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A Hotel in Transition — Honest Thoughts from the Road
By Laura M.C. Dusek | Founder of Lifestylio
There is something interesting about returning to a place mid-transformation. You remember the rough edges from before, quietly hope for improvement, and wonder whether time has softened the experience.
Ten months ago, I visited the Ramada by Wyndham Lacey, Washington, during what felt like the very early stages of a major overhaul. At the time, I described it as seriously under construction — and honestly, that was being kind. The property had a long road ahead before it could return to a comfortable standard.
This stay? There has definitely been progress. This is my Remada, Lacey Washington Review
The exterior still openly says construction, but thankfully, it no longer feels like guests should arrive wearing a hard hat. Last time, weeds seemed to dominate the landscape. This visit, the flower beds appeared maintained and intentional. Small details matter. Landscaping may not make or break a hotel stay, but neglected grounds immediately shape first impressions.
This time around, the property felt less abandoned and more transitional.
First Impressions & Check-In
The main lobby is still unavailable to guests for now, though hopefully not for much longer. Current check-in takes place through a temporary side entrance just past the landing area.
You are greeted by two young professionals doing their best to manage the flow of guests while operating in what is clearly an imperfect setup. It is obvious the staff is anxious for some return to normalcy.
The Ramada is currently transitioning ownership into the Marriott family of brands, and that reality is visible throughout the property. Guests should absolutely understand going in that this is not yet a polished final product.
Still, effort matters — and effort is visible.
The Room Experience
I stayed once again in a King room similar to my previous visit.
Immediately upon entering, I felt more comfortable than I had during my last stay. The room presentation was noticeably improved. While the hotel remains in the middle of remodeling and operational transition, the space itself struck a better balance between practicality and comfort.
The bed was comfortable.
The room felt cleaner.
The atmosphere felt calmer.
Sometimes that alone goes a long way after hours on the road.
The bathroom also felt improved from what I remembered during my previous stay, though I do have one personal travel-industry frustration:
No shower wand.
A small thing to some people perhaps, but for frequent travelers, functionality matters just as much as aesthetics.
The hotel does offer both a swimming pool and Jacuzzi — a nice addition to its credit — though unfortunately I had not packed for that luxury this trip. My mistake.
Working on the Road — Where the Stay Began to Slip
As someone who writes, photographs, edits, and works remotely while traveling, certain hotel basics are no longer “extra amenities.” They are expectations.
And this is where the stay became frustrating.
Power outlets were plentiful in appearance, but finding one capable of properly charging my iPad became almost comical. I plugged my device in at 10 PM before going to sleep. By 5:45 AM, it had only reached 45% battery life and finally fully charged sometime around 10 AM.
That should not happen in a modern hotel room.
Meanwhile, the WiFi was extremely spotty at best and nearly non-existent at worst. For business travelers, digital creators, authors, and remote workers, that is not a small inconvenience. It directly impacts productivity.
The television setup also felt incomplete. No clear channel information. No Netflix. No streaming services available. When I asked about it, the response was the now-familiar:
“We’re still transitioning and working on the problem.”
I understand construction.
I understand growing pains.
But when guests are paying full room rates, there are baseline expectations that still need to be met.
At some point, “transition” stops feeling like an explanation and starts sounding like a blanket response.
Breakfast — A Tale of Two Mornings
Breakfast during my first morning left much to be desired.
Reconstituted cheese omelets.
Very salty sausage links.
A painfully slow toaster.
Green oranges that clearly were not ripe.
Empty orange juice containers by 7 AM despite breakfast running from 7–10 AM.
The waffle station quickly became the most popular option simply because it felt fresher than the alternatives, though lines built rapidly because of the wait times.
There was cereal available for children or the young at heart, but overall the breakfast experience felt more functional than enjoyable.
To be blunt, it lacked care.
However, on my final morning before departure, breakfast had noticeably improved. It was not luxurious by any stretch, but it felt more thoughtfully prepared and far more presentable than the previous morning.
Consistency, however, remains part of the hospitality equation.
Housekeeping Concerns
The most disappointing moment of the stay came on the evening of the 16th.
After spending the day out with family, I returned to discover my room had not been serviced at all.
I contacted the front desk and was politely told:
“That’s not something I can help you with. I can have towels and supplies brought to your room, but I’m not in charge of housekeeping.”
The employee was courteous, and I genuinely do not fault the front desk staff personally. They appear to be doing their best inside a difficult operating environment.
Still, from a guest standpoint, paying full price for a hotel operating under both the Ramada and Marriott umbrella comes with certain expectations — housekeeping being one of them.
That disconnect cannot simply be overlooked.
The Human Side of Hospitality
One thing I did notice throughout the stay was that the staff appeared genuinely aware of guest frustrations.
At one point while leaving for an errand, I overheard a front desk employee reassuring a potential guest that while construction was ongoing, the pool and several amenities were still operational. He was doing his best to provide confidence and reassurance.
And honestly? That matters.
Before checking out, I had a pleasant conversation with one of the gentlemen at the front desk regarding my stay. He listened professionally, handed me his manager’s business card, and we parted on positive terms.
Hospitality is not just buildings and branding.
It is people.
And the people working there do seem to care.
Final Thoughts
This property is clearly still a work in progress — likely another year away from feeling truly complete.
There has been improvement since my last stay. The rooms feel more comfortable. The exterior appears cared for. The staff remains polite and patient under pressure.
But there are still operational gaps that become difficult to justify at full-price rates:
- Inconsistent housekeeping
- Weak WiFi
- Poor charging capability
- Incomplete entertainment systems
- Inconsistent breakfast quality
For travelers simply needing a comfortable bed and hot shower while passing through, this may still work reasonably well.
And to the hotel’s credit:
- The bed is comfortable.
- The shower is hot.
- The towels are fresh and thankfully do not smell heavily of bleach.
Those details still matter.
Would I stay again in the future once renovations are complete? Possibly.
For now, patience is required — both from guests and likely from the staff themselves.
Sometimes a place is not quite what it wants to become yet. This hotel feels very much like that in-between chapter.
