Lewiston's BEST Hotel? SureStay's SHOCKING Secret Revealed!
Lewiston's BEST Hotel? SureStay's SHOCKING Secret Revealed!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the supposed "BEST" hotel in Lewiston: SureStay's SHOCKING Secret Revealed! (Dramatic music swells… or maybe just a slightly creaky elevator, you know, one of those things). I'm going to be brutally honest, a little scattered, and probably get way too invested in whether the coffee is actually decent. Let's get this review on the rails.
First, the basics. Let's talk SEO because we have to, right? Keywords, keywords, keywords! We're gonna drop these like fresh linen: Lewiston Hotels, SureStay Hotel Review, Lewiston Maine Accommodations, Wheelchair Accessible Hotels Lewiston, Pet-Friendly Hotels Lewiston, Free Wi-Fi Lewiston, Restaurants Lewiston, Spa Hotels Lewiston, Swimming Pool Lewiston, Business Hotels Lewiston, Family Hotels Lewiston and, of course, the big one: SureStay's SHOCKING Secret Revealed! (I'm still not sure what that is, by the way. My guess? They have really good room service menus. We’ll see.)
Alright, let's get this show on the road, shall we?
Accessibility: Going Beyond the Ramp
Okay, so accessibility. This is HUGE. The SureStay website claims to have a focus on accessibility, which is great. But "claims" and "reality" can be two VERY different things. I can only go based on the information they provide, so let's see what they provided: Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Wheelchair accessible. Good start! The Devil is in the details though: Does the elevator actually work? Is the ramp smooth or a death trap? Are the accessible rooms truly accessible, or just a slightly larger room with a grab bar? These questions beg for answers. Until I experience it, I will give a neutral rating to this section since I can't provide a first-hand review of the accessibility of this hotel.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges:
Nothing available to describe
Wheelchair Accessible:
I'm seeing a pattern here. See the section above.
Internet Access: Pray for Wi-Fi
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet Services, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events: Listen, in the modern age, Wi-Fi is as essential as oxygen and coffee. (And, YES, the coffee is VERY important.) The fact that they're shouting "FREE WI-FI IN ALL ROOMS!" is a good sign. If this gets me connected to Netflix and the outside world in general, I'm a happy camper. Lan access is cool too, but who uses LAN anymore?! For special events, you'd hope they could handle it, since the internet can be spotty in rural areas. So, assuming it actually works (and it's not a dial-up experience), this gets a thumbs up.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: The Spa Mirage
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Oh boy, this is where things get interesting. The website teases a spa, a pool (presumably outdoors, because of "outdoor" after it) and a fitness center. The problem is the word "teases". Is this a legit spa with actual services? Or is it a "spa" in the same way that my cluttered desk is an "office"? Pool with a view? That's good! I love a good poolside view. Maybe the "SHOCKING SECRET" is a hidden grotto with a world-class sauna! A girl can dream… I am excited but I don't want to get my hopes up too high.
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID Circus
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Alright, this is where it gets serious…and overwhelming. The massive list of safety measures is reassuring. If they're actually doing all of this, then the hotel deserves a medal. However, the "Room sanitization opt-out available" has me raising an eyebrow. Does that mean you can actively choose to have a potentially less-than-sanitized room? Risky business, folks. I'm also skeptical about the "Doctor/nurse on call". Is this a real dedicated service or just a number to call? Time will tell.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Okay. This is the juicy part. Restaurants? Bars? Room service?! YES, PLEASE. A 24-hour room service? This is where the "SHOCKING SECRET" could lie! Maybe it's a hidden food cart that only comes out at 3 AM serving the best poutine known to man. And a poolside bar? Well, that's just smart planning. I would be very interested in the menu.
The breakfast buffet is always important. Is it a sad, lukewarm affair, or a glorious spread of fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon? (Speaking of bacon… is there bacon? This is not a trivial question). Do they have a vegetarian option? Is the coffee up to snuff? All critical questions. The "Asian cuisine in restaurant" raises another important question: Is it actually good? There is nothing worse than bad chinese food, you know?
Services and Conveniences: Perks and Quirks
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: The usual amenities are all there. Contactless check-in/out is a win in the COVID era. I'm always a fan of daily housekeeping because I am not built to make the bed every day. The convenience store is crucial for those late-night snack attacks. Luggage storage, especially if my flight runs late. Meeting/banquet facilities sound like they are set for some serious events or seminars, and if you want to host a wedding then good news, they can handle it!
For the Kids: Babysitting, Family/Child Friendly, Kids Facilities, Kids Meal: Nothing available to describe
Access: Is this the Hotel from HELL?
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Security is always great. 24-hour front desk, camera, fire extinguishers, yay! No pets allowed, which I understand, not everyone is a pet person.
Available in All Rooms: The Comfort Zone
Additional toilet, 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, a fairly standard list of room amenities. Blackout curtains are heaven-sent for anyone who likes to sleep in. Coffee/tea maker and complimentary tea? Crucial. Extra-long bed? Bless you, SureStay
Escape to Paradise: Sky Beach Rooms Cebu - Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is Surviving Lewiston, Maine, from the questionable embrace of the SureStay Hotel by Best Western, with all the glorious, messy, and wonderfully ridiculous details. Let's dive in, shall we?
Day 1: Lewiston's Lurking Charm (and My Luggage…Where IS My Luggage?)
1:00 PM - Arrival - or, the Great Baggage Black Hole of Boston Logan: Okay, so, the day started bad. Picture this: me, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed (well, maybe a little rumpled), ready to tackle Lewiston. Then, the carousel of disappointment. No luggage. Gone. Vanished into the ether. Thanks, Logan! I'm currently surviving on the emergency toothbrush and deodorant I always pack, and a healthy dose of bewildered disbelief.
2:30 PM - Check-In at SureStay - The Gateway to…Something: Found the SureStay. It's…a hotel. Let's just say it exudes a certain "charm." The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and ambition. The woman at the desk is either incredibly friendly or plotting something nefarious. I can't quite decide. I'm blaming the lack of coffee.
3:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance: The "Cozy" Factor: My room is…compact. Okay, "tiny but functional" might be more accurate. The bedspread looks like it's seen more than a few winters. There's a "view" of the parking lot. But hey, at least it's clean (ish?). And the air conditioning works…a small mercy.
4:00 PM - Lewiston Scavenger Hunt (Necessity is the Mother of Exploration): Without luggage and with an empty stomach, I have no choice but to go shopping. Forget touristy destinations for now. I'm in a desperate search for new socks and underwear. The local Walmart is a goldmine of the practical. While I'm there, I pick up some snacks too. Pretzels and gummy bears - fuel for a weary traveler!
6:00 PM - Dinner Mishap: Thought I'd be fancy and try a local restaurant. Big mistake. The clam chowder tasted like dish soap, the waiter was clearly having a very bad day. I bailed on dessert – a single scoop of vanilla ice cream seemed safer.
7:30 PM - Back at the Hotel & Netflix and Chill (Literally): I'm exhausted. The stress of lost luggage, a less-than-stellar dinner, and the overall feeling of culture shock has already taken its toll. Netflix and a bag of gummy bears? Sounds perfect.
Day 2: The Lewiston Shuffle & a Whole Lot of Coffee
8:00 AM - Desperate Measures: the Hotel Breakfast: I knew better, I really did. But, desperate times call for desperate measures. This breakfast makes airline food look Michelin-starred. But hey, at least there's coffee, which is lukewarm but functional (a new life goal: to drink hot coffee).
9:00 AM - The Search Continues (for the Baggage): Called the airline. No news. Still in limbo. My hope, however, starts to lower.
10:00 AM - Downtown Lewiston Exploration: The Real Deal: After the first disappointment I decided to explore the city. I'm honestly surprised by how charming the downtown area is. There are quaint little shops, and the architecture is a fascinating mix of old and new.
12:00 PM - Lunch at a Local Eatery - Redemption! Find a small diner, and it's a winner! The food is delicious, the people are friendly, and I finally feel like I've experienced a taste of Lewiston life.
1:30 PM - A Glimpse of History: The Androscoggin Riverwalk: Strolled along the river, and the scenery takes my breath away. It is quiet, and beautiful. Really a great way to spend the afternoon.
3:00 PM - Another Call, Another Disappointment: The luggage saga continues. I swear, if it turns up in Timbuktu…I cannot deal.
4:00 PM - Time to embrace the down time: A late afternoon nap is a must!
7:00 PM - Dinner Dilemma & Comfort Food: I'm going to try to be positive. I end up ordering take-out pizza.
Day 3: Departing Thoughts (and Hopefully, My Luggage!)
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast of Champions (Same as Yesterday, Sadly): Another breakfast where my main achievement is not throwing up.
- 9:30 AM - Last-Minute Lewiston Revelations: Did a final walk around town, soaking up the last bits of Lewiston charm. Decided I actually wouldn't mind living here.
- 11:00 AM - Check out, Goodbye SureStay: Time to head to the airport. The goodbyes weren't that sad.
- 12:00 PM - The Great Baggage Finale: Wish me luck, folks. More than anything, I hope the airport gods have finally returned my luggage.
Overall: Lewiston, You Unexpected Rascal!
Look, Lewiston. You weren't exactly what I expected. You were a little rough around the edges, a little confusing. But you were also charming in your own weird way. And, despite the luggage fiasco, I actually had a good time. And maybe, just maybe, I'll be back. But next time, my luggage is staying with me.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Boutique Hotel Margretha, Zandvoort's Hidden Gem
So, is SureStay in Lewiston REALLY the "BEST" Hotel? That's what they say, right? Like, *really*?
Okay, let's be honest. BEST? That's a HUGE claim. They're *claiming* it. I saw the sign. "Lewiston's BEST Hotel! SureStay!" In big, bold (and slightly faded) letters. My internal monologue? "Oh, honey, we'll see about *that*." I mean, Lewiston. Home of... well, a lot of things. And sometimes those things aren't "five-star luxury." So, the answer? Probably not. But... it depends on your definition of "best." If your definition is "a roof over my head that doesn't leak *too* much," then maybe. If it's "a flawless experience designed for royalty"... keep dreaming. And maybe check the price point first.
What's the "SHOCKING SECRET"? Come on, spill it!
Alright, alright! The "shocking secret"... is that it's... a hotel. Seriously. Not a portal to another dimension. Not a secret underground bunker. Just a hotel. But here's the *real* secret, the one they *won't* tell you on the billboards: It's a *hotel experience*. You know, the kind that involves stained carpets, questionable air conditioning, and the overwhelming aroma of... well, let's just say "cleaner" is doing some heavy lifting. It's not *bad*, mind you. Just... real. It's got character. And by "character," I mean "evidence of previous occupants."
Let's talk rooms. Describe the *ambiance*. I'm picturing luxury... or is it?
"Ambience..." Okay, let's try this. Imagine a room that's been through a few stories. Like, literally. The walls probably *have* stories. And maybe they're whispering them at night. The dim lighting (which, honestly, is a blessing for hiding the inevitable imperfections) gives off this... *vintage* vibe. See, I'm trying to be kind. It's not "luxury," it's "lived-in." The bed? Comfy enough after a long day. The pillows? Well, let's just say they're not quite the cloud-like experience you might find elsewhere. I'm telling you, I'm not trying to be negative, but my stay at the motel was a bit below average. I wasn't expecting a penthouse, but at least a comfy bed. I'm trying to look at the bright side, it definitely had a character.
What about the breakfast? The most important meal of the day! Is it glorious? Or... ?
Ah, breakfast. The morning ritual. This is where things get... interesting. “Glorious”? Nope. Not even close. It’s the kind of breakfast that makes you appreciate the things you don’t talk about as much in life. It's a continental breakfast, so lower your expectations. Think pre-packaged pastries, the kind that have been sitting... a while. Coffee that tastes... like coffee. In the best possible way, of course. Sometimes there are waffles. Waffles are the highlight, honestly. But even those might come out a shade of gray, so just be ready for anything. Okay, I can't lie, it's not five-star stuff. Still, it does the job. You won't be running a marathon, but you will be fed. And that's a win, right?
Okay, so let's talk service. Are the staff friendly? Helpful? Or are they just... *there*?
The staff? Okay, this is where SureStay redeems itself, slightly. The people are mostly lovely. They're trying, you can see it. They're welcoming, they're dealing with whatever craziness is happening at the front desk, and they all seem to be under a lot of pressure! Sure, you might wait a minute or two checking in, but hey, they're doing their best. And honestly, in a world of increasingly impersonal service, a genuine smile and a "How can I help you?" goes a long way. It's clear they're working hard, and I appreciate that. They might not be trained in five-star concierge service, but they try! Big points for effort.
Any specific horror stories? Or moments of pure delight? Give me the dirt!
Okay, the dirt. Here's a moment of pure delight (or, you know, minor amusement in a sea of slightly-less-than-delightful experiences). I went to the pool. Yes, there's a pool! I'm not a big pool person, but it looked refreshing, and hey, why not? (This is where things take a turn). I swam for about five minutes. Then I saw something floating. I squinted. It was a... a child's toy. A little, plastic, inflatable thing that looked like a sad, deflated... well, never mind. It was just the *vibe*. This is it! This is the SureStay life! Also, a bit of questionable cleanliness. It was funny (after I got out). And let's be honest, that's what you remember, right?
So, *should* I stay at SureStay? Give me the final verdict!
Okay, the final verdict. If you're expecting a five-star experience? Run. Run far, far away. If you're looking for a clean, comfortable place to rest your head after a long day of... whatever brings you to Lewiston... and you're not too picky? SureStay might be okay. It's a hotel, it's what it is. The important thing is, it's a functional space, and for what it is, it's fine. It probably won't blow your mind, but it won't traumatize you either. Just temper your expectations, bring your own pillow (maybe), and maybe pack a sense of humor. You'll be fine. Maybe. Probably. Okay, definitely. It's better than sleeping in your car.
One more thing: the WiFi! Is it strong? Reliable? Or does it make you want to throw your laptop out the window?
WiFi... Ah, the bane of the modern traveler's existence. SureStay's WiFi? Let's just say it's *there*. Sometimes. It's a little like a shy friend: They show up when you least expect them, disappear when you need them most, and leave you wondering if they were ever really there at all. I'm not saying it's terrible. I'm just sayingNomadic Stays
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