Melbourne's BEST Kept Secret: Avid Hotel Viera Review!
Avid Hotel Viera: My Chaotic, Honest, and Actually-Pretty-Good Review (Melbourne's Best Kept Secret? Maybe!)
Okay, alright, so you're looking for the lowdown on the Avid Hotel in Viera, right? Melbourne, Florida. Forget the pristine brochures, I'm here to spill the tea – the lukewarm, complimentary-coffee-machine-at-6:00-AM tea. This is gonna be less "polished travel blog" and more "friend rambling after a few too many iced coffees." Buckle up, Buttercup!
First Impression: Accessibility & The Vibe
Right off the bat, HUGE points for accessibility. Seriously, I’m not even in a wheelchair, but the whole place just felt easy. Wide hallways, ramps where needed, and the elevators… bless you, elevators. Super convenient, which is a massive win considering the sheer size of this place. Viera itself is… well, it's Viera. Think suburban paradise, a little manicured, a little…cookie-cutter. But, hey, it’s safe, clean, and close to everything.
Accessibility - Nailed It! (But Maybe a Little Cold?)
Seriously, they got this right. Wheelchair accessible? Absolutely. That's a HUGE win for someone like my grandma! The exterior is mostly standard (parking is plentiful, which is GREAT – more on that later).
Internet Access: The Digital Cliffhanger
Look, we live in the age of the internet. The MOST basic expectation is solid Wi-Fi. And Avid, bless their hearts, mostly delivers. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, yes, but there were a few tiny hiccups. Sometimes it felt like dial-up. I was DESPERATE to upload my Insta-worthy breakfast pic – and the struggle was REAL. Forget about streaming a movie without some serious buffering. Honestly, give me strong Wi-Fi first!
Rooms: Clean, Clean, Clean! (Plus, That Bed… Oh, That Bed!)
My god, the rooms are… clean. Like, clinically clean. Kudos to the housekeeping staff! I'm talking about seriously hygienic. They have this whole "Rooms sanitized between stays" thing, and I felt completely at ease. Non-smoking rooms are the norm, which is a massive win for my sensitive nose. The blackout curtains? Amazing. Slept like a log. (And that's saying something, considering my internal clock is perpetually messed up!).
The Bed… The Bed! Okay, I’m gonna gush. Best hotel bed I’ve slept in in ages. Firm, yet yielding. Pillow perfection. I actually considered checking out early and just napping in the lobby. It was that good. They also have an extra long bed, perfect for a tall person.
But Wait, There’s More! The Room Rundown:
- Air conditioning: CHECK. Essential in Florida.
- Alarm clock: CHECK (kinda a relic, but useful!).
- Coffee/tea maker: CHECK (bless you, tiny plastic pods).
- Hair dryer: CHECK. (Saved my frizz-prone life).
- Ironing facilities: CHECK. (Because wrinkles are the devil).
- Refrigerator: CHECK. Kept my beer cold. Crucial.
- Safe: CHECK. (Keeps my actual valuables safe)
- Satellite/cable channels: CHECK. (Never used it, but still, there!).
The bathroom was functional, clean, and stocked with the usual toiletries. Nothing fancy, but hey, it got the job done. The shower had okay water pressure.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax: Don't Get Your Hopes Up (Literally)
Okay, so this isn't the Ritz. There's no spa with a sauna, steamroom, massage, or body wrap. No pool with a view. The fitness center is small, but it's there. Clean, with treadmills, but it seems like an after thought. Don't expect anything more than the basics.
- Pool with view: Actually, the pool is just… well, a pool. It's outdoors, which is nice when the Florida sun is blazing, but it's not particularly scenic.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast is Key
This is where things get interesting. Breakfast [buffet] is included, and it's…decent. Think your standard continental fare: bagels, cereal, yogurt, fruit, and some kind of hot option (scrambled eggs, usually). It's not gourmet, but it's fine, especially if you are in a rush. Coffee/tea in restaurant is available, and of course, there's a coffee shop across the street in the shopping outlet. A snack bar would be a great addition.
The Lack of Variety: My Breakfast Complaint!
Why, oh why, is there not more variation? Day after day of the same breakfast? If I don't get my bacon and eggs, I'm losing it!
Cleanliness and Safety: Breathe Easy
They are taking Covid-19 seriously. They had hand sanitizer stations EVERYWHERE. They use anti-viral cleaning products. They do daily disinfection in common areas. They even offered individually-wrapped food options at breakfast. Felt super safe and secure.
Services and Conveniences: Your Basic Needs Met – and Then Some!
The staff – really, they were friendly and helpful. Front desk? Spot on. They're always open, 24/7. They have daily housekeeping, which is essential.
- Concierge: No. Not really.
- Dry cleaning: Yes. (For those fancy business trips).
- Laundry service: Yes. (Great if you get caught in a Florida downpour).
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
Car park [free of charge] is a massive win. Plenty of parking, always. And they have a taxi service or airport transfer for those without a car.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly? Sure!
Avid is definitely family-friendly. There are Family/child friendly.
Overall: Is Avid Hotel Viera Melbourne's Best Kept Secret?
Look, it’s not a secret. It’s just…understated. Avid Viera is a solid, reliable hotel. Clean, comfortable, and conveniently located. It's perfect for a no-frills trip. It's great for value. I'd stay here again, and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a comfortable, safe base for exploring the Melbourne area. The clean room and the bed are HUGE selling points. Just don’t go expecting a Michelin-star dining experience or a luxurious spa day.
My Offer for Melbourne's BEST Kept Secret: Avid Hotel Viera
Tired of overpriced, underwhelming hotels? Craving a clean, comfy stay without breaking the bank? Book your stay at Avid Hotel Viera now!
Here's what makes Avid Viera a smart choice:
- Cleanliness Champion: Rest easy knowing your room is spotless and sanitized.
- Sleep Savior: That bed. Seriously, it’s worth the price of admission.
- Breakfast Bonanza (Kind Of): Start your day with a decent breakfast on us!
- Convenient Location: Explore Melbourne and the surrounding area with ease.
- Budget-Friendly Bliss: Get more for your money.
Book within the next week using promo code "COMFY" and get 10% off your stay! Plus, we'll throw in a complimentary upgrade (based on availability) to a room with…wait for it…an even comfier bed! Don't wait – this offer won't last!
Click here to book your escape to comfort! [Insert Link Here!]
(P.S. Don't forget to pack your favorite pillow. Just in case.)
Escape to Paradise: La Belle Beach Hotel, Natal, Brazil
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into the chaotic, wonderful, and potentially disastrous world of my supposed "travel itinerary" for the Avid Hotels Melbourne Viera By IHG in Melbourne, Florida. Prepare for the bumpy ride. This is gonna be less "precision-engineered adventure" and more "controlled, slightly panicked, stumble through Florida."
Day 1: Arrival and the Phantom Toilet Paper (aka, Survival Mode: Activated)
- 1:00 PM (ish): Touch down at Orlando-Melbourne International Airport (MLB). Okay, this actually went smoothly. Thank God for budget airlines, even if my knees are currently lodged in my ribcage. Airport security was a breeze, surprisingly. Maybe the universe wants me to have a good time. Or, you know, it's setting me up for the fall. I'm betting on the latter.
- 1:45 PM: Pickup up my rental car. Its a Mini Cooper. It's the color of a slightly overripe avocado. I'm already in love. (But I secretly miss my truck)
- 3:00 PM: Arrive at Avid Hotels Melbourne Viera. Check-in. Get my key. Discover I am in a room on the third floor. Okay, fine. I'll take the stairs. Immediately notice a faint but unmistakable perfume of… something. Can't quite place, but it's not unpleasant. Like, slightly chemical, but not in a bad way? What is the deal with hotel scents?
- 3:15 PM: Unpack (sort of). Decide to immediately locate the most crucial element for human survival: the toilet paper. Find…almost none. Panic sets in. Is this a sign? Am I destined to become a cautionary tale? Scour the bathroom like a frantic raccoon. Find a tiny, suspiciously thin roll. Consider calling the front desk. Decide to ration. This is now officially a mission.
- 3:30 PM: Okay, deep breaths. Need caffeine. Head to the lobby for complimentary coffee. Discover the coffee is… fine. Undistinguished. But coffee. This isn't a crisis.
- 4:00 PM: Explore the hotel. Pool looks… inviting. But it's a little chilly. Pass. Check out the (sadly, empty) fitness center. I vow to use it. Tomorrow. (Spoiler alert: I won't.)
- 5:00 PM: Decide to explore the area. Viera, apparently, is a planned community. I drive around, feeling a mix of mild wonder and intense existential dread. Everything is so… perfectly manicured. The houses are all the same, but different colors. It's like a real-life Stepford Wives, but with cul-de-sacs. It's terrifying. And strangely comforting.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local diner. Eat an entire plate of chicken fried steak. Feel slightly ill. But happy. I'm living the dream. Actually, I'm just full.
- 7:30 PM: Back at the hotel. Contemplate calling the front desk about the toilet paper. Chicken out. Ration.
Day 2: Beaches, Bookstores, and Existential Angst (with a Healthy Dose of Seafood)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Regret the chicken fried steak. The toilet paper situation is now bordering on full-blown crisis.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Grab a yogurt. Decide to be healthy (for five minutes). Decide that five minutes is enough. Have another coffee.
- 9:30 AM: Drive to the beach! Cocoa Beach, to be exact. The ocean is glorious. The sand is warm. The sun is… bright. I forget sunscreen. Idiot.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Beach time. Swim. People watch (a lot). Get slightly sunburnt. Realize I should have brought a hat. Kick myself. Enjoy the waves. Completely zone out. This is why I came.
- 1:30 PM: Lunch at a casual seafood shack on the beach. Chowder. Crab cakes. I'm living large (and probably shortening my lifespan with every delicious bite).
- 3:00 PM: Visit a local bookstore. Get utterly lost in the stacks. Browse for hours. Find a book on… well, something philosophical. Decide I need more soul-searching. Buy it.
- 5:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Contemplate the meaning of life (and the impending toilet paper shortage). Consider a second coffee. Resist. Mostly.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Return to the diner. Get the fish and chips. Slightly disappointed. But still, food.
- 7:00 PM: Attempt to read my new book. Fall asleep after two pages.
- 8:00 PM: Realize I still haven't addressed the toilet paper issue. Decide to… investigate further. In the dark. Armed with my iPhone flashlight. Okay. Now I might have a genuine problem.
Day 3: Space Coast Adventures (and a Possible Breakdown)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. Realize I have one square of toilet paper left. Panic sets in. I decide to immediately address this before ANYTHING else
- 9:30 AM: Call the front desk. The sweetest (and maybe slightly bewildered) person answers. Express the grave situation. They assure me new rolls are on the way. Praise the heavens!
- 10:00 AM: Drive towards the Kennedy Space Center. This is what this trip is all about, isn't it? I mean, other than the toilet paper.
- 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM: Explore the Kennedy Space Center. Get completely overwhelmed. The size. The history. The sheer ambition of it all. I find myself fighting back tears. It is… breathtaking. The rocket garden. The various exhibits. The bus tour. My inner child is screaming with joy.
- 2:30 PM: Lunch at the space center. Food court. Eat a burger. Forget that I am on a limited budget.
- 3:00 PM: Finally start to unwind. Then, I see it - the gift shop! I buy a model rocket, space ice cream, and a t-shirt. I am now fully and irrevocably a tourist.
- 4:00 PM: Head back to the hotel. So tired. So full of pure wonder. And…
- 4:15 PM: Toilet paper delivered! I am saved! The crisis is averted! I could cry.
- 5:00 PM: Take a swim in the pool (because I finally felt like it).
- 6:00 PM: Consider dinner. Then pass out.
- 7:00 PM: Wake up. Eat a microwaved meal (because I feel lazy).
- 8:00 PM: Pack for the airport.
- 9:00 PM: Watch television for hours.
- 10:00 PM: Go to bed. The trip is over.
Final Thoughts:
Well, that was… something. The Avid Hotels was fine. Clean. Quiet. A little bland, maybe. But I'd stay there again. Cocoa beach was lovely. The space center was stunning. But, you know what was the best part of my trip? Eating a whole plate of chicken fried steak. And surviving the toilet paper ordeal. I am now a wiser, slightly more sunburnt, and definitely more emotionally raw person.
See you at the airport.
Disclaimer: This itinerary is clearly a work of fiction (or at least, heavily embellished fiction). It reflects my own, often-chaotic, approach to travel (and life). The "imperfections" are intentional. Your experience may vary. Please bring your own toilet paper. And sunscreen. And maybe a hat. You've been warned.
London Balcony Paradise: Your Majestic 1-Bedroom Awaits!
Alright, Spill the Tea: Is Avid Hotel Viera Actually a Secret? Seriously, Is It Good?
Okay, okay, "secret" might be a *slight* exaggeration. More like… a well-kept *whisper*. And good? That depends on your definition of "good." Look, I've stayed there. Twice. Once, it was a revelation. The second time? Let's just say I wasn't *overwhelmed*. But still… let's dig in, shall we? Don't expect Michelin star luxury. Think comfort, convenience, and a solid place to crash after chasing rockets (because, you know, Viera is near the Space Coast!).
The Price? Is it Pinching the Wallet Kind of Secret?
Ah, the million-dollar question (or at least, the hundred-dollar-a-night question!). Generally? No, it's not. It's *budget-friendly*. Which is why it *was* such a good “secret” initially! I swear, I felt like I'd stumbled upon a portal to affordable travel – a portal that hasn't yet been over-run by… well, you know. Look out for deals. Off-season, they're gold. But even peak season... it's usually a solid deal. Just keep your expectations in check - it ain't the Ritz. Although, for the price I DID kind of expect the Ritz to be honest.
Okay, BUT... What's the Room *Really* Like? Don't Lie to Me.
Okay, *this* is where things get... interesting. First time? Loved it. Clean, modern, the bed was ridiculously comfortable. There was a *serious* rainfall showerhead that made me briefly consider abandoning my life and just living in the shower. The second time? Slightly less magical. A tiny stain on the carpet (nothing major, but you notice these things, right?), and the lighting… let’s just say it leaned heavily into the "sterile clinic" vibe. But the bed? Still a champ. So... it's a gamble. Maybe. But a comfortable gamble, usually. The TV is a *monster*, though. Good for binging. And the *size* of it made my tiny room feels like the best little living room ever.
Breakfast. Tell Me About The Breakfast. Because Breakfast is Important.
Ah, yes. The breakfast. Here's the thing. It's… "complimentary." Which basically means "free!" I mean, you're not gonna be writing home about it. Don't expect a gourmet spread. Think: pre-packaged pastries (meh), instant oatmeal, a waffle maker you're guaranteed to burn at least one waffle in, and some fruit...probably. A couple of times I *thought* I even tasted… I don't even know how to describe it but it was like… a hint of… *something* other than carbs. Coffee is… coffee. It'll get you going. Let's just say, if you're a breakfast snob, plan accordingly. Maybe smuggle in a croissant from a local bakery. You won't regret it. That waffle maker, though? Total chaos, but oddly satisfying.
"Location, Location, Location!" - Tell Me About Where it’s At!
Viera! Which is, okay, it *is* a bit… suburban. *Very* suburban. If you’re looking for the bustling city life, go elsewhere. But, if you’re in the area for the Space Coast, shopping, or, like me, to escape the *actual* bustle of the city, it's pretty darn convenient. Close to the shopping centers, a LOT of restaurants (mostly chains, but hey, sometimes you just crave a predictable burger), and a reasonable drive to the beaches. Also, easy access to the highway. Which is handy when you're trying to escape after your stay. Okay, I'm just kidding! But the location *is* a major plus. It's just not… *exciting*.
The Staff? Are They Friendly or Do They Pretend to Like You? (Being Honest!)
Okay, the staff. Generally, the staff are really great. Actually, scratch that – they are *genuinely* friendly. They're the kind of people who seem to actually *like* their jobs. And that makes a huge difference! One time, I, being the magnificent klutz that I am, managed to spill coffee *all over* myself in the lobby. (Don't ask). And the lovely lady at the front desk? She didn’t even FLINCH. She gave me extra napkins, apologized for *my* mishap, and even made a fresh pot of coffee (which, I swear, was genuinely good). You know, that kind of experience? Makes you feel like you're actually *welcome*. I'd give them all high-fives – if that wasn't weird.
So, the WiFi? Is it Actually Useful, or Just a Torture Device?
Right. WiFi. Important. The WiFi? Pretty solid. I mean, I could stream videos, check emails, and do all the important internet things without too much agonizing buffering. No complaints there. It wasn't *blazing* fast, but it was reliable. Which is what you need, right? Unless you have a super important video conference… then maybe test it out beforehand. But for general use? Thumbs up. I will say the one time I visited, the wifi was down for what felt like a eternity, which was a bit frustrating. But the other three times have been pretty great.
The Gym? Is There a Gym? Does it have anything other than a single treadmill in a corner?
There is a gym! It’s small, and it isn’t impressive. If you're a serious gym rat, you're going to be disappointed. It has the basics: treadmills, a couple of ellipticals, some free weights. Enough to get a decent workout in, I’d guess. I’m more of the "walk on the beach" type, so I can't speak to the quality of the equipment, really. But hey, it's better than nothing, right? Especially when you’re traveling and feel the need to punish yourself for all the pastries.
Pet-Friendly? Can I Bring My Furry Overlord?
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