Route 66 Gem! Wingate by Wyndham St. Louis/Fenton: Your Perfect Stay!
Okay, So Wingate by Wyndham St. Louis/Fenton: Your "Perfect" Stay? Let's Dive In… (and Maybe Get a Little Sidetracked Along the Way)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. I'm about to spill the beans on the Wingate by Wyndham in Fenton, Missouri. “Perfect Stay”? Oh, honey, let's see about that. I've stayed in enough hotels to know a good one when I trip over it. And let me tell you, the Wingate, well, it's got its moments.
First Impressions and the Accessibility Tango:
So, first off, accessibility. Real talk time, because this is HUGE. Wheelchair accessible? Yes, and that's a HUGE plus for me. The ramp up to the entrance was smooth, and the elevators were decent. Elevator? Yup! Facilities for disabled guests? They say yes. I’m telling you, it's a mixed bag. The accessible room I poked my nose into seemed okay, but I’m not a wheelchair user. Let’s just say, do your homework and maybe call ahead to verify everything, especially if mobility is a major concern. Air conditioning in public areas? Check. Blessedly, because Missouri summers are brutal.
Check-in/out [easy] & All That Jazz:
Check-in/out [express]? YES. THANK GOODNESS. I hate standing in line after a long drive. Contactless check-in/out? The future is NOW! This is fantastic, especially in… ahem… current times. Front desk [24-hour]? Solid. Peace of mind, always. Doorman? Nope. You're on your own, amigo. But hey, it's Fenton. Not exactly Rodeo Drive.
Rooms: The Good, The Okay, and The "Did I Just Trip on an Extension Cord?"
Okay, let's get to the good stuff. The important stuff! The room!
Available in all rooms: Additional toilet? No. Air conditioning? ABSOLUTELY. Alarm clock? You betcha. Bathrobes? Nope. Bathroom phone? Nope, thank goodness. Who calls from the bathroom, anyway? Bathtub? Yes, in some rooms. Blackout curtains? YES! Crucial for those precious extra minutes of sleep! Carpeting? Yup, standard. Closet? Adequate. Coffee/tea maker? A lifesaver in the morning. Complimentary tea? Usually, yeah. Daily housekeeping? They say they offer it, but honestly, it's been a mixed bag in the post-pandemic world. Desk? Yep. Useful for, well, work or whatever you do when you're traveling, I was doing nothing. Extra long bed? Woohoo, comfy! Free bottled water? Depends. Sometimes. Hair dryer? You're covered. High floor? Some rooms have some. In-room safe box? Present and accounted for. Interconnecting room(s) available? If you're traveling with the whole fam-damily, yes. Internet access – LAN? Probably, maybe. Internet access – wireless? Absolutely. Ironing facilities? Always a good idea. But the iron's kinda weird. Laptop workspace? Yep, more desk real estate. Linens? Fine. Nothing fancy, but clean. Mini bar? Nope, thank goodness. I'd empty that thing in five minutes! Mirror? Yes. Non-smoking? Yes. On-demand movies? Yeah, if you're into that. Private bathroom? Check. Separate shower/bathtub? Depends on the room. Reading light? Yes. Refrigerator? Some. Safety/security feature? Smoke detectors, etc. Standard. Satellite/cable channels? All the usual suspects! Scale? NO THANK YOU! Seating area? Some rooms have one. Shower? Yes. Slippers? Lol, no. Smoke detector? OBVIOUSLY. Socket near the bed? A MUST. Sofa? Some rooms. Soundproofing? Okay, not amazing. Telephone? Yes, if you need to call the front desk (or the room next door to borrow a cup of sugar because you somehow forgot to get any). Toiletries? The usual generic stuff. Bring your own, you know, the good stuff. Towels? Adequate. Umbrella? Probably not. Visual alarm? Yup. Wake-up service? Available. Wi-Fi [free]? YESSSS. Window that opens? Nope. Sorry, fresh air lovers.
My Personal Experience – The Bed and the Wake-Up Call (or Lack Thereof)
Let me tell you about my stay. Okay, the bed. It was… comfortable. Not the best bed I’ve ever slept in, but definitely not the worst. The pillows? Surprisingly good. Soft, fluffy. I sunk right in! And the blackout curtains? PERFECT. I swear I slept for like, twelve hours straight. Bliss.
Now, the wake-up call. Or, let’s just say it, the lack of wake-up call. I requested one, you see. Said I had an important meeting. I set the alarm AND requested a call from the desk. Nothing. I woke up, heart hammering, an hour late. Rushed, flustered, and pretty much a total mess. That was a not-so-perfect moment. (And I'm still not sure if it was a mistake on my part or something else. Sigh.)
Cleanliness and Safety - The Modern World and Hand Sanitizer
Anti-viral cleaning products? They say they use them. Cashless payment service? Check! Daily disinfection in common areas? They say it again, but who really knows? Hand sanitizer? YES THANK GOODNESS! Hygiene certification? Probably? Individually-wrapped food options? Yes. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Trying! Professional-grade sanitizing services? Again, supposedly. Room sanitization opt-out available? Probably. Rooms sanitized between stays? The say it is. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Supposedly! Staff trained in safety protocol? Supposedly! Sterilizing equipment? Who knows! But seriously, it's a post-pandemic world, and I'm extremely appreciative of the sanitizer and cautious approaches.
Dining, Drinking, and the Search for a Decent Cup of Coffee:
Okay, the food situation. A la carte in restaurant? Maybe. Asian breakfast? Unlikely. Asian cuisine in restaurant? Unlikely. Bar? Yes. Bottle of water? Sometimes. Breakfast [buffet]? Yes, a pretty decent buffet. Breakfast service? Yes. Buffet in restaurant? Yep. Coffee/tea in restaurant? The most important thing. Sadly, the coffee was… meh. Coffee shop? Nope. Desserts in restaurant? Standard. Happy hour? I did not investigate. International cuisine in restaurant? Nope, more like American. Poolside bar? Nope. Restaurants? Several, but not on site. Room service [24-hour]? Nope. Not at this location. Salad in restaurant? Yep. Snack bar? Nope. Soup in restaurant? Probably. Vegetarian restaurant? Nope. Western breakfast? Yep. Western cuisine in restaurant? Yep.
The breakfast buffet was included. Scrambled eggs, waffles, the usual. And… well, let’s just say I loaded up on carbs to deal with the wake-up call fiasco. It was definitely the kind of breakfast that feels like a warm hug, even if it’s a slightly greasy hug.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax – The Pool, the Gym, and the Great Outdoors (Maybe)
Body scrub? Nope. Body wrap? Nope. Fitness center? Yep, small. Foot bath? No. Gym/fitness? Yes. Massage? Nope. Pool with view? Nope. Sauna? Nope. Spa? Nope. Spa/sauna? Nope. Steamroom? Nope. Swimming pool? Yes, outdoor, but seasonal. Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes.
The pool area? Surprisingly nice. Clear water, decent-sized. But again, I was there in the off-season, so it was closed. It looked inviting though. Terrace? Yes, right next to the pool.
Getting Around – Location, Location, Location!
Airport transfer? I think they have it, but verify. Bicycle parking? Probably. Car park [free of charge]? YES! Car park [on-site]? YES! Car power charging station? Nope. Taxi service? Yes. Valet parking? Nope!
The
Luxury Redefined: Hotel SLN's Bangalore Oasis Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram travel blog. This is… me, planning a trip to wing it in Fenton, Missouri, with a Wyndham as my anchor. Get ready for some real talk.
Fenton, Missouri: My Existential Road Trip (and How It's Going to Go Wrong)
Day 1: Arrival and the Crushing Weight of Choice
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Arrival and the Great Lobby Gauntlet. Flight's landed. Luggage acquired (miracle!). Now, the car rental. Pray to the gods of reasonable car rentals this isn't a soul-crushing bait-and-switch. I'm already picturing myself haggling with some dude named "Vinny" over the price of a Dodge Caravan. (Vinny, if you're reading this… please be nice.)
- 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: The Drive to the Wyndham. Google Maps says it's "easy peasy." Google Maps also said my sourdough starter would thrive. (It didn't. RIP, Steve the Starter). This is where the inevitable side-tracking will begin. I'll convince myself to grab a "quick coffee" which turns into a 45-minute hunt for the perfect iced latte, the "perfect" one.
- 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: The Wyndham Check-In. God, I Hope the Room is Clean. Wyndham, you have my hopes and dreams riding on this. A comfortable bed, a working AC, and no questionable stains on the carpet are all I ask. The sheer disappointment of a bad hotel room (the smell! The noise! The unidentifiable mystery goo!) can ruin an entire trip, so, Wyndham, don't screw me over.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Unpacking (and the Existential Dread Comes Calling). Okay, let's be real. This is where the "vacation" reality kicks in. I'll be unloading my suitcase, attempting to find my "travel mood" and the immediate panic about forgetting the toothbrush is a given. And the sudden, crushing realization that I'm actually alone in a hotel room, contemplating the meaning of life and whether I should watch a movie or just stare at the ceiling.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Route 66 Dreams (and Possibly a Terrible Diner Meal). Alright, let's do this. I'm aiming to hit up some Route 66 spots. Gotta grab those obligatory photos. My plan is to grab dinner at some greasy spoon, and then the real problem is that I have to make a choice for what to eat. Is there even a good diner around here? If the food's terrible, I'll probably rant about it for the rest of the trip.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: The Evening Wind-Down. Hopefully, dinner won't kill me (metaphorically and physically). After that comes the classic evening wind-down: TV? Book? Staring intensely out the window, contemplating that big red question mark in your life? Who knows?
- 8:00 PM - Bedtime: Sleepless Night. I always hope to be sleeping by 10… but I end up tossing and turning. If I have any luck, maybe a midnight walk around the hotel, I'll have to get out of my head.
Day 2: Discovering the Heart of Fenton (and Probably Getting Lost)
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: The Hotel Breakfast Debacle. Free continental breakfast, here I come! I have to make choices… The eggs? The pastries? I'm setting expectations low… if there are waffles then I'm in the game!
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Exploring the Local Scene. Okay, let's get adventurous, and try and find something special in Fenton, and let me be extra. Maybe visit a park, a small museum, or maybe i'll go explore some nature.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch Roulette. I hope I can stumble upon some hidden gem or is it another chain restaurant?
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Perfect Photo Op. The goal here is to create some aesthetic photos.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Chasing Waterfalls (or at least, a Creek). Let's find some nature.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner and a Drink (or Two). If I'm lucky, I'll find a local brewery or a bar where I can strike up a conversation.
- 7:00 PM - Bedtime: Embracing the Alone Time. A nice bath with some music and a book.
Day 3: Departure and the Post-Vacation Blues
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: The Last Breakfast.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Last Look Around.
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: The Drive Home.
- 11:00 AM - Whenever: The Post-Trip Debrief. This is what I hate to do. Unpacking, laundry, and pretending to be functional at work.
Route 66 Gem! Wingate by Wyndham St. Louis/Fenton: Your (Potentially Wonderful, Potentially Messy) Stay FAQ
Okay, seriously, is this place *actually* a gem? Or just cleverly marketed highway-adjacent mediocrity?
Alright, let's be real, the "gem" label is... optimistic. But here's the deal: it *can* be a gem, depending on your expectations and a little bit of luck. It’s not the Ritz, folks. Think… reliable, clean-ish, with potentially grumpy (but ultimately useful) staff. I stayed once during a massive Cardinals game weekend; the hotel was a zoo, but honestly, the pool was sparkling, and the breakfast bar, while chaotic, had a surprisingly good waffle maker. Seriously, the waffle maker was a lifesaver that morning. Another time, though? My hairdryer… well, let’s just say it decided to stage a dramatic burnout scene at 6 AM. So, yeah. Gem-ish. It's a gamble.
What's the deal with the Route 66 connection? Is it just a marketing ploy?
Look, it's *Fenton*. Fenton, Missouri. It’s… not exactly the heart of the Mother Road. But the hotel *does* capitalize on it. There's some vaguely Route 66-themed artwork (think faded photographs and a few strategically placed signs) and the proximity to the actual, real-deal stretch of 66 is undeniable. And honestly, after a long day of driving, seeing that sign that says “Route 66 directions” (or something similar) is kinda comforting. It’s like, “Okay, I'm actually *on* a journey, not just stuck in a parking lot of despair.” So, is it a marketing ploy? Yes. Does it work on weary travelers? Sometimes. It worked on me.
The Pool: Does it actually exist? Is it clean? Is it crowded?
Yes, the pool exists! Thank the heavens, because on a summer day with kids screaming in the halls and a questionable breakfast bar, you *need* a pool. And honestly? Most of the time, it's pretty decent. I’ve seen worse pool situations at much fancier hotels (I’m looking at you, "Luxury Resort" with the suspiciously green water!). Cleanliness is… variable. It depends on the day, the season, and how many small children are currently trying to consume the chlorine. Seriously, I once saw a kid try to *eat* the floating noodles. As for crowded, yes. Expect it to be packed during peak times, especially weekends. My strategy? Claim a poolside chair first thing in the morning with a towel and a stern look. It usually works. (Disclaimer: May not always work). Bring your own pool floaties – they're a lifesaver.
What about the breakfast? Is it worth waking up for?
The breakfast... oh, the breakfast. This is where things get truly interesting. The "continental breakfast," they call it. But it's more like a continental *suggestion*. Think pre-packaged pastries, instant oatmeal (blech!), and the aforementioned waffle maker. The waffle maker is seriously the MVP. Seriously, it's *always* the waffle maker that redeems the whole dang breakfast. Sometimes they have scrambled eggs that taste surprisingly okay, other times… well, let's just say you might want to pack some protein bars. Coffee is… coffee. Drinkable, but don't expect gourmet. My advice? Lower your expectations, embrace the waffle, and maybe sneak some fruit from the lobby (if you're feeling rebellious).
Parking? Easy or a nightmare?
Generally, parking is easy. But... and there's *always* a but, isn't there? During major events in St. Louis (like a Cardinals game or a particularly raucous concert), expect to circle. You might end up parking a mile away and schlepping your luggage in the pouring rain. I once had to park so far away, I almost considered just sleeping in the car. Seriously. But usually, you're fine. Just be prepared for potential chaos during peak times. Maybe call ahead and ask how bonkers it is that day. Saves tears later, trust me.
Rooms: clean? Quiet? What can you expect?
Rooms are… mostly clean. Look, this isn't a spotless, boutique hotel. You might find a stray hair or two (or three, if you're unlucky), but generally, they're cleaned to an acceptable standard. The quietness is a gamble. You're near a highway, so expect some traffic noise. Also, the walls… aren't exactly soundproof. You *will* hear your neighbors. I once endured an entire night of a couple arguing over… well, I'm not sure, but it sounded intense. Pack earplugs. Trust me. And maybe a white noise machine. Or just accept that you're gonna get a crash course in your neighbors' lives, whether you want it or not. It’s part of the… character, I guess?
Is there a gym? And is it worth it?
Yes, there's a gym. That's what the website *claims*, anyway. My experience varied wildly. One time? Pristine, with decent equipment that was fully functional. The next? Equipment broken, the treadmill looked to be from the 1980s, and the entire place smelled faintly of stale sweat. I swear, I think it was the *same* treadmill. So, use your best judgment. If you're a serious gym rat, maybe skip it. If you just need to burn off a few calories after indulging in the breakfast waffles, it might do the trick (if the equipment is working). Consider it a bonus, not a selling point. Bring your own lysol wipes either way.
What's nearby? Any good restaurants or things to do?
Okay, location is… convenient,My Hotel Reviewst
