Ames ISU Gameday Getaway: Quality Inn & Suites!
Ames ISU Gameday Getaway: Quality Inn & Suites! - A Totally Honest Review (with a few tangents, naturally)
Alright, folks, let's dive headfirst into the vortex of Ames, Iowa, and especially, the thrilling prospect of a Gameday Getaway at the Quality Inn & Suites. I’m not gonna lie, I approached this with a healthy dose of skepticism. Quality Inn? Ames? Gameday chaos? My expectations were… tempered. But, surprise! (Spoiler alert: It wasn't all bad!).
First Impressions (and the Great Accessibility Debate):
Okay, let's be real, the exterior of the Quality Inn isn’t going to win any architectural awards. It’s… functional. But hey, we're here for the game, right? And honestly, the accessibility stuff immediately caught my eye. The ramps were clearly marked, the elevators were working (praise the travel gods!), and I saw people using them without any issues. It’s a massive win in my book because it means everyone, regardless of ability can enjoy their getaway without unnecessary hassle.
Accessibility (Deep Dive):
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yep, definitely. I saw plenty of folks using wheelchairs and seemed to navigate the common areas and the rooms without a problem. This alone earns them some serious points.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They do cater to this, which is fantastic. I didn't personally use them, but it's reassuring to know they're there.
- Elevator: Very important, and yes, it's up and running
- Exterior Corridor: Didn't appreciate this initially, but then remembered how much easier it is to find my room after watching a game; great for quickly heading out to find a bite and a beverage.
Room Rundown (and My Battle with the Blackout Curtains):
My room? Let’s be real, it's a Quality Inn room. It’s comfortable without being luxurious. I got the standard: a comfy bed (extra points for the extra-long bed, because hello space!), a decent-sized TV, and… gasp… actual blackout curtains. Now, I'm a light sleeper. I need those blackout curtains. But, and this is a minor gripe (but a real one), they were a little… stubborn. I wrestled with them every morning to make sure I got maximum darkness. Minor inconvenience, but worth mentioning.
- Wi-Fi [Free!] and Internet Access: Yes, yes, and YES! Free Wi-Fi in the room and everywhere else. This is essential for, you know, not missing a touchdown, checking our social media updates, or doing some remote work.
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Essential for that pre-game buzz, or that sad post-game reflection.
- Refrigerator: A lifesaver for storing those crucial game-day snacks and drinks.
- Air Conditioning: You betcha! Iowa summers can get brutal.
- Additional Toilet: Very important - I have to be honest - the single reason this is so important is that on gamedays, you gotta move quick!
- Bathrobes and Slippers: No, I did not find this, and honestly, I wasn't expecting it.
- Soundproofing: Considering it’s a gameday hotel, it's surprisingly good.
Eating, Drinking, and Snacking (The Fueling Station):
This is where things get interesting. Gameday hotel eats are crucial. The Quality Inn had a breakfast buffet. I went on day where the the buffet was so bad it made me chuckle. But, I can say that the coffee was solid. I was not in the mood for the so-called "Asian breakfast" but I believe if you get there early, the food is better.
- Breakfast [Buffet]: It's standard fare, which is fine if you just want a quick bite, but do not expect too much from it.
- Coffee/Tea in Restaurant: Necessary, good, and it gets you going.
- Room service [24-hour]: It's a Quality Inn, let's be reasonable.
- Snack Bar: There's a small one, perfect for when you need a quick sugar fix between plays.
Things to Do (Beyond the Game… Yeah, Right):
Let's be honest, if you're here for a Gameday Getaway, you're here for the game. But, in case you need something to do, The hotel has a fitness center, sauna and swimming pool.
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: It's a great way to unwind after a tough loss (or celebrate a glorious victory!).
- Fitness center: If you're the type who can actually motivate yourself on a gameday, good for you. I just want to eat a hot dog.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, you know, We're Living in a World):
This is where the Quality Inn really shines! They seem to have taken every precaution under the sun.
- Hand Sanitizer: Everywhere you look!
- Daily Disinfection in Common Areas: Check!
- Rooms Sanitized Between Stays: Absolutely critical.
- Staff Trained in Safety Protocol: I definitely felt comfortable.
- Anti-viral Cleaning Products: Yay, science!
- Cashless Payment Service: Efficient and convenient.
Services and Conveniences (The Nitty-Gritty):
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a plus, especially when you're stumbling back after a winning game.
- Laundry service: Godsend if you are there for more than one day
- Elevator: See above.
- Free Car Park: Amazing - who wants to worry about parking on gameday?
- Concierge: It's not a Ritz Carlton, but worth it for questions.
For the Kids (Bless Their Hearts):
- Family/child-friendly: I didn't travel with my kids, but it seemed like a perfectly acceptable place to bring them.
- Babysitting service: Maybe they have this. I don't know.
Getting Around (Navigating Ames):
- Car park [on-site]: Free parking is a LIFE SAVER during gameday.
- Taxi service: Available and generally easy to flag down.
The Verdict (and My Unsolicited Opinion):
Okay, so here's the deal. The Ames ISU Gameday Getaway at the Quality Inn & Suites isn't the most glamorous place you'll ever stay. It's not a luxury resort. But, it's clean, it's safe, it's accessible, and most importantly, it's perfectly functional for a gameday experience. The staff are friendly, it's got all the basic necessities, and the free Wi-Fi is a godsend. Don't go in expecting a palace, and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Here's My Anecdotal Review:
I will say this - there was a group of us. We were all pretty rowdy, and we were coming back to the hotel after a game and we're all starving. We were yelling and laughing and it the staff were incredibly patient and friendly. Another time, I saw a family on the ramp, struggling with a wheelchair, and the staff member quickly helped them. It's those kinds of little things that really make this place stand out.
Quirky Observation:
The elevator music? Oddly soothing after a brutal loss.
Rating: 7.5/10 - Would definitely stay again for a gameday experience.
The Offer (Because, Let's Face It, You Want One):
Stop Guessing, Start Winning! Book Your Ames ISU Gameday Getaway at the Quality Inn & Suites Today!
Tired of the gameday chaos? Want a convenient, stress-free basecamp for your Cyclone adventures? Look no further! The Quality Inn & Suites in Ames offers:
- Prime Location: Close to everything, making gameday logistics a breeze.
- Free High-Speed Wi-Fi: Stay connected and share those epic moments.
- Clean, Comfortable Rooms: Relax and recharge after a day of cheering.
- Free Parking: No more circling the block on gameday!
- Accessibility for Everyone: Ensuring a comfortable stay for all.
- Safety First: Rigorous cleaning and safety protocols so you can focus on the fun.
- Breakfast [Buffet]-Get your day off to the right start
Book now for a limited-time discount! Don’t miss out – Ames gamedays fill up FAST! Visit [Hotel's website link] or call [Hotel's phone number] to secure your spot and cheer on the Cyclones in style!
Escape to the Cascade Mountains: Your Cozy Cle Elum Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn’t your grandma's itinerary. This is my attempt to navigate the concrete jungle (okay, Ames, Iowa, so more like a concrete cow pasture) of the Quality Inn & Suites Ames Conference Center Near ISU Campus. Prepare for emotional whiplash, questionable decisions, and the unwavering hope that I don't accidentally eat the hotel soap.
Day 1: Arrival, Apprehension, and the Quest for Decent Coffee
1:00 PM: Arrival - The Great Check-In Gamble. Okay, confession time: I'm chronically early. Always have been. Arriving in Ames with the grace of a newborn giraffe, I practically sprinted (okay, maybe a brisk walk) to the front desk, clutching my pre-booked reservation. This whole "conference" thing is a bit of a blur – something about sustainable widgets or whatever. Honestly, I'm here for the free continental breakfast. Anyway, the check-in lady, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen a thousand tourists just like me, each equally eager to unleash at the hotel. Luckily, she had a room ready. Phew! First hurdle cleared.
1:30 PM: Room Reconnaissance – A Love/Hate Affair. My room. It's… beige. Beige, beige, everywhere. It’s the official color of “meh.” The bedspread looked like it had been in active service since the Eisenhower administration, but the AC worked (thank you, holy air conditioning gods!). A quick inspection: no obvious signs of infestation. Score! I unpacked, instantly regretting the three oversized sweaters I’d packed “just in case” it snowed in Iowa.
2:30 PM: The Coffee Crisis. This is where things went south. Hotel coffee. It’s a gamble, a roll of the dice, a battle against the forces of… well, bad coffee. I bravely ventured to the "breakfast" area, located in the hallway. The coffee? Lukewarm, weak, and tasting suspiciously like sadness. My soul sank. I guess I'll be relying on my emergency stash of instant coffee. This is going to be a long conference.
3:00 PM: Conference Kick-Off – Fake Enthusiasm Fuelled by Caffeine Deprivation. The first session started. The keynote speaker, a man with a voice that could lull a ravenous bear to sleep (and it almost did…), droned on about "synergy" and "innovative solutions." I doodled landscapes of tiny penguins in my notebook, attempting to remain awake.
5:00 PM: The Quest for Dinner – Ames, Where Art Thou, Deliciousness? Okay, time for dinner. I figured I’d be adventurous and try a local restaurant. My phone search directed me towards a "highly-rated" diner a mile away. I walked - partly to be active, partly to get away from the beige.
- 6:00 PM: The Diner Debacle. The diner. Let's just say that the "highly-rated" review must have been written by a very, very hungry (and possibly tipsy) person. The burger was okay, the fries were flaccid, and the waitress, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen a ghost when I asked for a refill. Ah well. I'm sure there are better places.
8:00 PM: The Hotel Bar – My New Best Friend. Okay, so this hotel has a bar, which might be my saving grace. After spending most of my day trying to stave off an existential crisis, I found myself seated in a dimly lit corner, ordering a beer and hoping against hope that it would wash away the taste of diner fries. Turns out, the bartender was a local college kid full of stories, which more than made up for the fact that all the beers tasted roughly the same and, you know, tasted. I chatted with people. I learned things. The world, for a few glorious hours, wasn't beige.
Day 2: Conference Fatigue, Unexpected Delights, and Pancake Panic.
7:00 AM: The Perilous Breakfast - A Repeat Offense. Back to the "breakfast" area. I eyed the coffee warily. Decided on a tea. As I was getting my tea, I saw a woman grab a whole stack of the "breakfast sandwiches" and fill her bag with them. Seriously? This felt like a game of survival.
8:00 AM: Another Endless Session - My Brain Is Turning to Mush. Another round of the same, except my brain was now turning into a beige mush of conference words. I had the urge to scream "Sustainability is stupid!"
12:00 AM: Lunch, A Moment of Grace I was lucky enough to get a nice lunch, the hotel did well, it was the best meal of the trip.
1:00 PM: The Afternoon Session - The Rise of the Nap. After lunch, I was practically drooling. The speaker was speaking in tongues as far I was concerned. I had to fight the urge to pass out right there.
4:00: Escape! - A Walkabout and Some Peace of Mind. The sessions ended! I went for a walk. I needed fresh air and a break from the conference. I walked around the Iowa State University campus (which at least wasn’t beige!), soaking up the sunshine. I even found a charming little bookshop and bought a giant bag of M&Ms as a reward.
5:00 PM: - Dinner and a Movie. (A Movie, Please!) Found a casual restaurant, and the food was amazing! Then, back the hotel to watch a movie.
8:00 PM: - Early to bed: I'm beat.
Day 3: Departure – Victory! (And a Mild Coffee Hangover)
7:00 AM: Breakfast - The Final Stand. I faced the breakfast buffet with the bravery of a seasoned warrior - and decided to skip the coffee. The selection was the same as the other days, and I was ready to just not engage.
8:00 AM: The Final Session… Thank Goodness. Somehow, I survived the final session. The speaker was… well, at least it was almost over.
9:00 AM: Check-Out - Sweet, Sweet Freedom! Check-out was painless. I grabbed my bags, gave the beige room one last, longing glance, and walked towards the exit with the gait of a newly freed prisoner.
9:30 AM: Departure – Iowa in The Rearview. As I drove away, I thought, "Well, Iowa, that… was an experience." On the plus side, the conference was over, and my emergency stash of instant coffee survived the ordeal. I'm pretty sure a trip to Ames, Iowa, is exactly what I needed to remind me of how good I have it at home.
Ames ISU Gameday Getaway at the Quality Inn & Suites: Your Brain-Sizzlingly Honest FAQ
Is this place REALLY "quality"? 'Cause, you know, motel rooms...
Alright, let's be real. "Quality Inn" doesn't exactly scream "luxury retreat," does it? My expectations were... tempered. Think "clean enough to sleep in, but don't look *too* closely at the grout." And honestly? It was *mostly* fine. Like, the sheets were clean. Which is a game-changer, let me tell you. I *did* find a stray pretzel under the couch... a *tiny* pretzel. Maybe from a previous, wildly enthusiastic Cyclone fan's game-day pre-party? But hey, character, right? And the water pressure in the shower? Surprisingly, shockingly... good. I'm not saying it's the Ritz, but for a gameday weekend and that price point? Yeah. "Quality" enough. (That pretzel, though... still haunts me a little.)
Speaking of rooms, what's the room situation like with these gameday packages?
Okay, so the rooms... they're standard motel fare. Not expansive, but serviceable. You're not exactly getting a suite fit for a king, but hey, you're not *paying* for one either. I'd recommend booking well in advance, because those gameday packages can get *snapped* up. And the earlier you book, the better chance you have of snagging one of those rooms *not* right next to the ice machine. Seriously, that thing runs all night. I thought I was living in the Arctic Circle. I swear I heard a polar bear snore. (Okay, maybe not, but it's LOUD.) So, yeah, book early, bring earplugs just in case, and pray to whichever deity handles hotel room assignments.
Is breakfast included? If so, tell me the *truth* about it. Because hotel breakfasts are a gamble.
Oh, GOD, the breakfast. Yes, it's included. Prepare yourself. It’s the classic hotel breakfast buffet experience: think lukewarm scrambled eggs of indeterminate origin, slightly-too-sweet pastries that tempt you with false promises, and a waffle maker that’s always either clogged or spitting out perfectly formed golden-brown delights. It's a crapshoot. One morning, the coffee was *undrinkable*. I'm talking, tasted like it was brewed in a rusted-out bucket. The next day? Actually... pretty decent! They had (gasp!) fresh fruit *and* the waffles were behaving! My advice? Manage your expectations. Treat it as fuel, not gourmet cuisine. Load up on the things you can't mess up (cereal, yogurt, fruit if they have it) and try to find joy in the absurdity of it all. And coffee... bring your own instant. Just trust me.
Location, location, location... How close ARE we to Jack Trice Stadium? Really?
Okay, so this is actually a big win. The Quality Inn & Suites in Ames is *pretty* darn close to the stadium. Walking distance? Maybe, if you're REALLY determined (and have good shoes and a strong desire to stretch your legs for a good while). Definitely a short drive or a quick ride-share. Which is HUGE on gameday. Parking near the stadium is a NIGHTMARE. Seriously. I've circled the parking lots for an hour before. Been there, done that, got the icy stares from the tailgate veterans. The convenient location is one of the biggest selling points. You get to avoid the hellscape that is gameday traffic. Thank the football gods for that. Seriously.
Are there any other amenities? Like, a pool? And what about a bar? (Priorities.)
Let's see... there *is* a pool. I didn't actually *use* it, because, well, gameday weekends are for, you know, *football*. But it looked... cleanish? And there's a gym, too, if you're the kind of person who works out on a gameday weekend. (I am not. My exercise involves vigorously cheering.) And, yes! (Drumroll, please!) There is *indeed* a bar/lounge. It's not a high-class establishment. This is Iowa, not Monaco. But it's a perfectly acceptable place to pre-game (or, you know, post-game commiserate). They usually have some basic beers on tap and a few cocktails. It’s the perfect spot to celebrate a Cyclone victory (fingers crossed!). Just be warned: it *can* get crowded. Especially after a big win. And the karaoke? Oh, the karaoke is a memory for the ages...
Speaking of gamedays, can they handle the chaos? The *intensity*?
Oh, yeah. They’ve seen it all. They know what's coming. The staff at the Quality Inn is used to it. They're used to the hordes of screaming fans, the red and yellow everywhere, the post-game celebrations (and the occasional, shall we say, *disappointed* grumbles). They're pretty good about keeping things running smoothly, even when things get a little... rowdy. I witnessed a minor bathroom incident involving a rogue nacho and a particularly exuberant touchdown celebration. They handled it with impressive aplomb. So, yeah, they can handle the chaos. Just be respectful, people. And try to keep the nacho-related incidents to a minimum.
Is it a good value? Are you seriously considering going back? spill the beans.
Alright, the million-dollar question: is it worth it? Look, gameday weekends are *expensive*. Period. Flights, tickets, food, drinks… It all adds up. The Quality Inn & Suites, for what you get, is pretty solid value. It's not breaking the bank, and it gets you close to the action without the premium price tag of some of the fancier hotels. And yes, I *would* go back. I'm already tentatively planning my trip for next season! Even with the potentially questionable breakfast, and the persistent ice machine, and the stray pretzels, it's a good, dependable option. Plus, the memories… oh, the memories. (And the karaoke... dear god, the karaoke…) Plus, the Cyclone spirit is contagious – even in a slightly worn motel room. So yeah, I'm in. Go Cyclones! (And maybe pack your own coffee maker.)
