Findlay's BEST Kept Secret: Rodeway Inn Review & Hidden Perks!
Findlay's BEST Kept Secret: Rodeway Inn - My Honest (and Slightly Messy) Review!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on Findlay's "BEST Kept Secret" – the Rodeway Inn! And listen, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. This review is gonna be REAL. Think less corporate brochure, more… well, me, after a long day on the road.
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good, The "Meh", and the Gotta-Fixes
Okay, so pulling up to the Rodeway Inn… it’s… well, it's a Rodeway Inn. You know the vibe. A perfectly fine, perfectly functional, mid-range motel. The good news right off the bat? Accessibility! They do a pretty decent job. Elevator, ramps, and clearly marked accessible rooms. Major kudos there. It’s hugely important, and they get a gold star in that department. Wheelchair accessible? Yes! You can move around easily. Now, the "Meh" part? The hallways. A little… cramped, maybe? And those automatic doors could use a bit of a speed adjustment. Don't get me started on the parking lot after dark – could use some more lighting! I'm pretty sure I saw a shadowy figure lurking near my car… probably just a friendly raccoon. 🤪
Let's Talk Internet, Baby! (Because Seriously, That's Important)
Wi-Fi in all rooms?! YES! And surprisingly decent. I actually managed to stream a whole episode of The Great British Baking Show (because priorities!) without buffering. I was able to do some work there. I'm not sure the LAN setup is still working, but the Wi-Fi [free] definitely gets the job done. This hotel gets a big thumbs up for the Internet access – wireless.
Cleanliness and Safety: Comforting, Even in a Pandemic
Look, let's be honest, we're all a little freaked out these days. So, the Rodeway Inn’s commitment to cleanliness was a BIG deal for me. They were doing their best at it. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere, daily disinfection in common areas, and I'm pretty sure I saw someone with a hazmat suit cleaning the elevators (just kidding… maybe). They also had options for room sanitization opt-out if you wanted, which is a nice touch. I’m really glad to see Staff trained in safety protocol.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Lack Thereof)…
Okay, here's where things get a little… challenging. There IS Breakfast [buffet]! Or at least, there was. During my stay it wasn't, what's there now is a Breakfast takeaway service, which is understandable, but it's not quite the same experience as a hot, greasy spoon breakfast. And the "restaurant" is… well, I didn't see one. It seems now there are only Restaurants off-site. So, no Asian cuisine in restaurant, no Western cuisine in restaurant, no nothing! Honestly, that's a bit of a bummer. I was hoping for at least a Coffee shop. But hey, there's a Convenience store nearby, right? And hey, at least the Bottle of water was free. Alternative meal arrangement is probably an option now as well.
Things to Do and (Maybe) Relax: Tread Carefully…
So, the "Spa" section? Let's just say the Rodeway Inn ain't exactly a wellness retreat. No Body scrub, no Body wrap, no Pool with view or even just a regular Swimming pool [outdoor]. The Fitness center was, shall we say, "compact." Think… a treadmill and a weight machine. That's it. Don't expect a Gym/fitness paradise. Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom? Nope. Massage? Forget about it. This is not your chill-out pad. You should keep your expectiations low. But hey, at least there's a TV, right? Things to do is really a matter of what you find yourself.
Rooms: The Nitty-Gritty
Okay, let's dive into my room. I'm a massive fan of the Blackout curtains, because sleep is sacred! And the Air conditioning worked like a champ. The Bed was… well, it was a bed. Comfy enough after a long drive. There were lots of Towels, which is always a plus! The Free bottled water was a nice touch. I always like a Refrigerator. I had a Coffee/tea maker and I would like a Sofa in the room. The best part? Not much, but having a Wake-up service is nice. My room. Was it perfect? No. Did it get the job done? Absolutely.
Services and Conveniences & Getting Around: The Practical Stuff
Alright, so what other goodies did they offer? Daily housekeeping was on point. Always clean and tidy. Laundry service is available. Car park [free of charge] – massive win! Car power charging station is good to know. They offer concierge service which is pretty good. Then there's the elevator!
The "Hidden Perks": The Secret Sauce?
So, what’s the "BEST Kept Secret?" Honestly? It's the price. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Clean rooms, friendly staff, and a convenient location for the price? That's a win. It’s not luxurious, but it's functional. It’s a budget-friendly oasis!
The Quirks and Imperfections (Because They're Real!)
My biggest beef? The lighting. It's… dim. Like, "need a flashlight to find the remote" dim. And the soundproofing? Let's just say I heard the exciting details of my neighbor's phone call at 3 AM. Also the lobby is a bit dated, but who cares anymore?
Overall Impression
Look, the Rodeway Inn isn’t going to win any awards. It's not the Ritz. But it's a solid choice, especially if you're on a budget. If you need a place to crash, get some sleep, and hit the road in the morning, you could do a whole lot worse. If you have a very low budget, you could do a whole lot better with this hotel.
My Final Verdict:
3.5 out of 5 stars. It's a slightly flawed, but ultimately reliable friend.
🔥 LIMITED-TIME OFFER! 🔥 (Because You Deserve a Break!)
Thinking about booking a stay at the Rodeway Inn? Here's the deal:
Book your stay this week and get 10% off AND a FREE breakfast! (Well, the takeaway kind. 😉) Why? Because everyone deserves a comfy place to rest their head without breaking the bank. So, ditch the stressful planning, click that "Book Now" button, and experience Findlay's BEST Kept Secret for yourself! Limited Availability – Don't Miss Out!
Harbor Court Hotel: Your San Francisco Dream Getaway Awaits!Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't gonna be your sanitized, perfectly-formatted travel brochure. This is Rodeway Inn Findlay, Ohio, and we're gonna dive in deep. Let's get messy.
Trip: Rodeway Inn Findlay, OH - My Unedited Adventure
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Toilet Paper Hunt (aka, the Hype is Real…or is it?)
- Time: 3:00 PM - Arrival. (Supposedly.)
- Reality: Oh, honey, arriving "on time" is a myth. Traffic on the I-75… you know, the one with the truck stops that smell perpetually of diesel fumes and existential dread… was a nightmare. Made it by 3:47 pm, sweaty and questioning all my life choices, mainly: Why am I voluntarily visiting Findlay, Ohio?
- The Room: Okay, the Rodeway Inn, it is a room. Smells vaguely of chlorine and… something vaguely floral, maybe trying to mask the chlorine? The bedspread looks like it's been through the Battle of the Bulge. But hey, it's a bed. And, crucially, I've survived worse. (Remember that hostel in Prague? Shudder.)
- The Toilet Paper Emergency: Immediately after dumping my bag I noticed that the toilet paper situation was dire. Like, the roll was practically a cardboard tube with a few tattered remnants of tissue. This sets off a low-key panic. What if I run out? What if I'm stranded? I'm going to the front desk to ask for more rolls after I have another cup of coffee from the rusty coffee maker.
- Dinner: The front desk clerk was kind enough to suggest the local diner near the hotel.
Day 2: Coffee, Pancakes, and the Unforeseen Brilliance of a Bowling Alley
- 7:00 AM: Coffee. The coffee from the mini-machine is as weak as my will to do laundry. But, it's caffeinated, and that's what matters.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast is pancakes at the diner. They are huge, fluffy, drowning in syrup, and exactly what I needed. The waitress, a woman named Barb with a name tag that looks like it’s survived the apocalypse, tells me about the "most exciting thing that ever happened in Findlay" (it involved a large pumpkin and the town square).
- 10:00 AM: Initially, I'd planned on just "exploring Findlay." Which… is a polite way of saying "wandering aimlessly." But then Barb mentioned the local bowling alley. "Best burgers around, and Thursday is two-for-one games!" she exclaimed. My curiosity piqued, I decide to go.
- Bowling Bonanza: Okay, I’m not going to lie, it was amazing. The beer was cheap, the burgers were delicious, and the ambiance was pure, unadulterated Americana. The guy next to me, a dude named Jerry with a faded Harley Davidson tattoo, was convinced he was going to bowl a perfect game. He didn't, but it was still entertaining. I even managed a few strikes! For the first time in days, I felt genuinely relaxed.
- Evening: Back at the Rodeway Inn. I order pizza and watch bad TV. The pizza is surprisingly good. The TV… well, let's just say it's background noise.
Day 3: The Deep Dive Into Local History and Saying Goodbye
- 9:00 AM: After a night of bowling, I have a late start. I have to check out of the hotel at 11:00 AM. My schedule is not tight today.
- 10:00 AM: Headed to the local museum. Findlay has a surprisingly rich history, at least according to the exhibits. I learn about the oil boom, the railroad, and the incredibly resilient spirit of the people of Findlay. Did I mention the museum has a gift shop? The key to a good museum.
- 11:00 AM: Check-out. The clerk seemed mildly surprised to see me again. I hope I left the room in semi-decent condition.
- 11:30 AM: Last stop: the gas station on the way out of town. Grab a gas station burrito for the road trip.
- 1:00 PM: Hitting the road.
- Overall Feelings: Look, Findlay isn't going to win any awards for being the most glamorous destination. But it wasn't the hellscape I had envisioned. It was… real. It was a slice of unpretentious Americana. And, in its own quirky way, it was kind of charming. The Rodeway Inn, with its questionable décor and slightly suspicious smells, was a character in itself. This trip wasn't perfect, but it was a reminder that the best experiences are often found in the unexpected, the messy, and the gloriously average. And bowling. Don't forget bowling.