Erie's BEST Kept Secret: Western Inn & Suites (PA) Review!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get the REAL skinny on Erie's "BEST Kept Secret," the Western Inn & Suites! (PA). Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter reviews. We're going full-on, warts-and-all, "did I actually like this place?" dive. This review is gonna be a bit… well, me.
First Impressions (and Oh Boy, Were They Real):
Finding the Western Inn & Suites – honestly, I felt like I was on a treasure hunt. It’s tucked away, a little off the beaten path. The exterior isn't exactly screaming "luxury," but let’s be real, I’m more of a "clean and comfy" kinda gal. And it is clean. They seem to really take sanitation seriously, which is a HUGE plus in today's world. The Anti-viral cleaning products signs? Solid. Daily disinfection in common areas? Love it. Rooms sanitized between stays? Okay, Western Inn & Suites, you've got my attention.
Accessibility - Let's Get Real, Folks:
Okay, so I actually didn't need any special accessibility accommodations, but I always look for them because it’s just the right thing to do. I did a quick scan and the website actually mentioned Facilities for disabled guests. I'd LOVE to do a follow-up from a wheelchair user.
Rooms - My Fortress of Solitude… or Mild Annoyance?
My room? Perfectly fine. Nothing fancy, but clean, and that's what matters. The Wi-Fi was free and it worked! (Hallelujah!). The Free bottled water was a nice touch, especially after driving for hours. The desk was functional, which I needed because I was… you know… working (shhh… don’t tell anyone). The Blackout curtains were clutch. I'm a light sleeper, and I need to sleep. The bed was comfy, and I was VERY ready for sleep.
The Internet… Dear God, The Internet!
Okay, so Free Wi-Fi in all rooms is a HUGE selling point. Especially nowadays were we ALL depend on connection to keep in touch with the world. I had no issues at all, I was able to stream movies and even join a video call with no issues.
Cleanliness and Safety - My Inner Germaphobe is Thrilled:
This is where the Western Inn & Suites REALLY shined. As I mentioned, the anti-viral cleaning products and the daily disinfection in common areas really put my mind at ease. The hand sanitizer dispensers were everywhere. A LOT of hotels are still cutting corners on this, so I greatly appreciated the focus on keeping everything clean.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Where Did The Food Adventure Lead Me?
Okay, so here's the thing… my stay didn’t include many options to eat, no on-site restaurant. I'd LOVE to give a more in-depth review, but I did not experienced this section of the hotel.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax - Spa Day, Anyone?
- Fitness Center: I am NOT a gym person. But the fact that they have one is good for the fitness-minded folks, and could be nice if I ever felt the urge to actually exercise.
- Swimming Pool: I saw it from my window, seemed pretty nice with the view.
- Spa: Didn't experience it, but the services offered by the hotel are a HUGE plus for me, this is going to be an incentive to book the service.
- Sauna: Can not wait to enjoy it one day!
- Massage: As the same as SPA, I love it!
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter:
- Free Car Park - HUGE win. Parking can be shockingly expensive these days.
- Elevator: Definitely a bonus for those with mobility issues or a LOT of luggage (like me!).
- Doorman: I never noticed it, but I'm glad they have it.
- 24-hour Front Desk: Peace of mind.
- Luggage storage: Always helpful.
- Laundry service: YES!
For the Kids - Family Fun Factor?
I didn't have any kids with me, but I saw a few families. Considering what I learned about the hotel, it is a good place to go with the family.
Getting Around - Location, Location, Location:
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes, and easy.
- Airport transfer: Don't know if you'd need it, but it's there - good to know, and you can book.
My Final Verdict and Why YOU Should Book… Maybe, But Seriously Consider This:
Look, the Western Inn & Suites isn’t the Ritz. It’s not trying to be. It’s a solid, clean, reliable option if you're in Erie, PA. What really impressed me was the commitment to cleanliness and the basics done well. It's a place where you can feel safe, relax, and get a good night's sleep without feeling the world's a wreck. I had a pretty good experience and recommend the hotel.
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Mercure Wuxi: Chic New Hotel Near Jiangnan U Opens March 2021!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly-manicured travel itinerary. This is a messy, real-life, "hold-my-beer" kind of trip to the Best Western Erie Inn & Suites in Erie, Pennsylvania. Let's see if we survive… and if I remember to take pictures. (Spoiler alert: probably not consistently)
The Erie-gency: A Chaotic Adventure
Day 1: Arrival and the "Welcome to Pennsylvania, Hope You Like Comfort Food" Feeling.
- 1:00 PM: Arrival at Best Western Erie Inn & Suites. Okay, first impressions: the lobby is…beige. Beige is the new beige, I guess. Honestly, after a 6-hour drive in a carpool with my in-laws (don't ask), beige is a welcome change from the screaming chaos in my skull. Check-in was surprisingly smooth, even though I swear I forgot my last name for a solid three seconds. The friendly lady at the desk gave me a room on the second floor, which is preferable to the first floor where I’d probably hear every footstep and sneeze.
- 1:30 PM: Room Reconnaissance. Okay, so the room. It's… clean. Which is a win, always a win. The bed looks fluffy, but I’m not trusting it until I do a solid mattress dive. The TV is big enough to get lost in, which will be crucial later. And the air conditioning is gloriously blasting. I'm already feeling a wave of relief.
- 2:00 PM: The Hunger Games Begin. I'm starving. Like, HANGRY. Time for lunch. Yelp and Google Maps are my best friends for finding something, and I settled on a diner called "Sara’s." It was a drive-in! (Did I mention I haven't been to a drive-in in like, 20 years?) The hot dog was good. The atmosphere was great. The french fries were a revelation. (I think I snuck some extra fries when my husband wasn't looking.)
- 4:00 PM: Drowning in Lake Erie (figuratively…thank God). Decided to go to Presque Isle State Park. It was… beautiful. Honestly, Erie is stunning, which I never expected. The lake, the beaches, the little trails. (I almost tripped over a root, but that's just me.) Spent a solid hour just staring at the water, thinking about… who knows what.
- 6:00 PM: The Dinner Debacle and "Don’t Order the Fish, Trust Me." We tried this local seafood restaurant, "The Cove." HUGE mistake. (I'm still traumatized. The fish was fishy, the atmosphere was cramped, and the service was… slow. Like, snail-racing-a-turtle-on-a-lazy-river slow.) I'm blaming it on the fact that I was starving. I need to find a new dinner spot, ASAP.
- 8:00 PM: Room Sweet Room and Netflix Binge. Back at the hotel, in my pajamas, with a bag of chips and a remote. "Stranger Things" marathon mode: activated. This is the life.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep. Finally, blessed sleep.
Day 2: Gearing Up, and the Quest for Redemption (and Decent Food).
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet… or the "Fight for the Waffles" Showdown. Okay, the free breakfast at the Best Western. The options are… well, there are options. Waffles, eggs, sausage, cereal - all the usual suspects. The waffle maker was a scene. A line formed quickly. I got my waffle and promptly covered it in way too much syrup. I also grabbed a coffee. It was passable.
- 8:00 AM: Deciding the Day. Now comes the big decision… What do we do today? Because of the disaster of the dinner last night, maybe a cooking class and a grocery store run so I don't eat any fish.
- 9:00 AM: Cooking Class. (Maybe my redemption from last night!) Decided to find some local cooking classes online.
- 12:00 PM: Grocery Shopping So I can fix more delicious food, and never eat anywhere with fish again.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the hotel and relax. It's been a great day.
- 6:00 PM: More Netflix. And maybe some room service.
Day 3: Departure and the "I Need Another Vacation from this Vacation" Aftermath.
- 8:00 AM: Panic Breakfast. Realize I need to pack, and my suitcase looks like a bomb went off inside. Eat a quick cereal, then dash and try to figure out where I put everything.
- 9:00 AM: A quick walk around the hotel. Just to take in the scenery.
- 10:00 AM: Check-out. Smooth as butter. I even remembered my room number.
- 10:30 AM: Goodbye Erie, Hello… Homeostasis? The drive home. Contemplating life. And planning my next vacation. Because, let’s be honest, I need it.
- 11:00 AM: Driving The drive home wasn't bad. The kids didn't fight too much.
- 5:00 PM: Home The best part of the trip, being home.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. It had its ups and downs. I ate some questionable fish. I almost tripped. But I saw some things, experienced some things, and (mostly) survived. And, honestly, that's what makes a good trip… or at least, a memorable one. The Best Western Erie Inn & Suites? It was solid. Clean, comfortable, and a welcome haven after all the chaos. Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I'm packing extra snacks and double-checking those Yelp reviews. And avoiding the fish. Forever.
Yichang's BEST Kept Secret: Ramada Wyndham Hotel Review!
Erie's Best Kept… Secret? Western Inn & Suites – My Glorious, Occasionally Dodgy, Mostly Okay Saga!
Okay, spill the tea: Why is the Western Inn & Suites supposedly a "Best Kept Secret"? And is it *really*?
Alright, alright, here's the deal. It *used* to be a secret. Like, whispered-about-in-parking-lots-at-2-AM kind of secret. Erie’s got a thing for under-the-radar gems, and for a while, the Western Inn held the crown. Think… budget-friendly, surprisingly clean (mostly!), and a location PERFECT for… well, *everything* I did in Erie. (Which mostly involved Wegmans runs and pretending to be a sophisticated art connoisseur.) The "secret" part came from the fact that it wasn’t on EVERYONE’s radar. It wasn't the Ritz, obviously. But for the price? And the convenience? It was… a win.
Now, is it *still* a secret? Probably not. Google reviews exist, sadly. But does it still hold some charm? Yes. Absolutely. Especially if you're not looking for marble countertops. I'm talking basic, reliable, and for a single guy, the most fun that I could have.
Let's talk about the rooms. Seriously, what were they *really* like? And the cleanliness? Give it to me STRAIGHT.
Okay, okay, deep breaths. The rooms. They're… honest. Don't expect the Four Seasons. Think "early Motel 6 trying its best to modernize." I've stayed in the doubles, the singles, even that weird "suite" once (more on that later). The beds? Generally comfortable enough for a night of sleep. They are functional.
Cleanliness? Mostly good. I've always been weirded out by hotel bathrooms, but usually good. One unfortunate incident– and I'm being honest here – involved a suspicious stain on a carpet. I, being the classy gentleman that I am, immediately requested a room transfer, and was granted one without any fuss for the stain. The front desk woman seemed apologetic and offered an apology so I wouldn't blow her head off. I'm not proud. But the point is, they fixed it. The point is they got their stuff together. It did however, inspire me to always bring my own cleaning wipes. So, you know, caveat emptor, folks. Inspect before you nest!
The "Suite" you mentioned… what's the story there? Was it… *suite*?
Ah, the "suite." Let's just say… it was an EXPERIENCE. They call it a suite because it has a small "sitting area" that's separated from the bedroom by, like... a thin wall. The furniture was… definitely vintage. Think the kind of chair your grandma had in her smoking room. The highlight? A jacuzzi tub that looked suspiciously large. I figured, "Hey, why not?"
Well, after filling it, I discovered the jets… didn’t work. AT. ALL. Just a sad, bubbling pool of tepid water. And a LOT of cleaning of whatever grime was on the bottom. Now, the front desk, bless their hearts, tried to fix it. Maintenance came with a variety of wrenches and grunted a lot. But after a while, I gave up. Decided to not argue with anyone. Ended up taking a very long, very hot shower instead. The upside? The shower had great water pressure. And for the price, I was happy.
What about the amenities? Did they offer anything besides a place to lay your head?
Okay, don't expect a resort. They had a pool, but I never got close enough. Parking was free and there was always a spot. They offered a continental breakfast, which was functional. Think: coffee, some questionable pastries, maybe a waffle if you got there early enough before someone took all the waffles. I, however, needed to go to Wegman's for my breakfast! More on the perks of the location later.
They had Wi-Fi. It was… enough. Don’t try to stream a movie. But for checking emails and procrastinating, it did the trick.
Location, location, location! How's the Western Inn in terms of getting around Erie?
This, my friends, is where the Western Inn REALLY shines. Its in a GREAT spot. Close to... everything. Wegmans is practically next door (a major win for me, a carbohydrate-loving fiend). Restaurants, shops, the beach... you name it, it's a short drive away. If you're planning on exploring Erie from a central base, it's a tough location to beat. I'm serious. Wegmans is life.
The staff! Good? Bad? Indifferent? Dish!
Okay, the staff… that’s where you get the real charm. They're mostly friendly, helpful, and, you know, *actually* trying to help. There's a genuine lack of pretense about the place. They are aware that they are not trying to be the Ritz. They're just trying to give you a place to sleep. And they're pretty good at it. The woman who helped me when I found the questionable carpet stain was a saint. She gave me a new room without even blinking. The front desk is often very busy but I have never had trouble with them. They are as solid and reliable as the building itself.
Final Verdict: Should I book a room at the Western Inn & Suites? Give me the straight goods!
Alright, buckle up! Here's the honest truth: The Western Inn & Suites isn't perfect. It's not luxurious. It might have a few quirks. But… for the price? For the location? For the overall vibe? Yeah, I'd absolutely recommend it. If you're looking for a clean, convenient, and budget-friendly option while in Erie, you could do a LOT worse. Just go in with the right expectations. And maybe bring your own cleaning wipes. And definitely scope out the jacuzzi BEFORE you fill it. You've been warned! Go for it!
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