Kings Dominion Getaway: Unbelievable Deals at Country Inn & Suites!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving DEEP into the Country Inn & Suites and its "Unbelievable Deals" for your Kings Dominion getaway. And let me tell you, after spending a weekend there, I've got thoughts. Lots of them. And they're… well, they're a rollercoaster. Just like Kings Dominion itself!
The Good, the Bad, and the Bloopers (aka, the Review)
First off, let's address the elephant in the room: Accessibility. This is where I'm going to get real, and I'm going to be brutally honest. They say they're accessible, with "Facilities for disabled guests" and an elevator. Great, right? Well, it's a start. I didn't personally need to use these facilities, but I've seen the struggle firsthand. So, if you have specific accessibility needs, I’d recommend calling ahead and asking very detailed questions. Don't take their word for it; make sure their "accessible" is your "accessible" because hotels love to fudge those terms. And I ain't here to enable that.
Cleanliness and Safety – Are They Ready for a Zombie Apocalypse? (Sort Of)
Alright, let's talk about the other pandemic, the germ-pocalypse we all still worry about. The Country Inn & Suites really, and I mean really leans into this. They have:
- "Anti-viral cleaning products" – good!
- "Daily disinfection in common areas" – love it!
- "Room sanitization opt-out available" – uh, okay? (That's a bit…odd.)
- "Rooms sanitized between stays" – that's the bare minimum, tbh.
- "Staff trained in safety protocol" – good job!
- "Hand sanitizer" everywhere – excellent!
Honestly, they seem to have the right idea about cleanliness and safety. They have hygiene certifications and are prepared to handle a plague. But honestly, the opt-out option for room sanitization kinda throws me off.
Food! Oh, the Food (and My Existential Dread)
Okay, let's be frank: hotel food is always a gamble. The Country Inn & Suites offers a Breakfast [buffet]. Now, buffets are wonderful, aren't they? All the food you can eat! I mean, sure, it's a land of potential disappointment, but also of possibility. I have no strong feelings one way or the other but it exists and is available.
They have a very basic Asian breakfast option and a Western breakfast one. (My deep thoughts: Is bacon "Western"? Is everything "Western"? Does time exist? I was hungry.) There is also the usual Coffee/tea in restaurant available.
And…wait for it…the Snack bar. This is where my optimism crashed and burned. This is a very basic snack bar.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
- A la carte in restaurant – well, good for them!
- Restaurants - is there a restaurant? I don't know.
- Room service [24-hour] - not my priority in this instance
- Poolside bar - maybe? I didn't see it.
Services and Conveniences – The Expected and the Unexpected!
They have the basics:
- Air conditioning (thank god!)
- Daily housekeeping
- Elevator
- ATM/Cash withdrawal
- Gift shop
- Luggage storage
- Business facilities
They also have a "Convenience store" which is probably a necessity to run to when you realize you forgot your toothbrush.
Okay, here’s where it gets interesting. They offer:
- Babysitting service – okay, that’s a nice touch. A good idea if you need it.*
- Currency exchange - Why?
- Food delivery - good.
- Meeting/banquet facilities - if you have an event to put on, good..
- Invoice provided - good.
- Laundry service - also good.
For the Kids: Gotta Keep 'Em Happy (and Out of Your Hair!)
They boast of "Family/child friendly" offerings, which is probably a big plus when you're dragging the little ones to Kings Dominion! But what does this mean? This is where things get vague. If there are kids' facilities or kid-friendly activities, that is not mentioned. The mention of babysitting service is a big plus.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy (Mostly)
- Car park [free of charge] – Score! Parking costs add up, so this is awesome.
- Airport transfer – good to have.
Available in All Rooms (The Nitty Gritty)
This is where things get real. Most of the basics are there:
- Air conditioning (again, thank the heavens!)
- Alarm clock (for those early park days)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Daily housekeeping
- Hair dryer
- Ironing facilities (for those wrinkle-free park pics!)
- Wi-Fi free
But the real test? The bed. Was it comfortable? Was it a land of plushy dreams, or a torture device? I am happy to report that the beds were comfortable (not perfect, but good enough!)
The "Spa" Experience… Or Lack Thereof
They list "Spa," "Sauna," "Steamroom," and "Fitness center." But there are no details. This is kinda like when your friend says they're a DJ, but then you show up to the party, and it's just, like, an iPod.
Accessibility - is the focus. Let's not forget that.
The Unbelievable Deal (My Persuasive Pitch!)
Okay, LISTEN UP! This is where I tell you, from one exhausted human to another, if this is worth it.
Here's the Deal:
- Prime Location: It's close to Kings Dominion, saving you precious time and gas (and sanity).
- Priceless Wi-Fi: That's right, free Wi-Fi in every room.
- Free Parking - saving you money for the Funnel Cakes!
- Cleanliness.
- Location, Location, Location
The Deal Breaker (and Yes, It's a Bargain!)
If you're looking for a luxurious spa retreat? Maybe look elsewhere. If you're chasing Michelin star dining? Also, not here.
But! If you just want a clean, convenient, and reasonably priced base camp for your Kings Dominion adventure… then book it!
Do it. You deserve it. Especially after that terrifying drop on the Intimidator 305. Trust me. You'll need a comfy bed and a caffeine-infused breakfast to face those lines again.
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(Disclaimer: I have no actual affiliation with Country Inn & Suites. This review is based on my personal experience and, therefore, is imperfect, opinionated, and probably contains typos. You've been warned!)
Lexington's BEST Kept Secret: Keeneland Comfort Awaits!Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're going to Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in Doswell, VA, right next to King's Dominion. And I'm dragging YOU along for the ride. Get ready, it's gonna be… well, let's just say it's gonna be something.
Day 1: The Arrival & Rollercoaster-Induced Existential Dread
1:00 PM: Arrival Chaos. Okay, so the GPS lady (whose voice I'm starting to suspect is deliberately mocking me) led me on a scenic route through… well, nothing. Just endless fields and the slowly-creeping realization that I’d forgotten to pack a toothbrush. A toothbrush! How does one even survive without a toothbrush for an entire getaway? Anyway, finally, the blessed sight of the Country Inn & Suites. It looked… clean. And that’s a win after that drive. Praying the room isn’t a biohazard. Fingers crossed for clean sheets!
1:30 PM: Check-In Shenanigans. The front desk lady, bless her heart, looked like she’d seen a thousand screaming kids and sleep-deprived parents. I nearly lost my train of thought because I'd forgotten my reservation number. Note to self: write things down! She was super friendly, though, and even gave me a cookie. Suddenly, I felt less stressed. Score one for the little things.
2:00 PM: Room Exploration & Immediate Disappointment. The room! Okay, so it was clean. But… the pool view was mostly the back of a… dumpster? Okay, whatever, the promise of rollercoasters trumps the view. I did a quick inspection of the bed. Clean sheets! Win! The TV. Okay, it turns on. The coffee maker. Oh, this is important. Let's see, coffee, yes!. This is perfect!
3:00 PM: King's Dominion… The Great Question. Okay, time for the main event! Off to King’s Dominion! Now's the time to actually do all the things. The park was packed! I'm not kidding, packed. It was like a sardine can of screaming children. The first coaster, now which one to pick! I need the big ones, the ones that make you question your life choices. I went for the Intimidator 305 first, then the Twisted Timbers. My heart was in my throat, but then the rush kicks in. The wind in my face, the screaming, the stomach flip-flopping, I was laughing, and that's after the first one. I went on it maybe three times? And then the same with Timbers. This is what I needed. This is perfect!
7:00 PM: Dinner Mishaps & Existential Dread Part Deux. After all those rides I was starving! I decided to get the "chicken strips" from the vendor, but instead, it tasted like… well, like mystery meat. It was awful. I barely touched it. I need to get better at picking actual food when I'm not in my kitchen. I just went back to the rides.
9:00 PM: A Quiet Shower and Sweet, Sweet Sleep: Back to the room, and I just had to take a nice long shower. Then I crawled into bed, and almost instantly fell asleep. I probably should set an alarm, but for now, I am at peace.
Day 2: Theme Park Fatigue & Pancake Dreams
7:00 AM: The Breakfast Buffet (a love-hate relationship). Okay, so the Country Inn "complimentary" breakfast is either a gift from the gods or a test of my stomach's iron fortitude. Scrambled eggs that look vaguely yellow? Check. Sausage that resembles… something? Check. I opted for the waffles. The waffle machine, however, was locked in a mortal combat with my patience. After a solid five minutes of attempted waffle-making, I retreated with two slightly undercooked rectangular objects. They were… edible, I guess. At least there was coffee.
8:30 AM: King's Dominion: Revenge of the Thrills. Back into the park! Today, I'm determined to conquer everything. I actually found the courage to try the Drop Tower. Yeah, the one where you're hoisted up slowly and then… dropped. My palms were sweaty, my heart was tap-dancing on my ribs, but… I survived. And… I kind of loved it! Okay, I definitely loved it. I must have ridden it three times in a row.
12:00 PM: Food, Glorious, Food (and a Little Regret). Okay, I knew I needed something more real. This time I aimed for the pizza. I took a bite… yes! Perfect! And then the park got crowded again, and suddenly the day got less fun.
3:00 PM: Poolside Meltdown (in a good way). Back at the hotel. The pool looked inviting. So I put on my swimsuit, and dove in. The water was perfect, not too hot, not too cold, just right. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the peace for a bit.
6:00 PM: Dinner, Part Deux: The Search for Edibility. Back to the pizza! I thought I was safe, but it wasn't as good as I remember.
8:00 PM: Sleep. I swear I was out before my head hit the pillow.
Day 3: The Slow Goodbye & (Maybe) a Few More Rides!
8:00 AM: Goodbye Breakfast I didn't eat much, I'm just tired, I think.
9:00 AM: Last hurrah. Back I went, and I hit up the rides, but not as many this time. I wasn't feeling up to it.
12:00 PM: Departure! The drive home! I needed to go. This was the best trip, and I will miss it.
And now… the drive home. I didn't forget my toothbrush, this time. Though I’m already planning my return. Maybe next time, I'll conquer that… well, maybe I’ll just ride the Drop Tower again.
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