Escape to Ashland, OH: Hampton Inn & Suites Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Escape to Ashland, OH: Hampton Inn & Suites Awaits! – and let’s just say, my expectations were…well, let's just say I've seen a few hotels in my day. This review is gonna be less "strait-laced travel critic" and more "your brutally honest friend who tells you the truth, even if it’s messy."
First Impressions (The Good, the Bad, and the "Did I Pack My Deodorant?")
Right off the bat, accessibility? They seem to mostly have their act together. Wheelchair accessible? Check. Elevators? Check. That’s a HUGE win for anyone with mobility concerns, which, let's be honest, is a win for all of us eventually. Facilities for disabled guests are mentioned, which is fantastic. They’ve got a good foundation here, and I'm relieved. You know how sometimes you get to a place and it's like, "Oh, you assumed everyone could climb Everest to get to their room?" Not here, thankfully.
As for Internet access? Internet: They hit the big one. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank FREAKING GOD. This is non-negotiable for me. I need to maintain my social media presence, duh! Internet access - LAN, Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, and Wi-Fi for special events. The point here is, you shouldn't have any trouble staying connected. I will say though, the signal sometimes was a little…twitchy. Like my relationship with my ex. But hey, it worked most of the time.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitized Soap Opera
Okay, let's get real. I’m a bit of a germaphobe. (Don't judge!) And with the world currently being, you know, the world, this area is SUPER important. Anti-viral cleaning products? Good. Daily disinfection in common areas? Excellent. Professional-grade sanitizing services? Yes, please! Individually-wrapped food options, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: It's reassuring to see they're taking it seriously. Room sanitization opt-out available: This is thoughtful…for the folks who are less germ-conscious.
I really, really appreciated the hand sanitizer stations everywhere. My hands felt like they’d been through a hazmat training course, which, again, a win for the modern era, honestly. The Hygiene certification is another BIG PLUS. They also remove Shared stationery, a small thing but a clever one! All in all, I felt pretty safe. Kudos to Hampton for trying to make the stay feel less anxiety-inducing.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Buffet to Bliss (and Maybe a Little Regret)
Alright, food. My love language. Let's start with the Breakfast… Breakfast – it's the cornerstone of a good hotel stay, right? Thankfully, the Breakfast [buffet] did not disappoint. I am a sucker for a good waffle! (Asian breakfast, Western breakfast) were both available. The Breakfast takeaway service, I didn’t get a chance to try, but it seems like a good option if you are in a hurry. Breakfast service was easy to navigate, and surprisingly quick for a buffet.
Restaurants, Coffee shop, Bars and Snack bar: The Poolside bar was a bonus, a great way to unwind. I mean, you could be a little lazy, a little luxurious, and a little tipsy all at the same time. I liked it!
Services and Conveniences: Perks and Quirks
The standard stuff – Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes. All present and accounted for. The Concierge, was helpful in pointing me towards local spots.
For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn't try the kid's services, but I saw several families and the kids all looked happy and well-fed, so that's a win in my book.
The Spa/Relaxation Zone: A Dream or a Dud?
This is where things get interesting. Spa/Sauna or Spa. The presence of a Sauna, steamroom, pool with view, and swimming pool [outdoor] initially sent me into a state of pure, unadulterated bliss. Visions danced in my head of bubble baths, massages, and general pampering. BUT… here's the messy bit: The “Spa” area was a bit… underwhelming. I'm not saying it was a disaster, but the fitness center was a little bit basic, the massage wasn’t available at the right time. I'm not sure how a body scrub or body wrap would work, but they weren't on the menu. The Swimming pool was fine, nothing spectacular, but it was clean and it looked like fun! Now, I'm not saying it was a bad experience. I’m just saying it didn’t quite live up to the fantasy I’d built in my mind. Ways to relax also includes: Foot bath, and Gym/fitness
The Room: Digs and Details
My room was… fine. Nothing to write home about, but perfectly functional. I did appreciate the Air conditioning, the Blackout curtains, and the Coffee/tea maker. They had the basics covered. Additional toilet, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Closet, Complimentary tea, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. I had a Wake-up service, the Soundproofing was decent, and that's the most important thing. The Non-smoking rooms were a godsend.
Things to Do: Ashland and Beyond
They have a list for Things to do. The hotel is near a couple of restaurants. There is some shopping and some parks. I wasn’t too impressed.
Getting Around: Wheels and Ways
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking all get a check mark. Easy peasy.
My Overall Verdict (and Why You Might Want to Book)
Look, the Escape to Ashland, OH: Hampton Inn & Suites Awaits! isn’t going to win any awards for groundbreaking luxury. But it's clean, safe, reasonably priced, and has the essentials covered. The free Wi-Fi in all rooms is a lifesaver. The breakfast is pretty darn good. The staff were friendly. The location is convenient.
So, here’s the deal: THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN RELAX!! THIS PLACE IS GREAT!!
Here is your messy, but honest and hilarious offer:
ESCAPE TO ASHLAND, OH: HAMPTON INN & SUITES AWAITS! - Your Anti-Boredom Getaway
Hey there, fellow traveler! Feeling the stress of everyday life? Ready to actually relax and escape the madness? Then ditch the drama and book your escape to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Ashland, OH!
Why You Need This Getaway:
- Unplug and Recharge: Seriously, the free Wi-Fi means you can actually, you know, work remotely, or…binge-watch all those shows you've been putting off. Your choice.
- Clean is the New Cool: They're super serious about hygiene. From anti-viral cleaning products to professional sanitization, you can breathe easy. Like, actually breathe easy, not that panicked, "did I wash my hands enough?" kind of breathing.
- Fuel Your Body, Fuel Your Soul: Start your day with a killer breakfast buffet! Fuel up before venturing out to explore Ashland.
- Poolside Paradise: Take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, because what's a vacation without a little splash?
The Extra Perks That Make This a No-Brainer:
- Super accessible! Easy peasy for our friends of all abilities.
- Easy peasy parking!
- Lots of amenities! 24 hrs room service and the hotel is located near restaurants!
**Don't waste another day staring at your screen. Escape to Ashland, OH, and let the good times roll. Relax, refresh, and recharge, all without breaking
Madison's BEST Downtown Hotel? Hampton Inn & Suites Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn’t your perfectly-polished travel brochure. This is… me… trying to survive a potential escape to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Ashland, Ohio. Let’s see if I live to tell the tale, shall we?
OPERATION: Ashland Adventure – A (Highly Subjective) Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Awkward Interactions, and the Quest for a Decent Pizza (Or, My Soul’s First Crumble)
- 3:00 PM: Arrival & Initial Assessment of The Situation: Okay, so I'm here. The check-in lady? Sweet as pie (though, honestly, I suspect she's seen some things in that front desk. Probably a lot of questionable behaviors) she gave me my keycard and a friendly smile. "Welcome to Ashland!" she chirped. I almost choked. Ashland. I feel like I'm in a John Deere catalog. The lobby… well, it's… Hampton Inn-y. Beige. Gleaming. Slightly unsettling in its perfection. (Like, seriously, who likes beige?) The carpet is suspiciously clean. I already feel the weight of my existential dread building.
- 3:15 PM: The Room: A Realm of Hope and Mild Disappointment: Okay, room 317. Not ideal, but it’ll do. The bed looks appropriately fluffy, the TV is… big? The bathroom… has a functioning toilet. Praise the porcelain gods! My first thought? “Is it clean enough to touch things?” (I'm a germaphobe in denial, sue me.) I threw my bags down. Ahhh, a glimpse of freedom.. and a need for a snack.
- 4:00 PM: The Great Pizza Search… or, The Moment My Spirit Died a Little: I'm STARVING. The pamphlets in the lobby promised "great local dining!" Liars. All of them. I've spent the last hour frantically googling "best pizza near Ashland Ohio" and it's not looking good. The options? Chain restaurants. or some hole-in-the-wall place with reviews that read like they were written by someone from the 1800s. "Goodest crust I ever did see!" the reviews screamed. I eventually settled on a place called "Pizza Hut." My soul wept. I may have to go back to the hotel and order room service.
- Pizza Hut: I'm home. Pizza hut was better than nothing; it was a small solace in the large space of my inner anxiety (yes, I'm still feeling it.)
- 7:00 PM: Bedtime. The room had a decent TV, which was good because the pizza wasn't all that great, so I spent a few hours watching TV. I'm not really sure what to do. And there's an alarm clock that looks like it's from the 1980s. It's flashing 12:00. I swear, I might get up right this second and throw the darn thing in the trash. I'm going to take a shower. I'm kind of scared to leave the room at this point.
Day 2: A Day of Small Victories, and the Dread of Breakfast
- 7:00 AM: The Buffet of DOOM (aka, Breakfast at the Hampton Inn): Okay, deep breaths. It's free, right? And if I don't eat, I’ll get hangry, and then I’ll probably snap at the nice check-in lady again. I steel myself and enter the breakfast area. The aroma of… well, something… greets me. The usual suspects are there: dry-looking scrambled eggs, a sad-looking waffle maker, and a sea of pre-packaged, individually-wrapped sugary things that promise a sugar rush and a subsequent crash. I opt for a bagel and some suspicious-looking coffee. The bagel is fine, the coffee tastes like regret. This, my friends, is the definition of a mediocre breakfast.
- 8:00 AM: The Exercise that Never Happened: I told myself I'd use the fitness center. I even packed my workout clothes. The thought of actually working out while I'm supposed to be "relaxing" in Ashland? The thought is just too much.
- 9:00 AM: Downtown Exploration (AKA, Avoiding the Tourist Trap): I ventured out. I will walk the town. I saw a few old buildings. I saw a park. I saw some people, but I didn't speak to anyone. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I didn't like anyone. Everything was fine, though.
- 12:00 PM: Back to the room. Lunch Time! I got some snacks from a place nearby, and then I returned to the room. I'm still kind of scared to leave the room. I probably should have gone out, but I was too tired.
- Dinner Time + Evening I'm debating whether I should go out. I'm still traumatized by yesterday's pizza experience. Maybe I should watch more TV. Maybe I'll go to bed. I don't know. This is life, I guess. I'm probably going to cry.
Day 3: Departure & The Lingering Question of What the Heck Just Happened
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast (The Sequel): Same drill, different day. I wonder if I can sneak a banana out? 🍌
- 8:00 AM: The Great Escape: Check out. Say goodbye to the sweet check-in lady. Try not to make eye contact with anyone in the lobby.
- 9:00 AM: The Drive Home: I drive. I think, and then I cry.
- What? What?
- I'm home.
Final Thoughts: Ashland, Ohio… you were… something. I’m not sure what. It wasn't a disaster, but it wasn't a life-changing experience either. The Hampton Inn was… clean. The pizza was… edible. I survived. And, in the end, isn’t that what matters?
The End (Probably, Maybe, I Hope)
Escape to Houston: Luxurious Home2 Suites Pasadena Awaits!
So, Ashland, Ohio? Really? Is there *anything* to do there? And why the heck the Hampton Inn?
Okay, look, Ashland, Ohio. Yeah, it's not exactly the Bahamas. But hear me out! It’s, like, a *perfect* weekend getaway if you’re tired of the… well, the *everywhere-else-ness* of life. And the Hampton Inn? Well, it's the *Hampton Inn*. You *know* what you're getting. Clean, comfy, free breakfast (a HUGE win, let's be honest), and a pool. That pool is a lifesaver after a day of… exploring Ashland. (More on that later, I promise.)
My last trip? Needed it BAD. Was bouncing off the walls. Deadlines, bills, the cat shedding… it was a vortex of stress. Needed to *breathe*. So, Ashland it was. Figured, "Cheap. Close. And surely, there’s *something* that isn’t a giant strip mall!" (Okay, there are some, but that's not all Ashland offers.)
So, *why* the Hampton? Because I didn't want to overthink it. Didn’t want to gamble on some quirky B&B that smells vaguely of mothballs and regret. I wanted reliable. Predictable. And a decent waffle. And the Hampton delivered. Every. Single. Time. They know how to do a waffle, I’ll give them that.
Alright, alright, you've sold me on the *idea* of Ashland and the Hampton. But what's the actual *experience* like? Let's get real (and maybe a little whiny).
Look, the check-in process? Smooth as buttah. Gotta love that. No drama. No, "Oh, we don't have your reservation," glares. Just, "Welcome! Here's your key. Free cookies!" *Cookies*. Sold! (Though the cookies *are* kind of… generic. But cookies nonetheless!) This time I got a room on the third floor, away from the elevator. A *win*! I hate the elevator hum.
The room itself was, well, a Hampton Inn room. Clean, functional. The bed? Comfortable enough to forget I was sleeping in a chain hotel in Ohio. (Which, honestly, is a win in itself.) The AC? Worked like a champ. (Because, you know, heat is *real* when you're from the South.)
And the breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. Okay, okay, I know I gushed about it. But it’s a highlight. You’ve got your usual suspects: waffles (yes!), scrambled eggs (usually passable), sausage (sometimes a mystery meat, but hey, calories!), cereal (the sugary kind, obviously), and fruit (if you're *trying* to be healthy… which I wasn’t). My *only* complaint? It gets BUSY. Like, sometimes you have to *wait* for a waffle. That’s… blasphemy, in my book. First world problem, I know. I’m working on it.
Okay, okay, the hotel is fine. But what DID you *do* in Ashland? Don't tell me you just sat by the pool all weekend!
Okay, no, I didn't just sit by the pool ALL weekend. Although, the pool (indoor, heated – bonus!) was tempting, let me tell you. It’s the perfect place to process all the... things in life. I actually spent a good chunk of my mornings on the treadmill, feeling intensely smug about "exercising" while still being on vacation. Don't judge me.
But! Ashland has charm. It does. I went to the Mohican State Park, which is beautiful, even if I almost got eaten alive by mosquitoes. Seriously, bring repellent. I got eaten alive. Worth it, though, for the scenery. The waterfalls were *gorgeous*. I swear, I forgot how to breathe for a moment.
Downtown, you can do some shopping. Nothing fancy, but I found a quirky little antique shop where I got a ridiculous ceramic frog. His name's Ferdinand. He judges me, I think. And there are some decent restaurants, too. I had a surprisingly good Reuben sandwich at a place called "The Black Cat Cafe." Seriously, *unexpectedly* good. It’s like Ashland hides all these gems… you just have to look.
Let's talk about the *pool*. You mentioned it... a lot. Is the pool *really* that important? And what are the *people* like?
The pool… okay, yes, the pool is important. Especially if the weather decides to be… capricious. which Ohio weather is, always. It's an indoor pool, so you can swim even if it's raining (or, let's be honest, snowing). It’s not Olympic-sized. It’s not going to win any awards. But after a day of hiking, or driving, or just… *existing*, it's heaven.
The people? Mostly families. A few solo travelers (like yours truly, plotting my next snack run). Sometimes you get the enthusiastic kids jumping in the jacuzzi. Sometimes you get the old people just *sitting* in the jacuzzi. Just embrace the chaos. It's part of the charm. Just… keep your distance if you see any overly enthusiastic splashing. And PLEASE shower before entering (some don't, it's awful).
One time, I saw a kid playing with a rubber ducky. A *giant* rubber ducky. It was the highlight of my day. That's the kind of magic Ashland offers. You’re not going to find that in Vegas, folks.
Okay, so no Vegas. What *else* can a person expect? Anything… *negative*? Lay it on me!
Alright, alright, let’s get a little… realistic. It’s not all sunshine and rubber duckies, folks.
Firstly, the parking. It’s fine, usually. But on the weekends, it can be a *little* tight. Don't expect a prime spot right outside the door, especially if you arrive late. Be prepared to walk a few extra feet. Consider it bonus exercise, for the waffles.
Secondly, the internet. It's… adequate. Not blazing fast. Expect to stream your Netflix at a low resolution. Don't come here expecting to video conference all day long. I had to use a hotspot, which was annoying. So, be prepared for that. Maybe bring a book (GASP).
Thirdly and this is minor but annoys me a little, the breakfast area can get a little… messy. Kids running around. Food on the floor. It's a family-friendly place, so you can expect some chaos. Just be prepared for that.
And finally... Ashland itself isn't going to wow you with nightlife. It's not a party town. Prepare for a quiet evening. Embrace that. If you're looking for a wild time, you should probably look elsewhere. But if you are looking to decompress, then you’reHotel Safari
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