Corona Getaway: Best Western's Unbeatable Hotel & Suites!
Corona Getaway: Best Western's Unbeatable Hotel & Suites! - A Rambling Review (Because Let's Be Real)
Okay, so let's be honest, "Corona Getaway"? The name alone is enough to make you raise an eyebrow. But hey, after the year from hell, a getaway is exactly what you need, right? And Best Western's Unbeatable Hotel & Suites in… well, I'll assume it's somewhere (okay, I'm assuming it's in Corona, duh!), promises just that. So, I took the plunge, and let me tell you, it’s a mixed bag, a real rollercoaster of expectations and… well, let’s dive in, shall we? Because I'm not one you're looking for perfection, you're looking for real people's experiences, right?
Accessibility & The "Oh, That's Nice!" Moments:
First off, HUGE props for accessibility. Wheelchair accessible throughout! Elevator? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Double-check. It's a huge weight off your mind when you're traveling with someone who needs extra assistance. They've thought about this, and that's a massive win. And they've got car park [free of charge] - HUGE! Because the last thing you want is to arrive after a long day and realize your parking is going to cost you half your budget. Plus, the Car power charging station - brilliant!
The "Cleanliness is Next to… Well, You Know" Factor:
Okay, let's get real. Cleanliness is everything these days. And good news! They seem to be taking it seriously. They boast Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. That's a long list, and it certainly helps ease the paranoia. I saw staff members wearing masks, and there were hand sanitizers everywhere. Definitely appreciated, though maybe a little… clinical? I get it, safety first, but a little bit of coziness wouldn’t kill ya, you know?
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking… (My God, the Snacking!)
Right, because a holiday (or a “getaway”!) is all about the food, isn't it?
- Restaurants: They have a few options, including Restaurants. And the Breakfast [buffet] is, well, it exists. Nothing mind-blowing, but it is there, and you can load up on carbs before a potential afternoon of doing absolutely nothing, which is really what a getaway is all about.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver! Especially when you're jet-lagged or just plain lazy (no judgment!).
- Poolside bar: This is where things get interesting. Picture yourself, sun blazing, a cocktail in hand (they do a pretty decent margarita, by the way!), and the world feels… manageable.
- Coffee shop: Coffee? Always a winner. I needed a serious caffeine kick and the barista was a godsend for a strong cup! And that was the best part of my day.
- Snack bar: Speaking of snacks… I might have spent an embarrassing amount of time here. Because, you know, vacation calories don't count. Right?!
The "Relaxation Station" (A.K.A. The Spa, and the Pool with a View - or Lack Thereof)
Okay, this is where things are a bit… underwhelming. They have a Swimming pool, and the pool with a view but with a view of… the parking lot? (Okay, again, assuming the location based on the name, but the reviews mentioned it!) The Spa mentioned a few things, including a Steamroom, but I didn’t get to experience any of it, thanks to some scheduling issues. Sad face.
Important note here: I actually ended up feeling super disappointed by the spa! They had all the amenities but it was closed that day! Womp womp.
The "Rooms, Glorious (But Sometimes Imperfect) Rooms!
The rooms themselves are… decent. They have all the basics: Air conditioning, Free Wi-Fi, Coffee/tea maker, Mini bar (hello, guilty pleasure!), and Blackout curtains. Honestly, blackout curtains are a game-changer for sleep, and they did the job. I had a desk (because even on vacation, sometimes you need to check emails, ugh!).
But…
The Interconnecting room(s) available, which sounds great, but could have been better, there were noises bleeding through our room that was a bit disruptive - but on the whole, the rooms were pretty clean, and that’s what mattered, right?
Services and Conveniences (The Boring, But Necessary, Bits):
Okay, let's get through the laundry list:
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Appreciated.
- Laundry service/ Dry cleaning/ Ironing service: All the things that make life easier. Especially if, like me, you can’t seem to pack properly.
- Food delivery: Because, again, laziness.
- Meeting/banquet facilities/Business facilities: If you must mix business with pleasure.
The "For the Kids" Factor:
I wasn't traveling with kids, but they seem relatively Family/child friendly. They have Babysitting service, which is a godsend for parents, and some Kids facilities.
The "Getting Around" Stuff:
They had Airport transfer (thank god!), Taxi service, and Valet parking. Pretty standard.
The Not-So-Pretty Bits (Because Everything Ain't Perfect):
Okay, full disclosure: there were a few minor hiccups.
- The Lobby was surprisingly drab! A little bit of color or some art wouldn't kill ya, Best Western!
- Some of the staff felt a bit… detached. A smile goes a long way!
- A few more options in the pool area.
Overall Impression (The Rambling Conclusion):
Corona Getaway: Best Western's Unbeatable Hotel & Suites is… a solid choice. It gets the job done. It is a perfectly acceptable place to stay. It really is an experience. It's not perfect, but it's definitely not terrible. The cleanliness is fantastic, the accessibility is outstanding, and the basics are all there. For the price, it’s a good value.
It's a place where you can mostly relax, order room service in your pyjamas, and forget about the madness of the world for a little while. And hey, after the last few years, isn't that what we all need?
The Unbeatable (But Slightly Messy) Offer:
Ready for a Real Getaway? Book Your Corona Getaway!
Here's the deal. Best Western’s Unbeatable Hotel and Suites has been offering amazing deals lately, which could get you a free night, if you book in advance.
Why book THIS hotel over any other?
Because it's safe, it's accessible, and it tries to be relaxing. I'd recommend it, especially if you’re looking for a place to unwind. Just remember, pack your own bath bomb, and maybe a book, because sometimes, you gotta create your own little slice of paradise!
Uganda's Hottest Guesthouse: Alison & Dave's Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your pristine, perfectly-ironed itinerary. This is a messy, rambly, probably-gonna-get-lost-at-least-once kind of trip to the Best Western Corona Hotel & Suites. Prepare for some whiplash. And probably me complaining about the traffic.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great California Dream (or, "Why did I pack a parka?")
10:00 AM: Arrive at John Wayne Airport (SNA). Sun is supposedly shining. My internal monologue is screaming, "OMG, CALIFORNIA!" Expectation: tanned, beautiful people gliding on rollerblades. Reality: a long line for a ride share and a guy wearing a MAGA hat who seems very excited to talk about the weather. (It's… fine, I guess?)
11:30 AM: Finally, in the blessed Uber. "Best Western Corona Hotel & Suites," I chirp to the driver. He gives me a look that says, "You picked Corona? Seriously?" Okay, maybe I should have gone with the beach.
12:30 PM: Check-in. The lobby smells faintly of chlorine and stale coffee. The front desk guy, bless his heart, looks like he's seen things. He hands me a keycard that looks suspiciously like it might be from the Jurassic period. I'm already questioning my life choices.
1:00 PM: Room. Okay, it's…functional. Beige, with a view of the parking lot and a surprisingly well-stocked minibar. (Score!) I immediately spill my coffee on the carpet. Welcome to California, me.
2:00 PM: Lunch. Burger joint across the street. The burger is decent, the fries are… well, they're fries. I overhear a conversation about avocado toast vs. regular toast. I feel my New Yorker blood boiling.
3:00 PM: This is where my plans went off the rails, in the best possible way. I totally forgot that I was supposed to meet someone. I was going straight to the pool… which was thankfully unoccupied. I spent a solid hour and a half just basking in the Californian sunshine (and trying not to think about all the emails I should be answering). Pure bliss.
5:00 PM: The sunset! Seriously, the first sunset in Cali is a religious experience. Went for a walk around, felt myself getting more and more emotional. I felt like I was ready to explode!
7:00 PM: Dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. The margaritas are strong (thank god), the food is mediocre, but the company is fantastic. I met a woman who’s been living in Corona since the 80s and she gave me all the inside information.
9:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Trying to convince myself I'm not already sunburnt. Reading. Contemplating the meaning of life/why I can't seem to fold a fitted sheet properly.
Day 2: Disneyland (the "Happiest Place on Earth," and a few tears)
8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The continental "breakfast" is a tragedy of lukewarm scrambled eggs and rock-hard muffins. Fueling up on caffeine and sheer willpower.
9:00 AM: Head to Disneyland! (Uber. Traffic. Again.) The anticipation is building! My inner child is screaming.
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM: Disneyland. Holy. Freaking. Crap. Okay, people, here's the real deal. Disneyland is everything you've heard and more. The attention to detail is insane. The rides are amazing. The crowds are… well, they're there. I ride Space Mountain twice. I eat a churro the size of my forearm. I get ridiculously emotional during the fireworks show. Seriously, actual tears. Don't judge me.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Fighting the crowds to get out. Navigating the hordes of screaming children and weary parents is an experience in itself. My feet hurt. My stomach is full of sugar. I am exhausted but also completely exhilarated.
7:30 PM: Finally in the Uber. I can barely speak, just mumbling "Best Western… Corona…" to the driver.
8:30 PM: Ate leftover pizza in bed. Passed out. No regrets.
Day 3: The Drive and the Emotional Rollercoaster (and the Unexpected Discovery)
9:00 AM: Surprisingly good breakfast at a nearby cafe. Real coffee! Actual fruit! I might be starting to like Corona after all.
10:00 AM: Checkout. Driving up the coast. Road trip! I am convinced I'm gonna start surfing.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Scenic Route. It's so beautiful that I just decide to drive slow and reflect. The mountains, the ocean…it all felt surreal. I stopped at a small beach. I got a little emotional again, in a happy sort of way.
12:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Lunch in a random town that looked appealing. It wasn't. Food was terrible. The service also. I was getting a bit antsy.
1:00 AM - 3:00 PM: More scenic route! More waves! More sun! I really considered ditching my plans and never returning to the real world.
3:00 PM: Back at the hotel, I went back to the pool. I'm pretty sure this is the best part of the hotel.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: I did the one thing that I was avoiding to do the entire trip: phone calls. It was the worst. I hate those. I don't understand people who like those.
6:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel bar. I can't explain it, but I was the only one. I wanted to talk to someone, and I started to tear up again. I don't know why, but I was feeling homesick.
7:00 PM: Back to the room. Watching TV, staring at the walls, feeling sorry for myself.
8:00 PM: I went for a walk! I needed to burn off some of the bad vibes. I don't know how, but I got lost! But, it was fine. I found my way back.
9:00 PM: More TV! I even made it to the pool once again. This time, it was empty and the water was cooler, but the water was perfect for me, I felt like I was on the moon.
10:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 4: Departure (and the bittersweet goodbye)
8:00 AM: Trying to eat the hotel breakfast again. I give up.
9:00 AM: Packing. I'm pretty sure I'm leaving more stuff behind than I brought. Can't decide if I want to stay or leave.
10:00 AM: Check-out. Front desk guy gives me a weary smile. I think he understands.
11:00 AM: Airport. Uber. Traffic. Okay, maybe the traffic is the worst part of California.
12:00 PM: Flight. The flight is delayed. I buy a book I’ll probably never read. Staring out the window, already nostalgic for the pool, the sunsets, the sheer, unadulterated mess of this trip.
2:00 PM: Back Home. (Probably with sunburn, a sugar crash, and a renewed appreciation for my own bed.)
This wasn't perfect. It wasn't planned. It was chaotic, emotional, and full of questionable food choices. But, honestly? It was perfect for me.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Stay Awaits at the Best Western Plus Kelly Inn & Suites!
Ah, Corona Getaway: Best Western's... *Unbeatable* Hotel & Suites? Let's Unpack That, Shall We? (FAQ-ish Edition)
Okay, spill the beans. Is "Unbeatable" just marketing fluff, or is there *something* to this Corona Getaway hype?
Look, "unbeatable" is a *strong* word, right? I'm a cynical person by nature. I walked in there expecting a slightly nicer-than-usual Best Western and... well, I'll admit, I was pleasantly surprised. But "unbeatable"? Let's just say, it depends. If you're after a clean, comfy room, a decent breakfast that doesn't give you that weird "hotel scrambled eggs" feeling, and a pool that *actually* looks inviting (and is often, to my shock!), then yeah, maybe… maybe it's in the running. Don't go expecting the Ritz, okay? But for the price? Actually, let me tell you about the time…
I booked a last-minute trip for my anniversary (romantic, I know, planning last-minute) and, typical me, didn't read the fine print *at all*. Ended up with a room overlooking the *parking lot*. I was devastated! I wanted a view, dammit! The kid at the front desk, bless him, was the only redeeming thing after arriving late, exhausted and underprepared. He offered me a free upgrade! The pool, at night, with the lights, was a little slice of heaven. And the jacuzzi? Oh man, the jacuzzi... Maybe "unbeatable" for a desperate anniversary escape? Perhaps.
The breakfast situation: Real talk. Tell me the TRUTH.
Alright, breakfast. This is where things get surprisingly *decent*. We all know hotel breakfasts are a minefield. You've got the sad-looking pastries, the questionable coffee, the rubbery eggs that taste like they've seen action in a nuclear war. At Corona Getaway? It's not Michelin-star material, but... there's usually fresh fruit, which is a win. There's a waffle maker (and I *love* a waffle maker!), and the coffee, while not artisanal, is passable. The one time, they had those little breakfast burritos... I ate, like, five. Don't judge me. My only real beef? The juice. Always seems to be that watered-down, sickly sweet stuff. Bring your own, seriously.
Okay, so you mentioned the pool. Is it actually *usable*? (And, like, not full of questionable floaty things?)
Right? Pool! The bane of my existence, and yet... Yes. The pool is actually *clean*. And the jacuzzi? My happy place. Clean, generally not overly crowded, and, you know, *warm*. I once spent, like, three hours straight in that jacuzzi reading a trashy novel. Don't judge my life choices! The water's usually clear, they seem to monitor the chlorine levels reasonably well (important!), and there are towels. *Big* bonus. The only downside? Sometimes, you get those families… you know the ones. The ones with the screaming kids and the inflatable flamingos. But even then, it's usually manageable.
The Wi-Fi: Does it actually *work*? I need to stream my shows, people!
Ugh, Wi-Fi. The true test of any hotel. And with *my* streaming habits, I *need* good Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi at the Corona Getaway... is generally… *adequate*. It's not blazing fast, okay? Don't expect to download movies in seconds. But for browsing, checking emails, and the occasional, non-4k streaming session… it'll do. Now, if you're a serious gamer, or need to upload massive files for work? Maybe consider tethering to your phone. Seriously. I'm not promising miracles here.
The rooms themselves: Clean? Comfortable? Or… horrors?
Okay, realism check: I'm not going to sugarcoat this. They're not *luxurious*. But they're surprisingly clean. The beds are… okay. Not the plush, cloud-like affairs you get at a five-star hotel, but they're not lumpy or springy. The sheets are crisp and the pillows (usually) aren't flat as a pancake. The bathrooms are… functional. They have hot water, always a win in my book. The decor? Let’s call it "classic Best Western." Think beige, maybe some generic artwork, and a vaguely corporate feel. Does it scream "romantic getaway"? No. Does it scream "clean and comfortable place to sleep and watch Netflix"? Yes. And let me tell you, that's all I really need after a long day of… well, whatever I'm doing.
Oh, and, the one time… Ugh, this sounds bad, and it *is*! The air conditioning malfunctioned in my room. It was the middle of summer, and I woke up in a puddle of sweat. I swore, I ranted, I called the front desk at 3 in the morning, which is never a good look. They were super apologetic, immediately moved me to another room, and even comped my breakfast. So, you know, even when things go wrong… it's how they *handle* it that matters.
Is there parking? And, you know, is it free? (Because those parking fees… UGH!)
Yes! Free parking! This is a big win, especially if you're driving. It's not a huge parking lot, so sometimes you might have to walk a tiny bit. But it's there, it's free, and it's a definite plus in my book. Parking fees are the bane of my existence-- I hate them more than the thought of hotel-quality tap water.
Location, location, location! Is the Corona Getaway actually *near* anything interesting?
Location, location, location... Well, "near" is relative. It depends what you're hoping to be near. It's usually pretty convenient to the freeway, so it's easy to get around. Are you going to be in the middle of the city? No. But you're probably not going to be in the boonies either. There are restaurants and shops nearby-- chain restaurants, mostly. Nothing fancy, but convenient if you need to grab a quick meal or some supplies. It's a reasonable base camp, let's say. You can always drive somewhere more interesting.
I once tried to walk to a coffee shop from there. Big mistake. I got lost. My phone was dead. I thought I was going to be eaten by a coyote (that's probably an exaggeration). Anyway, I survived, but let's just say, that's one reason why I usually drive. Lesson learned.
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