Escape to Saint Paul: Your I-94 Motel 6 Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Saint Paul: Your I-94 Motel 6 Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Saint Paul: My I-94 Motel 6 Oasis? (Oh Boy…) - A Reluctant Review
Alright, buckle up, folks. Because I just survived… Escape to Saint Paul: Your I-94 Motel 6 Oasis Awaits! Let's just say the "oasis" part is… aspirational. And the I-94 part? Well, that’s the honest truth. This isn’t the Four Seasons. More like the "Three Seasons" in Minnesota – barely three. But hey, I went in with an open mind, and emerged… well, with a story to tell.
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First Impressions & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof):
Pulling up, the exterior wasn’t exactly screaming "paradise." More like "tired, but functional." Accessibility is listed as a feature, and that is a plus. The elevator was a godsend, especially after my leg workout at the YMCA the day before. But, and this is a BIG but, the actual facilities for disabled guests seemed… limited. I poked around, and while they technically had some ramps, the overall flow wasn't exactly… smooth. A real shame. I'm thinking they could do better. Also, the car park [free of charge] was definitely a plus (especially since the budget was as "tight" as my budget), but navigating it with mobility issues might be a little tricky during a blizzard. Let's just plan on parking close. The exterior corridor makes me a little nervous in terms of security, but I went prepared, I'll deal.
Cleanliness & Safety (The Anxiety Meter):
Okay, let's be real. This era has us all on edge, right? Cleanliness and safety were top of my list. The good news? They did advertise Anti-viral cleaning products, and they took the whole COVID thing seriously. They had a sanitized kitchen and tableware items, and rooms sanitized between stays. Lots of hand sanitizer stations. So, kudos for trying. But, look, I'm still that person who wipes down everything with Clorox wipes, just in case.
The Daily disinfection in common areas was a relief, and I appreciated the Staff trained in safety protocol. They also had a First aid kit, which is always reassuring. I wasn’t totally sure if anyone was actually using the Doctor/nurse on call, and that would have been nice; but hey, at least they thought of it! The Hot water linen and laundry washing seemed like a standard these days, and wasn't exactly a selling point.
They'd at least made the effort, so Hygiene certification (which I assume they'd have) would make my anxiety so much less! They had a Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, and the whole Safe dining setup seemed legit. I do appreciate having Hand sanitizer. More than most things, I was hoping for a safe trip.
The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property offered some peace of mind, but this place isn't Fort Knox.
Rooms: The Battleground of Comfort and Reality
Let's get into the nitty-gritty of the room. The Available in all rooms list is long: Air conditioning (phew!), Alarm clock, Bathroom phone (seriously, who uses those?), Bathtub (yay for a soak!), Blackout curtains (essential for sleep!), Closet. Standard stuff.
My room, like the rest, was clean. I was in a Non-smoking room, which, honestly, is a MUST. The Seating area was minimal, but functional. My biggest complaint? The walls felt a little thin. I was also glad the daily housekeeping was on the ball. I did feel kind of bad that they replaced all my stuff, but hey, that's the routine.
I appreciated the Air conditioning, after all the walking. I also loved that they had Blackout curtains! A serious plus. I also got some good use out of the Desk.
The Internet access – wireless (the all-important Wi-Fi [free]) worked like a charm, and I could get online, so yay, at least!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Where Dreams Go to… Well, You Know:
Okay, time for the food situation. They advertised some Restaurants, including Asian cuisine in restaurant, but the reality was… well, you’ll read.
They had Breakfast [buffet] that was… let's just say it was the kind of buffet that fuels you, but doesn't necessarily delight you. The Asian breakfast was the best part. The Coffee/tea in restaurant wasn't half bad, and definitely needed to avoid the hangover. Breakfast service was prompt. Coffee shop was a welcomed sight in the morning.
There was a Poolside bar, which, in theory, sounds amazing. But it wasn't open. The Snack bar, on the other hand, was actually kind of decent for a quick bite.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things):
They had the basics covered: Daily housekeeping, Luggage storage, Laundry service (essential for my travel wardrobe), and a Concierge (who was genuinely helpful). I appreciated the Elevator. Cash withdrawal wasn't exactly "convenient," but if you needed it, it was available. Currency exchange? Not an option, as far as I could see. They at least had Contactless check-in/out, which is always a plus. Doorman, nope. Air conditioning in public area, yes.
For the Kids – (A Mixed Bag):
They advertised Family/child friendly, but I didn't see anything earth-shattering. I did see Babysitting service, but I was alone, so it didn't do me much good. Kids meal options weren't very inspiring.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – (The "Oasis" Illusion):
This is where the "oasis" claim gets a little… shaky. They have a Swimming pool (outdoor), which, to their credit, looked decent. The Fitness center was functional enough, but nothing to write home about. The Sauna and Spa? Forget about it. Nothing there. No massage, no steamroom, no spa. Not even a foot bath.
The Verdict? (My Honest Opinion, Unfiltered):
Look, Escape to Saint Paul: Your I-94 Motel 6 Oasis Awaits! isn't a luxury resort. It is clean, it's functional, and it's reasonably priced. The staff were friendly and doing their best. But the dream of a full-blown "oasis" experience? Well, you'll have to pack your own sunscreen, spa treatment, and maybe a little bit of imagination.
Would I go back? Maybe, if I had to. It's a place to rest your head, not necessarily a destination in itself. But hey, at least the I-94 is right there, ready to whisk you away to somewhere… more oasis-like.
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't no perfectly polished itinerary. We're talking Motel 6 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and trust me, it's gonna be a journey. Consider this less a schedule and more… a chronicle of potential chaos.
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (and Maybe Pizza)
1:00 PM - Arrive at MSP (Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport): Oh boy, here we go. Landed. Already feeling the sting of the Minnesota humidity clinging to my existential dread. Forgot my umbrella, classic me. Grabbed my oversized, probably-overweight suitcase, and prayed to the luggage gods it made it. Please let it be there. I need my lucky socks.
1:30 PM - Uber Hell (and Salvation): Finding the Uber pickup zone is always a fun Easter egg hunt. It’s like Where’s Waldo, but with more aggressively honking minivans. Finally, the saint of a driver appears. He looks like a guy who's seen some things. He probably has, what with the airport runs. Asked him about the best pizza in town. He recommended… well, let's just say it's gonna be a pizza adventure tonight.
2:30 PM - Check-in at Motel 6 (I-94): Right. Here we are. That iconic orange sign, like a beacon of budget brilliance. Fingers crossed the sheets are clean. Check in. Prayed to the hotel gods. My room, let's just say it has personality. And by personality, I mean, slightly questionable carpet and a distinct aroma of… well, let's leave that to the imagination. At least it's air-conditioned… maybe.
3:00 PM - Room Assessment: Unpack. Assess. Panic about forgetting my charger. It's always the charger. Decide to embrace the chaos. Crack open a bag of questionable gas station chips. Commence the binge-watching of whatever channel has the least depressing programming.
6:00 PM - Pizza Quest: The Uber driver's pizza recommendation. Oh boy. We're talking a place that seems to exist solely off the beaten path. It’s a dive, it’s glorious, the pizza could cure cancer. Or at least, momentarily distract me from the crushing weight of existence. The crust is perfectly crispy, the cheese strings for miles. This is Minnesota, and this is good.
8:00 PM - Netflix & Bedtime: Back at the Motel 6, the pizza coma is real. Stumble back to the slightly dubious room. Attempt to navigate the archaic channel guide for a decent movie. Fall asleep mid-show, drool slightly onto the questionable pillows. Honestly, it's perfect.
9:00 PM - Journaling: The pizza, the trip, this place, is all amazing. Day 2: Cultural Immersion (and Possibly Regret)
7:00 AM - Wake Up & Regret:Why did I eat all that pizza??? Realize my lucky socks didn't make it.
8:00 AM - Coffee & Continental Breakfast Blunder: The Motel 6 "continental breakfast." Basically, a sugar-laden carb orgy of questionable pastries and watery coffee. Grab a muffin, but the guilt for eating it is real. Attempt to make coffee. Fail. Drink it anyway.
9:00 AM - The State Capitol Building: Alrighty, time to be a responsible tourist. Head to the Minnesota State Capitol. It's… pretty impressive, actually. The architecture is stunning. Stand in awe of the gold-leaf dome, feeling a twinge of patriotism I didn't know I possessed. Wander around, pretend to know what's going on. Try not to get lost. Fail.
11:00 AM - The Cathedral of Saint Paul: Another architectural marvel. The Cathedral is HUGE. Stand in awe, again. Maybe do some praying. For clean socks, a good day, and the strength to not eat all the leftover pizza. Light a candle.
12:00 PM - Lunch & The "Local" Recommendation (of Doom): Ask the Capitol tour guide where to get the real local lunch, get a place close by, and take the advice. Oh, sweet, innocent me. End up in a place that smells vaguely of old deep fryer oil and regret. Order a burger, which arrives looking… well, it looks like a burger. It tastes… eh. Consider this a lesson in trusting random recommendations, particularly from people who might be in the pockets of the local grease industry.
1:30 PM - The Mall of America Debacle: Ok. This needs its own box. The Mall of America. As soon as I walk in, it's all overwhelming, a glorious, terrifying vortex of consumerism. So. Many. People. Take a deep breath and try not to have a panic attack. So many shops, but so many stores I'm like, "I'm never going in there". I find my self wandering aimlessly, feeling the weight of empty space of my non-existent credit card bill. So much to do, and nothing to do. Get lost in the sea of people. Eventually, I find a store that sells things I do want: a small, overly priced, quirky gift for my neighbor, and then, I ran. I'm not cut out for this. And I will NOT be riding the roller coaster.
4:00 PM - Return to Refuge: Back to Motel 6. The quiet. The calm (ish). The questionable carpet is oddly comforting. Find my lucky socks!
6:00 PM - Dinner & Local Brew!: Went for a local place, where I order some local brews, some local food, and watched some local people.
7:00 PM - Return to Netflix: Back to the room, and watch the movie!
8:00 PM - Journal: It's all chaos, and I love it.
Day 3: Departure & Reflections (and the Longing for Clean Sheets)
- 8:00 AM - Goodbye Continental Breakfast: Attempt the coffee and fail. Grab a muffin and a banana. The usual.
- 9:00 AM - Pack & Prepare to Leave: Pack everything up. Carefully check for any forgotten chargers, socks, or remnants of pizza. Check out.
- 10:00 AM - Final Minnesota Moments: Drive around, find a nice spot, remember the pizza, this journey, this place. Stare out at the sky. Feel something vaguely resembling peace.
- 12:00 PM - Airport & Departure: Arrive at MSP, this time with a sigh of relief and a slightly less heavy suitcase. Hopefully, the flight isn't delayed. Hopefully, they have good coffee.
This is the truth, it's a great place. I'll be back; I will. I think.
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Okay, so... Escape to Saint Paul? Is that, like, a legit getaway, or am I about to end up in a real-life horror movie?
Alright, real talk. Escape to Saint Paul, and more specifically, the I-94 Motel 6? "Escape" might be a *slightly* strong word. Let's say it's... a reset. Think of it as the equivalent of hitting the "pause" button on your life, but instead of a cozy cabin in the woods, you're hitting it in a room that probably hasn't seen a deep clean since the Clinton administration (kidding... mostly). It's not the Ritz, folks. But you *can* escape the dishes, the screaming kids (if you don't bring 'em!), and the general chaos of... well, you. That's the promise. And sometimes, that's all you need.
What's the best part about staying at this... "oasis" (air quotes intended)?
Okay, here's the thing. The *best* part? Depends on what you're running from. For me, honestly? The price! Seriously, cheap as chips. And you know what? Sometimes, that's enough. Plus, you can't beat the people-watching. Oh my god, the people-watching. I swear, you could write a novel just based on the stories that walk through those doors. Last time I was there, I saw a guy in a full Elvis costume carrying a tiny dog in a rhinestone-studded carrier. *That* is entertainment, people. And it’s free!
And the worst part? Be honest.
Ugh. Let's be real. Let's. Be. Real. The worst part? The *smell*. My god, the smell. It's a potent cocktail of stale cigarette smoke, industrial cleaner, and a hint of... something else I can't quite identify, but suspect is best left uninvestigated. And it clings. It *clings* to your clothes, your hair, your very soul. You might need a hazmat suit just to check out. Ok, not really. But seriously, pack a can of air freshener. You'll thank me later. Also, the towels. Thin. Rough. Like sandpaper. Bring your own.
What's the deal with the "I-94" part? Is this some roadside hellscape?
It's on I-94. Right on it. Convenient? Yes. Scenic? Absolutely not. You're basically parked next to the highway. Expect constant traffic noise. Expect a view of… well, you're better off not expecting a view. Think more "truck stops and gas stations" than "rolling hills and picturesque vistas." But hey! Easy access to, um, *things*. And the city, if you *actually* wanna go to Saint Paul. Which is, like, a nice city. Eventually.
Is there breakfast? Because if there's no breakfast, I'm already plotting my escape.
Oh, the breakfast. The legendary, sometimes non-existent, breakfast. It's… unpredictable. Sometimes there's lukewarm coffee, questionable donuts, and the stale remnants of a box of cereal. Other times? Crickets. Literally, zero breakfast. My advice? Stop at a gas station and grab something. You’ll be better off. Trust me. I learned the hard way. One time, I was so desperate I ate a soggy muffin that looked suspiciously like it had been there since Tuesday. It was Wednesday. I survived. Barely.
Tell me more about the "people-watching." This is starting to sound like the main event.
Oh, the people-watching. Where do I even *begin*? One time, I spent a solid hour just sitting in the lobby, observing a group of teenagers attempting to simultaneously juggle pizza boxes and flirt with the front desk clerk. It was a masterclass in awkwardness. Another time, there was a guy in a full business suit, carrying a suspiciously large duffel bag, who paced back and forth in front of the vending machine for a good fifteen minutes before giving up and wandering outside. What was in the bag?! I'll never know! The possibilities are endless. And you get the best stories, just from overhearing casual conversations. Like, "Yeah, the llama ate my passport. Again." Seriously, you can't make this stuff up!
Are the beds comfortable at all? Like, sleepable?
Comfortable? That's a strong word. Sleepable? Maybe. Think… firm. Very, very firm. Some people like firm. I'm not one of those people. I'd describe them as "functional." You'll find them. You'll sleep on them. You might wake up with a crick in your neck and the vague feeling you've been sleeping on concrete. But hey, you're escaping, right? Sleep is overrated. Take a nap in your car. Or bring a nice, fluffy air mattress.
What about... safety? Is it, you know, *safe*?
Safety. Ah, yes. The eternal question. Look, it's a motel off the highway. Common sense is your best friend. Lock your door. Don't leave valuables in plain sight. Be aware of your surroundings. Honestly, I've never *felt* unsafe there, but I'm also not foolish enough to walk around flashing wads of cash at 3 AM. Use your judgment. And don’t leave your room without your shoes. Trust me.
Okay, you've convinced me... or maybe scared me into morbid curiosity. What should I pack, beyond the air freshener and sandpaper towels?
Alright, you've asked for it. Beyond the air freshener (essential!) and your own towels (also essential!), pack: Earplugs (trust me, the highway is LOUD!), your own pillow (those pillows... oh, those pillows…), snacks (because breakfast is a gamble), a good book (or a streaming device, because you'll need something to occupy your mind), and a healthy dose of humor. And maybe a hazmat suit, just in case. Nah, kidding... mostly. But seriously, lower your expectations, embrace the chaos, and remember: it's an *escape*. Even if it's just an escape from your own reality for a night or two. And who knows? You might just find yourself with a story to tell. And that, my friends, is priceless.
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