Plattsburgh's BEST Kept Secret: Unbeatable Value Inn!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the swirling, slightly-musty, but ultimately charming world of Plattsburgh's "BEST Kept Secret: Unbeatable Value Inn!" Seriously, I have a feeling this place is a hidden gem, and I'm here to blow the lid off it, warts and all. This is MY review, not some corporate drone's perfectly polished pap.
Let's rip off the band-aid and start with the Accessibility because, honestly, it's something I worry about. The website vaguely promises "Facilities for disabled guests," so that's…encouraging. The lack of specifics is a minor red flag, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. I'd recommend a phone call before booking to confirm the details if accessibility is crucial. Important note: I didn't personally experience it, so this is based on what I can glean. But hey, if you need a wheelchair-friendly room, you better call and get it confirmed.
Accessibility Check: Potentially accessible, but VERIFY before you go.
Internet – The Digital Lifeline!
Alright, let's talk Wi-Fi because, let's be real, we're all addicted. The website yells "FREE Wi-Fi in all rooms!", and "Internet Access – Wireless" and, "Internet access – LAN". Score! Praise be for the digital gods who hear our prayers. "Internet" "Internet services" are also listed. The fact that they’re still advertising LAN access tells you something about the Inn's tech updates, but hey, you're getting value, right? The Wi-Fi in public areas is listed, so even if a room might be a dead zone, you're good in the lobby. *I didn't actually *use* it, so I can only hope the signal is strong enough to stream some Netflix. Don't judge me – I'm a sucker for a good rom-com after a long drive.*
Internet Verdict: SOUNDS promising. Let's hope it doesn't buffer mid-movie.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams or… Nah?
Okay, here's where my hopes might be dashed, but the listing does suggest a spa experience! Spa/sauna… hmmm… Spa… Sauna… Steamroom…Massage… Body scrub… Body wrap… Okay, I'm starting to get visions of a luxurious haven. But then, you have Gym/fitness is also listed – so maybe there's a fitness-focused clientele. Pool with view Swimming pool and Swimming pool [outdoor] are also listed, at least you'll have a place to cool off! I actually look forward to it!
Relaxation Verdict: Potentially a mini-spa oasis… or a slightly-optimistic listing. I'm hoping for the former, but preparing myself for the latter. Maybe it's a charming, slightly-dated sauna. I'm okay with that.
Cleanliness & Safety – COVID-Era Concerns
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, 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, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Sterilizing equipment. I can tell you, knowing that, those things are reassuring. This place seems to be taking COVID seriously. They can't control people's habits, but this place seems to be a fortress of cleanliness.
Cleanliness Verdict: Solid. They’re covering their bases, which is honestly what I want to see.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Will My Stomach Survive?
This is a big one, and honestly, the listings are a bit overwhelming, which is a plus! 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, and Western cuisine in restaurant. Phew. So, we're looking at a full-on culinary adventure… or maybe just a lot of options. The fact that there’s a Asian breakfast, potentially even Asian cuisine is a great hint the Inn is catering to a certain demographic. Then again, Western cuisine is listed, so maybe not. I'm intrigued by the 'Happy hour' possibilities. I'm picturing a slightly-dingy, but loveable bar, slinging cheap drinks and questionable, but delicious, snacks. Please let me be right. And that buffet? I'm ALL IN. I hope it's not too, too greasy. But even if it is, I'm there.
Dining Verdict: Potential for an amazing spread… or a lot of average experiences. I'm praying for the first, and secretly hoping for a little bit of both. Bring on the buffet!
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
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, and Xerox/fax in business center. Woah. Shrine? That's a first. That's a commitment. This place seems to have it all. I can't believe I'm saying that on my own review. A convenience store is always a plus, especially if I forget toothpaste. With that, the place sounds amazing if it does everything it claims. And the fact they have a Currency exchange and cash withdrawal might be a necessity if you're traveling.
Services Verdict: They seem to be trying to create a full-service experience. That's ambitious, and I'm cautiously optimistic.
For the Kids – Family Friendly Fun?
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, and Kids meal. They are clearly catering to families! I love that.
Kids Verdict: Family-friendly, check!
Access – Security & Peace of Mind
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, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, and Soundproof rooms. Soundproof rooms are a HUGE win, especially if you're stuck in a hotel with loud people, so I love that! The Exterior corridor tells me rooms will be easy accessible. Proposal spot? I'm intrigued. This sounds like a place that takes safety seriously. Honestly, I'd like that.
Access Verdict: Secure and (hopefully) peaceful.
Getting Around – Location, Location, Location
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, and Valet parking. Free parking? Yes, please! Airport transfer is a great perk. Car power charging station? A true sign of the times. Even if I don't have an electric car, I'm impressed.
Getting Around Verdict: They've thought of it all!
Available in All Rooms – My Room's a Fortress (Maybe?)
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
Victoria's Secret? Nope, America's BEST Value Inn! (TX)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't gonna be your perfectly curated Instagram itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL, a messy, honest, and probably slightly caffeinated account of my time at the ahem "Americas Best Value Inn Plattsburgh." Let's get this show on the road, shall we?
Day 1: Arrival (and the existential dread of the hotel room carpet)
- 1:00 PM: Landed in… well, I think it was Plattsburgh. (Honestly, the drive up was a blur of highway hypnosis and questionable gas station snacks. I may have eaten a day-old hot dog. Don't judge.) Finding the hotel was a triumph of map-reading skills and pure dumb luck. The sign, though… oh dear god, the sign. It promised "VALUE!" which, in retrospect, should have been my first clue.
- 2:00 PM: Checked in. The front desk guy looked like he’d seen a LOT of things I didn’t want to know about. I'm not saying he smelled of stories, but his eyes certainly did. Got the key, lugged my suitcase (which weighs more than a small child) up to… the room.
- 2:15 PM: Unpacked… or attempted to unpack. The room… it had a certain vibe. Let's call it "Early 90s Motel Chic." Beige walls, a view of… a parking lot, and a carpet that looked like it had absorbed the sadness of a thousand broken hearts. I swear I saw a stain that resembled a map of the Galapagos Islands. Decided to live in the moment… and maybe invest in some serious sanitizing wipes later.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Exploration, or Attempted Exploration. Drove around Plattsburgh, trying to find something… anything… to pique my interest. The town, while charming in a small-town kinda way. Found a thrift store with a weird collection of porcelain dolls. Decided not to buy.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Went to a place called "Mr. Mike's." The ambiance was… utilitarian. The food? Perfectly fine. I ordered a burger, which I promptly devoured. Needed the fuel.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back in the hotel, feeling the full weight of my isolation. Sat on the bed reading, trying to find something to distract me from the fact that I was, once again, alone. The TV remote felt like it was from a museum. The stain on the carpet. The stain on the carpet. The stain on the carpet. (Just kidding… kinda.)
Day 2: The Great Lake Champlain Adventure (and my crippling fear of heights)
- 8:00 AM: Woke up surprisingly refreshed. Maybe the room's sad carpet aroma had a calming effect? Who knows. Coffee from the hotel's "continental breakfast" (read: lukewarm, possibly instant, coffee) was fuel. I found a discarded, half-eaten muffin on the table. Decided to ignore and not take any chances.
- 9:00 AM: Decided to go to Lake Champlain. Found an ice cream shop on the way. Ordered something completely unhealthy but delicious.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Lake Champlain… It's a thing, apparently! I had planned a boat ride, but I am terrified of the water and heights. I spent the time on the shore, staring at the water wondering what all the fuss was. The sheer, vastness of the lake… it's humbling, you know? And it makes you feel like a tiny, insignificant speck of humanity. Which, on days when I'm feeling particularly dramatic, I find rather appealing. Also, the wind was brutal. My hair looked like a bird's nest.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Back in town. Found a small diner. Ate a lot of greasy food. It was great.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Exploring some tourist attractions. Not much of interest. The place was still charming, but didn't provide much to do.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Back at the hotel. More TV. More existential pondering. Ordered some pizza and wings. I wanted to feel close to America.
- 8:00 PM: Decided to go for a walk. Walked. Saw some more of the town. Went back.
Day 3: Heading Home (and the lingering stain)
- 7:00 AM: Woke up. Checked out. The front desk guy just nodded. "Good luck," he seemed to say with his eyes. I understood.
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Drive to the airport. Reflected on the trip:
- The hotel was. "Memorable".
- Lake Champlain was… interesting.
- The food? Surprisingly good.
- My emotional state? A roller coaster.
- And the carpet. I will never forget that carpet.
- 1:00 PM: Arrival. Heading back to civilization. I would never see Plattsburgh again. I felt good about it.
So, there you have it. Not glamorous. Not picture-perfect. Just… real. And hey, that's sometimes the best kind of trip, right? The kind where you laugh at your own ridiculousness and head out to find a new place to live.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Marina Garden Flat in Marmaris, Turkey!
Is the Unbeatable Value Inn REALLY unbeatable value? And how do they get away with it?
Okay, so, "Unbeatable Value." That's a bold statement, right? And honestly? Mostly, yeah. Especially if you're, like, backpacking across America on a shoestring budget, or maybe just REALLY cheap. My first stay was after a disastrous camping trip (rain, bugs, the usual). I stumbled in, looking like a drowned rat, and the price? Practically highway robbery… *in my favor*. Okay, highway *robbery* is strong. Let's say it was like finding a twenty dollar bill in your old jeans. You know, the kind of bill you *forgot* you had. It was that kind of win.
As for HOW they do it? Well… let's just say they probably don't have marble countertops. Or daily housekeeping. Or a pool that's cleaned more than once a blue moon. (More on *that* later.) It's the basics, folks. Clean-ish sheets. Functional plumbing. A roof that (mostly) doesn't leak. And a price that makes your wallet do a happy dance. They keep the frills to a minimum, and the savings go straight to, well, *you*. Smart, really.
What's the DEAL with the "Continental Breakfast?" Is it a joke?
"Continental Breakfast" at the UVI. Oh boy. Prepare yourself. It's… an *experience*. "Continental" is putting it nicely, like calling a Big Mac "gastronomic delight". It usually involves pre-packaged muffins that may or may not be older than your grandma, instant coffee that tastes suspiciously like regret, and maybe, *maybe*, some sad, shriveled fruit that has seen better days.
The *gold* standard? The time they had those little single-serving boxes of cereal, but the milk dispenser was...questionable. Let's just say I learned a lot about the potential of lukewarm, slightly curdled milk that morning. Oh. Oh. Right. It almost made me *miss* the instant coffee. ALMOST. My advice? If you have ANY other options, get breakfast *somewhere else*. Seriously. Unless you are deeply committed to cheapness. Then embrace the experience. It's... memorable. And honestly? Sometimes, that's all you need.
The pool… you mentioned the pool. Tell me about the pool!
Ah, the pool. The… *aquatic adventure zone*. Look, the UVI's pool is… functional. Let's just leave it at that, okay? Okay. It's outdoors, and it's usually open, which is a genuine plus. But don't go in expecting a crystal-clear, sparkling oasis. Think more… "slightly chlorinated pond."
I went there once. This was years ago. They were having a pool party (of sorts). A *lonely* pool party. There were six people present at its peak. Most were in the pool but also doing the thing where you are just *there*, like a lost kitten. There may or may not have been some suspicious floating…*things*. I swear, I saw a rogue *leaf* the size of my forearm. I opted to sit on the side and read a book (a wise choice). It was both terrifying and hilarious at the same time. Maybe I will join in? It was an adventure. I should have brought a snorkel. It was… an *experience*. I’ll leave it at that. Actually, scratch that… I am still in therapy.
Are the rooms clean? Like, *actually* clean?
Clean-ish. It depends on your definition of clean, really. Let’s be real: you're not going to find pristine luxury. However, in my experience, the rooms are generally… *acceptable*. The sheets, usually, are clean(ish). The bathroom… well, it's seen a toothbrush or two. I've never encountered anything truly horrifying, like, say, a colony of spiders. (And I'm super easily grossed out!)
I will say, and I am being as honest as I can possibly be: I've seen a few questionable stains on the carpets. I've smelled… *remnants* of previous occupants' smoking habits (even in the non-smoking rooms - but come on, who's surprised?). My advice? Pack some antibacterial wipes. And maybe a hazmat suit if you're REALLY worried.
But, look, for the price? It's a trade-off. You're sacrificing some cleanliness for that sweet, sweet value. And honestly, after a long day of driving, or hiking, or whatever, you just want a place to crash. You're probably not planning on eating off the floor anyway, right? Right?!
Is it safe? I've heard… things.
Safety is a tricky one. I've never felt *unsafe* there, per se. But let's just say the clientele is… diverse. And by "diverse," I mean you might encounter a range of characters. I mean… think of it as a microcosm of humanity. You'll see families, cross-country travelers, locals, and… some folks who definitely seem to have *stories*.
My personal experience: I once saw a guy trying to fix his car's engine… *in the parking lot* at 3 AM. He seemed harmless, just… determined. There was also the time a dog started howling at the moon all night. (Poor thing! He sounded as though he was in despair).
The UVI feels safe, but the area around the hotel can sometimes, depending on the season be a bit dodgy.
Use common sense. Lock your doors. Don't wander alone at night. You know, the usual precautions.
Are there any hidden gems? Any tips for surviving (and thriving) at the UVI?
Hidden gems! Okay, here's the thing... the UVI is the gem, the hidden gem… the whole hotel! Embrace it for what it is.
I have ONE tip.
1. **Lower your expectations.** Seriously. If you go in expecting the Ritz, you'll be sorely disappointed. Think "slightly better than a jail cell".
If you can manage those three things, you'll be in great shape. And, honestly? You might actually like it. It's a place. It’s somewhere. It’s cheap. What more do you need?
