Marshalltown's BEST Comfort Inn? (South Location Review!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the… well, let’s be honest, the somewhat uneven but potentially delightful world of Marshalltown's BEST Comfort Inn? (South Location!). Honestly, the name is ambitious. "BEST"? We'll see about that. This isn't a Michelin-star review; this is real talk.
First, let’s get the basics out of the way – and before any of you scream, YES, I'm going to talk about things like Accessibility, Wi-Fi, and Cleanliness/Safety. It's 2024, people, this shouldn't feel like a groundbreaking achievement, but… here we go!
Accessibility: I can’t personally test it from a wheelchair, but they claim to have Facilities for disabled guests, and, from what I saw of the ground floor rooms, that’s probably true. The Elevator is a must, considering the building's height. I saw no specific mention of braille signage, but the 24-hour Front Desk is a definite plus if you need help.
Internet Access & Wi-Fi – Oh, the Glorious, Sometimes Fickle, Internet: Okay, the good news first: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Wi-Fi in public areas? Yep. Internet access – wireless is a given. And yes, they do have Internet – LAN, although I’m not entirely sure who’s still plugging in Ethernet cables these days (besides me when I'm desperately trying to get a stable connection). Okay, the bad news? The Wi-Fi was… patchy. One minute I was streaming Netflix like a champ, the next I was staring at the spinning circle of doom. Let's just say, bring a mobile hotspot, just in case.
Cleanliness and Safety – Trying to Stay Alive (and Sane!) in a Post-Pandemic World: Okay, this is where things get serious, people. They do (they claim to) have a lot of boxes checked: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization between stays. I'm not going to lie, I didn’t walk around with a UV light, but the room felt clean. The staff seemed genuinely concerned about hygiene. The Hand sanitizer stations were plentiful (and frequently refilled!), which is always a good sign. Room sanitization opt-out available? Okay, that's good. They also talk about Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Hot water linen and laundry washing. They also have some of those things like CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, 24-hour Security, Fire extinguisher. This is all reassuring!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Adventure (or at Least, the Day):
Breakfast [buffet]? Yes! And it was… well, it was a Comfort Inn breakfast. Think Breakfast [buffet], Coffee/tea in restaurant, Breakfast takeaway service and some of the things you would expect from a place like this. Western breakfast (ehem, eggs, bacon, toast) and Asian breakfast options were available. Honestly, it filled a hole. I wasn't blown away, but I wasn't starving. They also had Restaurants and a Snack bar for later.
Room service [24-hour]? Yes! I didn’t use it, but the option is always welcome, especially after a long day of… well, whatever it is you do in Marshalltown.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Make a Big Difference:
- Daily housekeeping, Daily housekeeping is a big one for me. It's nice to return to a clean space, even if it's just to throw your stuff everywhere again immediately.
- Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning in all rooms. Thank god! I shudder to think what Marshalltown is like in the summer without it.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning are available.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Indoor venue for special events.
- Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes.
- Convenience store.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site].
Okay, here's where the real chaos starts. Let's talk about the… what was it? Oh yeah, the Fitness center.
The Fitness Center: A Descent into Mildly Humorous Misery:
Picture this: a small, brightly lit room. I saw one treadmill, looking suspiciously like it was rescued from the 1980s. They had some weights, a couple of machines. My main impression was, "Well, at least it's there." I hopped on the treadmill, bravely selected a pre-programmed workout, and… it stopped working after five minutes. Five minutes! I was tempted to just give up, go to the vending machine, and eat a bag of chips. But, you know, I persevered. It was…an experience. Just… don't expect a state-of-the-art gym, and you won't be disappointed. Consider it more of a… "suggestion" of exercise.
Relaxation – A Quest for Zen (or at Least, a Decent Shower):
- Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor], Swimming pool: The pool looked inviting from the outside, with clear water and surrounded by sun loungers.
- Spa: Nope. Not buying it.
- Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap: None of these.
For the Kids – Keeping the Little Rascals Entertained (Probably):
- Family/child friendly, Kids meal, Babysitting service
- Kids facilities.
- Shitty observations: There were families there, and the kids were enjoying themselves.
Available in all rooms – The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Odd:
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Computer desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- A lot more stuff, but lets' not go into details.
Quirky Observations and Emotional Ramblings (The Real Stuff):
- The staff were genuinely friendly, even though they must have seen some stuff.
- The hallway carpet? Let's just say it had stories to tell, mostly about spilled soda and the general chaos of life.
- The elevator music was… well, it was there. I vaguely remember a jazzy version of a song I didn't recognize.
- The Exterior corridor isn't my favorite thing in the world. I felt a little exposed, especially when I had to walk to my room in the middle of the night.
- The Proposal spot? I'm not sure what you would choose. Maybe the pool?
The Verdict: Is Marshalltown's BEST Comfort Inn?…Best? No, probably not the "BEST" in the absolute sense. But, Is it a decent place to stay at in Marshalltown? Yes, absolutely. It is clean, safe, and comfortable.
Promotional Offer:
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Malvern's BEST Kept Secret: Quality Inn & Suites Review!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into… Comfort Inn Marshalltown South. In Iowa. Buckle up, indeed. This ain't gonna be some meticulously crafted, Instagram-perfect travelogue. This is REAL.
Day 1: Arrival and the Crushing Weight of "Just Passing Through"
1:00 PM - Arrival at Comfort Inn (AKA, the Gateway to… I dunno, somewhere else). Okay, let's be honest. "Marshalltown, Iowa" doesn't exactly scream "exotic adventure." More like "hmmm, what's on the Food Network?" The Comfort Inn itself? Well, it's Comfort Inn. Beige, functional, smells faintly of chlorine and the quiet desperation of business travelers. The lady at the front desk – bless her heart – looked like she'd seen a thousand burnt-out souls roll through those revolving doors. "Enjoy your stay!" she chirped, with the practiced hollowness of someone who’s forgotten what enjoying truly is.
- Rambling Thought: Is it a crime to hope for a continental breakfast croissant that doesn't taste like cardboard? I mean, come on.
2:00 PM - Unpacking and Assessing the Damage (to my soul). The room is precisely what I expected: two queen beds with questionable comforters, a TV that’s probably older than me, and a bathroom that could double as a perfectly acceptable holding cell. I promptly dropped my bags, gave a theatrical sigh, and debated whether to even bother unpacking. The "view" from the window? Parking lot. This is the kind of view that makes you question your life choices.
3:00 PM - Venturing Out (Against My Better Judgment). Okay, gotta do something. Headed to the lobby because, you know, free coffee. The only other person there was a guy reading a very serious-looking book about, I'm guessing, advanced cat grooming techniques. He gave me a look that clearly communicated I was an interloper.
3:30 PM - Grocery Store Pilgrimage. Okay, so I need provisions… and maybe a bit of actual human interaction. Headed to a local grocery store. Found a really nice lady in the cereal aisle. I asked her about the best cookies. She sold me her favorite.
4:30 PM - Return to Room, Existential Nibbling. Cookies and the sheer nothingness of the TV menu. Channel surfing. Watching a show about… I don’t even remember. It involved a lot of people talking while standing in a field. This is it. This is my Iowa adventure.
7:00 PM - Dinner… Somewhere. Hit up a local "family restaurant." "Family restaurant" is code for "solid portions, questionable décor, and a waitstaff that probably knows everyone in town." Had a ginormous plate of mashed potatoes and gravy. The gravy was… interesting. Let's just say it defied all known gravy physics.
8:30 PM - Back to the Room. The Abyss Awaits. More TV. More existential dread. The comforter? Still questionable. Started a book. Doze off.
Day 2: Embracing the Absurd (or at Least Pretending To)
- 7:00 AM - The Continental Breakfast Challenge. Okay, here we go. The cardboard croissant is indeed present. But… there's also this tiny, suspiciously vibrant orange. Against my better judgement, I take a bite. It might be the highlight of my week.
- 8:00 AM - The Town Square "Experience." I knew Marshalltown had something to offer. I'd seen it in a promotional video on the local tourist website. (Yes, I was reduced to that.) Decided to seek out the courthouse square. It's… square. And there's a courthouse. And a statue of a man. I'm guessing he's important. I felt like I was in a postcard for a town I didn't even know the name of.
- 9:30 AM - Let's Double Down! The Historical Museum. Because, what else? I mean, I'm here. The museum was dusty and lovely. Actually, a couple of the displays were fascinating. The docent (a sweet, elderly woman named Margaret) was truly invested and gave me her tour de force, detailed and passionate, the kind you don't expect. I walked away with a newfound appreciation for the local history.
- 11:30 AM - Lunch at a Local Diner. "Penny's Pancakes." Needed a REAL experience. Walked in. The waitress called everyone honey or sweetheart. I had the best pancakes I've had in a decade. So good I forgot where I was.
- 1:00 PM - A Quiet Moment (or Attempt Thereof). Back to the hotel. Just… to recharge. Re-read some of that book. This time, the book was the highlight of my week.
- 3:00 PM - The Iowa River Trail (Sort Of). So, apparently, Marshalltown has a…trail. The Iowa River Trail. Sounds idyllic. It was a paved path. And there was a river. And… well, it was a path. I walked. I breathed. I appreciated the absolute, utter peace. It was almost…pleasant.
- 5:00 PM - Dinner (Again!). Went back to the family restaurant. Because, why not? Became well acquainted with the staff. Again the portions were generous. Again the gravy…. Well, there's no explaining the gravy.
- 7:00 PM - Packing… and Contemplating My Escape. Tomorrow, freedom. A new adventure (a bigger city, I hear). Tonight, the comforter still sucks.
Day 3: Departure (and a Secret Wish).
- 7:00 AM - Cardboard Croissant, Part 2. Yep. Still there.
- 8:00 AM - Checking Out. Said goodbye to the lady at the front desk. She smiled. Maybe she felt sorry for me. I hope she did. Gave me a genuine "Safe travels!" Maybe she secretly envied my escape.
- 9:00 AM - Farewell Marshalltown. Hit the road. Said goodbye. And I'll admit it… as I drove away, I actually felt… a little bit wistful. Maybe…just maybe…I’d actually enjoyed it, in a weird, Iowa-sized sort of way.
- 10:00 AM - The Road Ahead… Literally. Off to the next adventure.
So, there you have it. The Comfort Inn Marshalltown South experience. A messy, imperfect, thoroughly human adventure. Would I recommend it? Well… it depends. If you're looking for a taste of small-town American life, unadulterated by pretension or Instagram filters, then, yes, you might just love it. Or at least, you might find yourself strangely, unexpectedly… glad you went. And I'll never forget the cookies.
Layton's BEST Kept Secret: Comfort Inn Review (Salt Lake City Near!)
Comfort Inn Marshalltown (South) - The Good, The Bad, and the Really Weird (aka, an FAQ!)
So, is this Comfort Inn actually...comfortable?
Alright, alright, let's be real. "Comfort Inn" is a pretty broad promise, isn't it? I mean, what *is* comfort? Is it a perfectly firm mattress, like the kind you'd find in a surgeon’s waiting room? Or is it the kind of fluffy cloud bed that makes you want to… well, never leave?
Honestly, for me, the comfort level at the Marshalltown South Comfort Inn is a bit of a mixed bag. The beds? Fine. Respectable. Not the worst I’ve ever slept on, but also not the kind that'll make you write poetry about. I slept. That’s about as good as it got.
The room's temperature? A different story. I swear, one night it felt like I was inhabiting a Siberian tundra. The next, it was a humid swamp. I spent half the night fiddling with that ancient thermostat that looks like it belongs in a museum. I swear, it was either "Blazing Inferno" or "Arctic Freeze", no in-between!
So, comfort? Depends on your definition and your ability to negotiate with a temperamental thermostat. Bring layers. Lots of layers.
What about the breakfast? Tell me, it's the crucial point for any hotel.
Breakfast? Oh boy. This is where things get, shall we say, interesting. The breakfast is included, which is always a plus. But the experience is… well, it's a journey.
They have all the usual suspects: waffles (with the perpetually sticky syrup situation), cereal, some sad-looking pre-packaged pastries, and the fruit… oh, the fruit. I'm pretty sure I saw the same assortment of melon and overripe bananas for my entire stay. It wasn't *bad*, per se, but let's just say it didn't inspire any odes.
One morning, I walked in and stumbled upon the scene... a lone, stoic employee battling a waffle iron. It looked like she was fighting a small kitchen appliance war, she was struggling to keep up with the demand. People were circling like vultures. I waited patiently, eventually securing a waffle (which I promptly drowned in syrup to make it palatable). It added to the charm, honestly.
Long story short: Lower your expectations. Consider it fuel. And maybe bring your own protein bar, just in case.
How's the location? Is it convenient?
Okay, the location? Pretty decent, actually. This Comfort Inn is south, as the name suggests, of Marshalltown, which means it’s close to, I guess, things that are south of Marshalltown? You're not exactly smack dab in the middle of a buzzing metropolis. But if you're passing through, it's easy to find, close to the highway, and close to some of those fast-food places you know so well.
There's a Perkins right next door, which can either be a blessing or a curse, depending on your tolerance for pancakes and crowds. I thought the food there was fine, I guess, but it felt busy every time I went.
So, convenience? Yeah. Not exactly a glamorous location spot, but you won't get lost, and you can quickly access what you need. Plus, it's far from anything that is truly memorable.
What's the deal with the pool and/or gym? I'm a fitness fanatic!
The pool… ah, the pool. I didn't actually take a dive, unfortunately. I peered through the windows. It *looked* clean enough. But I swear, every time I went past, it always seemed deserted. I suspect it’s the vibe. Do you take your chances with that? I can't say.
As for the gym? Well, let’s just say it’s… compact. Imagine a closet, but filled with cardio equipment. I saw a treadmill and a bike in there, and a few sad-looking free weights. If you’re a serious gym rat, this ain't it. If you just need to run a couple of miles and maybe lift a bar, it'll probably do.
My most memorable experience? The water fountain outside the gym. It made a *weird* gurgling sound, like it was trying to speak to me. I’m easily amused.
Was this place CLEAN? That is usually a big point of focus!
Okay, cleaning. This is important, right? Nobody wants to sleep in a petri dish masquerading as a hotel room. My room was… mostly clean. I mean, I didn't discover anything horrifying. I didn't see any mysterious stains or rogue hairs (thank goodness!).
You know, the usual suspects were in order. Towels were provided, the bed was made. The bathroom was in a functional state. It wasn't sparkling, mind you. More like a "lived-in" clean. The kind of clean you'd expect from a hotel that's seen a bit of wear and tear, but still tries its best.
The most remarkable instance? Finding a stray crumb on the nightstand. I'm sure I’m the only one who noticed it. I have a keen eye for details. I suspect this means I am destined for a career in room inspection.
What's the most MEMORABLE thing about your stay?
Okay, this is where it gets weird. Really weird. The most memorable thing wasn't the questionable syrup or the fluctuating temperature. It was the… elevator. Yes, the elevator. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but hear me out.
The elevator had this thing about it. It wasn’t the fastest elevator in the world. It wasn’t the quietest, either. But it had this *vibe.* It was like a little metal box of existential dread. The buttons were worn. The flickering light. The occasional groan it made as it lumbered upwards. It was always there, always trying.
On my first day, I got stuck in this elevator. I wasn't there for long, maybe a minute? But the isolation, the feeling of being between floors... it hit me. Why was I there?! What was I doing?! I almost thought about screaming out to let people know that I was in such a scary place! I just stood there, and waited. I don't know why, or what I expected to happen, but eventually the doors opened. I stepped out a changed person.
After that, every time I stood in front of that elevator, I knew I was playing Russian Roulette. I always went in, feeling uncertain. But the memory, that elevator, is still with me. That is what defined my stay. I can't tell you why, but the elevator is my strongest memory from my time there.
