Red Roof Inn Vermillion: Your Gameday Gateway to USD!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Red Roof Inn Vermillion: Your Gameday Gateway to USD! And let me tell you, I’ve got opinions. This review isn't just gonna be a dry list of amenities; it's gonna be a journey. A slightly disorganized, sometimes-tangential, generally-enthusiastic journey. Let's do this!
Accessibility: (Not skipping this, unlike some reviewers!)
Okay, good start. Red Roof Inn, unlike some cough more glamorous options, actually gets accessibility. I'm not personally in a wheelchair, but it's always a plus to see a place that's not entirely designed by someone who's never experienced the world outside of a perfectly able-bodied perspective. The little things matter, like a decent elevator (essential!), and knowing some rooms are actually designed with accessibility in mind. Solid start, Red Roof. Solid.
Cleanliness and Safety: My Inner Germaphobe is Mostly At Ease (Mostly…)
Listen, 2024 has made us all a little… neurotic about germs, right? I'm perpetually armed with hand sanitizer and a suspicion of everything I touch. But Red Roof Vermillion seems to understand. They're absolutely screaming "We're clean!" from the rooftops, and I appreciate it. They've got all the buzzwords: anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, room sanitization between stays… The whole nine yards. Plus, hand sanitizer everywhere! That's a huge win in my book. (I even saw some rooms are opt-out for cleaning; good for the environment, I guess, though I would never. Just sayin'.) Also: staff trained in safety protocol? Love it. Makes me feel like the place is actually, you know, caring about my well-being.
Now, a bit of a rambling thought here: Are all the staff really trained? I mean, some folks just… don't "get it", y'know? But the idea is there, and that's what counts.
Internet & Techy Stuff: Wi-Fi for the Win, Obviously
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Praise be! Look, I can't function without the internet. I'm a writer… a professional internet user if you will. And the thought of paying extra for Wi-Fi makes me want to… well, let's just say it makes me cranky. The fact that they offer Internet access – LAN is a nice touch, for those who are still rocking the old-school wired connection (respect!), but for everyone else, the free Wi-Fi is a lifesaver. It’s a must. And it works! (I hate when the Wi-Fi is a lie. Seriously, it's like a personal insult.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: More Than Just a Continental Breakfast (Hopefully)
Okay, let’s be real: I'm always hungry. Always. Red Roof Inn Vermillion has… a decent setup, according to the list. Breakfast [buffet]? Okay, I’m in. Buffet time is basically the pinnacle of dining achievement, and a Western breakfast is a MUST! Also, the lack of specific details makes me slightly nervous. Is it a sad, sad continental breakfast of stale bagels and weak coffee? Or are we talking waffles, scrambled eggs, and maybe even bacon? The suspense is killing me…
The mention of "alternative meal arrangement" has me intrigued. Am I guessing right? Is the hotel flexible with dietary needs? Or is it just another vague, unhelpful statement? I want to know!
The Poolside bar is interesting, too. While I doubt Red Roof has a luxury outdoor bar, imagine relaxing by the pool with a cocktail, even if the pool is not the most scenic.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Let’s Get Real: We’re Here For the Game!)
Okay, let's be honest: Red Roof Inn Vermillion is not a spa resort. This is USD territory! This is gameday central. But some things are mentioned: Fitness center (meh, maybe I'll pretend to go once), Sauna and Spa seems a slight reach? I mean, it IS mentioned, but still…
Services and Conveniences: Little Things That Matter
The basics are covered, thank goodness. Air conditioning? Check. Elevator? Check (thank god!). Daily housekeeping? Check (yes!). Free car park? YES. This is a huge plus, particularly for gameday, where parking at the University of South Dakota can transform into an actual sport. Laundry service? Essential for a messy traveler like myself. And a convenience store? Always a lifesaver for those late-night snack cravings and forgotten essentials. And the idea of a concierge makes it feel a little bit fancy, even if it’s a very basic, accessible hotel.
For the Kids: Family Friendly Feels
Babysitting service? Family/child friendly? Kids meal? Okay, this is good stuff. Red Roof is clearly trying to appeal to families, and that’s awesome. Gotta love a place that recognizes that not everyone travels like a lone wolf.
Getting Around: (Car Parking is King!)
Free car park? Already mentioned, but worth repeating. It’s a huge benefit for gameday visits. Car charging station? Oh snap! That's a super modern touch, Red Roof! I'm impressed. Taxis are available too, but let’s be real: Vermillion is pretty much about the car.
Available in All Rooms: What's Actually IN the Room?
Okay, this is where we really get down to brass tacks. And here's where all the details make a difference.
- Air conditioning: Phew! Very necessary.
- Alarm clock: Essential, unless you want to miss all the kickoffs.
- Bathrobes: A touch of luxury? Nice!
- Bathroom phone: Interesting… (I’d probably accidentally call someone, for sure.)
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for those afternoon naps after… you know… celebrating.
- Coffee/tea maker: HUGE. Caffeine is life.
- Free bottled water: Excellent! (Save me from the tap water!)
- Hair dryer: Yes! Saves on suitcase space.
- Desk: Another win - especially if you, like me, need a space to work (or, uh… surf the net).
- In-room safe box: Always a good idea for peace of mind.
- Internet access – wireless: Back to Wi-Fi. Love you, Wi-Fi.
- Ironing facilities: A must to get ready for the big game.
- Refrigerator: Perfect for cold drinks and leftovers… and maybe some beer.
- Satellite/cable channels: Crucial for catching the pre-game analysis… and binging all the reality TV shows after a tough loss.
- Shower: A necessity.
- Smoke detector: Safety first!
- Toiletries: Always appreciated.
- Wi-Fi [free]: See above.
My Verdict: The Gameday MVP? (Maybe!)
Look, Red Roof Inn Vermillion isn't the Four Seasons. But it is clean, convenient, and surprisingly well-equipped. It's clearly geared towards the gameday crowd, and that’s exactly what I need. I haven't lived here, I haven't even seen the place, but the list says "gameday gateway" and that's what I'm looking for.
However… I gotta emphasize, this is just theoretical. Can't be fully sure until I'm there, sipping a lukewarm beer, watching the game on the (hopefully) decent TV, and judging that breakfast buffet for myself.
But for the price, the free parking, and the free Wi-Fi, I'm leaning towards a solid recommendation. It's a practical choice, and in Vermillion, being practical is often a winning strategy.
My Offer: The Gameday Getaway Package!
Here's what I'd love to see Red Roof Inn Vermillion offer. Something like this:
THE RED ROOF INN VERMILLION GAMEDAY GETAWAY PACKAGE!
Includes:
- Two nights' accommodation in a non-smoking room (duh!).
- Free parking – because you'll need it!
- Complimentary breakfast buffet – fuel up for the fight!
- Free Wi-Fi in your room – stay connected even during the biggest plays.
- Late check-out on Sunday (because you'll need to rest!)
- A coupon for a discounted appetizer at a local restaurant (because gameday calls for snacks).
**Book now with the promo code: GOBULLDOGS and get…
Okay, buckle up Buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is Red Roof Inn Vermillion: Survival Mode, South Dakota Edition. Get ready for a glorious mess.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of Beige
1:00 PM: Land in Sioux Falls (FSD). Okay, first hurdle: the airport. It’s fine. Beige. Beige everywhere. Seriously, is there a city ordinance requiring architectural beige? I swear I saw a tumbleweed made of…beige. My rental car (a minivan shaped like a sad shoe) is waiting. Cue the initial pang of, "Did I really need to come to South Dakota?" The answer is, probably not. But here we are.
2:30 PM: Drive to Vermillion. The scenery? Vast, flat, and mostly…beige. Fields of something. Cows, maybe? I don't know. I'm a city mouse, okay? I'm judging the cows silently from the safety of my beige rental shoe. The existential dread starts to seep in. Is this what America is?
4:00 PM: Check in at the Red Roof Inn. (It's red! A beacon of…some kind of hope? Or just a visual break from the beige?) My room? Surprisingly clean. But the smell…is it stale air freshener? Or the lingering perfume of a thousand weary travelers? Unclear. I plop my bag down, feeling a profound sense of…nothingness. This feeling that I have to come up with something interesting to spend my trip on, seems to have hit me.
4:30 PM: Struggle with the TV remote. It's like a riddle. And I, apparently, lack the decoder ring. Eventually, I get it working and find myself watching reruns of… Judge Judy. Yep. This is the American dream. Judge Judy.
5:30 PM: A desperate search for a decent coffee. The hotel coffee machine has gone rogue. It smells of burnt coffee and…regret. (Again with the regret!) I stumble upon a gas station, and the coffee there is …surprisingly robust. Victory! Small ones, folks. Small ones.
6:00 PM: Dinner. I'm starving and start walking toward the center of town, hoping for some quirky, local flavor. Suddenly, a large person of the town stops me on the block and says, "You lookin' for some grub? I know about a diner downtown." I ask where it is, and they tell me to go to the end of the block and make a right. Fine, I think. So I start walking, but the person comes up next to me and says "It's a little further than you think". (this happens like three times). I come to find out this person is just trying to play a game. "I am not playing this game; I am so hungry" I exclaim. The diner is all the way down the street and the person that had been following me quickly disappeared as if they'd been a ghost. The diner is called "The Coyote Cafe". It smells of frying things and that lovely, slightly greasy air that only diners can create. I order a burger. It's…fine. The waitress is friendly. This is South Dakota. I get the vibes.
7:30 PM: Back at the Red Roof Inn, the TV is staring back at me. I feel a weird kinship with Judge Judy. We’re both survivors, clinging to sanity one harsh ruling at a time. I'm starting to question the decisions that have led me here.
8:30 PM: Bed. Exhausted. The blanket is scratchy, the pillow is…questionable. But at least it's quiet. And the beige is fading in the darkness.
Day 2: The University and the River (or, My Descent into Nature)
8:00 AM: Wake up. The sun is bright (shocking, in South Dakota, I know). The coffee (from last night's gas station haul) is… drinkable. Progress. Suddenly, my phone buzzes with a notification that shows I walked by some sort of church that was very large and had a steeple, but I have no memory of walking by.
9:00 AM: Visit the University of South Dakota. The campus is pretty, in a… collegiate way. I wander around, feeling old and out of place. I make my way towards the old buildings, which are beautiful. I try to imagine myself as a student. I can't. I'm too jaded. Besides, all the students look so damn young.
10:00 AM: I went into the library and started reading a book. I like books, but I don't like reading them. But I sit down and start reading.
12:00 PM: Lunch. I grab a burger at a place that looked like it had a history, or something. It felt more like a restaurant than a diner, which was a nice surprise. Good burger, but the waitress was clearly having a bad day. I think she hated me.
1:30 PM: The Missouri River! I drive to the river. The water looks brown and…massive. I stare at the water for a long time. I feel a strange mix of awe and…fear. The Midwest is so flat, and the water is moving. I find a trail, I start walking. I hear the bugs. They're loud. So many bugs. I get bit by a couple of them, and quickly decide I'm not a nature person. I got lost. I couldn't find the path so I had to go back, and then I got even more lost. I try to find my direction with a compass. It takes me in circles. The sun is setting. I start to panic. All I did was stare at some brown water. I did not have a good time. I decide to leave.
5:00 PM: Back at the Red Roof Inn. Shower. Hot water. Bless the universe.
6:00 PM: I order pizza. They deliver. This is important information. I watch more TV. I fall asleep.
7:00 PM: Wake up. Eat pizza.
9:00 PM: Watch garbage TV. The TV is a friend, as it turns out. It doesn't judge me. It lets me passively ingest mindless entertainment.
10:00 PM: Bed.
Day 3: Departure and Reflections on Beige
7:00 AM: Wake up. I didn't have a bad time. I just wasn't having the best time. I have an idea of a new path. I didn't get to see everything.
8:00 AM: Check out of the Red Roof Inn. Farewell, beige bastion. I wouldn't say that it has been a glorious time. The room was fine, the coffee was good, and the people were nice. I will have to remember those things.
9:00 AM: Drive back to Sioux Falls airport. The vastness of the land feels less threatening now. Maybe.
10:30 AM: Airport. Beige, again. I'm tired. I'm hungry. I just want to go home.
12:00 PM: On the plane. Take off. Looking out the window. South Dakota is receding in the distance, a patchwork of beige and… well, more beige.
1:00 PM: Land at home. Home is good.
2:00 PM: Reflection. Did I learn anything? Probably not. Am I glad I went? Probably not. Will I remember South Dakota? Definitely. The beige will linger in my memory, a testament to the land's quiet, unyielding…well, you get the idea. It was an experience. And that, in itself, is something, right? Right? Send help.
Red Roof Inn Vermillion: Your Gameday Gateway... Or Maybe Not? (FAQs, with a side of Real Talk)
Is the Red Roof Inn Vermillion *really* close to the University of South Dakota? Like, can I stumble back after celebrating a big win?
What's the deal with the free breakfast? Is it, you know, *edible*?
Do they allow pets? My furry friend is basically my co-pilot for gamedays.
The reviews mention "occasional noise issues". What's that about? Are we talking party-till-dawn loud, or just-a-little-bit-of-neighbor-noise loud?
How's the parking situation? Is it a free-for-all, or will I have to circle the block for an hour?
What are the rooms like? Are they clean?
Are there any restaurants or bars nearby? Where should I grab a pre-game meal?
Overall, is the Red Roof Inn Vermillion a good choice for a USD gameday weekend? Should I book it?
