Unbelievable Abilene Getaway: The Inn & Suites at 34 Fifty!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the wild, wild west of West Texas hospitality! I just got back from Unbelievable Abilene Getaway: The Inn & Suites at 34 Fifty! and, well, “unbelievable” is definitely a word that fits, though maybe not always in the way you think. Let's get this rodeo started, shall we?
Accessibility: (Gettin' Down to Brass Tacks)
First things first, bless their hearts, they're trying. They claim to be accessible. The website showed ramps. Now, I'm thankfully able-bodied, which means I can't give a definitive thumbs-up or down on all aspects of accessibility. But, from what I saw, it seemed… passable. There were elevators, which is a HUGE plus. I saw some accessible rooms, but I didn't get a chance to check them out. Important: Call before you go if accessibility is a must-have. Don't take my word for it! Always double-check! It's West Texas; things get a little… rugged.
Cleanliness & Safety: (Germaphobe Confessions!)
Okay, I'm not gonna lie. I'm a borderline clean freak, especially since… you know… gestures vaguely at the world. The Inn & Suites gets major points for Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. I saw staff diligently sanitizing surfaces, which eased my anxiety. They've got Hand sanitizer stations scattered around, and the staff – bless their hearts – are trained in Safety protocol. This is important. I saw folks wearing masks, and I felt… safe. Not squeaky-clean, mind you, but definitely not like I needed to shower three times after leaving the lobby.
And the Non-smoking rooms? A godsend. The Smoke alarms were a comforting presence (because, you know, fire is bad).
For a laugh, a short tangent: I'm pretty sure my room was so fresh and sanitized, I almost felt guilty for breathing in it. The air was pristine. Almost too pristine. I kind of missed the faint whiff of… old hotel… you know?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (Food, Glorious Food!)
Alright, let's talk eats. Restaurants? Yeah, they have ‘em. Restaurants are plural, which means there is more than one! They boast a Bar, which is practically a requirement in Texas. The Asian cuisine in the restaurant looked pretty decent, actually (though I’m a sucker for authentic Tex-Mex.). The Breakfast Buffet… mmmm, mixed results. Good coffee, which is a winner. Bacon was perfectly crisp, the sausage was a bit…questionable. They had the Breakfast in room option, too, which is a fantastic perk if you're not feeling the buffet chaos. Snack bar? Yep, and Coffee shop, check. I may or may not have indulged in a few too many pastries. Don't judge me.
A confession: the bottle of water in my fridge? Gone within… minutes. Hydration is key, people!
Ways to Relax: (Spa-aaaah? Kinda.)
Look, let's be realistic. This isn't the Four Seasons. But they do have a Swimming pool [outdoor]. And it looked clean. I didn't get in because, well, I'm more of a "lounge by the pool with a book" type of gal. (And it was chilly. Abilene in November, ya'll.) They had a Fitness Center, which I glimpsed, it looked stocked with the usual suspects. Spa/Sauna, no. Steamroom? Nope. But hey, the pool with a view did have a view. That's a win! Maybe.
Internet: (The Wi-Fi Whisperer)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! It worked, and that's all that matters sometimes. I managed to stream a movie on my laptop, which is a good sign. The Internet access – wireless was a lifesaver in the lobby, so I could check emails and pretend to be a productive human.
Services and Conveniences: (The Good, the Bad, and the "Well, That's Interesting")
Concierge: I saw one, and she was friendly. Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless. No complaints. Dry cleaning: Yes. Elevator and Car park [free of charge], big pluses. Food delivery seemed like a possibility. Laundry service: Yes, thank goodness. Meeting/banquet facilities: They had some, if you need to throw a business shindig. Safe dining setup: Definitely.
Quirky Observation: The Gift/souvenir shop… let's just say it didn't have the "Vogue" cover. More like "Made in China" trinkets. But hey, if you need a last-minute plastic cowboy hat, you're covered.
Available in All Rooms: (The Nitty-Gritty)
Air conditioning: Essential in Texas. ✔️ Alarm clock: Check. Bathrobes: Not that I saw… Bathroom phone: Didn't see one. Bathtub: Yes, but the water pressure was a bit of a dribble. Blackout curtains: Yes, thank God (it's surprisingly bright out here). Coffee/tea maker: Yes, and good coffee pods! Daily housekeeping: Already mentioned. Desk: Yay, a workspace! Hair dryer: Check. In-room safe box: Yep Mini bar: Barely. Refrigerator: Yes! Shower: Fine. Slippers: Nope. Bring your own cozy feet-coverings. Soundproofing: Pretty darn good. Telephone: Yes. Toiletries: Yep. Towels: Yes.
Now, here's the thing: I went through a really bad breakup right before this trip. I needed something, anything, to take my mind off the, uh…emotional wreckage. And Unbelievable Abilene Getaway, in its gloriously imperfect way, delivered. It wasn't perfect. But it was real. It was Texas. It was… something.
Here's the deal:
Unbelievable Abilene Getaway may not be the Ritz-Carlton, but it's got heart. And right now, you can get a special deal!
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Hurry, this offer won't last! You need a change of scenery, a place to decompress, or just a darn good breakfast buffet. This is it - Unbelievable Abilene Getaway: The Inn & Suites at 34 Fifty!
(P.S. If you see a slightly frazzled woman wandering around, humming to herself, and clutching a book, that's probably me. Say hi!)
Harrisburg's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Wertzville Review!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a trip… well, let's just call it a "situation" at The Inn And Suites At 34 Fifty Abilene, Texas. Think less "polished travel brochure" and more "confessions of a sleep-deprived, coffee-dependent adventurer."
Day 1: Abilene, OH Abilene… Where Do I Even BEGIN?
Morning (ish - Because who am I kidding, I'm not a morning person): Arrival! Okay, "arrival" is generous. More like, stumbled out of the dusty rental car looking like a slightly-used scarecrow. The Inn and Suites looked… well, it looked like an Inn and Suites. Perfectly fine, beige-y, with that distinct, "Welcome to Middle America" vibe. Check-in was smooth, almost too smooth, which always makes me suspicious. Like, where's the catch? Am I going to be sharing a room with a ghost named Mildred who loves reruns of "Murder, She Wrote"? I NEED TO KNOW!
Anxiety Note: This is always the worst/best part of the trip.
Room Check-in: I love the bed. I am happy, but the desk is kinda bad, so no work.
Mid-Morning (or, Whatever-Time-It-Is-After-Too-Much-Coffee): Found the pool! The brochure promised shimmering turquoise waters. Reality? A slightly muted, rectangular body of water. And the sun? Blasting. Seriously, I think I could fry an egg on the concrete. Watched a kid splash in a puddle, and felt both nostalgic and jealous.
- Anecdote alert: I tried to read a book, but got distracted by a flock of birds who were clearly having a serious meeting in a nearby tree. They were chattering and squawking like they were running their own little avian version of a boardroom meeting. The birds, apparently, hate me.
Lunch: Went to a highly-rated local diner, hoping for some authentic Texan grub. Ordered the burger, and let me tell you, this was the best burger I have ever tasted. Seriously, the burger was so good, I almost cried. The waiter didn't look surprised at all. Abilene knows what's up when it comes to burgers.
- Rant Break: I am a BIG fan of burgers in general!
Afternoon-ish (post-burger coma): Explored the hotel, but mostly, I napped. I'm on vacation! Nap time is Mandatory!
Evening: Dinner at some place that I will call the "Mexican Restaurant". They got the salsa wrong, and I'm still mad about that.
- Opinionated Observation: I'm convinced that the "authenticity" of food is directly proportional to its location.
Day 2: Abilene's Charm Offense
- Morning: Breakfast at the Inn's "complimentary" breakfast. Let's just say, it was a generous interpretation of the word "complimentary." The coffee tasted suspiciously like burnt motor oil, and the "fruit" was a sad collection of bruised apples and suspiciously-overripe bananas. Ended up eating a rogue bagel.
- Late Morning: Figured I should maybe, you know, do something. Visited the Grace Museum… which, honestly, was a pleasant surprise! Great art!
- Lunch: Revisited the Diner for a burger, obviously. Couldn't resist. It was a perfect burger.
- Afternoon: More pool time. Watched the same kid from yesterday learn to dunk, and felt a genuine surge of joy. This is the life! I love this hotel and this town.
- Evening: I am tired, and I don't want to do anything. I will keep going to the hotel until I am ready to leave.
- Reflection: Travel isn't always about monuments and "must-see attractions." Sometimes, it's just about finding a good burger and a moment of peace by the pool. And, yes, occasionally battling a rogue bagel at breakfast.
- Emotional Conclusion: Feeling surprisingly content. Maybe Abilene isn't so bad after all. (Don't tell anyone I said that).
Day 3: The Long Road Home (and Some Final Ramblings)
- Morning: One Last Breakfast, hopefully one last burnt coffee.
- Departure: Goodbye, Inn and Suites! Goodbye, Abilene! You've been… interesting. And that burger? I'll be dreaming of it.
- Messy Thoughts: I should have taken more photos. Should have been more adventurous. Should have worn more sunscreen (ouch).
- Final Honest Assessment: This trip wasn’t perfect. It was a mix of good food, minor annoyances, and unexpected moments of joy. And that, my friends, is what makes travel, and life, worth its salt.
- Post-Trip Assessment: I now know what a perfect burger tastes like, and that in itself makes the trip worthwhile.
- See You Next Time, Abilene!
Unbelievable Abilene Getaway: The Inn & Suites at 34 Fifty! (AKA, Did I Actually Survive?) - FAQs & Ramblings
So, is this place REALLY "unbelievable"?
Okay, alright, deep breath. "Unbelievable" is *a bit* of a stretch. Let's just say my expectations were… adjusted. It's more like "Abilene-ly Functional" or maybe "surprisingly clean-ish." Don't go expecting the Ritz, because, honey, you're not going to find it. But hey, for the price? It's a roof over your head, and in Abilene, that counts for something. My *real* answer? Keep reading. It depends on what you're looking for in a getaway. If you're after "luxury," you'll be disappointed. If you're after "adventure" (of the 'will the hairdryer electrocute me?' variety) you'll be thrilled.
What's the deal with the location? Is it, like, near anything interesting?
Location, location, location, right? Well, 34 Fifty is... *there*. It's on a main road, which is convenient for quick getaways, but less so for a peaceful morning coffee on the balcony (which, by the way, I didn't have). Everything IS a drive away in Abilene, I suppose. I found a decent diner a few minutes away. That place was gold. And the hotel is near a few chain restaurants, a grocery store but not enough to warrant real excitement. You'll be driving, my friend. Embrace the open road – or, you know, just the highway.
The pool! I need to know about the pool! Is it swimmable? Does it resemble a swamp?
Okay, the pool. This deserves its own section, honestly. I went in with low expectations, picturing a murky green puddle. My *honest* opinion? It was… okay. It was clean enough, the water tasted like, well, pool water. Kids were splashing around. There were definitely some questionable leaves at the bottom, but hey, it's an outdoor pool in Texas. What did I expect, a pristine, chlorinated masterpiece? I'm not going to lie. The pool WAS a highlight. After a long day of… well, *waiting* for something to happen in Abilene, it was blissful to take a dip. But that damn leaf situation. Minor thing, all considered, considering what I saw in a gas station bathroom earlier.
Tell me about the breakfast. Free breakfast, I assume? What's the damage?
Ah, the free breakfast. That classic hotel gamble. It's *free*, yes. That's the good news. It's buffet-style, and the options, shall we say, are *limited*. Think: a selection of pre-packaged pastries, a waffle maker (which, I gotta admit, I did try, and barely succeed), some pre-cooked eggs that may or may not have been real (I *think* they were…), and coffee that tasted vaguely of… something. Don't go hungry, but don't expect a culinary revelation. It's fuel for the day, not a gourmet experience. I will give them some credit, though. There was plenty of coffee to jolt me awake.
The room itself – what was it like? Clean? Comfortable? Did it have a ghost?
Okay, let's talk rooms. My room was… adequate. Clean enough. The bed was… a bed. I slept. The sheets smelled like they had been washed at some point in the last decade. The TV worked. There was a working air conditioner that blasted, which was great, given the Texas heat. The bathroom, thankfully, didn't look like a crime scene. As for a ghost? I didn't *see* one, but I *did* hear a strange creaking sound in the middle of the night. Could have been the wind. Could have been a plumbing issue. Could have been Casper's cousin. I don't know, and frankly, I didn't want to find out. I stayed under the covers.
What about the staff? Friendly? Helpful? Did they, like, judge your pajamas?
The staff? Generally friendly. Not overly effusive, but polite and helpful enough. I didn't get the sense that they were judging my pajamas – which, let's be honest, can happen. I had to ask for extra towels. Was no problem. They seemed to have seen it all. I think they have.
Would you go back? Be honest!
Would I go back? Well… maybe. If I absolutely, positively *needed* a cheap place to crash in Abilene, then sure. If I was looking for a luxurious getaway? Absolutely not. It's a perfectly serviceable, if slightly unremarkable, hotel. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's not going to ruin your life either. Honestly, it was an experience. I mean, where else are you going to get a questionable-egg-eating experience and a questionable-leaf-laden pool swim? I survived. And, perhaps, that's the true mark of an unforgettable getaway?
Anything REALLY weird happen? Like, besides the Casper's cousin creaking?
Okay, this is the story that's been brewing in my head since I left. There was this guy. He was, uh, let's just say *eccentric*. He was hanging out near the elevators, wore a bright pink shirt, and kept talking to an imaginary friend. I'm pretty sure he was trying to get my attention. I politely avoided eye contact. It was probably nothing. But… as I was leaving, I saw him again. He nodded to the front desk, as if saying, "She's gone." I swear, I could smell the plot thickening. It was like I was in a bad movie, but in real life. THAT was weird. I'm still wondering about that.
