Quebec City Escape: Luxurious Sleep Inn & Suites Getaway!
Quebec City Escape: Luxurious Sleep Inn & Suites Getaway!
Quebec City Escape: Luxurious Sleep Inn & Suites Getaway! - A Rambling Review (with a side of panic-buying hand sanitizer)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your typical polished travel brochure. We're talking about the "Luxurious Sleep Inn & Suites Getaway" in Quebec City, and let me tell you, "luxurious" might be stretching it a smidge. But hey, we're here, we're breathing, and we survived the drive from… well, let's just say it was a long drive. And that, in itself, is a feat worthy of a medal.
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Accessibility & the Elevator of Doom (and Delight):
First things first: accessibility. They say this place is accessible. And yes, there's an elevator. Praise the Lord, because after the drive, my legs felt like overcooked spaghetti. The elevator? Well, let's call it "quirky." Sometimes it worked flawlessly. Other times, it'd judder to a halt, leaving me staring at a "hold" button, wondering if I'd be trapped in a metal box with elevator muzak until the sun exploded. But hey, at least it was there, and it did eventually deliver me to my room. They do have facilities for disabled guests, I'm told, but I didn't personally need them.
(Accessibility: YES, with a caveat.)
Cleanliness & Safety (and My Personal Sanitizer Hoarding):
COVID era, people! And let me tell you, I was slightly neurotic about cleanliness. Okay, maybe more than slightly. Think a squirrel burying nuts, but instead of nuts, it's hand sanitizer. The hotel seemed to take it seriously, though. Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. They talked about "daily disinfection" and "professional-grade sanitizing," and I saw staff wearing masks. Honestly, it calmed me down. The room itself appeared clean – no obvious dust bunnies plotting world domination. I even opted out of room sanitization, because I was already spraying everything with my own personal concoction. (Don't ask. It's a secret blend of paranoia and essential oils.) They even had individually wrapped food options, which felt comforting. *(Important note: I'm still alive. So, presumably, they did *something* right.)*
(Cleanliness & Safety: Seemed good. Definitely better than my apartment.)
The Room: A Tale of Two Worlds (and Blackout Curtains):
The room… well, it had all the basics. Air conditioning (thank heavens!), a desk, a reasonably comfortable bed (thank another heaven!), and those glorious blackout curtains. Oh, the blackout curtains! These were a lifesaver! They blocked out the harsh glare of the sun and allowed me to sleep like a blissful baby. They even had a Safe in the room and all other usual things.
(Room Feature Highlight: Blackout Curtains Saved My Sanity.)
They also had a mini-bar, which I didn't check. Not because I'm a saint, but because I was too busy staring at the complimentary bottles of water. A truly luxurious touch!
(Available in all rooms: YES, and lots of it!)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (and My Breakfast Briefing):
Ah, food! The buffet breakfast was…well, it was a thing. They called it "Asian breakfast", and I was ready. It was a smorgasbord of… stuff. There were the usual suspects: scrambled eggs (some suspiciously rubbery), bacon (borderline crispy), and toast. But there was also some kind of noodle situation, which I bravely, and perhaps foolishly, attempted.
(Breakfast: Buffet. Proceed with caution – or embrace the adventure!)
They had a coffee shop which would be nice. And the restaurant had many items on the menu, that I can't remember.
(Dining: Yes! Variety! Maybe.)
Things to Do (or, How I Became a Spa Convert):
Okay, here's where things get interesting. Because I'm not always one for the "spa" life. I prefer sitting on the couch with a large bag of chips and judging reality TV. But, dammit all, this place had a spa. And a pool with a view. So, fine. I acquiesced.
(Things to Do: Yes! Just… go with the flow.)
The Pool and Spa: The Spa and Steamroom were fine. I wouldn't say amazing, but not bad. I did enjoy the pool.
(Spa/Sauna & Pool: Okay, I'm starting to get it.)
Services and Conveniences (and the Mysterious Doorman):
The hotel offered a slew of services. Concierge (handy!), dry cleaning (not needed, thankfully!), and a mysterious "doorman," the actual doorman I only saw around the same time as the check in.
(Services: Plenty! Maybe too many?)
For the Kids (because why not?):
This place seemed family friendly. They had babysitting service, kids facilities, and kids meals in the restaurant.
(Family/child friendly: Yup.)
The Verdict (or, Did I Enjoy It?)
Look, this isn't the Four Seasons. But it's perfectly fine. It's clean (mostly), it's convenient, and it has a spa. And the blackout curtains are worth the price of admission alone. It's a solid base for exploring Quebec City, and you'll probably enjoy yourself. I did.
(Overall: Not perfect, but good enough. Would I go back? Maybe. Depends on the state of those blackout curtains.)
Unwind in Wine Country: Your Dream Stay at Staybridge Suites Temecula!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your average, sterile itinerary. This is the real deal, the "I-almost-lost-my-passport-in-a-poutine-induced-haze" version from my stay at the Sleep Inn & Suites Quebec City East, Boischatel. Consider this a travel diary… with a heavy dose of rambling.
Day 1: Arrival and the Eternal Search for the Perfect Croissant
- 1:00 PM: Landed at Jean Lesage International Airport. Okay, let's be honest, the landing was a bit… bumpy. Felt like a rollercoaster with a bad sense of humor. But hey, Quebec City! Finally! Grabbed my rental car – named "Betsy" because, well, she looked like a Betsy. Immediately got lost trying to navigate out of the airport. This isn't a great start.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in at Sleep Inn & Suites. Pretty standard, clean, and not a total dump, which is always a win. The woman at the front desk was super friendly, which instantly boosted my mood. Those tiny little shampoo bottles… always a struggle. I swear, I need a gallon to tame my mane.
- 3:00 PM: The Great Croissant Hunt Begins. Look, I'm a croissant snob. It's fine. I needed a proper, flaky, buttery Quebecois croissant. Armed with Google Maps and unwavering optimism, I ventured out. First bakery: Closed. Devastation. Second bakery: "We're sold out, Monsieur." (My French is rusty; I probably looked like a panicked American tourist, which, to be fair, I was). Third bakery… okay, this was a gem. The aroma alone was enough to make my knees weak. Took a bite and… perfection. Worth the hunt. Worth the emotional rollercoaster.
- 4:30 PM: Explored the Old Town. Cobblestone streets, historic buildings – it's everything you'd expect and more. Wandered aimlessly, soaking it all in. The views of the St. Lawrence River are breathtaking. Found a little shop selling maple syrup candies. Bought approximately 100 (slight exaggeration, maybe 50). Ate at least 15 immediately.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a small bistro I can barely remember the name of now… Too much wine, I think. The food was good though, classic Quebecois fare: poutine (duh), tourtière (meat pie), and some sort of duck confit that nearly made me weep with joy. I could get used to this.
- 9:00 PM: Back at the hotel, sprawled on the bed, fighting off the urge to devour the rest of the maple syrup candies. Watched some French TV, understood approximately zero percent of it, but it felt… right. My brain is basically mashed potatoes now.
Day 2: Montmorency Falls and the Terrifying Cable Car (and More Poutine)
- 8:00 AM: Sleep Inn breakfast: Basic. But hey, free coffee and waffles. Fuel for the day! Decided to be brave and try answering questions in French. Didn't understand the replies. More than a little stressful.
- 9:30 AM: Headed to Montmorency Falls. Wow. Seriously, the power of that waterfall is insane. I kind of wish I had stayed at the Hotel Chateau Montmorency, even more wow. This is where the 'honest' trip begins – the one where my emotions feel like a rollercoaster. Went for a walk on the bridge over the falls. The wind was brutal, I was starting to second guess my life choices.
- 10:30 AM: The Cable Car of Dread. Okay, maybe I'm being dramatic. But heights are not my friend. The cable car going up was fine, the view from the top was spectacular. Then came the descent. My knuckles are still white from gripping the railing. I swear, the cable car stopped for like, ten minutes. I thought I was going down. I'm still a little bit traumatized, to be honest. I'm not even sure what my face looked like during this experience.
- 12:00 PM: More poutine. Justified by the aforementioned cable car near-death experience. Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place that did this amazing duck confit poutine. Seriously, the best poutine of my life. I may have shed a tear. Don't judge me.
- 1:30 PM: Chateau Frontenac. Just to see it. It's HUGE. The view alone is worth a visit. Stood in awe, wishing I was rich and could just, you know, live there.
- 3:00 PM: Back at Sleep Inn for a nap. Exhaustion is setting in, and my legs are beginning to feel like lead. I'd like to stay in the hotel for the rest of the vacation.
- 5:00 PM: Headed for dinner, feeling less than enthused.
- 7:00 PM: Back in the hotel room, watching the hockey game on TV. The French commentators were ridiculously enthusiastic. I don't know what's going on on the ice, but I am absolutely delighted by it.
Day 3: Last Day, More Croissants, and Heading Home (Eventually)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at Sleep Inn. The waffles were better today. I'm starting to feel like a semi-regular.
- 9:00 AM: One last croissant run. This time, I went directly to the bakery from Day 1. No messing around. Bought a dozen. The baker recognized me! We shared a moment of mutual croissant appreciation.
- 10:00 AM: Shopped for souvenirs. Did I mention I love maple syrup? Because I do. Bought way too much, but hey, presents for the fam!
- 11:00 AM: One last wander through the Old Town. Tried to memorize every cobblestone. Quebec City, you are beautiful.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. More poutine. Because.
- 1:00 PM: Headed back to the airport. Return of Betsy went off without a hitch. Thank goodness Betsy wasn't being stubborn today.
- 5:00 PM: Took off from Quebec City. Bye Quebec City! I did not want to leave.
Final Thoughts:
Sleep Inn & Suites Quebec City East: Perfectly fine. Clean, convenient, not luxurious. If you're there for the city, not the hotel, it's great. Quebec City: Absolutely stunning. Go. Eat all the poutine. Embrace the French. Don't be afraid to get lost. And for the love of all that is holy, find a decent croissant. C'est magnifique!
Lugano Luxury: Unforgettable Stay at Hotel Villa Principe Leopoldo & Spa
Okay, seriously, is this 'Luxurious Sleep Inn & Suites Getaway' actually *luxurious*? I've seen the 'Sleep Inn' part… and I'm skeptical.
Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room, the giant neon “SLEEP INN” sign in my head. Luxury and Sleep Inn… it’s like peanut butter and… well, not exactly *chocolate*, but maybe, like, a slightly fancy pretzel stick? Look, it's not *Ritz-Carlton* luxury. Let’s be honest. Think more... polished. The rooms? Clean. The beds? Pretty comfy. The *suites* part? Maybe a bit generous. I mean, there's a (smallish) seating area separate from the sleeping area, so, yay, a *tiny* bit of breathing room. But think… a generously appointed Sleep Inn. Not a total dump. The breakfast… well, *that* I'll get to later.
My expectations were rock bottom, let me tell you. I walked in bracing myself for… something. But honestly? I was pleasantly surprised. Did I get a champagne bath? Nope. Did I feel like royalty? Hardly. But did I feel generally… *relaxed*? Yeah. Maybe it’s the magic of being AWAY from my screaming kids for a couple of days. Or maybe they actually *did* splurge on some decent pillows. Who knows?
The location…is it actually in *Quebec City*? Because I’ve learned to be wary of that.
Yes! *Mostly*. It's in the general vicinity. Look, it’s not *right* in the old town, okay? You'll need your car, an Uber, or a taxi. It’s not *in* the ramparts, which is fine by me because finding parking sounds potentially soul-crushing. It's a short drive, like, 10-15 minutes depending on traffic, and from what I saw it can get real... you know... *Québecois*... with the traffic. Google Maps will be your best friend. Don't trust my memory, it's a sieve.
I’m not gonna lie, at first, I was *a little* bummed. I wanted to walk out my door and *be* in the heart of it all. But then I remembered I'd be escaping the crowds, which is also kind of the point, right? So, yeah, call it "close enough." Consider having a decent coffee and breakfast ready to go before you head out.
Let's talk about this breakfast… everyone raves and complains about hotel breakfasts. What’s the *real* deal?
Ah, the breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. The website promises “a complimentary breakfast” which, in hotel-speak, can mean anything from “a sad bagel” to “a gourmet buffet.” It’s… *adequate*. (That's the *nice* way of putting it). There’s the usual suspects: eggs (probably powdered, let's be honest), sausage (possibly of questionable origin), toast, cereal, yogurt, and… a waffle maker! Which, naturally, I tried.
Now, here's a confession: I *hate* those waffle makers. I always end up with either a sad, pale, undercooked mess or a blackened, hockey puck of despair. And both take forever to cook and even longer to clean. BUT (and this is a big "but") the waffle batter here was… surprisingly decent! And the syrup… surprisingly plentiful! I made like, three waffles. Three! I might have even used some whipped cream from the little tub. It was a moment. A tiny, waffle-filled moment of pure, sugary joy.
Other people were probably more civilized about it: "Oh, lovely, fresh fruit." Or, "This yogurt is great!" I was over here just trying not to set off the smoke alarm with my waffle-fueled ambition. Just don't expect a Michelin Star experience, embrace the waffly-ness, and you'll be fine.
This "getaway"… what's *actually* included? Is it all just a scam to get me to buy a timeshare?
No timeshare, thank GOD. Look, the package I had included the room, the breakfast (mentioned above), and… that was pretty much it. Which, to be honest, was perfectly fine for me. I was there to relax and to, maybe, *maybe* see some of the city. Anything beyond that was extra. Consider bringing your own snacks and libations.
They did offer… a little pamphlet. You know the kind. "Spa! Massage!" "Excursions! Tours!" "More opportunities to spend money!" You know, the usual. I flipped through it while eating a criminally delicious waffle. I did not partake. I was perfectly happy with the view from my (standard) room, a comfortable bed, and the promise of more waffles the next morning. The "getaway" part was really just... being away. That's the most valuable resource, really.
Okay, the *important* question: Is it kid-friendly?! Because I’m dragging the whole brood.
Hmmm. This is where things get… complicated. I went *without* kids. Like, pure, unadulterated, glorious *silence*. I needed that.
That being said… the hotel *is* family-friendly. There's a pool (though I didn't use it), which usually screams "kid zone." And the rooms are spacious enough that you *could* probably squeeze a family in there, but, um, maybe call ahead to clarify your needs on the size of the suites. The breakfast, with its waffle maker, would be a significant draw for children, and it's probably not so bad that you'd be mortified to bring your kids. However… the *vibe* is not explicitly geared towards children. It isn't a Disney resort. It is meant to be a peaceful stay.
Honestly? If you’re dragging the whole brood, consider *how* badly you want to escape. If you desperately need a break, maybe leave the kids with grandma. If you have *no* other options, then, sure, bring them. But don't blame me if your "luxurious getaway" becomes a wrestling match over the last waffle. And *please* pack earplugs for the pool area.
Anything *really* bad that you want to warn me about? Hidden fees? Horrible service? The dreaded mold in the shower?
Okay, let's get the negatives out of the way. The internet was… a bit spotty. Not a huge deal if you’re there to disconnect, but if you need to work or stream Netflix, you were going to have to get… resourceful. I ended up tethering my phone. Also, the walls weren't exactly soundproof. I could hear the neighbours. The *Canadian* neighbours. I could try to understand what they were saying, and itSierra Madre Views: Your Dream Condo Awaits in Mandaluyong!
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