Ruston's BEST Kept Secret: Comfort Inn & Suites Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Ruston's BEST Kept Secret: Comfort Inn & Suites Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - Buckle Up, Buttercups!
Okay, so I just got back from Ruston, Louisiana. Yeah, Ruston. Don't judge, I had a reason. And you know what? Turns out, the best part of my trip wasn’t the… well, the reason I was there. It was the Comfort Inn & Suites. Seriously. And I’m not just saying that because I'm still riding the high of free Wi-Fi in every single room (a small victory, I know).
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Meta Description: Discover the surprising gem of Ruston, Louisiana: the Comfort Inn & Suites! This detailed, honest review covers accessibility, cleanliness, amenities (pool! spa!), dining, and the overall experience. Buckle up for a quirky and unfiltered look at what makes this hotel a hidden treasure.
Let's Get Messy… (And Honest)
First off, let's be real. This is a Comfort Inn. Visions of gleaming marble and Michelin-starred dining aren't exactly what spring to mind. But folks, this place… it gets it. It understands the simple things that make a weary traveler actually happy.
Accessibility: (More Than Just Ramps!)
Okay, important stuff. I needed a room that was…well, accessible. And the Comfort Inn & Suites delivered. The ramp access was smooth, the elevators were easy to navigate (thank the heavens, because I definitely overestimated my energy levels in Ruston), and the rooms? Spacious. Really, surprisingly spacious. I’m talking plenty of room to maneuver, which is huge for anyone with mobility concerns. (This is a big win for me! Seriously, I can't stress enough - easy access is everything.) They had all the basics covered– grab bars, lowered sinks, etc, but it was the thoughtfulness that got me. It wasn’t just compliant, it felt genuinely considered.
Rooms: The Sanctuary (or, In My Case, The Nap Zone)
Now, I’m a sucker for blackout curtains. God, they make the world a better place. And this place delivered. Pitch black, baby! Perfect for indulging in a nap. (Which, let's be honest, took up a significant portion of my stay). They also had… wait for it… FREE Wi-Fi in all rooms! I know, I know, you're probably rolling your eyes. But in this day and age, it's still a HUGE deal! And it… actually worked. No dropped connections, no frustrating log-ins. Smooth sailing, people! Plus, the basics were all there: comfy bed (extra long, even!), a decent-sized TV, a fridge for late-night snacks (hello, gas station nachos!), and a desk. Honestly, it ticked all the boxes for a comfy stay.
Cleanliness and Safety: (The Pandemic Edition)
Alright, let's talk COVID. I’m still pretty freaked out by the whole thing, so this was crucial. The Comfort Inn & Suites went above and beyond. You could feel the cleanliness. (I’m not exaggerating! I swear, you could practically smell the Lysol. In a good way.) They had hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff were diligent about wearing masks. They even had some interesting "anti-viral cleaning products," which they proudly touted on their website. I felt comfortable. Safe. And for me, that’s worth its weight in gold. I also noticed daily disinfection in common areas and rooms sanitized between stays. And honestly, that made this whole experience so much of ease.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (Breakfast, My Kryptonite)
Breakfast! The most important meal of the day… at least, that’s what my mom always said. And this Comfort Inn? Actually, pretty decent! Breakfast [buffet] was a classic, but with some thoughtful touches. (Like, seriously, they know how to do a waffle.) They had the usual suspects: eggs, bacon, sausage (or, as I like to call it, the "meat trifecta"). Also, they had Individually-wrapped food options - which shows they were really taking the pandemic. (I am a HUGE fan of that – small things really bring a lot of peace of mind.) The coffee was passable too. And I mean, come on, it's included!
Pool & Relaxing Stuff: (The Promised Joy)
Okay, the pool. This is where the Comfort Inn & Suites really surprised me. Swimming pool [outdoor]! Sparkling clean, and not overcrowded. I'd heard whispers of a pool with a view. I didn’t know what to expect. And, look - there was a fantastic patio setup. I loved the fresh air. It was a little oasis from the… well, the reason I was there.
Spa? (Yes, You Heard That Right!)
Now, I use "spa" loosely, as it was more of a "fitness center with a sauna," but still – a sauna! I mean, seriously! After a long day of… whatever I was doing… it was the perfect way to unwind.
Services and Conveniences: (The Little Things)
The little things matter. The 24-hour front desk was a lifesaver. I arrived super late after being delayed with a major catastrophe. The luggage storage was a huge plus. Also, they had a convenience store on-site. (Translation: snacks and forgotten toiletries, all within stumbling distance of my room!) The staff were friendly and actually seemed genuinely helpful. Not that fake, forced hotel smile. Real, genuine smiles. It made a difference, trust me.
For the Kids & Family-Friendly: (I Didn't Have Kids, But…)
I didn't travel with kids, but I spied Kids Facilities - I do hope they're nice.
Getting Around: (Location, Location, Location!)
The Comfort Inn & Suites is conveniently located, which is a huge factor. Ruston isn’t exactly a sprawling metropolis, but having easy access to everything made my trip infinitely easier. Plus, the car park [free of charge] was a bonus.
The Imperfections (Because Nothing's Perfect, Right?)
Okay, the coffee could be slightly better, and the gym equipment was… well, basic. But honestly, those are tiny quibbles. And yeah, the decor? It's a Comfort Inn. Let's not pretend we're expecting the Ritz Carlton.
The Emotional Takeaway: (Why You Should Actually Stay Here)
Look, I went to Ruston expecting… well, not much. I was bracing myself for a mediocre, forgettable experience. The Comfort Inn & Suites didn't just meet my expectations, it straight-up exceeded them. It was clean, comfortable, and most importantly, it felt like a place that actually cared. It’s not just a place to sleep; it’s a place where you can actually relax. And in a town where my stress levels hit an all-time high, that was priceless.
Verdict:
If you’re headed to Ruston, the Comfort Inn & Suites is a no-brainer. I’m giving it a solid 9/10. Yes, it’s a Comfort Inn. But it’s a damn good Comfort Inn. It’s Ruston's best-kept secret, and I’m not even a little bit ashamed to say that I'd happily stay there again. Run, don't walk… or, you know, drive. But go. Trust me on this one. You won’t regret it.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is me, wrestling with a trip to Ruston, Louisiana, and the Comfort Inn & Suites – which, let's be honest, is a name as comforting as lukewarm coffee. Here we go, a glorious train wreck of a schedule:
Trip: Ruston Ramble & Existential Hotel Contemplations
Hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites Ruston-East Ruston, because… well, options were limited, and I needed a place to park my weary self.
Day 1: Arrival, Rustle of Expectations, and Mild Panic
**2:00 PM: Arrival at Ruston, Louisiana. Population: Apparently, fewer pizza places than I'm comfortable with. **The drive here was a saga. Let's just say, GPS and I have a "complicated" relationship. We nearly ended up in Texas. Texas! Whoops. Anyway, after surviving a near-miss with a rogue tumbleweed (is that a thing in Louisiana? I don't know), I arrived. And my first thought was, "Okay, this is…Ruston." Not exactly a breathtaking entrance, but hey, expectations were already adjusted to a *slightly* less-than-glamorous level.
**2:30 PM: Check-in at the Comfort Inn & Suites. **The lobby looked exactly like every other Comfort Inn lobby in the history of Comfort Inns. The lady at the desk was nice. I think she might have been a little confused by my overly enthusiastic "How's it going?" but she smiled and handed me my keycard, which felt strangely momentous. The plastic smell of the carpet hit me like a wave of nostalgia…or maybe just exhaustion.
3:00 PM: Room Exploration and Reality Check. The room? Standard. Two queen beds, a slightly suspicious-looking armchair, and a TV that I suspect hasn't been updated since the Bush administration (both of them). I peeked in the bathroom, took a deep breath, and immediately debated just turning around, going back to my car, and driving off to the coast. But then I thought about dinner. And I'd already paid. sigh.
3:30 PM: Existential Crisis on Bed Number One. Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration. But I did stare at the ceiling for a bit. What am I doing here? Why am I here? Is there a decent coffee shop within a reasonable radius? These are the big questions, folks.
4:00 PM: The Great Ruston Pizza Quest. I'm hungry, and my travel-induced anxiety demands carbs. I consulted Yelp, Google Maps, and even some ancient travel blogs I found online. The pizza situation? Let's just say, it's a work in progress. Ended up at a place that was recommended for a reason: it was the only place open. The pizza was… edible. I wouldn't write home about it, but it got the job done. And the sweet tea was on point.
6:00 PM: Unintentional Local Immersion at a Grocery Store. Needed a snack and a bottle of water. The local grocery store was a trip! It was a bit chaotic, but the sheer variety of strange regional snacks was mesmerizing. I ended up buying a bag of something called "cracklins" (I'm assuming it's not actually made of crack). The taste? Not bad, actually. My tastebuds are still a little unsure.
7:00 PM: Room Service, TV, and the Crumbling Illusion of Relaxation. I had planned to go out and experience the "Ruston nightlife" (assuming it existed). But the pizza hangover and the general feeling of "meh" won out. So I ate a questionable microwave dinner, and watched the local news – which, I discovered, is surprisingly entertaining.
9:00 PM: Sleep, maybe. I'm not holding my breath. The bed's a little saggy, and that air conditioner sounds like a dying walrus. But hey, tomorrow is another day, right? Full of who-knows-what delights.
Day 2: Exploring Ruston (Sort Of), and a Deep Dive Into…Pancakes
7:00 AM: Wake Up. Regret. Contemplate Life Choices. That walrus-air-conditioner was as loud as I imagined. I have a stiff neck. And I'm starting to think I should have splurged for that slightly nicer hotel. But no, I made the financial choice of frugality. I will make the most of staying here.
8:00 AM: Breakfast. Pancake Revelation. And here's where everything changed! Breakfast at the Comfort Inn was included, and I didn't have many expectations. But the pancakes? Folks, those pancakes were divine. Fluffy, light, and perfectly golden-brown. I'm not kidding. I'm almost embarrassed to admit how many I ate, but they were truly worthy of being called a pancake. I doubled back for more. Seriously, I would recommend coming here just for the pancakes.
9:00 AM: Attempted Sightseeing. Okay, after the pancake coma wore off, I decided to be a tourist. I tried to find some "historic" sites. Things were underwhelming. The town is fine, but nothing screamed "must-see" – but I'm not sure what I was expecting. It's a small town.
11:00 AM: The Coffee Predicament. Remember the lack of good coffee shops? I went looking for java. A slightly dodgy cafe with a barista who was either incredibly hungover or permanently disinterested. But the coffee was passable. I survived.
12:00 PM: Lunch, a Repeat of the Pizza Experience. I really should have been more adventurous. But I was in a rush to go back to the hotel.
1:00 PM: The Great Nap. I went back to the hotel, crawled into that queen-sized bed, and slept like a baby. I think I'm starting to sync with the rhythm of Ruston.
4:00 PM: Departure and Farewell to Pancakes. Time to hit the road. But let me tell you one thing, those pancakes were still on my mind even as I was packing up. They were the high point of this trip, and I may just come back for them.
**5:00 PM: Driving Out of Ruston. **Bye, Ruston! Thanks for the pancakes. And the slightly-sketchy local color.
Final Thoughts:
The Comfort Inn & Suites in Ruston? It's a place. The trip itself? A mixed bag. But those pancakes… Man, those pancakes. I might have to create an entire trip just for them.
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So...What IS this Thing Anyway? (And Why Should I Care?)
Alright, alright, settle down. Before we get all deep and meaningful, let's just say "this thing" is all about [Let's say it's about learning to play the Ukulele – because, why not?]. I've been at it for, oh, about six months now. And let me tell you, it's been a rollercoaster. Picture this: me, a grown-ass adult who should, in theory, have figured things out by now, clutching a tiny wooden instrument, looking like a bewildered flamingo. Why'd I sign up? Honestly? Mid-life crisis. Or maybe just boredom. Or maybe, and I'm leaning towards this, I just really wanted to annoy my neighbors. Whatever the reason, I'm in. And you should care because... well, because if *I* can do it, anyone can. And learning something new, something *different*, is pretty darn cool, even if you sound like tortured cats for the first few weeks. Seriously, my first attempts sounded like someone was trying to murder a badger with a rusty shovel.
Is it actually HARD to learn the Ukulele? (Because, let's be real, I'm lazy.)
Okay, friend, let's be honest with each other. Yes, it's *slightly* hard. But here's the thing – everything is hard at first, right? Remember learning to ride a bike? Or trying to parallel park? The early stages of ukulele-ing are definitely a bit wobbly. Your fingers ache, your brain feels like scrambled eggs, and you'll swear you're going to develop carpal tunnel before you even strum a decent chord. I remember the first time I tried a G chord. Pure. Agony. My fingers were basically trying to escape my hand. My dog, bless his cotton socks, just sat there judging me. BUT, and this is a BIG but, it gets better. Slowly. Painstakingly. But it *does* get better. And the feeling when you finally nail a chord change without sounding like a dying seagull? Pure. Ecstasy. It's like… achieving world peace, but with a tiny wooden instrument.
What's the BEST Ukulele to start with? (Don't make me read a manual!)
Right, here's where opinions diverge faster than a cat in a room full of laser pointers. And I have *strong* opinions. Forget the fancy, expensive ukuleles at first. You don't need a Stradivarius of the uke world. You're going to be dropping it, scratching it, and generally abusing it like a rented mule. Get a soprano ukulele. They're small, they're usually cheap, and they're perfect for getting your feet wet. Look for one with nylon strings. Steel strings are...ouch. They’ll shred your fingertips until you develop callouses like a lumberjack. I personally made the mistake of buying mine online. It looked *cute*. Like a miniature guitar. It turned out to be as much fun as a root canal. So, listen to me on this one. The point is start with something that won't completely destroy your bank account or your enthusiasm. Something that will let you fail gloriously, without feeling like you just burned a hole in your wallet. Go with something affordable, and get your bearings first. Once you get comfortable, go for it, splurge!
Okay, I have a ukulele. NOW WHAT?! (Help!)
Ah, the siren song of the ukulele. You've done it. You've fallen into the tiny wooden trap. Now, the fun, or total frustration, begins. First, tune it. There are apps for that. Lots of apps. Use one. I still use the free one on my phone even after six months! Those little buttons are your friend. Next, find some beginner lessons. YouTube is your oyster. I started with some guy with a beard who looked suspiciously like Santa Claus. He was actually pretty good. He made it look so easy. I’d sit there, watching, thinking, “Yeah, I got this!” Then I'd try it, and it would sound like a dying whale gave birth to a rusty trombone. Don't get discouraged! It's okay if you sound terrible. We all do. Embrace the suck. And practice. Even five minutes a day is better than nothing. Pro Tip: Don't practice in front of a window if you have sensitive neighbors. Seriously, I got *the look* from Mrs. Higgins next door after the first week. And be patient. Building those little finger dexterity's will take time.
How long will it take before I actually sound…musical? (Be honest, I'm impatient.)
Ugh, the million-dollar question! This is like asking how long it takes to get over a heartbreak. It depends. It depends on how much you practice, it depends on your natural aptitude (let's be honest, some people are just born with musical talent), and it depends on how much wine you've had. Kidding! (Mostly.) Realistically? Don't expect to be serenading stadiums after a week. Or a month. Or maybe even six months. I'm still not serenading stadiums. Or anyone, really, unless you count my extremely tolerant cat. But, after those six months, I can play a handful of songs, I can (mostly) change chords without a complete meltdown, and I can actually *hear* the improvement. The point is, progress is slow. Slower than a snail wearing lead boots. But it *happens*. And the small victories – the moment you finally nail a chord change, the first time you play a whole song from start to finish – those victories are incredibly satisfying. So, be patient. And maybe invest in some noise-canceling headphones for your neighbors' sake. It will come. One day.
Is there anything else that I really wish someone had told me when I started playing?
Okay, this is important. Here’s the realest real: **Your fingers WILL hurt.** Not a little bit. A LOT. Especially in the beginning. You'll develop blisters, calluses, and a general feeling of "why am I doing this to myself?" Don't give up! Another big one, remember, it's supposed to be fun. If you're not enjoying it, you won't stick with it. Find songs you like to play and songs that are easy to play. It's a marathon, not a sprint. I know you're probably tempted to dive in and learn some complicated music. Do you want to be discouraged? Do you enjoy feeling like you've hit a brick wall? Then don't do it! Start with the basics. Practice scales, practice those chords. Practice makes perfect. And finally... Don't be afraid to sound bad. Seriously. EmHotel Hide Aways
