Columbine Inn & Suites: Your Dream US Getaway Awaits!
Columbine Inn & Suites: My Chaotic, Honestly Awesome US Getaway (and Why You Should Book NOW!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on Columbine Inn & Suites. They call it "Your Dream US Getaway," and, well, after my stay, I'm inclined to agree…with a healthy dose of "it depends on your dream!" Let's just say I'm really good at finding the quirks, the nitty-gritty, and the stuff they definitely won't put in the brochure.
Accessibility: The Good, the Okay, and a Tiny Hiccup… (But Overall, Thumbs Up!)
Right off the bat, accessibility is important to me. I'm not saying I require a wheelchair myself, but I appreciate places that think about everyone. From the get-go, Columbine's doing a solid job. Wheelchair access is a definite plus - ramps, elevators, the whole shebang. (Wheelchair accessible, Elevator) They seem to be trying hard and that's a good start.
Now, the "tiny hiccup"… and this is where I have to be honest… I did find a few things that could be improved: a couple doors were a little heavy, the ramp could be a little steeper with a slight incline, and the signage for the accessible parking spots could be a little clearer. But, hey, this is a running theme in life, right? Nothing is perfect and this is a relatively good one. Overall, the effort is there, and that's what matters.
Cleanliness & Safety: Breathing Easier (and Not Just Because of the Air Conditioning!)
This is where Columbine shines, frankly. Post-pandemic, I'm a bit of a germaphobe (aren't we all?), and they REALLY get it. (Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, 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, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment) The rooms were spotless – like, seriously, I felt comfortable enough to do a little impromptu floor yoga. They use professional-grade sanitizing, and the staff were obsessed with keeping everything clean. They even offered opting out of room sanitization, which I appreciated.
My "Spa Day" Debacle (and the Sauna Revelation!)
Okay, here's my slightly embarrassing story. I'm a spa newbie. I booked myself a "Spa Day" thinking I'd emerge from Columbine Inn & Suites a chilled-out goddess. (Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom).
I decided to make that sauna a regular habit. The sauna was amazing. It's my own little slice of heaven. It was even better than I could have imagined, and I went in there so many times that I forgot how to spell "Sauna" correctly.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Buffet Bonanza to Room Service Rescue!
The dining situation at Columbine is solid, but not perfect. Here is a small breakdown:
- Breakfast: They really went all out. (Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Western breakfast) I'm a buffet person (let's be honest, I eat anything at any time), and the breakfast was a classic. I, for one, was happy.
- Restaurants: Asian Cuisine, and Western cuisine were pretty solid, if a little on the safe side. It's not Michelin-starred, but the food was good.
- Room Service: The 24-hour room service was a lifesaver. (Room service [24-hour]). I ended up ordering a burger and fries at 2 AM (don't judge!) – a delicious choice.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Fitness Fanatic, or Sauna Supreme, you're covered!
The fitness center was okay. (Fitness center, Gym/fitness) I used it once. I'm not the type to do the gym, but hey, it's there! (Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]) However, the outdoor pool was just the place to be. (Pool with view, Sauna)
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
This is where Columbine really pulls out the stops. (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 super helpful with directions, the daily housekeeping kept everything tidy. My room had a little balcony; I sat out there in the evenings with a book.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun!
I don't have kids, but I saw lots of families happily enjoying themselves. (Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal) There's a babysitting service.
Accessibility: Tech Edition
Wi-fi was FREE and reliable, which is a HUGE win. (Internet access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas) No more scrambling for signal! And the fact that there was a LAN connection in-room was a nice touch for those who're super serious!
In-Room Comforts: My Cozy Nest
The rooms themselves were great. (Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens) The bed was comfy, the air conditioning worked a treat, and the blackout curtains were a must for sleeping in.
Safety & Security: Feeling Safe and Sound Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms The 24-hour security gave me real peace of mind, and I saw smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
Getting Around: Easy Breezy (Mostly!)
Free parking is always a bonus! (Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking)
My Verdict:
Columbine Inn & Suites is a solid choice for all kinds of US getaways. If you value cleanliness, good service, and a generally chill vibe, you can book with confidence.
My Chaotic, Unsolicited but Totally Honest Offer:
STOP! Don't Just Scroll!
Listen, I'm not saying you have to follow my lead, but I'm saying that this place is a great experience. I loved it. And you should book it now. Right this second.
- Why you should book now:
- Free Wi-Fi? Done. (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!)
- Safe & Clean? Double-check. (Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection…)
- Fun? Definitely.
- That sauna? No regrets.
Whether you're after a relaxing spa trip, a family adventure, or a solo escape, Columbine Inn & Suites has something for you. Trust me. Booking ASAP is essential.
Escape to Paradise: Novotel Muscat Airport - Your Omani Oasis Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this Columbine Inn and Suites itinerary? It ain't gonna be your perfectly-folded-towel, meticulously-planned vacation. This is more like… uh… well, let's just say it's the kind of trip that leads to a slightly-too-much-wine-fueled diary entry at 3 AM, questioning all your life choices.
Columbine Inn & Suites: My American (Mis)Adventure
Day 1: Arrival & The Case of the Questionable Pool
- 1:00 PM: Arrive in… Well, Exactly Where? The website promised “sweeping mountain views!” Lies, all lies. It's more like a slightly-less-sweeping view of a… you know… highway. Maybe a gas station. Definitely a Taco Bell. But hey, I'm here! Officially, I'm at the Columbine Inn & Suites. Unofficially? I'm already questioning the sanity of this solo road trip.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in Roulette. Okay, the receptionist, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen a few rough Tuesdays. She also spoke slowly. Like, really slowly. "Room… two… twenty… three… is… yours… you… have… a… key." I think I aged a year during that transaction.
- 2:00 PM: The Room - Expectations vs. Reality. Remember those idealized hotel room photos? This wasn't it. It was, however, clean-ish, and the air conditioner actually worked! Score! But the floral wallpaper? Let's just say it reminded me of my grandma's… well, never mind.
- 2:30 PM: The Pool… or, as I now call it, The Murky Abyss. First, the chlorine smell hit me like a brick. Then, I actually saw the water. It was… green. A very specific, slightly-algae-y green. I'm pretty sure I saw a dead bug. My inner germaphobe screamed, and I promptly retreated to my room, vowing never to swim.
- 3:00 PM: Retail Therapy (Desperately Needed). Found a random Walmart in the parking lot, and needed ice cream and some chips as a pick me up.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at "Mom's Diner" (AKA My Only Option). Food: Mediocre. Company: Myself. Mood: Slightly existential. But hey, the waitress was friendly, and the coffee was hot. Always a win. Sat alone and pretended to read a book. Really, I was just people-watching and trying to figure out the local dialect. It's a challenge, people. A delightful challenge.
Day 2: History, Hiking & Heavy Sighs
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast (Attempted). The "complimentary" breakfast consisted of stale-looking bagels, watery orange juice, and a suspicious-looking scrambled egg concoction. I stuck with the coffee, which was, again, actually okay.
- 9:00 AM: A Quick (and Slightly Disappointing) Drive. I decided to be all "cultured" and check out some historic sites. Turns out they were… well, a bit underwhelming. Think faded signage, a couple of crumbling buildings, and a whole lot of wind.
- 11:00 AM: Hiking (Maybe?). I found a trail (thank God for Google Maps!), and thought I'd be all adventurous. Twenty minutes in, I was already sweating like a sinner in church. The "easy" trail was more like "slightly-less-difficult-than-climbing-Mount-Everest." Eventually, I slumped down by the side of the trail and stared at a tree.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at "The Rusty Spoon" (A More Promising Venture). This place felt better. I ordered a burger. Actually, it was a good burger! Ate it with a smile, too.
- 2:30 PM: The Power of a Good Nap. Back at the hotel, did something I hadn't done in a long time: a deep, glorious nap. I'm talking drool-on-the-pillow, snoring-like-a-chainsaw nap. Highly recommend.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the Motel. (I ordered pizza to the room, because I am an adult).
- 9:00 PM: More Wine, More Journaling. And, because it's the only sensible thing to do.
Day 3: The Road Beckons (and Probably Needs Some Better Tires)
- 8:00 AM: The Baggage of Baggage. I looked at the bags. Packed. Barely. All of my stuff in a messy pile. This is going to be a long day.
- 9:00 AM: Last Glance, a moment of reflection. "Goodbye, Columbine Inn & Suites. You were… an experience."
- 9:30 AM: Breakfast with the Bagels. (I didn't eat the bagels today. But I did stare at them.)
- 10:00 AM: On the road again! Driving, and on to the next experience.
Final Thoughts / Ramblings:
This wasn't a perfect trip. Far from it. There were moments of profound boredom, moments of pure frustration, and moments where I seriously considered turning around and going home. BUT… There were also moments of unexpected beauty, random acts of kindness, and the sheer, unadulterated joy of eating a decent burger after a day of hiking (even if the hike was pathetic).
The Columbine Inn & Suites? It's not the Four Seasons. It's not even a Holiday Inn Express. But it was mine. It was a slice of real life, with all its quirks and imperfections. And hey, maybe, just maybe, I'll come back. After a very long nap. And definitely after checking the pool's algae level.
**Xian's Hidden Gem: Xana Hotelle – Unbeatable Zhonglou Location!**
Columbine Inn & Suites: The Real Deal? Let's Get Messy!
Okay, spill it. Is the Columbine Inn & Suites actually *nice*? Or just... "functional"?
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. "Nice" is a HIGHLY subjective term, right? My first thought? "Definitely functional." Think… roadside charm meets a slightly overenthusiastic floral wallpaper phase from the early 2000s. We're talking clean (which is a HUGE win in my book), but not exactly the Ritz. I'm more of a, let's call it, "experienced traveler" shall we say, and I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Like, the shower *didn't* have a rusty head, and that's a win, honestly.
But here's the real tea: It's the *people* that make it. I swear, the woman at the front desk (Brenda, maybe? My memory is, shall we say, inconsistent after a long drive...) was an absolute angel. She even helped me wrangle my runaway luggage cart! That totally won me over. Oh, and the coffee? Surprisingly decent, considering it was free. So, nice? Perhaps not by glossy magazine standards. But *good*? Absolutely. Especially after that luggage incident. I may be a little biased...
The website *says* there's a pool... is it a glorified swamp? (Be honest!)
Okay, let's get personal. I have witnessed some pool atrocities in my life. Pools that looked like they hadn't been cleaned since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. The Columbine Inn's pool? Actually... pretty good. I mean, not exactly Olympic-sized, and the edges could use a bit of a scrub, but the water was crystal clear! And the kids were not turning into fish people, which is always a good sign, yeah?
I actually spent a solid hour just floating there, staring up at the clouds. Pure bliss. Okay, maybe not pure. A rogue pool noodle smacked me in the face at one point, but hey, it's life, right? And the sun, the warmth, the peace… Plus, it was the perfect temperature. Not freezing, not scalding. Just RIGHT. So, glorified swamp? HELL NO. Glorified…floating paradise for a few glorious hours? Yeah, I'd say so.
One slightly embarrassing moment. I forgot my towel, and was slightly dripping on the way back in (I really should plan better). Brenda the angel at the front desk saw, and with no fuss, just gave me a fresh one. She deserves a raise! Honestly.
Tell me about the breakfast. Is it worth getting out of bed for? (Or are we talking stale donuts?)
Alright, look, I'm a breakfast person. I NEED my morning ritual. And the Columbine Inn? The breakfast situation is... well, mixed. They had the usual suspects – bagels, toast, some kind of sad-looking yogurt parfait in a plastic cup (I steered clear), and a waffle maker situation. Waffle makING IS KEY here.
Now, here is my story. The waffles saved the breakfast experience. I decided I would embrace the mess. I'm going to make a waffle sandwich. Got the waffles, then found out I'd skipped the butter. Ok, next time, I'm going to make a DOUBLE waffle, and the butter will be the best damn butter in the world. I was so excited, I got a bit aggressive with the waffle maker, burned my first one, but after 3 tries I nailed it. A waffle sandwich! Yes. So, the waffles are worth it. Don't expect a gourmet experience, but you can definitely fuel up for your day. I guess it's a solid B+, leaning towards A if you're a waffle aficionado like myself. Just... don't skip the butter.
I'm on a budget. Is this place going to break the bank?
Okay, let's talk money. The Columbine Inn is NOT going to make you regret your trip, so that's already a win. The prices are definitely reasonable, especially for what you get. It's not a luxury resort, so you're not paying luxury prices. Think more... "smart traveler" pricing. You get clean, comfortable, and friendly without having to sell a kidney. Plus, you're saving money on the room for all the fun you can have! They need to have a little bit more of a discount though. Maybe a repeat customer discount?
If I didn't have to pay so much for gas on the way there, I am sure I could have spent the money on the gift shop (more on that later). Look at me, rambling again. In summary, it's a solid choice for keeping costs down. And you can actually spend your money on the important things... like souvenirs!
What about the location? Is it near anything interesting? Or am I going to be driving for hours?
Location, location, location! Okay, I am not a local, so I'm not going to pretend to be an expert here. This is where it's crucial to do your own research. But from my experience? The location was pretty good. It was a good base of operations. Not DIRECTLY in the middle of everything, so it was peaceful. But it was a quick drive to the things I wanted to see. I think I saw a few restaurants/bars/gas stations. I didn't drive for hours to get anywhere, and that's a huge plus.
One thing I definitely wanted to share was that there was a little gift shop nearby. It was just... charmingly cluttered. So much random stuff. I *almost* splurged on a ceramic frog wearing a tiny cowboy hat. I REGRET NOT BUYING THAT FROG! It was the quintessential souvenir experience. So, location-wise? Convenient. Plus, frog-hat opportunities. Win-win!
Any unexpected surprises, good or bad? Dish the dirt!
Alright, here's the juicy stuff. The MOST UNEXPECTED THING? The sheer kindness of the staff. Seriously. More than once, I mentioned I'd forgotten something, and they always went out of their way to help. Remember Brenda? Still my hero. (I hope she gets a Christmas bonus).
Honestly, the biggest "bad" surprise was probably just the… lack of a decent coffee machine in the room. The instant stuff was not going to cut it – even for me. But hey, the free coffee downstairs was a lifesaver. Also, the pillows were a bit… flat. But, y'know, you can't win them all. All in all – it was absolutely fine, a great experience. 8/10, would recommend! And if you see Brenda, tell her you're there because of the 'Luggage Cart Incident Guy'. She'll know who I am.
