Greenville's BEST Hampton Inn? (Haywood Mall, I-385) - SHOCKING Review!
Greenville's MOSTLY Amazing Hampton Inn (Haywood Mall, I-385) - A SHOCKING Review… Or Not?
Alright, listen up, travel-weary souls and Greenville-bound adventurers! I've just emerged, blinking like a mole, from the Hampton Inn near Haywood Mall (at the I-385 exit, for those of you who dig the GPS coordinates). And "shocking" might be a slight exaggeration, but I've got opinions, and they're about to be unleashed. Get ready for a messy, honest, and hopefully, helpful review. Because let's face it, sometimes these things are too polished, right?
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Great Elevator Gamble
Okay, so, the location? Spot on. Smack dab in the middle of everything. Haywood Mall is practically spitting distance, and getting onto I-385 is a breeze. Accessibility? Mostly thumbs up. The ramps were obvious, the entry doors were automatic (bless!), and the elevators… were there. Thank goodness. No stairs for this reviewer, I'm not a mountain goat after all. However, a slightly dodgy elevator experience (a few pauses that made me give the emergency button the side-eye) caused a brief moment of panic. Remember, folks, sometimes your lift can feel like a ticking time bomb.
The Room: Sanctuary or Just Another Box? Well…
I snagged a non-smoking room, obviously. And it was… fine. Clean, the bed was comfy, the air conditioning worked like a charm (hello, Greenville humidity!). The blackout curtains were legendary. Like, I could have slept through a fireworks display. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! - a godsend for serious social-media surfers. The desk, laptop workspace, desk, desk: all were adequate for the work I’d brought. Complimentary tea and coffee maker – essential. A refrigerator to keep my beverages cold (and my sanity intact).
I did have to laugh at the "high floor" designation of my room. The views… weren't exactly Mount Rushmore-esque. More like… a parking lot and a glimpse of the mall. But hey, at least there was a window that opens! I’m claustrophobic, ok?
Cleanliness & Safety: Germaphobe Approved (Mostly)
This is where the Hampton Inn really shone. They seem to have taken pandemic protocols seriously. Daily disinfection in common areas, staff trained in safety protocol, hand sanitizer strategically placed everywhere. The rooms themselves looked pristine. I really felt like rooms are sanitized between stays, even the safety/security feature was visible. So, they were doing their best to make me feel safe, and I almost did. There were no signs of viral nastiness, and I didn't see a nurse on call.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast Bonanza… Almost!
Okay, the breakfast… Let's just say the Breakfast [buffet] was the highlight (even though it wasn't exactly haute cuisine). There’s the usual spread of cereal and fruit. The coffee was… coffee, you know? But they did have pre-packaged muffins and individually-wrapped food options which was a relief. I like my food served in bulk so this was annoying. The area felt clean, and there was a cashless payment service.
I didn’t try the coffee shop or the bar, so can't report there. I’m not sure there ever was a poolside bar, so I couldn’t try that either. But hey, the snack bar had some emergency chocolate, and that's what matters most, right?
Services & Conveniences: Your Home Away From Home… Kinda
They offer the basics. Cash withdrawal, a concierge, daily housekeeping, and laundry service. The staff was generally friendly, though some seemed a little… overwhelmed (I suspect a lot of people had the same thought). The elevator broke down again, so I had to walk down a flight of stairs. However, my biggest complaint is the lack of a proper, real massage. There was no spa, no sauna, no steamroom. No massage. I was sorely disappointed here.
The meeting/banquet facilities are there, but honestly, I'm not sure why you'd be hosting a seminar in a Hampton Inn. Is it practical? Maybe. Cool? Definitely not.
Also, the car park [free of charge] was a lifesaver. Greenville parking is insane sometimes.
For the Kids: Family Friendly(ish)
I didn't see any kids, nor did I see any kids facilities, but it seemed fine. They probably had cribs available. I'll give it a pass on account that I don't have kids.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Where's the Spa?
Um… the fitness center was small but functional. More like a glorified closet with some treadmills. I did not get a body scrub, a body wrap, or even a decent foot bath. The lack of a pool with a view was also a letdown. Sigh. No spa? No sauna? No steamroom? This is where the Hampton Inn fell short.
Things That Still Bothered Me (Because, You Know, I'm Human)
- The slightly spotty elevator (mentioned it before, but it bears repeating).
- The lack of a real spa experience.
- The sheer volume of pre-packaged muffins. I like fresh muffins!
The Offer You Can't Refuse (Maybe):
Tired of the Same Old Hotel Routine? Craving a Relaxing Getaway in Greenville?
Then, book your stay at the Hampton Inn near Haywood Mall (I-385) today!
Here's why:
- Prime Location: Right in the heart of the action! Minutes from Haywood Mall and easy access to I-385.
- Clean & Safe: Rest easy knowing they're taking cleanliness seriously.
- Comfortable Rooms: Blackout curtains, comfy beds, and all the basics you need.
- Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected, even if you’re not actually connected.
But Wait, There's More!
Book your stay within the next 48 hours and receive a complimentary… extra-long pillow.
Click here to book your stay NOW and experience the mostly amazing Hampton Inn experience!
(Note: The offer does not include a spa. Sorry.)
Final Verdict:
Look, the Hampton Inn near Haywood Mall isn't perfect. But it's a solid choice. It's clean, it's convenient, and it's a safe bet for a comfortable stay. I'd stay there again. Would I call it "shocking"? Probably not. "Shocking" implies something more exciting, more… spa-filled. But it is a good hotel. And sometimes, "good" is good enough. Go for it. You might even have a good time. And, if you’re lucky, the elevator won’t try to assassinate you.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercup. We're doing this. This ain't some glossy travel brochure, this is real life, Hampton Inn in Greenville, SC style. And trust me, there's a story behind everything. Buckle up!
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and Pizza That Was Actually Good.
- 1:00 PM: Landed at GSP. Okay, the flight was delayed an hour. Seriously, Southwest, sort it out. Already grumpy. But hey, at least I'm here. That little airport is surprisingly… functional. The car rental? Smooth. Almost suspiciously smooth. Makes you wonder if they're plotting something.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in at the Hampton Inn. Eh. Hampton Inn. You know the drill. Beige. Predictable. The complimentary coffee, a faint promise of caffeine, already brewing the moment I walk in. I swear, that coffee tastes of sadness and lukewarm dreams. The front desk guy, though? Super friendly. Brightens the gloom a little. His name tag: "Chad." Classic.
- 3:00 PM: Unpacked. Or, more accurately, shoved my suitcase onto the luggage stand and started contemplating the meaning of my existence. Why am I here? Is this really the life I envisioned? Hotel rooms, fluorescent lights… the existential dread is real, folks. Need a nap.
- 4:00 PM: Decided to take a nap. Woke up an hour later convinced I was going to be late for dinner.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Found a recommendation for "Sidewall Pizza Company" this place called. I'm usually skeptical of pizza recommendations. Ninety percent of the time it's a greasy, cheesy disappointment. But this place? Damn. I got a pepperoni with a few extra veggies tossed on like they were giving me a gift and it was AMAZING. Like, genuinely good pizza. I almost cried a little. It was that good. And the atmosphere? Laid-back, friendly, the kind of place where you could sit and chat for hours. Okay, Greenville, maybe you're not so bad after all.
- 8:00 PM: Walked back from dinner. Got rained on. Because, of course. Had to run across the street to a gas station for an umbrella. Did I mention the humidity? My hair is currently attempting to achieve a gravity-defying, frizzy afro. The joys of the South.
- 9:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Watching terrible cable TV. Feeling full and slightly buzzed from the pizza. Considering ordering room service. Then remembering I am in a Hampton Inn, which, as mentioned, isn't exactly known for gastronomic excellence. Settling into the comfy (and thankfully clean) bed.
Day 2: Culture, Coffee, and Crushing Disappointment.
- 7:00 AM: That coffee. The hotel's Free, brown, tepid water again. The hotel's coffee machine is basically a sad, plastic prison for coffee beans. And there's the usual sad free breakfast to go with it.
- 8:00 AM: Drive downtown. Traffic was surprisingly nasty. I'm from the sticks, but the city life is surprisingly tricky.
- 9:00 AM: Visited the Greenville County Museum of Art. They have the biggest collection of Andrew Wyeth watercolors in the USA, and this made me very excited. Okay, so the art was… fine. The Wyeth's were pretty cool, I guess. But honestly? I spent more time people-watching. There was a teenager glued to their phone, a couple arguing, a little kid running around and yelling. It was like performance art, or something. It was more interesting than a lot of the paintings. I'm a terrible person, I know.
- 11:00 AM: Hunting for caffeine. Found a local coffee shop called "Methodical Coffee." Thank the heavens. Finally, real coffee! The barista? Super cool, knew his stuff. Got a pour-over that saved my soul. I swear, that coffee alone gave me the will to live.
- 12:00 PM: Went to the Falls Park on the Reedy. Oh, it was gorgeous. The suspension bridge, the waterfalls… it was a postcard come to life. Except… everyone else felt the same way. It was packed! Instagram influencers taking selfies everywhere. I tried to take a decent picture of the bridge, but kept getting photobombed by a family of swans. I swear, that bridge is the most popular attraction in the universe.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Settled for a hot dog from a street vendor. It tasted fine. The whole scene still felt a little contrived, like a movie set or something.
- 2:00 PM: Decided to skip the planned visit to the art gallery. Got my heart set on a good local antique shop. After an hour of driving, the shop was CLOSED. Crushing disappointment.
- 3:00 PM: Driving back to the hotel.
- 4:00 PM: Naptime!
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local BBQ joint. Oh, the sweet, smoky aroma! Ribs, pulled pork, mac and cheese… I ate like an animal. No regrets. Absolutely no regrets. I will definitely need to add a couple extra workouts in when I get home for that.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Trying to figure out if I should shower or not. I'm torn. This is a tough one.
- 9:00 PM: TV, bed, and the comforting knowledge that tomorrow, I'm leaving.
Day 3: Departure. And a Few More Goodbyes.
- 7:00 AM: Another dose of sadness coffee. I swear, I dream of decent coffee now.
- 8:00 AM: Checked out. Chad, the friendly front desk guy, wished me safe travels. He seemed genuinely sad I was leaving. Maybe I'm not as alone as I thought.
- 9:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Bought a hideous t-shirt that says "I <3 Greenville." I needed something to prove I had been here.
- 10:00 AM: Drove to the airport. The drive was easy, without traffic.
- 11:00 AM: Airport security. Ugh.
- 1:00 PM: Home. Feeling a mix of relief, exhaustion, and a strange longing for greasy pizza and a slightly-too-friendly hotel clerk named Chad. And I'm already planning my return. Maybe.
- 1:30 PM: First thing I did was make a cup of real coffee. The best thing I've done all week.
So there you have it. My Greenville adventure. Flawed, imperfect, and hopefully, a little bit relatable. Because let's be honest, isn't that what travel is all about? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go lie down. I need a nap.
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Hampton Inn Greenville (Haywood Mall): FAQs - My Brain Dump After a Stay (and maybe a breakdown?)
Okay, seriously, is this Hampton Inn *really* the "BEST" like everyone says? I saw some reviews that made me...well, skeptical.
Best? Let's start with a BIG, HUGE, MAYBE-EVEN-PANICKY caveat: "Best" is totally subjective. Based on what? Cleanliness? Location? The sheer *will* to survive a travel day? My experience was...a rollercoaster. I went in with high hopes, fueled by those glowing reviews, and maybe a little too much coffee.
The location *is* decent – right by the Mall. That was a HUGE plus, right? I mean, retail therapy is a godsend after a long drive. But "best"? I had to mentally unhook my brain from all the shiny photos. Because real life is rarely Instagram-filtered. More like... a blurry iPhone pic taken at 3 am after too many airport coffees.
What about the breakfast? That's always a big deal, right? I'm a serious pancake person.
Oh, the breakfast. The breakfast. Honestly? It's... Hampton Inn breakfast. You know, the usual suspects: waffles (DIY!), scrambled eggs that probably have a fascinating origin story I'm best not dwelling on, sausage that's... there. The coffee was decent, which is a MUST. I'm not a morning person, and the coffee is literally the only thing that gets me through.
But here's a confession: one morning, the waffle maker... defeated me. I spent a solid five minutes wrestling with that infernal contraption, desperately trying to achieve that perfect golden-brown perfection. My waffle ended up looking like something a cat coughed up. So, yeah, breakfast was a mixed bag, but I survived, fueled by caffeine and the sheer absurdity of it all.
Was the room clean? That's non-negotiable for me! I have germaphobia, after all.
Okay, deep breaths. Cleanliness is critical, I get it. My room... it *seemed* clean-ish. The sheets *looked* crisp. But honestly? I'm a paranoid traveler. I always wipe down the surfaces with antibacterial wipes *before* I even unpack. Call me crazy, but I've seen things.
There was one…*thing*…on the carpet. I’m not even going to describe it. Let’s just say it involved a dark spot near the bedside table and my immediate urge to move the entire bed. I chose to focus on the, you know, *mostly* clean parts.
What about the staff? Were they friendly? Because grumpy hotel staff totally ruin my day.
Staff? Mixed bag, again! Some were super friendly. The woman at check-in? A total ray of sunshine, bless her heart. She seemed genuinely happy to see me, which after a four-hour drive, was a welcome change from the robotic greetings I'm used to.
Then there was the one guy, the *other* guy, who seemed like he’d rather be anywhere else. He managed to simultaneously process my request for a late checkout and make me feel like I was inconveniencing the very fabric of the universe. So, yeah. Hit or miss.
Tell me about the pool. I need to know if there's a pool.
Ugh, pool time. It was… there. I mean, it definitely existed. I saw it through the window. I even saw a couple of kids splashing happily.
But here’s the thing: I’m a notoriously lazy traveler. And after a long day of driving, all I wanted was to collapse on the bed and watch bad TV. So the pool? Unused. Unexplored. A missed opportunity, I guess.
Traffic? Seriously, how's the traffic around there? Greenville's notorious.
Oh, the traffic. Let's just say I now have a very intimate relationship with the I-385. If you're coming from or going *anywhere* during rush hour, prepare yourself. Pack snacks, a good podcast, and maybe a meditation app. Seriously. It wasn't the hotel's fault, of course, but it definitely colored the whole experience. I was late to *everything*. Everything.
Did the air conditioning work? Because a hot, stuffy room is my *personal* hell.
Okay, this is a big one. The AC... worked. Mostly. There was a period (around 3 am) where it seemed to develop a mind of its own, cycling between arctic blast and lukewarm swamp. I woke up shivering, then sweating, then shivering again. It was like a bizarre fever dream. I ended up sleeping with the covers halfway on, halfway off. The struggle was real.
And, because I'm me, I spent a good hour googling "how to fix hotel AC". Apparently, there's no definitive answer. Just a lot of frustrated travelers. This is, by far, the most upsetting part of the experience - I'm a *light sleeper*!!
So, would you stay there again? Be honest!
Honestly? That's a tough one. For location? Probably. For the *possibility* of a decent night's sleep and a waffle that doesn't look like a crime scene? Maybe. I need to find a sleep app, first, and bring my own waffle iron. And a hazmat suit.
It's not the *worst* hotel I've ever stayed in. But it's not the best, either. It's... a hotel. A place to rest your weary head. A place to contemplate the meaning of life while staring at the ceiling at 3 am because the AC is broken!
