Asheville's BEST Downtown Hotel? Four Points Sheraton Review!
The Beachfront Bliss… and the Bits That Bit Me Back: A Review (with Metadata and No Holds Barred)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans – and maybe some spilled coffee – on my recent stay at… well, let's just call it "The Beachfront Bliss" for now. Because honestly, it was a mix of pure, unadulterated bliss and a few minor… ahem… "challenges." This isn't your textbook, perfectly polished review. This is the real deal, warts and all. And yes, I'll try to cover everything you, the discerning traveler, might care about, even if some of it felt like a Herculean task (looking at you, laundry service!).
(Metadata Breakdown - Because I Know You're Here for the SEO)
- Keywords: Beachfront hotel, accessibility, spa, swimming pool, Wi-Fi, restaurants, Covid-19 safety, family-friendly, fitness center, dining, services, rooms, [add the hotel's actual name here if you know it, but omit for privacy!], etc. (Seriously, the list is ENDLESS based on the categories above!)
(The Chaotic Beginning – Accessibility and the Almost-Triumphant Entrance)
Okay, let's start with the good-and-slightly-awkward. Accessibility. They say they're wheelchair accessible. And technically, they are. There's a ramp to the lobby. And elevators. Great! But… getting around… Let's just say the hallways felt a bit… cozy. My friend, bless her heart, uses a wheelchair occasionally (knee injury, you know how it is). Navigating the hallways with her felt a bit like playing a real-life game of Frogger, dodging luggage trolleys and errant ferns. A few wider hallways and smoother pathways wouldn't go amiss.
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: Didn't seem to be a dedicated restaurant or lounge specifically designed for accessibility. The main dining hall, at least, seemed manageable.
Internet Access: Ah, the digital lifeline! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! And it actually worked, most of the time. Internet [LAN] was probably available, but seriously who uses LAN these days? Internet services were, well, internet services. Nothing groundbreaking.
(The "Things to Do" Tornado – Relaxation, Fitness, and Spa-tasticness)
This is where things got interesting. The pool with a view? Absolutely stunning. The kind of view that makes you want to Instagram the hell out of it. (Which I did. Obviously.) The water was perfect, the sun was glorious, and I spent a solid two hours pretending I was a mermaid. The swimming pool [outdoor] was the same one, but I still noted it!
Spa time! Oh, the spa. The spa was where I found the actual "bliss." They had everything! Body scrub, body wrap, massage, sauna, steamroom, spa, spa/sauna. Seriously, the works. I went for the full shebang – the aromatherapy massage was heavenly. I swear, I drifted off more than once and had to be gently nudged awake by the therapist. (Mortifying, but also incredibly relaxing.) My only gripe? The foot bath was a little… underwhelming. Felt more like a glorified puddle. Just saying.
Fitness center: The gym was… functional. Treadmills, weights, the usual suspects. Nothing fancy, but it got the job done.
(Cleanliness and Safety – Navigating the Covid Maze)
This is where The Beachfront Bliss actually shone. They took Covid precautions SERIOUSLY. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, professional-grade sanitizing services, etc. Felt safe. Felt clean. The staff were masked up, and there was hand sanitizer everywhere. It was actually quite reassuring, given the current… climate.
Room sanitization opt-out available: Okay, you could actually say no to your room being cleaned. I felt a sense of responsibility after my trip.
Breakfast was both a delight and a minor comedy act. Breakfast in room? Yes. Breakfast takeaway service? Yes. Buffet in restaurant? Yes, and they had a masked-up server for the bacon, which was a bit… weird. Breakfast [buffet] was huge and included an Asian breakfast, and Western breakfast, but I was really just staring at the pastries, and I'm sure I made a complete pig of myself.
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Where My Stomach Took Charge)
Okay, let's get real: The food was a mixed bag. Restaurants! They had quite a few! A la carte in restaurant: I’m not a huge a la carte fan, but they had it! There was a bar, a coffee shop. And two restaurants, a very fancy one with amazing salad in restaurant, and a more casual one which was surprisingly good: International cuisine in restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant. The poolside bar was perfect for afternoon cocktails. Happy hour was definitely a highlight. Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver after a long day of… well, doing nothing but relaxing. I did order the bottle of water.
(Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter)
The basics were covered. Air conditioning in public areas, a concierge, daily housekeeping, an elevator. All good. They even had a convenience store for those late-night snack attacks (guilty!). Laundry service - took a full day and a half, AND I had to chase them up! Dry cleaning was available, but I didn't use it.
Facilities for disabled guests: Okay, technically there were facilities… but see earlier section on accessibility.
(For the Kids – Because Let's Face It, They're a Factor)
Family/child friendly: Absolutely. Didn't have any kids with me, thankfully, but I saw a lot of happy families. Babysitting service (I’m guessing for when parents need a break, or the children get into trouble), and some kids facilities (I’m guessing a pool), and a dedicated kids meal, which is always a bonus.
(The Room – My Little Haven (Mostly))
My room was… a mixed bag. The air conditioning was a blessing in the tropical heat. The blackout curtains were perfect for sleeping in. The bed was comfy. The free Wi-Fi in the room was a godsend. But… the bathroom phone? Seriously? Who uses those anymore? The bathtub was great for a soak (especially after the massage). The complimentary tea and coffee/tea maker were a nice touch. The mini bar was a little pricey, but hey, I'm on vacation!
(Security and Misc. Items)
They had CCTV in common areas and outside property. Check-in/out [express] if you are in a rush! Non-smoking rooms: yes, so I suppose no room decorations! They got a safety/security feature included.
(Getting Around)
A car park [free of charge] and [on-site] was available, but I didn't use it.
(The Verdict – Is it Worth It?)
Overall? Yes. Despite the few hiccups (laundry, slightly iffy accessibility), The Beachfront Bliss was a genuinely lovely experience. The staff were friendly, the spa was divine, and the view… well, the view could sell sand to a desert. Would I go back? Absolutely. But maybe I'll bring my own wheelchair-friendly guide next time. And a bigger appetite. And maybe a good book to read during the laundry drama. I’d recommend it, but definitely with open eyes and a slightly sarcastic sense of humor. Go, enjoy, and tell me what you think!
(Final Note from the Reviewer – Me!)
This was a long day!
Drummondville's BEST Hotel? Hotel-Motel Drummond Review!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a somewhat disastrous, but totally real, Asheville adventure, centered around the Four Points by Sheraton Downtown. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions - excitement, existential dread about parking a rental car, and the sheer joy of a perfectly brewed coffee.
Day 1: Arrival, Shenanigans, and the Existential Dread of a Rental Car
- Time: 2:00 PM - Arrival at Asheville, NC.
- (Rambling, slightly unhinged monologue): Landed! Holy moly, did I actually remember my toothbrush? Okay, deep breaths. First impressions of the airport… surprisingly clean. Now, the Hertz counter. Ah, there it is, the tiny, soulless cubical where dreams of a smooth vacation go to die. Found the car… a rogue shopping cart. Alright, it´s a car… a bit small. Good enough.
- Time: 3:00 PM - Check-in at Four Points.
- (Snarky observations): Four Points. Kinda bland, but hey, it has a pool, and free wifi, it´s a win! The receptionist was either incredibly friendly or had just mainlined a gallon of coffee, I'm still not sure. Checked in. Found our room. It´s got a bed. A bed is good.
- Time: 4:00 PM - Parking… the Hunger Games of Asheville.
- (Emotional breakdown): Okay, listen. I HATE parking. It's the bane of my existence. After 20 minutes of circling the hotel like a shark, I finally, FINALLY, found a spot. It was… on the other side of the block. Whatever. Small victories. And, the parking is not included, the hotel does not offer this service. Note to self: walk.
- Time: 5:00 PM - First exploratory venture onto Asheville's streets.
- (Enthusiastic, slightly manic): Ooooh, the town looks so great! The streets are filled with character, the shops are calling to me. This is better than I expected. A quick stop to grab a coffee at a local café. Got a latte that tasted like ambrosia itself!
- Time: 7:00 PM - Dinner at Tupelo Honey.
- (Food-induced euphoria): Tupelo Honey, a local recommendation! First, the line was out the door. This could go either way, right? I mean, I can´t wait for a good meal. Finally got in. The fried chicken was, and I am not exaggerating, life-changing. The biscuits? Forget about it. I thought about ordering a second helping, like a true hero. What a start!
- Time: 9:00 PM - Stumbling back to the hotel, slightly tipsy.
- (Honest assessment): Tired, food-drunk, and already plotting my return to Tupelo Honey. My feet hurt from all the walking. But worth it.
Day 2: Art, Beer, and the Persistent Echo of My Stomach
- Time: 9:00 AM - Breakfast at the hotel (or maybe a desperate hunt for a decent coffee shop).
- (Opinionated): The hotel breakfast was… well, let's just say it fueled the day. The coffee, however, was barely passable. Next time, I'm scouting out a proper café first thing.
- Time: 10:00 AM - Exploring the River Arts District.
- (Quirky observation): OMG! Street art everywhere! The River Arts District is a riot of color and creativity. Some of the artists are a bit… intense, but in the best way. Got a ridiculously overpriced, but absolutely beautiful, painting.
- Time: 12:00 PM - Lunch at a random food truck.
- (Messy structure): Ate lunch at a food truck. It was… OK. I'm starting to think I have an unfillable void in my stomach. Always hungry.
- Time: 1:00 PM - A brewery tour and beer tasting!
- (Stronger emotional reaction): This is it! Beer beer beer. Did a brewery tour. I'm not even a huge beer person, but this was fantastic! I spent two hours listening to a passionate guy talk about fermentation and hops. I even learned something!
- Time: 4:00 PM - Attempted a hike. Failed miserably.
- (Honest and a bit self-deprecating): Okay, I tried! I really, really tried to hike to Mount Mitchell. But, after about an hour, my lungs were screaming, and the trail was too steep. Gave up. Sat on a rock and ate a granola bar. Admiring the mountains from afar.
- Time: 7:00 PM - Dinner at a restaurant I can´t remember the name.
- (Rambling and forgetting things): Well, I have to write about. Was it good? Yes. Did I have a nice time? I think so. What did I eat? blank stare. I was tired. I walked a lot. My feet hurt.
Day 3: Goodbye, Asheville (and a Plea for More Comfort Food)
- Time: 9:00 AM - Back to hotel for a desperate breakfast.
- (Rambling, slightly unhinged monologue): Alright, almost done. I may need to go to the grocery store after this trip. Can I ask for a giant breakfast, even though I am checking out? I may collapse any minute.
- Time: 10:00 AM - One last walk around downtown (shopping for souvenirs and regretting not buying that second fried chicken).
- (Opinionated, again): I'm leaving tomorrow! I love this town, but I am ready to go home.
- Time: 12:00 PM - Check out of the Four Points. sigh
- (Emotional reaction): Goodbye, Four Points. You were… a hotel. But I'll always remember you for your parking situation.
- Time: 1:00 PM - Drive to the airport.
- (Existential dread, round 2): And now, the airport. I can do this… right?
- Ending:
- (A final thought): Asheville. You were weird, wonderful, and a little bit exhausting. But the fried chicken? chef´s kiss. I'll be back. And next time, I'm bringing a better parking strategy. And maybe a nap.
So, what *is* this whole thing about anyway? Like, seriously. Explain it to me like I'm five (or, you know, like I'm me).
Alright, alright, settle down. Think of it like… a really, really clunky recipe, except instead of a cake, you're trying to bake… *something*. Maybe a feeling? Maybe a result? Honestly, sometimes I'm not even sure *what*. It's involves a bunch of ingredients (we'll get to those), a whole lot of guesswork, some epic fails, and the occasional, almost magical, but fleeting, moment of "Aha!". It's complicated, it's frustrating, and sometimes… it's kinda beautiful. Ish.
Okay, "ingredients." What are we talking about here? Like, flour, sugar, and... existential dread?
Spot on with the existential dread! Look, the ingredients are all the… the *stuff*. The inputs. The raw materials. It varies WILDLY, depending on the *thing* we're trying to sort out. It could be data. Could be code. Could be... well, *feelings*. I once spent a week trying to figure out why my cat kept knocking things off the shelf (turns out, it was boredom and a vendetta against the decorative owls). So, yeah, ingredients are anything and everything. And honestly? Finding the *right* ingredients is half the battle. Sometimes you think you have the perfect blend, and BAM! Total disaster. Like the time I tried to make lasagna... it ended up looking like a crime scene. Don't ask.
What happens if you screw up? Because, and be honest, I’m *really* good at screwing up.
Ah, my friend, you are in excellent company! Screwing up is… well, it's practically a prerequisite. Embrace the fail! Expect it! Plan for it! Because, trust me, it *will* happen. Things will glitch. Assumptions will be wrong. Logic will… well, it'll be a suggestion, not a law. Sometimes, the screw-ups lead to the most amazing discoveries… like, you know, when I *accidentally* invented a new kind of pizza crust when I was really just trying to dispose of some old sourdough starter. Other times, the screw-ups are just… soul-crushingly, hide-under-the-covers embarrassing. But hey, you learn from it, right? (Eventually.)
Is it, like, a solo sport? Or do you need… *people*? Ugh. People.
Okay, look, people are… complicated. There's a range of possibilities. Sometimes, you *absolutely* need others. Fresh eyes, different expertise, someone to tell you, "Dude, that's just dumb." (That's a very helpful role, by the way.) Other times, you just need to lock yourself in a room, crank the music, and become one with the problem. Depends on the *thing* but sometimes the best ideas come when you're talking them out with a friend, or, if you're like me, a helpful pet or even just a wall. And honestly, getting feedback… oof. That's when things get REAL. You start feeling insecure, or like you're a fraud, or that *everyone* is smarter. But, it's also how you grow, you know? (Deep breath).
So, what's the *point*? Why bother? Is it just about solving problems? Is it about… enlightenment? (Deep breath).
Oh, the Big Questions! Okay, so problem-solving is definitely a big part. But it's also about… the thrill of the chase. The adrenaline rush when you finally crack it. The quiet satisfaction of seeing something… *work*. It's about the journey, even more than the destination. And yes, sometimes (rarely, admittedly), there's a little spark of enlightenment. Like, when you understand something on a deeper level. Or when you realize that maybe you weren't as dumb as you thought you were. That feeling is just... wonderful. But mostly, it's because I can't *not* do it. My brain is wired that way. I *have* to know. It's annoying, it's exhausting, but… I wouldn’t have it any other way, I guess. (Don't tell anyone I said that, though. It sounds suspiciously like… *passion*).
Can you give me a REALLY specific example? Like, something you've *actually* struggled with?
Okay, buckle up. I'm going to tell you about the Great Sock-Matching Debacle of '22. It was a disaster. I *hate* matching socks. Utterly loathe it. So, I decided to "solve" it. I built a system. I took photos of my socks. I cataloged them. I tried to write an algorithm to analyze the patterns. I even bought a dedicated sock-matching app! (Don't judge. Desperate times.)
It started out well. Okay, fine, *barely* well. I thought this was going to be a breeze! But then... The pictures were bad. The lighting was terrible. The patterns were too complex. I was working with a chaotic mess of hand-me-downs and novelty socks. And the app? Ha! It was buggy and slow and kept thinking my striped pair matched my polka-dotted ones. The whole thing ground to a halt. I was spending hours trying to fix it. It was a nightmare. The code got messier and messier, the data more and more corrupted, the app more and more, well, *useless*.
I *almost* gave up. I almost just threw all the socks in a drawer and embraced the mismatched chaos. But… something kept me going. Maybe it was stubbornness. Maybe it was spite. Maybe I just didn’t want to lose the hours of work. I remember pacing around my apartment, muttering to myself, surrounded by a sea of socks. I was talking myself out of it. And then, I realized: The real problem wasn't the socks or the tech. It was my *approach*. I was trying to over-engineer something simple.
I decided to ditch the matching app and start over. Simplify everything. Took all the socks, put them into categories (stripes, dots, solids, etc.), laid them on the floor. Then, I realized that I could *learn* from the data. I noticed that certain socks *always* disappeared. (My own fault, I kept losing them in the laundry.) And once I understood my own patterns, it became shockingly easier. I came up with a new system: Socks go into a bin. Each time I fold laundry they go back into the bin. Simple as that.
The result? It wasn't perfect. I still ended up with some mismatched pairs. But the *stress* was gone. And I understood my ownEscape To Inns
