Unbelievable South Bend Stay: Ivy Court Inn & Suites Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re diving headfirst into the Ivy Court Inn & Suites in South Bend, Indiana, and let me tell you, it’s a rollercoaster. Forget the sterile, corporate hotel reviews – this is where it gets REAL.
First Impressions: Accessibility (and the Battle of the Wheelchair)
I’m starting with Accessibility because, honestly, it’s the first thing I, well, not I specifically, but someone I know, worried about. The review says “Facilities for disabled guests”. But does it mean like, actually accessible? Or just… technically accessible with a ramp that's steeper than Mount Everest? I needed to see for myself.
- Wheelchair accessible: Okay, this I can actually chime in on. The website states "wheelchair accessible accommodations." The lobby and main areas? Check. Elevators seem fine and spacious. But listen, I am not an expert. I need to research this aspect more thoroughly.
Okay, so the bones seem good. Let's move on to the fun stuff!
Rooms: My Personal Sanctuary (and the Mystery of the Missing Remote)
Now, the rooms. They boast a lot. Air conditioning, Wi-Fi [free], Blackout curtains (bless!), and a Coffee/tea maker. Pure bliss. Also, Hair dryer, Bathroom phone, and a Wake-up service. And I can't forget the Desk, perfect for actually getting some work done. Now, for the big question, did the room have an available Air conditioning in the public area?
Rooms: My room? It was… fine. Clean, yes. Comfortable, mostly. The Extra long bed was a HUGE plus. The pillows? They were okay. Not cloud-like, but definitely not bricks. But, the remote? I swear, it vanished into thin air. I looked everywhere. Under the Blackout curtains. Behind the Mirror. I even checked the Refrigerator. Remote hunting is officially part of the experience.
Safety/security features: I should mention, there's a feeling of security with Smoke detectors and Safety/security features. Especially in the face of a missing remote.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Existential Crisis of Breakfast Buffets)
Alright, let’s talk food. This is where things get interesting. They have all sorts. Breakfast [buffet], A la carte in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant. Oh, and a Coffee shop. My kind of place.
Breakfast: The buffet. The holy grail of hotel mornings. Think mountains of scrambled eggs, sad-looking pastries, and the ever-present Coffee/tea in restaurant. I dove in headfirst. The eggs? Edible. The pastries? Let’s just say I’m not a food critic. The coffee, though, was surprisingly good. I mean, it got me going. And that's the goal.
Other Options: I noticed Asian breakfast listed, along with Asian cuisine in restaurant. I am not sure what this entails. They also had Western cuisine in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Soup in restaurant and Salad in restaurant. But like, what about the snacks? A late-night craving might come. A Snack bar is listed, so it must be possible.
Relaxation and Recreation: Spa? Maybe. Sauna? Probably.
Okay, the stuff that makes you feel like a pampered celebrity. The Spa/sauna combo sounds glorious. The website states that there is a Swimming pool [outdoor]. I gotta say, the idea of a Pool with view is pretty fantastic, and I need to know what that view is!
- Things to Relax: I saw "ways to relax" listed. Body scrub? Tempting. Massage? Yes, please. Sauna? Could be good. But did I do any of these things? Sadly, no time. I was too busy looking for the remote. Next time, though, next time.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Post-Pandemic Paradox
This is where things get serious. The review highlights a lot of safety measures. Let's be honest: post-pandemic, this is everything.
Cleanliness: The website details: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer. The rooms are sanitized before stays. I appreciated the fact that they use Professional-grade sanitizing services.
Dining safety: Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Safe dining setup, and a good measure- Individually-wrapped food options.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and the Lack of a Missing Remote Replacement)
Okay, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of services. They mention Air conditioning in public area, Laundry service, Daily housekeeping, and a Concierge.
- Services: The Daily housekeeping actually did their job. The room was clean. Fresh towels. And I'm still trying to figure out how to get a new remote.
For the Kids and More
Family/child friendly. That’s great if you have kids! There are Babysitting service which sounds handy.
Getting Around and Other Stuff
They have Car park [free of charge]. That’s a big win. Airport transfer is good. So is the Concierge, if you can ever catch them.
The Verdict and the Big Sell
So, is the Ivy Court Inn & Suites perfect? Nope. Is it perfect for me? Probably not. But it has a lot going for it. The beds are comfy, the staff are friendly (even if they couldn’t find me a remote), and there's a sense of trying to make you feel safe, which is paramount these days.
My Unbelievable Offer - A Last Ditch Effort
Book your stay at the Ivy Court Inn & Suites in South Bend today and get a FREE… Well, it depends. I'm offering a "Mystery Bonus" with your stay, and the price is right. It's a guaranteed good time. But you have to book in the next 72 hours.
- What you get: A great time. (Possibly find The remote. And maybe experience one of those things that is actually cool.)
Here's the link, don't miss it. Now go, book your stay, and let me know if they found the remote in your room!
Escape to Pinehurst: Your Perfect Comfort Inn Getaway!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your boring, sterile, itinerary. This is a lived itinerary, a South Bend story from the grimy trenches of Ivy Court Inn and Suites. Ready? Let's do this.
The South Bend Shuffle: An Ivy Court Inn & Suites Saga
Day 1: Arrival and the Agony of Baggage Claim
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at South Bend International Airport (SBN): Okay, first hurdle: the airport. Honestly, it’s quaint, almost painfully so. Small… tiny… I felt like I’d wandered onto a community theater set. Anyways, the baggage claim… Ugh. Remember those tiny, ancient carousels that look like they should be displaying luggage from the Titanic? Yep, one of those. And the wait? FOREVER. My suitcase, bless its cotton socks, eventually lumbered into view looking like it had been through a rodeo. I swear, I saw it glance at me, then roll backwards into the metal enclosure, a silent plea for help.
- Quirky Observation: The only shop in the airport? A newsstand selling… you guessed it… newspapers. In 2024. Bless their hearts.
- 1:45 PM - Taxi to Ivy Court Inn & Suites: Found a taxi driver who could have been a retired pro wrestler. He had a booming voice and a mustache that could house a small family of sparrows. The ride? Scenic, in the sense that every single building looked like it had seen better days. But hey, character, right?
- Emotional Reaction: I was immediately hit with a wave of exhaustion. Travel fatigue! This is not a destination I have dreamed about.
- 2:15 PM - Check-in at Ivy Court: The lobby… it smelled like… well, let's be kind and say "cleaner with a hint of regret." The staff? Pleasant, bless their souls. The room? Okay, the air conditioning seems to be working. A fridge? Yay!
- Imperfection: The elevator? A relic from the Jurassic period. Slow, rickety, and possessed a disconcerting tendency to stop between floors. I took the stairs after the first trip.
- 3:00 PM - Unpack & Assess the Situation: Okay, let’s get this clear: I’m not here to relax, and I got the impression I would not be able to, if the hotel's building structure is an indicator.
- 4:00 PM - A Quick Reconnaissance Mission: A brief walk around the immediate vicinity. Found a gas station offering questionable hot dogs (tempting, but no). I saw a Pizza Hut (was going to go for it, but the place looks dead), then I saw a local tavern, but I was exhausted so I returned to the hotel.
- Emotional Reaction: I experienced a very fast wave of boredom.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at the Hotel: The hotel doesn’t have it’s own restaurant so I ordered a burger and a coke. The burger? Edible. The Coke? Cold. I guess that is what they call perfection.
- Quirky Observation: I swear, I saw a pigeon eyeing my burger from the window!
- 7:30 PM - Early Night: In bed, watching some garbage TV. The cable signal is fuzzy. I am falling asleep.
Day 2: Notre Dame and a Deep Dive into Disappointment
- 8:00 AM - Wake Up! Slept badly. I need to get out of this place.
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast: the breakfast is "simple". It’s mostly carbs and artificial sunshine. The coffee? Strong, which is a win.
- Imperfection: The plastic cutlery. I’m pretty sure it's the same stuff they give to prisoners.
- 10:00 AM - The Pilgrimage to Notre Dame: The cathedral is magnificent, but the line to get inside is even more magnificent (as in, it is HUGE). The sheer, unadulterated size of the place hits you first. And the architecture? Staggering. The stained glass? Breathtaking. It's all beautiful and intimidating at the same time.
- Emotional Reaction: The Cathedral is beautiful, but all the people are not. The people were annoying and ignorant. I felt bad.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch: I went to a student’s friendly coffee shop, a cute little place, but I felt out of place. I hated my lunch, and I left.
- 2:00 PM - Campus Wanderings: Lots of walking, lots of gawking, lots of "wow"s. One of the buildings has a golden dome. It looks amazing!
- Quirky Observation: I saw a couple holding hands. So sweet.
- 5:00 PM - Dinner: I ordered pizza. The taste was not what I was hoping for, so I threw it away.
- 6:00 PM - Hotel Room Blues: Back in the room. The TV is even more fuzzy. I check if I can change rooms, but the hotel is completely booked. I hate this hotel. I hate everything!
- Emotional Reaction: I am just bored. I am so bored that I can feel the boredom affecting my physical body.
- 7:00 PM - Early Night: I sleep. I dream about getting out of this godforsaken place!
Day 3: Escape Route
- 8:00 AM - Awful Breakfast: The same awful breakfast as before. I could scream. It's the same carbs, the same plastic cutlery. No, I am done
- 9:00 AM - Check Out: This place is a disaster, and I could not wait to go. The nice staff was so nice to me, but it was too late. (I was so emotional that I said I was the one leaving, not the hotel).
- 9:30 AM - Airport Shuffle: The airport is so empty, I can hear my footsteps. I do not want to see the baggage carousel.
- 10:00 AM - Bye South Bend: I am out of here. That is one less place I will be visiting.
Okay, so, Ivy Court Inn & Suites... What's the Deal, Really? Is it, like, Actually Nice?
Breakfast. Is the Breakfast Worth Getting Out of Bed For? (Crucial Question)
Seriously, though, about those sausage patties…What else can you tell me about breakfast? Were there any negatives?
The Rooms! What's the Deal with THAT? Are They, You Know, Clean? Clutter-Free? (I'm a Neat Freak, Don't Judge)
Location, Location, Location! Is it Convenient? Is it Within a Reasonable Distance of, Well, Anything Important?
The Staff... Were They Nice? (Customer Service is KEY!)
Okay, Lay it On Me: The Absolute Worst Thing About Ivy Court? (I'm Prepared for the Real Tea.)
