Knoxville Getaway: Unbeatable Comfort Inn Powell Deals!
Knoxville Getaway: Unbeatable Comfort Inn Powell Deals! - A Review That Actually Feels Real
Okay, so I just got back from a Knoxville Getaway – shoutout to the lovely Comfort Inn Powell! And honestly? I'm still digesting it. Trying to sort through the good, the "meh", and the moments that made me want to scream with frustration… in a good way? You'll see. Buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to spill the tea.
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Let's be real, the reason I chose this place was the "Unbeatable Deals." That's the hook, right? And honestly, the price was pretty darn good. But deal or no deal -- is it actually a good stay?
Let's Get Accessible, Baby!
Okay, so I'm not in a wheelchair myself, BUT I always appreciate a hotel that says it cares about accessibility. And the Comfort Inn Powell actually seemed to be trying. The website boasts about "Facilities for disabled guests," which… okay, fine. I saw an elevator, which is ALWAYS a win. And I think I saw some ramps. Definitely worth double-checking if you need them. It's not the most architecturally stunning hotel in the world (more on that later), but hey, it's practical.
Internet & Digital Sanity - The Modern Traveler's Burden
Oh, the internet. The bane of my existence and the lifeline of my work! They boasted about "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" and "Internet access [LAN]" which… alright, cool. My in-room Wi-Fi signal was… patchy. Let's just say it wasn't always the speed of light. I ended up tethering off my phone more than once. But hey, at least the Wi-Fi in public areas was functional. (I saw a lot of people camped out near the lobby!). I did see outlets near the bed, so at least they were thinking of us technology junkies.
Cleanliness & Safety - Did I Survive?
This is where I started to feel a little better about things. "Anti-viral cleaning products" and "Rooms sanitized between stays" is always good to hear right now, isn’t it? "Daily disinfection in common areas" - check. "Hand sanitizer" at least in the lobby. I didn't poke into the kitchen, but they mentioned having "Sanitized kitchen and tableware items." I'm still alive, so… success? I certainly saw the evidence of fresh cleaning while the place was a bit worn. They had "Smoke alarms" and "Fire extinguisher." It feels like they are making an effort.
Rooms & Comfort - The Real Deal
Right, the room itself. It was… a room. "Air conditioning," yes. "Blackout curtains," thank GOD, because those Tennessee mornings can be brutal. "Desk," perfect for pretending to work (which I did, a little). "Coffee/tea maker?" Glorious! (And complimentary tea?? Score!). The "Extra long bed" was a godsend, because, well, I take up space. I’m not sure if it was an "interconnecting room" because it was just me, but it’s an option.
The "Bathroom phone" made me laugh, honestly. Who uses those anymore? The "shower" and "separate shower/bathtub" were… serviceable. Not spa-like, but functional. The "hair dryer" was weak but present. The "safe box" I didn’t trust. The "minibar" I didn't see, so one less thing to tempt me. Some "reading light" was appreciated at night. The pillows weren’t particularly fluffy, but the "soundproof rooms" did a decent job of blocking out the highway noise.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Feed Me, Seymour!
Look, I'm a foodie. I need fuel! The "Breakfast [buffet]" was… well, it was there. There was "Coffee/tea in restaurant." (Needed that). "Breakfast takeaway service" was available, which was handy because I slept in frequently. "Asian cuisine" was offered, which I found to be a bit… peculiar. Not amazing, but hey. You could get a "Bottle of water" at least. The "Snack bar" was where I hit rock bottom and became addicted to a bag of chips.
Things to Do - The Relaxing Kind
The "Swimming pool [outdoor]" was honestly the highlight. It's the only reason I'd go back. You could also hang out by a "Poolside bar," which, again, a win. But it wasn't necessarily relaxing.
There were also "Fitness center," which I walked into once and promptly walked out of. I saw "Spa" and "Sauna" on their list along with "Massage", but I didn't see any of this. Maybe I imagined it.
Services and Conveniences - The Stuff That Makes Life Easier (Or Doesn't)
"Daily housekeeping" was… adequate. They cleaned, but definitely not aggressively. "Laundry service" was available, which I used, and it worked. "Luggage storage". "Concierge"… LOL. The "Cash withdrawal", was a blessing. "Elevator" - check! "Front desk [24-hour]" was helpful. "Airport transfer" was available, but I just drove.
For the Kids… Or Not?
"Family/child friendly," definitely. I saw a LOT of kids. "Babysitting service" (which some people apparently use and I am jealous). The hotel seemed to handle everything I needed.
Accessibility Takeaways
- Pros: Ramps (maybe), elevator, trying to be accessible.
- Cons: Website info is a little vague.
Overall Vibe & Final Thoughts
This place is practical. It is far from fancy. It’s the kind of place you stay at if you're on a road trip, saving money, or just need a place to crash. Considering the price point, they're doing a decent job. But don't expect luxury. Just expect… a room. A bed. And maybe a slightly patchy Wi-Fi connection. If you go, get a room with a view of the pool, and bring your own snacks. I give it a solid… 3.5 out of 5 stars. Would I go back? Probably. But mostly for the price and the pool. Don’t go expecting too much, and you might actually be pleasantly surprised.
Pierre, SD's BEST Kept Secret: Quality Inn Review (You Won't Believe This!)Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a journey of epic (read: slightly underwhelming) proportions. My trip to the Comfort Inn Powell – Knoxville North? Yep, it's happening. And you, my friend, get to be a fly on the slightly stained wall of my travel diary. Here goes nothing…
Day 1: The Arrival (and the Quest for Coffee)
- 1:00 PM: Landed. Knoxville, baby! Or, at least, the Knoxville airport. Let's be real, it's more like a slightly oversized bus station. The air is thick with the scent of… well, I'm not sure what that scent is, but it's definitely something. Thank God for those little airplane earplugs - they blocked that out at least.
- 1:45 PM: Car rental pickup. Success! I'm now the proud (and slightly panicked) owner of a… well, it's a car. It has wheels, seats, and a surprising amount of dust bunnies under the seats. Let's call her Betsy. Betsy and I are gonna conquer Knoxville. Or at least, the Comfort Inn.
- 2:30 PM: Arrived at the Comfort Inn. The outside looks…comforting, I guess? It's got that slightly faded charm of a place that's seen a few too many continental breakfasts. Front desk guy was super nice, though. Which is always a bonus when you're already a little cranky from travel. The room? Standard. Clean-ish. Beds look like they'd be more comfortable than the airport chairs, so, win!
- 3:00 PM: The Great Coffee Crisis of '24. Okay, this is a crisis. I'm a coffee addict. A serious coffee addict. And the in-room "coffee maker" is one of those sad little machines that looks like it was last updated in the Jurassic period. Panic sets in. Where. Is. The. Coffee? I start frantically searching the room. No joy. I have to find a coffee shop. This is literally my top priority. This is where my life's at, right here.
- 3:30 PM: Mapquest (yes, I'm old school like that) leads me to a… well, it claims to be a coffee shop. It's a little diner, which is fine, but the coffee? Luke warm, weak, and tasting vaguely of burnt rubber. I take a deep breath. This is not the coffee experience I was hoping for. I try to make the best of it. The diner's got a lovely view of a gas station parking lot. Silver linings, people!
- 4:00 PM: Back to the Inn. I try and fail to make myself a cup of tea. The water tastes funny. So, I'm just gonna embrace feeling half-dead and make peace with it.
Day 2: Exploring (or at least, attempting to)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast – the "complimentary" breakfast. I approach with the bravery of a knight facing a dragon. Cereal? Check. Waffles that look suspiciously like they were manufactured last Tuesday? Check. I load up, pretending I'm not judging the questionable quality. It's free, right? I eat it mostly and then go back for orange juice.
- 9:00 AM: The Wonders of West Knoxville. I'm supposed to go to the University of Tennessee. But, let's be real, I'm still feeling the effects of that coffee situation. So, instead, I decide to cruise. I'm basically just driving around. I'm aiming for the Smokey Mountains, but I'm not sure where I'm going. This is called adventure, I think.
- 9:30 AM: I find a park. It's lovely. Green grass, trees, the whole shebang. I sit on a bench. I take a deep breath. I think about everything and nothing at the same time. That has been a life thing, but also, just now. I stay there for a really long time. I guess I was just resting.
Day 3: The Smokies and the Existential Dread
- 8:00 AM: Repeat of the breakfast ritual. The waffles are even more suspicious today. I think I saw a tiny, lonely crumb move.
- 9:00 AM: Smoky Mountain Shenanigans (Maybe). Okay, this is the big day! I'm actually going to the Smoky Mountains! (Hoping it's worth the drive.) I pack a snack (a bag of chips, because I'm fancy) and head off.
- 10:00 AM: The drive to the GSMNP. I take pictures, and try to enjoy the scenic routes. Everything is beautiful until I get to the park's entrance.
- 10:30 AM: The parking lot has become a hot, heaving mess of parked cars. The line to go in never seems to end. This is not ideal.
- 11:00 AM: Finally made it! I take deep breaths and remind myself to relax. I get out of the car at one of the scenic lookouts. It's… breathtaking. The mountains stretch out before me. The view is spectacular. I take a picture that can't capture half of how beautiful it really is.
- 12:00 AM: Lunch. Chips. I eat.
- 1:00 PM: A quiet hike. I walk through the forrest. I reflect on life. I feel a sense of connection to something bigger than myself. I feel good.
- 3:00 PM: It starts raining. I'm not prepared for the rain, though. I scramble to get out of the rain. I had to abandon my hopes of seeing anything else. I feel kind of defeated, but hey, it's what it is.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the Comfort Inn. I am soaked to the bone, but also strangely energized. I think I'm really going to start writing fiction.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner. I realize I have no idea where to eat. I look for a restaurant, but I can't find one. The options are limited here. I settle for some takeout, that I eat in my room.
- 6:00 PM: I realize I have only a few hours left. I want to do something, but I don't know what. I decide to start working on my idea to write fiction. But more than anything, I just want to hug someone.
- 7:00 PM: I write and write and write until I can't write anymore.
- 8:00 PM: I consider going to the pool, but I realize that's not really something I want to do.
- 9:00 PM: I go to bed. I feel a little sad. I feel a little bit hopeful.
Day 4: Departure (and the Quest for Redemption)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Waffle's moved from the position I left them.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. Final inspection of the room. (No, I didn't steal the towels. I swear!)
- 9:30 AM: Last chance for coffee. I find a little deli that has a decent cup. Success!
- 10:00 AM: The airport. I get back into the airport and feel a sense of relief.
- 11:00 AM: This trip has been a little rough, and I'm going to go home and be relieved that it's over.
Final Thoughts:
So, there you have it. My slightly messy, utterly unglamorous trip to Knoxville. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't Instagram-worthy. But it was mine. And as I sit here, slightly frazzled but surprisingly content, I realize that maybe the imperfections are the best part. Maybe it's the slightly burnt coffee, the questionable hotel breakfasts, and the unexpected rain that make the experience real. And hey, I survived. That's something, right? Until next time, Knoxville. Don't expect me to be back too soon. (But you never can tell.)
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