Escape to Paradise: Sawgrass Fort Lauderdale's Best-Kept Secret (La Quinta Inn)
Escape to Paradise: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coral Springs - Best-Kept Secret or Just Sneaky? (A Messy Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the supposedly "best-kept secret" that is the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coral Springs near Sawgrass Mills in Fort Lauderdale. Let me preface this by saying I'm not a professional travel reviewer. This isn't some polished, sterile assessment. This is real talk, warts and all, from someone who just spent a few days there. And let me tell you… it was a trip.
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Firstly, accessibility. This is huge for me. My grandma, bless her heart, uses a wheelchair, and finding places that actually cater to her needs is a nightmare. This La Quinta, though, was surprisingly good. The ramps were decent, the elevators worked (though, honestly, I held my breath every time), and the rooms… well, they were definitely accessible. The bathroom was spacious enough, and the grab bars were… present. They were there! Gold star for not just saying they're accessible, and actually being pretty darn accessible. This is a BIG win in my book.
(Accessibility: ✅ Wheelchair Accessible, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests)
Now, let's talk rooms because, let's get real, that's where you'll be spending most of your time (hopefully sleeping!). On the plus side, there was free Wi-Fi in EVERY room. HALLELUJAH! My inner millennial rejoiced! And it worked, which is a miracle in itself. Also, Air conditioning! Thank god! Florida heat is not a joke, people. Honestly, the air conditioner was the hero of the stay!
(Available in all rooms: ✅ Air conditioning, Free Wi-Fi, Alarm clock, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Desk, Hair dryer, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Smoke detector, Telephone, Toiletries, Wake-up service, Window that opens, Bathrobes, Slippers, Additional toilet, Interconnecting room(s) available)
But here’s where things get a little… messy. The room decor was… functional. Think slightly dated, but clean-ish. And yes, the carpet felt like it had seen a few battles. I mean, it wasn't the Ritz. But hey, the bed was comfy enough, and I slept! Important detail! And there was a mini fridge! Perfect for keeping the leftover pizza cool (essential travel tip).
(Cleanliness and safety). Okay, let's be honest, with everything going on, I was VERY focused on this. This hotel took hygiene seriously. The cleaning was thorough. I could see evidence of deep-cleaning products. They clearly used Anti-viral cleaning products in a world we have to be in, that is a big relief to me! Daily disinfection in common areas was done daily, and staff seemed to be trained in safety protocols. They also mentioned they have Room sanitization opt-out available which I appreciated.
(Cleanliness and safety: ✅ Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hygiene certification, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Room sanitization opt-out available)
Now, let's talk food and drink! Dining, drinking, and snacking. Ok. The free breakfast was… free breakfast. Think continental fare; your standard muffins, toast, cereal, and what looked suspiciously like powdered eggs. Don’t get me wrong, it was convenient. But it was definitely not gourmet. But, they had a coffee machine, and I lived off coffee. It was a lifesaver in the morning. There was also a pool-side bar! That’s right! Perfect for all the sun-lovers and drinkers!
(Dining, drinking, and snacking: ✅ Breakfast, Poolside bar, Breakfast [buffet], Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Snack bar, Breakfast service, Bottle of water)
I didn't venture into the restaurant (if that's what it could be called) for anything beyond the breakfast buffet. And the "Asian cuisine"… well, I wouldn't trust it, but who knows… maybe it's amazing and hidden?
(Dining, drinking, and snacking: ✅ Asian cuisine in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Room service [24-hour])
Things to do, ways to relax. The pool! Omg, get the pool. It's the saving grace of this whole place. Seriously. There's a swimming pool [outdoor], and it's… actually nice. I think it's the view. It's not the super-glamorous, infinity-edge thing you see in the brochures, but it's clean, has a view, and is great for a dip to cool you down from all the Fort Lauderdale heat! Yes! But as for the Spa, Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Sauna, Steamroom, I didn't notice them. Maybe they are hidden too.
**(Things to do, ways to relax: ✅ Swimming pool [outdoor], *Swimming pool, Pool with view), Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Spa/sauna)*
Services and conveniences. Services and conveniences. Here's where this La Quinta actually shines! They've really thought this part through. The front desk staff were always helpful. There's a convenience store. Brilliant! Forgot your toothbrush? Need a snack at 2 AM? They've got you covered. Free parking! This is huge in Florida! Also, they offer laundry service. Essential.
(Services and conveniences: ✅ Air conditioning in public area, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, 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, 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, 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)
Pets allowed… I think they were available but didn't see them.
( Pets allowed: ✅ Pets allowed unavailable.)
For the kids. Family-friendly! They say they're family-friendly. And, well, they probably are. I didn't see much specific "kid-friendly" stuff, but it was definitely a laid-back atmosphere. Don't expect a water park, but the pool is great for the little ones.
(For the kids: * ✅ Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal)
Getting around. Free parking! And very conveniently placed!
(Getting around: ✅ Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking)
The "Best-Kept Secret" Verdict:
So, is this La Quinta Inn & Suites a "best-kept secret"? Maybe. It depends on what you're looking for. It's not a luxury resort, but it's a solid, reliable, accessible option in a great location. It's clean, the staff is friendly, and the pool is where it's at. The free Wi-Fi is a massive bonus. If you're prioritizing affordability, accessibility, and convenience, it's definitely worth considering. But don't expect to be blown away.
My Final, Honest Opinion: It's a good, solid, reliable, and accessible hotel. And for that, I give it a good rating. It's not perfect, but it gets the job done. The pool is the real winner here!
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Yangon's Hidden Gem: Uncover the Ten Mile Hotel's Secrets!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your sanitized, perfectly-polished travel itinerary. This is real life, La Quinta style, in the heart of Sawgrass, Florida. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable life choices, and enough lukewarm coffee to fuel a small nation.
La Quinta Inn & Suites Sawgrass: My "Getaway" (Read: Survival) Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Déjà Vu All Over Again (and the Case of the Missing Shampoo)
- 1:00 PM: Arrival & Check-In (The Waiting Game): Okay, first hurdle: actually finding the place. GPS led me astray, apparently. Ended up in some random strip mall before finally spotting the glorious blue awning. Check-in was… slow. The front desk person was lovely, but her computer seemed determined to go on strike. I swear, I aged a year waiting.
- 1:45 PM: The Room Revelation (And the Dreaded Carpet): Finally! Room 312. Standard La Quinta fare. Beige. Functional. The carpet… well, let's just say it looked like it had seen things. Things that perhaps should remain unseen. I'm pretty sure I could smell the ghost of a spilled Diet Coke from the Reagan administration.
- 2:00 PM: The Bathrooom Debacle (and the Shampoo Conspiracy): Unpack. Scope out the bathroom. Everything seemed…fine. Toiletries? Nope. No shampoo! The tiny bottles are a pet peeve of mine, so I went down to the front desk. The girl looked at me like I was growing a second head. "Oh, we ran out of essentials, we'll get it in the morning, ma'am."
- 2:30 PM: The "Relax" Attempt (with a Side of Panic): Settle in. Deep breaths. Relax. I'm on vacation! I'm supposed to be Zen! Wait, did I lock my apartment door? Did I turn off the oven? Oh god, what if I left the dog in the closet? (I don't have a dog, but the thought still freaks me out.) Decided to sit in the chair for an hour and let the anxiety subside.
- 3:30 PM: Poolside Debauchery (Okay, Not Really): Walked to the pool. It was…fine. Another screaming kid. The water was lukewarm. I dipped a toe in, then promptly went back to my room. The sheer effort of socializing felt exhausting. Besides, I needed to find shampoo.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner Disaster (at Literally Every Restaurant): I tried a few restaurants nearby. They were all packed. After waiting for half an hour I left, starving! I resorted to the vending machine for chips.
- 7:00PM: Nighttime Rituals (and a Questionable Bed): After eating the chips I went to bed. The bed was… fine. Slept fitfully, haunted by the faint aroma of stale carpet and the lingering fear of hotel-room ghosts.
Day 2: The Sawgrass Mills Experience (and the Existential Crisis)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast of Champions (or At Least Mostly Edible Foods): The free breakfast! Yes! The options were limited (waffles, cereal, some sad-looking pastries), but hey, it's free. Chugged the coffee, which tasted like battery acid mixed with betrayal, and tried to mentally prepare myself for the day.
- 10:00 AM: Sawgrass Mills: The Black Hole of Retail (A Love-Hate Relationship): The main event. Sawgrass Mills. This place is its own ecosystem. I went prepared to shop, but the sheer size of the mall almost broke me. The crowds were immense, the deals sometimes sketchy. I wandered aimlessly for what felt like an eternity. I saw stuff I didn't need. I spent money I shouldn't have. I got hungry, then tired, then overwhelmed. Then I bought the same thing twice.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in the Vortex of Consumption: Grabbed a quick bite at the food court. The options were depressing. I opted for a pizza. It tasted like cardboard.
- 1:00 PM: The Return of the Shopping (and the Crumbling Sanity): Back to shopping. I had a list. Didn’t follow it. I bought a purse.
- 4:00 PM: The Escape (and the Sweet Relief): Finally, I made my escape! I felt strangely drained. The mall is truly a test of willpower. I need a drink.
- 4:30 PM: The Unplanned Happy Hour (and the Realization): Found a sports bar nearby. Ordered a beer. Sat there, people-watching, and feeling oddly melancholy. Why am I even here? What is the meaning of life? Where is my shampoo?!
- 6:00 PM: Another Dinner Attempt (and the Embrace of Room Service): I tried to go to a restaurant. I was starving. I couldn't get in. I ordered Room Service. Thank god for it!
- 7:00 PM: The Evening of Self-Reflection (and the Missing Remote): Watched TV. The remote disappeared. Found it lodged between the bed and the wall. Realized I'd left my toothbrush on the bathroom counter earlier. Ugh The human condition.
Day 3: The "Departure" Debrief (and the Promise of a Better Tomorrow)
9:00 AM: Breakfast Revisited (and a Glimmer of Hope): Same breakfast. Different day. At least the coffee was slightly less offensive.
9:30 AM: The Room Rundown: The room was surprisingly cleaned. I thanked the cleaning staff.
10:00 AM: Farewell, La Quinta (or, “See Ya Later, Alligator!"): Checked out. No real drama. The front desk person asked how my stay was. "Memorable,” I said, a little too enthusiastically.
10:15 AM: Departure (and the Bitter-Sweet Feeling): Headed to the airport. Looking forward to going home. Next time, may I hope for better circumstances? Who knows? Post-Itinerary Thoughts:
I need more shampoo…and therapy.
Maybe I should have gone to the beach. Next time.
This itinerary isn't perfect. It's a messy, chaotic, and honest look at my experience. I wouldn't change a thing (Except maybe the shampoo situation).
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Porto Raphael's Tinos Paradise!
Escape to Paradise? More Like... "Escape *From* Laundry Mountain!" (Sawgrass La Quinta Edition)
Okay, "Paradise." Is Sawgrass La Quinta *actually* that great? Spill.
Alright, let's be real. "Paradise" is a strong word. I mean, I've seen actual parrots squawk in front of the place (true story!), which *kind of* fits the bill. But paradise? No. Is it a *good* option, a solid base of operations for some Fort Lauderdale shenanigans? Absolutely. It's like... your quirky uncle’s house. Comfortable, familiar, and maybe a little… old. You’re not going to be blown away, but you *won’t* regret it. Unless you're expecting a five-star resort and get hit with a sudden urge for a complimentary banana (more on that later).
What’s the deal with the location? Is it actually near the Sawgrass Mills Mall? (Because, priorities.)
Yes! Hallelujah, YES! It's practically spitting distance to Sawgrass Mills. Okay, maybe not spitting distance. Maybe a comfortable, slightly-longer-than-you-think-it-should-be-but-still-manageable drive. You can practically *smell* Yankee Candle from the hotel (or maybe that was the questionable air freshener in my room... more on that later too. This place is layers). Seriously though, the mall is HUGE. Get ready to lose a whole day (or two, or three...) to retail therapy. And trust me, you'll NEED to de-stress *after* a trip to the pool...
The pool. Tell me about the pool. Is it worth the potential sunburn?
The pool... Ah, the pool. It's there. It *exists*. Look, it’s not the Four Seasons infinity pool, alright? It’s more like… a rectangular body of water surrounded by some slightly-faded lounge chairs. The water’s usually clean, but I’ve seen some questionable floating debris in there on occasion. (Probably leaves, probably nothing sinister.) BUT, and this is a big but: it’s a welcome respite from the Florida heat. And that's all that matters. It's perfect for a quick dip, a little sunbathing (slather on the sunscreen, people!), and maybe a bit of people-watching. (I once saw a guy try to order a pizza *from* the pool. Unforgettable.) Just don't expect a luxurious poolside experience. It's functional. And honestly, after a day of pounding the mall, a functional pool is all you need.
Breakfast. What's the grub situation? Free continental, right? Is it... edible?
Free continental breakfast? Bless their little hearts they try. It's… well, breakfast. Expect your standard fare: sugary cereal, questionable pastries (I swear I saw a croissant that was legally a brick), maybe some instant oatmeal, and those individually wrapped muffins that have the shelf life of a Twinkie. The coffee? Let's just say it *exists*. And the juice? Definitely comes from a concentrate. But hey, it's free! And it's enough to fill the hole in your tummy before you conquer the mall (or, you know, start your day). Don't go in expecting a gourmet feast, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Or at least, not *completely* disappointed.
The rooms. Are they… clean? (And do they have that weird La Quinta smell?)
Okay, the rooms. This is where things get… interesting. Clean? Generally, yes. I mean, the cleaning staff is… good. But the *age* sometimes shows. And yes, there may be a faint, lingering aroma of… something. It's not always offensive. Sometimes it's just... "hotel." Sometimes, it veers into "subtle air freshener attempting to cover up something else.” I recommend bringing your own air freshener (just in case). And don't expect modern luxury. Think "functional and a little dated." But the beds are reasonably comfortable, the AC works (a MUST in Florida!), and hey, you're not planning on spending your whole vacation cooped up in your room, right? Unless you're like me after a bad shopping day, in which case, bring a good book, and let the world melt away.
Okay, let's get real: The Laundry. How bad is it?
OH. MY. GOD. The laundry situation! Buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving deep into the abyss of folded chaos. This is where things get *personally* messy. It's not that the *laundry* is necessarily *bad*. It's just... a *process*. The machines are old, they're probably grumpy, and they might eat your quarters. (Pro-tip: bring extra. And by extra, I mean a *small mountain* of quarters.) And good luck finding a working dryer at peak hours! I once waited three hours for a single load of towels. THREE HOURS!!! I considered starting a support group in the hallway. "Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I'm addicted to doing laundry on vacation." The worst part? The *folding*. Oh, the folding. I ended up with a pile of damp, half-folded clothes that resembled a small animal-sized nest. The amount of time I spent wrestling with a fitted sheet... I could have written a novel. Okay I'll say this: bring your patience. Bring your quarters. And bring a sense of humor. Because the laundry at Sawgrass La Quinta is a *journey*. And you'll be changed by it. (Maybe slightly better at folding. Maybe not. Definitely spent on quarters).
Are there any hidden fees? And is parking a nightmare?
Hidden fees? Usually, no. Parking? Thankfully, it's free! (Hallelujah, again!) The parking lot can get a bit crowded during peak times, but I've always managed to find a spot eventually. It's not a glamorous parking experience (don't expect valet), but it gets the job done.
So, final verdict: Should I stay at Sawgrass La Quinta?
Look, if you're looking for a convenient, affordable base for your Fort Lauderdale adventures, and you can handle a little… character (and a whole lot of laundry), then YES. Stay! It's not perfect, but it's a solid choice. Just remember to pack your sunscreen, your shopping bags, your quarters, and a healthy dose of *realistic* expectations. You won't find paradise, but you might just find a good deal, a decent night's sleep, and a few hilarious stories to tell. And isn't that what a vacation is all about? Just. Bring. Extra. Quarters. I cannot stress this enough. Good luck, and happy travels!
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