Baymont Richmond I-70: Your Perfect Indiana Getaway Awaits!
Baymont Richmond I-70: My Honest & Messy Take on That Indiana Getaway!
Okay, listen, I'm fresh off a stay at the Baymont Richmond I-70, and I'm basically overflowing with thoughts. This ain’t your dry, corporate-speak review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth. Let’s dive in, shall we? Buckle up, because it's gonna get real.
Overall Vibe: Think… highway stopover meets… slightly dated, but trying REALLY hard. Honestly, it’s a Baymont. You know what you’re getting. Cleanish. Practical. Decent enough for a layover. The “Perfect Indiana Getaway” part? A little ambitious. But hey, no judgment!
Accessibility:
- Accessibility - YES, and…: They say they have facilities for disabled guests. I didn't personally need them, but I saw the ramps and elevators and figured it wasn't too bad. Gotta give them a point for even trying. I do think they got the bare minimum though; they aren't exactly going above and beyond to provide the best experience for people with disabilities.
Cleanliness & Safety (Spoiler: It's Okay, Mostly):
- Anti-viral cleaning products & Physical distancing: Yes, yes, yes. The world we live in, am I right? They definitely said they were using anti-viral stuff, and had the obligatory hand sanitizer stations. People did seem to try and keep their distance. The lobby still felt a little crowded at breakfast.
- Daily disinfection & Room Sanitization: I opted out of the room sanitization. Felt a bit… much. But, the room did look clean-ish. No visible… uh… nastiness.
- Staff Trained: They seemed to be. Everyone was wearing a mask and trying to be helpful.
My Room – The Good, The Bad, and the "Meh"
- Okay, let's talk room, shall we? It was… a room. Air conditioning that hummed like a disgruntled bee (thank goodness for the blackout curtains!), a bed that wasn’t actively trying to kill me (Extra long bed, yay!), and a TV with a gazillion channels.
- Free Wi-fi – YES! I'm a digital nomad at heart, so the free Wi-Fi in all rooms was clutch. And it actually worked! (Mostly.)
- The Imperfections: The carpet was… well, it had seen some things. The bathroom… functional? (And I do mean functional. The shower pressure was… weak.) The mini-bar was empty – a missed opportunity for a late-night snack, I tell you!
- The Unexpected Delight: I got room service to the room and it was reasonably cheap, and honestly, it tasted pretty good. I had a burger and fries that were not too greasy. It was a pleasant surprise!
Dining - The Breakfast Saga (Prepare Yourself):
- Breakfast Buffet – AKA The Hunger Games: Okay, the buffet was included. Bless their hearts. It was… a thing. Not a good thing, mind you. More of a… survival experience.
- The Scramble: There was scrambled eggs that were probably made years ago. They looked like they had been born in the last Ice Age.
- The Waffles (The High Point): The waffles! They had a waffle maker that, against all odds, produced edible waffles. I ate three. Don’t judge me.
- Asian Breakfast: I saw a few options but it wasn't anything to write home about.
- Coffee/Tea in Restaurant: The coffee tasted like… well, it tasted like hotel coffee. Drinkable in a pinch, but don't expect a barista-level experience.
On-Site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges:
- I didn't see any restaurants/lounges on site, so none to review.
Things to Do (Spoiler: Not Much):
- The Pool: The outdoor pool. I'd read it was a "Pool with a View" but I did not, personally, see a view. It looked… fine. Clean-ish. I didn't test the waters.
- Fitness Center: I peeked. It was… small. Two treadmills, a bike, and a few weights. Minimal effort required.
- Spa/Sauna: Nope. Nada. Zip. Not at this Baymont. So, no body scrubs, no foot baths, no massages.
- For the Kids: I saw a few families with kids, so it might have been okay, but I personally didn't see much in terms of kid-specific stuff.
- Ways to Relax: Besides the waffle bar, I'm not seeing it.
Services & Conveniences - Hit or Miss:
- Laundry Service: Yes! That's always a plus.
- Convenience Store: There was a small one, stocked with the usual suspects: chips, soda, probably Advil.
- Business Facilities: I saw a business center (with a computer and printer), but I didn't use it.
- Daily Housekeeping: Yes. My room was always tidied up pretty well.
- Front Desk [24-hour]: always a plus.
- Luggage storage: I didn't personally use it.
- Car Park [free of charge]: Definitely a good thing.
Internet Access:
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events: Everything was available, but they aren't all reliable.
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge], Taxi service: The car park was free. I didn't see any taxis, but I didn't look.
Overall Vibe:
- It's a good place for a quick stop. Don't expect anything fancy.
- The Location: Easy access to the I-70 is, of course, the main selling point.
Final Verdict: Look, the Baymont Richmond I-70 isn't the Ritz. But is it a decent, clean-ish, convenient place to crash for a night or two? Yeah, probably. Just don't set your expectations too high. And for the love of all that is holy, eat the waffles.
Moriarty's Best-Kept Secret: Quality Inn Unveiled!Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this itinerary isn't your pristine, pre-packaged travel brochure. This is the real, messy, glorious, and slightly chaotic experience of spending some time at the Baymont by Wyndham in Richmond, Indiana. Hold onto your hats… or your sweatpants, because you'll probably be in those mostly.
Day 1: Arrival… And Immediate Regret (Just Kidding… Mostly)
1:00 PM: Arrive in Richmond. Honestly? The drive was brutal. That stretch of I-70 is just endless. I swear, I saw the same brown sign for "Next Exit: Richmond" like, five times. The GPS kept yelling at me, which, I admit, I enjoy. The anticipation, mixed with the dread of being here. I had booked the Baymont because it was conveniently located, right off the interstate. Easy in, easy out, right? Famous last words.
1:30 PM: Check-in. Okay, the lobby…It's… functional. Let's go with functional. Beige. Lots of beige. The kind of beige that whispers, "You're in the Midwest." The front desk person was super lovely, bless her heart, and she had that genuine, small-town friendliness that's both comforting and a little unsettling. Like, are they too nice? Are they plotting something? I chose this location because I needed to break up a longer drive.
2:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance. Alright, room check. The keycard worked! Success is ours. The room… well, it is clean. Which is the most important thing really. A slightly musty smell hangs in the air, a blend of cleaning products and… something else. Maybe the ghost of a past traveler's burnt popcorn? Who knows. The TV is huge, that's a plus. The bed… looks… okay. I always psych myself up before sitting on a hotel bed. The pillows look like they're trying their best. I am really tired and should probably nap,
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Napping. This is the most important part. I am just going to say right now, I needed this nap.
4:00 PM: Explore Local Cuisine. I'd planned on just staying in, but I need food. Okay, I'm going to be honest, I Googled "Best pizza near me." The top result was a place called "Rosie's." Sounded promising. Sounded…rustic. And boy, was it.
- 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Rosie's Pizza. Okay, first impressions. The interior is… charming. In a "grandma's basement from the 70s" kind of way. Formica tables, faded photos on the walls, the air thick with the smell of pizza and… old fryer grease. I ordered a simple pepperoni. The pizza arrived, and honestly? It was amazing. The crust was perfectly crispy, the sauce tangy, the pepperoni… well, the pepperoni was classic. The service was slow, and I didn't mind. I loved it.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Return to Baymont. I'm full and pleasantly tired, and just in time to catch a show on TV.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: TV time. Channel surfing. Realizing there's literally nothing on that I want to watch. Stuck with re-runs of Law & Order. Comfort food for the brain, I guess.
9:00 PM: Attempt to sleep. The bed is actually quite comfortable!
Day 2: Art and Awkwardness
8:00 AM: Breakfast. Complimentary continental breakfast, people! I'm not going to lie, I was a little skeptical. But… there was a waffle maker! And it worked! Success! The coffee… well, it's hotel coffee. You know the drill.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Richmond Art Museum. Decided to embrace the local culture after checking out. I love art museums! And the Richmond Art Museum is, well, it exists. It's a solid collection, the architecture is interesting (I think), and It was a nice break from the highway and the hotel room.
- 10:00 AM: The Museum Cafe! The museum had a cafe. I was not expecting a cafe. I ordered a coffee. Now, I'm a coffee aficionado, I have to say. The coffee here? It wasn't bad. It wasn't great. The cashier was super nice; the cafe was very small and peaceful. I enjoyed it.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Lunch. Decided to go to a familiar favorite: McDonald's. I'm not ashamed, sometimes you just need a Big Mac and some fries. There was a minor issue where the cashier didn't know what a "McFlurry" was, but we worked it out.
12:00 PM: Check out. Smooth and easy! Honestly, all the staff was great.
12:30 PM: Hit the road. Farewell, Richmond! (For now, anyway. Who knows, maybe I'll be back. Maybe not.)
Final Thoughts:
The Baymont in Richmond, Indiana? It's not the Ritz, but it got the job done. It was a decent place to sleep, a launching pad, and a place to rest. And the art museum, Rosie's Pizza, and a decent cup of coffee… made it a little bit special. Would I recommend it? Yeah, probably. Especially if you're on a road trip and need a place to crash. Just don't expect a spa. Expect beige, and perhaps a little bit of charm. And bring your own snacks. Always bring snacks.
Magee's BEST Kept Secret: Quality Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Baymont Richmond I-70: Your Indiana Adventure Guide – Sort Of! (Don't Blame Me If You End Up Lost)
Okay, Okay, First Things First: What *IS* Baymont Richmond I-70? Like, Beyond the Words?
Breakfast: The Holy Grail of Motel Life. What's Up With Baymont's Version?
Room Size and Comfort: Am I Going to Be Cramped Like a Sardine?
Location, Location, Location! Is It Actually Convenient?
The Pool: Is It Worth Packing a Swimsuit? (And Is It Clean?)
Parking: Is There Enough, or Am I Going to Be Circling Like a Vulture?
Customer Service: Are the Staff Friendly? Or Just... There?
Hidden Fees or Annoying Surprises: Anything to Watch Out For?
Would You Stay There Again? The Million-Dollar Question.
Let's Talk About the One Time... The *Worst* Experience. Spill the Tea!
