Denver Airport Hotel: HomeTowne Studios' Unbeatable Aurora Deal!
Okay, buckle up, because this review… well, it's gonna be honest. Forget the vanilla, here comes the swirl. Let's dive into this hotel and hope I don't drown in the details. I’m going to try and hit everything, even the stuff I forgot I even wanted to know.
SEO & Metadata First, Because, Well, Google:
- Title: Honest Hotel Review: [Hotel Name] - Accessibility, Amenities, and Maybe a Few Tears (and Some Rage!)
- Keywords: [Hotel Name], hotel review, accessibility, wheelchair accessible, Wi-Fi, spa, swimming pool, restaurant, amenities, safety, clean, COVID-19, travel, vacation, luxury, family-friendly, business travel, [City/Region], best hotel.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of [Hotel Name], covering accessibility, amenities (spa, pool, restaurants!), cleanliness, COVID-19 safety measures, and enough personal anecdotes to make you laugh (or cry). Is it worth it? You'll find out!
Alright, now for the fun part…
Accessibility: The First Hurdle (and Sometimes, the Biggest)
Okay, let's be blunt. I need to know how accessible a place is. My knees aren’t exactly friends with stairs anymore, and I’ve seen enough "accessible" rooms with a single step to believe in the apocalypse. So, let's see what they claim.
Wheelchair Accessible: Crucial. If they say it, I’ll be putting it to the test. Not just the entrance, but the rooms, the restaurant, the pool… the whole shebang. Expect a detailed account of doorways, ramps, and elevator reliability. Fingers crossed, because, honestly? Stairs are the bane of my existence. The bane.
Facilities for Disabled Guests: This better be more than just a ramp. Does the room have grab bars? A roll-in shower? Proper seating at the restaurant? I’m not just looking for compliance, I'm looking for thoughtfulness. A little goes a long way, and the lack of thoughtfulness shows.
Elevator: Essential. No, I'm not a masochist.
Air conditioning in public area: Okay, this is for comfort, not accessibility, but if those areas are hot? Forget about it.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Now, if the whole damn place is accessible, the places to eat had better be. And here's a thing: it's not just about the chairs. Is the buffet reachable? Is the bar counter at a reasonable height? I'm looking for ease of use everywhere.
Internet: The Modern-Day Oxygen
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Music to my ears! Seriously. I need to upload Instagram stories of my suffering (I mean, relaxing) spa day IMMEDIATELY.
Internet Access, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas: Layering it up here, and this better mean solid, reliable connectivity. Don't give me that "it’s a bit spotty" nonsense. I need to stream a show, work from the room, and check my emails. If not, someone's getting a strongly worded note. I'm a millennial. I exist on the internet. It's non-negotiable.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Decadence Factor
Spa (Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage): Okay, now we’re talking. This is where it gets interesting. Is the spa actually relaxing, or a bustling factory of pre-packaged treatments? I’m a sucker for a good massage, so I’ll be scrutinizing those masseuses like a hawk. The sauna better be hot enough to make me sweat out all my worldly problems, and the steam room… well, I'll need to see how much of a "steam room" it truly is.
Pool with view: This is a major selling point for me. Give me a pool with a panoramic view and I'm sold. This can make all the difference. Will I be able to actually enjoy the view, or will the hotel management leave me in a pool that is so cloudy I might as well be in a bath.
Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Gotta have a good pool. I want space to actually swim, not just jostle for space with screaming children (though, if you're a family-friendly hotel, I might just have to put up with it).
Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I have a love-hate relationship with gyms. I love the idea, I hate the reality. I guess this is where I'd go to try to work off the buffet I'll definitely raid.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because, Well, 2024
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, 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, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Safe Dining Set-up… Look, let's just say I'm a bit paranoid about germs. Pre-COVID, post-COVID, I'm still the guy who wipes down airplane armrests. This section is critical. Are they taking this seriously? Is it just a checklist, or do they genuinely care about keeping their guests (and staff) safe? I’ll be watching closely, peering at the cleaning crew like a hawk. The air quality better sing too.
Cashless payment service: A definite plus. Less contact is always better.
First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Comforting, even if you don't need it.
Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, Security [24-hour], Safety/security feature, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property: Peace of mind is priceless. Are they on top of security? Does it look inviting, or fortified?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Journey
Restaurants (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, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant): Holy crap, the options! I'm always wary of hotel restaurants. Often overpriced, mediocre food. But if the options are good… well, then I might just live there. I'm a sucker for a good buffet breakfast (even if I end up eating all the wrong things). Room service is a MUST after a long travel day.
Happy hour: Let the good times roll… and my wallet take a slight hit.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras
- Air conditioning in public area, 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: This is where a hotel can really shine. A good concierge can make or break a trip. Contactless check-in is a must. On the other hand, a smoking area? Really? I'm a nonsmoker. What is this, hell?
For the Kids: My Internal Groan (Unless…)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: While I don't have kids, I like to keep a healthy distance from the tiny humans. However, if the hotel keeps the kids entertained and I can finally relax without the sound of high-pitched shrieks -- then it's a win.
Access: The Nitty-Gritty
- 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 unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: 24-hour front desk – essential. Couple's room? Hmm… maybe I should bring someone. The proposal spot… well, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Getting Around: The Logistics
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Free parking? YES! Airport transfer? Saves me the stress. Car charging station? A
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously organized vacation itinerary. We're talking about a trip to the HomeTowne Studios Denver - Airport/ Aurora, Colorado. And let me tell you, just the name sounds like a place where dreams maybe go to die. But hey, we're here, so let's make the best of it, shall we? This is gonna be a bumpy ride, folks, just like life.
Day 1: Arrival and the "Welcome to Denver" Blues
1:00 PM (ish): Arrive at Denver International Airport (DIA). Okay, first impression: HUGE. Like, “I could get lost in this airport for days and nobody would find me” huge. Finding the shuttle to the hotel…already a game. I swear, I walked past signs for the shuttle three times before I finally realized I was just being dense. You know, classic me.
- Anecdote: Okay, real talk, packing was a disaster. I thought I was being smart and minimalist, now I'm pretty sure I forgot my toothbrush. Great start!
2:30 PM: Arrive at HomeTowne Studios. The exterior…well, let's just say it's got that "practical, functional" vibe. Not exactly the Ritz, but hey, the reviews said "clean" and "affordable," so I'm trying to be optimistic.
3:00 PM: Check in. The front desk person…well, they were there. Let's leave it at that. The room? Uh, it's…a room. Clean-ish. The air conditioning unit sounds like a jet engine taking off, which is frankly a little unsettling. Honestly, I'm already mourning my perfectly fine life back home!
3:30 PM: Unpack (or attempt to, given the toothbrush situation). A wave of despair washes over me as I realize I'm going to be living in this tiny box for the next few days.
- Quirky Observation: There's a weird smell in the room. It's vaguely…industrial carpet-y? And there's a poster on the wall that looks like it came from a dentist's office in 1987. I'm guessing this is the "character" people rave about?
4:00 PM: Venture forth in search of food. The gas station across the street is calling my name. I’m not proud of myself, I'm just hungry and there is something uniquely depressing about gas station food.
- Emotional Reaction: The sheer bleakness of the surroundings is starting to hit me. Am I losing my mind? Is this what my life has come to? Okay, deep breaths. We can survive this. We will survive this.
5:00 PM: Scored a questionable burrito. It was…filling. And cheap, which is always a plus.
6:00 PM: Collapse on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, trying to stave off the existential dread.
7:00 PM: Channel surfing through the limited TV options. Found a bad action movie. Kind of perfect.
Day 2: Airport Explorations and Unexpected Delights (Maybe)
- 9:00 AM: The air conditioning unit is still roaring. Seriously, it's mocking me.
- Rant: I swear, if I have to listen to that thing one more second… Okay, deep breaths, deep breaths. I need coffee.
- 9:30 AM: Attempt to make coffee with the hotel's "complimentary" coffee maker. It's pretty much a death trap, but eventually, I got a lukewarm, watery cup of something vaguely caffeinated. Victory!
- 10:00 AM: Decide to head back to DIA. Hey, airports are fun! And the food options have to be an improvement, right?
- 10:30 AM: Arrive at DIA. I actually enjoy hanging around in big places. It’s the people-watching. And the adrenaline rush of not missing my plane…if I had one.
- Messy Structure: Okay, so I wandered around, and I had this amazing, totally unexpected pretzel! Soft, warm, salty…it was a moment. You know, the kind of moment that makes you think, "Maybe this trip isn't a complete bust?"
- 12:00 PM: Stumble upon a surprisingly good bookstore at the airport. Lost myself in the pages for an hour.
- 1:00 PM: Food court. Again. This time, a slightly better sandwich. Progress!
- Opinionated Language: Airports aren't ideal. But hey, they have Wi-Fi. And a decent selection of people to gawk at. What's not to love?
- 3:00 PM: Head back to the hotel. The shuttle driver told jokes. They were bad. But I laughed anyway. You know, to be polite.
- 4:00 PM: Another depressing nap in the room of the jet engine. Woke up disoriented and slightly more discouraged.
- 5:00 PM: Walked around the block. Actually saw a pretty cool mural. Maybe Aurora isn't so bad?
- 6:00 PM: Considering ordering pizza. The menu looks…questionable. Again, though, you are in college, right?
- 7:00 PM: Pizza arrived. Surprisingly good. The day is on the upswing!
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, pizza can solve almost everything. I'm starting to feel like I could survive this trip after all. Maybe even… enjoy it?
Day 3: Denver Day Trip (or "Trying to Act Like a Tourist")
- 9:00 AM: Actually slept through the jet engine! Perhaps acclimatization is happening?
- 9:30 AM: Decide I need to leave the hotel compound. Denver bound!
- Rambling: Okay, so I’ve heard Denver is cool. Breweries, art, mountains…the whole shebang. Maybe I can pretend to be a sophisticated traveler. Maybe I can find civilization.
- 10:30 AM: Uber to downtown Denver. It’s…a city. Very…city-ish. Honestly, I’m used to the quiet of my hometown--the airport feels like an escape.
- 11:00 AM: Walked around 16th Street Mall. It’s okay. Overcrowded.
- 12:00 PM: Found a brewery. Success!
- Doubling Down on Experience: I am now obsessed with this brewery. Seriously, they had a fantastic IPA, and the atmosphere was perfect. For two hours, I forgot I was in a hotel room hellhole. I met some locals, got some recommendations, and generally had an amazing time. THIS is what travel is supposed to be about!
- 2:00 PM: Still at the brewery. Another beer. Maybe two. Definitely relaxed.
- 4:00 PM: Reality check: Uber back to the hotel. The comedown is real.
- 5:00 PM: Back in the dreaded room. Ordering delivery. More pizza?
- 6:00 PM: The delivery guy got lost. More time in the room…
- 7:00 PM: Pizza finally arrives. At least, it's edible.
- Honest and Funny: Honestly, at this point, I'm starting to feel a weird sense of camaraderie with the room. We're in this together. We can survive this. (Maybe.)
Day 4: The Departure…or the Sweet Release
- 8:00 AM: Last morning. The jet engine is still roaring. It sounds a little different though -- like a song.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. The front desk person is different this time. Slightly more cheerful. Maybe they knew I was leaving.
- 9:30 AM: Shuttle back to DIA. The airport… doesn't seem so intimidating anymore. I now know my way around.
- 10:00 AM: Pre-flight rituals of snacks and people-watching.
- 12:00 PM: Flight home.
- 1:00 PM: Still in the air. I can’t wait to get home.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: Honestly, I am looking forward to my own bed, my own kitchen, and the blissful quiet of my own home. And, you know what? I might actually miss the jet engine. (Just kidding… mostly.)
- 2:00 PM: Land back home.
- 2:30 PM: Drive home, unpacking and getting back to normal.
Post-Trip Thoughts:
HomeTowne Studios wasn't the best hotel I've stayed in. It's okay. But hey. It made me reflect on life, and on how to appreciate good beer. And, well, I survived. And maybe, just maybe, I learned something. Probably not. But who knows
Escape to Paradise: Your Unforgettable Vung Tau Seaside Getaway
So, like, what *is* the meaning of it all anyway? (No pressure!)
Oh, you sweet summer child. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve pondered this while staring at a ceiling fan at 3 AM… Well, I'd have enough nickels to buy a *really* nice ceiling fan. Truth is, I think the "meaning" is whatever you *make* it. For me? Right now it’s surviving the laundry mountain. Yesterday, it was finally perfecting my guacamole recipe (seriously, it's life-changing). Ask me tomorrow, and who knows? It might be the triumphant return of my sourdough starter from the brink of oblivion. Honestly, it’s the little things, and the big ones, and the messy ones in between. It's the struggle! It's the joy! It's the constant, maddening, beautiful chaos. Don’t overthink it. (Unless you’re making guac. Then overthink the *hell* out of it).
How do I... you know... adult? It's harder than it looks.
HA! Adulting. The art of pretending you know what you're doing while frantically Googling "how to unclog a drain" at 2 AM. Look, I'm 42, and I *still* feel like I’m winging it. The secret (and it's not really a secret, is it?) is to fake it till you make it. And maybe have a good therapist. Seriously, therapy is the single best investment I’ve ever made, other than maybe that instant pot. Seriously, it changed my life. It's a total gamechanger if you're struggling. And everyone is struggling, so you should probably go. Oh, also, learn to cook *something* more than just ramen. Seriously. Your future self will thank you.
What's the best way to deal with *that* person? You know... *that* person.
Ah, yes. The human equivalent of a sandpaper handjob. The easiest thing to do there is to try and avoid them, or just laugh at their stupidity. Seriously, why stress over a person that doesn't matter. But seriously, EVERYONE has a "that" person. The best advice I ever got was “choose your battles.” Is it worth the energy to engage? Maybe not. Sometimes, the best revenge is a life well-lived (and, you know, not giving them the satisfaction of your reaction). Sometimes, a well-placed eye-roll is the ultimate weapon. Okay, so sometimes a snarky comment is fun. But, you know, be the bigger person. (Unless they're really, *really* awful. Then… well, refer back to the eye-roll).
Okay, but what about feeling… lost? Like, completely adrift?
Oh, man. Feeling lost. That's like, the universal human condition, isn't it? I had a period, last year, where I was convinced I'd peaked. Like, "This is it! I'm done! Time to shuffle off this mortal coil and... become a very dignified houseplant." It was rough. I spent weeks staring at the ceiling (see a pattern?), questioning *everything*. What got me out of it? Honestly, it wasn't a grand revelation. It wasn't finding my "passion." It was a friend dragging me to a pottery class. I sat there, feeling like an absolute klutz, covered in clay, and suddenly… I was just… *distracted*. And slowly, bit by bit I started feeling a little better . It's about finding something – *anything* – that makes you forget, even for a little while, that you're lost. And then, maybe, one day, you look up and realize you’re not so lost anymore. Maybe. Or maybe you've just found a really cool vase. Either way, win-win. Also, therapy. I can't emphasize that enough.
How do I deal with failure? Because UGH.
Failure. Ugh, the stinky, smelly byproduct of living. I’ve failed so spectacularly many times, I could write a book. (Maybe I should. "My Spectacular Failures: A Memoir"). Honestly? The key is to… well, first, wallow a little. It's okay to feel down. Allow yourself to be sad. Order a pizza. Watch bad reality TV. Eat the whole pizza. Then, once you've sufficiently wallowed, dust yourself off. Figure out what went wrong (honestly, and without self-flagellation). Learn from it. And then… try again. Because, trust me, you *will* fail again. It's inevitable. But each failure is a lesson. And each lesson makes you, theoretically, less of a total disaster. And sometimes, failure leads to something amazing. Seriously, I tried to bake bread last year, failed miserably, and almost threw the whole thing out, then I poured my sorrows into making a cake. It turned out delicious. The bread situation now, still a failure! Cake is the new bread.
Romance? Love? The whole shebang? Help.
Romance. Ah, yes. The greatest source of joy and the greatest source of suffering. Sometimes at the *same* time. Honestly, I’m no expert. I swear, relationships are like trying to build a house with instructions written in a language you barely understand and a constant stream of unexpected earthquakes. But here's what I've learned, after many, many (and I mean *many*) mistakes: Communication is key. Honest, even painful communication. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable. And for the love of all that is holy, don’t settle. Don't stay with someone because you're afraid of being alone. Being alone is better than being miserable with someone else. And remember, the messy, imperfect bits are often the most beautiful. It's not about finding "the one." It's about finding *someone* who makes the messy, imperfect bits a little less messy and a little more bearable. And maybe, just maybe, someone who will help you assemble that IKEA furniture.
What is the worst part of life and how do you get through it?
The worst part? Losing people you love. Hands down. My grandmother died three years ago, and even now, the grief still hits me like a tidal wave. There's no "getting over it." There's just... getting *through* it. One tear-soaked, memory-filled, gut-wrenching day at a time. For me, what helps is keeping their memories alive. Telling stories about them. Looking at old photos (even if they make you cryUptown Lodging
