Dillon, CO Getaway: Unbeatable Homewood Suites Deals!
Dillon, CO Getaway: Unbeatable Homewood Suites Deals! - My (Mostly) Glorious Colorado Adventure (Prepare for Rambles!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Dillon, Colorado, and let me tell you… breathes deeply… it was… a lot. And by a lot, I mean a beautiful, chaotic, sometimes-frustrating, and ultimately, utterly worth it experience based mostly on deals I found on Homewood Suites. Let's break it down, shall we? I'm still sorting through the photos and the memories, so bear with me. This ain’t going to be your average hotel review.
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- Keywords: Dillon CO, Homewood Suites, Colorado vacation, ski trip, lake Dillon, accessible hotel, family vacation, spa, pool, free wifi, pet-friendly, mountain getaway, affordable deals, Silverthorne, Breckenridge, Summit County.
- Meta Description: Discover the best Homewood Suites deals in Dillon, CO! My honest review of accessibility, amenities, dining, and beyond. Family-friendly, pet-friendly (sort of!), and packed with mountain fun. Read my chaotic adventure!
The Accessibility Angle (And the Elevator Dance)
Look, I'm not wheelchair-bound, but I appreciate a place that tries. Homewood Suites in Dillon (at least the one I stayed in – make sure to double-check specific locations!) generally did a decent job. Wheelchair accessible rooms were advertised, and I peeked in a few during housekeeping (naughty, I know, but curiosity!). The elevator was a lifesaver (hello, altitude!), though sometimes it felt like a game of musical chairs. Especially when hauling luggage, groceries, and the occasional over-enthusiastic toddler (more on that later). Air conditioning in public areas was absolutely essential – that Colorado sun can be brutal, even at altitude.
- Messy Thought: I have a friend with mobility issues, and it's always at the forefront of my mind when booking accommodation. I wish they’d do more to showcase their accessibility before booking, maybe some virtual tours?
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hangry Meltdown)
Okay, let's be honest, food is a dealbreaker. And Homewood Suites, bless their hearts, really TRIED.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ah, the holy grail. The buffet in the restaurant was… well, it was there. Waffles! Scrambled eggs! Cereal that felt suspiciously like cardboard sometimes (but hey, free!). The Asian breakfast was… an option. Let's just say it leaned more towards “buffet interpretations” than authentic culinary experiences.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Crucial. Needed for the early-morning ski runs and the general mountain-induced existential dread. The coffee was decent, nothing to write home about, but it got the job done. Free coffee, always a plus.
- Room service [24-hour]: Nah, not really. It was more like "limited menu, order from a local place, and we'll deliver it to your room." Which, honestly, isn’t ideal. The breakfast takeaway service was a lifesaver, especially if you were trying to beat the crowds on the slopes.
- Snack bar/Coffee shop: Yep. A tiny but handy store to grab some essentials, and for that afternoon caffeine hit.
- Restaurants: Lots of options in the area, from the fancy restaurants to more casual places. We ended up enjoying the meals at the vegetarian restaurant, and Asian cuisine in restaurant.
- The Hangry Factor: My partner, when the hunger pangs strike, can become…challenging. Once it looked like there was no food to calm her down, things quickly unravelled. It wasn't pretty!
- Messy Observation: The breakfast quality was good but not consistent. One day the bacon was crispy and amazing, the next it was a soggy mess. It seems the hotel had problems with high employee turn over, and it clearly showed.
Relaxation Station (The Spa-mazing Saga)
This is where things get interesting. I was dying for some R&R after a hard day of snowboarding (more like “falling down the mountain gracefully”).
- Spa/sauna/Steamroom/massage It was heavenly. Seriously. After the exertion of skiing, the sauna was bliss. The steamroom? A whole other level of relaxation. And the massage? Oh. My. God. I think I actually saw colors I'd never seen before. Pure luxury. The Pool with view was also fantastic (even better when it wasn’t crowded with screaming kids!). A truly enjoyable experience. The Gym/fitness center was also pretty alright and a good place to spend some time.
- Body scrub/wrap: The idea of these treatments sounded fabulous, but I chickened out. It was way too tempting…
- Messy Moment: I booked my massage for the last day, thinking, "Perfect! I'll leave feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the world!" I then spent the entire day before panicking: was I going to snore? What if my masseuse judged my pasty skin? Thankfully, it all worked out.
Cleanliness and Safety (The Sanitization Sprint)
COVID's still a thing, folks. And I appreciated the efforts.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer: Plenty of it. I never felt unsafe. They even had the sterilizing equipment going constantly in the gym.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: A nice touch. I opted for the 'clean house' option, but it was good to have a choice.
- Safe dining setup: Tables were spaced out, and the staff were good. The sanitized kitchen and tableware items were visible around the area.
- The Inevitable Anxieties: I’m a worrier, so I was constantly sanitizing my hands and wincing every time someone sneezed nearby.
- Messy Truth: Let's face it, the constant focus on cleanliness makes you extra aware. It made me more aware of other peoples coughs and sneezes.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They were a little over the top and they had quite a rigid way of operating but considering everything, understandable.
The Room Itself (My Temporary Mountain Fortress)
The rooms… were a mixed bag.
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, Bathroom phone, 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 basics were there.
Additional toilet Was a Godsend.
The Good Stuff: The bed was comfy (extra long!), the blackout curtains were essential for sleeping off the altitude fatigue, and the free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver for streaming movies and keeping up with work (yuck).
The Not-So-Good Stuff: The view was okay. Some of the furniture felt a little…dated. The "complimentary tea" was a sad, sad selection.
My Moment of Anger: The first night, I couldn't get the TV to work. I called the front desk, and a guy came up with a look like I was an idiot (I probably was). It took him ten minutes, and it turns out I was just pressing the wrong button.
Messy Observation: While the "Homewood Suites" brand are generally good, it's clear that some properties need to be more updated.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter)
- Doorman/Concierge: Nope. Self-serve all the way.
- Cash withdrawal/Currency exchange: Not applicable.
- Daily housekeeping: Did a solid job – I'm messy.
- Laundry/Dry cleaning: Didn't use it, but it’s always nice to have the option.
- The Unexpected Gem: The convenience store in the lobby – so handy for last-minute snacks and drinks.
- Messy Thing: I definitely left behind more than I packed, but it was a fun experience
- Wi-Fi for special events: The internet wasn't always reliable for that, which was a disappointment.
For the Kids (The Toddler Tornado)
I didn't have kids with me (thank God!), but this place was definitely set up for them.
- Babysitting service: I
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your perfectly-polished brochure itinerary. This is MY (and maybe YOUR, eventually) Homewood Suites Dillon, Colorado, diary, and trust me, it’ll be… a ride.
Homewood Suites Dillon: The Mountain Mama's Messy Itinerary (aka, My Brain Dump)
Day 1: Arrival & Altitude Adjustments (and Pizza Blues)
- 1:00 PM - Landed in Denver, God Help Me. Okay, first of all, Denver looked… fine. Big airports are always a headache, but compared to the nightmare of trying to navigate Heathrow after a red-eye, this was practically smooth sailing. Got my rental car – a surprisingly beige SUV named… well, it doesn't matter. Beige Betty, maybe? We'll see. Anyway, the drive to Dillon was supposed to be scenic, but I was too busy battling my own internal monologue to notice. (Mostly screaming, "ARE WE THERE YET?!").
- 4:00 PM - Check-in (and immediate panic about the elevation). The Homewood Suites Dillon is… okay, it’s fine. Clean enough, the staff is (mostly) friendly, and the suite… well, it's a suite. Two rooms! I immediately regretted my (and Betty's) pre-scheduled pizza. The altitude, y'all. It's a sneaky beast. I could feel every single step, every breath. I took a sip of water—and nearly choked. My head was already starting to feel like a balloon about to pop.
- 6:00 PM - Pizza Predicament. Here's where it completely went off the rails. That pizza? Delivered… and then I realized I hadn't eaten since breakfast. The aroma was like a siren's call, pulling me in. I devoured two slices, then felt the crushing weight of my bad decision. My head felt like a giant, pulsing drum, and my stomach was doing the cha-cha. I spent the next hour lying on the couch, regretting life, pizza, and all my choices. Seriously questioning if I should have just packed my own damn sandwich.
- 8:00 PM - Bedtime Blues. I actually slept, which was a miracle, But I woke up at 3 AM wide awake. The hotel offers free breakfast, but I can’t imagine myself eating a single thing. The altitude is truly the devil.
Day 2: Summit County Shenanigans (and the Great Coffee Debacle)
- 7:00 AM – Breakfast (Attempted). They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Lies. All lies. The free breakfast at Homewood Suites DID have a waffle maker. I tried. I really did. But the waffle was…sad. Dry, flavorless, and the little bit of syrup on top just highlighted it. I needed coffee. Desperately.
- 8:00 AM - The Coffee Catastrophe. The hotel coffee was… well, let's just say it wasn't going to win any awards. I ventured out, determined to find a decent caffeine fix. Found a "cute" little coffee shop downtown. I walk in and immediately feel the judgment. Everyone has their hiking boots on. I had just a regular pair of shoes on. I ordered a latte. It was… watery. The barrista was cute, but the coffee was not. I’m starting to think altitude is a problem, and now the coffee is as well.
- 9:00 AM - Exploring Dillon. I was going to hike something. Something gorgeous and iconic, maybe even reach the top. But, again, the altitude. I just drove around. Lake Dillon is pretty. The shops are cute. I wandered into a shop selling hats and spent way too long deliberating over a beanie. I ended up buying it.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch and a Meltdown (Metaphorical, Mostly). Found a little lunch spot with a patio. Ordered a salad (healthy choice!), but it took forever to arrive. I was hungry, the sun was beating down. I started to feel… grumpy. Like, really, really grumpy. Then, the dressing came in a weird, plastic packet. And the salad had some sad, wilted lettuce. I just stared at the mountains, wondering what I was doing with my life. Finally, the salad made it down. It was good.
- 2:00 PM - Keystone (A Mountain of Mistakes, More Like). Decided to drive over to Keystone. My plan was to walk, not climb, to walk. I took the gondola up which was pretty, but I couldn’t move much up there. The air was thin. The views were stunning. I lasted about 25 minutes before my lungs screamed, and I needed to get down.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner (Success!). Found a great little Mexican restaurant, which was, by the grace of the food gods, absolutely delicious. The margaritas were strong, but thankfully, I wasn't driving. The food was amazing. The perfect end to the day.
Day 3: Farewell (and Future Regrets)
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast - A New Dawn of Possibilities? Ate enough of the breakfast this time. Still not great. But the waffle had improved.
- 8:00 AM - Packing and Pondering. Okay, I'm a terrible packer. I threw everything into my suitcase haphazardly. I debated staying an extra day. Then, immediately decided I should go home. Sometimes, you just need your own bed.
- 9:00 AM - Last Glimpse of the Mountains. Drove around Lake Dillon one last time, trying to soak up the views. It's truly breathtaking, even if it does make you out of breath.
- 10:00 AM - Check Out and Goodbye. Said goodbye to the people at the front desk. The hotel was… fine. Serviceable.
- 11:00 AM - The Verdict. Colorado, you're beautiful, but you're also… challenging, in a way. I'm not sure if I conquered anything, but I did survive. The Homewood Suites Dillon was a home base, which is, ultimately, all that mattered. Would I come back? Maybe. Would I pack more snacks? Absolutely. And next time, I'm bringing my own damn coffee.
Final Thoughts:
- Altitude Advice: Seriously, take it easy. Drink water. Don't eat pizza on day one.
- Homewood Suites Dillon Rating: 3.5 stars. Perfectly adequate. Nothing to write home about, but gets the job done.
- My Emotional State: Mostly content, with a healthy dose of “what did I do with my life” thrown in. And maybe, just maybe, already planning my next getaway. Because, despite the flaws, the mountains… they call to you.
Dillon, CO Getaway: Homewood Suites & Me (Oh, The Stories!)
Okay, Okay, Homewood Suites in Dillon, CO – Sounds Nice. But Why *This* Place?
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. This isn’t just about a hotel, it's about the *experience*. And Dillon? Dude, Dillon is gorgeous. Think shimmering lake reflecting the Rockies, crisp mountain air that slaps you awake, and the promise of adventure around every bend. But, let's be real, when you're planning a getaway, you need a base camp that doesn't suck. And that's where Homewood Suites Dillon *sometimes* shines, okay?
I say "sometimes" because, well, let's just say my last trip had a few hiccups. Picture this: I arrive, giddy with anticipation, envisioning myself lounging on the balcony with a hot cocoa (because, mountains!), and… the key card doesn't work. *Twice*. Okay, not the best start. But hey, the front desk guy, Bless his heart, was genuinely apologetic, and the view from the corrected room? Worth the minor drama. Plus, free breakfast! Which, speaking of...
Free Breakfast? What's the Deal? Is it Worth Dragging Myself Out of Bed?
Listen, I'm a breakfast person. I *need* my morning fuel. And the Homewood Suites breakfast? It's… well, it’s not Michelin-star material. But it's *good*. Like, really good for a free hotel breakfast. Think waffles you can personalize with every topping imaginable (brownie batter? Yes, please!), eggs (sometimes real, sometimes… well, let's not go there), oatmeal bar with all the fixings, and the blessed, blessed coffee.
One morning, though? Disaster. Utter, chaotic breakfast hour. They ran out of *everything*. I mean, the waffle machine was sputtering, the scrambled eggs were a sad, anemic yellow, and the coffee… tasted like it had been brewed in a swamp. I swear I saw a guy openly weeping over the lack of bacon. But the next day? Back to glorious, free breakfast redemption. Basically, it’s a gamble, but usually a gamble that pays off.
What *Actually* Makes Homewood Suites Dillon Great? Beyond the Free Food (Mostly)
Okay, let's get serious. The rooms themselves are pretty spacious. They have that "suite" thing going on, which means a separate living area, a kitchen (mini, but still!), and generally, a bigger bed than a sardine can. Perfect for spreading out your gear (because, mountains!), and having a little space to breathe. The view from the rooms? Spectacular, assuming you managed to snag a room with one. One time, I got a room looking directly at a parking lot. Not ideal, but hey, at least it was a *clean* parking lot?
Seriously though, the location is key. You’re basically *in* the heart of Dillon, walking distance to restaurants, bars, the Dillon Amphitheater for summer concerts (go!), and the beautiful Dillon Reservoir. You can walk to the marina, rent a boat, and pretend you're a millionaire (until your wallet reminds you otherwise).
About Those "Deals"... What Are We Talking About Here? Is this a Bargain Basement Adventure?
Okay, the "deals" part. This is where things get interesting. Homewood Suites, like most hotels, has its price fluctuation drama. Off-season? You can sometimes score a steal. Peak season? Prepare to weep a little. But watch for sales, especially if you're flexible with your dates. And sign up for their rewards program! Free stuff is awesome, right?
I've gotten some seriously good deals, saving enough money to... well, to buy more snacks! Or perhaps invest in that fancy souvenir. Look, I'm not promising discounted caviar, but I *am* saying you can find a decent price if you're smart about it. Just don’t expect Vegas-level cheapness. This is a mountain escape; expect a little premium. And honestly? Seeing that lake sparkling in the sun? Worth it. Even if it involves a slightly stale waffle.
Okay, I'm Almost Sold. But What Do They NOT Mention in the Brochure? The Annoying Stuff?
Alright, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (mostly). Parking can be a pain, especially if you're arriving late. The pool/hot tub? Can get crowded, especially after a long day of hiking. I've witnessed epic hot tub wars over prime soaking space. And the walls? Well, they're not exactly soundproof. You might hear your neighbors, um, *enjoying* their vacation. Or, you know, coughing loudly.
Also, the fitness center. It's there. It's functional. But it's not a super-glamorous, state-of-the-art gym. Think of it as a place to *try* to work off the free breakfast waffles. I'm terrible at this, by the way. Still working on it.
So, Would You *Actually* Recommend This Place? Even After All the Shenanigans?
Ugh, fine. Yes. Yes, I would. Despite the occasional key card drama, the hot tub battles, and the questionable waffle supply, I would. The location is unbeatable. The rooms are comfortable (most of the time). The free breakfast, while occasionally temperamental, is a solid win. And the staff? They're generally friendly and helpful, even when dealing with a cranky, sleep-deprived traveler (me).
Look, it's not a five-star resort. It's a solid, reliable base camp for exploring an absolutely stunning area. And let's be honest, the imperfections? They add to the story. It's not a perfect getaway, It's a *real* getaway, with all the messy, glorious, imperfect human-ness that entails. So, yeah. Go. Just pack earplugs. And maybe your own waffle iron. Just in case.
