Escape to Lake Superior: Cobblestone's Duluth Getaway Awaits!
Escape to Lake Superior: Cobblestone's Duluth Getaway - My Unfiltered Take!
Okay, so let me tell you, this Cobblestone Suites in Duluth – "Escape to Lake Superior: Cobblestone's Duluth Getaway Awaits!" is a mouthful, and honestly, before I even booked, I was a little skeptical. But Duluth? Lake Superior? That siren song was strong, so I dove in. And you know what? It wasn't perfect, but it had its moments, and some of them were seriously good. This review is gonna be a wild ride because, well, that's how my whole trip was! Buckle up.
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- Title: Cobblestone Duluth - Honest Review: Superior Views, But Some… quirks!
- Description: My unfiltered review of the Cobblestone Duluth: the good, the bad, and the slightly baffling. From the stunning Lake Superior views to the… let’s just say ‘interesting’ room service, I spill it all! Is it worth it? Read on!
The Nitty Gritty (and the Not-So-Pretty) of the Experience:
Getting In & Around (…and the Parking Lot Saga):
- Accessibility: Alright, big win here. Wheelchair accessible is a real thing, not just a checkbox. I saw ramps, elevators, the whole shebang, and it looked genuinely usable, not hastily slapped together. Major props for that! This is a huge deal, and something I really appreciate.
- Getting Around: They have Elevators, which is a must.
- Airport Transfer: Sadly, I did not use the airport transfer, but if it's available is a good thing.
- Car Park: Okay, the car park [free of charge] was great. I mean, free parking? In a city? YES PLEASE. But good luck finding a spot sometimes. It got packed. I swear I saw a couple of squirrels battling for a prime parking spot one morning. (Just kidding…maybe). They also had Car power charging station, so that's a bonus.
- Valet parking, and taxi service are listed.
Rooms: My Room. My Fortress. (And Some Slightly Weird Decor):
- Available in all rooms: Holy moly! Free Wi-Fi! Seriously. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Big win. I streamed movies, Facetimed my cat (yes, he was jealous), and generally lived the internet life.
- Internet Access – Wireless: Obviously, no problems.
- Air Conditioning: Oh yes, that was a necessity. Duluth can surprise you. And thankfully it worked.
- Alarm clock: Check.
- Bathrobes: There were some bathrobes in the room.
- Bathroom phone. That was a bit weird. Who calls the bathroom??
- Bathtub: yes
- Blackout curtains: These were a godsend for those late-night sunrise walks along the lake.
- Closet: Standard, functional, perfect for my mountain of luggage.
- Complimentary tea: I love free tea, but I wish they offered a better choice.
- Daily housekeeping: They cleaned my room every day and that was great.
- Desk: Perfect for my laptop, but a little small. I'm a digi-nomad.
- Extra long bed: This was my personal Everest. So comfy!
- Internet access – LAN: Did not use.
- Ironing facilities: Needed.
- Mini bar: Yes, but I did not order in.
- Mirror.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- On-demand movies: I'm not one for movies, but the option was there.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Reading light: Always appreciated.
- Refrigerator: Essential for my midnight snacks.
- Satellite/cable channels:
- Seating area. Yes, which was nice.
- Separate shower/bathtub: This was a good thing for a shower.
- Shower Yes.
- Slippers:
- Smoke detector:
- Socket near the bed: Yay!
- Soundproofing:
- Telephone: Did not use.
- Toiletries: Standard, but nice enough.
- Towels: Plenty!.
- Umbrella: Glad to have, but I didn't need one.
- Visual alarm. Glad to have.
- Wake-up service. Good.
- Window that opens. Always love a window!
- Air conditioning Also good.
- Additional toilet No, but maybe in some rooms.
Room Decorations- They had some fun art, BUT the lighting was a bit… sterile. Like, hospital-sterile. I'm not saying I wanted a disco ball, but a little warmth would be great. And a bigger lamp by the bed!
First Impressions - The hotel has a Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms, plus Safety/security feature. The hallways looked safe and well-lit.
Food, Glorious, Questionable Food:
- Breakfast [buffet]: The Breakfast [buffet] was included, a total win. I am a sucker for a buffet, and for the most part, it was good, well-stocked, and constantly refreshed. They had the usual suspects – eggs, bacon, oatmeal, pastries. The coffee, however, was a tragedy. I'm a coffee snob, I admit it, and it was… weak. I ended up trekking to a local cafe for my caffeine fix.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Well, the restaurant coffee was the same.
- Restaurants:: There were several restaurants nearby.
- Room service [24-hour]: Ah, room service. Now that's where things got… interesting.
- Snack bar: Yes, as you need!
- Breakfast takeaway service: Yes, a goos service.
- Desserts in restaurant: There were some desserts, but I am looking for more.
- Poolside bar. Yes.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Not that I saw.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: A good option.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, but sometimes not worth it.
- Alternative meal arrangement: I am sure they can do that.
- Bottle of water: Yes.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes.
- Happy hour: Yes, a great happy hour!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yes, good.
- Salad in restaurant. Good salads.
- Soup in restaurant. Great soups!
- Vegetarian restaurant. Maybe.
- Western breakfast. Yes
- Bar: Yes.
The Cleanliness & Safety Saga:
- Cleanliness and safety: Okay, this is important. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I was really paying attention. And for the most part, I was impressed.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes, I felt safe.
- Sterilizing equipment: They had it.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed it.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: I am sure they used these.
- Cashless payment service: Great.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Yes.
- Safe dining setup: Yes.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yes.
- Hygiene certification: Not sure.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Likely.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yes.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Not sure if that was available.
- Shared stationery removed: Likely.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Yes.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Yes.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Not sure, but the option is there.
- Essential condiments: Yes.
- First aid kit. Yes.
The Relaxing Stuff (…or, My Quest for the Perfect Sauna):
- Pool with view. Amazing.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Beautiful!
- Fitness center: Yes.
- Spa/sauna: Yes.
- Sauna: Yes, it was glorious.
- Spa: Yes.
- Steamroom: Did not use
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't just an itinerary, it's a journey. A journey into the heart of… well, a Cobblestone Hotel & Suites in Duluth/Superior, Wisconsin. Excitement is the only way forward.
The "Cobblestone Chaos" Itinerary - Because Perfection is Overrated
Day 1: Arrival and "Did I Pack Enough Snacks?!" Panic
- 1:00 PM - Aeroplane from hell and Taxi from purgatory… or, Arriving at the Cobblestone: Okay, so the flight was delayed, naturally. My luggage, even more naturally, is apparently on a scenic tour of… wherever baggage goes when it gets lost. I'm starting to suspect the airline staff are secretly running a bizarre performance art piece, where the art is chaos and the audience is me. Got a taxi and the driver was like, "You're going WHERE? Cobblestone? In Superior?" Apparently, it's not exactly the Ritz, and I'm already getting the, "Oh, you poor thing" vibe, and I'm not even in the goddamn hotel yet. This is going to be fantastic, isn't it?
- 2:30 PM - Check-In and the Great Room Debacle: Finally! Cobblestone. The lobby… eh. Functional. The free coffee situation? Tempting. The "fresh cookies" the website promised? Apparently, they're in the Witness Protection program because I can't find them. Check-in was a minor ordeal. The desk clerk was… present. I got my room, which, honestly, looks remarkably like the pictures. That’s a win!
- 3:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance and Snack-Sacramento: First mission: Assess snack situation. My bag is still missing, and I came prepared. God, I had a mountain of things. This is going to be a tragedy! Okay, okay, let's assess. The in-room microwave is a lifesaver, but the mini-fridge isn’t exactly a walk-in cooler. Is there a vending machine? Probably. This is going to be a journey.
- 3:30 PM - The Search for Coffee and Sanity: Found the coffee. It tastes like lukewarm sadness, but it'll do. Starting to feel that primal urge to just lie down but there's a nagging voice in my head screaming, "EXPLORE!" It's probably the caffeine talking.
- 4:00 PM - Re-examining the area for a snack: The fridge is very, very close to empty. It is a very dire situation.
- 4:30 PM - Dinner: Found a local diner. Ordered a burger. Was delicious.
- 6:00 PM - Room Chaos and Collapse: Tried to unpack and organize. Gave up. The bed is calling me.
- 7:00 PM - Pre-Sleep ritual: Watch TV and browse the Internet.
- 8:00 PM - Bedtime: Sleep, at last.
Day 2: Exploring the "Twin Ports" (or, What's the Big Deal About Duluth?!)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast and Breakfast Buffet Bummer: The Cobblestone "complimentary breakfast" is… well, it's there. The usual suspects: sad cereal, questionable eggs, and the most anemic-looking yogurt I’ve ever seen. I'm dreaming of pancakes.
- 10:00 AM - The Aerial Lift Bridge and a Mild Existential Crisis: Drove over to Duluth. The Aerial Lift Bridge? It's… bigger than I thought. Saw it from afar and a feeling of "am I doing something meaningful with my life" washed over me. Nope. Still here.
- 11:00 AM - Canal Park Wanderings and Ice Cream Bliss: Canal Park is actually pretty cute. Took a stroll, and bought some ice cream. Ate it. Felt marginally better. The water is beautiful, and I could almost forget I'm in Wisconsin and not the coast.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch and a Quest for the Perfect Pastie: Found a local place. Pasties are a big thing around here. Had one. Not bad, but I'm on a quest for the perfect pastie. This could take a while.
- 1:00 PM - Scenic Drive along the North Shore (aka, the "Gorgeous But I'm Tired" Phase): Drove along the scenic highway. The views were stunning. Seriously, breathtaking. I was starting to understand the appeal, but it was a long drive, and my lower back is starting to revolt.
- 3:00 PM - Back at the Cobblestone: Snack in the room, and relaxation.
- 4:30 PM - Dinner: Burger, again. This time, with fries.
- 7:00 PM - Room Chaos and Collapse (again): Gave up, the bed keeps calling.
- 8:00 PM - Pre-Sleep ritual: Watch TV and browse the Internet.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: Sleep, at last.
Day 3: Departure and the "Did I Actually Enjoy This?" Dilemma
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast (Again, with Sad Eggs): Another morning, another breakfast buffet battle. It's a test of wills, really.
- 10:00 AM - Final Room Examination and Packing Anxiety: I will have to leave today. I will have to leave. I hate life at this moment.
- 11:00 AM - Check Out and Airport Departure It's over.
- All Day - A Sense of… Something: On the flight, I find myself wondering. Was it… good? Did I actually enjoy my time near Duluth/Superior? The truth is… I don’t know. It was messy. It was imperfect. It was, dare I say, human. And maybe, just maybe, that's enough.
Postscript: My luggage finally arrived a week after I got home. The airlines gave me vouchers for another trip. Seriously, I think they're laughing with me now.
Rockland Hotel CR Park: Delhi's BEST Kept Secret? (Luxury Awaits!)
So, like, what *is* this whole FAQ thing anyway?
Ugh, good question. Honestly, sometimes I wonder. Okay, FINE. It's a Frequently Asked Questions page, designed to answer the burning, or sometimes lukewarm, questions you might have about... well, *something*. In this case, it's about... whatever we decide it's about during this beautiful, chaotic journey. I'll be honest, the "frequently" part is debatable. I'm making this up as I go, so the "frequent" part might just be my own anxieties rattling in my brain. But hey, that's life, right? All about the improvised dance!
Why *this* format? Why the messy, stream-of-consciousness vibe? And who even *are* you, anyway?
Okay, deep breaths. Point taken. The format? Because frankly, I'm bored of the sterile, corporate-speak FAQs. Makes my skin crawl. It's, like, the opposite of authentic. I'm aiming for honest, real, and maybe a little bit unhinged. Think of it as a therapy session... but with slightly less professional qualifications on my part.
And me? Well, let's just say I'm a person with opinions, insecurities, and a questionable caffeine habit. Don't expect perfectly formed answers. Expect the truth, messy as it may be. And, if you absolutely must know, I'm the one typing all of this, apparently talking to myself... again. Great start, right?
Alright, alright. Let's get down to brass tacks. What, exactly, are we talking about? Like, what's the SUBJECT of all this blathering?
Okay, okay, good point. Let’s try to pin it down... Let's take a look at the meaning of life itself, and the answers.
And here we are.
What are some common misconceptions people have about life?
Oh, where do I even begin? Firstly, this whole "happily ever after" BS. You hear it in Disney movies, and it's just... unrealistic! Life's a rollercoaster, a chaotic symphony of highs and lows. Expecting constant happiness is like expecting sunshine 24/7. It's just not how it works.
Another one is this whole "perfect" thing. Social media is the devil, people! We're constantly bombarded with curated perfection, leading us to compare ourselves, and, let me tell you, that is a soul-crushing exercise. Real life is messy, imperfect, and full of banana peels. Embrace the chaos, because it's where the good stuff happens.
Dealing With Change? What's Your Advice?
Ugh, change. My mortal enemy. Seriously though, the best advice I can give? Feel the feelings. Let yourself be sad, scared, confused – whatever it is. Don't bottle it up. I once tried to be all "stoic" during a massive life change (letting go of a really unhealthy relationship, which I was addicted to, it honestly felt like withdrawing from drugs). I thought I was handling it like a boss. Nope. Two weeks later, I was sobbing while making instant ramen. Ramen. The epitome of low points. Embrace the mess.
Also, one foot in front of the other. Baby steps. Don't look at the mountain. Just the path. Deep breaths. Find your support system. And maybe invest in a good therapist. (I totally recommend them. Seriously.)
Let's talk about failure! How do you cope, and what's your relationship with this *thing* called 'failure'?
Oh, failure. My old friend. We've danced this dance many, many times. Look, I used to be TERRIFIED of failure. The shame! The embarrassment! The utter feeling of inadequacy! You know that? I get it. I would avoid anything remotely challenging.
But here's the truth: Failure is inevitable. You're gonna mess up. You're gonna fall flat on your face. The important thing is what you do *after*. You get back up. You dust yourself off. You learn from it. You get angry. You maybe eat a pint of ice cream (or three) and then you try again. And you know what? Sometimes, the "failure" leads to something AMAZING. You just gotta keep going, keep picking up the pieces.
How can I find purpose? (Ugh, the big one...)
Ugh, the existential dread question. I get it. It's a tough one. And honestly? I don't have THE answer. Sorry if you were hoping for a magic bullet.
My advice? Explore. Try things. What makes you *forget* to eat? What gets your blood pumping? What genuinely interests you? Volunteer. Travel. Read. Talk to people. It’s often not a lightning strike, but a slow burn. You may have to try a bunch of things until you find something that genuinely resonates with you. And even then, your "purpose" might shift and change! And that's okay! The journey is the purpose, my friend. Don't worry, it's a cliche for a reason.
This whole "living in the moment" thing. How do you even do that?
I’m terrible at this. Like, *really* bad. I'm a planner. I overthink. I stress about the future. But, here's what I try to do, imperfectly, mind you: be present. Notice the little things. The sun on your face. The taste of your coffee. The sound of a laugh. Turn off your phone. Put down your to-do list (gasp!). Practice gratitude. It's a constant battle, but it's worth fighting.
I’ll tell you an embarrassing story that might help illustrate this. Once, I went to a beautiful concert, seriously amazing, a band I'd loved since I was tiny. I was SO BUSY recording videos for Instagram stories, I didn't actually *listen* to the music. I missed the whole experience! I was so caught up with the "perfect" content, I forgot to just *be*. It was a total wake-up call.
