Lake George Getaway: Unbelievable Country Inn & Suites Deal!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into Lake George Getaway: Unbelievable Country Inn & Suites Deal! This ain't gonna be your sanitized, corporate-bot review. This is real, raw, and hopefully… helpful. Let's get messy, shall we?
First Impressions & Accessibility (Because, well, it matters, you know?)
Okay, so first things first, the deal is pretty unbelievable. That's not just marketing hype, folks. Seriously, Lake George in peak season can EAT your wallet. Seeing a promising rate immediately put a smile on my face.
Accessibility: Okay, so the actual accessibility – and this is crucial, so pay attention – could be better. The listing says "Facilities for disabled guests," which is a good start. There's an elevator (thank GOD for that, my knees are NOT what they used to be). But I didn't SEE detailed specs on room accessibility. Important note: Call and specifically ask about wheelchair-accessible rooms, ramps, and bathroom modifications BEFORE booking. Don't assume! They should be able to clarify, or you're in for an unhappy surprise.
Rambling Time! A Little Side Note About Being Human:
Seriously, though, the idea of accessibility is one thing. The reality is often… different. I once stayed at a "perfectly accessible" place only to find out the "accessible bathroom" had a door that swung inward and a showerhead you couldn't reach seated. Lesson learned: ASK. ASK. ASK.
Internet, Glorious Internet - Oh Wait…
- Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Free! Happy dance. Gotta have that. Can't function without it. Seriously. I need to be able to Instagram my waffle, you know?
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services: I'm assuming the presence of LAN means… yes, there's a LAN in addition to Wi-Fi? That's a bit… overkill? Unless you're planning a LAN party in your room? Which, hey, I'm not judging.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Of course. Everywhere needs Wi-Fi. I need to check my email while lounging by the pool, obviously.
Cleanliness & Safety - The Stuff of 2024 (and beyond):
Listen, in today's world, safety is paramount. I'm a bit of a germaphobe (don't judge!), so these safety features are REALLY important to me:
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Hand sanitizer everywhere?: Okay, good. Good, good, good. These are the things that make me feel RELAXED.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: You better believe it. I want staff who know what they're doing.
- Cashless payment service: Excellent. Gotta love avoiding physical contact with germs.
- Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Individually-wrapped food options, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Perfect!
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Good. You know, personal space is a thing.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Important. You never know.
- Sterilizing equipment, Hygiene certification: Okay, now they're just showing off. Good!
- Shared stationery removed: Excellent. I hate using a pen that 300 other people have used.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Fueling the Fun
Alright, let's get to the GOOD stuff. The eats!
- Restaurants, Coffee shop, Snack bar, Poolside bar, Bar, Room service [24-hour]: The essentials. Gotta have options. That 24-hour room service? Absolutely necessary after a long day of… well, vacationing.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Variety is the spice of life!
- Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant: Buffets…. Love 'em or hate 'em, they exist. Just hope it's a good one!
- A la carte in restaurant: Awesome!
- Alternatives and stuff: This is a good thing. They're trying to be flexible!
- Soup in restaurant, Dessert in restaurant, Salad in restaurant: The details!
Oh, and that Poolside Bar…
Okay, quick side rant about poolside bars. They can be amazing or they can be… sad. Let's hope for amazing. I'm picturing a cool breeze, a frosty cocktail, and a book in hand. Is that too much to ask? Probably not.
Things To Do, Ways To Relax (LET'S GET COMFY!)
- Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes, yes, and YES. Now we're talking. These are crucial for a proper getaway.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Alright, if you’re the type that actually uses these things on vacation, then great. I might just go for a coffee. (I’m judging myself too, don’t worry.)
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage: This is my kind of relaxation. Give me all the scrubs and wraps I can handle! If they do a good massage, I'm sold.
- Things to do Okay. What are the things to do? Maybe this is Lake George itself -- there's plenty to do there. I'd hope so, or I'd be pretty bored.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Alright, let’s talk about the behind-the-scenes stuff -- the things that make life easier:
- Concierge, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Daily housekeeping, Laundry, Baggage Storage: These are all good signs. If they have these, then they're trying to take care of you.
- Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings: This is good for a company trip.
- Cash withdrawal, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Facilities for disabled guests, Luggage storage, Safe deposit boxes: Okay, these are all good things. These are things you want to be there!
- Gift shop, Shrine, Terrace: All good stuff.
- Air conditioning in public areas: Excellent. (Lake George can get hot.)
For the Kids (If You Have Them, God Bless You):
- Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, Babysitting service: This is GREAT for anyone traveling with kids. This makes or breaks a hotel!
The Room Itself - The Sanctuary (or Not):
Alright, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the rooms. This is where the magic happens, or where you realize you’ve made a terrible, terrible mistake.
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, 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, 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.: Okay, that's a lot. A LOT.
- Most of the bases are covered. The little details will make all the difference. The coffee maker better be good.
- High Floor: Nice for good views.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for sleep.
- Slippers: A nice touch!
Getting Around: (Let's Get the Heck Out of Here!)
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: All the options! This is great. You should be all sorted.
Safety/Security - Does it Feel Safe?
- Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property: These are all good things. I want to feel safe.
- Smoke alarms: Essential.
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Front desk [24-hour]: Convenient check-in and out is key.
The Quirky Stuff: The Little Touches (or Not)
- Couple's room: Romantic?
- Exterior corridor: Do I like that?
- Hotel chain: Okay, but does it feel personal?
- Non-smoking rooms: Good, if you’re not a smoker.
- Pets allowed unavailable:
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain’t your grandma’s perfectly-organized itinerary. We're diving headfirst into a weekend at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lake George (Queensbury), NY, and trust me, it's gonna be a WILD ride. Here we go…
FRIDAY: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Quest for a Decent Pizza (and a Clean Pool Towel)
2:00 PM - The Great Escape Begins (Or, the Car Ride from Hell): Okay, so first off, the drive. Three hours? More like three hours and a lifetime of "Are we there yet?" from the backseat. My kids, bless their little hearts, are convinced the phrase "Are we there yet?" is a national anthem. And, of course, we hit construction. Because, of course. I'm starting to sweat just thinking about it. I promised them ice cream once we arrive, but I'm starting to think ice cream won't be enough to survive this.
5:00 PM - Check-In Catastrophe (aka, The "Welcome to Chaos" Moment): We arrive. Beautiful, right? The Country Inn looks pretty decent from the outside. We go to check in, and there is a pretty long line. It takes forever, so I can tell that I am going to be in the hotel for a while. I finally get through and find my room. It is on the first floor. That's a bonus. I didn't realize they had a pool, which is great because the kids need to burn off their energy from the car ride. After all the trials and tribulations of the trip, I get to the room and then realize, "Where's the key card?". I go back down and get my key card. Luckily, the room is pretty nice and clean. I unpack, and then it dawns on me, the pool. Oh, I knew my chance was coming.
6:00 PM - The Pool Fiasco and Pool Towel Quest: So, the pool. It wasn't bad, I'll admit. The kids dove right in, like little fish. But here's where things went sideways. I went to grab a pool towel, and they're all… gone. Seriously? All gone. I spent, like, a solid fifteen minutes hunting around the lobby, asking bewildered-looking staff members. Finally, I just snatched some random towels from the bathroom. I hope I'm not "that person," y'know? But hey, survival of the fittest, right? And while the kids were splashing and shrieking (mostly shrieking), I swear I saw a rogue clump of hair floating by. Oh, the things you see.
7:30 PM - Pizza Panic and the Culinary Cliffhanger: I am starving, and so are the kids. We went to the first pizzeria we found. It was called "Pizza Palace". We order a pizza. The pizza was… well, it was pizza. Edible. The kids inhaled it like they hadn't eaten in days. I, on the other hand, was still reeling from the pool towel debacle. The pizza was meh, but the company… priceless. We were all exhausted, but relaxed.
9:00 PM - Bedtime Bliss (and the Sweet, Sweet Sound of Silence): Finally, the kids were down for the count. After an hour of wrangling them into their pajamas and reading stories, I went to bed myself.
SATURDAY: Lake George Adventures, The Great Escape From The Room, and the Battle for the Board Game
8:00 AM - The Breakfast Buffet Bonanza (and the Scramble for Scrambled Eggs): Okay, the free breakfast at the hotel? Not bad, actually! The waffles were a solid win. But it was a zoo out there. Kids running amok, the coffee machine spewing lukewarm despair… standard hotel buffet vibes. I felt a bit sorry for the poor woman trying to keep the scrambled eggs stocked. She was a trooper. I swear, it's a small miracle the hotel hasn't been burnt down to the ground.
9:00 AM - Lake George: A Boat Load of Fun (Literally): Off to the lake! I had booked a boat tour. I was so excited! The lake was gorgeous, all sparkling and serene. The kids were amazed, and I… well, I could finally breathe. The tour guide was a bit… dramatic. He kept pointing out celebrity houses and telling these elaborate stories. Still, it was fun.
12:00 PM - Lunch and The Quest for the Burger: We grabbed lunch at a little diner near the lake. I had to find a simple burger. That's all I wanted. It was good but not the best.
2:00 PM - Pool Time Round Two, and the Quest for the Perfect Sun Lounger: We went back to the pool. It was even more crowded than yesterday. I managed to snag a sun lounger after a strategic ambush of a family leaving. I felt a little guilty, but hey, the sun was glorious. The kids were still at it, splashing and screaming. I just relaxed and watched them and loved being in the sun, just taking it all in.
5:00 PM - Board Game Mayhem and the "I'm Not Sharing" Tantrum: Back in the room. The kids wanted to play a board game. But, of course, the games we brought ended with the kids arguing. I just had to let them figure it out.
7:00 PM - Dinner Outing At A Fancy Restaurant: For dinner, we all went to a fancy restaurant. The dinner was so good, and we all had a good time. I was very happy that the kids were well behaved.
9:00 PM - Bedtime is a Battle (Again!): The kids took a while getting the energy out. When I finally laid them down for bed, I could finally relax and sleep.
SUNDAY: Farewell, Lake George, and the Existential Dread of the Drive Home
8:00 AM - Another Breakfast Battle (and the Coffee Conundrum): Same story as yesterday, only more people. The coffee was weak, the waffles were still good, and I started prepping myself for the inevitable drive home.
9:00 AM - Pool Time Finale: The last chance to get in the pool. I went. It felt empty, just me, the kids, and a few other people.
11:00 AM - Packing Panic and the "We Forgot Something" Moment: Packing up. Ugh. It's never fun. And of course, we discovered we'd left a favorite stuffed animal behind… or was it the electric toothbrush? We had to do a mad dash back to the room to retrieve it. This is what happens when an already tired mom does all the packing.
12:00 PM - Check-Out Chaos and the Goodbye: Goodbye, Lake George! The check-out was surprisingly smooth, I paid my bills, and we hit the road.
1:00 PM - The Drive Home Begins (And the "Are We There Yet?" Returns): The drive home. The same as before. The kids were hungry, and I was tired. It felt like an eternity. We finally arrived home, totally exhausted.
4:00 PM - Home Sweet Home (and the Aftermath of Adventure): We finally arrived home. I unpacked, did laundry, and collapsed on the couch. I was exhausted, but I loved the trip. It was imperfect, messy, and chaotic, but oh-so-real. And, hey, we survived. And that, my friends, is a win. Time to book the next adventure!
Lake George Getaway: The Country Inn & Suites Debacle (and Delight!) - FAQ
Okay, spill. Is this "Unbelievable Deal" *actually* unbelievable? Like, worth it? Let's be honest...
Alright, alright, lemme tell ya. "Unbelievable" is... well, it depends. It wasn't, like, winning the lottery unbelievable. More like, "found-a-twenty-dollar-bill-in-your-old-jeans" unbelievable. My wife, bless her heart, found this Country Inn & Suites deal. We were dreaming of Lake George. Turns out, it *was* a pretty sweet price. But you know what? The drive up? The pre-trip packing battle? THAT was unbelievable. Think, "trying-to-stuff-a-whale-into-a-carry-on" kind of unbelievable. Worth it? Mostly. See below, but I'm leaning to YES. Just... be prepared.
What *exactly* did the deal include, you cheapskate? Don't leave out any tricks!
HA! Cheapskate? Pot, meet kettle. The deal... Okay, so it included the room (duh), which was… *decent*. Clean enough for my standards (which, let's be honest, aren't high. I survived college). They had a pool, which was key, and a *so-called* continental breakfast. The breakfast? We'll get to that. It also included… *deep breath*… Free Wi-Fi (thank God, I had to check fantasy football). And the biggest "trick," probably, was the *low price*. That's about it. No free massages or private yachts. Just a budget-friendly room, close to everything.
Alright, spill the tea on the breakfast. Continental? Sounds… boring. Was it a disaster?
OH. MY. GOD. The breakfast. Okay, so "continental" usually implies, you know, like... muffins. Maybe some fruit. This was... a *situation*. The muffins? Dry enough to start a campfire. The fruit? Looked like it had seen better decades. There was a waffle maker, though, which was a saving grace. But the line for the waffle maker? Longer than the line at Space Mountain. And the syrup? Pure sugar water. My kid, bless his picky little heart, declared it "inedible". My wife, ever the optimist, managed to whip up a passable waffle with some butter. Me? I stuck with the coffee. Strong, lukewarm coffee. So, disaster? Not quite. Memorable? Absolutely. I’ll always remember that waffle maker and my slightly existential waffle-related queuing experience.
What about the room itself? Spacious? Clean? Did it smell like feet? (Be honest, I've seen some things...)
Okay, on the room. Spacious? Nah. Cozy, maybe. It was a standard hotel room. Two queen beds, a tiny TV, and a bathroom the size of a phone booth. But! Clean? Yeah, for the most part. I'm a bit of a germaphobe (don't judge!), and I didn't see any alarming... *critters*. The bathroom was... functional. The shower pressure was decent. Didn't smell like feet, thankfully. Although, I did find a stray, very fluffy blonde hair (don't worry, I trust my wife), which added a touch of mystery to the entire stay. Overall, the room was fine. Nothing to write home about, but fine. I've endured worse. College dorms, anyone?
Location, location, location! Was it actually CLOSE to the lake and... everything?
YES! This was the BIG WIN. The Country Inn & Suites was super close to all the *good stuff*. The lake? A short drive (or a manageable walk if you're feeling ambitious). The shops? Right there. The restaurants? Close enough that I could indulge in a celebratory burger (essential after a long day of… well, existing). We wanted to be near the action, and this place delivered. We spent most of our time at the lake, and could easily pop back for a quick nap or change of clothes. The location was seriously a huge selling point. It saved us a ton of time and effort, compared to staying further out. It’s like it was *designed* to be convenient… which I appreciated.
What about the pool? Was it packed with screaming kids? Or a tranquil oasis?
Alright, the pool. This is where things get… *interesting*. Yes, it was packed with screaming kids. But hey, what did I expect? It's a family-friendly place. The pool itself was… fine. Clean enough. A little crowded, especially in the afternoons. The screaming kids? Well, they're part of the charm, I guess. I saw one kid drop a giant inflatable donut on another kid’s head. Classic. I was there when another kid was crying because he dropped his ice cream. I’m not going to lie, it got a little chaotic at times. But I did manage to snag a few moments of peace, when the kids would disperse, and I could actually swim a few laps (or at least, attempt to). The pool wasn't a "tranquil oasis," more like a "slightly-noisy-but-still-fun-pool." And, hey, it kept the kids occupied. Win-win (mostly).
Give me ONE specific anecdote, something hilarious or awful or just plain weird that happened.
Oh, man. Okay, here's a doozy. The *waffle-maker incident.* It was day two of the breakfast "experience." I was determined to conquer the waffle line. Armed with my patience (and a rumbling stomach), I joined the queue. Behind me was a family of five, all vibrating with hunger. In front of me? The eternal enemy: a woman with a *vocal* opinion about waffle batter. Let's call her "Brenda." Brenda was meticulously crafting each waffle, taking what felt like an hour per. The rest of us were starting to resemble zombies. And... well, Brenda's waffles were consistently… *burnt*. Burnt to a crisp! The poor, exhausted attendant politely tried to assist Brenda, but Brenda was having none of it. She yelled at him! "It's the batter! It's not cooking properly!" she huffed. Finally, after about 20 minutes, Brenda *threw* her burnt-as-coal waffle in the trash, huffing about “the quality of ingredients.” But that's not the best part. As she turned to leave, she *accidently* bumped into the waffle machine, and it… *exploded* with batter. Waffle batter EVERYWHERE. On the ceiling, on the floor, on ME. It was a surreal mess. I just stood there, covered in waffle batter, looking like a sugar-coated yeti, and just burst out laughing. Brenda, of course, was mortified. TheNomadic Stays
