Lake Wright Luxury: Norfolk Airport's Hidden Gem (Quality Suites)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dissect this hotel like a particularly delicious, yet slightly chaotic, Sunday brunch. We're talking about a deep dive into [Hotel Name Here - PLEASE ADD THE HOTEL'S NAME!!!] and trust me, after this, you'll practically BEG to book a room. I'm going to be brutally honest, maybe a little rambly, and definitely not afraid to call things as I see them. Let's get this show on the road!
Accessibility – The Good, the Potentially Grumbly, and the Missing-in-Action
Alright, let's start with a crucial topic: Accessibility. This is where the rubber meets the road for a LOT of folks. The listing says "Facilities for disabled guests." Okay, good start. But the devil, as they say, is in the details. We need MORE. Does this mean ramps? Wider doors? Accessible bathrooms? I'm hoping the hotel can clarify this, it's crucial information. The listing should specify:
- Wheelchair Accessible: Is the whole darn place navigable? Inside, outside, everything? Or just a glorified lobby? Someone get me the blueprints!
- Elevator: Essential. Unless you want to be hiking up stairs with a suitcase full of souvenir snow globes.
- Hopefully, they've got accessible rooms with appropriate layouts and features. Fingers crossed!
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: This is equally vital. Can you actually EAT and ENJOY the food without a major logistical challenge? This is often overlooked, and it's a huge deal.
Internet – Because We're Living in the Future
Let's be real, we're all addicted to the internet. So, the hotel boasts, "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" YES!! A small victory. And they offer Internet [LAN] too – which is like, old-school cool, but hey, it's a backup. I’m guessing they have Wi-Fi in public areas as well, or they'd be advertising it. Good. I need to Instagram my breakfast, obviously.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Spa Day Dreams (and the Fear of Disappointment)
Okay, here's where things get interesting. This hotel claims it's a relaxation haven. Let's see if they can deliver:
- Spa: The Holy Grail of pampering. I expect a full-blown spa menu. Facials? Massages? Mud wraps? And… what exactly is a "Body Wrap" and does it involve actual wrapping? (Asking for a friend… who is me.)
- Massage: Essential. I need a masseuse who can knead away the stress of… well, everything.
- Sauna, Steamroom: A must. I want to sweat out all the bad decisions I’ve ever made.
- They have a Pool with a view AND a regular Swimming Pool [outdoor]. This is excellent for taking Insta-worthy photos.
- Fitness Center, Gym/fitness: Okay, okay, I'll admit it. I might hit the gym. Might. If there's a treadmill with a good view. And maybe a smoothie bar.
- Foot bath: Okay, I’m intrigued. A foot bath? Is this a luxurious foot soak with tiny rubber duckies, or a lukewarm puddle of mystery? The suspense is killing me.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Feed Me, Seymour!
This is where a hotel can really shine! Or crumble into a pile of lukewarm buffet food. Here's what we've got to look forward to (or potentially cringe at):
- Restaurants: (Plural!) YES! This means options, people.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: Options. Are we talking Michelin star a la carte, or greasy spoon buffet?
- Asian cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: Options! Always a good sign.
- Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee shop, Snack bar: Essential! I need a constant supply of caffeine, cocktails, and little bites. Bonus points for a happy hour!
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless you, hotel gods.
- Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: Okay, I'm going to need a full breakfast spread, maybe two. I operate on the concept of, if I pay for it, I’ll eat it.
- Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: This all sounds pretty good!
Cleanliness and Safety – Because, You Know, We Live in This World
This is NON-NEGOTIABLE these days. Seriously, if they're skimping on this, I'm walking out.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Great. Give me the good stuff.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Excellent.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Crucial for peace of mind.
- Hygiene certification: Necessary. Show me the proof!
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Let's keep things spacious.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Awesome. I don't want to think about who slept there before me.
- Safe dining setup: More details needed, but sounds promising.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Good. I hope that means mask wearing and things of that nature.
- Sterilizing equipment: Like, for real? Excellent.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things that Make a Difference
This is where a hotel can really win me over. Here's what they've got (or should have):
- Concierge: Essential for booking taxis, getting restaurant recommendations, and generally making my life easier.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Saves me from looking like I just wrestled a bear.
- Daily housekeeping: Praise the cleaning fairies.
- Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal: Because I'm guessing not EVERYONE takes Amex.
- Elevator: (Covered this earlier, but it's worth mentioning again!)
- Facilities for disabled guests: (See above…again!)
- Gift/souvenir shop: Because I need, at the very least, a kitschy postcard.
- Luggage storage, Doorman, Safety deposit boxes Absolutely essential.
For the Kids – Because, You Know, Families
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: This is all great if you're bringing the little terrors.
Getting Around – How Do I Get There (and Away)?
- Airport transfer: Ideally, this is a smooth, stress-free process. No dodgy taxi rides, please.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking, Bicycle parking. Options! Love it.
The Rooms – My Personal Sanctuary (or Potential Nightmare)
This is where the magic happens… or falls apart. Let's break it down:
- Air conditioning, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower: All the basics. Give me a comfy bed, hot water, and a place to plug in my phone, and I'm happy.
- Alarm clock I still use an alarm! Don’t judge me.
- Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Slippers, Toiletries, Towels: The little luxuries.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Socket near the bed, Soundproofing: Essential for working and making my life a lot more enjoyable.
The Good Stuff: The Potential to Turn This Into a Memorable Trip!
Okay, here's what has me slightly intrigued (after I clarify the vital accessibility questions, of course):
- Pool with view: This could be AMAZING! Picture it: me, lounging by the pool, cocktail in hand, overlooking… what? The city? The ocean? This is important!
- Spa: I'm a sucker for a good spa. This could be the highlight of the trip!
- 24-hour room service: Seriously. This is a game-changer. Especially after a late night of… well, let’s just say a late night.
The Areas of Concern (and My Personal Pet Peeves)
- The lack of detailed accessibility information: This is a HUGE red flag. I need SPECIFICS. Don't just say "facilities for disabled guests." SHOW me that you care.
- The general lack of personality: The listing is a bit… bland
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… MY attempt to survive a weekend at the Quality Suites Lake Wright – Norfolk Airport, and maybe, just maybe, have a decent time. Prepare for a hot mess, people.
Project: Norfolk, VA - Operation: Somewhat Relaxed (Emphasis on Somewhat)
Day 1: Arrival, Airport Awkwardness, and the Eternal Struggle for a Decent Pillow
1:00 PM: Arrival at Norfolk International Airport (ORF). Okay, first impressions… Yep, it's an airport. A slightly dated, slightly bland airport, but hey, it has air conditioning. Score one for humanity! Finding the luggage carousel was a mini-adventure. You know how you think your bag will stand out? Nope. Mine looked remarkably like five other suitcases on that whirling, baggage-vomiting contraption. Finally wrestled it free, though. Victory is mine! (Cue triumphant music in my head.)
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM: The Shuttle Shuffle. The hotel shuttle. A blessing and a curse. The driver was lovely, bless his heart, but the van smelled vaguely of stale french fries and… something else. Let's just say it wasn't fresh linen. The ride, though, was interesting. Norfolk, or at least the airport vicinity, seems to be a collection of chain restaurants, car rental agencies, and… well, not much else. My inner cynic perked up.
2:00 PM: Check-in Disaster (ish). Quality Suites, here we go! The lobby… was… fine? Cleanish. The lady at the front desk seemed a little put out, but hey, who isn’t these days? The room itself… well, it had a bed. And a vaguely ominous-looking air conditioning unit. I immediately ripped off the coverlet. Seriously, why do hotels even have those things? They're breeding grounds for… well, things I don't want to think about. My unpacking process has begun.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: The Pillow Crisis. This is a thing. A major thing. I’m picky, okay? The first pillow was like a brick. The second was lumpy. The third was… tolerable. Settled for the least offensive option. This could make or break the entire weekend.
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Exploration and Fueling. Decided to venture out. First stop, the little convenience store. Grab some snacks and a water bottle. The "healthy" snack options were… limited. Ended up with a bag of chips and a Diet Coke. Hey, a girl's gotta live. Then the next adventure was to find a restaurant. There was only one that was slightly of the path, so I went there. The staff was friendly, the food was alright. The beer was cold. All necessary. The most important aspect, however, was the fact that I found a new, and much better, and more comfortable pillow. So I was set to go back to the room.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: The In-Room Entertainment Dilemma. Channel surfing. So many channels… so little to watch. Ended up settling on a cheesy action movie. It was terrible, but kind of perfect. The perfect accompaniment for the chips and Diet Coke.
8:00 PM: Bedtime (and the pillow of destiny). Praying for a good night's sleep. With the least lumpy pillow. And hoping the air conditioning unit doesn’t decide to make its ominous sounds all throughout the night.
Day 2: Battleship Blues and Brunch Blunders
8:00 AM: Wake-Up Call (or the lack thereof). Okay, so the alarm didn't go off. Classic. Managed to salvage the situation (and get up) with a frantic rush.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Battleship Wisconsin (and the Great Debate: Is it that impressive?). Embarked on a mission for adventure. The Battleship Wisconsin. I'm not a naval history buff, but hey, it’s a giant boat! Took some pictures. The sheer size of it was amazing. The guides (mostly old navy fellas) were enthusiastic, bless them. I have to admit, it was pretty cool. They should have been more helpful. The views of the water and the overall grandeur of the ship… yeah, it’s worth the visit.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Brunch & Blunders. Decided to go somewhere outside. The waitress was clearly running on fumes, bless her. The food was… heavy and not exactly what I was hoping for. The coffee was weak. Everything was just alright. My mood took a slight nosedive.
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Downtown Exploration. Time for a little retail therapy. This was fine. The shops were mostly chains, but I managed to find a bookstore and got lost in the pages for a solid hour. Salvation! It's always possible.
3:00 PM: Back to the Room - A Moment of Reckoning. Briefly. Time for a shower. And a nap. Seriously, I need a nap. (Or maybe two.)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Poolside (or, more accurately, Pool-Adjacent) Meltdown. The pool. It was…greenish. And crowded. Abandoned the pool idea, grabbed a book, and sat by the side, just listening to the water and the screaming kids. Tried to zen out. Mostly failed.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner and a Mild Meltdown. Found a restaurant online that seemed interesting. It was slightly outside of where I was staying. It was packed. The service was slow. The food was… okay. I may have had a minor meltdown over the lack of options for a coffee. It seemed like it was going to be a long night.
8:00 PM: Return to the Fortress (aka, the Hotel Room). Stumbled back to the hotel. Crawled into bed. The pillow, thankfully, was still tolerable. Maybe the night wouldn't be so bad after all…
Day 3: Departure (and a Sigh of Relief)
9:00 AM: Breakfast Betrayal. Decided to go for breakfast, and to my horror, found a small group of people crowding the breakfast station, and, to my horror, it was the same food as yesterday… I just was not going to subject myself to that again. Decided to skip breakfast.
10:00 AM: Final Pack and Departure. Okay, it was a bit longer than planned, so the hotel was alright overall!
12:00 PM: Back to the Airport. I survived. The airport was as it was.
Post-Trip Thoughts:
Okay, so the Quality Suites Lake Wright? Not exactly luxury. Not exactly a disaster. It was a… place. The location was convenient. The room was cleanish. The amenities were… there. The real victory? I faced my pillow demons and lived to tell the tale. And hey, sometimes, amidst the travel chaos and the occasional brunch blunder, there's a weird sort of charm. I wouldn't say I'm rejuvenated, but I'm definitely ready for whatever happens next. Now, where's that "Do Not Disturb" sign…?
Unbelievable Drawbridge Views! SHAHADAN AJ Homestay 1, Malaysia Awaits!
Lake Wright Luxury: Norfolk Airport's "Gem"? Let's Dive In (Quality Suites Edition)
Okay, fine, what *is* Lake Wright Luxury supposedly? And is it... well, luxurious?
Alright, alright, settle down. See, Lake Wright is essentially a cluster of hotels near Norfolk International Airport (ORF) that *feel* like they’re in some kind of upscale resort… allegedly. They all share the same, you guessed it, *lake*. And the big draw is the supposed convenience to ORF. I’m specifically talking about the Quality Suites. Because let’s be honest, “luxury” and "Quality Suites" are two words I'm pretty sure I've never paired together… but here we are.
Is it luxurious? ... Look, "luxury" is in the eye of the beholder. I’ve seen some people gush about it, but honestly, "spacious" is probably a better descriptor than "luxurious." It's clean, generally. You get the basics. You’re not going to feel like royalty, but hey, it’s better than sleeping in an airport chair after a canceled flight, right? (Note: I have actually done this. It's not recommended. Avoid like the plague.)
So, the location is good? Does “near the airport” actually mean the same thing in reality?
The location, *that* is its bread and butter! Yes, "near the airport" *does* translate to, well, you're practically *there.* You can practically smell the jet fuel (pleasant, I swear!). Seriously, it's like a five-minute drive. That's gold when you're dragging luggage and haven't slept for a week. Or when your flight gets delayed and you just want to cry into a pillow.
One time, I was so exhausted, I accidentally walked across the parking lot at 3 AM, thinking I was going to the airport. Let me tell you, a Quality Suites parking lot looks *surprisingly* like a terminal at 3 AM. It made sense at the moment. Didn't make sense after the 20 minute walk back.
What about the rooms themselves? Are they decent?
The rooms... yeah, they're fine. They're certainly comfortable. Like I said before, spacious. Usually. You get a suite, which is nice – a separate living area with a pull-out sofa (which I always dread because they're never as comfy as they look), a microwave (essential for late-night pizza), and a mini-fridge. The beds are… well, they're beds. You can sleep in them. The bathrooms? Functional. Don't expect marble, but they get the job done.
I recall one trip when the air conditioner sounded like a dying walrus. It kept me awake, which, considering it was a layover, was the absolute *worst*. I could not sleep at all. And then there was the time the fire alarm went off at 4 AM because someone burned toast. (Don't be those people.)
Breakfast... Is it the sad hotel breakfast of legend?
Ah, yes, the hotel breakfast. It's a gamble, folks. Sometimes… it's okay. Continental fare: the usual suspects of waffles (which you make yourself), dry cereal, lukewarm scrambled eggs (which, let's be honest, always look a little questionable), and pre-packaged pastries. Sometimes, there's even a sausage or two.
Now, the *best* breakfast story? There was a time when someone forgot to change the syrup. It was *watery*, and I thought I was hallucinating. I mean, it looked like syrup, but the consistency was…off. It tasted like the memory of syrup. The memory of hope… lost. I'm not sure if I've ever been more disappointed in a breakfast experience.
The Lake… Actually part of the “experience”?
The lake… yes, the lake! It's a lake. It exists. It's pretty. There are usually ducks. Sometimes you might see people fishing (god bless 'em). It *adds* a certain ambiance, I guess. It's not exactly the Maldives, but it's a bit nicer than staring at a parking lot.
I once saw a guy feed the ducks *a whole bag of bread*. I’m not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but it was certainly entertaining. And yes, I know that feeding bread to ducks is apparently terrible for them. I judge nobody. (Except the bad syrup-makers).
Are there any other perks, like a gym or pool?
Yes, maybe! Usually there's a pool. And a gym. The gym is… well, it's *there*. Weights that may or may not be from the Mesozoic era. Treadmills that might or might not work. But hey, after sitting on an airplane for hours, at least you *have* the option to try and work out.
The pool is also nice, depending on the time of year and how clean they kept it. Again, nothing fancy, but it's a lifesaver in the summer to cool of after a long travel day.
What are the downsides? Because nothing is perfect, right?
Oh, the downsides. Where do I even begin? Well, let’s be real, the walls sometimes are thin. You *will* hear your neighbors. I am not making this up. If you snore, your neighbors will know. If your neighbors snore… well, you're in for a long night.
The price can fluctuate wildly. It's a hotel near an airport, so demand is high. Sometimes it's a steal. Other times, you're questioning your life choices. And that restaurant? Don't get your hopes up. It's convenient, yes, but "fine dining" it is not. Stick to the bar. And the pre-packaged snacks.
Oh, and let's not forget the occasional “interesting” clientele. Airport hotels attract a diverse bunch. You might encounter a group of boisterous teenagers, a stressed-out business traveler, or (once, believe it or not) a guy trying to smuggle a small dog in a suitcase. True story.
So, overall, is Lake Wright Luxury (i.e. Quality Suites) worth it?
Look, if you need a convenient place near the airport and you’re not expecting the Ritz-Carlton, yes, it's worth it. It's functional. It'sTravel Stay Guides
