Escape to Paradise: Spruce Hill Resort & Spa Awaits in Lac La Hache, BC!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of [Hotel Name]! This ain't your sterile, perfectly-polished travel blog. We're getting real. Think less "five-star perfection" and more "warts and all, but still kinda amazing." This is going to be long, and maybe a little all over the place, but hey, that's life, right? And hopefully, it'll help you decide if this place is worth a visit.
First Impressions: A Messy Start (But Aren't We All?)
Okay, so the elevator was a bit…slow. Like, “contemplate the meaning of life” slow. But hey, I'm alive, and it got me to the lobby eventually, which, I will admit, was gorgeous. That air conditioning (and boy, did I need it), and a nice touch. The doorman was friendly, though I had to ask the guy if there were any "facilities for disabled guests" once more, as I missed the notice.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (Like Most Things, Honestly)
- Wheelchair Accessible: This is important, so let's get to it. They claim to be, but let's be honest, that can mean anything, right? I saw Elevator, so that's a good start. I'll need to dig deeper on this.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Yes!
- Other things: They also have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. So, good for safety!
- Access: They have Exterior corridor and Front desk [24-hour] which is a great thing to have!
Internet: Gotta Stay Connected, Right? (Unless You Want To Completely Disconnect)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! This is a must in the modern age. Worked perfectly fine, actually, which is a win.
- Internet: Yes.
- Internet [LAN]: Yup.
- Internet services: More yes.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Also a yup. Basically, you're covered.
- Laptop workspace: Perfect for bloggers like me!
Cleanliness and Safety: Did They Actually Kill Covid? (Or Just Pretend?)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to know.
- Cashless payment service: Smart.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Okay, impressive.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Phew.
- First aid kit: Essential.
- Hand sanitizer: EVERYWHERE. Seriously, I think I could bathe in it. (Don't quote me on that).
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good, good.
- Hygiene certification: Alright.
- Individually-wrapped food options: The current world!
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They try, but let's be honest, sometimes people…don't.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Sounds serious.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice to have the choice, I guess.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Essential.
- Safe dining setup: Yep, good to hear.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Check.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Hopefully.
- Sterilizing equipment: Alright.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (Or Not?)
Okay, this is where it gets interesting. Because, listen, I love to eat. And drink. A lot.
- Restaurants: Plural! That’s promising.
- A la carte in restaurant: Fine dining, potentially.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Good, because I'm picky.
- Asian breakfast: Intriguing! My weakness!
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Delicious.
- Bar: Gotta have one!
- Bottle of water: Always.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yes!
- Breakfast service: Great.
- Buffet in restaurant: I love Buffets!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Good to have, for a start.
- Coffee shop: Yes!
- Desserts in restaurant: (Drools).
- Happy hour: YES! Drinks are important haha!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Nice.
- Poolside bar: Needed!
- Room service [24-hour]: Fantastic.
- Salad in restaurant: Healthy-ish.
- Snack bar: Great for the munchies.
- Soup in restaurant: Perfect for a cold day.
- Vegetarian restaurant: For those who don't eat meat.
- Western breakfast: Always a great choice.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Delicious.
Okay, so I tried the buffet. And let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster. The Asian breakfast buffet was…a little bit of a letdown. The Western breakfast was good but nothing exciting. The coffee was okay, but not the best. So, mixed feelings about the restaurant. The poolside bar was pretty fun, the happy hour was a hit, and the desserts were delicious!
Things to Do And Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Anyone? (Or Just a Nap?)
- Body scrub: Ooh!
- Body wrap: Okay.
- Fitness center: If you're into that.
- Foot bath: Sounds relaxing.
- Gym/fitness: Yes.
- Massage: YES!
- Pool with view: ALWAYS a win.
- Sauna: Nice.
- Spa: Big yes.
- Spa/sauna: Even better.
- Steamroom: Okay.
- Swimming pool: YES!
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Perfect.
I spent a solid afternoon by the pool with the poolside bar, and it was glorious. Pure, unadulterated bliss. The massage was good, too. I didn't check the gym. I'm on vacation, people!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Like a Good Iron)
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: For conferences and stuff.
- Business facilities: Good for business.
- Cash withdrawal: Useful.
- Concierge: Always helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Cool.
- Convenience store: Great when you need snacks.
- Currency exchange: Helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, yes, yes!
- Doorman: Nice.
- Dry cleaning: Good.
- Elevator: Still slow.
- Essential condiments: Yay!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Yay!
- Food delivery: Okay.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Meh.
- Indoor venue for special events: Yes.
- Invoice provided: Perfect.
- Ironing service: Yes!
- Laundry service: Good.
- Luggage storage: Always.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes.
- Meetings: Business.
- Meeting stationery: Alright.
- On-site event hosting: Cool.
- Outdoor venue for special events: Yes.
- Projector/LED display: Cool.
- Safety deposit boxes: Good.
- Seminars: Alright.
- Shrine: Intriguing.
- Smoking area: Alright.
- Terrace: Yes, please.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Always.
- Xerox/fax in business center: Useful.
For the Kids: Family Fun (Or Chaos?)
- Babysitting service: Helpful.
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
- Kids facilities: Good.
- Kids meal: If you want it.
I don't have kids, so I can't comment on this, but the signs looked encouraging.
Rooms: What You Can Expect
- Available in all rooms: Okay.
- Additional toilet: Nice!
- Air conditioning: Yes.
- Alarm clock: Useful.
- Bathrobes: Luxury.
- Bathroom phone: Fancy.
- Bathtub: Great!
- Blackout curtains: YES, please!
- Carpeting: Classic.
- Closet: Good.
- Coffee/tea maker: A must!
- Complimentary tea: Nice.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes!
- Desk: Needed!
- Extra long bed: Good.
- **Free bottled
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's carefully curated itinerary. We're going to Lac La Hache. Spruce Hill Resort. And frankly? I'm already half-convinced I'll forget my toothbrush. Here goes nothing:
Spruce Hill Resort: My Mind Already Wandered… and Probably Yours Will Too (Day 1: Arrival & A Case of the "What Did I Forget?")
1:00 PM (ish): The Great Escape from Reality (aka: Drive-Time Drama). Okay, let's be real. Packing was a disaster. I swear I triple-checked for my passport…only to remember I'm driving to Canada. Pretty sure that ain't necessary. Found the perfect Sirius XM playlist, the one filled with 90s and early 2000s bangers.
- Anxiety Level: Mild panic. Did I accidentally pack my sweatpants as my only bottom? Please no.
4:00 PM (give or take a traffic light and a coffee stop): Arrival at Spruce Hill. Okay, this place is…rustic. In the best possible way. The drive in… well, the scenery got me. Pine trees stretching as far as the eye can see. This IS Canadian beauty. But, I am tired, and the air is a bit crisp. Is this how the mountains feel?
4:30 PM: Check-in Chaos. The front desk dude was super friendly, but my brain was still stuck back in the car, replaying that one awkward interaction from the gas station. He said something about "lake views" and my eyeballs glazed over. I am so tired.
5:00 PM: Cabin Discovery & the Questionable Fridge Contents. Holy moly, the cabin is… cozy. Like, "log cabin chic" meets "Grandma's attic" cozy. It's beautiful, really. I did a quick scan of the space - a fireplace, a hot tub, and a fridge that, judging by the price of the beer in it, is gonna cost me a kidney.
- Immediate Thought: "Did I bring snacks? I feel like I'm going to eat everything."
6:00 PM: Sunset Sipping & the First Crack in the "Relaxation" Wall. Found my way to the deck and immediately cracked open a beer (see Fridge Contents, above). The sunset over the lake… breathtaking. Totally worth the drive. But my phone dinged. Work email. I. Am. Outraged.
6:30 P.M.: Hot Tub Hijinks. Okay, jumping in the hot tub. The steam is glorious. The stars, slowly appearing, are so beautiful. Someone, at some point, might have actually relaxed, but the beer and the altitude is messing with my head.
7:30 PM: Dinner Dilemmas & the Over-Ordering Syndrome. The resort restaurant. Steak! Delicious and way too much food. I feel like I'm going to explode. Forced myself to order a salad too. I hate vegetables.
9.00 PM: Fireplace Fantasies & the Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing. Okay, the fireplace is LIT. It's a beautiful thing, it is. A warm glow and a crackling sound. I, however, am now so tired and have all but one more glass of wine (which I think is a necessity), I'm not sure how long I can keep my eyes open.
Day 2: Lake Day & the Pursuit of Bliss (and Maybe a Bit of Adventure)
- 8:00 AM: The Morning After (and the Dreaded Scale). I am tired from the wine. I need coffee. And I probably shouldn't look at the scale, but I will anyways.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast Blues & the Battle with the Waffles. Breakfast buffet. I, obviously, will eat all of the bacon. I can't eat the waffles. They're like cardboard.
- 10:00 AM: Lake Life Attempt #1: The Kayak of Destiny. Kayaking time! I'm not going to lie. I was a little nervous. But the lake is so beautiful, so I went for it. Turns out, I’m an atrocious kayaker. I swear I was going in circles for a solid 20 minutes. Then, I lost my balance and nearly tipped the damn thing.
- 11:00 AM: Embarrassing Swim & the Wildlife Whisperer (or, the guy who feeds the ducks). I decided to take a swim, and then I froze. The lake water is really, genuinely freezing. I did end up seeing a few ducks and other things. One of the ducks even came up to me. I was like, "Wow. This is great!" The duck, then, took off.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch & the Sudden Urge to Nap. The resort's cafe gave me some soup and a sandwich. I ate it, and then, I just felt tired. My brain, well, it was pretty tired. I did the hard thing, and I went to the cabin to take a nap!
- 2:00 PM: Lake Life Attempt #2: The Art of Floating. Okay, I am rejuvenated. And I will float in the lake. I will float! Got a floatie, some snacks, and just, really, just floated, enjoying the beauty around me.
- 4:00 PM: Spa Time & the Therapist Who Knew More Than Me. The spa. The massage was incredible. I am so relaxed, I could cry. The therapist knew everything about my life, and I just barely told her my name. She fixed me, and then, she sent me on my way.
- 6:00 PM: Cooking? Food? The Eternal Struggle. I am not a cook. I might go to the restaurant again, or maybe, order a pizza?
- 8:00 PM: Game Time! & The Sudden Realization I’m Terrible at Everything. Board games were supposed to be fun. Turns out, I have a complete lack of competitive spirit. I lost horribly. Ate the whole pizza.
Day 3: Forest Adventures, Farewell Beers & The Long Drive Home (Sob!)
- 9:00 AM: Forest Bathing & the Unexpected Encounter. I decided to walk the trails. It was, beautiful, quiet, and I was so relaxed.
- 10:00 AM: Gift Shop Grazing & the Pursuit of Souvenirs. I will check out the gift shop. I need to buy my Mom something. She likes things!
- 11:00 AM: Cabin Clean-up & The Great "What Did I Leave Behind?" Hunt. Time to pack and get out of here! It's sad. I didn't want to go.
- 12:00 PM: Farewell Lunch & the Teary-Eyed Goodbye. Ate. Then left.
This itinerary is a suggestion. Be sure to adjust as your personal interest. Have fun!
Pattaya Paradise: Stunning Seaview Condo on High Floor! (EN58028)
So, what *is* this thing, anyway? Like, what are *we* even doing here?
Right, good question. Let's be honest, I'm mostly winging it. This... this FAQ page is supposed to be answers to questions. About... *stuff*. Whatever *stuff* you're thinking about. Maybe it's life, maybe it's the meaning of cheese (a deeply philosophical question, I assure you). Basically, I'm trying to make sense of things, one question and answer at a time. Think of it as a digital therapy session... for me. And you, I guess.
Why are you doing this in this format? I mean, the HTML stuff?
Ah, the internet! The land of algorithms and *stuff*. This `
Is this going to be *useful*? Like, will I actually learn anything?
Hah! "Useful." Now, that's a loaded question. Look, I can *promise* you entertainment. I can *promise* you a glimpse into the chaotic workings of my brain. I can *promise* you probably won't learn how to build a rocket ship. Knowledge is subjective, my friend. *Maybe* you'll learn something about... resilience? About the absurdity of existence? Or, you might just end up wondering what the heck you just read. Either way, consider it a win!
Okay, fine. Here's a question: What's the biggest mistake you ever made? (And be honest!)
Oh, wow. Biggest mistake? Where do I even *start*? Okay, deep breath. It's a tie. There was the time I tried to bake a cake for my best friend's birthday... it ended up looking like something that crawled out of a swamp. Truly, the *worst*. But then there was the time I accidentally deleted my entire computer during a *very* important project. Yeah, a whole computer. Let's just say, I’ve learned to be careful with the "delete" button and also to appreciate the value of pre-made cake mix. The swamp cake, though... that’s a wound that will never quite heal.
How about the best decision you ever made?
That's easier! Marrying my wife. Hands down. I mean, she puts up with *all* of this. This rambling, this messiness, all of it. She grounds me, she makes me laugh, and she (bless her heart) still eats whatever vaguely edible things I concoct in the kitchen after the Great Swamp Cake Incident. Honestly, she's a saint. The best decision. No contest.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed?
ARE YOU KIDDING? Overwhelmed is like my *middle name*! Look, life is messy, right? There's bills, and bad hair days, and the constant worry that you left the oven on (even though you *know* you didn't). Trying to keep up with everything can feel like trying to herd cats while juggling flaming torches. It’s okay to go, “Whoa, hold on, slow down.” You gotta step back sometimes, you know? Take a breath. Do something silly. That helps.
What do you do when you're feeling down?
Chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate with sea salt, chocolate with nuts, chocolate with other people's feelings... Okay, maybe not that last one. But seriously, food helps. A good book. Or, sometimes, just curling up in a blanket and staring at the ceiling is the perfect anti-depressant. And, you know what? Letting myself *feel* the down is important too. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, and pretending it is? That's exhausting. So, chocolate, books, and sometimes, just letting the feelings wash over me. It's a process, folks. A messy, delicious, sometimes tearful process.
What's the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you?
Oh, man, that’s a tough one. Maybe it was that time I got chased by a flock of angry geese. Seriously, I was just walking in the park, minding my own business, and BAM! They came at me like a feathered, honking, torpedo. The terror! The indignity! Or maybe it was that time I won a goldfish at a carnival. Named him "Gary." Gary lasted about a day and a half. Never again with the goldfish. The geese were worse, though. They just never let up.
Do you have any advice for dealing with... well, *life*?
Oh jeez, *advice*. Who am I to give advice? But alright, here goes… Embrace the mess. Laugh at yourself. Find the people who make your life better, and hold onto those people *tight*. Don’t be afraid to fail – failing is how you learn. And… this is the most important one… Remember that everyone else is just as confused as you are. We’re all stumbling around in the dark, trying to figure it out. So, take a deep breath, put on some good music, and just… keep going. It's all we can do, right? And maybe, just maybe, have some damn chocolate on hand. Just in case.
What's your favourite color?
This is entirely a mood thing! Right now? It's a deep, saturated teal. Before that it was burnt orange. And sometimes, just a good, reliable, comforting grey. It helps that you don't have to stick to one color, too. This answer is just to show you how much I like a good thoughtSerene Getaways
