Hammond's Hidden Gem: Days Inn & Suites Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Hammond's Hidden Gem: Days Inn & Suites Review (You Won't Believe This!) - Buckle Up, Buttercups!
Alright, folks, let's cut the crap. You're looking for a hotel review, and I'm here to spill some truth tea. Days Inn & Suites in Hammond… well, it's something. I'll be honest, the "Hidden Gem" tag is pushing it a little… but hey, maybe I was wrong. Let's dive in!
First Impressions (and a slight hiccup):
Driving up, it looks like a Days Inn. You know the drill. Generic exterior, a little… beige. The parking situation? Thankfully, Car park [free of charge] is a huge win. After a brutal 8-hour drive, the last thing I needed was forking over extra cash just to park. Speaking of being tired, the Check-in/out [express] was a godsend. They weren't kidding about that! In and out fast.
However, the first snag? My room key wasn't working, which is never fun when all you want is to collapse into bed. But the Front desk [24-hour] and the super patient staff smoothed things over quickly, and soon, I was in.
Rooms: A Tale of Two Worlds (with Wi-Fi Glory):
The room itself? It was… clean. Let's just say clean is the word. The Daily housekeeping definitely delivers. I mean, it wasn't the Ritz, but it was spotless. Seriously, the bathroom sparkled. The Air conditioning blasted like a champ. This is a godsend in Louisiana! Plus, they had Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! And you could get a strong signal on the Internet access – wireless. In fact, everywhere – Internet services were so great. Winning! I could get my work done. And don't worry, if you prefer the old-school way of connecting, they offer Internet access – LAN too. They also got Wi-Fi in public areas. Top marks, Days Inn, top marks.
Key Room Features I appreciated:
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for this night owl!
- Desk: Essential for catching up on emails (sad but true). Laptop workspace was perfect.
- Coffee/tea maker: Caffeine is my lifeblood. Complimentary tea was a nice touch!
- Refrigerator: Necessary for my (slightly questionable) road trip snacks.
- Socket near the bed: Finally, a hotel that understands the struggle!
Accessibility (Important Stuff):
I didn't personally need an accessible room, but I noticed they had Facilities for disabled guests. Check the specifics when booking, but it's good to know they're trying.
Cleanliness & Safety: Pandemic Edition:
Let's be real, it's 2024, and cleanliness is paramount. The team at Days Inn in Hammond appear to understand this. I could see the effort being made:
Daily disinfection in common areas
Rooms sanitized between stays
Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE!!!!
Staff trained in safety protocol.
I felt fairly secure. They seemed serious about keeping things safe. They didn't, however, offer, Anti-viral cleaning products, Sterilizing equipment, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, or Individually-wrapped food options, but I felt safe.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Blues…but a Silver Lining:
Okay, let's talk breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. They had the standard Breakfast [buffet]. I am not a huge fan of buffets in general, but it was at least available. There was also Breakfast takeaway service.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant (thank God!)
- Breakfast service
There are Restaurants nearby. Not on-site, mind you. This isn't a dining destination. (Thank goodness I wasn't expecting it). The Poolside bar, Snack bar, or Happy hour were not available.
Unpleasant Surprises:
- Nothing in room, sadly the days of room service or a poolside bar went to the wayside.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Alright, and the "Meh":
- Cash withdrawal: Nope, not here.
- Concierge: Nope.
- Convenience store: Nope.
- Laundry service: Yes! Super useful on a long trip.
- Elevator: Yes! A blessing with luggage.
- Business facilities: Okay, they have a Xerox/fax in business center. Basic.
- Currency exchange: Ha! Nope.
- Indoor venue for special events/ Outdoor venue for special events: No.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Nope.
- Doorman: Where?
- Valet parking: Not here.
- Ironing service: Okay, good for a wrinkle-free shirt.
For the Kids:
I don't have kids, but I saw the signs.
- Family/child friendly
- Babysitting service
- Kids meal
Things To Do / Ways To Relax (or not):
This is where the "Hidden Gem" claim falls apart.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Nope.
- Spa: Nope.
- Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom - None.
- Fitness center: Nope.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: All wishful thinking.
So, relaxation isn't really the draw.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Nope.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yessss!
- Car park [on-site]: Yay!
- Taxi service: Yes.
- Bicycle parking: Nope.
- Car power charging station: No.
In-Room Amenities: The Small Stuff:
Here’s a rundown of what else you might find tucked away
- Additional toilet - Not in my room.
- Alarm clock - Yes!
- Bathrobes - No.
- Bathroom phone - No.
- Bathtub - Yes.
- Carpeting - Yes
- Closet - Yes.
- Hair dryer - Yes.
- High floor - Maybe depends on the room.
- In-room safe box - Not in my room.
- Interconnecting room(s) available - Not sure.
- Internet access – LAN - Yes.
- Internet access – wireless - Yes.
- Ironing facilities - Yes.
- Linens - Yes.
- Mini bar - No.
- Mirror - Yes.
- Non-smoking - Yes.
- On-demand movies - Not great selection.
- Private bathroom - Yes.
- Reading light - Yes.
- Refrigerator - Yes.
- Scale - No.
- Seating area - Yes.
- Separate shower/bathtub - Yes.
- Shower - Yes.
- Slippers - Sadly, no.
- Smoke detector - Yes.
- Socket near the bed - Yes!
- Sofa - Yes.
- Soundproofing - Yes.
- Telephone - Yes.
- Toiletries - Adequate.
- Towels - Yes.
- Umbrella - Sadly, no.
- Visual alarm - Not sure.
- Wake-up service - Yes.
- Window that opens - Yes.
The Verdict: Is it a "Hidden Gem"?
Listen, let's be real. Days Inn & Suites in Hammond isn't going to win any awards for luxury. It's a solid, budget-friendly option. It gets the basics right: Clean rooms, free Wi-Fi, friendly staff, and a decent location if you need a stopover in the area. The breakfast situation is a bit sad, and the lack of amenities is noticeable. But you can't expect paradise at these prices. If you're looking for a no-frills, comfortable place to crash for a night or two, this will do the job.
Who Is This Hotel For?
- Budget Travelers: Absolutely.
- Road Trippers: Perfect for a quick overnight stay.
- Business Travelers: Good for a basic, functional stay with good internet.
Who Should Avoid?
- Luxury Seekers: Go somewhere else.
- Spa/Pool Enthusiasts: This is not your place
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is a Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hammond IN adventure… my adventure, anyway. Prepare for a roller coaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and maybe, just maybe, a decent breakfast.
The Hammond Ham-Handed Hustle: A Days Inn Odyssey
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Allure of Questionable Pizza
- 3:00 PM: Landed at O'Hare. Smooth as butter, except the butter was lukewarm and a little… off. Grabbed my rental car (a suspiciously clean sedan, which immediately made me suspicious). Road trip! My bladder was screaming by the time I hit the Illinois/Indiana border.
- 4:30 PM: Arrived at the Days Inn. "Suites" eh? I've stayed in broom cupboards bigger than this room, but at least the air conditioner is rattling its lungs out like a chain smoker. Initial impression: Clean…ish? The carpet has seen some things. I’m immediately paranoid about bed bugs. Gotta check, gotta check. Deep breath. Okay, seems good.
- 4:45 PM: Checked into the room and was given a room with a lovely view of the parking lot. Ah well, a view is a view. I'm already mentally composing my Yelp review titled "Hammond Hellscape, or at least, Hammond Hotel Hellscape."
- 5:00 PM: The internet. Sigh. It's there. It's… trying? God bless whoever is running this wi-fi. Got that precious signal bars.
- 6:00 PM: Hunger pangs. The receptionist mentioned a pizzeria next door. "Authentic Chicago-style!" she gushed. Authentic might mean "dumpster-adjacent." I'm not proud, but I'm desperate. Ordered a pizza. I hope it's edible. I deserve some delicious carbs after the hell that was the airport.
- 7:00 PM: Pizza update: Okay, it's not awful. It’s not good, exactly. Let's just say it's… a pizza. The crust tasted like cardboard, but the cheese at least looked melty. It's a win! In a way.
- 8:00 PM: Binged several episodes of Judge Judy on the tiny TV. Judgement Day.
- 9:00 PM: The bed. It's softish. The pillows are suspiciously flat. I'm convinced there's a faint smell of stale cigarettes clinging to the fabric. Deep breaths. Focus on the softish. Lights out. Praying for a good night's sleep.
Day 2: Breakfast Blues, Hammond Hacks, and the Unfathomable Charm of a Strip Mall
- 7:00 AM: Woke up to the glorious sounds of… a garbage truck reversing. Oh, joy.
- 7:30 AM: "Breakfast?" Okay, let's tackle this. The advertised "continental breakfast" turns out to be a plastic-wrapped muffin (mystery flavor), a container of "fruit" salad that looks suspiciously canned, and some instant coffee that tastes like burnt motor oil. My soul is slowly dying. I grab a lukewarm orange juice.
- 8:00 AM: Decided to make the most of the day. Stalked through the internet. Found a few things. I'd heard whispers of the Wolf Lake Memorial Park, so I decided to find it.
- 9:00 AM: Wound up getting hopelessly lost. My GPS kept rerouting me. I swear it was laughing at me. Found myself in a rather… desolate industrial area. I’ve seen prettier back alleys.
- 10:00 AM: Success! Found the park. It's… okay. The lake is pretty, in a slightly murky kind of way. Spot some ducks.
- 11:00 AM: The charm of a strip mall beckons. It's glorious in its mediocrity. So many stores with promises of discounts and delights.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local diner. The waitress, bless her heart, looked as though she had seen it all, and yet still greeted me with a smile. Ordered a burger. It was… surprisingly good.
- 1:30 PM: Back to the hotel for a nap. My brain needed a reboot.
- 3:00 PM: Found myself back at the strip mall because… apparently, I'm drawn to the siren song of discount stores.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Internet again. Binged some more. The TV remote is now my best friend.
- 5:00 PM: Contemplated going back to the pizzeria. Decided against it. I'm trying to save my tastebuds.
- 6:00 PM: Found a decent Chinese place across the street. The soup was surprisingly good.
- 7:00 PM: Settled into the "softish" bed. The cigarette smell is more pronounced tonight.
- 8:00 PM: More Judge Judy.
- 9:00 PM: Lights out. I need a win. I need tomorrow to be better. Please.
Day 3: Departure, Reflections, and the Lingering Smell of… Something
- 7:00 AM: Garbage truck encore.
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast, the sequel. Today's muffin flavor is… "yellow." The fruit salad appears even more questionable. The coffee is… consistently awful.
- 8:00 AM: Packing. The room feels even smaller now. It's like it's mocking me.
- 8:30 AM: Final walk around. Double-checked for bed bugs. Still good!
- 9:00 AM: Check-out. The receptionist barely makes eye contact. I don't blame her. This place probably sees things.
- 9:30 AM: Out of the parking lot - a moment of hope.
- 10:00 AM: Driving away. Goodbye, Hammond. You were an experience.
- 10:05 AM: I'm already plotting a detailed Yelp review. The world needs to know. ("Days Inn Hammond: Where Breakfast Dreams Go to Die")
- 10:30 AM: Reflecting on my time. The Days Inn by Wyndham Hammond IN experience… could be worse. I survived. And hey, the water pressure in the (tiny) shower was actually quite good. I'll give it that. Did not get eaten by bed bugs. That's a win too.
- 11 AM: Driving off. Already dreaming of the next adventure, with higher hotel standards.
This wasn't a vacation. This was… an experience. A messy, slightly depressing, but ultimately human, experience. Would I recommend the Days Inn by Wyndham Hammond IN? Probably not with a strong recommendation. But hey, at least I have a story to tell. And that pizza… well, it's a story in itself.
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Hammond's Hidden Gem: Days Inn & Suites Review (You Won't Believe This!) - FAQ (Good Lord, Where Do I Start?)
Okay, So... Is This Days Inn Actually a "Hidden Gem"? Spill the Tea!
"Hidden Gem"... alright, let's just say "hidden" is accurate. "Gem"... well, that depends on your definition of a sparkly rock. Honestly? It's a Days Inn in Hammond, Indiana. That should set the tone, right? Don't go expecting the Ritz, folks. I'm talking classic, no-frills, budget-friendly... with a few *interesting* quirks. The kind you might actually remember. I'm not sure "gem" is the word I'd use, maybe "diamond in the rough" is more accurate... and by rough, I mean, a geologist's *nightmare* type of rough, you know?
What's the Vibe? Cleanliness... Is It a Thing Here?
Okay, let's address the elephant (or maybe several miniature dust bunnies) in the room: cleanliness. It... it *attempts* to be clean. Let's put it that way. You *might* find some questionable stains on the carpet. The kind that whispers stories of past guests and questionable beverages. My personal room? Let's just say after I found a rogue, single, perfectly preserved french fry under the bed, I decided my visual inspection was complete. The bathroom? Held its own alright, the shower head was surprisingly strong. It certainly wasn't *filthy*, but you weren't going to be eating off the floor, that's for sure. Remember, you get what you pay for. And you are paying for *very* little here.
The Breakfast. Oh, the Breakfast. What Horrors (or Delights) Await?
The breakfast... ah, the breakfast. It's the kind of breakfast that makes you question all your life choices. It's the kind of breakfast that fuels the *early morning* (in the most chaotic way) and not necessarily a nutritious way. You've got your usual suspects: pre-packaged muffins that taste suspiciously like cardboard (even the chocolate ones!), instant oatmeal that's more gloppy than gratifying, and what I believe were meant to be scrambled eggs, but had the texture of slightly rubbery… *something*. Oh, and the coffee? It tasted like regret. I mean, come on, they are going for the bare minimum. However, there's always the off-chance that they had a 'good' day. You may find yourself delighted by the sheer availability of sugar-laden cereals. Consider it an adventure, a culinary exploration of the utterly unremarkable.
Let's Talk Location. Is It Convenient? Dangerous? Both?
Hammond, Indiana. Let's be real, it's not exactly a tourist hotspot. The Days Inn sits right off the highway, which is both a blessing and a potential curse. Convenient for getting in and out, for sure. But highway = noise. And questionable neighbors. I recommend asking for a room away from the Interstate – trust me. Plus, you are within a short drive of… things. Shopping, fast food, you know, essentials. I went looking for a particular taco place a few blocks away, and I'll be honest, I almost didn't find my way back. So, convenient-ish. Safe… well, keep your wits about you, just like you would anywhere.
The Suite Life? Or, You Know, Just a Room? Details!
Okay, “Suites” is stretching it. It is a Days Inn & Suites meaning they have a handful of rooms that are slightly bigger. My room, well, it was compact. I had a queen-sized bed (comfortable enough, actually), a TV that probably pre-dated cable, and a tiny bathroom. There was a desk in the corner that I couldn't quite bring myself to trust, so I kept my laptop on the bed. The air conditioning worked (thank goodness, it gets HOT in Hammond). The vibe? Functional. Efficient. Not exactly luxurious. But hey, you're not there to live in a palace, are you? You're there to sleep, and it did the job, mostly.
What About the Staff? Any Helpful, or Awkward Encounters?
Oh, the staff... they are… present. I'm not sure I can remember any specific interactions, which is probably a good thing. The check-in was smooth, the check-out was even smoother (since they didn't ask how my stay was). They seemed friendly enough, if a little… subdued. I didn't experience any epic customer service moments, but I also didn't experience any disasters. So, a solid average, I would say. Nothing to write home about, which is perfectly okay in this type of establishment.
The Pool! Did You Dare? Tell Me Everything!
Ah, the pool. I did NOT dare. I did not. I can't, in good conscience, tell you what the pool experience was like. From my cursory glance, things were… damp. And full of chlorine. And, well, empty. It looked like the sort of pool where a rogue tumbleweed might feel right at home. I'm not saying it was *dirty*, but let's just say I opted to skip the swim. I value my health. And my feet. Maybe the pool is a gem. Maybe it's a biohazard. You take your chances. I did not.
Here's the Big Question: Would You Recommend This Place to Anyone? Be Honest!
Okay, honesty time. Would *I* recommend the Hammond Days Inn? Probably not. Unless you're on a seriously strict budget, need a place to crash for a night, and have low expectations. If you're looking for a clean, modern, or even remotely stylish hotel, run, don't walk. However, if you're a seasoned traveler, a budget-conscious adventurer, or someone who just wants a story to tell (and believe me, this place *will* give you a story), then maybe, just maybe, it's worth a shot. But set your expectations low. Very low. And maybe bring your own breakfast. And definitely pack some Lysol wipes. But hey, it's a *cheap* motel and cheap motels have their own strange charm.
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