Unbelievable Views Await: The Lodge at Skeena Landing Terrace (BC)!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a review of [Hotel Name], and it’s gonna be… well, it’s gonna be honest. I'm talking raw, real deal, no sugar-coating, like biting into a chili pepper thinking it's a sweet bell pepper kind of honest. Let's see if this place is a five-alarm fire or just a slightly warm cup of tea.
First Impressions & Overall Vibe (Or, “Walking Through the Lobby Like a Fish Out of Water”)
The website made it look stunning. Gleaming marble, cascading waterfalls, models smiling like they'd just won the genetic lottery. Reality? Well, the lobby was pretty, I'll give them that. Marble, check. Water feature… more of a glorified fountain, but hey, I'll take it. The check-in? Relatively smooth, except I swear the receptionist kept giving me this look like my travel attire (sweatpants, because, you know, travel) was personally offending her. But hey, contactless check-in is a win! A definite plus in these microbe-obsessed times.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (Like a Bag of Trail Mix, You Never Know What You're Gonna Get)
Wheelchair Accessible: Okay, the website said accessible. And yes, there was an elevator, ramps where needed, and theoretically accessible rooms. Theoretically. I didn't personally test everything, but I poked around. The hallways seemed wide enough, but I'm not 100% sure about the restaurant access. This is something they really need to be specific about. Don't just say "accessible"; prove it. Get someone with lived experience to review the actual room specifications.
Facilities for Disabled Guests: This falls under the same mixed bag category as above. They say they have it, but the proof is in the pudding (or, in this case, the ramp).
Internet, Glorious Internet! (Or, The Bane of My Existence, Sometimes…)
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Yes! This is a HUGE win. God, I need Wi-Fi like I need oxygen. And it mostly worked! I say "mostly" because there were sporadic moments of "buffering hell" that made me want to throw my laptop out the window. But overall, a solid thumbs-up.
- Internet [LAN] & Internet Services: I didn't use the LAN, but the option is there. Always a good thing, especially if you're old school (like me, sometimes).
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Yep. It was fine. Not super fast in the pool area, which was a bit of a bummer. I wanted to Insta-brag about my poolside zen-ness, but the upload speeds were like watching paint dry.
Things To Do & Ways to Relax (Or, My Attempt at Inner Peace, Interrupted Often By My Stomach)
Pool with View: Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Infinity pool, overlooking… something majestic. I’m not sure what exactly, but it was gorgeous. I spent a solid afternoon there, pretending I was a glamorous movie star, sipping a… uh… something fruity and non-alcoholic because, you know, work still needed to be done.
Fitness Center: Hmmm. Okay. It was there. The equipment looked…used, let's say. I went for a quick run on the treadmill, and I swear it was making a noise like a dying walrus. And a very loud walrus. Otherwise, it was functional.
Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: THIS. WAS. THE. HIGHLIGHT. I booked a massage, and it was heavenly. I started out tense, wound up like a pretzel, and walked out feeling like I could fly. The sauna and steamroom were also delightful. The foot bath? Surprisingly good. I need to remember to make this a regular thing at home. The spa gets a solid A+. It's the kind of place you just don't want to leave.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Pandemic-Era Reality Check (Or, “Am I Safe or Just Paranoid?”)
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Okay, good. They seemed to be taking things seriously, which put my slightly-anxious mind at ease. There were hand sanitizer stations everywhere. The food service had sensible protocols. I felt pretty safe. But still, I kept furiously wiping things down with my own wipes. I'm not saying I'm OCD, but…
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Or, My Belly's Adventure)
- Restaurants: They had several. More on those later.
- Poolside bar: Excellent for the aforementioned non-alcoholic fruity drinks. Also had some decent snacks.
- Room service [24-hour]: YES! This is a huge win. Perfect for those late-night, "I'm-starving-and-don't-want-to-leave-the-room" moments.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet was…fine. It was a buffet, after all. Lots of choices, but nothing particularly mind-blowing. The waffles were a bit sad.
- Asian breakfast, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, Snack bar, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement: Okay, so the variety was there. But the quality of the food fluctuated. Some dishes were fantastic. Others were… less so. I had a truly memorable (and not in a good way) soup experience. Let’s just say it involved a suspicious amount of salt and a lingering aftertaste that haunted me for hours. However, the desserts? Killer. Absolutely killer. The coffee shop was handy. The happy hour was great value. The Asian restaurant? Worth a visit.
Services and Conveniences (Or, The Bits and Bobs That Make Life Easier)
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent. Always appreciated a tidy room.
- Concierge: Helpful, but maybe a little too eager to push certain tours. I felt vaguely pressured into something, which gave me the ick.
- Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Luggage storage: All good.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: All standard, all useful.
- Gift/souvenir shop, Convenience store: There was a tiny shop, which was overpriced. Expected.
- Cashless payment service: Excellent.
- Doorman: Always a classy touch.
- Food delivery: I didn't use it, but the option's good.
For the Kids (Or, The Little People's Opinion)
- Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn't bring any kids with me, so I didn't check this out, but the website claimed to be kid-friendly.
Rooms: The Heart of the Matter (Or, My Little Sanctuary, Mostly…)
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Okay, the rooms were nice. Clean. Comfortable. The bed was amazing. Pure cloud-nine bliss. The blackout curtains? Essential. The bathroom was spacious and the toiletries were decent. I loved having the in-room safe and the minibar was well-stocked. However, the decor was a little… generic. A bit "hotel-y" if you get me. But hey, the free Wi-Fi worked, and the room was a haven from the world (and the potentially off-putting soup).
Safety and Security (Or, Feeling Safe and Sound… Mostly)
- **Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your meticulously planned, perfect itinerary. This is real life. This is… my best shot at a trip to The Lodge at Skeena Landing in Terrace, BC, Canada. And frankly? I'm already picturing myself forgetting my toothbrush.
The Skeena Landing Saga: A Messy, Wonderful Adventure
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic (aka, "Where Did I Park?")
- Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Arrived at the hotel, but before even seeing the hotel, I had to make sure I got the parking location. I went through the lobby, and they were kind enough to direct me to the parking lot.
- My Brain: “Okay… deep breaths. Plane ride: survived. Baggage claim: conquered. Now… find the freaking parking spot I swore I remembered.” (Muffled cursing as I circle the lot for the 7th time.) The kind lady at reception even gave me a helpful smile.
- Observation: The air smells like… trees and hope. And maybe a little bit of that "freshly dug" earth smell. It's incredibly grounding. Already feeling like I can leave the city madness.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Unpack, settle into my room (if I ever get there). Grab a coffee in the lobby or the restaurant.
- Realization: Okay, the room is actually… gorgeous. Big windows, overlooking… well, trees! This view is going to fix everything.
- Quirky Reaction: I swear, I'm going to have a full-blown conversation with that fluffy cloud shaped like a whale. My mood has lifted.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Lunch at the restaurant. Let's check the vibe.
- Anecdote: The menu is full of delicious options, I was going to get some fish, but I settled on the burger with some fries. It was a little bit too much, but it was delicious. (I now have a full belly and a guilty conscience. It was totally worth it.)
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 6:00 PM): River walk!
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, the river… it's breathtaking. The Skeena is wild.
- Rambling: I could spend all day here. The power of the water is incredible. I want to throw all my worries in the flow.
- Imperfection: I tripped over a root on the trail. Dignity: slightly bruised. Me: laughing.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner at the restaurant. I'm going for something special (and smaller).
- Opinionated Language: The service here, is seriously good. They're attentive but not hovering. And the food… oh, the food.
- Emotional Reaction: I feel… relaxed. Actually, ridiculously, wonderfully relaxed.
- Evening (8:00 PM onwards): Relaxing in the room.
- Quirky Observation: I think I might finally read a book. I have been wanting to read "A River Runs Through It", now it's a great moment to read it.
Day 2: Doubling Down on the Skeena & A Little Bit of Everything (aka, "Embrace the Chaos")
- Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Rise and shine! Enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): The Skeena River: Revenge of The River! I'll have a boat tour.
- Doubling Down: This is the day I become one with the Skeena. I need to see the wildlife. I. Must. See. A. Bear (safely, of course!).
- Anecdote: Picture this: me, wind whipping through my hair, camera in hand, attempting to look like a seasoned adventurer. I'm pretty sure I look like a confused tourist who's wandered onto a movie set.
- Quirky Observation: The eagles are magnificent, aren't they? I can't actually see any bears, I'll admire the wildlife.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Quick bite back at the hotel restaurant again.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Relaxation and Relaxation. I'm going to spend the afternoon on the balcony, and just enjoy the beauty.
- Rambling: Maybe I'll try to sketch, maybe I'll stare at the trees, maybe I'll do absolutely nothing and feel absolutely no guilt about it.
- Opinionated Language: The sound of the wind rustling through the leaves… it just hits different.
- Evening (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Head back to the room and make a coffee.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm already starting to feel the familiar pull of real life. This tranquility is dangerous.
- Dinner (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): I head to the restaurant in the hotel again.
- Imperfection: Order a fish. Forgot how to eat fish. End up covered in sauce.
- Evening (8:00 PM onwards): Stargazing.
- Quirky Observation: The stars here are probably even brighter than the stars. I'm going to be looking at those stars.
Day 3: Farewell, Skeena (And Maybe a Little Bit of Melodrama)
- Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Last breakfast at the lodge. Savor every bite.
- Emotional Reaction: This is the hardest part of the trip, which is leaving.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Pack up. Check out. One final walk, one last deep breath of that crisp, clean air.
- Anecdote: The farewell hug from the reception staff. Such a nice staff.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Last meal, before leaving.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Departure. Airport. Home.
- Rambling: I already miss the Skeena.
- Quirky Observation: All I need now is a lifetime supply of coffee.
Important Considerations (Because Real Life Requires Them):
- Packing: Remember everything! Even if I didn't, that's okay too.
- Flexibility: Things will go wrong, and that's part of the fun.
- Embrace the Mess: Sometimes, the best memories are made when things don't go according to plan.
- Have Fun! (Seriously, don't forget this part.)
Well, there you have it. My chaotic, hopefully awesome, Skeena Landing adventure. Wish me luck. And if you see a slightly disheveled person wandering around, looking blissfully confused? That's probably me.
Saitama's BEST Hotel? Yatsuka Ekimae's Hidden Gem (APA Hotel Review!)
So, What *Is* This Whole "Life" Thing, Anyway? Seriously?
Ugh, don't even get me STARTED. I mean, you're born, you eat, you sleep, you, uh... attempt to adult? Look, I'm 40 and still figuring it out! Honestly, it’s like being tossed in a washing machine labeled "Expect the Unexpected." You get a mix of joy, grief, confusion, and the occasional existential crisis, all within a span of what, 80-ish years, if you're lucky? It’s a gamble, a rollercoaster that occasionally throws you off, and a giant, confusing puzzle that somebody *actually* expects you to solve. I'm still trying to find all the pieces, even the ones I've lost… somewhere under a pile of socks and unread books.
How Do I Deal With, You Know, The Big, Bad Feelings? Like, *Everything*?
Oh, the *feelings*. The dreaded, messy, overwhelming feelings. Okay, deep breaths everyone, because I am *not* a therapist, BUT I've got a few (possibly terrible but definitely *my*) coping strategies. Firstly, a good cry is MANDATORY. Let it all out. Like, ugly cry, snotty cry, the whole shebang. Then, chocolate. Always chocolate. Preferably dark chocolate. Or, peanut butter. Or both. Seriously. Or, when you're feeling so low that you're ready to scream. Find a quiet place, and let it all out, but scream into a pillow, it helps somehow. And finally, try to remember that EVERYONE is experiencing it, even the Instagram models who look perfect. They're probably crying over a lost follower count right now. We're all just a bunch of messes trying to survive, right?
What About Money? How Do I... Um... Survive?
Ah, money. The bane of my existence, the constant source of anxiety. Look, I'm not a financial guru, far from it. I've made some epic money mistakes. Like that time I thought buying a vintage Vespa was a good investment (it wasn't, it broke down after two blocks). Seriously, learn about budgeting. Be smart about credit cards. Avoid the impulse buys (I'm still working on that). And, more importantly, don't compare yourself to others. Someone always has more, someone always has less. Focus on getting by, paying those bills, and maybe, just maybe, saving a little bit for a rainy day (and by 'rainy day', I mean the inevitable breakdown of your washing machine).
Okay, But What About Relationships? This is the Tricky Bit, Isn't It?
*Sigh*. Relationships. Another minefield. Romantic, platonic, family... they're all tricky. The thing is, every relationship has its own unique flavor of crazy. You've got the "love at first sight" fantasies, the "we're soulmates" declarations. Then, the reality hits. Arguments, compromises, misunderstandings. I remember this one time, with an ex... Oh, the drama! We were together for a year, spent all of our time together, and then, boom! He was gone. And so was my favorite coffee mug. I'm still slightly bitter about that mug, you know. The lessons here? Communication! Honesty! (and maybe hiding your favorite mugs). Embrace the awkward silences, learn to forgive (yourself and others), and remember, everyone screws up. It's human. It's messy. And sometimes it's unexpectedly wonderful.
Am I Doing It Right? Like, *Really*?
Oh, sweetie, that's the million-dollar question. And the answer? Probably not. Nobody *really* knows what they're doing. We’re all just winging it, hoping we don't crash and burn too spectacularly. I guarantee you, the people who *seem* like they have it all figured out are probably just really good at faking it. Seriously. The key thing is, are you being kind? Are you treating others well? Are you trying your best? If the answer is yes, then chances are, you're doing okay. And if you're not, *that's* okay too. Life's a journey, not a perfectly curated Instagram feed. Embrace the chaos, own your mistakes, and keep going. You'll be fine. (Probably).
What If I Mess Up? (Because I Will. Probably A Lot.)
Okay, here’s the thing: you *will* mess up. A lot. It's practically guaranteed. That's the nature of being a human. You'll say the wrong thing, make bad decisions, burn bridges, and maybe, just maybe, wear that outfit that makes you cringe five years later. Embrace the mess-ups! They make for good stories. And more importantly, *learn* from them. Apologize when you're wrong. Try to do better next time. Forgive yourself. Because honestly, beating yourself up over every mistake is just exhausting. I made a real howler recently. I... well, let's just say I thought I could fix a clogged toilet with baking soda and vinegar. It... did not go well. I swear there was a moment there where I thought the apartment was going to explode. Now I know a plumber's number on speed dial. So, mess up? It’s OK. Just try to learn from it. And maybe keep a plunger handy. Seriously.
What Are Some Good Things? Because, Honestly, Sometimes I Forget.
Oh, man. The good things. Okay, this is where I have to work harder, because my brain is often stuck in a pit of negativity. The good things... Okay. Sunrises. Coffee. The feeling of fresh sheets. A good book that completely absorbs you. The laughter of a child. Hearing a song that just utterly *gets* you. That feeling of pure joy when your dog greets you at the door. Finally, the sweet, cathartic relief when you’ve finally cleaned the house after avoiding it all week. Even the *small* moments. Realizing you aren't alone. Finding a parking spot right in front of the grocery store (yes, I get super excited). Sometimes, it's all just the little things. Focusing on those helps, even when the world feels like it's falling apart. (Which, let’s be honest, it sometimes does).
What Should I Be Doing With My Life, Career-Wise? I'm Lost. Help!
