Luxury Escape Awaits: La Quinta Aguascalientes, Mexico!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Luxury Escape Awaits: La Quinta Aguascalientes, Mexico! experience. Forget the perfectly polished travel blogs, I'm about to give you the real deal, warts and all. Prepare for a ride.
First Impressions & Accessibility: More Than Just a Ramp (or an Absence Thereof)
So, La Quinta Aguascalientes. You’ve heard the whispers, yeah? Luxury. Relaxation. A veritable escape from the… gestures vaguely at everyday life. Let's start with the nitty-gritty: Accessibility. This is HUGE for me, because let's be honest, not all "luxury" hotels actually cater to everyone.
Now, a little personal anecdote. I remember trying to get into a swanky European hotel once with my grandmother in a wheelchair. Let’s just say, it involved a lot of awkwardness, sweat, and a near-disastrous attempt at a makeshift ramp using strategically placed cushions. Trauma. I’m a little sensitive on this topic.
Thankfully, La Quinta actually gets it. They have facilities for disabled guests, and honestly, I'm happy to see it. They also offer Accessibility, including Elevator. This is not just a nice-to-have, it’s a MUST HAVE.
The exterior corridor aspect isn't my personal preference, but not everyone minds. More importantly, it's easy to navigate.
Okay, Okay, the Good Stuff: Lounging and Lusciousness
Alright, alright, enough practicality. Let's talk about why we actually go to these places: the pampering! (And I need it, believe me).
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Crucial. No limping across a cobblestone street after a massage, thank you very much! Things to do, ways to relax - Where do I even begin? This place is a playground for the stressed.
- Swimming Pool [outdoor] - Did I mention I needed this? Seriously, imagine a proper place to chill out with a cocktail.
- Pool with view: YES! Give me a view to stare at while I'm soaking up the sun.
- Spa/sauna: Sigh - A place I haven't visited in years, but I am ready to get pampered
- Massages, Body scrub, Body wrap: I am ready to be pummeled.
The Wellness Wonderland:
The fitness center is there, for those of you who are virtuous. (I, personally, am more of a "walk to the poolside bar" kind of person.) The Sauna and Steamroom sound divine, though. Oh, and the Foot bath? Sign me up! Everything is just there for a well deserved relaxation.
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, Let's Talk COVID-19
Let's be real, travel has changed. You can't ignore the elephant (or virus) in the room. La Quinta seems to be on top of it, which, frankly, is a huge relief.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, professional-grade sanitizing services: Okay, good. I want my room cleaner than a surgeon's scalpel.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Even better.
- Hand sanitizer: Always a good sign.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I like the choice.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: This is essential.
- Cashless payment service: Contactless is king (or queen!).
- Safe dining setup: Important.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Again, sensible.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Nice.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yesss.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: That has to be a given.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Just to add to the peace of mind.
- Hygiene certification: Check!
The Food… Ah, the Food! (And My Stomach)
Let's be real, I live to eat. The food can make or break a trip.
- Restaurants: Plural! Score!
- Breakfast [buffet]: YES! I love a good buffet. But does it have…
- Asian breakfast & Asian cuisine in restaurant? A little bit of spice to my day!
- Western cuisine in restaurant: I feel like I will need this.
- Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: I'm just saying, my liver will thank me later.
- Room service [24-hour]: Crucial! Especially for those midnight snack attacks.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, variety is the spice of life.
- Vegetarian restaurant: I'm a meat-eater, but hey, options are good.
- Snack bar, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: Get in my belly.
- Bottle of water is provided: It's essential.
My One True Experience: The Poolside Bliss
Alright, here's where I get personal. I spent a whole afternoon by the pool. And it was… chefs kiss.
The Pool with view was perfection. Seriously, I just stared at the scenery. I ordered a margarita. Then another. And then, I don’t know, maybe a third? (Don't judge me.) The service was impeccable. I'm talking attentive but not intrusive, polite but not stuffy. I spent hours lounging, reading, and generally embracing the art of doing absolutely nothing. It's a life skill, people! Pure, unadulterated bliss. To this day I remember that feeling. The feeling of pure relaxation.
Rooms, Rooms, Glorious Rooms!
Available in all rooms: 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, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, 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, Window that opens.
Okay, so a lot of the expected luxuries. Additional toilet is appreciated. Interconnecting room(s) available? Great for families or groups (or, you know, if you just like having extra space). The Bathrobes and Slippers? Nice touch. Complimentary tea? They know the way to my heart. The Reading light and Blackout curtains? Essential for a good night's sleep. High floor? Always ask for that!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Concierge: Yes. I love a good concierge.
- Contactless check-in/out: I am all here for this.
- Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Because nobody wants to pack a suitcase full of wrinkles.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Gotta grab a little something for the folks back home.
- Elevator: Thank goodness.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: For when you need to get serious.
- Facilities for disabled guests: As mentioned above, this is a major plus.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, please!
- Food delivery: I love the ease.
- Luggage storage: Always practical.
- Pets allowed unavailable: Good, no pets allowed, it is more peaceful.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always good to have.
- Daily housekeeping: I am all for this.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station: All good options.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi: In all of the rooms, this is crucial.
- Business facilities: For those who need to check emails.
…For the Kids?
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: A place to go for families with kids? Sounds good.
Getting Around: Essential for the Stay
Airport transfer, Taxi service, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Bicycle parking, Valet parking: Again, options for all needs.
Security and Safety: Peace of Mind
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: This is more than just a box-ticking exercise; it's a promise of safety and security. And that's important.
Millennium Hilton NYC: UN Plaza Luxury - Book Your Dream Stay Now!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is my potential disaster, lovingly planned (or maybe just hoped into existence) for a few days in Aguascalientes, centering around that La Quinta by Wyndham. Pray for me. And for the Wi-Fi.
Aguascalientes, Mexico: Operation "Tequila & Tears" (and hopefully not just tears)
Day 1: Arrival & "Oh God, This Hotel Better Be Good"
- Morning (ish): Fly into Aguascalientes International Airport (AGU). Ugh, flying. I swear, the pre-flight anxiety is worse than the post-tequila regret. Praying the flight isn't delayed. Praying my luggage actually makes it. Praying there's decent airport coffee. (I'm already asking too much.)
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Taxi to La Quinta by Wyndham. Okay, deep breaths. Expectations low, hoping for air conditioning that actually works, and definitely, definitely a comfortable bed after the torture that is airplane seats. Check-in. Pray to whatever deity handles hotel room cleanliness. This is where it either goes gloriously right, or spectacularly wrong. Last time I stayed in a budget hotel, I pretty sure a family of raccoons were living under the bed. I’m looking at you, Wyndham.
- Afternoon: Unpack. Examine the room with hawk-like intensity. Does the TV work? Is the shower pressure better than the trickle I get at home? Crucial information.
- Mid-Afternoon: A quick wander and grab a bite near the Hotel. Gotta fuel up for potential cultural activities. Something light, maybe a quesadilla or tacos. (Is it wrong that I'm already thinking about dinner? That's the problem with my personality, always hungry.
- Evening: Dinner. I’m thinking something traditionally Mexican - something authentic (okay, maybe a little bit of research…tripadvisor here I come, I guess) I want to be adventurous and try the local cuisine. I will get myself a Margarita, after all. It’s basically a health requirement, right? Head back to the hotel, exhausted and slightly overwhelmed.
Day 2: "Holy Cow, Museums & Maybe Regret? (Probably Regret)"
- Morning: Wake up (Lord, let the bed be comfortable!), try to remember where I am, and start the day with a coffee. Maybe a quick dip in the pool (if there is a pool. Praying there is a pool.)
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Museum hopping. Seriously, I should do something culturally enriching, so I better check out one of the museums. Probably a history one. If I feel brave, maybe an art museum, too. (I'm not known for my refined art appreciation, prepare yourselves, local artists.) The Museo Regional de Aguascalientes is on the radar, maybe the Museo Aguascalientes. Let's be honest, halfway through I'll be fantasizing about a siesta. That’s just me, unfortunately.
- Mid-Afternoon: Lunch. Something quick and easy, to make up for the lack of museum-going productivity I absolutely should have. There's that little bakery I saw or maybe just a sandwich.
- Late Afternoon: The highlight of the trip? (Hopefully.) Palenque Feria Nacional de San Marcos. Basically, a place known for its traditional bullfighting arena (it’s a lot of history in this place), or a concert (cross your fingers for a great show), followed by a Tequila tasting, because, why not? I have a feeling this will be either AMAZING or a total, glorious train wreck. No in-between. Prepare for a story, folks. My liver is already trembling in anticipation.
- Evening: Evening wind down (hopefully. Likely not). Tequila coma sets in. Order room service. Or pass out on the bed with the lights on, whatever comes first.
Day 3: "Market Mayhem and the Art of Doing Nothing (Pretty Much)"
- Morning: Wake up. Try to reconstruct events from the previous night. Hopefully (or rather, hopelessly) I followed through on my intention of getting a cab. Pray for no hangover.
- Late Morning: Explore the Mercado Terán. The massive, vibrant market. This is where the real Aguascalientes lives. I'm going to get lost, probably buy something completely useless (but I needed it, I swear!) and experience a sensory overload the likes of which the world has never seen. Will try to buy some of the local fruits and vegetables, but I will also definitely get some snacks.
- Mid-Afternoon: Relaxation and Recharging. You know, the opposite of what I've been doing. The hotel pool (fingers crossed!) or chill in the AC. Maybe read a book, or binge-watch trashy TV. My brain needs a break. Big time.
- Late Afternoon: Wandering around the city: Look for interesting buildings or hidden gems. Maybe a small park or plaza. Stop. Sit. Observe. Contemplate buying a ridiculous souvenir and then talk myself out of it. The constant internal debate with myself continues.
- Evening: Dinner. This time, I'll try to be classy. Maybe. Find a restaurant that is a little less wild and more authentic. Still open to suggestions, since I have zero idea what I'm doing.
- Night: Early to bed tonight. No, really. Maybe…
Day 4: Departure & The Aftermath (The Real Aftermath)
- Morning: Eat breakfast and contemplate the fact that I'm going home (and that I have to go back). Hopefully, they have a good breakfast at La Quinta!
- Late Morning: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Panic buying, mostly. Double-check for any crucial items at Mercado Terán.
- Early Afternoon: Final check-out at La Quinta. Say goodbye (or maybe, good riddance?) to the hotel. Maybe, just maybe, leave a glowing review. Or a frantic warning, depending on the experience.
- Afternoon: Head to the airport. Pray that the flight is on time, that I don't have a screaming baby next to me, and that I haven't left anything vital behind.
- The Aftermath: Return home. Begin the process of washing all my clothes. Start the long-term damage control on my liver. And start planning my next escape. Because, let’s face it, I’m already plotting my next adventure.
Important Disclaimer:
- This itinerary is highly subject to change. Spontaneity is my middle name (well, it would be if I had one. And that's not true).
- My emotional states can vary wildly. Expect moments of elation, despair, and the occasional existential crisis.
- I am not responsible for anything that might happen (or not happen) during this trip. Except me.
- Bring snacks. For the love of all that is holy, bring snacks.
- And pray for me. Seriously.
Luxury Escape Awaits: La Quinta Aguascalientes - Your Burning Questions Answered (and My Ramblings Added!)
Is La Quinta Aguascalientes REALLY as luxurious as they say?
What kind of rooms are available? And which one should I choose?
Is the pool area any good?
What about the food at the hotel restaurants?
Is there anything to do *besides* lounging by the pool? I get bored easily!
How's the service? Is it up to par with a luxury hotel experience?
