Covered Wagon Motel Lusk, WY: Your Wild West Oasis Awaits!
Covered Wagon Motel Lusk, WY: Buckle Up, Buttercup! (A Review That Actually Gets It)
Okay, alright, settle in, partner. This ain't your cookie-cutter hotel review. We're talking about the Covered Wagon Motel in Lusk, Wyoming: Your Wild West Oasis Awaits! And I'm gonna be honest with ya, after my recent trip… it's… well, it's an experience. Let's just rip the band-aid off and dive in, shall we? This place is all about rugged charm, not Michelin stars, so adjust your expectations accordingly.
First Impressions & The Wild West Vibe:
Driving into Lusk, you kinda feel like you've entered a Sergio Leone film. Dusty… wide-open… and the Covered Wagon Motel fits right in. Think less "boutique luxury" and more "authentic Western." The exterior is classic motel – clean, well-maintained, with that promise of a good night's rest after a long day on the road. And hey, that's what I needed! I was road-weary, and this place, with its promise of frontier comfort, was just the ticket.
Accessibility and the “Howdy, Partner” Hospitality:
Let's get the important stuff out of the way first. Accessibility: Now, this IS Wyoming, not NYC, so don’t expect the Ritz's accessibility. I didn't personally need full accessibility (I'm a walking, talking, coffee-fueled human), but I poked around. They do have facilities for disabled guests, the website mentions it, but I didn't see anything blatantly obvious. I’d recommend contacting them directly if you have specific needs.
Getting Around & Parking:
Car park [free of charge] – HUGE win! Finding parking in Lusk is not really a challenge, but the fact that it's free and on-site is just convenient. Car park [on-site] is also available. And hey, they even have car power charging station – for the electric cowboys out there!
The Rooms: More Than Just a Bed…(Maybe)
Right, the rooms. Okay, so they aren't exactly the epitome of modern design. But they’re clean, comfortable, and, let's be real, that's the most important thing after a day wrangling your luggage.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free] (more on that later!), Alarm clock, Bathroom phone(yup, the phone in the bathroom), Desk, Hair dryer, Ironing facilities, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels (essential for that late-night TV binge), Seating area, Shower, Smoking is set to Non-smoking rooms, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Window that opens. That is the bare minimum, but it's all there!
- The "Ups" in the room: Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Laptop workspace, Mirror, Private bathroom, Reading light, Safe/security feature, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed. These are all nice additions, nothing you would have to complain about.
- The Luxuries in the room: Bathtub, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea (the good stuff, I hope!), In-room safe box, Linens, On-demand movies, Separate shower/bathtub, Sofa. Now THIS is where we're talking.
- Missing or Negligible: Additional toilet, Carpeting, High floor, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Mini bar, Scale, Visual alarm. These are not as important but the scale is a nice touch.
Cleanliness & Safety: Because Getting Sick in the Wild West Ain't Fun:
Okay, here's where the Covered Wagon Motel really shines. Given the… current climate, I was naturally paranoid about cleanliness. The good news? They're taking it seriously, and it really shows.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Check.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Individually-wrapped food options: Check.
- Safe dining setup: Check.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They try!
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice touch.
(And for the record, I didn't get sick. Woohoo!)
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Chow Down, Cowpoke!
The restaurants are the heart of the town. There are several to choose from.
- Breakfast [buffet]: YES. I’m a sucker for a buffet. A hearty Western breakfast is the best way to start a day.
- Breakfast service is provided
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Essential.
- Happy hour: Now we're talking!
- Restaurants are readily available in the area.
- Snack bar: Perfect for when you're craving something bite sized.
- Western breakfast is available as well
- Western cuisine in restaurant.
Services & Conveniences: Beyond the Bed & Breakfast…
- 24-hour service: Check.
- Concierge, Doorman, and Luggage Storage: Check, check, check!
- Daily housekeeping: Thank goodness!
- Cash withdrawal: Helpful.
- Convenience store: Because you always forget something. Always.
- Laundry service / Dry cleaning / Ironing service: Convenient.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, and Seminars: For those work getaways.
- Cashless payment service: Because nobody carries cash anymore.
- Food delivery: Check.
- Babysitting service and Kids facilities are available
- Car park [free of charge]: HUGE win! Finding parking in Lusk is not really a challenge
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private] are available
- Clinic is available: If you're feeling ill
- Family/child friendly is provided
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): Because You Can't Just Stay There All Day… Can You?
Okay, this is Lusk, Wyoming. It's not Vegas. But! There's still a surprising amount to see and do.
- Fitness center / Gym/fitness: If you are that dedicated!
- Spa/sauna is not available at the moment.
Internet: The Wild West Meets the World Wide Web
Right, the elephant in the room. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (and Wi-Fi in public areas). Now, I’m not going to lie. This ain't the fastest internet in the world. Think dial-up… on a good day. But it works. And hey, it's free. (And better than no internet at all!)
I actually found it kind of… freeing. It forced me to unplug a little, focus on the moment, and actually talk to people again. (Shocking, I know.)
Quirks and Anecdotes: The Stuff You Won't Read in a Guidebook…
- The Bathroom Phone: Yes, there’s a phone in the bathroom. I have no idea why. I tried it. No one answered. Maybe for emergencies? I prefer yelling. Saves time.
- The Staff: Super friendly and helpful. They treat you like you’re family.
- The Locals: Everyone is friendly and welcoming. You feel that Western spirit in Lusk.
- The Town: is what it supposed to be.
Overall, The Covered Wagon Motel…
Look, it’s not fancy. It’s not perfect. But it's comfortable, clean, safe, and… dare I say it… charming. It's a great base camp for exploring the area, and the staff genuinely cares about your comfort. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best experiences are the ones that are a little bit… rough around the edges.
My Verdict: 4 out of 5 Wranglers! (Would be 5, but that WiFi…)
The "Book Now" Pitch!
Get Ready to Saddle Up! Your Wild West Adventure Awaits at the Covered Wagon Motel!
Tired of the same old, predictable hotel stays? Craving a taste of the authentic American West? Then mosey on over to the Covered Wagon Motel in Lusk, Wyoming!
Here's what you get:
- Clean, Comfortable Rooms: Rest your weary head in rooms designed for relaxation.
- Free Parking: No extra costs to worry about!
- Amazing Staff: Experience true Western hospitality from our
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is a journey into the heart of Wyoming, specifically Lusk, and, more specifically, the Covered Wagon Motel. And let me tell ya, it's gonna be a wild ride.
Day 1: Arrival and the "Wow, That's… Something" Motel
- Afternoon (ish): Landed in…well, let's just say it wasn't exactly glamorous. Think rural airport vibes. Found my rental car (a rusty Ford Focus named "Betsy," of course). The drive to Lusk was… long. Really, really long. Wyoming is vast, folks. You could probably fit a whole state in the space between two roadside tumbleweeds.
- Late Afternoon: Finally, the Covered Wagon Motel. Okay, first impressions? The sign's seen better days. The paint's chipping. The air smells faintly of stale cigarettes and… possibility? (Or maybe it was just the wind.) Check-in was…efficient. No warm welcome, just "Room 12. Keys on the counter." Charming.
- The Room. Oh, the Room… Let's just say the decor is "vintage." Think floral wallpaper, mismatched furniture, and a TV that probably still gets rabbit ears. Bathroom? Well, it had a toilet, and the shower…well, the water did come out. Barely. The bed? Definitely not a memory foam situation. But hey, after a long day, it's a bed. Perspective, people. Perspective.
- Evening: Found what looked like the only restaurant in town. "The Chuckwagon Diner." It was a culinary experience. Let's leave it at that. The waitress – bless her heart, she'd seen some things – was a character. "You folks from out East?" she'd asked, already knowing the answer. "Well, welcome to Lusk. We got character, and we got… well, we got things." She wasn't wrong. Back to the motel after a slice of pie to watch some TV.
- Night: Couldn't sleep; the bed made too much sound when I tried to get my position.
Day 2: The Great Outdoors (and My Inner Grumpy Old Man)
- Morning: Okay, so the motel coffee was a crime against caffeination. But the sunrise? Majestic. Pure, unadulterated Wyoming beauty. I ate a breakfast bar in the room, since I wasn't going back to the Chuckwagon just yet. Made a point of trying to stay away from whatever had last been cooked in the microwave.
- Mid-Morning: Okay. So, I'm not an "outdoorsy" person. I am, however, trying to become one, and the plains were calling me. Hired a guide to go on a hiking session, where I discovered my hiking boots weren't as "broken in" as I thought. By the time we hit the trail, I was already swearing.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Eventually, got over it. The wind was biting, the sun was relentless. But the view… holy moly. It was stunning. I mean, really, genuinely breathtaking. The air was so clean it felt like it was cleansing my soul (or at least, temporarily removing the dust of modern life). I swear I could see forever.
- Afternoon: Back at the motel. My feet were killing me. Soaked them in the tepid water of the motel tub. The water stained instantly. Wondering what the hell was in the pipes. Called it a day. Researched other lodging arrangements. Evening: The motel's bar was an experience. Met some locals. They were genuinely friendly, in that grizzled, hardened-by-the-elements kind of way. Good stories, good beer, and the kind of conversation that reminds you why you travel in the first place. Maybe the Covered Wagon Motel wasn't so bad, after all.
Day 3: Leaving Lusk (Maybe Regretfully?)
- Morning: Woke up. My back was stiff. Didn't want to leave. This place…it had grown on me. Or maybe I was just getting Stockholm Syndrome. Either way, the thought of heading back to the city filled me with a strange melancholy.
- Morning: Took advantage of the motel's "continental breakfast." More of a "barely continental" kind of situation. One day, I'll understand why hotels can't do pancakes in every room.
- Mid-Morning: Drove around town one last time. Stopped at a dusty antique shop and found a chipped teacup that I suddenly needed. I felt like I had a connection to the town, and my next stop would be some other town--and that was…sad.
- Afternoon: Said goodbye to the Covered Wagon Motel. Promised myself I'd be back. Maybe not soon, but eventually. I'm going to miss it. The good, the bad, the downright bizarre. It was a slice of real life, and, yeah, I kind of loved it. Betsy and I will be back one day.
- Evening: Found a motel, just a small detour. I sat alone watching the sunset over the mountains.
Final Thoughts:
The Covered Wagon Motel wasn't perfect. Far from it. But it was real. And that, folks, is what makes travel worth it. The imperfections, the quirks, the unexpected moments of beauty and connection. Lusk, Wyoming, and the Covered Wagon Motel – you've earned a piece of my heart. Now I'm off to find a new hotel.
Orlando Luxury Escape: 4BR/3BA Bella Vida Townhome Awaits!
Ugh, What *IS* This Thing, Anyway? (Like, Seriously?)
Alright, fine. You want a definition? Here's a definition: whatever we're doing right now. It's… a frequently asked questions page. Think of it as me, desperately trying to preemptively answer all the questions that are probably swirling around in your brain. And mine. Because honestly, even *I* have questions sometimes. Like, should I have gotten that extra-large latte today? Regretfully, yes.
But back to YOU and your burning questions. This is meant to give you a crash course… or at least, a slightly-rambling-but-hopefully-informative overview of whatever it is *we're* trying to talk about today. Let's pretend, for example, we're talking about… let's just say, "Picking Out a Couch That Doesn't Look Like You Bought It at Grandma's Garage Sale." (I'm not judging *my* grandma, but… some of those floral prints are… a choice.)
Okay, Okay, But *Why* the FAQ? Can't you just, you know, *tell* me?
Good question! Honestly? Because I'm hoping to avoid a million emails. Or, even worse, a million *phone calls*. Seriously, I'm not good at talking on the phone. I'd rather face a charging rhino. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration. Maybe a… a moderately grumpy chihuahua.
Also, I'm hoping to give you a solid foundation so you don't feel completely lost. Think of this as your pre-adventure briefing. You know, before you stumble in, all bewildered, to the actual couch-buying experience. This could be a lifesaver... *or* it could be completely useless. I make no promises! (But I'm *trying*.)
What About *Specifics* - LIKE, What *Material* should I choose? Leather? Velvet? THAT HORRIBLE MICROFIBER?!
AH, the million-dollar question! And the answer is… it depends. (Sorry, I know, the most annoying answer *ever*. But bear with me!)
Leather: Classy. Durable. Develops character. Expensive. Can get HOT in the summer. And, okay, I'll admit it. I *love* the smell of a good leather couch. It's like… a manly hug for your nose. But, seriously, consider the climate. Living in Phoenix with a leather couch? You'll be sweating like a pig. (I'm sorry to the pigs.)
Velvet: Oh. My. GOD. So gorgeous. So luxurious. So… high-maintenance. Spills are the enemy. And if you have pets? Forget it. Unless you like playing the world's most annoying game of lint-roller roulette. But, you know what? For the right room... just *chefs kiss.*
Microfiber: THE DEVIL. Okay, okay, that’s a little harsh. (I just had a *terrible* experience with a microfiber couch – a friend's *brand new* one, actually – that looked like it had spontaneously sprouted a family of stains the second it was delivered.) Easy to clean, apparently. But it feels… cheap. And it *looks* cheap. It screams "I have kids and/or a very active pet." And, honestly? Sometimes, it just doesn't scream *style*.
My *personal* recommendation (and I'm not a professional, so take that for what it's worth) is… linen! Yeah, linen! It’s beautiful, breathable, feels good, and... okay, it wrinkles. But those wrinkles tell a *story*. And they're way better than a stain-covered microfiber nightmare. But seriously, have a backup plan. (Linen is a whole other ball game for the pet lovers.)
What About *Style*? Should I go Modern? Rustic? Like, HOW DO I EVEN KNOW?!
This is where things get… subjective. And potentially very, very wrong. My advice? (Which, again, is barely worth the digital space it consumes.) Start with what *you* like. And by "you,” I mean, really, *you*. Not what Pinterest tells you is trendy. Not what that annoying friend with the perfect apartment insists is "the only way."
Go through magazines. Browse online. Pin the stuff you *genuinely* love. And then… look for patterns. Do you gravitate towards clean lines and minimalist aesthetics? That could be modern. Do you love cozy textures and distressed wood? Maybe rustic is your jam. Do you, like me, sometimes just stare longingly at pictures of places you can't afford? Then you probably have style envy. And that's ok.
**Anecdote time!** I *thought* I was a minimalist. I *really* did. Then I saw a picture of a ridiculously overstuffed, velvet-adorned, maximalist living room and, like a moth to a flame, I was utterly *hooked*. The lesson? Don’t pigeonhole yourself. Let your tastes evolve. And always, *always* trust your gut. Or at least, your gut's initial, horrified reaction to some of these design monstrosities. *shudders*
Ugh, the SIZE! How do I even *measure* this thing?
Oh, God, the math. The dreaded math. Okay, *here’s* where I’m gonna be completely honest: I HATE measuring. It's boring. It's tedious. I'd rather alphabetize my sock drawer. (And that, my friends, is saying something).
But. You *have* to do it. Or you end up with a couch that's either a) way too small and looks pathetic in the space, or b) a behemoth that makes your living room feel like a cramped airplane cabin. Or, even worse, a couch that doesn't *fit* through the door. Which, trust me, I've seen happen. More than once.
So, grab a tape measure and... well, measure. Measure the space. Measure the doors. And, for the love of all that is holy, take the time to *think* about how you use the space. Do you need room for a coffee table? For a rug? For your inevitable collection of cat toys? (Even if you don't *have* a cat, they *will* come.)
Bonus tip: Always, *always* add a little wiggle room. Things rarely go according to plan, and trust me, you *do not* want to be wrestling a too-large couch through a narrow doorway. I once had a *seriously* bad Ikea experience with a futon. It's not even worth getting into it. The memory gives me the chills....
