Unbelievable Canada Getaway: Best Western Plus Regency Inn & Conference Centre Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the whirlwind that is reviewing a hotel, specifically, [Hotel Name]. Forget your sterile, point-A-to-point-B reviews; this is gonna be a ramble, with all the warts and wonders a human experience can hold. Let's see if this place is worth your hard-earned cash, shall we?
First Impressions (and the Great WiFi Mystery)
So, the first thing you're barraged with -- and this is HUGE for me, as a digital nomad and Instagram obsessive – is the Internet. They claim Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Wi-Fi in public areas. Bless their hearts. Now, the "in all rooms" bit seemed legit enough. The speed? Well, let's just say I've had faster connections in a dial-up museum. The "public areas"? More like "intermittently functional pockets of despair." Seriously, I spent a good chunk of my first afternoon wandering around, trying to connect to the 'net. The only thing I did connect with was pure, unadulterated frustration. Eventually, I just gave up and found a coffee shop with reliable Wi-Fi. It was a hilarious example of how, even with the best of intentions, things don't always work. It’s a minor thing, but a major annoyance when you're trying to work. I actually asked about the Internet [LAN] too, just in case. But no dice.
Accessibility: Navigating the Labyrinth!
Okay, let's talk about Accessibility. This is IMPORTANT. They boast Wheelchair accessible and Facilities for disabled guests. Now, I didn't personally need this, but I always try to keep this in mind. The Elevator was definitely a plus, and I saw decent ramps and clear pathways. I'm gonna give them a thumbs up here, but I can’t give a 100% certainty without testing it myself. I will say, however, that the layout was a bit of a maze. I got lost a few times, and I can walk perfectly fine. So, if you are a bit more, uh, mobility-challenged… well, pack a map.
Cleanliness and Safety (and the COVID Chaos)
Look, the world's a bit of a germ-fest right now, so let’s hit the Cleanliness and safety section. They had all the buzzwords: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, Rooms sanitized between stays, and Staff trained in safety protocol. This all felt good. I mean, the lobby sparkled. They offered Room sanitization opt-out available too, which is cool if you are concerned about environmental issues. They offered Cashless payment service, and Contactless check-in/out, which is a lifesaver. I also saw CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property which made me feel safe. Now, whether all this is more theatre than reality? It’s hard to say. But, from my perspective, it looked like they were taking it seriously. And that counts for something.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Quest for a Decent Breakfast)
Alright, food. This is where things get interesting. They have a whole MENU of options: Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, and Western breakfast, and a Western cuisine in restaurant. Whew! That’s a lot. Here’s the thing: Breakfast? The "buffet" was… well, let's just say I've had tastier airplane food. It was a chaotic, lukewarm affair of scrambled eggs that tasted vaguely of cardboard and rubbery bacon. I’m not exaggerating. I did, however, appreciate the Coffee/tea in restaurant but that's it. The Alternative meal arrangement could be really useful but I didn’t try it. The rest of the restaurants are okay, fine, nothing amazing. The Poolside bar was definitely a plus, for a quick drink.
The Lounges and the Longing for a Cocktail
There’s a Bar and a Poolside bar. Now, I’m a sucker for a good cocktail. And while the ambiance was pleasant enough, the skill behind the bar? Let's just say I gave up on fancy drinks. I stuck with the basics. Honestly, the best views were from the Terrace.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax (Spoiler Alert: The Spa Was the Highlight!)
Okay, time to switch gears to the fun stuff: Things to do and ways to relax. They've got it all, right? Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, and Swimming pool. Now, the Swimming pool [outdoor] was a decent size and it was very pretty. The Fitness center was what you'd expect. So I skipped that. But the Spa? Oh, the spa! I indulged in a Body scrub and a Massage. And let me tell you, that was the highlight. It was pure bliss, a true escape. The treatment rooms were serene, the masseuse was a magician. I'd go back just for the spa.
For the Kids (Because, Well, Families Happen!)
They offer Babysitting service and Kids facilities. I didn't have kids with me, so I couldn't test this, but the presence of these options is a good sign, especially if they cater to kids' needs and activities.
The Room: A Place to Call Home (For A Few Days, Anyway)
Let's talk about the Available in all rooms list. Good. Air conditioning. Alarm clock. Bathrobes. Bathroom phone? Okay, that’s weird. Bathtub. Blackout curtains? Thank the heavens! Coffee/tea maker. Daily housekeeping. Desk. Free bottled water. Hair dryer. In-room safe box. Internet access – wireless. Laptop workspace. Mini bar. Non-smoking. Private bathroom. Refrigerator. Satellite/cable channels. Separate shower/bathtub. Shower. Slippers. Smoke detector. Soundproofing. Telephone. Toiletries. Towels. Wake-up service. Wi-Fi [free]. And a Window that opens.
My room was… fine. Air conditioning was a blessing. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver. The bed was comfortable enough, and the complimentary tea was a nice touch. But it wasn't exactly luxurious. It felt a little… functional. The soundproofing could have been better – I could hear the hallway chatter and the occasional car horn. The bathroom was clean, but nothing to write home about.
Services and Conveniences: The Extras That Make a Difference
They have a lot of these. Air conditioning in public area. Business facilities. Cash withdrawal. Concierge. Convenience store. Currency exchange. Daily housekeeping. Doorman. Dry cleaning. Elevator. Facilities for disabled guests. Food delivery. Gift/souvenir shop. Ironing service. Laundry service. Luggage storage. Meeting/banquet facilities. Safety deposit boxes. Smoking area. Taxi service. Valet parking.
This sounds great on paper, and it certainly helped with some convenience. The Concierge was helpful in getting me a taxi. The laundry service was appreciated after my little Wi-Fi meltdown.
The Verdict: Is [Hotel Name] Worth Your Time (and Money)?
Okay, the big question: would I recommend [Hotel Name]?
Well… it’s complicated.
- The Good: The spa is fantastic. The public spaces are decent, and a few of the staff are genuinely helpful and warm. The location is great (depending on what you're looking for).
- The Okay: The rooms are functional but not particularly inspiring. The internet is unreliable.
- The Not-So-Good: The breakfast situation needs serious improvement.
Ultimately, it depends what you're looking for. If you’re looking for a spa getaway with a convenient location? Go for it. If you're a digital nomad dependent on solid internet, look elsewhere. If you're expecting a luxury experience? Manage your expectations.
The "Book It Now" Offer (Because You Need Convincing)
So, here's the deal:
Want to relax and need a comfortable stay? Book now [Hotel Name]! And because you're reading this review (and clearly someone who likes the truth), we'll throw in a free [Mention a freebie or upgrade – e.g., 15% off your first spa treatment, or a room upgrade, subject to availability]. Remember that this could be a delightful experience.
Just remember, pack your patience, your sense of humor, and maybe a back-up internet plan!
Escape to Chic Luxury: Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your average, pristine travel itinerary. This is… well, it's my attempt at one, lived and breathed and probably smeared with instant coffee stains. We're talking Best Western Plus Regency Inn & Conference Centre in… ah, Canada. Right. Let’s see if I can wrangle this beast.
Trip: The Canadian Caper (and the Quest for Decent Hotel Coffee)
Dates: (Let's say) Oct 26th - 30th, 2024
The Promise: To experience Canada. To, you know, feel it. And to finally, FINALLY, find a hotel that thinks breakfast is as important as a decent Wi-Fi signal.
Day 1: Arrival & the Mystery of the Missing Shampoo (also known as Panic Station)
- Morning: Flight. Ugh. I hate flying. Always the same: tiny seats, questionable air quality, and that one guy who always reclines his seat into your lap during the pre-flight safety demo. Anyways. Let’s say we land in… Calgary? Sure, Calgary it is. I assume the Regency Inn is somewhere within a reasonable distance (Google Maps, you're my only hope).
- Afternoon: Arrive at the hotel. My initial impression? Hmm, it’s a hotel. The lobby's a bit… beige. Which, let's be honest, is the colour of a lot of hotel lobbies. Check-in should be quick. (Famous last words, right?) The receptionist seemed friendly, bless her heart. This is where the first crack appears. Did I pack shampoo??? No. No, I did not. This is a tragedy. Apparently, shampoo is a luxury in some parts of the world. I'll have to make an executive decision on that.
- Evening: Room. Okay, standard. King-size bed, a TV that probably has a million channels (most of which I'll never watch), and… a mini-fridge! Score! Gotta stock up on snacks later. Dinner at the "nearby" restaurant (likely a 5-minute drive, which in reality means 15). Let's pray it's not another beige experience. The food was… fine. I wouldn't write home about it, but I ate it, and that's a win. And the waitress? Sweet as maple syrup, bless her. Then, a crucial mission that took the remaining part of the night: the hunt for shampoo!
- Anecdote time: You know, you think you’re a responsible adult until you're standing in a drugstore at 10 pm, desperately reading the fine print on a bottle of shampoo, wondering if "volumizing" is just code for “wimpy hair.” Don't ask me why.
Day 2: The Calgary City Shuffle & the Existential Crisis of Breakfast
- Morning: The Breakfast Debacle. Right. This is the make-or-break moment. The hotel advertised a "complimentary breakfast." My expectations? Low. But I dare to hope. I do all the things I should -- get a croissant. Toast. Cereal. The coffee. Ah, the coffee. It tasted of sadness. Deep, dark sadness. It was the kind of coffee that fuels existential dread.
- Afternoon: Calgary exploration! A quick tour of the major sights? The Calgary Tower, maybe? I'm not normally an "urban exploration" type (more of a "sit-on-a-park-bench-people-watching" kinda gal). But I will, because "doing it" is what counts, right? Let's add: the Calgary Stampede. (I'm secretly intrigued.)
- Evening: Back at the hotel. Rest. And I want to order food, so I look out for what's great around the hotel. This is when I realize the best thing that can occur is to have the ability to just… stay in and enjoy my room.
- Quirky Observation: I swear, hotel carpets are designed to vacuum up all the joy in the world. They’re like a black hole for happy thoughts.
- Emotional Reaction: Exhaustion. City life is exhausting.
Day 3: Banff Bound (and the Search for Fresh Air)
- Morning: We're talking about mountains! I'm talking about a day trip to Banff National Park. A beautiful drive, right? The Rockies… that's the stuff, right?? Well, provided I don't get horrifically carsick. So, I'm packing ginger candies, Dramamine, everything! I take the road on, full of wonder and anticipation. And don't forget the hotel's sad, sad coffee.
- Afternoon: Lake Louise. Absolutely majestic. And ridiculously crowded. Worth it, though. The colour of the water is unreal. I felt like I was in a postcard! Breathe. And I have breathed.
- Evening: Dinner somewhere in Banff. Hopefully, something with a view. Maybe even some elk! (I’m not sure I want to eat elk, but I want to say I’ve tried elk.) Back to the hotel. I'll sleep so good tonight.
- Messy Structure/Rambling: Ah, Banff. The air, the mountains, the… tourists. Everywhere. Seriously, people, learn to take a photo without photobombing!
- Emotional Reaction: Overwhelmed (in a good way) and slightly sunburned.
Day 4: The Great Coffee Quest Continues (and Maybe Some Shopping)
- Morning: The COFFEE CONTINUES to haunt me. I'm on a mission. I'm going to find a decent cup of coffee, even if it takes me the entire day. This morning, I will ask around the hotel. Or, you know, maybe I'll just get a coffee elsewhere.
- Afternoon: Shopping. Calgary has some good shopping, right? I might check out some local boutiques (if I have any energy left). Maybe buy a souvenir. Maybe a hat. Definitely a hat. I need a hat. A hat that hides my bad hair and the evidence of the hotel's poor coffee decisions.
- Evening: The dreaded packing. Ugh. I hate packing. And the worst part: I know I'll forget something.
- Opinionated Language: I REFUSE to believe decent coffee is a luxury in Canada, of all places! This is a national scandal. And if I find myself on the morning trip to get a coffee, I'll stop by the hotel to see if they had any improvement. Because if they still haven't improved, I'm ready to complain to the front desk. I WILL.
- Emotional Reaction: Mildly anxious about flying but also a little sad about leaving. I really liked Canada.
Day 5: Departure & the Aftermath
- Morning: Check out. Final farewell to the beige lobby. The sadness of the morning coffee. Last chance to get good coffee before my flight. I'm telling you, if they improve on coffee and provide a variety, they'd get a solid 5/5 stars from me!
- Afternoon: Flight. Home. Exhausted but happy.
- Evening: Unpack. Laundry. Reflect on the trip. Did I find a good coffee? Not really. But I got to see Canada. And isn't that what matters most?
- Anecdote time: I'll always remember the shampoo hunt, the sad coffee, and the sheer majesty of Lake Louise. Also, the waitress. She was really, really sweet.
- Rambling/Stream-of-Consciousness: Wait. Did I buy a hat? Damn. Did I pack it? Was it the right size? Where did I even put that hat…? Oh, this is going to haunt me for weeks.
So there you have it. A brutally honest, imperfect, and probably slightly insane itinerary for a trip to Canada. Hope you enjoyed the ride (or at least found it amusing). Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a coffee. A good coffee. Wish me luck.
Escape to Paradise: Sunny Cove Manor Awaits in South Africa!
So, what *is* this "Everything and Then Some" thing, anyway? I'm lost already.
Ugh, good question. And honestly? I’m not totally sure *myself*. It's like, the internet's a giant cosmic garage sale, right? This is my attempt to rummage through it. I'm mostly just…thinking out loud, about things. Things that bug me, things that make me laugh, things that I desperately need to understand before I go completely bonkers. It’s also a space to talk about things others can relate to, things that affect us all.
Why a Q&A? Couldn't you just, like, write a blog? or a Tweet?
Okay, first of all, *don't* tell me what to do. Okay, I'm kidding. ...Mostly. Look, the blog thing felt too...structured. Too much pressure to be *coherent*. And Twitter? Bless its tiny, attention-deficit heart, It's just a shouting match. I wanted a bit more room to, well, *breathe*. Plus, the Q&A format gave me a convenient excuse to ramble. And I do love to do that. It keeps me sane. Most of the time.
What are you *actually* going to talk about in this chaotic mess?
Everything. Absolutely everything. From the existential dread of laundry day to the glorious triumph of finding the perfect avocado. From the subtle horror of a clogged drain to the sheer joy of a really, *really* good cup of coffee. I even like to talk about my cats, so that's a thing.
Okay, okay, maybe I'm aiming a little high. But the idea is to cover a wide range of topics. Relationships, jobs, everyday struggles, stupid things, good things, and everything in between. I'll be honest, as I sit here, the idea of *planning* it makes me want to cry. So, we'll see where it goes, probably sideways. Probably right into the abyss. But hey, we're all going there eventually, right?
So, you're just going to whine about stuff? Isn't there enough negativity already?
Ugh, no. Not *just* whining. Though, let's be real, there will be some whining. It's practically guaranteed. I'm human, people! But I'm also going to try to explore the good stuff. The moments that make you laugh so hard you snort, the small acts of kindness that restore your faith in humanity, the sheer, unadulterated *weirdness* of life. It's not all bad, I promise. Sometimes, it's downright hilarious.
For example, last week... the toilet broke, and I was late for a date! The date went poorly, because, well, I was upset. But the toilet, oh that toilet! It was the kind that seemed to be possessed. I swear it got worse every time I tried to fix it! I laughed about it for three days, that really was a highlight.
What if I disagree with you? Like, a LOT?
Wonderful! Please, tell me! The world needs more debate, more discussion. Hit me with your thoughts. I'm honestly, really, fine with disagreement because: there's no fun in always agreeing. Just keep it civil, okay? Don't be a jerk. I'll probably be a jerk from time to time, and I'll openly apologize (probably). But I'm cool with different opinions. It's what makes life interesting. And keeps me on my toes! Makes me have to re-consider my perspective. It's very helpful!
Will you talk about *politics*? Because if so, I'm out.
Maybe. Probably. Look, I'm a citizen of the world, and the world is currently… a lot. So, yeah, I'll probably touch on political stuff. But I promise to keep it, as much as possible, focused on how it affects *me* (and by extension, hopefully, *you*). I’m not going to pretend to be an expert, because I'm definitely not. I'll share my opinions, but I'll also try to listen and learn. The goal isn't to preach, it's to figure things out together, even if that means occasionally admitting I have *no* idea what I'm talking about.
Okay, I'll admit it: I *hate* the current state of things. It's terrifying! But I'm also determined to find some hope in the chaos. So, you know, buckle up.
So, uh… how often will you update this beast?
HAHAHAHAHA. Okay, deep breath. Look, I'm a human. I have a job, I have cats, I have a crushing sense of existential dread. Consistency is not my strong suit. But I'll try to update as often as possible. My goal, if I'm being brutally honest, is "more than never." My *aspirational* goal is, well, maybe once a week? We'll see. Don't hold your breath.
I work really hard on it when I have time. and you should check back for sure! But sometimes… well, life just happens. Laundry piles up. The cats demand attention. The internet becomes a black hole.
What's the most important thing I should know about "Everything and Then Some"?
That it's not perfect. It's not polished. It's probably going to be a bit of a mess. It's me, unedited, figuring things out as I go. So, if you're looking for perfection… you should probably go somewhere else. But if you're looking for something real, something honest, something that might occasionally make you laugh, even when you're crying inside... then, welcome aboard. I think you'll get something out of it.
Also, my cat's named Mittens. And she judges me constantly, so keep that in mind.
