a closet and that the air conditioning at least works and that there aren't any bugs.
1:45 PM (The Great Bathroom Inspection): Gotta give the bathroom the once-over. Clean towels? Check. Sufficiently annoying lighting? Check. Hot water that doesn't take 7 minutes to arrive? Fingers crossed.
2:00 PM: Okay, let's be real. The room is a tiny box but good enough for the price. Let's take a seat. It’s time for a Brooklyn hello, right? Time to head out to the streets!
2:30 PM: The Brooklyn Bridge (or: Realizing Concrete is Beautiful): Okay, I know, everyone does the Brooklyn Bridge. But it's iconic for a reason, right? I'm hoping to get a nice picture. Get outta here. The reality? It's packed. Sidewalk traffic jams. But… the view. That skyline. Okay, maybe concrete is beautiful after all. But it’s HOT, and I'm already sweating through my carefully chosen "I’m a sophisticated tourist" outfit. Also, some aggressive pigeons are judging me. I know it.
4:00 PM: Pizza Perfection (or: The Pursuit of Cheesy Glory): Time for PIZZA. This is essential. The only thing more important than breathing. Time for more pizza.
5:00 PM: DUMBO Delirium: Ah, DUMBO. "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass." So clever. So trendy. So… Instagrammable. Sure, I'll take a photo with the Manhattan Bridge perfectly framed through a building's arches, just like everyone else. I'm not immune. No shame.
6:00 PM: Pre-Dinner Drinks – Seriously? More Drinks? Okay, maybe I should have paced myself with the pizza, but the bar scene in DUMBO is calling my name. I'm researching, you know? For the itinerary. Gotta be thorough.
7:30 PM: Dinner Disaster (or: The Art of the Hangry Meltdown): Found a place, maybe a little too fancy for my current state (read: slightly tipsy and pizza-stuffed). I didn't make a reservation… huge mistake. The wait? Horrendous. The hostess? Judgy. The anticipation? Making me very grumpy.
9:00 PM: Back to the Room (aka: Immediate Coma Mode): Finally, safety! I’m pretty sure I slept before my head even hit the pillow.
Day 2: Culture Clashes and Coffee Crashes
8:00 AM: Coffee Crisis: The hotel room coffee maker is a joke. Weak. Pathetic. I desperately needed a real caffeine hit. Found a cute cafe nearby. The line was long. The barista was… artistic. My latte cost more than my train fare. Totally worth it.
9:00 AM: The Brooklyn Museum – A Glimpse of Brilliance: Time to see some art! The Brooklyn Museum is seriously impressive. I wandered around, trying to appear intellectual, but mostly I just felt like I was standing in front of things and going "oooh". My attention span is… well, it's a work in progress.
11:00 AM: Prospect Park Promenade: This park is HUGE. I decided to wander. It was hot. I got lost. But then I found a gorgeous little lake, and a gaggle of very judgey geese. The geese won. I retreated.
12:30 PM: Lunch Luck (or: Embracing the Food Truck Life): Scored a killer food truck with the most amazing tacos ever. Street food for the win! The joy was only slightly diminished by the fact that I was attempting to eat a taco while walking.
2:00 PM: Graffiti Galore (or: The City's Canvas): Wandered around a neighborhood known for its street art. The murals were epic, vibrant, and completely inspiring. Took about a million pictures (again, don't judge).
4:00 PM: Shopping Shenanigans (or: Buying Things I Don't Need): Window shopping morphed into actual shopping. Brooklyn has some serious boutiques. Did I need that vintage scarf? Nope. Did I buy it? Absolutely. Blame it on the jet lag and the city's siren song. Also, the salesperson was incredibly charming.
6:00 PM: Dinner & Drinks – Round 2! Found a spot that had music. I danced on the table. Did not regret it.
9:00 PM: Midnight Snack & Bedtime Routine: I have a thing for late-night snacks (don't we all?), and it had to be pizza.
Day 3: Reflection and Departure (and The Bitter Farewell)
9:00 AM: Farewell Breakfast: One last hotel breakfast. Sigh. Where does the time go?
10:00 AM: Last Ditch Souvenir Hunt (or: The Panic Buy): Realized I forgot to get gifts! Rushed around the corner trying to find something nice.
11:00 AM: The Final Farewell (or: Until Next Time, Brooklyn!): Packing. Trying to decide exactly how to capture that magic of Brooklyn on the way back home. It feels like it was three days ago. I'll be back. Maybe.
Important Notes (aka: The Fine Print):
- Transportation: Subway is king. Embrace the chaos. Don't be afraid to ask for help. And for the love of all that is holy, hold onto your belongings.
- Food: Eat everything. Try everything. Don't judge (unless the pizza is truly terrible). Report back.
- Embrace the Mess: This is Brooklyn. Things aren't always perfect. Stumble, mess up, laugh. That's the point.
- Pack: Comfy shoes. Water bottle. Open mind. A healthy dose of caffeine.
- Most Important: Have fun!
So, there you have it. A completely unvarnished look at what a trip to Brooklyn might look like. Remember, this is just a suggestion. It's your adventure. Get out there and make it your own crazy story. And maybe, just maybe, you'll come back with a few good stories, and maybe a few good pictures.
Florence's Hidden Gem: B&B Antiche Armonie - Unforgettable Italian Stay
So, what *is* this whole thing about, anyway? (And can I get a cookie?)
Wait, are you *qualified* to answer these questions? Like, are you a doctor? Or a rocket scientist? Or at least… a moderately functional human?
**My greatest achievement?** Figuring out how to make perfect scrambled eggs. Seriously, I'm practically a culinary genius. The other day, I burned toast. It happens. It's all about the journey, folks!
What’s the *worst* part about (insert anything here)?
My most memorable public speaking blunder? I was supposed to present in front of a crowd about the importance of... well, I have no idea what it was about. They were all looking at me, the spotlight... I forgot everything. All the names (even though I had them on a paper and a reminder on my phone), and I just… blanked. Ended up rambling about the surprisingly complex history of the modern stapler for a solid five minutes. People *loved* it, though! Apparently, it was the most compelling part of the whole shebang. Don't ask me why. It’s still so humiliating to think about. So, to answer your question...the worst part is definitely the fear of humiliation. And also the stapler.
Okay, moving on. How do I cope with (insert generic problem here)?
**Step 1**: Acknowledge the problem. Don’t bury it! Or do, I don’t judge.
**Step 2**: Allow yourself to feel ALL the feels. Cry, scream, eat a whole pizza (this is generally my go-to).
**Step 3**: Do something. ANYTHING.
**Step 4**: Repeat steps 1-3. Again. And again.
Look, life isn’t a perfectly constructed self-help book. It’s messy, imperfect, and sometimes you just need to cry in the shower while listening to sad music. That’s also fine.
**Side note**: If you’re going through something really tough, please, PLEASE talk to someone. A friend, a family member, a professional. Seriously. Don’t suffer in silence.
What’s the *best* piece of advice you’ve ever received? (And also, can you tell me a joke?)
It sounds simple (and probably is), but it’s surprisingly helpful. Be kind. Be compassionate. Don’t cause unnecessary drama. And, in my case, remember to turn off your notifications when you’re trying to write something remotely profound.
Now for the joke!! Let's see…
Why don't scientists trust atoms?
Because they make up everything!
... I know, I know. I warned you. I’m not a comedian.
So, what are you actually *doing* with your life, anyway? (And I swear, if you say "finding myself"…)
Right now, I'm writing this. I'm also trying not to burn toast, paying my bills, and generally attempting to keep my head above water. My biggest goal? To keep learning, growing, and maybe, just maybe, making a tiny bit of a positive impact on the world. Or at least, making someone smile. Even a small, involuntary twitch of the lip.
Truthfully, I'm just navigating life, like everyone else. And, if I’m being completely honest, I'm pretty tired. But hey, is the journey worth it? Absolutely!
What's your favorite thing about (insert something pleasant here)?
It reminds me of being a kid, running around in the puddles, getting completely drenched, and not caring one bit. It's pure, unadulterated joy. And, let's be honest, we could all use a little bit of that.
