Veracruz Escape: Unbeatable Deals at Best Western Global Express!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling vortex of… the Best Western Global Express in Veracruz! "Unbeatable Deals," they say. Let's see if the reality matches the hype, shall we? This isn't your glossy, overly-edited brochure review; this is the raw, unfiltered truth from a weary (but optimistic!) traveler.
Accessibility: The First Impression (and the most important, honestly).
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. This is HUGE, and I'm gonna say it loud: They SAY they're wheelchair accessible. BUT I've been burned before. Call ahead. Specifically ask about ramp gradients, bathroom dimensions, and if the elevators are consistently working. Don't trust the website photos, people. Trust your gut, and a phone call. Then, if they're REALLY accessible, HUGE props to Best Western (and I'll happily eat those words and maybe amend this review to reflect it). Because hotels that get it right are golden.
First Impression? More Like First Confessions…
Okay, here's where I admit it. I'm a bit of a nervous traveler. And walking into any hotel, I'm like a deer caught in headlights. I'm already picturing the check-in line, the awkward small talk, the inevitable forgotten toothbrush. But hey, at least they've got a 24-hour reception. That means, no matter what catastrophic travel mishap I find myself in, there's (hopefully) someone there to help. And that's a mental win!
Cleanliness and Safety (aka: Is This Virus-Free Zone?)
This section is HUGE right now. Let me tell you, after the year we've had, it's a major selling point for any hotel. They boast about anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection of common areas, and professional-grade sanitizing services. They even have the option to opt-out of room sanitization (smart!). Bonus points for individually-wrapped food options and cashless payment services. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Check. Staff trained in safety protocol? I hope they are because I'm eyeing them with suspicion until I see those protocols in action. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Good. I'm not looking to make friends. I want to be safe. Hot water linen and laundry washing? Thank god.
(Rambling Interlude: My Bathroom Obsession)
I have a weird thing about bathrooms. They can make or break a hotel stay for me. So, let's get down to brass tacks: Available in all rooms: Additional toilet (fantastic!). Private bathroom (essential!). Separate shower/bathtub (depends on the mood!). Toiletries (fingers crossed they're not those tiny, plastic-wrapped things). The lack of a bidet is the only real flaw.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Stomach's Perspective
Alright, here's the fun part, the food! Restaurants, yippee! They have a bar (hallelujah!). Maybe even a poolside bar? (Double Hallelujah!). Okay, so, A la carte in restaurant is promising. The possibility of Asian cuisine in restaurant makes me giddy. If they have Vegetarian restaurant options, I'll be thrilled. Breakfast [buffet]. Okay, I'm not a buffet person. I'm the person who stares at the options paralyzed with indecision and ends up eating a bagel with cream cheese. BUT I admit it's convenient. I'm secretly hoping for a good coffee shop to wake me up. Desserts in restaurant is just plain cruel because I'm trying to watch my calorie intake.
Quick rundown - the important ones:
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes, please!
- Snack bar: Always a win for those midnight cravings
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Crucial
The "Things To Do" Section: More Than Just a Bed
Now, the amenities! Swimming pool (outdoor, I assume. Veracruz is hot!). Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Gym/fitness, Massage… this is where the hotel tries to woo me away from my real life. I'm not an overly ambitious person. If there's Wi-Fi in public areas and Internet access – wireless in my room, I'm already halfway there. The promise of Body scrub and Body wrap are tempting… but let's be real I'll probably just end up sitting and staring at the ocean, which is also nice.
Services and Conveniences: The Behind-the-Scenes Goodness
Okay, let's get practical. Daily housekeeping? Yes, please (especially because I'm messy). Laundry service? Huge win. Concierge to give me the lowdown on Veracruz? YES. Cash withdrawal? Fantastic because I always seem to be out of cash. Air conditioning in public area and Air conditioning in all rooms? Essential, especially for Veracruz. Elevator? I NEED it.
For The Kids and The Grown-Ups
Babysitting service: This is a good thing if you have kids! I don't, so I can not verify the service.
The Rooms: My Personal Sanctuary (or Not)
Air conditioning: Check. Alarm clock: Check. Bathrobes: Ooh, fancy! Blackout curtains: Bless. Coffee/tea maker: Excellent. Free bottled water: Essential for Veracruz. Hair dryer: Indispensable. High floor: (I like views) In-room safe box: Important. Mini bar: Temptation! Non-smoking: (Thank God!) Satellite/cable channels: (I may or may not watch reality TV in secret.) Shower: Fine. Slippers: Fancy. Soundproofing: Yes, please. Wi-Fi [free]: Needed!
(Rambling Interlude 2: The Internet and the Curse of Work)
I'm a digital nomad at heart. I need my internet. Badly. Internet access – LAN is a bit old school, but useful. Laptop workspace: Crucial. Socket near the bed: Brilliant! I like to recharge with my phone next to me .
Getting Around:
Car park [free of charge]? Good! Taxi service? Great. Airport transfer? Very convenient for me.
(Final Thoughts and the Not-So-Subtle Sales Pitch)
Look, the Best Western Global Express in Veracruz sounds promising. Cleanliness is a HUGE plus. Now, here is a sales pitch (and maybe a plea)…
My Veracruz Escape: Unbeatable Deals (and Maybe a Chance at Sanity!)
Tired of the same old routine! Craving adventure? A little sunshine? Then book your stay at the Best Western Global Express in Veracruz!
Here's why you NEED this escape:
- Unbeatable Deals: We're talking serious savings, so you can spend more on tacos (which are, let's be honest, the most important part of any trip to Mexico!).
- Safety First (Because, Hey, We're All a Little Anxious These Days): We've got top-notch cleanliness protocols to keep you feeling secure.
- Convenience Is King (or Queen!): 24-hour room service, a pool, and all the amenities you need to relax and recharge.
- Internet Access (Because Let's Face It, We're All Addicted): Free Wi-Fi and a workspace to connect with the world.
Don't wait! Book your Veracruz adventure today!
Pro Tip: Call and confirm those accessibility details. And pack your swimsuit. If you don't want to think about it, I recommend you book in advance and request a room on the top floor with a balcony. You deserve this.
Escape to Paradise: Auberge de la Calanque, Lavandou's Hidden Gem
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly polished travelogue. This is my trip to the Best Western Global Express Veracruz, Mexico, and it's gonna be… well, let's just say it's gonna be real. (And probably a bit chaotic.)
Travel Itinerary: Veracruz, Mexico – The Messy Edition
Day 1: Arrival - So, It Is Hot… and a Little Bit Concerning
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Okay, flight was… a flight. You know how it goes. Cramped seats, recycled air, the usual. Got a window seat though, which was a win! Landed in Veracruz. Whew, immediate wall of humidity. Thought I was prepared, but nope. It’s like stepping into a warm, wet blanket. Check-in was… slow. The receptionist seemed more interested in her phone than me. Which, I get it, we all are, but still! Finally got my key. Room seemed clean enough… until I saw the spider. Tiny, but still. Cue mild freak-out. Decided to ignore it. Pretended it wasn't there. Didn’t work.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Lunch! Found a little fonda (small, family-run restaurant) around the corner. Ordered pescado frito (fried fish). So. Good. Like, ridiculously good. Crispy, flavorful, and definitely worth that questionable spider situation. The owner, an adorable woman with a smile that reached her eyes, kept topping up my iced tea. Bless her heart. Tried to practice my rusty Spanish. Mostly managed to order "fish" and "water." Oh well, the food spoke for itself. Afterwards, attempted to take a nap. Failed. Humidity wins again.
Evening (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Walked along the Malecón (seafront promenade). Wow. Beautiful. The ocean. The breeze. The energy of the city! Was dodging street vendors, kids playing soccer, and a particularly persistent man trying to sell me… well, I’m not entirely sure what he was selling, but he was very enthusiastic. Decided to retreat to the hotel for an early dinner (hotel restaurant was underwhelming). Ordered room service because I'm already exhausted, a salad and a cerveza. Ate the salad. Drank the beer. Contemplated re-downloading Duolingo. Maybe tomorrow.
Day 2: Culture, Coffee, and the Mother of all Markets
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Finally conquered the shower! The water pressure here is… variable. Like, sometimes it's a trickle, other times it's a pressure washer. Today was a trickle day. Ugh. Swallowed my pride and asked for a local coffee which they serve at the hotel restaurant. After that, I dragged myself to the Mercado Hidalgo (market). OMG. Sensory overload. The smells! The colors! The sheer volume of… everything! Mountains of fruit, herbs I couldn't even name, live chickens, and enough souvenirs to fill a small museum. Got completely lost. And loved every second of it. Managed to haggle over a hand-painted ceramic mug. Felt like a local. Maybe I am a local?
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Decided to embrace the chaos and find lunch in the Mercado. Found a tiny stall serving picadas (small, thick tortillas topped with various ingredients). The woman running the stall was a whirlwind of efficiency, slinging out picadas like a champion. The food was cheap, delicious, and gave me a tiny stomach ache. Worth it. Afterwards, visited the Museo Naval (Naval Museum). Pretty interesting. Got distracted by the fact that everything seemed to be coated in a thin layer of salt. The sea air, I guess.
Evening (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Ahem. Okay, so, about the evening… Decided to find a rooftop bar. Wanted sunset views, cocktail. After wandering aimlessly for an hour, ended up at a place that looked promising. Ordered a Margarita. One turned into two, which turned into… well, let's just say I had a very enthusiastic conversation with a local about the history of Veracruz. Learned a lot. Remember… some things. (Note to self: Write notes tomorrow.)
Day 3: Beach Day, Regret, and the Quest for Really Good Churros
Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Woke up. Slowly. Headache. Sunburn. Regret the size of Veracruz. But, hey, beach day! Grabbed a taxi to the beach. The sand was hot! The water was warm! The vendors were relentless! But… it was beautiful. Spent a blissful hour floating in the waves. Tried to buy a coconut from a beach vendor. Failed. He only spoke rapid-fire Spanish and I only spoke… well, you get the picture.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Lunch: Seafood! After a quick search located a beach-side restaurant. Ordered grilled fish, with a side of that classic, "oops, should've asked for less spice" moment. So, the heat got the best of me, I'm sure. Then, the best part?! Chasing down my quest for churros. Finally found a tiny street vendor with a line of locals. Worth the wait. Seriously perfect. Sugary, crispy, warm. Absolutely heavenly. This makes everything better. I could eat them all day. I should eat them all day.
Evening (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Packing (or at least, attempting to pack). Realized I've acquired way more souvenirs than I have suitcase space. Oh dear. Ordered room service. Again. Decided that "tomorrow's the day" for a proper, sit-down dinner. Said goodbye to the spider (who, miraculously, still hadn't moved). Had a long, introspective chat with the hotel mirror about life choices. Drank a cerveza. Accepted my fate.
Day 4: Departure – Feeling… Something
Morning (8:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Tried to eat breakfast. Failed. My stomach is still recovering from the picadas incident. Checked out of the hotel. Airport transfer.
Afternoon (11:00 AM - 3:00 PM): Flight home.
Reflections:
Veracruz. It’s a mess. It’s beautiful. It’s chaotic. It’s… real. Did I see all the sights? Nope. Did I master the Spanish? Absolutely not. Did I eat my weight in fried fish and churros? Possibly. Did I have a good time? Absolutely. Even with the spider, the humidity, and the language barriers, this trip was… something. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Now, about that suitcase… Wish me luck.
**Kansas City's KU Med Center Hotel: Baymont Wyndham's Unbeatable Deal!**
Okay, so, Veracruz Escape… What's the *deal*? Is it actually a deal? Because "deals" these days… well, let's just say I'm skeptical.
Alright, alright, settle down, my fellow bargain hunters. I get it. "Unbeatable Deals" screams "fishy" sometimes. But listen, I took the plunge (literally, into a delicious pool... more on that later) and… yeah. It *was* a deal. Think of it as a pre-packaged vacation, like, a whole enchilada of fun, but without having to, you know, *make* the enchiladas yourself. They’re bundling the Best Western Global Express (which, let's be honest, is a perfectly serviceable hotel. Clean, comfy bed = win.) with some activities. I went for the "Relax & Refuel" package. They even threw in a free breakfast voucher... and that breakfast, oh man...
Sidenote: Always, ALWAYS double-check what's *included* in the official brochure, okay? 'Cause they might throw in a "free" activity that turns out to be a timeshare presentation. (learned that the hard way once) Don't be me, ask questions!
Best Western Global Express… Sounds… Generic. Is it *actually* nice? I'm a bit of a hotel snob. (Okay, maybe a *lot* a hotel snob…)
Listen, I'm not gonna lie: the name doesn't scream "luxury." But look, it's a Best Western. You *know* what you're getting. Clean rooms, comfortable beds (important!), decent AC (again, VERY important in Veracruz!), and usually a friendly staff. The Global Express version? It's a step up, honestly. I had a balcony with a view of the pool, and during the siesta time, I sat there and chilled my beer, took some rest, because the weather was so great outside and my body craved for it! The bathroom was clean. The shower pressure was… acceptable. Look, I'm not expecting a spa with gold-plated faucets. This is a *practical* hotel. And for the price of the package? Totally worth it. Don't expect The Ritz, but don't expect a roach motel either. It's somewhere in the middle. And for me, that's usually *perfect*!
Bonus points: Their internet was surprisingly reliable. I could actually upload photos to Instagram without wanting to throw my phone against the wall. A major win.
What kind of activities are *actually* included in these packages? Give me specifics! Because "cultural experience" could mean anything from a mariachi band (which I *love*) to, like, a tour of a sewage treatment plant (which, uh, not so much).
Alright, *this* is where it gets interesting. The packages vary, but they usually offer a mix. Mine had (deep breath here): a boat tour of the harbor, a visit to a coffee plantation, access to the pool (a *godsend* in the Veracruz heat), and that free breakfast. Also included in some versions of this package is a visit to a local restaurant to taste the local's food and have a cultural experience that you will never forget! They might throw in a museum visit, or a guided tour of Old Veracruz. It changes. *Read the fine print, people.* I did the boat tour, it was pleasant, I actually fell asleep at one point and woke up feeling pretty good, the guide was okay, but the coffee plantation? Pure bliss. Smelling that aroma made me feel better. The coffee, the sun, the friendly people… *chef's kiss*.
Pro Tip: If you're not a history buff, maybe skip the museum. I made that mistake one time. Spent the whole time wishing I was at the beach. Choose the activities that genuinely appeal to *you*.
The food. Okay, spill the beans. Is the food in Veracruz any good? I'm a total foodie.
Oh, you’re talking my language! Veracruz cuisine? *Chef's kiss* times a million. It’s incredible, people. Think fresh seafood (obviously!), spicy chilies, amazing coffee, and some of the best tacos you'll ever eat. The free breakfast at the hotel? It was decent. But the *real* magic happens outside those hotel walls. I spent a week stuffing my face with things I can't even *pronounce*. The *pescado a la Veracruzana*? To die for. The *gorditas*? Pure heaven. I may have gained five pounds, but *worth it*. The one thing I can recommend from my heart, is to try the food from the local food vendors; they are the best in the world!
Warning: The chilies can be *spicy*. Ask before you eat. My first meal, I thought my head was going to explode. But hey, I learned. In the best way possible.
Is it *safe*? Veracruz has a reputation… So, what's the vibe?
Okay, let's get real. Veracruz, like any place in the world, has its issues. I recommend you do your research and check the latest travel advisories before you go. But honestly, and I can only speak from *my* experience, I felt pretty safe. I stuck to the tourist areas, didn’t wander around alone at night in deserted places, and kept my wits about me, as I always do when traveling. The hotel staff was super helpful with recommendations and warnings. The locals are generally friendly, and the atmosphere is very relaxed. That being said, always be aware of your surroundings. Don't flash expensive jewelry, don't leave bags unattended, and trust your gut. If something feels off, *leave*. (It's always a good idea.)
Anecdote: I accidentally left my phone at a restaurant once. Went back, terrified, convinced it was gone. The waiter remembered me, handed it right back. Good people. But still, I'm not recommending you *test* the honesty of the locals, okay?!
How's the pool? Because that's kind of important. Especially in that heat.
THE POOL! Okay, so the pool was… a lifesaver. Absolutely vital. Essential. I probably spent half my vacation *in* the pool. It's clean (very important!), a decent size, and they have those little lounge chairs around it. You can even get drinks delivered to your chair from the bar. Heaven. Pure, unadulterated, chlorine-scented heaven. The water was the perfect temperature. Not too cold, not too warm. I could just float around, with a good beer, and watch the clouds roll by. Pure bliss. I can't even explain how good it felt to, like, just *be* there in the heat.
My deepest regret: Not bringing enough sunscreen. Seriously, pack more than you think you need. My shoulders are still paying the price.
