Okay so today I wanna share how I checked out the Super 8 in Akron, Ohio, ’cause honestly, finding good budget spots is an art form. Needed a cheap place to crash after this long drive up north. Saw Super 8 pop up online, price looked decent, booked it right then. Figured I’d jot down exactly what I found, good and bad.
First Impressions & Check-in Shenanigans
Pulled up around 8 PM after fighting traffic forever. Parked near the lobby – plenty of spaces, which was a relief. Lugged my bag inside. Lobby felt kinda dated, honestly. Front desk guy was friendly enough, no real wait. Had my ID and confirmation ready, signed some papers, got my key card. Simple, nothing fancy. Heading back to the car to grab my cooler, I spotted the vending machines near the entrance – always good for a midnight craving, right?
The Room Experience: Digging Into Details
Opened the door to my room on the ground floor. Smell wasn’t bad, kinda clean. First things first: AC unit near the window. Turned it on full blast – noisy but hey, it blew cold air immediately. Big win already. Looked around proper:
- Bed: Two doubles. Mattress felt firm, not collapsing, which is pretty much top-tier for these chains. Sheets were crisp, white. Felt clean.
- Bathroom: Tiny, classic Super 8 style. Shower had decent pressure, hot water came quick. Toilet flushed okay, no weird noises. Counter space? Almost non-existent. Basic soap and shampoo dispensers on the wall.
- TV & Stuff: Old flat-screen, remote worked mostly. Found an outlet right by the bed (score!), plugged my phone in. Wi-Fi? Weird thing: Had to get the password from the front desk again. Connected eventually, speed was usable for scrolling and emails, wouldn’t try streaming a movie though.
- Other Bits: Small table, chair, that fridge humming quietly. Fridge was cold! Big plus. Microwave was clean-ish. Zero coffee maker in the room though. Bit of a bummer, meant trekking to the lobby.
Morning Recon: Coffee & Breakfast
Woke up early. Remembered the no-coffee situation. Dragged myself to the lobby around 7 AM. Snagged a styrofoam cup from the coffee station near reception – basic coffee, black or maybe creamer. Fine for a wake-up jolt. Breakfast area? Don’t expect a feast. Small counter setup:
- Packaged muffins (super sugary)
- Some wrapped pastries
- Juice machine
- Maybe instant oatmeal packets
Grabbed a muffin and juice, ate it quick. Got the job done if you’re just needing something before hitting the road. Zero tables really, just a counter to stand at.
Final Check & Parking Gripes
Packed my stuff. Checkout was literally dropping the key card in a slot near the desk. Easy peasy. Headed out to the car. Saw the outdoor pool – looked small, kinda cloudy, definitely seasonal. Not tempting me. Then the final kicker: Noticed the parking sign near the exit I missed pulling in. Turns out they charge a small nightly parking fee that wasn’t super clear online. Minor annoyance for a budget spot.
So, The Real Deal on Akron Super 8
Here’s the raw scoop from my night:
- Good Sleep: Clean, functional, quiet enough. AC and fridge worked great.
- Basic Amenities Covered: Hot shower, free basic breakfast (if you call it that), usable Wi-Fi (eventually).
- Annoyances: Dated vibe, no in-room coffee (seriously!), weak breakfast, tiny bathroom, sneaky parking fee.
- Perfect For: Travelers who just need a bed & bathroom stop without frills. Drive through? One-nighter? Yeah, works. Expect motel vibes, not luxury. It’s cheap for a reason.
Would I stay again? If I just needed a cheap, clean crash pad, yeah, maybe. But next time? Packing my own damn coffee. ⌚
