Escape to Paradise: Blue Mist Motel's Florence Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Blue Mist Motel's Florence Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Blue Mist Motel's Florence Oasis Awaits! - A Review (and a Confession)
Alright, alright, settle in, folks. I've just emerged from a whirlwind adventure, a deep dive into the supposed "paradise" that is the Blue Mist Motel's Florence Oasis Awaits! And let me tell you, it's not always a perfectly curated Instagram post, but hey, that's life, right? This review is gonna be real, a messy, honest look at what to expect, the good, the… interesting, and everything in between. Grab a coffee (or something stronger, no judgment!), because we’re about to unpack this little gem.
First Impressions (and a Near-Panic Attack): Accessibility & Location, Location, Location!
Okay, so the website says "accessible," and I'm happy to report that Accessibility is taken seriously. The Wheelchair Accessible aspects seem pretty solid, with ramps and elevators (important, because those stairs looked steep); however, I didn't personally need a wheelchair. I did appreciate the Facilities for disabled guests, it's always a good sign. Plus, there's a Elevator - critical when you’re lugging suitcases that seem to weigh more every year. The Exterior corridor design, while not my favorite aesthetically (reminded me of a classic motel), does mean less noise and more breeze, which is a bonus, especially in summer.
Now, the location. Let's just say it's close to the action, but in a pleasantly ambiguous way. You're not smack-dab in the tourist-clogged center, which is a HUGE win in my book. Getting Around is pretty easy. Car Park [on-site] is abundant and Car park [free of charge] is so rare these days! They even had a Car power charging station for the eco-friendly peeps. There's Taxi service available, and the Airport transfer can be arranged, although I didn't use it.
The Room: Sanctuary or Simply a Room? (With Wi-Fi, Thank Goodness)
Alright, let's dissect the room like a culinary critic dissecting a particularly perplexing amuse-bouche. Available in all rooms: (deep breath) Air conditioning (essential!), Alarm clock (why?!), Bathrobes (nice touch, but I mainly wore them to the pool), Bathroom phone (who uses these anymore?!), Bathtub (yay!), Blackout curtains (blessed, truly blessed, for sleeping in), Carpeting (could be plus could be minus depending on cleaning standards), Closet (standard), Coffee/tea maker (lifesaver!), Complimentary tea (nice addition), Daily housekeeping (a godsend), Desk (got some work done, not gonna lie), Extra long bed (amazing), Free bottled water (always appreciated), Hair dryer (check!), High floor (gotta get a good view), In-room safe box (always use it), Interconnecting room(s) available (meh), Internet access – LAN (lol, remember LAN?), Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]!! Praise be!), Ironing facilities (wrinkles begone!), Laptop workspace (yep), Linens (clean… I think), Mini bar (overpriced!), Mirror (necessary), Non-smoking (thank the heavens, as I am one), On-demand movies (never use them), Private bathroom (essential), Reading light (needed), Refrigerator (very useful!), Safety/security feature (always appreciated), Satellite/cable channels (yawn), Scale (don't look!), Seating area (needed!), Separate shower/bathtub (luxurious!), Shower (obvs), Slippers (forgot to use), Smoke detector (good!), Socket near the bed (yes!), Sofa (meh), Soundproofing (decent), Telephone (meh), Toiletries (standard), Towels (clean, thankfully), Umbrella (didn't need it), Visual alarm (good for anyone who needs it), Wake-up service (no!). Window that opens (needed!)
The room itself was… clean. Not sparkling, Michelin-star clean, but definitely habitable. You could tell someone had made an effort. The decor was… well, let’s call it “charming in a 1970s kind of way.” (Think a faded floral print that's seen better decades.)
THE INTERNET!
Okay, I need to rant for a second. Internet is crucial. I needed to work, I needed to upload pictures to Instagram, I needed to look up directions… it’s basically part of my lifeblood. So, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a HUGE selling point.
I hate to admit it, but I was really banking on the internet. A big fat Internet access – wireless (WiFi [free]) plus the Wi-Fi in public areas was essential due to my work situation. And, thankfully, it worked. Mostly. There were moments, late at night, when the connection seemed to waver, like a flickering candle, but overall, it was dependable. I had no real need for the Internet [LAN] option, as I brought my own hotspot, which I needed once or twice when the Wi-Fi just didn't cut the mustard.
Food, Glorious Food (and a Little Bit of Disappointment)
Okay, let's talk about fuel. The dining situation was… varied. They had Restaurants, plural! But here's the truth: the Breakfast [buffet] was a buffet. I mean, it met expectations, but nothing to write home about. You had your usual suspects: a plate of scrambled eggs, and a lot of carbs (a few croissants and some toast). I did appreciate the Asian breakfast, but my favorite part was the Coffee/tea in restaurant.
There's an A la carte in restaurant, I didn't get a chance to try… but I did notice a Coffee shop open. There was a Poolside bar, so I took some drinks there. I did not try the Snack bar. There was a Vegetarian restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and other options.
Room service was 24-hour, but the menu was a bit limited. I ordered a Bottle of water (gotta stay hydrated!), a dessert (wasn't worth it), and a salad (was fine). The real bummer was that I didn’t see much Asian cuisine in restaurant. I also did not touch the Soup in restaurant, so I can't say anything good or bad.
Ways to Relax… (Or Try To)
This is where the "Florence Oasis" part of the title comes into play. There's a Swimming pool [outdoor] and a Pool with view… which was rather delightful. I spent a lot of time there, just bobbing around, contemplating life. The Sauna was great. However, I did not have time to try the Spa. I didn't get to the Fitness center (I’m on vacation, people!), but it looked adequate. There’s also a Spa/sauna if you're into that sort of thing.
I wasn't in the mood for a Body scrub or a Body wrap: I'd planned.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Post-Pandemic Reality Check
The Blue Mist takes Cleanliness and safety very seriously. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They mentioned having Staff trained in safety protocol. This gave me peace of mind. I saw Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. The Physical distancing of at least 1 meter was pretty well enforced, too.
I took a look. They're doing a fine job, I'd be happy to bring my family to this place! I did appreciate the Cashless payment service and the First aid kit.
And Now, For The Oddballs and Extras:
- Babysitting service: I didn't need it, but it's there, which is great for families.
- Couple's room: Romantic getaway, anyone?
- Non-smoking rooms: Thank you, sweet lord.
- Pets allowed unavailable: Makes sense.
- Proposal spot: Awwww!
- Room decorations: Meh.
- Security [24-hour]: Always a good thing.
- Smile alarms
The Verdict: Paradise Found?…Maybe, With a Grain of Salt
Look, the Blue Mist Motel's Florence Oasis Awaits! isn't a five-star, white-glove experience. But it’s clean, generally well-maintained, and the staff, for the most part, tries hard. It's got a lot going for it: the location, the pool (essential!), the accessibility, and the
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, messy, and frankly, slightly terrifying adventure that is… Florence, Arizona! And not just any Florence, mind you. We're talking about the Blue Mist Motel, the kind of place that whispers stories of lost souls and bad decisions along the way. This itinerary? More like a suggestion, a loose guideline… a roadmap to chaos, if you will.
Day 1: Arrival and Desert Dreams (or Nightmares, Depends)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Okay, fine, I guess the journey starts here. This is the part where I swear I'm going to pack lighter next time. Ha! Famous last words. Airport smells like instant coffee and overwhelmed ambition. Grab a rental car. Pray it’s not a death trap disguised as a Chevy Impala.
- 2:00 PM: Drive to Florence. The landscape is already shifting. Cactus forests, vast emptiness… a silent promise of freedom and the creeping feeling of being completely, utterly alone. Try not to stare at the endless miles of asphalt until your own brain melts.
- 3:30 PM: Arrive at the Blue Mist Motel. Okay, here we go. The photos online… well, they’re generous. Let's just say the "blue mist" part is more like a faded memory of a paint job, and the "motel" part screams, "We exist! Just barely!" Check in. Hopefully the guy at the counter isn't a serial killer. Or, you know… too friendly.
- 4:00 PM: Unpack. Or try to. The room smells faintly of… something. Maybe stale cigarettes, maybe hope? Who knows. Take stock of the situation: bedspread questionable, TV ancient, Wi-Fi might as well be a myth. This is going to be interesting.
- 4:30 PM: Explore. Wander the motel grounds. Notice the chipped paint, the rusting signs, the single lonely plastic chair outside each room. Feel the profound loneliness that pervades the whole place. It's kind of beautiful, in a desolate, post-apocalyptic kinda way.
- 5:00 PM: The Sunset Situation: This is the main event, the highlight of the day, and the reason I booked this whole damn trip. Find a spot to watch the sunset. The Arizona desert sunsets are famous for a reason, okay? Promise me you’ll appreciate it. No phones, no distractions. Just the fiery hues painting the vast, empty sky. If it's anything like the pictures, it'll be worth the entire trip, the questionable motel, and the existential dread. (Okay, maybe just most of it.)
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at… well, options are limited. There's that diner down the road, "The Rusty Spoon", that has the dubious reputation of being open most of the time. I'm in. Embrace the mystery meat and the strong coffee. Soak in the local atmosphere. Observe the locals (don't stare, you weirdo).
- 8:30 PM: Stargazing. If the sky is clear (fingers crossed!), step outside and look up. The night sky out here is a goddamn masterpiece. Forget your problems, forget your anxieties, and just…be. (Unless you're terrified of scorpions. In which case, stay inside.)
- 9:30 PM: Try to sleep. Pray the AC works, and that the ghosts of past motel guests are friendly.
Day 2: Penitentiary and Perspectives
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Hopefully not in a cold sweat. Breakfast is included… probably coffee and stale pastries, but hey, it's free.
- 9:00 AM: Visit the Arizona State Prison Complex. (The Florence one, obviously. If you do this trip, you will understand the significance of this place.) This is a big one. This is the reason lots of people come to Florence. The whole town revolves around this complex. Book a tour, if you can. Prepare to be… profoundly affected. The stories, the history, the sheer weight of human suffering – it's heavy stuff. But also… maybe a little bit… fascinating? (Don’t judge me.)
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Find a local place, maybe a greasy spoon. Process. Talk about what you just saw. Or don't. It's okay to be speechless.
- 1:00 PM: Visit the Florence Historical Society and Museum. Learn about the town’s history. It goes hand in hand with the prison, but there's so much more to it than that. You will see a different side of Florence, and have a better perspective.
- 3:00 PM: The Art of Wandering: Take a walk. Explore Florence. See the old buildings, the murals, the quiet streets. Look for the soul of the town. Discover the soul. (If you can find it. It's a tough nut to crack.)
- 5:00 PM: Pool time (if the Blue Mist has a pool and if it's clean - a big IF). Or, you know, just sit on that lonely plastic chair and contemplate your existence.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner… Maybe try that Mexican place everyone told you about. Or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, grab some supplies and make a picnic for the sunset.
- 7:00 PM: Watch the sunset. Same as yesterday. More dramatic this time.
- 8:00 PM: Write. Journal. Meditate. Or, you know, just stare out the window at the eerie desert night and wonder what the hell you're doing here.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. Try again.
Day 3: Departure and Desert Ghosts
- 8:00 AM: Check out of the Blue Mist. Say goodbye. Swear you’ll never forget it. (You probably won't.)
- 8:30 AM: Last breakfast. Maybe try a different diner.
- 9:00 AM: One last drive around town. Say goodbye to Florence. (If you decide to do it, it will be a forever memory.)
- 10:00 AM: Drive back to the airport. Reflect on the trip. Feel a profound sense of… something. Sadness? Joy? Confusion? All of the above, probably.
- 11:00 AM: Return the rental car. Take a deep breath. Prepare for the madness of modern life.
- 1:00 PM: Fly home.
- Forever After: Never forget the Blue Mist Motel. Tell everyone you went to Florence, Arizona. Maybe tell them it's a secret, a little bit of a hidden gem. Okay?
This is not just an itinerary; it's an invitation. An invitation to get lost, to feel, to question, and to embrace the beautiful, messy, and utterly unpredictable chaos of life. Now go forth and explore… and try not to get eaten by a rattlesnake. Good luck, you magnificent weirdo.
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Escape to Paradise: Blue Mist Motel's Florence Oasis Awaits! (And My Sanity?) - A FAQ
Is this "Paradise" thing... actually paradise? Be honest.
Okay, fine. Paradise? Let's just say the brochure *might* have been embellished. Look, the Blue Mist Motel... it *tries*. It *really* does. Picture this: You arrive, exhausted from whatever horrors you've been escaping (bills? A particularly clingy ex? Me, personally, I was trying to outrun a caffeine crash of epic proportions.) And then... there it is. The Blue Mist. Turquoise paint? Check. Faded neon sign sputtering "Vacancy" with a hopeful flicker? Check. The 'oasis' part? Debatable. It's more like a… well-maintained swimming pool shaped like a kidney and surrounded by slightly-too-orange lawn chairs. But listen, it’s *charmingly* faded, okay? Think grandma's slightly-stained floral couch. You know you shouldn't love it, but you kind of… do. I *did* find a few stray cats that seemed pretty happy, though. So, maybe.
What's this "Florence Oasis" they keep bragging about? Is it actually IN Florence?
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This is where things get... interesting. The "Florence" part? Correct. It’s *technically* in Florence, but let's be clear – it's Florence in the loosest possible sense. Think: outside of Florence, past the gas station with the questionable hot dogs, down a road that seems to get narrower with every mile. The "Oasis" is... well, it's the motel pool. And, if I'm honest, it’s less “desert spring” and more “slightly chlorinated rectangle of water.” But on a scorching afternoon? Pure. Freaking. Bliss. I swear, that lukewarm water felt like a hug. (Don't judge. I'm a sucker for lukewarm hugs.) Plus, nobody bothered you. Complete and utter silence, except for the occasional splash and the distant drone of a lawnmower. And the occasional squawk of a very opinionated parrot (more on that later...*shudders*).
The rooms... are they clean? And... do they have bed bugs? I have to know.
Alright, deep breath. The rooms are... *serviceable*. Let's go with that. Were they spotless? No. Were they likely to give you a disease? I'm hoping not. The sheets *felt* clean. The bathroom... well, let's just say I didn't inspect every single grout line with a magnifying glass. You know, focus on the positives! Like the inexplicably comfortable mattress! I’m convinced they were secretly made of clouds. As for bed bugs… I’m gonna be upfront : I didn’t find any. I'm also a seasoned traveler, so I did the whole "peel back the sheets and inspect" routine. I brought the bug spray, just in case. But no, no little critters. Success! I got lucky. You might be lucky, too. Bring your own pillow, though. Just in case. And maybe some Lysol wipes. Just in case. You know.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Do they have a parrot that yells at you?
Ah, the staff. The *character* of the Blue Mist. The woman at the front desk? Bless her heart. She was the sort of person who remembered your name after seeing you once, and offered you a free coffee even though the coffee machine looked like it was older than me. And then there's... Polly. Polly, the parrot. *Shudders* Okay, so Polly resides in a cage near the pool, and that parrot has a vocabulary that would make a sailor blush. Seriously. I overheard her calling a guest, "A grumpy old sod!" Said guest was, in fact, a grumpy old sod. And Polly would squawk at me every time I went to the pool. "GIVE ME A CRACKER, YOU LAZY HUMAN!" she screamed at me. I swear, Polly's got a bad attitude and a serious snack obsession. She's the unofficial mascot, though. You grow to love her, eventually. Mostly because you can't ignore her.
What's the vibe? Is it romantic? Is it family-friendly? Am I going to show up to find a biker gang convention?
The vibe? Okay, imagine a slightly melancholic, slightly charming, slightly… *everything*... kind of place. Not exactly "romantic getaway," unless your idea of romance involves sharing a lukewarm soda with a stray cat. I didn't see a biker gang, thankfully. Mostly, it was a mix of people: families on road trips, folks escaping something (like me), and the occasional wandering soul. I think I saw a couple trying to rekindle their romance, and by the looks of it, the fire of romance was not so much being *rekindled*, but more like being *smothered* by the harsh reality of "long term shared vacation." It’s not a party place. It’s not glamorous. It's… real. And that, in a strange way, is kind of its charm. Don't expect a luxury resort. Expect... a quirky, slightly run-down, but ultimately *lovable* motel. And maybe bring some earplugs, just in case Polly’s having a particularly loud day.
Okay, so, the pool. You mentioned a 'slightly chlorinated rectangle of water.' Tell me more about this… oasis.
Alright, let's dive deep (pun absolutely intended). The pool. Oh, the pool. It wasn't just a pool; it was an *experience*. I mean, sure, it was a bit chilly when you first got in, and the water *might* have been slightly cloudy. And yes, there were a few stray leaves drifting across the surface. But, hear me out, people. It was… magical.
One afternoon, it was ridiculously hot. The sun was beating down, the air shimmered, and the world felt like it was melting. I dragged myself to the pool, fully expecting the usual disappointment. But... the water! It was cool, and it *felt* amazing. It almost sucked you right into some other dimension.
I floated on my back, staring up at the sky. It was the deepest, clearest blue. I saw a cloud shaped like a fluffy sheep. I heard Polly squawk something unintelligible in the distance. I forgot about everything. The bills, the chaos, the existential dread… gone. For a glorious, blissful hour, I *was* that sheep cloud, just floating.
There was an older gentleman who was also in the pool. We didn't speak really, but we just kind of... acknowledged each other from time to time with a nod. He just floated around, doing slow, deliberate strokes, I think he had been there for hours. It was the most wonderful thing, just bobbing up and down with the quiet and feeling the weight of the world melt away.
The chlorine, the slightly questionable cleanliness, the slightly-too-orange lawn chairs... it all faded away. That pool, that day, was my own personal paradise.Easy Hotel Hunt
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