Sheridan's Hidden Gem: Candlewood Suites Review (WY) - Unbeatable Deals!
Hotel Review: A Chaotic Symphony of Comfort and Confusion (and Hopefully, Cleanliness)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this is going to be less a polished review and more a messy, wonderfully human experience. I’m back from [Insert Hotel Name Here], and let me tell you… it was a ride. Think a rollercoaster designed by a committee, where some of the engineers really knew what they were doing, and others were clearly winging it on the fly.
(SEO & Metadata - A Brief Interlude Before the Chaos)
Before we launch, let's appease the algorithm gods: Hotel Review, [Hotel Name Here], Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Fitness Center, Non-Smoking Rooms, Airport Transfer, [City, State/Country], Best Hotels, Luxury Stays, Family Friendly Hotels, COVID-19 Safety, Cleanliness, On-site Dining, Spa & Wellness. (Deep breath… okay, back to the mess!)
(Accessibility - The First Hurdle… or Lack Thereof?)
Let's start with the important stuff, the stuff that should be a given in this day and age. Accessibility: They said they were, and bless their hearts, they tried. I'm in a wheelchair, and, well, let's just say it was a mixed bag. The wheelchair access to the front entrance was decent, but navigating the lobby felt like a game of "avoid the potted plants." I actually got stuck behind a giant fern at one point, which led to an impromptu staring contest with a bewildered-looking concierge. (He blinked first.)
On the plus side, the elevator worked, which is huge. However, getting to the restaurants… well, let's just say finding the right route involved a lot of circling and asking for directions. And about those accessible restaurants/lounges? They existed, technically, but the space between tables was… cozy. I'm pretty sure I bumped into a few innocent bystanders with my chair. Sorry, folks!
(Internet – The Digital Lifeblood)
Internet: Okay, listen up, because this is important. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! And it generally worked, which is a minor miracle in itself. Although, I did have a moment of panic when I needed to send an important email and the connection dropped. Apparently, the hotel's Wi-Fi only supports dial-up speed when the moon is in the seventh house… or something. Internet [LAN]: Didn't try it. Who uses LAN anymore? Grandma? Internet Services: Standard stuff, your email, surfing, etc. Nothing to write home about. Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Fine, mostly. But the lobby? Forget about it. Think of a bustling train station filled with tech-savvy squirrels. You’ve been warned.
(The "Things To Do" & "Ways To Relax" – A Sensory Overload!)
Oh boy, this is where things get… interesting. Things to do… and ways to relax… Well, they certainly give you options! And, frankly, that's where the magic really begins.
Now, let's dive into the world of pampering! Oh how I love that, and this hotel definitely did not disappoint in that department. Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
Body scrub: Fantastic, loved it, they did a great job, 10/10.
Body wrap: Just as good, very relaxing experience.
Fitness center: Well-equiped, but small.
Foot bath: Lovely and luxurious!
Gym/fitness: Well-equiped, but small.
Massage: Great, well-trained masseuse.
Pool with view: Amazing.
Sauna: Great.
Spa: Great.
Spa/sauna: Yes, loved it.
Steamroom: Great.
Swimming pool: Great.
Swimming pool [outdoor]: Great.
(Cleanliness and Safety – The COVID-19 Dance)
Ah, the dreaded COVID-19 protocols. Let's be fair; they tried. Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
Here's the truth: some areas felt immaculately clean and safe. Others? Let's just say I brought my own wipes. Look, I get it. They're in a tough spot. But the inconsistencies were a little… unsettling. The staff seemed to be trying, but there were moments when I felt like I was wandering into a biohazard zone (don't worry, I'm exaggerating… slightly). The hand sanitizer stations were plentiful, but sometimes empty. And the physical distancing? Let’s call it “suggested.”
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Culinary Adventure (with Occasional Mishaps!).)
This is where things went from functional to… well, let's just say the food and beverage situation was a mixed bag.
We've got: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
The breakfast buffet was the star, sometimes. One day it was a glorious spread of freshly made omelets and exotic fruits. The next? Let's just say I found a rogue onion ring in my "fresh seasonal fruit" selection. Sigh. The coffee shop was good for a quick caffeine fix.
The restaurants varied in quality. The Asian cuisine was actually pretty decent, and the salad in resturant also worked out pretty perfect. The room service was a godsend after a long day, but I swear, the burger was a different shape every time I ordered it.
(Services and Conveniences – The Helpful and the Hilarious)
Here's where they truly tried to shine. Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
The concierge was generally helpful, though sometimes overwhelmed. The daily housekeeping was efficient, and thankfully, they seemed to understand the importance of clean towels. The convenience store was a lifesaver for late-night snacks. Contactless check-in/out was, as the kids say, "on fleek."
(For the Kids – Mayhem, Magnified!)
I don't travel with kids, but based on the sheer volume of squealing and running around, the family/child-friendly aspect was definitely on point. And the other amenities seemed to appeal to all those little ones: Babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
(Access, Safety & Security – Are We Safe?)
Access was, as mentioned, "a work in progress" for me. CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property: Fine. Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]: Check-in was great. Couple's room: N/A Exterior corridor: N/A Fire extinguisher: Present, thank goodness. Front desk [24-hour]: Helpful. Hotel chain: Yes Non-smoking rooms: Great Pets allowed unavailable Proposal spot: (hmmm…) Room decorations: Fine. Safety/security feature: Good. Security [24-hour]: Seemed strong. Smoke alarms: Great Soundproof rooms: Not entirely.
(Getting Around – The Great Escape)
Airport transfer: Efficient. Bicycle parking: Available, but I didn’t use it. Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Fine. **Car power
Unbelievable Views & Luxury Await: Crown Hills Koriyama Hotel (Japan)
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This ain't your perfectly polished travel brochure. This is… well, it's me, trying to survive a few days at the Candlewood Suites in Sheridan, Wyoming. Let's see if I make it out alive, or at least, with a semi-coherent story.
Candlewood Catastrophe…or maybe just Wyoming Wonderful (Sheridan, WY – A Solo Act of Unpredictability)
Day 1: Arrival, Apprehension, and Attempting to Adult
1:00 PM – Arrival at Casper/Natrona County International Airport (CPR). Okay, so the flight was… let's just say turbulent. I swear, I spend half my travel budget on Pepto-Bismol. The Wyoming wind hit me like a slap in the face the moment I stepped off the plane. Chilly, that wind, and I’m not exactly built for the prairie. Picked up my rental, a… well, let's call it a "silver sedan," and the navigation app promptly started yelling at me. "Recalculating…RECALCULATING… you missed the turn!" My fault, maybe I was too busy staring at the landscape, trying to figure out how far it stretches before hitting a mountain.
3:00 PM – Check-in at Candlewood Suites Sheridan. Found the place, finally. The staff were friendly, bless their hearts. The lobby… well, it smelled faintly of industrial cleaner and slightly stronger of "recently-used-microwave-in-a-public-space". My room? Clean, which is the main thing. It's got that predictable Candlewood vibe – all neutrals and a kitchen area I doubt I'll actually use. It's a hotel, not a culinary battlefield. My first instinct was to flop on the bed and watch some awful reality TV. However, I'm trying to be a "cultured traveler" (as opposed to my usual "existential dread tourist"), so…
3:30 PM – Errands and Existential Dread (briefly). Got my usual grocery run done. Mostly snacks and water. Not the most glamorous start to the trip. Also, I tried to use the hotel gym. Tried. Mostly stared at the treadmill intimidated. Decided walking was more my speed.
5:00 PM – Downtown Ramble (Sheridan, "The Gem City"). Okay, I gotta give this town credit. It's charming. Main Street is exactly what you want Main Street to be – antique shop windows, a bakery that smells like heaven (almost), and a bookstore calling my name. The vibe is way more "local" than "touristy." I wandered around, feeling a vague, but pleasant, sense of… connection? Like, maybe I could actually live here. For about a week. Then the internet would probably go down, and I'd lose my mind.
7:00 PM – Dinner at a Local Steakhouse (Name withheld. Partially because I can't recall, mostly because I'm notoriously bad at remembering details when I am eating). Ordered steak. It was… good. And huge. I'm pretty sure I only ate about half. The server, a woman with a kind face and a name tag that read "Betty," chatted with me a bit. Asked if I was enjoying Sheridan. I confessed, "Way more than I expected." She offered me a slice of pie because "everyone needs a little something sweet". Betty, you are a legend. And I'm pretty sure I have a newfound craving for cowboy boots.
8:30 PM – Back at the Candlewood, Bed, and the Battle of the Bath Products. Spent far too long trying to decipher the hotel's shampoo/conditioner/body wash situation. Finally gave up and used my travel-sized stuff. Watched some Netflix. Felt mostly okay. The bed is… decent. Could be worse. Could be sleeping on a rock.
Day 2: Ranch Dreams and Real-Life Rawhide
8:00 AM – Breakfast… and the Curse of the Continental. The Candlewood breakfast bar. I'm not going to lie, it's… functional. Instant oatmeal, sad-looking muffins, and coffee that tastes vaguely of cardboard. I ate a banana and contemplated running to the bakery from yesterday. I refrained because "adventure" right?
9:00 AM – The Sheridan County Historical Society Museum. Okay, you have to go here. Seriously. (I do not exaggerate) It's a treasure trove of local history. I spent hours there, poring over exhibits about the cattle drives, the pioneers, the Native American tribes. The displays are beautifully done, and I learned more than I thought I would. I think my favorite was an exhibit about the local rodeo. That, or the actual vintage saddles. I have dreams of owning an old saddle (and a horse, but let's be realistic).
12:00 PM – Lunch at "The Rib & Chop House" (because I'm starting to develop a pattern, I guess). I heard it's a big place, so I went! I got the ribs. Oh, the ribs!
2:00 PM – Ranch Visit (Details, details, details!) Okay, so, I was able to get ahold of a friend of a friend, who knew someone who has a ranch, and they took me to it. They knew I was a city slicker, and they were eager to educate. I spent the late afternoon wandering around the ranch. They were great, the horses were beautiful and so was the landscape. "You won't find a better view anywhere in Wyoming," I recall them mentioning. I even got to try roping a hay bale. It didn't go super well. The lasso was more interested in tripping me than capturing the hay, if I'm being honest. It felt good to just be.
6:00 PM – Dinner, and the Question of Purpose. Another dinner. Another restaurant. Did I even take a picture? I think I was too tired, the ranch visit took a lot out of me. I spent the meal staring at the reflection of the setting sun in the window, and getting lost in my own thoughts.
8:00 PM – Candlewood, and the Uninvited Thoughts. Back at the Candlewood. The quiet is almost deafening. That, or the air conditioner is just that loud. I think I'll skip the TV tonight. Just read, maybe write. I feel something… different. A peace? A contentment? Probably just the food, the fresh air, and the lack of obligations. Or maybe, just maybe, Wyoming is getting under my skin. (Please don’t tell me that)
Day 3: Goodbye, Wyoming, and the Promise of the Road (and a very messy departure)
8:00 AM – Last Breakfast, and the Sadness of the Sausage. Okay, the Candlewood breakfast. Again. The sausages are… well, let's leave it at "grey." I should have just gotten all the bananas I could.
9:00 AM – Packing, and the Art of the Last-Minute Mishap. Packing is a skill I haven't mastered. I'm pretty sure I packed twice as much as I needed. And I'm sure I've forgotten something crucial. Like a toothbrush. Or deodorant. Or maybe my brain. Checked out… got into my rental car. I am already running late!
9:30 AM – The Drive Back to the Airport, and the Bitter Farewell. One last look at those mountains as I drove to the airport. I did think about those saddles again.
11:00 AM – Departure from Casper/Natrona County International Airport (CPR). Sitting at the gate, waiting for my flight. I’m already missing Sheridan. And the pie. And Betty. Maybe I’ll be back someday. Maybe.
Post-Trip Reflections (AKA, Rambling After the Fact)
Okay, so, yeah. Wyoming surprised me. I went expecting… I don't know. Something. And I got something totally different. A little bit of peace. A little bit of adventure. And a whole lot of memories. The Candlewood Suites? Fine. Functional. But the real star of the show? Wyoming. And maybe… just maybe… I'm ready for a little more cowbell in my life. (And definitely more pie).
The end! (Or, well, the beginning of the post-trip wanderings…)
Escape to Paradise: Movenpick's Sharm El Sheikh Luxury Awaits
Okay, so, like, what *IS* this FAQ even about?
Truthfully? It's about a bunch of stuff I've been meaning to talk about. Think of it as a digital brain dump (with a slightly more organized veneer, hopefully). So, we’re hitting topics that are like, relevant to daily life. The mundane, the infuriating, and the utterly bizarre. Basically, my unfiltered thoughts on… well, just about everything. Let's get this over with… because I think it will over soon.
Why are you doing this… publicly? Isn't this embarrassing?
Embarrassing? Honey, I *live* for embarrassment. It's the spice of life, the fertilizer of comedy! Plus, I figure if I put it all out there, maybe, *just maybe*, someone else will read it and think "Hey, me too!" and then we can all feel slightly less alone in this cosmic joke we call existence. Seriously, I had a *major* wardrobe malfunction at a wedding last year (let's just say my dress wasn't as secure as I thought), and you know what? Laughter, tears, and sharing that story with my friends made it all…golden. So to answer you, it’s not as embarrassing as I think it is.
Are you going to be, like, *professional* about this?
Professional? Please. I aim for authentic, which sometimes means rambling. Sometimes, it means typos. Sometimes, it means veering wildly off-topic to discuss the existential dread of deciding what to have for dinner. So… no. But I like to be helpful, really. I mean, kind of helpful. And I *try* to not sound like a complete idiot. Sometimes it works. Usually, something that comes of it.
What are you *really* passionate about? (Aside from embarrassing yourself.)
Oh, that’s a loaded question! Okay, in no particular order: good coffee, the perfect book (one that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go), animals (especially the furry, fluffy, and slightly weird ones), social justice (because the world deserves better!), and… oh, I'm a sucker for a solid nap. Also, I'm really passionate about finding the perfect [insert random item here, maybe a pen or a pair of socks], because I *never* succeed.. but you know, trying is part of the fun? That and a well-timed witty comment. It just makes life… a tiny bit brighter.
What's the *worst* advice you've ever gotten?
Oh man, where do I *start*? There was the time my Aunt Mildred told me to "just smile more" when I was going through a truly brutal breakup. Seriously? Like, the smile was going to solve my shattered heart?! (Spoiler alert: it didn't.) Or the countless times people told me to "follow my passion!" (Um, as if figuring out what my actual passion *is* wasn't hard enough!) The internet tells you to love, to believe, but it's not that easy. My current favourite is "Fake it 'til you make it." This whole thing feels like faking it, and I'm not sure when I will make it.
How do you deal with feeling down?
I'm a *expert* at the feeling-down thing. I basically have a PhD. So for me, it's a messy mix: a good cry (sometimes a very ugly cry), a massive dose of dark chocolate (because, endorphins!), a long walk with my dog (who, by the way, is the ultimate mood-booster), and then… a good wallow. Yeah, I let myself feel the sadness for a little while - I think it's important to acknowledge the yuckiness. Then, I try to find the smallest spark of something to look forward to. If all else fails, I watch a really stupid comedy. Humor is always a help. But look sometimes, it all boils down to, "this too shall pass." (And sometimes, it *doesn't* pass fast enough… and that’s okay too.)
What's the most important thing you've learned in your life so far?
That it's okay to be *imperfect*. Seriously! The pressure to "have it all together" is brutal. I spent so many years trying to be someone I wasn't, striving for an unattainable ideal. Now? I embrace the messy, the awkward, the slightly off-kilter version of myself. And you know what? It's a lot less exhausting. And maybe, just maybe, a little bit more… genuine. Okay, a *lot* messier, but more real, too, and that's the goal, right? Right?. Let’s be real, and you know who you are, you are not a perfect person either. And that is totally fine!
What's the one piece of advice you'd give to anyone, right now?
Don't be afraid to be yourself, REALLY yourself. The weird parts, the flawed parts, the things you think you need to hide. The world is going to judge you anyway, so you might as well be unapologetically YOU. It also helps to always carry backup chocolate. Seriously, that's important. And… be kind to yourself. You're doing your best, even if that best looks a little bit… chaotic at times. Trust me. It gets better. Okay, bye, I need some chocolate.
