Salida's BEST Kept Secret: Baymont by Wyndham - Unbelievable Views!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on Salida's "BEST Kept Secret": Baymont by Wyndham - Unbelievable Views! And let me tell you, it's less "secret" and more "should-be-screaming-from-the-mountaintops-amazing."
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Look, I'm not gonna lie; I've stayed in a lot of hotels. From dives that should be condemned to places so posh you're afraid to breathe on the furniture. But Baymont in Salida? It's got a vibe. A real, genuine, "welcome-to-the-Rockies-and-leave-your-craziness-at-the-door" kind of vibe.
First Impressions & Accessibility:
Right off the bat, accessibility. This is HUGE for me (and likely for anyone with mobility concerns). The Baymont gets it right. Wide hallways, ramps where needed, and accessible rooms (I didn't personally need one on this trip, but I peeked, and they're well-thought-out). Elevators? Yep. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. That alone bumps them up several notches in my book.
(Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator, Exterior corridor)
Now, let's talk about that view. Seriously, the "Unbelievable Views" part isn't just marketing fluff. I mean, you're looking at the Collegiate Peaks. Majesty with a capital M. Waking up to that, especially with a fresh cup of coffee (more on that later!), is…well, it's a life-affirming experience. I swear, I spent a good hour just staring out the window my first morning, completely forgetting I was supposed to check my emails.
Rooms & Amenities - The Good, The Okay, and The "Could Use a Little Love":
(Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens)
The rooms themselves are…clean. Let’s start with the basics. They are absolutely clean - that's non-negotiable in my book. My room had a comfy king-sized bed (yes, the extra long kind!), a decent-sized TV, and all the usual suspects – hairdryer, mini-fridge, the works. The complimentary tea was a lifesaver on a chilly evening, especially after a long hike!
A few minor quibbles: the decor is…functional, shall we say? Think "comfortably generic." It could use a little personality. And while the Wi-Fi is free (bless!), sometimes it felt a little sluggish. But hey, you're in the mountains! Disconnect, people! And hey, there are bathrobes! Always a win.
(Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet access – LAN, Internet)
The Pool with a View (OMG!):
This is where Baymont truly shines. The pool with the view is the star. I mean, the pool. Clean, well-maintained, and the view is…well, you get it. I spent hours floating there, slowly turning into a prune, just soaking in the scenery. Sunsets over the mountains? Forget about it. Insta-worthy doesn't even begin to describe it. I even saw a bald eagle soaring overhead while I was in the pool. Honestly, it felt like I had stumbled into a National Geographic special.
(Things to do, ways to relax: Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor])
(Spa: Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap)
Okay, so, I didn't hit the spa. Sad, I know. I was so blissed out in the pool that I totally forgot about the other relaxation options. But, they ARE offering massage, body scrub options, sauna, steamroom, foot bath, body wrap.
Food & Drink – From Buffet Breakfast Glory to Snack Bar Shenanigans:
(Dining, drinking, and snacking: Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Snacks in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast service, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Desserts in restaurant)
The free breakfast buffet is a solid start to the day. Waffles? Check. Eggs? Check. Bacon? HELL YES. Coffee? My cup runneth over (literally, because I'm a caffeine fiend). The coffee shop is convenient, and if you're feeling peckish, there’s a snack bar. The poolside bar provides a perfect end to a days hike…or a perfect kick off the evening.
I only tried the breakfast buffet, which had the standard offerings: eggs, bacon, waffles, fruit, pastries, and coffee. It wasn't gourmet, but it was plentiful and hit the spot before a day of hiking.
Cleanliness & Safety in a Pandemic World (Because, Real Life):
(Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Staff trained in safety protocol)
Okay, let's get real. We're living in…interesting times. Baymont takes it seriously. I observed daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff wearing masks. I felt safe. They did a good job of navigating the whole COVID thing. They even offer room sanitization opt-out if you're feeling extra cautious.
Services & Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter:
(Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking)
Daily housekeeping was a plus. Contactless check-in/out made the arrival process seamless. They've got a convenience store for those forgotten essentials (or late-night snack cravings). Car park [free of charge] is a huge win (parking fees are the bane of my existence!).
For the Kids (And the Kid in All of Us):
(For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal)
I didn’t have any kids with me, but the Baymont is definitely family/child friendly. The pool is a HUGE draw, and there’s likely plenty of space for the little ones to run around.
The Quirks, the Glitches, and the Honest Truth:
Alright, here's the real stuff. Nobody's perfect.
- The Elevator: I did experience one slight hiccup during my stay: the elevator got a little "stuck" on one of the floors for a few minutes. Nothing serious, but it was a minor inconvenience.
- The Noise: I personally had a quiet room, but I'm guessing, depending on your room's location, you might hear other guests occasionally. Since the place is so great, it can get pretty busy!
- The Overall Vibe: This is not a luxury resort. It's comfortable, clean, and friendly. Think "mountain lodge
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this ain't gonna be your perfectly-organized, color-coded itinerary. This is going to be a hot mess, a chaotic symphony of Salida, Colorado, and the Baymont by Wyndham that, let's be honest, probably smells faintly of chlorine and regret. But hopefully, it’ll also be a whole lot of fun. Here we go…
Salida Sojourn: A Semi-Coherent Account
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Anxiety & The "I Guess We're Eating Here?" Dinner
1:00 PM: Arrive at Denver International Airport (DIA). Ugh. The worst airport. Seriously, it's like a never-ending, vaguely-creepy conspiracy theory come to life. That giant blue horse with the glowing eyes? Nightmare fuel. Okay, focus. Rent the car. Pray it's not a clunker. (It will be. It always is.)
3:00 PM: The drive to Salida. Sigh. I’ve been looking forward to this. The Rockies! The fresh air! The…drive. Oh, the drive. At first, everything is great. Passing through the foothills, seeing those towering peaks grow closer. Then, the altitude hits. Slightly woozy. A headache already? I can't even remember how I got here and if I ever left.
5:00 PM: Check into the Baymont. Okay, not a palace, but clean enough. The pool looks…okay. Probably not going to brave it, though. My skin's already feeling a bit tight and my stomach, well… it's definitely in a protest mood. Room check: Check. Smells like… motel. Which, honestly, is comforting in a way.
6:30 PM: Dinner. We were starving and didn't do any planning (shame on us). There was one restaurant, Amicas Pizza & Microbrewery that was recommended. But the first thing we met at the door was a waiting line and an hour wait and we are at the bottom of the bucket list. So, on the advice of the front desk, we went to a restaurant called Moonlight Pizza. It was…fine. Edible. But the pizza, it reminded us of, "it's what's open." Pizza and beer. Not the worst way to spend an evening, but I don't think I will remember it fondly.
8:00 PM: Staring out the window. Salida is beautiful. That's its strong point, really. But the altitude. It's like my brain is trying to float away. Time for bed.
Day 2: River Drama & The Kayak That Almost Did
8:00 AM: Breakfast. The Baymont breakfast. Let's just say it’s… available. My expectations were low, and they were met. I grabbed a waffle. It was actually… pretty good? Maybe the altitude is affecting my taste buds.
9:00 AM: White water rafting. This was supposed to be a highlight! I'm talking serious rapids, screaming, adrenaline. Nope. More like gentle bobbing. It was pretty, though. The river was rushing. I could just feel the energy. The scenery was amazing.
11:00 AM: Kayak Lesson. My husband decided he needed to prove his competence. So we went to the next step, Kayaking. We found a nice spot in the river. I was a little nervous. But mostly, I was concerned with the water. It was cold, cold, cold! I asked if I could go on the river by myself for an hour so I could practice. (That means, "I can handle the water and don't need you to yell at me to make me do it.")
12:00 PM: Lunch. My tummy was rumbling, so we found a place. Salida Mountain Sports - Sandwich & Deli. it was the basic stuff. We walked into a shop. We ordered sandwiches. We talked. It didn't go to far. But it wasn't great, either. Just more food.
1:00 PM Walked near the river. Sat. Watched the people. More people.
3:00 PM: Nap. Altitude. Enough said.
5:00 PM: More food. But first, a bit of shopping. We were looking for some supplies. Water. Snacks. Something to put in our empty stomachs. We were running out of options. So we hit a market, in the name of saving time.
Day 3: Downtown Discovery and Goodbye, Salida
8:00 AM: The Baymont breakfast again. It's growing on me. Slightly.
9:00 AM: Exploration. The downtown area is great. I mean, I loved the historic building, the art galleries. The shops were fine.
12:00 PM: More food. We tried a place called Bongo's - Mexican Restaurant. The food was great. The service was fast and nice. It was a winner!
2:00 PM: Packing. Another moment of panic. I'm awful at packing. I always overpack. Always.
3:00 PM: Final drive out. I wish it could have been better. I wish I could have stayed longer. I'll be back.
5:00 PM: Plane. The hardest part.
Final Thoughts:
Salida, you're a complicated place. Beautiful, yes. But requiring adjustments, too. I don't think the Baymont will ever be my ideal, but hopefully, I'll get other, better experiences when I return. So, if you're heading to Salida, embrace the chaos, pack your Dramamine, and hold on tight. You're going to need it. And hey, maybe the chlorine smell will have dissipated by the time you get there. Maybe.
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Baymont by Wyndham Salida: The Secret They *Don't* Want You to Know (Seriously, It's Amazing!)
Okay, spill the beans. What's the deal with this "Unbelievable Views" thing? Is it just marketing hype?
But... hotels with views can be a crapshoot. Is the *hotel* itself any good, or are we just paying for the scenery?
What's the biggest downside? Lay it on me. Is there something secretly awful?
Let's talk specifics. Which room should I book for the best views?
Is it family-friendly? Or more for couples/solo travelers?
What's the breakfast situation really like? Is it edible?
Tell me more about the location. Is it convenient to everything?
Is it really a "best kept secret?" Or is everyone already in on it?
Okay, you've convinced me. But what if, God forbid, something goes wrong? Service/complaints?
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