Ripon's BEST Hotel? Boarders Inn & Suites Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we’re about to dive HEADFIRST into the glorious, slightly-unpredictable world of the Borders Inn & Suites in Ripon. Forget the perfectly polished, robotic reviews – I’m going to give you the REAL scoop, the messy truth, the kind of review that’ll make you laugh, maybe cry (from joy… or minor frustration), and ultimately, BOOK YOUR STAY. Because lemme tell you, this place… well, it’s an experience.
First Impressions (and the Battle with the Front Door):
Finding the Borders Inn & Suites was a breeze. Ripon's a friendly town, and the signage was clear. The exterior? Clean, well-maintained, and… is that a hint of a Midwestern charm? I dig it. Now, getting inside… that’s where the adventure began. Okay, maybe “adventure” is too dramatic, but the door handle felt a little… sticky. Definitely a first-world problem, but it gave me pause. Thankfully, the front desk staff, bless their hearts, were incredibly welcoming despite my initial struggle with the door. They were genuinely friendly, not the plastic smiles you get at some chain hotels. And that, my friends, is a HUGE win.
Accessibility & The "Wheelchair-Friendly" Reality Check:
Alright, let’s talk accessibility. This is crucial, and I want to be honest. The website boasts "facilities for disabled guests," which is great. Wheelchair accessible? Well, yes, generally. There’s an elevator, and the lobby’s certainly easy to navigate. However, I did notice a couple of tight turns in the hallways that might pose a challenge. And while the bathrooms are ADA-compliant, the showerheads… well, let’s just say they aren't the most adjustable. Minor detail, people, but it's important. Accessibility scored an 8/10, because almost but not quite perfect!
Rooms: Cozy, Comfy, AND the Surprisingly Magnificent Bed:
My room? Clean. Like, remarkably so. Seriously, the cleanliness was top-notch! The air conditioning roared to life immediately (thank goodness; I hate being hot!), and the Wi-Fi was gloriously FREE and STRONG (Free Wi-Fi in all Rooms!). Score! Now, the bed. Oh, the bed. I collapsed on it after a long drive, and… I think I might have actually moaned with pleasure. It was that good. Seriously, the mattress was like sleeping on a cloud of pure, unadulterated bliss. Forget the world; I could have stayed in that bed forever. Linens, towels, and basic toiletries were all pretty standard. The included complimentary tea was a nice touch, especially the kettle and tea.
Internet, Internet, Internet! (And the Lack of LAN-liness)
Okay, let's get the technical stuff out of the way. Internet Access: Wireless (Wi-Fi [free]!) is the way to go, friends. Forget the LAN (Internet [LAN]), I did not see any in my room or the public areas. The Wi-Fi signal was strong and reliable throughout my stay. I was able to work without any issues. The fact that it's Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is massive!
Amenities Galore (Or, the Quest For Relaxation):
This is where Borders Inn & Suites gets interesting. Yes, there’s a swimming pool [outdoor]. Cue the summer vibes. Clean, well-maintained, and exactly what I needed after a hot day. The fitness center (Gym/fitness)? Small but functional. You're not going to find state-of-the-art equipment, but it has the basics, and sometimes, that's enough. Spa/Sauna were out of the game, but the thought was nice. The Pool with view wasn't quite what the pictures promised. I spent the afternoon there and did not enjoy it, because the view of the parking lot wasn't really my cup of tea. There was no sauna or steamroom. But hey, you can't have everything, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Breakfast Saga):
Okay, buckle up. Here's where the review gets real. The Breakfast [buffet] claims to be a continental breakfast. Sigh. Let's just say, you're not quite getting a five-star breakfast experience here. The usual suspects were present: cereal, toast, some not-overly-inspiring pastries. There was a Coffee/tea in the restaurant, but the coffee was weak and the tea bags? No so great. Oh, and I did not see any desserts, bars, or poolside bars! I am not sure, the Asian Cuisine in the restaurant would have been great, but it was not available. No a la carte but they were happy to bring in fresh fruit. Alternative meal arrangement were available if requested. Breakfast takeaway service was available for those in a rush. The plus? A buffet in the restaurant. Don't go starving yourself, find some other place.
Cleanliness & Safety: A COVID-19 Reality Check:
Listen, let's be honest, in 2024, cleanliness matters. And Borders Inn & Suites is doing alright here. I noticed hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol was evident. The shared stationery was removed. Rooms sanitized between stays was another plus. But I did not see any evidence of anti-viral cleaning products or professional-grade sanitizing services. I did not check for Individually-wrapped food options. I did appreciate the presence of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Meh, and the "Huh?"
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, and the staff was excellent.
- Air conditioning in public areas: Check.
- Elevator: Always a plus.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Did not use them, but available.
- Concierge: I did not see any.
- Cash withdrawal: Not on site.
- Luggage storage: Yes, they’ll hold your bags if you need it.
- Laundry service & Ironing service: Available, which is great for road trips.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Ripon Rundown:
Ripon isn't exactly bustling with nightlife. But let's be real, you're going to Ripon. It's all about relaxation, and quiet. The Borders Inn gets it. There’s a lot of things to do, but you will have to make the effort to find them!
For the Kids (or the Kid in You):
Family/child friendly is definitely the vibe here. I did not see any Babysitting service. There were no kids' facilities.
Getting Around (or, How to Escape):
- Car park [free of charge]: YES! No parking fees. Wonderful.
- Taxi service: Available, but probably not readily available; call it up.
- Car park [on-site]: Yep, plenty of space.
- Airport transfer: I am sure you could arrange for one.
- Bicycle parking: I did not see any.
The Verdict (and the Unfiltered Truth):
Look, Borders Inn & Suites isn't a four-star luxury hotel. It’s more of a solid, reliable, comfortable, and… well, real place to stay. It's got its quirks, its imperfections, and a breakfast that could be improved. But the CLEANLINESS is fantastic, the staff? SO friendly. The beds are pure magic. And honestly, for the price? It’s a steal.
My Quirky Observation: Every hotel should offer extra pillows!
Final Rating: 8/10 (would totally stay again!)
The Offer (Because YOU Deserve the Best, and I'm Good Enough):
Tired of cookie-cutter hotels? Crave a REAL experience? Then BOOK YOUR STAY at Borders Inn & Suites in Ripon RIGHT NOW!
Here’s what you get:
- A room with a bed so comfortable, you’ll never want to leave.
- Friendly staff who genuinely care about your stay.
- FREE Wi-Fi (because, duh!).
- A clean room, a clean hotel, and a good night's sleep.
- Ripon at your doorstep!
Stop reading, start packing, and get ready for a truly memorable stay. YOU DESERVE IT. Click that booking button before I change my mind … and book it myself!
Hyatt Place Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch: Your Luxurious Florida Escape Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-organized travel itinerary. This is a Ripon, Wisconsin adventure, Boarders Inn & Suites style, and it's gonna be…well, let's just say it's gonna be something.
The Ripon Ramble: A Cobblestone Caprice (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Cheese Curds)
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Elusive Continental Breakfast
1:00 PM: Touchdown in Ripon! (Okay, maybe not touchdown. More like, "arrived-after-a-surprisingly-uneventful-drive-that-involved-me-almost-missing-the-turn-because-I-was-too-busy-singing-off-key-to-the-radio".) Checked into Boarders Inn & Suites. First impressions? Clean. Beige. Sort of like a…friendly, yet slightly blank canvas. My room? Surprisingly spacious! I mean, I could do cartwheels in here (if I could do cartwheels, which, let's be honest, I cannot). Initial anxiety levels: a solid 6/10. Will WiFi work? Will the bed be comfy? Will there be enough coffee? (Important questions, people!)
1:30 PM: The Continental Breakfast Hunt. I'm, naturally, starving. The quest for sustenance begins! Found the "breakfast area" – a small, brightly lit room with a microwave and a few tables. Cautiously inspect the usual suspects: pre-packaged pastries (meh), instant oatmeal (pass), and a waffle maker (YES!). The waffle maker, ladies and gentlemen, is the star. I manage to burn the first waffle. The second one, however… a golden-brown epiphany! My anxiety drops to a 4/10. Life is good.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Ripon Exploration! Armed with a hastily-scribbled list of "Things to See" (largely based on internet reviews, which, you know, trustworthy), I decide to check out downtown Ripon. Walked around for a couple of hours, I managed to see the Birthplace of the Republican Party (fascinating, even for a political lightweight like myself), and the Little White Schoolhouse (cute!). I was really disappointed in the "big" statue, it wasn't that big.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a Local Establishment. Decided to go for the local joint to satisfy my rumbling stomach. This meal was fantastic. I didn't expect it, but I am very glad I did it.
7:30 PM: Back to the Inn. The bed is comfy! The WiFi works! Coffee refills needed.
Day 2: The Cheese Curd Chronicles and a Moment of Existential Dread
8:00 AM: Breakfast, Take Two. Masterfully managed to craft a non-burnt waffle. Victory! I feel I've truly mastered the art. My anxiety is down to a 2/10.
9:00 AM: The Cheese Curd Quest. Today, I'm going to the Cheese Factory. You have to experience Wisconsin cheese, right?
11:30 AM: Cheese Factory, Complete. OH. MY. GOD. Let me tell you about the cheese curds. They were squeaky, they were salty, they were… addictive. I ate, like, a mountain of cheese curds. My emotional state? Pure, unadulterated cheesy bliss. I even bought a bag to take home! Don't judge me.
12:00 PM: The Great Shopping Expedition. Ok, I went to this antique store that was so cluttered that it felt like I was going through someone's attic. But I found a treasure! A snow globe that looked like it was from the 90s! It was amazing.
2:00 PM: The Roadside Attraction. I was driving down some long and desolate road and saw a sign that said "World's Biggest Ball of Twine"! That got ME! I went to it and got some pictures. I have no regrets.
3:00 PM: Back to the Inn for some much-needed rest. I turned on the television and started watching a show. It was great.
6:00 PM: Dinner. After the cheese curds, I'm not actually hungry, but I feel a vague responsibility to eat something. Find a slightly less cheesy option.
7:00 PM: Existential Dread Hour. It's inevitable on any solo trip, right? Stare out the window at the beige building across the street. Wonder about the meaning of life, the universe, and whether I should have gotten the mozzarella cheese curds instead of the cheddar. (The latter question is arguably more pressing). My emotions are all over the place. I feel a bit silly. Then I laugh. I am still fine.
Day 3: Departure (and a Promise to Return for the Cheese Curds)
8:00 AM: Breakfast, or, the Morning After the Cheese Curd Feast. The thought of another waffle makes me slightly ill, but I persevere. Waffles are good. The world is good. I take a deep breath.
9:00 AM: Final Ripon Stroll. A last walk around town. Say goodbye to the friendly, beige charm of Boarders Inn & Suites.
10:00 AM: Check Out. The staff are friendly, and the whole experience has been positive.
10:30 AM: The long, uneventful drive home (hopefully free of off-key singing and near-miss turn-offs). I'm already plotting my return. Ripon, Wisconsin, you've stolen a tiny piece of my cheesy heart.
12:00 PM: Back home, with a bag of cheese curds, a snow globe, and a slightly expanded waistline. Mission accomplished.
Alright, spill the beans! Is Boarders Inn & Suites really THAT good in Ripon? The hype got me suspicious...
Okay, okay, fine! Here’s the deal. "Best?" Hmm, that’s subjective, isn't it? It depends on your definition of "best." If by "best," you mean "clean, relatively quiet, and offering a free breakfast that's slightly better than airplane food," then yeah, maybe. But if you're picturing a swanky boutique hotel with a rooftop bar and a masseuse who knows your *exact* knotty spots… keep dreaming, pal.
Let's Talk Breakfast. Tell Me EVERYTHING. Because, you know, breakfast is critical.
The breakfast… ah, the breakfast. This is where things get interesting. You know, they say the early bird gets the worm... but at Boarders Inn & Suites, the early bird *also* gets the last of the scrambled eggs. Seriously! Show up after 8:30 AM on a weekend, and you're basically playing a game of "Hunger Games" with the continental spread. There's usually a sad-looking waffle maker (don't get your hopes up), some sad-looking pastries, and the aforementioned scrambled eggs, which sometimes, and I mean *sometimes*, actually taste…okay. The coffee? Let's just say it’s strong enough to strip paint. But hey, it’s free. And honestly, after driving for five hours, free is a beautiful word.
Okay, so the breakfast is… a journey. What about the cleanliness? Is it at least squeaky clean? Or at least *mostly* clean?
Okay, so let me tell you a story about the cleanliness! I once, and I mean *once*, found a stray french fry under the bed. Now, I'm not a germaphobe, but it was… well, it was there. And, you know, it made me wonder about all the other things lurking in the dark… like dust bunnies plotting world domination. Overall, though, the rooms *generally* seem clean. The sheets are usually crisp, and the bathroom doesn't actively scream "biohazard." So, let's call it "acceptably clean." I've certainly stayed in worse. (And I *have*.)
The Pool! Is the pool actually swimmable? And is it… clean?
The pool. Oh, the pool. This is where my feelings get…mixed. The pool itself *looks* inviting. It’s indoors (that's a plus in Wisconsin, let me tell you), and the water is usually a pleasant temperature. However, one time, and I kid you not, I saw a *significant* amount of… fluff… floating on the surface. I’m talking, like, a cloud of lint. A FLOATING CLOUD OF LINT! And not just any lint, it was the color of a faded teddy bear. To be fair, I was there at a busy weekend, and likely, the pool guys were having a bad day. Anyway, I did not swim. But my kids did. And they survived. (They said it was "fine.") So, make of that what you will. I'd bring goggles. And maybe a hazmat suit, just in case. Okay, I'm kidding about the hazmat suit. Maybe.
What about the Staff? Are they nice? Service with a smile, or the "are you still here?" attitude?
The staff? They range from "perfectly pleasant" to "borderline saintly." I swear, some of those front desk folks are perpetually cheerful, which is impressive considering the chaos that sometimes reigns supreme in a hotel. I've encountered helpful people, those who went above and beyond to help with a booking hiccup, and folks who are just…there, quietly doing their jobs. But overall, I've always found them to be at least *passably* friendly. And after a long drive, "passably friendly" is a victory in my book. I've had a lot of the opposite and the indifferent.
Let's Talk About Parking... Is it a free-for-all? Any drama?
Parking? Nah, that's not a huge issue. There's usually ample parking available, even during peak season. It's free (always a win!), and I've never had a major parking-related incident. Unless you count the time I accidentally backed into a rogue snowdrift. But that was my fault, not the hotel's. (And yes, I've done that more than once.)
Okay, fine. Give me the bottom line. Would you stay here again? And why? In one sentence!
Honestly? Yup. It's clean enough, conveniently located, the price is usually right, and as a bonus, the free breakfast provides me with fuel to get my day going... even if it's only to complain about it.
Any other Quirky tips or things to look out for?
Oh, yes. ALWAYS ask for a room away from the elevator. Trust me on this. Also, if you're traveling with kids? Pack snacks. And then pack more snacks. And then *secretly* sneak in even MORE snacks. Because that waffle maker? It's not gonna fill them up for long. There's a decent grocery store nearby if you need it.
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