Lebanon Expo Center's BEST Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites!
Fairfield Inn & Suites, Lebanon Expo Center: Honestly, My Brain is Still Processing It All… (A Review, Sort Of)
Okay, buckle up, because this isn't your typical polished hotel review. Think more… unfiltered. I just got back from the Fairfield Inn & Suites at the Lebanon Expo Center, and my brain is still buzzing. Trying to process it all, from the pristine lobby to the… well, let's just say some of the quirks.
First Impressions (and the Struggle to Find the Entrance):
Right off the bat, the Lebanon Expo Center's location is… convenient, if you're at the Expo. It's right there! But getting to it? Okay, maybe my navigation skills are tragic (possibly), but it took me a hot minute to figure out the entrance. A tiny, poorly lit sign? Really? This already set the stage for what became a… unique experience.
Accessibility: (Bravo!)
Here's where the Fairfield genuinely earns some serious points. The place is wheelchair accessible, and they MEAN it. Ramps everywhere, easy-to-navigate hallways, elevators galore. I didn't test every single detail (I'm a walker, myself), but it felt genuinely inclusive. Big thumbs up! They’ve clearly put some thought into making the hotel accessible, and that’s refreshing.
Cleanliness & Safety: (A Little Too Much?)
Look, I appreciate cleanliness. I really do. But the level of sanitizing at the Fairfield felt… intense. It made me wonder if they were afraid of something very specific. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and the staff's constant vigilance with hand sanitizer… I felt like I needed a hazmat suit at times. While this is reassuring, it also made me feel… a little on edge. And, yes, they did have hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE.
Inside the Room: (Comfortable, But Felt like a Sterile Experiment)
The room itself was pretty standard Fairfield fare: clean, comfortable bed, a decent-sized TV with satellite/cable channels. They had a coffee/tea maker, which is a crucial win for me, and some free bottled water. The air conditioning was blasting, a lifesaver on one particularly humid day. There was even a fridge! But the overall vibe was… sterile. Reminded me of a hospital room, actually. Everything was functional and spotless, but there wasn’t a ton of character. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in, though. I was grateful for the free Wi-Fi, which worked perfectly. No complaints there.
Internet Access: (Yay for Free Wi-Fi!)
Did I mention the free Wi-Fi? Seriously, it was a godsend. Absolutely essential, and it WORKED. The room also offered Internet access – LAN, but I was way too lazy to mess with that. Give me the wireless, baby!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (A Mixed Bag)
Okay, let's be honest. This is where things get interesting. The breakfast [buffet]… was… well, it was there. The usual suspects: scrambled eggs, some sad-looking fruit, pastries that had clearly seen better days, a waffle maker. Meh. I wouldn't rave about it. But they had coffee/tea in restaurant, which was better than the room coffee, and the breakfast service saved me from searching for an option outside the hotel.
There's a coffee shop, which I didn't try because I'd gotten a bad vibe from the breakfast spot. I opted for the room service [24-hour] option a couple of times. Honestly, the fries were surprisingly decent. It made a late night snack great. They also had a snack bar, but it wasn't anything I'd write home about. Still, I knew I wouldn't have to leave my room, which was a big win.
They had an on-site Bar as well, but I don’t drink. I did peek inside, and it looked comfy!
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: (More Like, "Things to Do… Forced Relaxation?")
The Fairfield boasts a swimming pool [outdoor]. It had a cute view, but after the intense cleaning culture in the lobby, I was too worried about catching a cold or developing an allergy to chlorine.
They have a fitness center, which I didn't use because… well, let’s just say my idea of exercise involves a lot of snack breaks. And maybe a short walk. Also, they had a gym/fitness, there’s no difference in my book.
There’s also a Spa/Sauna, but I didn't check out the Sauna. I wasn’t that brave.
Services and Conveniences: (The Essentials, and Then Some)
They had the usual suspects: Air conditioning in public area, cash withdrawal, concierge, daily housekeeping, elevator, laundry service, luggage storage, a gift/souvenir shop (didn't see this one, maybe I'd been blinded by all the sanitization), and the all-important front desk [24-hour]. Seriously, the front desk staff were uniformly polite and efficient. They provided all the essential condiments, too!
For the Kids: (Family-Friendly, But Maybe Not Super Fun?)
Babysitting service is offered, but I think it's a good thing to bring your own. The place is okay for kids.
Getting Around: (Easy Peasy, If You're Staying Put)
There's car park [free of charge], which is always a bonus. They had a car park [on-site]. They offer airport transfer, but I didn't use it. Otherwise, I would have used my own car for valet parking given the chance. Additional Stuff I Want to Mention (Because I'm Rambling Now):
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Okay, good to know. Wish I'd seen that earlier. This is a major plus in my book.
- Did I mention the smoke alarms? They were working. Loudly. I'm not sure if they were soundproof rooms, but I didn't wake up to noise during my stay.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Security [24-hour]: Made me feel… safe? Or like I was being watched? I honestly couldn't tell.
- They had professional-grade sanitizing services. They really prioritized hygiene.
- Pets allowed unavailable: Unfortunately, my adorable Pomeranian had to stay home.
- Meetings, Seminars, Business facilities: Looked like a good hotel to hold your next work shindig.
- Family/child friendly: It's a hotel, it's for families.
The Verdict (Finally!):
The Fairfield Inn & Suites at the Lebanon Expo Center is… a hotel. It’s clean, efficient, and accessible. The staff are friendly. It gets the job done. Just… be prepared for a level of cleanliness that might make you question everything you thought you knew about germs. If you're looking for a functional, safe, and conveniently located hotel (especially if you're at the Expo), go for it. But if you're looking for a place with soul, a place that feels… alive? Maybe look elsewhere. I'd give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. I'm still processing the whole experience.
Scottsdale's Hidden Gem: Hotel Adeline's Unbelievable Luxury!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! You're joining me on a whirlwind, probably-disappointing, definitely-not-perfect trip to Lebanon, PA, basecamped at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Lebanon Near Expo Center. Prepare for a roller coaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and enough lukewarm coffee to fuel a small army. This isn't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered vacation – this is the real, wonderfully messy deal.
Day 1: Arrival, Realization, and the Perilous Quest for Dinner
1:00 PM - Arrival & First Impressions (or, "Did I pack enough snacks?")
Okay, the drive was… long. My GPS, bless its robotic heart, seems to think every detour is a "scenic route." I finally roll into the Fairfield, and honestly? It's fine. Beige. Perfectly beige. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and desperation, but the staff is genuinely friendly, which already puts it a step above some places I’ve stayed. I'm already experiencing the typical post-travel existential dread – did I remember the charger? Did I leave the oven on? And, most importantly, where's the nearest decent coffee? (I’m betting on the lobby’s offering being the usual lukewarm disappointment).
- Emotional Reaction: Mild relief mixed with "oh god, I'm here."
2:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance & Snack Inventory
My room: beige walls, a king-sized bed that looks comfy, and a view of… the parking lot. I'm not exactly expecting the Eiffel Tower, but a glimpse of a tree would have been nice. Fine, whatever. I unpack, assess the snack situation (pretzels, granola bars, a questionable bag of trail mix), and begin the crucial task of locating the in-room tea bags. Success! This calls for a celebratory pretzel.
- Quirky Observation: Why do hotel beds ALWAYS look so inviting, even if they turn out to be lumpy and full of questionable stains?
4:00 PM - The Dinner Disaster (or, "Why did I trust Yelp?")
The hunger pangs hit, and I venture out in search of sustenance. I consulted Yelp. BIG MISTAKE. The highly-rated "Authentic Lebanese Cuisine" place turned out to be… understaffed, under-lit, and smelling vaguely of stale cigarette smoke (even though they said they didn't allow smoking). The food? Well, let's just say my inner culinary judge was weeping. I ordered the hummus - it tasted like it came straight out of a tin. The kibbe tasted like leather. The waiter looked like he hadn't slept in days. Everything was disastrous.
- Emotional Reaction: Resentment, disappointment, and a deep yearning for a comforting bowl of mac and cheese.
6:00 PM - The Replenishment of the Body (or, "Where am I going to eat?")
Back at the hotel, defeated and hungry. I search Google for some other options and discover a local pizza joint with a decent pizza. It’s not exactly Michelin-star quality, but it's edible, and that's the most important thing right now.
7:00 PM - Wallowing in Comfort Food
The pizza came, and you know what? It was fine. Pizza, even mediocre pizza, is better than no pizza. I ate it in comfy clothes, surrounded by cheesy comfort.
- Messier Structure: Seriously, after those terrible meals, I just need to eat and breathe.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: Disgusting meal turned into a pretty decent one.
9:00 PM - Sleep Trying to get some sleep now, praying tomorrow will be better.
Day 2: Exploring the Unexplored (or, "Is there anything actually to do here?")
8:00 AM - The Coffee Crisis & Breakfast Bar Blues
The coffee in the lobby? You called it. Lukewarm, weak, and tasting faintly of sadness. The breakfast bar is the usual suspects: stale cereal, rubbery scrambled eggs, and a single, sad, lonely croissant. I grab a muffin, a cup of coffee (with extra sugar for courage), and stare out the window, wondering what in the world I'm supposed to do today.
- Quirky Observation: Is it a universal truth that hotel breakfast bars are designed to make you question all your life choices?
9:00 AM - A Quest! (or, "Where can I buy a decent coffee?")
I’ve got to find REAL coffee. My survival depends on it. So I start the search, and find a local coffee shop.
- Messier Structure: I'm a caffeine addict.
10:00 AM - The Coffee Breakthrough
The coffee, finally, is amazing!
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: Joy!
12:00 PM - The Hershey's Experience
I decided to visit the Hershey Factory. The entire experience feels like a sugar-induced fever dream. The chocolate is great, the rides are… well, rides. The crowds are insane. I get lost in the gift shop and buy far too many souvenirs.
- Doubling Down on a Single Experience: Okay, let's talk about the Hershey's experience. If you love chocolate, you'll like it. But it's also a bit much, a sensory overload of sugar and screaming children. The lines are long, the crowds are thick, and you'll probably end up with a mountain of chocolate you'll regret later. I bought fudge. So much fudge.
- Opinionated Language: The Hershey experience is a total tourist trap.
- Emotional Reaction: a mix of amusement, and sugar overload.
4:00 PM - Back to the Hotel (or, "Time to collapse")
So weary from the day. I'm too tired to think. I'll probably go to bed early.
- Natural Pacing: And that's okay.
- Messier Structure: I’m exhausted, man.
Day 3: Departure (or, "Did I actually enjoy myself?")
8:00 AM - Last Breakfast, Last Sigh
I'm still alive! And the breakfast bar still sucks. I shovel some cereal into my face and mentally prepare for the drive.
- Opinionated Language: The breakfast is truly the worst part of this hotel.
9:00 AM - Packing Panic and the Final Inspection
Did I leave anything behind? Charger? Toothbrush? Hotel room? The usual pre-departure anxiety.
- Messier Structure: I always forget something.
10:00 AM - The Drive Home
…The End.
Overall Impression:
Lebanon, PA? It's… Lebanon, PA. It's not Paris. It's not Rome. But it has its moments. I had a terrible meal. I had a great cup of coffee. I saw giant chocolate kisses. Sometimes that's all you need.
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Fairfield Inn & Suites at the Lebanon Expo Center: The Honest Truth (and My Hangover)
Is the Fairfield Inn & Suites at the Expo Center actually *at* the Expo Center? Because GPS lies, you know.
Okay, so, yes. It's *right there*. Like, practically spitting distance. I mean, I rolled out of bed hungover one morning (don't judge, it was a *long* night at the expo…more on that later) and could *almost* see the smell of the livestock from my window. Okay, maybe not livestock, but you get the picture. You're not going to be battling backroads and confusing signage. It's convenient. Painfully, wonderfully, convenient. Especially if you're dragging a suitcase full of questionable swag after a trade show.
What's the deal with the free breakfast? Is it, like... edible?
Alright, look. Let's be real. Hotel breakfasts are a gamble. You're either getting cardboard eggs and vaguely orange juice or, you know, a miracle. The Fairfield Inn? It falls somewhere in the middle. They had waffles. And I love waffles. I made, I won't lie, a *pile* of waffles. The bacon was okay. It's free, people! You can't expect Michelin-star quality. There were also those pre-packaged yogurts...which I avoided. Because, let's face it, my gut was already protesting the night before. (Which, again, involved the Expo…and maybe a few too many "networking opportunities" involving local craft beers.)
Are the rooms clean? Because I'm a germaphobe. (Okay, maybe not a full-blown germaphobe, but still…)
They were mostly clean! I mean, I spent like, five minutes analyzing the bathroom (don't ask), and everything seemed…acceptable. Not hospital-grade sparkling, but definitely not ‘ew, run for your life’ territory. I did find a stray hair in the shower, which, yeah, made me want to run. But I survived. And the sheets *felt* clean, which is the most important thing, right? Let's just say, if you're SUPER particular, maybe bring your own cleaning wipes. But I didn’t feel the need to burn the place down, and that’s a win in my book.
What about the beds? Comfy? Or back-breaking torture devices?
The beds… okay, so, the beds are…fine. Look, I like a firm mattress. I'm a man of a certain age, and my back is starting to complain. These beds…they were okay. Not the best sleep of my life, but I've had worse. Like, way worse. Like, sleeping on a park bench after a particularly disastrous industry party (again, Expo-related). Honestly, after the night I had, I could've slept on a pile of rocks. I didn’t wake up with any new aches and pains, which is a good sign. Let's call it...adequate.
Is there a gym? Because I *swear* I'll use it this time… (No, really.)
Yep, there's a gym. I walked past it. More than once. Did I go in? Nope. I was too busy, um… networking. And by "networking," I mean, feeling sorry for myself in the lobby in my pajamas (don't judge, again). But hey, it was there! From the outside, it looked like the standard hotel gym: treadmills, a few weights, the whole shebang. So, if you're actually one of those people who *uses* hotel gyms, then you're in luck.
Are there any restaurants nearby? I'm not trying to survive on vending machine chips.
Okay, this is where it gets a little…Lebanon. The immediate area is…not exactly a culinary hotspot. There's a Denny's (always a solid, albeit predictable, choice), and a few fast-food joints clustered near the highway. You're likely going to need a car, or Uber, to get to anything remotely interesting. I ventured out one night, after a particularly soul-crushing presentation on supply chain management (again, the Expo!), and ended up at...a sports bar. It did the trick. Cheap beer, greasy food, and a chance to forget about my existential dread for a few hours. Highly recommend that strategy.
What's the Wi-Fi like? Because I can't function without internet.
I'm notoriously impatient, and the Wi-Fi was… passable! I got my emails, streamed some (questionable) late-night TV, and even managed to upload a few photos of the Expo to the cloud. It wasn't blazing-fast, but it didn't drive me to the brink of insanity. And in a hotel, that's something to celebrate, right? I mean, I've stayed in places where you have to physically *sprint* outside to snag a signal. Consider this a solid thumbs-up in the Wi-Fi department.
The BIG question: Would you stay there again?
Okay, here’s the truth. Would I *choose* to stay there for a romantic getaway? Probably not. But, if I need to be at the Expo, and I need a place to crash? Absolutely. It’s convenient. It’s clean enough. The breakfast is…there. And hey, the staff were nice. They seemed genuinely happy to be there. And after the hell of the sales booth, believe me, a little bit of niceness goes a long way. I'd go back, but only if the Expo calls. And the free waffles are a definite draw.
Seriously, tell me about the worst part. Get real.
Okay, fine. Let's talk about *the incident*. It was night two of the Expo. Late. Everything was closing down. The free beer had been flowing (again). I was feeling… expansive. I decided—in a moment of, shall we say, poor judgment—to try and ride one of those silly Segway things they were giving demos on. You know, the ones that make you look like an idiot? Well, after two beers they're even MORE fun. I, alas, was not built for Segway life. Imagine a slightly overweight, slightly inebriated man attempting to navigate a crowded expo hall on a Segway. It was… messy. Let's just say I took a tumble. In front of a very important client. Who, let's also say, didn't buyRoaming Hotels
