Riviera Motel: Your Dream US Getaway Awaits (Paradise Found!)
Riviera Motel: Your Dream US Getaway Awaits (Paradise Found!) – A Review That's Actually Real (And a Little Chaotic)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Riviera Motel…and it's a vibe. Forget those cookie-cutter hotel reviews – this is the real deal, warts and all. I’m talking sunshine, questionable water pressure (more on that later), and enough spa treatments to make Cleopatra jealous. This isn’t just a hotel review; it’s an experience!
First Impressions & The Big Picture: Is it Paradise Found? Maybe.
The tagline promises "Paradise Found!" and honestly, Riviera Motel comes close. It's definitely a step up from that roadside motel you stayed in during your cross-country road trip. The architecture is…well, let’s call it “eclectic charm.” Think art deco meets maybe…a hint of Tiki? But hey, it works. And the location? Stellar. Close enough to the action, far enough to feel…tranquil-ish.
Accessibility: Navigating the Dream
Now, I wasn't traveling with any specific accessibility needs, but I made it a point to do some digging. Wheelchair accessible? Absolutely! The website boasts it, and based on my wanderings around the property, this is true. Elevators are present (phew!), and I saw ramps everywhere. I checked the website again and didn't spot any pet-specific rooms, but you can always call and ask. Pro-Tip: I suggest calling the front desk to ensure all your needs are met before you arrive.
Internet, Internet, Everywhere Internet: (Mostly) Free Wi-Fi Bliss
Alright, let's talk connectivity because we're all glued to our screens, right? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES! And it actually, mostly, works! There were a few moments of buffering during my Netflix binges, but overall, the connection was decent. I did spot a room with LAN capabilities, but let's be honest, who uses that in 2024? Wi-Fi in public areas was also available, which was clutch for posting those envy-inducing vacation pics. Speaking of which, let's talk about those Insta Story moments.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams & Poolside Sizzle
This is where Riviera Motel really shines. Seriously, picture yourself:
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Sparkling blue oasis, surrounded by palm trees and the faint scent of sunscreen. Pure bliss.
- Pool with view: The view wasn't stellar, but the pool itself was great.
- Sauna, Steamroom, Spa, Spa/sauna: Okay, so I went full spa mode. I indulged in a Body scrub (felt amazing!), a Body wrap (made me feel like a burrito – in a good way!), and a Massage (that melted away all the stress I didn't know I was carrying). The only downside? The pressure from the masseuse's massage was a little too subtle for my liking.
- Fitness center: I didn’t actually hit the Gym/fitness, but I did sneak a peek. Looked decent enough, with the standard treadmills and weights.
- Foot bath: I skipped this one. The idea sounded a bit too…involved.
The pool? Ahhh, the pool! That was where I parked myself. It wasn’t a pool with a “view” but it was the perfect spot for lounging and reading. They had a Poolside bar, which was dangerous (but delicious). Seriously, I think I spent half my trip sipping cocktails and pretending to be a glamorous movie star. Totally worth it.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Asian Flavors to Poolside Cocktails
Now, food is serious business. And Riviera Motel delivers.
- A la carte in restaurant & Restaurants: The restaurant had a varied menu.
- Alternative meal arrangement I believe they offer alternatives.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: I didn't eat here.
- Bar: Yes, the bar, where dreams and cocktails collide.
- Breakfast [buffet] and Breakfast service: The Breakfast [buffet] was decent. Lots of options.
- Breakfast takeaway service: I didn't try it.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Good.
- Coffee shop: Good.
- Desserts in restaurant: I did try the desserts. Good.
- Happy hour: I enjoyed it at the bar.
- International cuisine in restaurant: & Western cuisine in restaurant: Yep.
- Poolside bar: Heaven, pure heaven.
- Room service [24-hour]: Score! Perfect for those late-night cravings.
- Snack bar: I didn't use it.
- Soup in restaurant: I didn't have any.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Secure (and Sanitized!)
Okay, let’s be real – travel in the 21st century means we’re all a bit paranoid about germs. Right? Well, Riviera Motel gets it. I felt genuinely safe.
- Cleanliness: Top-notch!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yep.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Check.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: You could tell!
- Hand sanitizer: EVERYWHERE.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to know.
Plus, they had CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, so you felt like Big Brother was watching… but in a comforting, safe way. ;) They also had other safety things like, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, and Smoke detectors.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Riviera Motel goes the extra mile.
- Concierge: Super helpful. They helped me book tours and even gave me the inside scoop on the best local restaurants.
- Daily housekeeping: The room was spotless every day.
- Elevator: Essential!
- Gift/souvenir shop: Great for picking up a last-minute present (or a treat for yourself!).
- Laundry service and Dry cleaning: Nice to have.
- Safety deposit boxes: Feel secure!
- Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Convenience store: Stocked with all the essentials!
Available in All Rooms: Your Cozy Sanctuary
Now, let’s talk about the rooms. They're comfortable and well-appointed, equipped with everything you could need:
- Air conditioning: YES, blessedly so!
- Alarm clock: Duh!
- Bathrobes and Slippers: The little luxuries make a difference!
- Bathroom phone: In case of emergencies… or just to call room service.
- Coffee/tea maker: Crucial for that morning caffeine fix.
- Complimentary tea and Free bottled water: Nice touches.
- Desk: For pretending to work (or actually working, if you must).
- Hair dryer: Essential for anyone with a hair.
- High floor I did not specify my choice.
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Internet access – wireless: Score!
- Ironing facilities: Because wrinkles are the enemy.
- Mini bar: Temptation overload!
- Refrigerator: Perfect for snacks (and keeping your drinks cold).
- Satellite/cable channels & On-demand movies: Entertainment central.
- Seating area & Sofa: Cozy relaxation zones.
- Telephone: To call room service, duh!
- Toiletries, Towels & Linens: All good quality.
- Wake-up service: To get your lazy butt out of bed.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Again, essential!
- Window that opens: Fresh air – yes, please!
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because Honesty is the Best Policy)
Okay, so it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows:
- The Water Pressure: The water pressure in the shower was, let’s say, “variable.” Sometimes it was a trickle, other times it was blasting. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely a quirk.
- The Parking: While they had Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], it could get a little crowded at peak times.
- The Location (again): While close to the action, you did need to drive or take a taxi for nightlife.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service, so bring the little ones!
- Kids meal: Excellent
- Family/child friendly I saw kids everywhere.
- Kids facilities: Yes!
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Yes!
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes!
- Taxi service: Yes!
My Final Verdict: Riviera Motel - Go For It!
Listen, Riviera Motel isn't perfect. But it’s got charm, a fantastic location, a seriously amazing spa, and
Escape to Paradise: Parentium Hotel's Croatian Coastal Getaway
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-planned vacation itinerary. We're talking about a trip to the Riviera Motel in… well, somewhere in the United States. Details? Psh, details are for squares. This is about vibe. And the vibe I'm going for is "barely-holding-it-together-but-still-making-memories."
Riviera Motel: The "I-Need-a-Drink-and-a-Nap" Edition
Day 1: Arrival and Disbelief (plus a possibly illegal parking incident)
- 1:00 PM (ish? Who’s checking clocks on vacation?): Arrive. "Arriving" is generous. More like, "stumbling out of the slightly-too-small-for-our-luggage rental car" and squinting in the sun. The Riviera Motel… well, it's charming. In the same way a slightly-burnt grilled cheese sandwich is charming. You know, it's got character. And by character, I mean peeling paint and a neon sign that flickers like a dying firefly.
- 1:15 PM: Check-in. The receptionist (Brenda, bless her heart) is wearing a name tag from 1987, and her welcome consists of, "Room 12, key's on the counter. Try not to break anything." Noted, Brenda. Noted.
- 1:30 PM: Unpack… or, more accurately, attempt to unpack. Our room is… compact. Let's just say, I've seen walk-in closets bigger. I swear the paint on the walls is a shade of institutional beige that screams, "Prepare to be underwhelmed… and possibly mildly depressed."
- 2:00 PM: Parking. Oh sweet Jesus, the parking. I swear I saw a guy trying to squeeze a monster truck into a Smart Car spot. After a tense five-minute negotiation (mostly me glaring and mumbling obscenities under my breath), I managed to wedge the car in a spot that might be legal. Might. I'm definitely expecting a ticket.
- 2:30 PM: Poolside. Okay, the pool is… okay. Kinda murky, but it’s wet! Sun's beating down, chlorine is seeping into my eyeballs, and there’s a kid doing cannonballs that send tidal waves of questionable water across the patio. My emotional reaction? Pure, unadulterated joy. This is living. I'm instantly judging the family in matching Hawaiian shirts.
- 3:30 PM: Naptime. Needed it. The drive was brutal, the room is tiny, the parking is a disaster, and the chlorine smell is starting to give me a headache. I pass out on the bed, fully clothed, and wake up an hour later, drooling and feeling marginally better.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner. We find a diner called “Mel’s Diner” (original, I know). The waitress, a sweet lady named Doris, calls me “Honey” approximately fifty times. I order a burger and fries. It’s the best burger I’ve ever had. The fries are perfectly crispy. It’s a beautiful moment. My emotional reaction? Extreme happiness.
- 7:00 PM: Attempt to watch TV. Fail. Picture quality is worse than the parking situation, plus Brenda's "Try not to break anything" now includes the antique TV. I'll stream some movies on my phone, it is what it is.
- 9:00 PM: Bed. Exhausted from the day's adventures. Tomorrow… we're going to the… checks crumpled map …Giant Ball of Twine. Yes, you read that right.
Day 2: The Ball of Twine and Existential Dread (Plus Maybe a Slightly Annoying Souvenir)
8:00 AM (ish): Wake up. Realize the bed is softer than it looks. Minor win.
8:30 AM: Breakfast. The "continental breakfast" is a single, sad-looking bagel, a packet of peanut butter that's probably older than I am, and some lukewarm coffee. I'm starting to suspect Brenda isn't much of a cook. My emotional reaction? Mild disappointment, but also a growing sense of camaraderie with Brenda. We're in this together.
9:00 AM: Hit the road. The Giant Ball of Twine is roughly an hour away. What in the actual hell am I doing with my life?
10:00 AM: Arrive at the Giant Ball of Twine. It's… a giant ball of twine. Bigger than I expected, I'll give it that. There's a gift shop. Of course, there's a gift shop.
10:30 AM: Browse the gift shop. I'm going to get a postcard, a t-shirt, and maybe a miniature ball of twine to remember this life-altering experience.
11:00 AM: Looked at the gift shop. Now I can't stop thinking how I have a life.
12:00 PM: Lunch at a local diner.
1:00 PM: Back to the motel.
3:00 PM: Back to the pool again. Still murky. Still cannonballs. Still, weirdly enjoyable.
5:00 PM: Dinner. I decide to get a pizza. It's bad pizza. I am incredibly sad about this.
7:00 PM: Trying to find something to watch on TV. Failed.
8:00 PM: Attempted to sleep.
9:00 PM: Actual Sleep.
Day 3: The Farewell (ish) and a Glimmer of Hope (and More Questionable Food)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. I'm still alive!
- 8:30 AM: Breakfast. Same bagel, same peanut butter, same lukewarm coffee. But today, I'm feeling… optimistic?
- 9:00 AM: Check out. Brenda seems genuinely sad to see us go. Maybe she misses us?
- 9:30 AM: Drive away, heading home.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I stop by a greasy spoon and got the best burger. I'm happy.
- 1:00 PM: I'm home
Final Thoughts:
The Riviera Motel wasn't perfect. It was… quirky. It had its flaws. It probably violated multiple health codes. But it was an adventure. It was real. And for a few days, it was my slightly-burnt-grilled-cheese-sandwich-of-a-vacation. And you know what? I wouldn't trade it for anything. Maybe I'll try to forget that parking incident. I'm probably going to look for a better motel. But hey, there's always the Giant Ball of Twine.
Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Hidden Gem of Phoxay Ngam Resort, Laos
Riviera Motel: Your Dream US Getaway Awaits... (Or Does It?) A Messy FAQ
Okay, seriously, is the Riviera Motel *actually* a slice of paradise? The website makes it sound like it.
Paradise? Woah there, slow your roll. Let's just say the website has a... *certain* flair for exaggeration. Look, it *can* be pretty darn lovely. Especially at dawn, when the ocean breeze is whispering through the palm trees and the sun hits the stucco just right. But paradise? Nah. More like... a slightly quirky, charmingly worn-around-the-edges, maybe-you'll-get-a-roach-maybe-you-won't kind of paradise. I saw a seagull steal a whole croissant from a lady once, hilarious, but not paradise.
The truth is, the "dream getaway" depends on your definition. If you're chasing perfectly manicured lawns and marble-tiled everything, steer clear. If you're after character, a bit of kitsch, and a view that'll knock your socks off, then yeah, the Riviera might just steal your heart. Just, you know, bring some bug spray.
What are the rooms *really* like? Be honest!
Right, the rooms... Let's be candid. They're not exactly five-star hotel suites. Think "vintage charm" meets "slightly outdated but functional." My first trip, I walked in and the air conditioning sounded like a dying pterodactyl. Seriously, the noise! But after a while, you get used to it... or you just learn to sleep through anything. The beds are comfortable enough, the sheets are clean (usually), and the view from the balconies? Spectacular. Absolutely worth the price of the room itself. It has a "beach shack" charm with a good view of the beach.
My advice? Request a room *away* from the road. The traffic noise is relentless. Also, check for… you know… any unexpected visitors. I'm just saying, bring a flashlight and keep a close eye on your snacks.
Is the beach *actually* as amazing as it looks in the pictures?
Okay, now we're talking! The beach? YES! The pictures don't lie on *this* point. It's wide, sandy, and the waves are just… perfect. Perfect for swimming, surfing (if you're brave), or just lounging and soaking up the sun. The sunsets are legendary. I sat and watched a sunset and all the colours were amazing. Sometimes there are even dolphins playing in the surf. *That* is paradise. Seriously, I almost cried the first time I saw one. It was the most beautiful thing I have witnessed.
Just be prepared for some crowds, especially during peak season. And watch out for those pesky seagulls! They’re ruthless, I tell you, ruthless.
The website mentions a pool. Is it any good?
The pool. Ah, the pool. It's… *there*. It’s not Olympic-sized or anything. It can get crowded. It's clean enough, I guess. And, look, sometimes it's really the only place you can cool off when it's, like, a hundred degrees outside. I saw a kid leave their ice cream on a lounger and within five minutes it was gone, melted and vanished, which was pretty classic.
But honestly? I spend most of my time at the beach. The pool is just… meh. It does its job, I suppose.
What's the deal with the food? Any good restaurants nearby?
Okay, restaurants... This is where things get interesting. The Riviera Motel itself doesn't have a restaurant, which is, well, a bit of a bummer. But there’s a bunch of little cafes and diners along the coast. You got your classic greasy spoons, your fancy seafood places, and everything in between.
The one thing I will say is: research is key! Read reviews. Some places are amazing, some are… less so. That little “hole-in-the-wall” taco place down the street? *Amazing*. The super-expensive seafood place with the panoramic view? Overpriced and underwhelming, in my experience. Learn from my mistakes!
Is it family-friendly?
Yes, generally speaking, it absolutely is. There’s a family vibe, with kids building sandcastles and splashing in the waves. The beach is perfect for families. The pool can be a little... chaotic, but that's part of the fun, right? I swear, I saw a kid put his sandwich in the fountain once. It was, well, memorable.
Now, if you're looking for a super-luxurious, ultra-quiet, "no kids allowed" type of vacation, the Riviera might not be the best fit. But if you can handle a little noise and a few sand-covered shenanigans, your kids will love it, and you will too.
What about parking? Is it a nightmare?
Parking? Ugh. It's a minor headache. They have parking, but in peak season, it fills up fast . You might have to park a little ways away and walk. But honestly, it's usually not too bad. I’ve certainly dealt with worse. Just don't arrive at like, 3 pm on a Saturday and expect to waltz right in. Be prepared to circle a few times.
The walk won't be that bad, you are near the beach and the views are lovely.
Any weird or quirky things about the Riviera Motel I should know?
Oh, absolutely! The Riviera is FULL of quirks. Let's see... The vending machines might eat your money. The ice machine sounds like a disgruntled walrus. The lobby always smells faintly of chlorine and old sunscreen. They have an ancient TV in some rooms. The decor is kind of stuck in the 70’s. I'm not complaining, I love this.
But here's the thing: those quirks are part of its charm. It's not a corporate, sterile hotel. It's got *personality.* Embrace it! It’s part of what makes your vacation special. I've seen people get grumpy about the "dodgy" Wi-Fi, but honestly, I kind of love it. It forces you to disconnect and just... be. Which, in my book, is a win.
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