Evanston's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review & Hidden Gems!
My Messy, Honest, and Somewhat Over-the-Top Review of [Insert Hotel Name Here]! (SEO-tastic Edition!)
Okay, alright, here's the deal. I just got back from [Insert Hotel Name Here], and I’m going to try and give you the real deal, not some fluffy, sanitized travel brochure version. Prepare yourselves, it might be a bit… disjointed. But hey, isn't life? And just FYI, I'm cramming this full of keywords. SEO is the name of the game, baby! We're talking luxury hotels, accessible hotels, spa hotels, you name it.
Accessibility: The First Impression… Or Lack Thereof (and Why It Matters!)
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Accessibility. This is a huge deal to me, and honestly, it’s often a total crapshoot. The website said it had facilities for disabled guests. Good start. I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I'm VERY aware of the importance of this for others. So, I was looking for things like ramps, wide doorways, and accessible bathrooms. I'm glad to report that they did have an elevator, which is always essential! It had a car park [on-site] which was great, but I failed to ask about how close the accessible spaces were to the entrance.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I confess, I didn't specifically check the restaurant's accessibility, which is my fault. It just didn't occur to me at the time, which is a shame. I'll do better next time!
Getting Around & Parking – Or, the Saga of the Shuttle
I really wanted to make sure they had airport transfer available. I mean, who wants to wrestle with public transport after a long flight? Disaster averted! Airport transfer was smooth and stress-free, which is always a win. Car park [free of charge] also made life easier.
Getting around: I did use the taxi service once, and it was… well, it was a taxi. No complaints, no raves. They did offer valet parking, but frankly, I'm perfectly capable of parking myself, and it's always good to have bicycle parking.
Internet: The Eternal Struggle (and My Endless Search for Good Wi-Fi!)
Okay, let's talk internet. This is where things get interesting. The ad said "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Music to my ears, right? Wrong. The Wi-Fi [free] in my room… let’s just say it was… spotty. Like, sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. The Internet access - wireless was a joke. I spent more time staring at the loading symbol than actually using the internet. I also noticed Internet access – LAN, but who even uses that anymore?! The Internet services were pretty minimal. But hey, at least there was Wi-Fi in the public areas I guess?
Food, Glorious Food (And the Occasional Hangry Meltdown)
Oh, the food! It was a mixed bag to say the least. Let’s start with the positives. The Asian breakfast was a delight. I especially loved the… well, I'm not going to spoil the surprise. Let's just say it involved a delightful combination of flavors and textures that made my taste buds do a happy dance. There was also Breakfast [buffet]. I can’t resist a buffet. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was good too and was a welcome pick-me-up every morning.
But then came the negatives. The A la carte in restaurant was a bit of a letdown at times, the options at the Snack bar were too limited, I wanted some Salad in restaurant but there wasn't that option.
Also, I was starving one evening, and the only option was Room service [24-hour]. Now, I love room service… but oh man, this was a test of my patience.
Dining, drinking, and snacking was a letdown most of the time. I really regret not trying the Happy hour that I know they had, because it sounds like it was the best time to be at this place! I'll definitely remember to do that next time.
The Wellness Wonderland (Or, My Attempt at Relaxation)
Alright, let's talk Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Massage and all things pampering. This is where [Insert Hotel Name Here] really shines. The Spa itself was gorgeous, and I mean, just wow! The Pool with view was incredible. Seriously, I could have spent all day floating. And they had a Sauna and a Steamroom, which I obligatorily used (because, you know, spa!).
I even got a Body scrub and a Body wrap, and I emerged feeling… like a new person. So soft! 10/10 would recommend. The Fitness center was pretty standard, but adequate for a quick workout. And a Foot bath? Genius! Just pure genius.
Cleanliness and Safety: The New Normal (and My Mildly Paranoiac Tendencies)
Okay, let's get serious. I'm a bit of a clean freak, even before the pandemic. But I was SO glad to see the level of effort they put in for Cleanliness and safety. Here’s what I noticed:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: check.
- Hand sanitizer: everywhere!
- Individually-wrapped food options: very appreciated.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: mostly observed.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: seemed well-trained.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: I certainly hope so!
Although I do have to share that I wasn't sure how I felt about the Room sanitization opt-out available. I mean, if you’re going to disinfect, just commit, right?
Oh, and they definitely had the essential stuff like Fire extinguisher, Smoke detector, and Smoke alarms, and a First aid kit.
Service & Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
They offered a laundry service, which was quite convenient, and the Daily housekeeping was very thorough. Concierge services were great for getting around, and they had the standard Safety deposit boxes, and a Luggage storage. I actually got a wake-up service a few times and it worked perfectly.
For the Kids: (Because I'm a Big Kid at Heart)
I don’t have kids, but I noticed they offered Babysitting service and had Kids facilities. So, bonus points there.
The Rooms: My Personal Oasis (Mostly)
My room was… decent. It had Air conditioning, which was a lifesaver. A Closet to put all my stuff in, the Blackout curtains were great for sleeping in, and there was a Coffee/tea maker, which is always a plus.
The Bathroom was a little small, honestly, and the Shower was nothing to write home about. The Bed was comfortable enough. They had Free bottled water, which is always appreciated. And the Towels were fluffy!
Areas for Improvement (Because Perfection Is Boring)
- Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi! Please, for the love of all that is holy, fix the Wi-Fi!
So, would I stay at [Insert Hotel Name Here] again? Hmmm… It’s complicated. I’d probably go back, but next time, I'm going to be much more demanding. And I'm definitely checking the Wi-Fi situation before I unpack. Final verdict: a solid, if somewhat inconsistent, experience. But hey, at least it's memorable, right?
Kalix's Hidden Gem: Unveiling the White & Black Houses of Sweden!
Alright, Buckle up, Buttercups! This ain't your grandma's perfectly-structured travel itinerary – this is a chronicle of my impending (and, frankly, probably slightly chaotic) adventure at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Evanston, WY. Get ready for a rollercoaster of highs, lows, and the lingering scent of hotel-provided hand soap.
Day 1: Arrival and The Great Breakfast Debacle
- 1:00 PM: ARRIVAL! (Or, as the airport shuttle driver so eloquently put it, "Welcome to the wide open spaces… of Wyoming"). I’m already battling a mild plane-induced headache and the creeping suspicion I forgot my toothbrush. Deep breaths. Check-in should be easy… right?
- 1:15 PM: Check-in. Okay, that IS easy. The front desk lady, bless her heart, seems like she’s seen things (and probably dealt with more than a few cranky travelers like me). She’s got a smile that’s either genuine warmth or professionally practiced… I can't quite tell yet. Room key acquired!
- 1:30 PM: Room Inspection. A quick sweep for bedbugs, the usual… Everything seems… fine. Beige. Very beige. Standard hotel fare. But hey, it’s clean, and the air conditioning is working, so I'm already winning.
- 2:00 PM: Time to explore the glorious town of Evanston! I make a mental note to seek out a decent coffee shop ASAP. Fuel is crucial, people.
- 2:30 PM: Wandered around the neighbourhood. The local art museum is closed on Mondays, so I can't do anything to pass time other than walking around.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a local diner. A greasy burger and fries, just what the doctor ordered after the plane ride.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel. I'm not even ready to pass out on the bed.
- 9:00 PM: Bed.
Day 2: The Pursuit of Pancake Perfection (And Possibly Sanity)
- 7:00 AM: BREAKFAST! The moment of truth. The free hotel breakfast is legendary (…at least, in the annals of hotel breakfasts). I enter the dining area with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Will the waffle maker be functioning? Will I witness a true culinary disaster of epic proportions?
- 7:05 AM: Disaster averted! The waffle maker is indeed operational. BUT… the waffle batter… It's thinner than my patience after a redeye flight. I pour a meager amount and pray for it to cook evenly.
- 7:10 AM: The waffle emerges… Pale. Almost… anemic. I try to rescue it with copious amounts of syrup, but the damage is done. It’s… edible. Barely.
- 7:20 AM: Okay, onto the eggs. They look suspiciously pre-made, but… okay, they’re decent. Bonus points for the availability of hard-boiled eggs – a traveler’s best friend.
- 7:30 AM: The cereal bar. A bastion of sugary goodness. I manage to resist, opting for a piece of fruit (an apple, which I know I could’ve brought from home) to pretend I'm maintaining a semblance of health.
- 7:45 AM: I observe my fellow breakfast-goers. A family attempting to wrangle a toddler, and a lone business traveler, looking like he hasn’t slept in a week. We share a silent bond.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast…ish… finished. The whole experience was a rollercoaster of minor disappointments and fleeting triumphs. But hey, it was free, and I’m alive.
- 9:00 AM: Explore. Since the museum closed yesterday, time to go there today.
- 12:00 PM: Back to the hotel to charge my devices and have a break.
- 2:00 PM: Out again.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner.
Day 3: Final Days
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast again. More waffle.
- 9:00 AM: Pack.
- 10:00 AM: Check out.
- 11:00 AM: Leave.
Overall Reflections:
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Evanston was… a hotel. It provided a clean bed, functioning air conditioning, and a free (albeit slightly underwhelming) breakfast. It wasn’t luxurious, it wasn’t quirky, but it was functional. And sometimes, that's all you need when you're on the road.
The true takeaway? Always pack extra snacks. And learn to love the hard-boiled egg.
Escape to Paradise: Solenzara's Hotel Maquis et Mer Awaits!
So, like, what *is* this thing supposed to be about, anyway? (Ugh, the title...)
Wait, who *are* you, and why should I care? (Asking the REAL questions…)
Okay, okay… But what KIND of questions are we actually answering here? What's the *topic*?
What about… relationships? Ugh, romantic ones, specifically?
Are we talking about, like, hobbies and passions? What gets you excited?
What about Money? How do you handle finances? (The dreaded topic)
What about the bad days? What do you do when you're feeling down?
What about the future? Do you have any big dreams?
