Crown Point Getaway: Hampton Inn's Unbeatable Crown Point Charm!
Crown Point Getaway: Hampton Inn's Unbeatable Crown Point Charm! (Or… Is It?) - A Review That's Real (and a Little Rambly)
Okay, let's be honest, reviewing a Hampton Inn in Crown Point, Indiana, doesn't exactly scream "exotic adventure." But hey, sometimes you just need a reliable place to crash, right? And that's exactly what I was hoping for when I booked the Crown Point Getaway: Hampton Inn's Unbeatable Crown Point Charm! (Yes, that's really the title they're using, bless 'em.) Buckle up, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly polished hotel review. This is the real deal.
SEO & Metadata (because apparently, that's important):
- Keywords: Hampton Inn, Crown Point, Indiana, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Cleanliness, Breakfast, Pool, Gym, Wi-Fi, Parking, [Insert other keywords based on the above categories like "business travel," "family-friendly," etc.]
- Metadata Description: A brutally honest review of the Hampton Inn in Crown Point. From accessibility to questionable breakfast buffets, find out if this hotel lives up to its "Unbeatable Charm" claim. Spoilers: it's complicated.
Arrival & First Impressions: The Accessibility Angle (and a Little Grumble)
First off, accessibility is huge for me, and Hampton Inn generally tries to be good about it. Thankfully, this one had the elevator. Crucial. Facilities for disabled guests were, on paper, decent - accessible rooms are listed.. But, you know what? Something as basic as properly marked wheelchair accessible routes? Sometimes these are hit or miss. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I'm always aware how important it is that hotels do a better job. Getting the "unbeatable" label requires some real effort.
Then, there's the exterior corridor. Not ideal in the winter. You're traipsing outside to get anywhere. But at least there's CCTV outside property and security [24-hour]. Small comfort, if you ask me.
Rooms & Amenities: Wi-Fi Woes and Bathrobe Bliss
The room itself? Standard Hampton Inn. Which is to say, adequately comfortable. The air conditioning was a lifesaver, especially since I'm a high-functioning furnace. The blackout curtains were a godsend. Slept like a baby, once I finally got the Internet access – wireless working. (More on that in a sec). They offer free Wi-Fi in all rooms, but the connection was, let's just say, sporadic. I ended up using my phone as a hot spot and paying for extra data. Not exactly a Wi-Fi [free] experience, is it? The desk was functional for, you know, pretending to work. There's a laptop workspace. They have Internet access – LAN too, if you're into that retro thing.
On the good side: I appreciated the bathrobes. Felt fancy. The coffee/tea maker was appreciated.
Oh, and the additional toilet felt like a bonus, and the bathroom phone - I never use them, but I know some people will appreciate it.
And of course, there's the usual stuff: alarm clock, hairdryer, iron, in-room safe box, and so on. Honestly, most Hampton Inns have similar things.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Pandemic Edition
Okay, let's dive into the post-pandemic stuff. They claimed the usual: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays. They also offered Room sanitization opt-out available. Fine. Good. They also had Hand sanitizer everywhere, which is always appreciated.
I noticed Hygiene certification too, and the staff seemed on the ball with things like physical distancing of at least 1 meter enforced as best as it could be. They even had Professional-grade sanitizing services. The staff trained in safety protocol seemed fine too. But none of it made me feel completely comfortable. I guess I'm just still a bit paranoid.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Breakfast "Experience" (and My Deepest Regrets)
This is where things get… interesting. The breakfast [buffet]… sigh. It was there. The Asian breakfast options were there too (apparently, I didn't try any). They had the Breakfast service too, so I could ask them…
The Breakfast takeaway service was a good option if you just wanted to grab and go.
There were Coffee/tea in restaurant, but the coffee was so-so. Oh, and the hot water linen and laundry washing? Probably not relevant here, but worth mentioning.
The biggest problem? The eggs. They were, and I kid you not, the color of industrial waste. I tried the buffet in restaurant anyway, because, you know, I’m a glutton for punishment? The salad in restaurant was probably the safest bet.
They did also have a Coffee shop, which could have been helpful.
I think I saw a Snack bar, and perhaps some desserts in restaurant, but after the eggs, I wasn't exactly looking for culinary adventure.
In short: the breakfast buffet was not the highlight.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): Pool, Gym, and the Unspoken Promise of "Unbeatable Charm"
They had a Swimming pool [outdoor] (closed for the season, naturally – I visited in October, and it turns out, Indiana gets cold), which looked inviting in the pictures. The pool with view…yeah, there's a parking lot view.
There was a Fitness center, at least! I skipped the gym/fitness thing, because the memory of the eggs was still fresh.
They had a Spa/sauna, but to be honest, for a quick trip, I skipped it. I would have loved to try the steamroom and the sauna, but I did not have time.
Services & Conveniences: Mostly Standard, with a Few Glitches
The concierge wasn't particularly helpful. The front desk [24-hour] staff were polite, but not exactly brimming with local knowledge. They really just want you to check in, check out, and call it a day.
They had Cash withdrawal, which is always good. They even do currency exchange (again, probably not relevant in Crown Point). They also provide Daily housekeeping, a dry cleaning service, and an ironing service.
I had to ask for more Daily housekeeping service, because the room didn't look completely made up.
The gift/souvenir shop was predictably stocked with overpriced travel mugs and picture frames.
The elevator was great, and everything was mostly accessible.
Family & Kids: Not Really My Wheelhouse (But Here’s What They Had)
They had a Family/child friendly. And the Kids meal seemed to be available.
Getting Around: Free Parking… Praise the Lord
Car park [free of charge]! Hallelujah! A true travel bargain! Especially when you aren't planning to do a whole lot of things.
Also, there was Car park [on-site], meaning you didn't have to walk a mile to find a parking spot.
The Verdict: Unbeatable Charm? Nah. Reliable Comfort? Maybe.
Look, the Hampton Inn in Crown Point isn't terrible. It's a Hampton Inn. You get what you expect. Cleanish rooms, a somewhat dodgy breakfast, and a general feeling of "meh."
Were there perks? Sure. Complimentary tea, complimentary tea, complimentary tea…They had a desk, so you can work. Desk, you know.
Was it "Unbeatable Charm"? Absolutely not in my opinion. It's a generic hotel. It's clean enough. It's convenient enough. But it's hardly the stuff of travel legends.
If you're looking for a no-frills place to crash in Crown Point, it'll do. Just don't set your expectations too high – especially when it comes to the breakfast eggs. You’ve been warned.
Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Secrets of Calna Villa, Bali
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is a Hampton Inn Crown Point, Indiana, survival guide… with a healthy dose of my sanity clinging by a thread. Here's what I've got, and frankly, if I get through this without spontaneously combusting, it'll be a miracle.
Hampton Inn Crown Point: My Life in Chronological Chaos
Day 1: Arrival and the Perpetual Hotel Lobby Tango
3:00 PM: Okay, so the flight was a disaster. Delayed, cramped, and I swear the guy in the seat behind me was practicing his interpretive dance moves with my headrest. Finally, landed in Chicago. The rental car? Let’s just say my attempt to "drive on the right side" was…a suggestion. Found my way to the Hampton Inn, Crown Point, eventually. God bless GPS.
- Anecdote: The lobby. Oh, the lobby. It's a vortex of continental breakfast leftovers and awkward small talk. I swear, I saw a guy spend a solid hour trying to wrangle the automated pancake maker. Pure, unadulterated, hotel-lobby theater. I, on the other hand, just wanted a damn coffee, and the coffee machine was out of order. Seriously? This isn't a good start.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Check-in. Praying for a room not facing the highway. Hoping for a decent view, or at least not a dumpster.
- Emotional Reaction: Relief. Pure, unadulterated, room-key-in-hand relief.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Unpack, desperately seek out the vending machine - snacks. Hydration is key.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner. Options are…limited. Seriously, Crown Point, are you trying to starve me? Pizza? Fast food? Maybe I'll go rogue and raid the local grocery store.
- Opinionated Language: This whole "dining scene" is a bit sad. Like, a desolate wasteland of beige food. Where are the exciting local gems? I want a culinary adventure, not a culinary… mild inconvenience.
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Unwind. Try to watch some TV. Fall asleep with the TV on.
- Quirky Observation: The channel choices… wow. 200 stations, and I'm pretty sure they're all reruns of the same three shows. Also, someone needs to teach these hotels how to properly orient the remote. It's always upside down. Always.
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Attempt to sleep. Fail. Hotel noises, I tell you!
- Emotional Reaction: Anger. Frustration. The sound of someone else's TV… ugh! I could practically taste the sleeplessness. And the pillows felt like bricks!
Day 2: Cultivating My Own Madness in Crown Point
7:00 AM: Wake up to (slightly) improved sleep. Coffee!
- Anecdote: Went to the "free breakfast" in the lobby, and it was better than expected! Sure, the "fresh" fruit was a little… questionable, but the waffles were alright. And they had coffee! That's all that matters in the grand scheme of things.
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Explore the town. Maybe visit the courthouse. Or better yet, just drive around and try to find any indication of an actual town.
- Messier Structure and Rambles: Okay, so the courthouse is supposed to be a big deal. Some historical significance or something. But frankly, I'm more interested in finding some decent coffee. Or a bookstore. Or a place that sells non-generic t-shirts. This is a quest, people, a quest for civilization. And don't even get me started on the lack of parking. Seriously, where are the parking spots?!
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Decide I need to drive to a city nearby or I will surely lose my mind. Decide on Chicago, It's not far, and I'll feel like a person again.
- Emotional Reaction: I have to. I physically must. Escape the small-town vibes. Otherwise, I fear there will be a screaming match with the front desk clerk.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: More driving. Try to navigate Chicago traffic. Probably get lost.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Grab lunch somewhere. Preferably something that isn't a burger.
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Get back to the hotel. This is where things get messy.
- Doubling Down on the Experience: The Great Pizza Debacle. Let's just say I decided to embrace the "local cuisine." Found a pizza place. Looked okay. Smelt divine. Ordered a small pie. Got back to the hotel, hungry as a wolf, unwrapped the box, and…well, the cheese had congealed into something that resembled a geological formation. The crust was harder than the bricks the pillows are made of. The toppings… I'm pretty sure one of them was a rogue olive. I spent a good fifteen minutes staring in bewildered horror. This was my Crown Point experience distilled into a single, cheesy, inedible disc of disappointment. And the worst part? I was still hungry.
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Binge-watching TV. Probably fall asleep again.
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Attempt to sleep. Pray to the hotel gods for a quiet night.
Day 3: Departure & the Unanswered Questions
7:00 AM: Wake up, slightly more rested. Coffee. Breakfast.
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Check-out. Reflect on the…experience. (What even was that pizza?)
9:00 AM: Drive to the airport.
10:00 AM: Actually get on my flight.
Opinionated Language: Goodbye, Crown Point. You were… memorable. You challenged me. You tested my patience. You made me question the very meaning of "pizza." I'm not sure I'm better for having known you, but hey, at least I have a story.
Emotional Reaction: Relieved. Exhausted. But… oddly…a little intrigued. Deep down, I think I'm a bit of a glutton for punishment. Maybe I'll be back. Maybe I won't. But one thing's for sure: I'll never underestimate the power of a bad slice of pizza ever, ever again.
Crown Point Getaway: Hampton Inn's Unbeatable Crown Point Charm! - (Okay, Maybe "Unbeatable" is a Stretch...)
Alright, folks, lemme tell ya. Hampton Inn & Suites Crown Point? We're talking… well, we're talking about Crown Point. Which, for some, is a destination. For others, it's a place you drive *through* to get to somewhere *cooler*. But, hey, sometimes a good hotel is all you need. So, here’s a breakdown of the Hampton Inn experience, straight from the source (me, who just got back from a trip, and the source is often...let's say, *biased*).
Is the Hampton Inn really "charming?" (And what *is* "charming" anyway?)
"Charming"? Hmm. Okay, let's unpack that word. It's not a castle. It's not cobblestone streets. It's Crown Point, Indiana, people. The "charm" is… functional. Clean. Quiet-ish (more on that later). It's the kind of charm you appreciate more when you've spent the last five hours stuck in traffic and just need a clean bed and a decent shower. It's *that* kind of charm. Not a heart-stopping, 'Wow!' kind of charm. More like a 'Thank God!' kind of charm. Consider it a solid B+.
What's the deal with the free breakfast? Is it worth getting out of bed for?
Okay, the breakfast situation. Let’s be real. Free breakfast at hotels is a gamble. Sometimes it’s a glorious buffet of waffles, eggs, and bacon that makes your heart sing. Other times… well, let's just say I've seen better continental spreads at a gas station. Here? It's… acceptable. Waffles are a must (always a must). Eggs are… eggy. The coffee is free and hot and, honestly, that’s half the battle after a night of… *ahem*… light sleeping. The variety is enough to keep you going: eggs, sausage, sometimes actual *fruit* (the miracle of the gods!), and the all important coffee. So, yes, get out of bed. But manage your expectations. Don't expect miracles.
The pool! Is the pool a redeeming quality or a potential biohazard zone?
The pool... Oh, the pool. Look, I'm a pool person. I love a good dip. This pool? It's… functional. It's chlorine-scented, which, you know, is a good sign? The water looks reasonably clean. It's indoors, so you're safe from sunburn and the vagaries of the Midwest weather. The biggest issue I had? *Kids*. Which, let's be honest, is a common problem at hotel pools. There were a *lot* of kids. Screaming. Splashing. One small human was apparently attempting to *drink* the pool water. So, yeah, manage your expectations. If you're looking for zen-like tranquility, this ain't your jam. If you can handle the pandemonium and just want to swim a few laps... it's fine. Just, you know, close your eyes and pretend you're at a spa... in a giant, noisy, chlorinated bathtub.
What are the rooms *really* like? Are they clean? Is the wifi okay? Is the bed comfortable?
The rooms... Okay, here's where Hampton Inn usually delivers. The rooms are generally clean. Cleanliness is a solid A. The wifi? Pretty good. I could stream Netflix, download a few podcasts, and avoid actual human interaction. The bed? Ah, the bed. My nemesis for these kind of trips. I’m a princess and the pea type of gal. The bed *was* comfortable. Not the *best* bed I've ever slept in, but definitely not the worst. The pillows? A bit… fluffy. But hey, you can always ask for a different type. Another minor flaw: the walls are… thin. I may or may not have heard the couple next door arguing about… I don't even know. But I heard *everything*. It gave me the creeping sensation that I was in an open-air concert, so maybe bring earplugs.
Okay, let's talk about location. Is it actually *in* Crown Point? Is it convenient?
Yes, it's in Crown Point. Convenient? Well, yes. If you're going to Crown Point. If you're going to, say, Chicago? It's a drive. A *long* drive. Traffic can be horrendous. There are a few restaurants nearby. You're close to the square (which is nice). But it's not like you're smack-dab in the middle of the action (because, let's face it, Crown Point's action isn't exactly a bustling metropolis). It's accessible to most of the local attractions.
What's the staff like? Friendly? Helpful? Or, you know, dead-eyed and checked out?
The staff? Generally, they're pretty great. Especially the breakfast lady. Bless her heart, she was constantly refilling the waffle batter and smiling through the chaos of screaming children and hangry adults. Front desk was also helpful. They handled my last-minute request for extra towels with a smile (see: noisy neighbors above). So, yeah, the staff gets a thumbs up. They seem to get that people are tired and cranky. That's a win.
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
Okay, the million-dollar question. Would I stay there again? Probably. It's clean, it's convenient, and it's generally a reliable option. It’s not the Ritz-Carlton, obviously. But it's decent. I might bring earplugs next time or put in for a ground floor room. And I absolutely *will* have a waffle. So, yes. I'd probably stay again. But, you know, with realistic expectations. And maybe a stiff drink before bed.
Let's get into the *really* crucial detail: the elevators. Were they fast? Slow? Did they smell weird?
Elevators. Oof. This is a deep cut revelation. Remember how I told you about the incredibly noisy neighbors? Well, that actually started even before I got into my room. Because of the elevator situation. There were *two* elevators, which is almost enough for a hotel of this size, except because the rooms are so close, when you get to a floor, the people ahead of you were going *Book Hotels Now
