Charleston Getaway: Luxurious Stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites!
Charleston Getaway: Holiday Inn Express & Suites - My Unfiltered Take (Brace Yourself!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a Charleston getaway and, let me tell you, it was… an experience. My home base? The Holiday Inn Express & Suites. And while the brochure promises "Luxurious Stay"… well, let's just say my definition of luxury might be a little different from theirs. Honestly, after the stress of navigating the airport shuffle, finally landing in Charleston and the 3+ hour traffic jam of getting to Charleston, I just wanted to be in the hotel.
Accessibility & Getting Started: Navigating the Gauntlet (and the Elevator)
First off, accessibility. They do claim to cater to people with disabilities, and that's a huge plus. There was an elevator (thank GOD, because the stairs looked… well, let’s just say I’m not an Olympic climber). But, honestly, it felt a little… meh. The paths were wide enough, the ramps were okay, and the rooms had the basic accommodations. Nothing spectacular but functional. I'm not a wheelchair user, but I was keeping an eye out for the folks looking to navigate this hotel.
Check-in was, thankfully, Contactless: which was a blessing after being in a crowded airport.
Internet - Bless the Wi-Fi Gods (and the Lack of LAN Cables)
Internet access and free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Okay, this is something I can DEFINITELY get behind. After all that travel, I needed to upload some shots of Charleston and let my family know I was ok. So, yes, the fact that I had free and relatively reliable Wi-Fi was a HUGE win. And the internet was the best part for me. I might as well skip the internet [LAN] since I don’t have a LAN cable!
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitization Station, Anyone?
Alright, let's dive into the COVID era. They were definitely trying, I’ll give them that. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, staff trained in safety protocol. Signs everywhere about hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer dispensers strategically placed. There was even a cute little sign letting people know about room sanitization options between stays. But sometimes, I still felt a little… uncertain. Like, I saw a housekeeper wipe down a door handle, but I wasn't sure if they were using the right stuff and if the person was trained to do it. So, I brought my own disinfectant wipes, and probably wiped everything down myself. It was probably just me, being a little paranoid.
Dining, Drinking and Snacking: Food, Glorious, Sometimes Questionable, Food.
Okay, let’s talk about the food. This is where things get… interesting.
- Breakfast [buffet]: I was intrigued. The only option was a buffet that was, thankfully, being manned by hotel staff. I'd say 60% of the food was good, 40% was… well, let’s just say the scrambled eggs tasted suspiciously like rubber, but the Asian breakfast was surprisingly good. There were some fruit that looked like it was about to expire, but the coffee was decent.
- Coffee shop: I think this was just the coffee maker in the lobby. Coffee, or at least, a hot beverage was always available.
- Restaurants, Bars, and Snacks: There wasn't a dedicated bar, but the poolside bar was nice to have. The snacks by the pool were pretty good but not amazing. Nothing to write home about but also, nothing to badmouth either.
The Rooms: Comfort… with a Few Quirks
My room. Ah, my room. It was… clean. That’s always a good starting point. The air conditioning worked like a dream (thank heavens for that Charleston heat!), and the blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleeping in. I appreciated the coffee/tea maker and the fridge (because, snacks!).
There was a desk for working (I swear, I actually checked the room for my work!) and a sofa to collapse on.
On the downside, the décor felt a little… generic. Very non-smoking rooms. Nothing particularly charming. The bathroom phone was a little old school, and I couldn't figure out how to use the scale. The TV? Fine, but the satellite/cable channels left something to be desired.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams vs. Reality
I'm a spa person. Okay, I want to be a spa person. The brochure promised a spa. And it offered the spa/sauna feature. I also saw that there was a fitness center and a swimming pool [outdoor]. I never did get to the Steamroom, sauna, pool with the view, or gym/fitness because of the time constraint, but I did want to see the Swimming pool. It had the usual stuff: a pool and some chairs. I was hoping for something more… luxurious but hey, at least it was clean
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (or Don't)
Okay, so, the hotel had a bunch of services. Car park [free of charge] was great because parking in Charleston can be a nightmare. Concierge, laundry service, daily housekeeping, and elevator were all welcome. There was a convenience store – handy for snacks when your stomach is growling at 11 PM.
I didn't use the dry cleaning, ironing service, babysitting service or luggage storage, but they were there if I had needed them.
The Bottom Line: Would I Go Back?
Look, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites wasn't perfect. It was a little… average in some ways. But the location was pretty good, close to several things. The Wi-Fi was fantastic, the room was clean enough, and the staff were friendly.
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This review is based on my experience and may not reflect everyone's. Safe travels, y'all!
Unbelievable Purnama Hotel Limbang: Your Malaysian Paradise Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your average travel itinerary. This is… a vibe. And that vibe starts with a slightly chaotic adventure at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston-North By IHG. Honestly, I felt like I was picking up a package at a FedEx office – a little… functional. But hey, Charleston, SC, baby! Let's see what we can make happen.
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic
1:00 PM: Arrive at Charleston International Airport (CHS). Okay, so the flight was delayed. AGAIN. You know, I'm starting to think airlines just enjoy messing with my life. Anyway, hopped in an Uber (pro tip: avoid the surge pricing if you can, even if you're hangry) to the Holiday Inn.
- First Impression: The lobby? Clean. The check-in clerk? Surprisingly chipper, considering it was almost dinner time. Bonus points for a warm cookie. Cookies are a love language, I tell ya. This is where the pre-tripping emotions start to set in…
- Anecdote: Okay, picture this: I'm hauling my oversized suitcase through the automatic doors, and BAM! A small child – maybe six, definitely wearing a superhero cape – runs directly into my ankles. I almost went down! This is the beginning of the trip.
2:00 PM: Settle into the room. Ugh, the view? A parking lot. But whatever. At least the AC works – and believe me, that's a critical factor in Charleston. The room itself… well, it's a Holiday Inn. You know what you're getting. Functional. Clean. Slightly generic.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, so I'll be honest, the initial "WOO! Charleston!" excitement started to wane a bit. Suddenly, the reality of this trip hits me: it's hot. I'm alone. And I haven’t eaten lunch. Damn it.
3:00 PM: Decide to venture out. Armed with a hastily scribbled list of "possible" activities, let's see where this takes us. (spoiler alert: it takes us to the hotel gym, which I quickly abandoned after realizing I had no idea how to use the equipment)
4:00 PM: Explore the hotel amenities, which isn’t much, but it's something to do.
- Observation: The pool looked… inviting. But I never packed a swimsuit. Rookie mistake.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. I didn't manage to book a reservation since i was too busy figuring out that I was still in one piece. Walked into a highly talked about restaurant. The ambiance was great and the food was divine. I went for the crab cakes. Delicious.
8:00 PM: Collapse in a heap of exhaustion back at the hotel. Watch some trashy TV. The cycle begins!
Day 2: Ghosts, Gumbo, and a Near-Meltdown
9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel (complimentary!). Standard fare. Waffles, scrambled eggs, rubbery bacon. I feel like the same experience is offered across all the Holiday Inn Express & Suites.
10:00 AM: The main event! Ghost tour of Charleston. I never believed in ghosts. I’m more of a 'rational, logical' type. But this tour promised… well, it promised something.
- Strong Emotional Reaction: Okay, I actually LOVED the ghost tour! The guide? Amazing. She told stories with REAL passion. The atmosphere? Creepy in the best way. And the best part? I swear, I felt a cold spot! Maybe… maybe I do believe now?
- Anecdote: At one point, we were standing in front of a particularly haunted house, and the guide started telling a story about a little girl who died in the house. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through the trees, and a branch snapped and fell right in front of us. The whole group jumped! I nearly peed myself.
1:00 PM: Lunch. I just walked down the street and fell into a traditional restaurant! Needed all the comfort food it could get. Decided to go for gumbo, and boy oh boy did I had the best gumbo of my life.
3:00 PM: This is where things get messy. I had planned to casually stroll down the city and visit all the little boutique shops to find some souvenirs. The shops were nice. The sun was brutal. I was sweating. I couldn't stand the crowd.
- Quirky Observation: Apparently, everyone in Charleston owns a pastel-colored sundress and a straw hat. I stuck out like a sore thumb (and a sweaty one at that).
4:00 PM: Near-meltdown in a tiny, overpriced souvenir shop. I wanted to buy a shirt or a necklace, but I hated every design. The entire shop was filled with kitschy, low quality stuff. I walked out empty-handed and started to get annoyed.
5:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Shower and cry. (Kidding! Mostly.)
7:00 PM: Dinner. Went back to a place I liked earlier, and ate more crab cakes. Comfort food, again. I deserved it.
9:00 PM: Early to bed. Tomorrow? I'm not sure.
Day 3: A Deep Breath (and a Plan?)
9:00 AM: Breakfast. Waffles, eggs, a sudden urge to stay in the hotel forever.
10:00 AM: Decide to face the day. No fancy plans. Just wander. Maybe chill by the pool (if I can find a pair of shorts).
12:00 PM: Find an amazing, not-too-crowded coffee shop. Read a book. Breathe. Ahhhh.
- Opinionated Language: Okay, this coffee shop was a lifesaver. Local coffee, actual comfortable chairs, and a general lack of Instagram influencers taking selfies. I could get used to this.
2:00 PM: Still wandering. Find a cute little park. Watch the world go by. It’s actually pretty nice. Charleston is slowly starting to win me over.
4:00 PM: Head back to the hotel. Pack. This trip, while a bit of a mess, has been a unique one.
- Moment of Reflection: I realize that sometimes, the best adventures aren't about perfectly planned itineraries. They're about embracing the chaos, the unexpected, and the imperfections. And hey, even a slightly generic hotel room can become a haven when you need it.
6:00 PM: One last crab cake dinner. I needed it.
8:00 PM: Airport. Goodbye Charleston.
Bonus Ramblings & Imperfections:
- I still have no idea why I packed three pairs of heels.
- I definitely overspent on souvenirs that I probably won’t use.
- I wish I’d remembered to pack sunscreen. My shoulders are screaming.
- Maybe next time, I'll remember a swimsuit. And a better attitude.
- I kind of liked it there.
This, my friends, is the truth. The messy, honest, sometimes-slightly-depressed truth of a solo trip to Charleston. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn't glamorous. But it was mine. And you know what? I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Rossi Hotel Sartene: Corsica's Hidden Gem Awaits You!
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