Escape to South Carolina: Unbeatable Deals at Holiday Inn Express Columbia!
ESCAPE TO SOUTH CAROLINA: Holiday Inn Express Columbia - A Review That's Got More ZING Than a Carolina Sunshine!
Okay, folks, buckle up. This ain't your grandma's hotel review. We're diving headfirst into the Holiday Inn Express in Columbia, South Carolina, and I'm gonna spill the beans, the sweet tea, and maybe a little bit of my sanity in the process. Let's be real, I needed this trip. Like, really needed it. So, did this Holiday Inn Express deliver the escape I craved? Let's find out, shall we?
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- Keywords: Holiday Inn Express Columbia, South Carolina hotel, accessible hotel, wheelchair access, free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center, breakfast, clean hotel, safe hotel, Columbia SC, family-friendly, pet-friendly (kinda!), business facilities, meeting rooms, COVID-19 safety
- Description: Honest and detailed review of the Holiday Inn Express in Columbia, SC. Featuring accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, dining, and overall experience. Find out if this hotel truly offers an unbeatable escape!
Accessibility & Getting Started (The Crucial First Impression):
Right off the bat, I need to rave about the accessibility. I mean, wheelchair accessible is a huge deal for some of us, and this place delivers. Wide doorways, ramps aplenty, and a general feeling that they actually cared about making things easy for everyone. Elevator? Yep. Easy access to all floors? Double-yep. Seriously, a solid start. (A tip: If you need a specific type of accessible room, CALL them in advance. Don't just assume. Learned that the hard way once… let's just say it involved a very small, very non-accessible shower.)
Parking & Getting Around (Don't stress about the car!):
Car park [free of charge]? YES! That's a massive win. The Car park [on-site] was also convenient. And the Airport transfer option, though I didn't use it, is a great touch. Forget the stress of finding a space or paying exorbitant parking fees; the hotel seems to have it handled.
Cleanliness & Safety (COVID-19 and Beyond – Were We Worried?):
Okay, let's get to the elephant in the room: COVID. I'm a worrier, okay? I'm the kind of person who carries hand sanitizer like it's a fashion accessory. However, this hotel really put my mind at ease. They had Daily disinfection in common areas (yes!), Anti-viral cleaning products, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They even offered to let you Room sanitization opt-out available. Honestly, if you're worried, they've thought of just about everything. The staff wore masks, and seemed genuinely dedicated to keeping things safe.
My room was sparkling. I mean, gleaming. I half expected a hazmat suit to come with the key! Jokes aside, I appreciated the attention to detail. The Hot water linen and laundry washing was a crucial standard. They offered Hand sanitizer at every turn, and Staff trained in safety protocol. They got a gold star for making me feel safe.
The Room: My Little Sanctuary (And Maybe My Slightly Messy Reality):
Okay, let me paint you a picture. I walked into my room, and I was greeted by… a bed. A big bed! Extra long bed. Which was perfect for my occasional flailing in sleep. Non-smoking rooms, thank goodness. Nobody wants to smell second-hand smoke.
The Air conditioning in all rooms was a lifesaver in the Carolina heat. Blackout curtains were a godsend. I'm a light sleeper, and those things kept the sun from rudely waking me up at 6 AM. Alarm clock? Check. Wake-up service? Check. Desk? Check. A little workspace if you needed it, which I did!
And the Wi-Fi. Oh, the Wi-Fi [free]! It was actually decent. Didn't cut out during my late-night Netflix binge (a crucial test!).
Available in all Rooms:
- Additional toilet
- 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 (or space for your own snacks – I chose snacks!)
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- On-demand movies (that I didn't use, but neat!)
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels
- Scale
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub (yesss!)
- Shower
- Slippers (fancy!)
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Wi-Fi [free]
- Window that opens.
Here's a confession: I'm a slob. I left my shoes by the door, my laptop on the desk, and a half-eaten bag of chips on the nightstand. But the daily housekeeping? Bless them! They swooped in, made the bed, tidied up, and I felt like I could start fresh every day. The bathroom was clean and functional. Separate shower/bathtub? Nice! Toiletries? Perfectly adequate. My ONLY minor gripe? The lighting in the bathroom could be a smidge brighter. But hey, I'm being picky.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Fuel For the Adventure):
Breakfast [buffet]. This is the main event, right? And it was…fine. Let's be honest. They had the usual suspects: scrambled eggs, sausage, cereal, pastries, the works. It's not gourmet, but…it's free, and it kept me fueled for the day. I may have eaten far too many pancakes one morning. Breakfast takeaway service? Yep. Perfect for those grab-and-go mornings. They had Coffee/tea in restaurant, essential! Fruit juice, which I love. They also had a Coffee shop and access to Restaurants.
Amenities & Things To Do (Beyond the Bed):
This is where the Holiday Inn Express Columbia really shines. Swimming pool [outdoor]? YES! It was clean, refreshing, and just what the doctor ordered after a long day. There was even a Poolside bar for some cocktails. The Gym/fitness center was basic but adequate. I may have used it once. Okay, twice. And that was because I felt guilty about the pancakes. Spa/sauna available? Yes! And I definitely enjoyed all the options. The Foot bath was something I really needed after a long trip.
Services and Conveniences (Making Life Easy):
Front desk [24-hour]. Always love that. Concierge, which I didn't use, but nice to have. They even offered Food delivery to your room. Daily housekeeping? Check, check, check! Every hotel should have that. The Luggage storage was super helpful, especially when I checked out.
For the Kids (Family Friendly?):
They had Family/child friendly things, which is great. I don't have kids, so I can't speak from experience, but the hotel seemed well-equipped.
The Imperfect Moments (Because Life Isn't Seamless):
Okay, this is where I get real. There was a slight issue with the TV remote one evening. Minor annoyance, quickly solved. But hey, even the best experiences have a few hiccups, right? Also, the elevator seemed to take FOREVER sometimes. I took the stairs a few times just to speed things up.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. For the price, the location, the accessibility, and the overall cleanliness and safety, the Holiday Inn Express Columbia delivered. It wasn't perfect, sure, not every hotel is. But it ticked all the boxes for a relaxing, stress-free escape. Did it deliver the "unbeatable deal"
Escape to Bliss: Inside No. 9's Secret Warton Retreat!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's perfectly polished itinerary. This is my trip to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbia-I-20 at Clemson Road, and let's be honest, it's probably going to be a glorious, hot mess. Prepare for tangents, whines, and the unvarnished truth.
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Great Mattress Debate (Probably)
Time: "Sometime" in the afternoon. Seriously, who knows? I'm a master of 'ish' planning.
Destination: Columbia, South Carolina. Specifically, the Holiday Inn Express (fingers crossed it's clean!).
Transportation: My trusty, slightly beat-up Honda Civic. We've been through some things, that car and I.
Mood: Pure unadulterated optimism. I'm dreaming of a perfect hotel room! Soft towels! Fluffy pillows! A mattress that doesn't feel like sleeping on a slab of concrete! (Hey, a girl can dream.)
The Reality Check (because this is life): Traffic. ALWAYS. God, I hate traffic. I swear, every time I plan a trip, some celestial being is like, "Let's make her suffer with a parking lot of cars!"
The Check In: I'll pray for nice people, a smooth check in, and no hidden fees! God I hate hidden fees!
Room Reconnaissance: This is crucial. First things first: Is it clean? That's the big one. Then, the bathroom. Is the water pressure decent? Because I NEED a good shower after the drive. Then, the mattress. The most critical element. I'm prepared to stage a small protest if it's a sleep-surface-from-hell situation.
Unpacking (or maybe just chucking things on the bed): My organizational skills are… questionable. More likely, my suitcase will explode, and I'll live out of it.
Dinner Decision: The Quest for Food: Ugh, the dilemma! What's around here? Chain restaurants? Local gems? My inner foodie is screaming for authenticity, but my exhausted travel self might cave and just grab whatever's fastest. Wingstop or something for dinner? I'll decide when my hangry kicks in.
Evening Revelations: Probably watching some crap on TV. Journaling maybe, or maybe just staring at the ceiling, reflecting on life and the fact that I’m finally on a trip.
Day 2: The Promised Activities, Potential Snafus, and the Case of the Missing Coffee
Time: "Whenever I wake up." I don't do mornings.
- Morning
Breakfast: Hopefully, the hotel includes a decent breakfast! I’m not picky. I will take anything with carbohydrates.
Clemson University Excursions:
The Tiger Paw The Tiger Paw (Clemson's mascot) will be the focal point of this trip.
Afternoon Adventures:
South Carolina State House: I'm mildly thrilled about this! I'm hoping the building is beautiful and that it's not too boring of a tour. I'll definitely bring a notebook to jot down anything interesting. The tour will depend on how much I slept and how good breakfast was.
The Riverwalk: I've heard it's a relaxing place to go for a stroll! I hope that's right because I need some alone time because I tend to be a talker, and I need something to occupy my time.
The Great Coffee Crisis: I swear, a good cup of coffee makes everything better. If the hotel coffee is the brown water of despair, I'm heading to a local coffee shop, even if it means driving around lost for an hour. "Coffee, please, and don't judge my lack of sleep!"
Potential Snafu Corner: Okay, let's be real - something will go wrong. Maybe I'll get lost. Maybe the historical site will be closed. Maybe I'll discover I've packed only one shoe. It's just a waiting game. BUT I'm trying to be cool about it. Okay, cool, ish.
Evening Wind-Down: Dinner! Another culinary adventure, or possibly a strategic repeat of last night's meal. Then, back to the hotel for some downtime, maybe a little reading, and hopefully, a mattress that doesn't betray me in the night.
Day 3: Departure, Reflections, and the Quest for the Perfect Souvenir (and Possibly Redemption)
Time: Early-ish (for me). Gotta hit the road.
Destination: Home (with a sigh of relief… maybe a little sadness, too).
Activities:
Breakfast: A repeat of previous mornings.
Souvenir Searching: I am on a mission. I need to find something, ANYthing. Maybe a t-shirt? I can't be the one to leave without a souvenir!
Final Room Sweep: Check for forgotten items! Phone charger? Toothbrush? Sanity?
The Big Departure: Did I get a good deal? Did I have fun? Did I not accidentally leave my wallet at the restaurant? Did the mattress finally give me some sleep? This is where I’ll reflect and be honest with myself.
Emotional Fallout: Will I feel refreshed? Melancholy? Slightly cleaner (after the shower)? Or maybe a mix of all three? Travel is like that. It's messy, wonderful, and never quite what you expect. Will I be itching to go home? Or already plotting my next escape? The answer, my friends, is… mostly home.
Final Thoughts (or Random Ramblings):
I hope the hotel isn't infested. I need that mattress to be good. I need that coffee. And most of all, I hope I remember to breathe and enjoy myself. Because life is too short for bad mattresses and boring itineraries. The adventure continues!
Melbourne Beachfront Paradise: Your Dream Apartment Awaits!
So, what *IS* "The Thing," exactly? (Don't you dare give me a textbook answer!)
Okay, fine, vague. But *why* bother with "The Thing"? What's the point?
What's the biggest hurdle? The thing that makes "The Thing" the most… ugh?
Speaking of failures... I assume there are some? What's the *worst* "Thing" fail you've ever had? Spill the beans, already!
Okay, so what can *anyone* do to make "The Thing" less awful? Give me *something*!
What about *success*? Have you ever… you know… *succeeded* at "The Thing"?
Alright, alright, sounds good. Any regrets?
Final thoughts? Wisdom? Anything?
