Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Stay at Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge!
Escape to Paradise: A Messy, Honest Look at the Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge – Buckle Up Buttercups!
Okay, so, I just got back from the Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge. "Escape to Paradise," they say in the brochure. Paradise, huh? Well, let's just say it wasn't exactly a trip to Eden, but it had its moments. And honestly, sometimes the imperfections are what make a trip memorable, right? So, here's the lowdown, warts and all, delivered with a healthy dose of, well, me.
First things first: Accessibility – The Good, the Could-Be-Better, and the "Huh?"
Accessibility. This is HUGE for a lot of folks, and I know it matters. The Ptarmigan Lodge tried. The good news? Wheelchair accessible? Yes! Praise the travel Gods! Elevators galore, ramps where you needed them (most of the time), and generally decent pathways. Now, the "could-be-better" part? Signage. Sometimes, it felt like a treasure hunt. Finding the right entrance, the accessible restroom… well, let's just say I did some extra cardio. "Huh?"moment? Didn't see any Braille on the elevator buttons, which seemed a missed opportunity.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hiccup)
Let's talk chow, because, let's be honest, that’s a big part of any vacation. Restaurants? Yep, plural! They have a buffet, a restaurant restaurant (with menus and everything!), and even a casual snack bar. Asian breakfast? Indeed! Western breakfast? You betcha! And a vegetarian restaurant to boot. They really tried to nail the diversity. But remember, this is a messy review.
- The Buffet: Now, I LOVE a buffet. I mean, who doesn't like the freedom to load up a plate like you're preparing for a zombie apocalypse? The Ptarmigan's buffet was…fine. Not mind-blowing, but perfectly serviceable. The scrambled eggs were a bit… rubbery. (Okay, very rubbery). But the bacon? Crispy perfection! And the pastries? Oh, sweet, sugary heaven. Breakfast [buffet], check. Buffet in restaurant, also check.
- The Restaurant (A La Carte): I decided to treat myself one evening. A la carte, a real restaurant experience! Sounded fancy, right? Ordered a steak. Medium-rare. It came…well-done. I hate sending food back, but I had to. The waiter was mortified (kudos to him!), and the second steak was much better. A la carte in restaurant, check. Alternative meal arrangement? I wasn’t offered one, but they did fix my steak issue!
- The Snack Bar: Ah, the snack bar. My saving grace! After a long day of hiking (more on that later), I'd hit up the snack bar in my hiking gear, order a burger and some fries, and just veg out. Pure bliss. Snack bar, check!
- Poolside Bar: Well there was a poolside bar but I didn’t drink there. I was too busy with my book
- Happy Hour: Happy Hour was a hit. The cocktails were strong (a good thing!) and the atmosphere was lively. Happy hour, check!
- Other Restaurant types: I didn't try the asian cuisine and the international cuisine. But they seem to be a big deal here.
Safety? They seem to care!
They definitely take safety seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, staff trained in safety protocol, the whole shebang. Felt pretty comfortable, even with my slight paranoia. Room sanitization opt-out available? Nah, I was glad they were cleaning up after each stay. Hand sanitizer everywhere you turned. Safe dining setup with tables spaced apart, etc. All good stuff.
Relaxation & Recharging: The Spa, the Pool, and My Own Personal Zen Zone
This is where the Ptarmigan Lodge actually shines. The Spa? Gorgeous. Massage? Yes, please! I booked a deep tissue massage, and it was exactly what my aching muscles needed after a day of hiking. The masseuse was a miracle worker! Spa/sauna combo? Indeed. I spent a blissful hour in the sauna afterwards, just sweating out all the stress and bad vibes. Foot bath? I don't know if there was one, I didn't look. Outdoor swimming pool? It was delightful. Even though I got a bit sunburnt (oops!), the pool Pool with view was stunning (big mountain views!), and it felt like a true escape. Steamroom? Yes, indeed. I didn’t try it, but it looked nice.
The Rooms – Cozy & Convenient (Mostly)
The rooms? Non-smoking rooms, of course. Air conditioning, check. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms?! YES! (And thankfully, the Wi-Fi actually worked). Internet access – wireless, internet access- lan Also there. Additional toilet – I didn't have it, but you might. Mine was a nice, standard hotel room. Clean, comfortable bed, a desk to work at (if you're that person who works on vacation), and a decent view. The blackout curtains were a godsend for those late-morning lie-ins. I loved my wake up service, the daily housekeeping, and the coffee maker.
What's to Do? Beyond the Lodge Walls
The lodge is great, but get out there! Things to do? Loads! The area is prime for hiking, biking, and generally soaking up the mountain air. I spent a day hiking a challenging trail (which led to that glorious massage!), and it was absolutely breathtaking. Bicycle parking was plentiful, so that's a plus. I didn't try an airport transfer, because I drove, but the option is there.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
Concierge? Helpful and friendly. Doorman? Not exactly. He'd let you in and give you a friendly wave. Elevator? Definitely. Laundry service? They do it, but I didn't use it. Cash withdrawal at the ATM near the entrance. Gift/souvenir shop: Yes, for the obligatory "I went to the mountains" trinket.
Internet Access, Internet Services, and Internet [LAN]:
There were a lot of those. Internet access – wireless, internet access – lan were a big deal. Very necessary for my job.
Extra Stuff that I didn't care about:
- I don’t have kids.
- I didn’t get married.
- I didn’t want to watch a show.
The Verdict: Should You Book?
Okay, so, it wasn't a flawless experience. But you know what? It was real. And that's what I crave. The Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge offers a comfortable, convenient, and, dare I say, charming base for your mountain adventure. The spa alone is worth the trip. So, yes, I'd recommend it. Just remember: pack some patience, embrace the imperfections, and get ready to escape – to (mostly) paradise!
Ready to Escape to (Mostly) Paradise? Book Your Stay at the Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge Today!
Here's why you NEED this escape:
- Breathe in the fresh mountain air: Hike, bike, and soak up the stunning scenery!
- Indulge in pure relaxation: Melt away stress with a massage and unwind in the spa.
- Enjoy the outdoors: The outdoor pools with amazing views make it all worth it.
- Everything works, even the Wi-Fi: Perfect for work, or just keeping up with social media
- Pet-friendly? No. Sorry.
- Safety first: They take cleanliness and safety seriously.
But here's the best part:
This isn't just a hotel, it's an experience. A messy, honest, and unforgettable experience.
[Link to Book Your Stay]
Limited Availability - Book Now and Escape the Ordinary!
Golden Hotel 2 Vietnam: Luxury Redefined in the Heart of [City Name]
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your Grandma's meticulously planned holiday. This is the Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge, baby, and we're about to get… well, let's just say we're about to get real.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Pizza Prediction
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: The Drive from Hell (Well, Denver. It's not exactly hell, but it felt like it.) Okay, so the drive itself wasn't terrible, just… long. And the GPS lady? She’s a sadist. "Recalculating," she chirped at me every five minutes as I navigated some random dirt road. I swear, if I hear "in 500" one more time, I was going to chuck the phone out the window. By the time we pulled up to the lodge, I was already mentally exhausted.
We finally pulled in and the lodge looked surprisingly pleasant. Think classic mountain lodge charm, or at least the idea you have of it. Check-in was… well, it took a while. Let's just say the front desk lady, bless her heart, was having a day. She couldn't find my reservation, then the computer crashed, then she forgot the key cards. Eventually, we got a room - or at least, a room with a bed in it. My emotional reaction: Relief, followed by a desperate need for a shower.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Settling In, and the Mystery of the Missing Remote. The room? Meh. Standard hotel room. But, hey, it had a bed! But where was the remote? Seriously, I spent a good ten minutes searching for the damn thing. Under the bed? Nope. In the drawers? Nada. Behind the curtains? Nope. Where did remotes even go? It's a mystery worthy of Sherlock Holmes, I tell you! But, eventually, I found it wedged between the mattress and the headboard. Victory!
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Swimming pool. I thought it would be epic. It was… lukewarm. The pool was an advertisement. "Heated pool," it said. "Heated pool!" LIES. I mean, it was swimming pool. fine. But it was more of "slightly above, not freezing, the cold water". I still went in because, well, what else do you do on vacation? I swam a few laps, did some half-hearted backstrokes, and eventually gave up and got out shivering slightly. I did however, meet a really cute, and possibly drunk, kid.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Pizza Time! - Oh boy, I was wrong. I mean, I was really hoping the pizza was going to be good. I asked the lady at the front desk where the "best pizza in town" was (which, in retrospect, might not have been the smartest idea, considering her previous… let's say "performance"). She recommended a place which I won't mention because the pizza was… well, it was pizza. Not the worst pizza I've eaten, definitely not the best. My stomach was not happy.
I should have known better. Always do your research, people! Don't trust the front desk when you're hangry.
Day 2: Hiking and Hysteria (Mostly Mine)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast Debacle. The "complimentary" breakfast? Let's just say the word "complimentary" is doing some serious heavy lifting here. Instant oatmeal that looked like it hadn't been touched since the Pleistocene era. Stale bagels. Coffee that tasted faintly of sadness. This was not the fuel I needed to conquer a mountain.
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The "Easy Hike" That Almost Killed Me (Metaphorically, of course) We decided to attempt a hike. The guide said it was "relatively easy." My bad. I'm pretty sure it was the "relatively easy" that broke me. After about an hour of climbing and sweating, I was questioning every life choice I'd ever made. I was huffing and puffing like a cartoon character.
The view at the top was spectacular, I'll give it that. But the sheer effort it took to get there…ugh. I swear a raven cawed at me, and I'm pretty sure it was laughing. Still, the whole experience ended with me giving myself a pep talk.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. The best thing I have ever eaten. Okay, so after the hell climb, I was ravenous. I scarfed down a couple of cheese sandwiches, and I've never tasted anything so good in my life. Everything was good. The bread, the cheese, even the plastic bag it came in.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Squirrel Incident. Okay, this is the part of the trip that'll haunt my dreams. There I was, minding my own business, walking back to the lodge, when BAM A squirrel, a particularly audacious, borderline-maniacal squirrel, decided to launch itself from a tree and land squarely on my head. I screamed. I swear I saw the squirrel give me a little "shrug its shoulders" look. What a jerk!
4:00PM - 5:00PM: I went to the store and got a chocolate bar. My soul needed that The store was about a 5 minute walk. I got a chocolate bar and just sat on a bench and ate it, watching people just walk by.
Day 3: Departure and a Promise (Mostly to Myself)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: The Breakfast Battle, Round Two. Okay, I knew what to expect this time with the breakfast. The same sad oatmeal, the same stale bagels. I wasn't even angry. I just ate the bagels and pretended I was a seasoned explorer, accustomed to hardship.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Packing and Existential Dread. Packing is always the worst. I swear, I bring half my wardrobe and only wear a quarter of it. I also managed to leave half my stuff on the floor. But, okay, I learned a thing or two.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Final Reflections and a Vow for the Future. As I sat there waiting to check out, I looked around at the lodge, and thought, "You know what? I actually really hated this place at times. But, now that I'm leaving, somehow it grew on me."
Would I come back? Maybe. Probably not. But at least I'll never forget the pizza, the squirrel, and the "relatively easy" hike that almost killed me. And next time, I promise myself I'll do more research on the pizza. Wish me luck.
Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Stay at Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge! (Or Was It?) - FAQs (and My Brain's Ramblings)
1. So, what's the deal with this "Escape to Paradise" thing? Is it actually paradise? I'm cynical, you know.
Okay, buckle up, because "Paradise" is... subjective. Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge? It *tries*. The marketing probably shows impossibly blue skies and smiling people flawlessly hiking. The reality? Well, let's say I saw more clouds than blue during my visit. But listen, I *wanted* paradise, okay? I needed a mountain reset, a break from the screaming toddler and the bills. And yeah, the Lodge has potential. The *potential*! That's the key.
Don't even get me started on the "unforgettable" bit. Unforgettable is… well, it's a loaded word. I've had unforgettable papercuts and unforgettable arguments with my mother-in-law. This trip had... *moments*. More on that later. Mostly, it was just… a hotel. A decent hotel, with a bit of cabin charm that sometimes clashed with the slightly dated decor (more on *that* later too, trust me).
2. What kind of rooms do they have? Was the bed comfy? Because I need a good bed, or I’m a MESS.
Rooms... yeah, they had rooms. Queen beds, king beds, little suites. Mine was... fine. It had a fireplace! A *faux* fireplace, mind you, but still! The bed... ah, the bed. Now, I'm a Goldilocks of beds. Too hard, too soft, too lumpy – instant crankiness. This one... hmm. It was… acceptable. I slept. I didn't wake up screaming from back pain. So, a win? Yes, a win. Though I *did* bring my own pillow, because let me tell you, hotel pillows are often a questionable entity.
And speaking of questionable entities… the bathroom! The water pressure was... optimistic. Like, it *tried* to be powerful, but it was really just a gentle suggestion. But hey, hot water is hot water, and sometimes that's all you can ask for in life, right?
3. Okay, but what about the location? Is it actually near anything cool, or am I gonna spend the whole time driving? Because traffic is a nightmare.
Location, location, location! Yes, the Ptarmigan Lodge is *strategically* located. It's near... um... *stuff*. Hiking trails! That's the big selling point. I envisioned myself conquering mountains, inhaling crisp mountain air, becoming one with nature. The reality? I attempted a "moderate" hike and nearly died of exhaustion. I blame the altitude. And maybe the questionable breakfast (more on *that* later too).
It's also a short drive to the little town. Cute shops, restaurants, the whole shebang. But remember that "short drive" thing? Well, the traffic wasn't *terrible*, but it wasn't *easy* either. And parking? Oh, honey, parking is a competitive sport. Be prepared to circle like a vulture. Literally. I saw a vulture. I swear. Maybe it was a metaphor. For my appetite? For the whole experience? I don't know.
4. Let's talk FOOD. Is the food decent? I've been burned by hotel breakfasts before… Like, seriously burned.
The food. Ah, the food. Here's where the "unforgettable" label gets... *interesting*. The included breakfast? Included is the key word. The waffles were… well, they were waffles. The fruit cocktail was… canned fruit cocktail. It was what you'd expect, and I wouldn’t say no to it.
There was a restaurant, too, which, in the evening, was slightly more elevated. I had a burger. It was… adequate. Nothing to write home about (and clearly, I'm writing about everything, so…), but it filled a hole. The fries? Crispy! I'm a sucker for a crispy fry. Look, I was hungry after my near-death hiking experience. All I needed was deliciousness and something to sustain my energy. My expectations were, I'd say, perfectly calibrated to match reality.
5. Were there any… let's call them "unexpected" experiences? You know, like, *things* happened?
Oh sweet heaven, where do I even *begin*? Okay, so, on day two, I went down for the breakfast. The waffle machine. It was a *beast*. Like a metal, hissing, spitting monster. Now, I'm usually pretty good with these things. But this machine… this machine had *opinions*. It was clearly judging my waffle-making skills. The waffles stuck. They burned. I summoned the weary breakfast attendant, who looked like he'd seen a thousand waffle wars. He sighed, made some waffle-related magic, and handed me a perfectly golden waffle. I wanted to hug him. I almost did.
Now, about the *real* unforgettable experience… the hot tub. Advertised as a relaxing, bubbling oasis under the stars. Reality? Let's just say there were *a lot* of people in that hot tub. A *lot*. And a kid… a *very* enthusiastic kid… who was determined to splash everyone. I mean, *everyone*. I emerged from that "relaxing" experience feeling more stressed than when I went in. And slightly pruned. Definitely an unforgettable experience. In the, "I will never forget this, it was a catastrophe" kind of way.
6. Would you go back? Be honest!
Would I go back? Hmm. That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly? Probably. Despite the waffle machine wars, the enthusiastic splashers, and the "meh" breakfast. There's something about the mountains, even with the clouds and the traffic. It's a nice base, even if it isn't perfect. It's a launching point. Is it paradise? No. Is it an "unforgettable" experience? Somewhat. Is it worth it? Yeah, probably. Because you know, sometimes, "adequate" is enough. And honestly, I will probably need another escape soon. Maybe next time I'll bring my own waffle iron. And a snorkel, just in case.
