Raleigh's BEST Kept Secret Hotel: Super 8 Downtown South!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Raleigh's BEST Kept Secret: Super 8 Downtown South! Forget those fancy, overpriced hotels – this place? This place is… well, it's an experience. And yeah, I'm gonna be brutally honest, because that's how we roll. This ISN'T a five-star resort, but it's got a certain… charm. And let's be real, sometimes charm is all you need.
First off, let's get the accessibility stuff outta the way. Because, you know, it matters.
Accessibility: Alright, here's the deal: The website says they've got facilities for disabled guests. Now, I didn't need those specific features, BUT I did see an elevator. So, that's a start, right? I'd recommend calling ahead and asking for specifics if you have particular needs. But there ARE elevators, that's a big plus.
Wheelchair accessible: I didn't see any specific ramps or stuff, but it's worth a call.
Getting around: Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking - Now, this is a MAJOR win. Free parking in downtown Raleigh? You're practically saving money before you even hit the room! The fact that there is car charging is so important. I saw some people using Uber, too.
Safety and Cleanliness - Essential for a Peace of Mind
Okay, let's talk COVID. I am a little germ-averse, and I got a little freaked out.
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, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment - Whew. Okay, they say they do all this. I saw hand sanitizer everywhere, but you know… sometimes I felt like maybe they coulda wiped down the vending machine a little harder. BUT they're TRYING, and that's the thing. They're making an effort.
Cleanliness and safety, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Room sanitization opt-out available, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms - I didn't feel unsafe in the slightest. The front desk was always staffed, which is reassuring. The room? Look, it's a Super 8. Expectations should be managed. It was clean enough.
Also, I would like to add, I was very happy to see Additional toilet in the room, which wasn't specifically mentioned, but was a necessity for me.
The Room: A Super 8 Story (and Some Real Talk)
Okay, the room. Let's be honest. It's a Super 8. So, manage your expectations, people.
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. - You get the basics. The bed was comfy enough. The air conditioning worked (thank GOD, Raleigh summers are brutal). The blackout curtains were clutch for sleeping in. And the free Wi-Fi? A lifesaver. (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Internet access – wireless!).
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas: The Wi-Fi was surprisingly decent.
Couple's room: Didn't personally experience this but I noted it down.
Soundproof rooms: I didn't hear anyone partying so… success!
Room decorations: Okay, the decor is… basic. Let's put it that way. Think beige. But hey, I wasn't there to judge the artwork, I was there to, you know, sleep.
Food and Drink: Fueling the Adventure
Dining, drinking, and snacking, Bar, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Snack bar - Breakfast was included, and it was… well, it was what you expect from a Super 8 buffet. Waffles, cereal, some sad-looking fruit. But hey, it's free, and it fills the gap. They also do a 24-hour room service.
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bottle of water, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant - I was hoping for a little more options than expected and was a little disappointed.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax - Or Not!)
- Things to do, ways to relax, Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], - They have an outdoor pool. I dipped my toes in, but didn't spend a lot of time there. It's a pool, folks. It cools you off.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Sauna, Steamroom - Nope
- Look, this isn't a spa resort. It's a crash pad. A good crash pad, but a crash pad nonetheless.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things
Services and conveniences, 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 - Okay, this is where Super 8 Downtown South actually shines a little. They have all the basics covered, plus a few extras. Free parking, always a win. The front desk staff were genuinely helpful. Dry cleaning and laundry?! A little bit of convenience goes a long way, especially on a road trip!
Concierge: I didn't need the concierge but I appreciated they had the option.
Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Seminars, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Projector/LED display, Wi-Fi for special events - If you need, you know, to host some meetings this is an option.
For the Kids: Family Fun Factor
- For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal - I traveled solo, so the kids aspect was lost on me.
Overall Vibe: Is It Worth It?
Alright, the burning question: Should you book Super 8 Downtown South?
Here's my verdict: Absolutely. If you're looking for a clean, comfortable, and affordable place to stay in downtown Raleigh, this is the place. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a fancy hotel, but it's honest, it's convenient, and the staff genuinely seemed to care. And let's be honest, you can use the money you're saving to actually enjoy Raleigh.
The Offer You Absolutely Cannot Refuse:
Ditch the Hotel Luxe, Embrace the Downtown Vibe!
Tired of overpriced hotels that nickel and dime you for everything? Want a taste of authentic Raleigh without breaking the bank?
Here's the deal: Book your stay at Super 8 Downtown South and get ready to experience the city like a local!
Here's what you get:
- Clean and Comfortable Rooms: Exactly what you need after a long day of exploring. Free Wi-Fi for all.
- Free Parking: Seriously, this is HUGE in downtown Raleigh! Save your cash for the good stuff.
- Complimentary Breakfast: W
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re about to delve headfirst into a Raleigh, North Carolina, adventure… and it's gonna be anything but polished. We're talking Super 8 by Wyndham Raleigh Downtown South – buckle up, this is where the magic (and potential chaos) begins.
Wednesday: Arrival and tentative acceptance of my fate
- 1 PM: Arrived at Raleigh-Durham International (RDU). Ugh, airport. Always a soul-crushing experience, even when you're excited to travel. Especially after the flight that seemed to double in length, and the flight attendant who gave me a look when I asked for an extra bag of peanuts. Fine, whatever.
- 2 PM: Found that trusty rental car. Remember to check, double-check, and triple-check, especially the tires after the last time that happened. I swear I saw some suspicious tire tread.
- 3 PM: Check-in at the Super 8. Okay, let's be honest, the exterior screams "classic American motel" - like, the kind you see in those really low-budget horror flicks. But the front desk lady was nice, bless her heart. And, hey, free continental breakfast, right? Always a plus for my budget.
- 3:30 PM: Room revealed. It was clean, which is basically a win. The air conditioner is an absolute monster, though. Sounds like a jet engine. Might need earplugs later. That's what I'd say. All the classic hotel room features here.
- 4 PM: Settled in, unpacked, and realized I forgot my favorite travel mug. Disaster. Absolute disaster. I'll live, but the tea won't be the same. Then, I stared at the bed. It didn't look too inviting, but for what I paid for a night, what did I expect. Maybe I'll have it out with the bed later.
- 5 PM: Took a quick nap. Air conditioner droning on like a cranky grandpa. Woke up a bit disoriented, and kinda wishing I booked a room with a view, but who am I kidding, I couldn't afford that.
- 6 PM: Hit the road to find dinner. Drove aimlessly for a while, I had no intentions of spending my money on a restaurant, so I went to the nearest supermarket. So let the adventure begin.
- 7 PM: Back at the hotel. Ordered pizza! The best part of traveling, in my humble opinion.
- 8 PM: Watched some TV and the local news. More or less zoning out. This is where I found out that I can pay extra for a better room but, I wasn't willing to pay for that.
- 9 PM: Attempted to sleep. The jet engine, I mean, the air conditioner was still going. I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn't a five-star resort.
- 10 PM: Gave up on sleep. Started planning the next day.
Thursday: Trying to be Adventurous (and Probably Failing)
- 7 AM: Free continental breakfast. It was… well, it was there. The coffee tasted like despair, and the pre-packaged pastries looked like they'd been around since the dawn of time. Ate them anyway.
- 8 AM: Drove to the North Carolina Museum of Art. It's actually really, really impressive. I'm not a huge art person, but the outdoor park area was gorgeous. I even took a photo of a squirrel.
- 10 AM: Feeling culturally enriched, I decided to try something "local". Google Maps pointed me towards a "famous" BBQ place. More like a shack with a line, but the reviews said it was divine.
- 11 AM: That BBQ was… alright. Maybe I’m not a connoisseur. Ended up covered in sauce, smelling like smoke, and questioning all my life choices. Still, it was an experience.
- 12 PM: Checked out a quirky little vintage store. Found a hideous lamp I almost bought solely for the story.
- 1 PM: Took a walk around a park. Pretty nice, felt like I needed some quiet.
- 2 PM: Realized I was exhausted. Headed back to the Super 8 for a nap.
- 3 PM: Napped. Slept in. Woke up feeling worse than before.
- 4 PM: Decided I needed to do something productive. Tried to work on a book outline. Got distracted by the air conditioner. Give up.
- 5 PM: Called a friend to vent. Ranted about the weather, the BBQ, the state of my life… standard stuff.
- 6 PM: Ordered more pizza. This time, I got extra cheese.
- 7 PM: Watched more TV.
- 8 PM: Attempted to sort out the mess of packing.
- 9 PM: Tried to sleep again. That Jet engine.
- 10 PM: Screamed into a pillow.
Friday: Departure and a surprising glimmer of… positivity?
- 7 AM: Breakfast. Same experience, different day.
- 8 AM: Drove from the hotel for the last time.
- 9 AM: Dropped off the rental car and hoped they didn't find anything wrong. I was pretty sure the tires were fine.
- 10 AM: Made it to the airport.
- 11 AM: After some long flights, I was back home.
Post-Trip Ramblings:
So, the Super 8? It wasn't the Four Seasons. It wasn't luxurious. It definitely tested my patience. But you know what? It was my adventure. I survived the jet engine, the questionable coffee, and the accidental BBQ baptism. I saw some art, I met some people, I ate some pizza. It wasn't the picture-perfect vacation I'd imagined, but it was real. And maybe, just maybe, that's the point. It's about embracing the messy, the imperfect, the occasionally ridiculous. And the next trip, I'm bringing my own travel mug. Damn it.
Beijing Lian Jie Hotel: Your Luxury Escape Awaits (5-Star Bliss!)
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