Gettysburg's BEST Hotel? Aspire Hotel & Suites Review!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Gettysburg's… well, allegedly best hotel: Aspire Hotel & Suites. And trust me, after my stay, I’ve got opinions. This isn't your sanitized, cookie-cutter hotel review. This is the unfiltered truth, sprinkled with a healthy dose of my personal brand of chaos.
Accessibility - Yeah, They Got That… Mostly
So, first things first: accessibility. Aspire says they cater to folks with disabilities. And… they do? There are ramps, elevators, and rooms designed with accessibility in mind. BUT… there’s always a “but,” isn’t there? The front desk, while friendly, wasn’t exactly overly helpful with specific questions. (More on that lack of personalized service later.) Look, I’m not disabled, so I can’t fully judge, but from what I saw, it seemed like some effort was made, but the execution felt… a little clunky. That Elevator was always slow!
Cleanliness and Safety - Breathe Easy (Maybe)
Here's the thing that really gets the germaphobe in me going: They really leaned into the pandemic protocols. Anti-viral cleaning, hand sanitizer everywhere, individually wrapped everything… It felt kinda overkill, but hey, I’m not complaining about feeling safe. I’m sure they were more aware. They also let you opt-out of room sanitizing, which I appreciate.
Rooms: My Fortress of Solitude (Eventually)
The rooms themselves? Okay, good! They're all set up. The rooms were well-equipped – blackout curtains (thank GOD), a desk (for pretending to work), a coffee maker (essential), and a fridge (always a win for late-night snacks. No more sneaking into the mini-bar like a teenager!). The Wi-Fi – in case you were wondering - was free and worked a treat. My room was pretty quiet (a BIG plus for me), though I had to shut the door a bit harder than I am used to, to feel the soundproofing, or lack thereof. Air Conditioning was a GODSEND because the weather was too wild.
Let's Talk Food (and My Existential Dread)
Breakfast? Sigh. It’s the buffet. Listen, I’m a sucker for a good buffet, but this one… wasn’t. It was… adequate. Standard hotel fare: scrambled eggs that may or may not have been made from actual eggs, rubbery bacon, sad-looking pastries. The coffee was… well, it was coffee. I didn’t starve, but it didn’t exactly inspire poetry. They had a few Asian options, but I didn't think to try them. No, I didn’t have breakfast in my room, because hey, I’m here to enjoy the common areas. Don't let the buffet scare you, I saw some decent options.
Regarding other dining options, there’s a restaurant (or should I say, "restaurants") on-site, but I can’t say I tried them, for I was always caught up sight-seeing. I saw a bar, happy hour, all things that I skipped out on.
Things to Do (Beyond the Battlefield)
Now, Gettysburg is all about the history. Obviously. So, I explored the battlefield, I soaked up the atmosphere. It's intense, and powerful, and you can fill hours there getting to know it. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Back at the hotel, they've got a pool (outdoor, seasonal, and honestly, it looked a bit… meh), and a gym. I intended to use the gym. I even packed my workout clothes. But somehow, those clothes remained neatly folded in my suitcase. My attempts to relax were… largely unsuccessful.
Services? Yeah, They’ve Got ’Em
They’ve got the basics: laundry service, dry cleaning, a concierge desk (though, again, the helpfulness factor varied), a gift shop (for those last-minute souvenirs), and a business center. The business center looked deserted, which made me wonder, like, should I go in there and just hang out, do some work? But no.
The Good, the Bad, and the Frankly Bizarre
Okay, let's get to the real meat of this review: the little things, the quirks, the moments that made me go, "Huh."
The Smell: The lobby had this… odd scent. I couldn't quite place it. It wasn't unpleasant, mind you, but it was definitely… there. A little bit of cleaning product mixed with… maybe a hint of ambition?
The Service: The Unfortunate Tale of Lost Luggage: Okay, this is where things get… interesting. My luggage, after a minor misunderstanding, ended up in the trunk of the wrong car. We’re talking a mix-up that resulted in me being stranded without my toothbrush, pajamas, and the essential book to read while I was there. However, the staff went into overdrive to try and solve the problem. Which eventually ended up being solved.
The Verdict: Is Aspire Gettysburg’s BEST? Maybe. But with a Few Caveats.
So, is Aspire Hotel & Suites Gettysburg's BEST hotel? That depends. It’s a solid choice. Clean, comfortable, and (mostly) well-equipped. If convenience and location are your priorities, then yes. But it's not perfect. The service can be hit-or-miss, the food is nothing to write home about, and the lack of a truly memorable experience. The hotel provided a good base.
Here's My Pitch: Aspire Hotel & Suites – Gettysburg… You’ll Survive!
So, you're planning a trip to Gettysburg? You've got the history, the battlefield, the… the gravity of it all. Book Aspire Hotel & Suites. Yes, there are quirks. Yes, the buffet might not blow you away. But the bottom line is this: it's safe, comfy, and a pretty good launching pad for your Gettysburg adventure.
SEO-Friendly Conclusion (Because, You Know, I Have to)
Ready to experience the history of Gettysburg and relax in comfort? Aspire Hotel & Suites offers clean, accessible rooms, free Wi-Fi, and convenient amenities. Book your stay today and explore the heart of the Civil War!
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's dry-as-toast itinerary. We're going to Gettysburg, baby, and it's gonna be a glorious, slightly chaotic, absolutely real journey. Prepare for feels, foibles, and maybe a slightly questionable breakfast sandwich.
Gettysburg Getaway: A Messy, Magnificent Adventure at Aspire Hotel & Suites
Day 1: Arrival, Ambush, and a Burger Battle
1:00 PM (ish) - Touchdown & Taxi Tango: Arrived at Harrisburg International. Smooth flight? Nah. Delayed thanks to a rogue squirrel on the runway (true story, I swear). Grabbed a cab, or rather, tried to. The driver, bless his heart, seemed to think speed limits were mere suggestions. Clutching my stomach and muttering prayers, we finally made it to the Aspire Hotel & Suites. Check in was breezy, thank goodness. The staff? Delightfully friendly. The lobby? Perfectly… hotel-ish. (More on that later.)
2:00 PM - Settling In (and Judging the Room): Okay, the room. It's… decent. Clean enough, which is the main thing. The carpet's seen better days, and the artwork looks like it was purchased at a "Bargain Basement of Art." But hey, the air conditioning works, and that, my friends, is a win in July. Unpacked, strategically placed snacks for maximum accessibility, and then immediately flopped onto the bed. This historical exploration is already exhausting.
3:00 PM - First Battlefield Foray: Devil's Den and Little Round Top. My Head is Spinning!:. First battlefield stop. The first sight that hits you is the sheer scale of it all. It's… immense. Like, whoa. We wandered through the boulders of Devil's Den. The sheer immensity of the chaos and carnage that took place on these rocks! Looking at the landscape I could almost see the soldiers fighting. On a completely subjective note- The rock formations are just wildly cool. As we make our way up Little Round Top, the temperature went up, the views were incredible, overlooking the entire battlefield. It hits you, this feeling of: "WOW. They really fought here." Goosebumps city.
5:00 PM - Fueling the Troops – The Burger War: Okay, hunger pangs are hitting hard. Time to find some sustenance. After consulting the highly scientific method of "Google Maps reviews," it's a burger face-off. My vote is clearly going for some burger, who by name I won't mention. (I'm here for the emotional vulnerability, not to sell you burgers.) Their fries? Perfection. Did I eat two orders? Maybe. Don't judge.
7:00 PM - Evening Reconnaissance: A leisurely (relatively) stroll downtown. Window shopping, soaking in the atmosphere. Gettysburg is charming, I must admit. The town square – bustling with tourists, a little bit like walking onto a movie set. Found a local ice cream place and savored every melt-y bite.
8:30 PM - Bedtime… or Maybe Not? Back at the hotel. Officially exhausted. But the history is still buzzing in my brain. Maybe stay up reading up on the Civil war, maybe watch a movie? I'm still undecided. Okay, who am I kidding? I'll probably end up scrolling through TikTok until 3 AM. Don't judge the messy.
Day 2: Gettysburg's Emotional Rollercoaster
8:00 AM - Breakfast of Champions (and Disappointment): Complimentary breakfast. The word "complimentary" does a lot of heavy lifting here. Waffles, yogurt, and (the pièce de résistance) – a breakfast sandwich that tasted suspiciously like it had been sitting under a heat lamp since the Civil War itself. Not the finest culinary experience, but hey, free is free.
9:00 AM - The Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center: "Oh, the Humanity!": This place is essential. Okay, be prepared to get emotionally wrecked. The cyclorama painting (Battle of Gettysburg) is breathtaking, terrifying, and utterly overwhelming. Honestly, I almost cried. It really brings home the humanity of it all. The videos, the exhibits… Prepare for feels. Bring tissues. You'll need them.
11:00 AM - Driving Tour & The Ghosts of Soldiers Past: Picked up a battlefield audio tour. Driving around, listening to the accounts, looking out at the fields where so many men died… Okay, I'm getting choked up just thinking about it. The power of this place – it's not just about facts and dates; it's about the stories, the sacrifices, the raw, unadulterated tragedy. I was getting really emotional, my eyes watered up again.
1:00 PM - Lunch & A Moment of Silence (kind of): Hit a little cafe for a sandwich. Tried to process everything… mostly just stared blankly into space, replaying snippets of the audio tour in my head. It’s a lot to take in.
2:00 PM - Cemetery Ridge: Where Silence Speaks Volumes: Gettysburg National Cemetery. Words fail. The rows of headstones stretch on forever. The weight of history. The silence. I just wandered aimlessly, trying to comprehend the sheer number of lives lost. It was somber, and overwhelming, and beautiful. And I'm pretty sure I broke down a little bit.
4:00 PM - Dinner with a Side of Reflection: Found a restaurant downtown. Ate way too much Italian food. Listened to some live music. Talked (or rather rambled, probably) about the day's experiences. Tried to translate my thoughts to words. Really couldn't.
6:30 PM - Ghost Tour (Because Why Not?): Okay, I'm a skeptic, I ADMIT IT! But hey … when in Gettysburg, right? The tour was spooky, a bit cheesy, and actually kinda fun. You know, a good blend of history and, well, theatrics. Did I feel any cold spots? Maybe. Did I see a ghost? Definitely not. But still. Entertained!
8:30 PM - (Maybe) Lights Out? Ha!: Back to Aspire. The bed is calling. But, will I sleep? Knowing myself… probably not. And tomorrow, we do it all again.
Day 3: Goodbyes, Reflections, and a Final Plea for Extra French Fries
9:00 AM - Sloppy Breakfast, But Still Free: The same breakfast. Ate it anyway, feeling guilty of everything, not finishing all of the food.
10:00 AM - Shopping for Souvenirs (The Mandatory Task): Grabbed some keychains. Some t-shirts. Basically, the usual tourist fare. Tried to find something that really captured the experience, but… well, it's hard to buy "profound historical experience," you know?
11:00 AM - Final Battlefield Stroll (One Last Deep Breath): One last walk through the battlefield. Tried to soak it all in. The sunlight. The breeze. The feeling of the place. Realized that I actually learned stuff. Actual history. Amazing!
12:00 PM - Check Out & Head Home: Said goodbye to the Aspire (it wasn't the Ritz, but it was home for a few days). The drive back to the airport… the memories all rolled through my head… all this history, tragedy, feeling of accomplishment.
1:00 PM - Reflections and Ramblings: Sitting at the airport gate, waiting for the flight. It's time to go home but also, wow, Gettysburg. A whirlwind, a rollercoaster, a messy, beautiful, heartbreaking, and ultimately, unforgettable experience. I'm going to need a nap. And maybe some extra French fries.
In Conclusion (For Now):
Gettysburg? Don't just go. Feel it. Let it get under your skin. Embrace the messiness, the imperfections, the raw emotion. And for the love of all that is holy, bring tissues. And maybe a second order of fries. You'll deserve them. And for the Aspire Hotel & Suites? Well, thanks for putting me up. Its decent, okay?
This is my real life trip, a little bit of me, my heart. And I hope that I can help you see what I saw.
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So, what even *is* this "life" thing, anyway? Asking for a friend... who is, uh, me.
Oh, honey, if I could bottle the answer to *that* question and sell it, I'd be on a yacht, sipping something sparkly and judging everyone from a safe distance. But I digress. Life? It's a chaotic, messy, glorious rollercoaster of highs, lows, and moments where you just want to hide under the covers with a tub of ice cream and a really, really good book. It's like, one minute you're soaring, feeling like you can conquer the world, and the next you've tripped over your own feet and spilled coffee all over your brand new white shirt. Been there. Done that. Twice. This morning.
What's the secret to happiness? Is it a specific brand of organic kale chips? I'm willing to try.
Okay, let's be real. If I knew *the* secret to happiness, I wouldn't be sitting here typing this. I'd be… well, see above, yacht, sparkles, the whole shebang. But here's my jaded, slightly optimistic take: it's not a *thing*. It's not the perfect kale chip (though, let's be honest, a *good* kale chip helps). It's a collection of moments. It's the sun on your face, a genuine belly laugh with a friend, a perfectly brewed cup of coffee that actually *tastes* like coffee and not sadness. It's sometimes messy, sometimes frustrating, but it's *yours*. And honestly, that's kind of beautiful in its own way. (Now, if you DO find a truly life-altering kale chip, please share the intel).
What's the best way to deal with, like, *everything*? You know, the existential dread, the bills, the… people?
Ah, the million-dollar question! And the answer, my friends, is: there's no single "best" way. It's a Choose Your Own Adventure, and the path is paved with tears, triumphs, and a whole lot of caffeine. Honestly, sometimes the best you can do is *acknowledge* the chaos. Okay, the bills are piling up? Breathe. People are driving you nuts? Breathe again. And maybe, just maybe, plan a strategic escape to the bathroom for five minutes of blissful silence. Seriously, it works. I’ve perfected the art. I once spent a solid forty-five minutes in a particularly tense staff meeting, just… *existing*. It was glorious. And sometimes, a good cry is the answer. Get it all out. Then move on. You can.
Is it okay to feel lost sometimes? Because, um, I feel lost. Like, geographically and emotionally.
Honey, if feeling lost was a crime, we'd *all* be serving life sentences. Yes, it's not only okay, it's practically a rite of passage. Think of it as a cosmic software update. You're processing, you're re-evaluating, you're probably questioning every single life choice you've ever made. It's also a time to experience how you feel being lost. Maybe to wander until you find something new. It's uncomfortable, it's confusing, and sometimes it's downright terrifying. But within that disorientation lies opportunity. Opportunities to discover something new about yourself, about the world. So embrace the lostness. Wander. Explore. Make mistakes. Get ridiculously lost in a city you *thought* you knew. Trust me, it builds character. And leads to some seriously funny stories later. (Speaking from experience, of course.)
How do you handle disappointment? Like, when your dreams don't come true, your cake collapses, or your favorite show gets cancelled?
Okay, this one hits close to home. Because, let’s be real, life is basically one long string of disappointments. Your dreams don’t come true, the cake *always* collapses (it’s a conspiracy, I swear!), and your favorite shows get cancelled faster than you can say "cliffhanger". The pain! The agony! The urge to scream into the void! My method? First, allow yourself to wallow. Like, *really* wallow. Eat the entire cake (even the collapsed parts). Binge-watch something incredibly cheesy and predictable. Cry if you need to. Then… and this is the crucial part… *dust yourself off*. Acknowledge the disappointment, learn from it (if there's anything to learn, sometimes there isn't!), and move on. Find a new dream. Order a new cake (or go buy a store-bought one, because, priorities). Find a new show to obsess over. It's not easy, but, you know, life. It just keeps going. I had a dream once, a BIG dream. Turns out the people in charge of it… were just… not good. And it all imploded. I think I spent a week on the couch, surviving solely on instant ramen and reruns of a show I hated, just because it was familiar. And look, it was awful. But I got up. I went to therapy (highly recommended). I found a new passion. That experience… well, it made me stronger, even if I still cringe when I think about it. But it made me understand the true meaning of the saying, What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stranger... in a way.
What about regrets? Do you have any? And how do you live with them?
Oh, regrets, my old friends! Of course, I have regrets. Who doesn't? I regret that perm I got in the 80s (seriously, what was I thinking?). I regret that time I ate an entire pizza by myself (shame on me, but honestly, it was delicious). I regret that one time I… well, let's just say it involved a karaoke machine, a questionable song choice, and a very, very awkward hangover. Living with them? You sort of… have to. You can't change the past, or what you did. The only way to change the past is to have the time-travel machine for which I am still awaiting funding. They're a part of you, a part of your story. Learn from them (if you can stomach it), forgive yourself (even harder), and try not to repeat the same mistakes (again, a lot harder than it sounds). And maybe, just maybe, laugh about them eventually. Because, frankly, sometimes all you can do is laugh. But then there's the REAL regret. The one that, uh… okay, I’m gonna get personal here for a second. There was a friend. Years ago. A friendship that… well, it ended badly. Very badly and there are some things I could have done better. And there was a lot of not-so-pleasant emotions. I could have been kinder. I could have been more understanding. And I… I let fear and stupidity get the better of me. It hurts, even now. And I stillBackpacker Hotel Find
