Escape to Comfort Inn Okemos: Your Lansing Getaway Awaits!
Escape to Comfort Inn Okemos: My Lansing Getaway… Finally! (The Messy Truth)
Okay, so let's be REAL. Lansing isn't exactly the Bahamas. But sometimes, you just need a break, a little escape, and after a particularly brutal week, the Comfort Inn Okemos beckoned like a beacon of… well, comfort. And let me tell you, it was a whole experience.
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- Keywords: Comfort Inn Okemos, Lansing, Michigan, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Fitness Center, Swimming Pool, Breakfast, Cleanliness, Safety, Okemos Hotels, Family Friendly, Business Travel, Michigan Getaway
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Comfort Inn Okemos! From the accessible rooms to the (hopefully) clean pool, I spill the tea (and maybe some waffle batter) on this Lansing hotel. Is it a getaway? You'll have to read to find out!
First Impressions: The Parking Lot Saga… and the Promise of Air Conditioning
Pulling up, the Comfort Inn looked… well, Comfort Inn-ish. You know the drill: slightly generic, but functional. Finding parking was the first hurdle. Despite boasting a "Car park [free of charge]" (bless), it was a little packed. I’m pretty sure I saw a tumbleweed roll through at one point. Car park [on-site] yes, but strategically located? Debatable. Then, I huffed myself into the lobby. Oh, thank GOD for Air conditioning in public area. It was a lifesaver.
Accessibility & The Room: A Mixed Bag, Frankly…
Wheelchair accessible: Yep, the website does say it, and thankfully, it's true. The ramp up to the door, wider doorways, everything felt accommodating. Facilities for disabled guests were definitely there (though I didn't use them personally). Kudos, Comfort Inn. But honestly, I am not sure how I managed to leave my phone there.
Inside the Room: The Little Things Matter
The room itself? Standard. Functional. Non-smoking rooms (thank god!). The usual suspects: Air conditioning (a must), Desk (for those "I have to work" moments), Coffee/tea maker (essential), and a Refrigerator (hello, late-night snacks!). Free bottled water was a nice touch. The bed? Comfortable enough. I had an extra long bed which was perfect for my long legs.
My biggest gripe (and it's a small one, I swear) was with the lighting. It was a bit… dim. Like, “romantic evening in the basement” dim. But hey, reading light saved the day!
Technology & The Wi-Fi Wrestle
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free], Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Right, let's get real about Wi-Fi in hotels. It's a crapshoot. Sometimes, it’s lightning fast. Sometimes, it's dial-up in disguise. The Comfort Inn's? Somewhere in the middle. It worked, mostly, for basic browsing. Streaming? A little iffy. Laptop workspace was decent, though. But honestly, the "free Wi-Fi" is a major selling point and needs to be reliable.
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize (Please!)
Here’s where I get slightly more critical. In this COVID-19 era, Cleanliness and safety are PARAMOUNT. The Comfort Inn seemed to take it seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products were supposedly used. Daily disinfection in common areas was a promise. I saw Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. They also have Room sanitization opt-out which is really nice. Rooms sanitized between stays is a MUST in these times.
I did see they were practicing Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. Not all staff wore masks, but they said they were Staff trained in safety protocol. The Essential condiments at breakfast were individually wrapped, and the Individually-wrapped food options (more on that later) was appreciated.
The Pool & Fitness Center: Trying to Relax… Maybe. (or not)
Swimming pool [outdoor], Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I eyed the pool. It looked inviting. Did I try it? No. I was, admittedly, too tired to fight off the inevitable small talk with other hotel guests. (I'm judging myself here. I really am). But it was there, a hopeful splash of blue. The fitness center? I peeped in. Basic equipment, seemed clean enough. Again, didn't unleash my inner gym rat. Next time, perhaps. I should take advantage.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Breakfast… or the Lack Thereof?
Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant, Breakfast takeaway service: Okay, this is where things got… interesting. "Breakfast provided," the website promised. What I actually got was a grab-and-go bag of… let’s just say, pre-packaged disappointment. A muffin, a yogurt, a piece of fruit. It was functional. Edible. But "memorable"? Absolutely not. Breakfast takeaway service was available, but I wished for more. I'm also a fan of Asian breakfast which they did not have!
Dining, drinking, and snacking: They also had some vending machines with some snacks. These were decent.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and the "meh"
Concierge: Non-existent. (Or if they were there, they were hiding very well.) Daily housekeeping: Spot on, can't fault this. Elevator: Yes, thankfully. Laundry service: Didn't use, but appreciated that it was offered. Cash withdrawal: They had an ATM. Luggage storage: Seems like it was available but I didn't use it.
Things to Do (In Okemos, Seriously?):
Look, Okemos isn't exactly bursting with excitement. But that’s not the hotel's fault! I’d planned to do something at a nearby park but my exhaustion got it the better of me. I did manage to get some Coffee/tea in restaurant to take away before going back to my room.
The Verdict: Escape? Maybe. Comfort? Definitely.
So, would I recommend the Comfort Inn Okemos? It’s a mixed bag. It's clean, safe-ish, and generally comfortable. The accessibility is a huge plus. The Wi-Fi could be better. The breakfast could be much better. But for a quick getaway in Lansing, it’ll do. It certainly beats sleeping in my car!
What I Loved: The super comfy bed. The air conditioning. The fact that I actually got some sleep!
What Could Be Better: The breakfast. The slightly dim lighting. The Wi-Fi (again).
Quirky Observation: The vending machine selection was surprisingly diverse.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars. It's not perfect, but it’s perfectly… fine. It's a Comfort Inn. And sometimes, "fine" is all you need.
Escape to Paradise: Lakeside Luxury Awaits at Mackinaw City's Comfort Inn!Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're going to East Lansing, Michigan (at least, we think we are, given that Comfort Inn is involved), and let's just say I have a history of wandering off-script… and possibly forgetting where I parked the rental car.
Subject: Operation Spartan Spirit (or, "Trying to Adult in Okemos") - A Very Rough Draft
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Bed-Making Debacle
- 1:00 PM: Land at DTW (Detroit Metro Airport). Okay, so technically DTW, which is a good hour and change away, but hey, cheap flights win! The drive to Okemos is usually… uneventful. Until it's not. Like the time I had to pull over because I swallowed a bug. Pretty sure the rental car clerk thought I'd lost my marbles.
- 2:30 PM: Arrive at Comfort Inn "Okemos - East Lansing" (I'm mentally picturing the sign right now, and praying it's not the one with the peeling paint and the questionable-looking pigeon perched on top). Check-in. Pray for a room that doesn’t smell of stale chlorine and disappointment.
- 3:00 PM: The Great Bed-Making Debacle, Take One: Okay, I’m not a fan of housekeeping. But I am a fan of not sleeping on sheets that look like a toddler had a birthday party on them. So, I attempt to make the bed. Attempt being the operative word. This is where my travel companion (who shall remain nameless to protect their sanity) usually dissolves into hysterical laughter. Let’s just say I manage to tangle myself in the duvet cover, and the pillows end up looking like they've been through a pillow fight with the apocalypse.
- 3:30 PM: Unpack. Or, more accurately, dump my bag onto the desk and decide to deal with the chaos later. The allure of a clean room, and a sense of order, quickly vanishes.
- 4:00 PM: Reconnaissance mission to find the vending machine. Crucial. Gotta find out if they have the good stuff. Preferably a diet coke, gummy bears, and sour patch kids, which are the staples of any good trip.
- 4:30 PM: Success! Or, a reasonable facsimile thereof. Diet Coke acquired. The gummy bear situation is… precarious. The sour patch kids are sadly absent - a bitter blow.
- 5:00 PM: Shower (hopefully the water pressure is decent – don’t want to feel like I’m being caressed by a garden hose). Contemplate if I should order pizza or if I'd prefer to get out in the world.
- 6:00 PM: Decision Time! Pizza it is. Because adulting is hard, and sometimes you just need a greasy slice of heaven.
Day 2: Spartan Adventures & The Quest for a Decent Latte
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Or, blearily drag myself out of bed. The struggle is real.
- 8:30 AM: Attempt breakfast. "Attempt" being the key word again. Buffet food? I've had some great experiences. I can almost guarantee there's a waffle maker involved.
- 9:00 AM: Hit the road! The "road" being the parking lot, and the mission: explore East Lansing. First stop: Michigan State University.
- 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Spartan Glory (or, getting lost on a college campus): Tour the MSU campus. I'll try to be a proper tourist and admire the architecture and the sprawling lawns. I'll try, but I can't make promises. I can get lost easily. I might get distracted by a squirrel.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch somewhere near campus. No idea where yet. I might pick somewhere trendy. Or it might be a random diner. Again, it's a toss-up.
- 1:30 PM: Caffeine Emergency: The eternal quest for a decent latte in a strange city begins. Starbucks is always an option, but I'm shooting higher. Trying to find a local coffee shop with a decent espresso machine. The caffeine is for me, and the coffee shop experience is for the story-telling.
- 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM: The Coffee Chronicles: Stumble around searching for a cozy coffee shop. If the first place is bad, I'll try again. This is more important than it seems.
- 5:30 PM: Dinner.
- 7:00 PM: Relax, read, try to make a plan for tomorrow, and prepare for another night of strange dreams and hotel-room paranoia.
- 8:00 PM: Netflix and possibly a meltdown about my inability to live life like a functional human being.
Day 3: More Exploration & The Departure Dread
- 9:00 AM: Sleep in, breakfast-attempt, and packing.
- 10:00 PM: Check out from the hotel.
- 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Explore another area, or decide to go back to a place I like.
- 1:00 PM: Head back to DTW.
- 4:00 PM: Arrive at DTW.
- 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Get on the plane and hope for no turbulence.
- 7:00 PM: Arrive back home.
Post-Script:
This is just a rough plan, of course. It's more of a loose framework for potential chaos. I guarantee there will be detours, unexpected delights, and moments of pure, unadulterated confusion. But that's the fun of it, right?
Wish me luck. I'll need it. And, pray for me—and the bed sheets. They’re definitely going to need it. Because, you know, I can't make the bed to save my life. Seriously. It's a tragedy.
Morgantown's BEST Kept Secret? This Quality Inn Will SHOCK You!
Escape to Comfort Inn Okemos: Your Lansing Getaway Awaits! ...or Does It? (An FAQ Packed with Opinions & Maybe a Tear or Two)
Okay, so, Comfort Inn Okemos... is it *actually* comfortable? Because "comfort" is a pretty darn big promise, you know?
Alright, let's be honest. "Comfort" is subjective. For some, it's crisp white sheets and mints on the pillows. For me? It's a decent cup of coffee and no screaming kids in the hallway at 6 AM. I'd say... yeah, mostly comfortable. The beds? Surprisingly decent. Like, I didn't wake up feeling like I'd wrestled a bear (a definite win). The sheets weren't *quite* the luxurious hotel-grade, but they weren't sandpaper either. It's a solid "comfort-ish" rating. Let's just say, if you're comparing it to a five-star resort, you'll be disappointed. If you're comparing it to, oh, say, a hostel, you're golden! I did find a rogue stray crumb on the nightstand (it was NOT mine, I swear!), so perfection? Nope. Comfort? Mostly. And frankly, after a long drive, that's all I really needed.
What's the deal with the breakfast? I'm a breakfast person. A *very* serious breakfast person.
Oh, the breakfast. This is where things get... interesting. The "free breakfast" is a Comfort Inn staple, right? And I went in HOPING. Hoping for fluffy pancakes, maybe some decent scrambled eggs, a little sausage action... You know, the works! What I got was... well, let's just say it *was* breakfast. There were waffles. They were... waffle-shaped. The eggs? Looked a little sad, like they'd been sitting under a heat lamp since the Eisenhower administration. The coffee, though? Honestly, it was surprisingly drinkable. And hey, they had yogurt. So, I built a yogurt parfait of mediocrity to start the day. Look, I'm not saying it was culinary heaven. I am saying I fueled up enough to survive a morning of meetings. Think of it as a functional breakfast, not a gourmet experience. Just don't go in expecting miracles. My advice? Grab a waffle (or two – they're pre-made, so no judgement here), douse it in syrup, and try not to think too hard about where those eggs came from.
Is the location convenient? I don't want to spend my whole trip stuck in traffic, you know?
Okay, location. This is a BIG win for Comfort Inn Okemos. It's actually pretty darn convenient. Close to highways, close to shopping, restaurants, all those necessary evils (and occasional joys) of modern life. Getting to downtown Lansing wasn't a nightmare, which is a HUGE plus. I actually had a genuinely pleasant drive to a brewery I'd been wanting to try. And parking? Plentiful! I HATE circling a parking lot like a vulture. So, thumbs up on the location. It's a solid basecamp for exploring the area. I mean, you could probably toss a rock and hit a Starbucks (though, I wouldn't recommend that, unless you're REALLY angry at the barista). Convenience? Yep. That's the word.
The Pool? What's the Pool situation?
The pool. Oh, the *pool*. Okay, here's where things get a little… dramatic. I'm a pool person, I LOVE a good hotel pool, even if I'm just sitting on the edge with a book! I imagined lounging poolside, sipping some iced tea, escaping the… well, everything. Reality? The pool looked... well, it looked *small*. Like, a "get-your-exercise-in-5-minutes-and-then-you're-done" kind of small. And... it was indoors. Which, hey, fine, I get it, Michigan weather and all that. But the chlorine smell? It hit you like a wall of… well, chlorine. I took one sniff and decided my book was more appealing. I did, however, see one brave soul diving in! So, you know, your mileage may vary. I think it was a bit crowded with a family with screaming kids, so yeah, maybe not the tranquil escape I was hoping for. Disappointments were made. This whole experience solidified my belief that the whole "hotel pool" promise is often based on a lie of grandeur, not always the perfect relaxation oasis. Lesson learned.
Is it kid-friendly? Because I'm bringing the little terrors... I mean, angels... with me.
Kid-friendly? Yeah, I'd say it's *mostly* kid-friendly. They have that pool (as we've discussed), which the kiddos seem to adore... even if it's a bit of a chlorine bomb. The breakfast situation, while not gourmet, has enough options to appease even the pickiest eaters. The staff seemed reasonably tolerant of the chaos children tend to bring – which, honestly, is half the battle! My biggest observation: the hallways can be a bit echo-y, so pack some earplugs (for you, and maybe for your fellow guests). Honestly? I saw plenty of families there, and they seemed to be having a blast. So, bring the "angels" - just maybe bring a very understanding attitude and some noise-canceling headphones for yourself. It’ll be okay. Probably.
What about the staff? Are they helpful?
The staff? *Generally* pleasant. I interacted with a few different people. Checking in was smooth (always a good start!). I had a question about local restaurants, and the front desk person actually gave me some pretty decent recommendations. They seemed genuinely helpful and didn't make me feel like I was bothering them, which is always a plus. One funny thing: I needed extra towels (because I apparently didn't pack enough – rookie mistake). They came right up, no fuss. So, yeah, the staff seemed to be doing their best to make sure guests were happy, and I appreciated that. You know, a friendly face and good service go a long way. And no, they didn't give me a free upgrade to a suite, but hey, you can't win 'em all!
Would you stay there again? The big question!
Okay, the million-dollar question... Would I stay again? Hmm... It depends. If I'm looking for a luxurious, pampering experience? Nope. There are other places for that. If I'm looking for a convenient, clean, and generally hassle-free place to stay while exploring Lansing? Absolutely, yes. It's a practical choice, a functional choice. Did it blow my mind? No. Am I going to write a sonnet about my stay? Probably not. But, I got a good night's sleep, I wasn't chased down by a rogue herd of children (a definite bonus), and it served its purpose. So, yeah. I'd probably stay again. Mostly because theYosemite Adventure Starts Here: Your Merced Gateway Hotel!
