Escape to Jacksonville: Camp Lejeune's Best-Kept Secret Hotel!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the supposed "best-kept secret" – Escape to Jacksonville: Camp Lejeune's Best-Kept Secret Hotel! Now, I'm not gonna lie, my expectations were… cautious. Camp Lejeune conjures images of, well, you know, Camp Lejeune. But could this hotel actually be a hidden gem? Let's find out, shall we?
(SEO - Let's Get Those Search Engines Pumped!)
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(Arrival and First Impressions: The Doorway to Dreams… or Disaster?)
Okay, so, Accessibility. This is HUGE for me (speaking of which, gotta hit the gym… more on that later). The review says they have Facilities for disabled guests and, thankfully, an Elevator. But the true test is in the pudding, right? The Car park [on-site] was thankfully accessible, with what seemed like enough spaces.
Check-in/out [express] and a 24-hour Front Desk - always a plus! Though I did encounter a slight hiccup. The contactless check-in/out was mostly smooth, but the tablet seemed determined to add me to a timeshare presentation. So, it wasn’t perfect but I will say the staff were awesome and the doorman was really nice.
Now, let's talk about the ROOMS!
Alright, first, let's get the basics out there. The rooms have Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone (seriously? In 2024?), Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
It sounded good on paper, okay? But let's be real, the "bathtub" was the kind that makes you question your life choices, and the "on-demand movies" were from a time before streaming existed. Still… Air conditioning that worked! The bed was comfortable, and the Darkening curtains were a godsend. But the star of the show, for me? The Wi-Fi [free]. Seriously, I've been in hotels where you practically needed a PhD in network engineering to connect!
Oh, and I loved the Additional toilet. Always a plus!
(Wellness: Spa-tacular or Spa-tastrophe?)
Here's where things get interesting. The hotel boasts a Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, and a Foot bath. Sounds AMAZING, right?
Well, let's start with the Pool with view. The view was… of the parking lot. Okay, not ideal, but the Swimming pool [outdoor] was clean.
The Fitness center? Let's just say it could use a little more… love. Think slightly rusty equipment and a distinct lack of personal space. But, hey, it was there. I spent ages in the room, and was happy, though.
The Spa was a mixed bag. The Massage was decent (I've had better, I've had worse), but the Sauna was… well, it was hot! And the Steamroom felt a bit like a humid swamp.
But let's talk about the Body scrub and Body wrap. Ok so the scrub was… scrubby. The wrap felt strange. I didn’t know what to expect, and that was not what I expected.
(Dining, Drinking and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure…or a Culinary Compromise?)
Okay, food is everything. Let's see what this "secret" hotel offers…
Restaurants!! Yes, plural!
A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
That’s a lot. So, the Breakfast Buffet was decent. Standard hotel fare. The Coffee shop was open, the Snack Bar was alright. But, I was dying for some really good eats.
The Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver after a long day. The bottle of water was great. You can't take those things for granted! Sometimes, you just want a little bit of simple and good.
I didn’t make it to the other restaurants, but the one I was at was a little loud.
(Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping it Squeaky Clean…or Not quite?)
Okay, this part is important, especially in these times.
The hotel claims to have lots of clean and safety measures.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service (Thank goodness!), Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
On the one hand, I saw staff wiping down surfaces, which was reassuring. But I didn’t see much of the other stuff. The air in the lobby did seem a bit too stale.
(Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference)
Here's a scattershot of what they offer:
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, Essential condiments, 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,
The Concierge was super helpful with directions, the Doorman was a sweetie, and the Convenience store was open, which was great because I needed some snacks.
The Air conditioning in the public areas was a must. And the Laundry service was very helpful, though I wasn't thrilled with the cost.
(For the Kids: Child's Play or Child's Nightmare?)
Babysitting service, Family/child-friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
I didn't have any children in tow, but it appeared to be child-friendly. The kids meal options were somewhat available.
(Getting Around: Smooth Sailing or a Bumpy Ride?)
The Hotel offered Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, and Valet parking.
The Car park was free, which is always a win. I didn’t use the other services, but it's good that they're available.
(And Now, for the GRAND CONCLUSION!)
So, is Escape to Jacksonville: Camp Lejeune's Best-Kept Secret Hotel! a secret worth spilling?
Honestly? It depends.
Pros:
- Free Wi-Fi! Seriously, this is HUGE.
- Accessibility: Decent effort made for accessibility.
- Amenities: A decent amount of options, good and bad.
- Service: Overall, the staff were friendly and helpful.
- Location: Jacksonville may be boring… but
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile itinerary. This is the gritty, glorious, probably slightly chaotic journey through my stay at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Jacksonville Camp Lejeune Area, by IHG. Prepare yourselves for the emotional roller coaster that IS travel. (And maybe a mild existential crisis or two. You've been warned.)
Day 1: Arrival & False Promises of Relaxation (aka "The Great Bed Quest")
14:00 - Arrival & Check-In: Alright, first impressions. The lobby? Pretty standard. Beige carpet, a sad little bowl of apples that definitely haven't been touched in days, and a front desk clerk who looked like she was plotting her escape to Tahiti. Check-in smooth-ish. "Got a room on the 3rd floor, ma'am!" she chirped. Third floor…okay, not ideal for a fear of heights but whatever. Suitcase in hand and elevator awaits.
- Anecdote: The elevator…oh, the elevator. It smelled faintly of chlorine and despair. And, as I stepped out of it, I could get there, feeling that my room door was the key to unlocking peace.
14:30 - Room Reconnaissance (The Battle for the Comfiest Spot): The room! Cleanish. The initial thrill of finally being out of the car was immediately followed by intense scrutiny. The bed…looked promising. Tried out the pillows. Too flat - no good. Had to create a pillow fort before heading to the bathroom.
- Quirky Observation: The artwork: a sad, mass-produced print of a beach scene. The beach was probably where I was supposed to be right now, I thought glumly.
15:00 - Pool Discovery (and Subsequent Disappointment): The pool was "open." But…tiny. And the water looked suspiciously green. And there was a gaggle of screaming children. Sigh. Relaxation? Already a pipe dream.
- Emotional Reaction: My heart sank. Really sank. Pool time was a BIG motivator for booking this hotel.
15:30-17:00 - Food Fiasco & Room Reconnaissance (part 2): Went to the front desk: "Are there any nearby restaurants?" "Yes! Lots." She rattled off a list of chain restaurants that sounded as uninspired as the hotel decor. Settled on the one next to the hotel. Ate a burger that tasted suspiciously like cardboard. Second round of bed testing, eventually achieved a semi-acceptable arrangement.
- Rambling: I really wanted that pool. It feels like missing the pool is a sign of failing at travel, of not fully realizing the "dream". What is my dream, anyway? Existential dread creeping in. Maybe I should have brought that book of philosophy?
19:00-21:00 - Free Breakfast Prep: This is the biggest thing I love about staying in hotels. But the anticipation of a free breakfast is almost more fun than the actual breakfast. I am so ready.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: It's really about the little things that can keep me happy! What is the weather like outside? How is the room lighting? Is there a comfortable place to sit while I use my laptop? These are the things that matter!
Day 2: Free Breakfast, "Lejeune" and the Quest for Authentic Experience
- 07:00 - Breakfast Shenanigans: The holy grail of free hotel breakfasts! Waffles, scrambled eggs that may or may not be real eggs, and coffee so strong it could strip paint.
- Messy, Honest, and Funny: Okay, the waffle maker was a war zone. The syrup dispenser was sticky. But the joy of a free breakfast is something else. I poured so much syrup on my waffle that it started to crumble under its own weight. Worth it.
- 08:00-12:00 - Camp Lejeune (Adjacent): Decided to drive around Camp Lejeune's perimeter. Not allowed to go in, obviously. The whole place just felt serious. Saw a few military vehicles.
- Opinionated Language: I'm not sure I completely understood the purpose of driving here.
- 12:00 - The "Lunch" (aka, another chain restaurant): Couldn't find anything besides the chains.
- 13:00-15:00 - Pool (Take 2) & Hotel Room Escape: Back in the hotel room and I was forced to sit and reflect on the morning. I tried the pool again: still way too many kids. Back to the room.
- More Rambling: Maybe I'm not cut out for this whole "vacation" thing. Maybe I'm just destined to wander around aimlessly and eat slightly-below-average food.
- 15:00-18:00 - Local Discovery (Trying to Find Some Real Jacksonville) & Attempted "Me Time": Decided to venture outside the hotel bubble. Drove around the Jacksonville area. Found a cute little coffee shop! A breath-of-fresh-air!
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: Seriously, that coffee shop was the best thing that happened all day. Quiet, smelled amazing, and the barista wasn't trying to sell me something with 1000 buzzwords.
Day 3: Departure & the Aftermath (aka, "Where Did the Time Go?")
- 07:00 - Reluctant Breakfast: Breakfast again.
- 08:00-09:00 - Check-Out & Emotional Goodbye to the Air Conditioner: The front desk lady wasn't the one from the first day! Checked out, felt a twinge of sadness for the air conditioner, I'm sure I'll miss it.
- Quirky Observation: The lobby was still beige. The apples still untouched. Time, it seems, stood still in Jacksonville.
- 09:00-12:00 - Drive Away (Contemplating Life Choices): The drive home… long.
- Rambling: Did I actually relax? Did I even enjoy myself? Maybe next time I'll find a different hotel, and maybe next time I'll find… something. Freedom? Peace? A decent pool?
Final Thoughts: Jacksonville, North Carolina, and the Holiday Inn Express? An experience. Not perfect, certainly not glamorous, but undeniably real. And sometimes, those imperfect, slightly chaotic, and occasionally disappointing experiences are the ones we remember the most. Now, time to start planning the next adventure (and this time, I'm bringing my own pillow).
Palace Ponte di Legno: Uncover Italy's Hidden Gem!
Okay, so Escape to Jacksonville… Camp Lejeune's "best-kept secret hotel?" Seriously? Sounds sketchy, or like grandma's dusty attic. What's the deal?
What kind of rooms/amenities are we talking? Are we talking a mini-fridge that barely chills water?
Let's talk location. Is it actually *near* anything worthwhile? Like, can I stumble to a decent burger after a long day?
Okay, I get it. It's *better* than some others. But what's the catch? What's the stuff they *don't* tell you?
So, should I... stay there? Give me the final verdict!
Okay, I'm sold, but... What's something that *really* stands out about this place? What's an experience that sticks with you?
Anything else I *absolutely must* know before booking? Any hidden fees or shady policies?
