Burlington Getaway: Book Your Holiday Inn Express Now!
Burlington Getaway: My Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Review of the Holiday Inn Express
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I've just emerged from a whirlwind trip to Burlington, Vermont, and my stay at the Holiday Inn Express. This ain't your pristine travel blog experience; this is the raw, unfiltered truth, complete with sleep-deprived ramblings and a healthy dose of "did I really encounter that?"
SEO & Metadata (Let's Get the Robot Overlords Pleased):
- Title: Burlington Getaway: Holiday Inn Express Review - Accessibility, Amenities & Real Talk!
- Keywords: Holiday Inn Express Burlington, Burlington Vermont Hotels, Accessible Hotels Burlington, Spa Burlington, Fitness Center Vermont, Free Wi-Fi Hotel Burlington, Family-Friendly Hotel Burlington, Clean Hotel Burlington, Burlington Hotel Review, Vermont Travel, Holiday Inn Express Accessibility, Burlington Restaurant Review, Things to do Burlington, Relaxing Vermont Getaway.
- Description: My chaotic review of the Holiday Inn Express in Burlington, VT! Honest thoughts on accessibility, amenities (spa, pool, gym!), dining, cleanliness, and the overall vibe. Is it worth the trip? Find out!
First Impressions and Access (Ugh, the Escalator of Doom!)
Right, so first things first: getting to the hotel. Burlington doesn't exactly scream "easy to navigate," especially if you're lugging a suitcase the size of a small car (story of my life). Accessibility is a mixed bag. They do have elevator, which is a HUGE win, and the main entrance seemed relatively accessible. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I did see a couple of ramps and some accessible rooms. But honestly, getting around Burlington itself? Let's just say if you have mobility issues, plan your routes carefully and maybe bring a sherpa (or a very strong friend).
- Accessibility Rating: 7/10 (Mostly because of the lack of ramp to their parking lot.)
The Room: Comfort and Chaos
My room? Yeah, it was a room alright. Clean-ish. The Air Conditioning did its job, which was a relief because summer in Vermont is…surprisingly humid. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in (and hiding from the world), and the bed was… well, it was a bed. Not the most luxurious mattress I've ever encountered, but acceptable after a long day of exploring (more of that later). A couple of tiny imperfections:
The desk was really close to the bed; I barely can get through, and I kept bumping my knee.
The plug next to the bed had the cover broken.
Available in all rooms: Air Conditioning, Alarm clock, Desk, Hair dryer, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Refrigerator, Shower, Smoke detector, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Bathroom phone
Rooms - Detailed Overview:
Comfort and Convenience: The basics were covered: Complimentary tea and Coffee/tea maker, a Mini bar, Free bottled water, and a Safe box (which I promptly forgot the code to). Daily housekeeping was a nice touch, saving me from my usual level of squalor.
Tech & Entertainment: Good news - the Wi-Fi [free] actually worked! (A small miracle, truly.) The Satellite/cable channels were plentiful, but honestly, who watches TV when you're in Vermont? On-demand movies, if you have nothing better to do.
Potential Snags: The Shower was a bit… compact. And honestly, the closet space wasn't exactly Palatial.
- I forgot where I kept my clothes so I had to move out the dresser and search for it.
- I kept bumping my knee on the bed. (desk close to the bed)
Room Score: 8/10 (for the free Wi-Fi and blackout curtains alone!)
Dining: Fueling the Adventure (or at Least Trying To)
Breakfast was, well, included. The Breakfast [buffet] was the usual Holiday Inn Express offering: Buffet in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, and a rotating selection of (mostly) processed food. A Breakfast takeaway service was available, which was a lifesaver some mornings when I just wanted to bolt.
Dining Experience: It was fine. Nothing to write home about, but it filled the hole until lunchtime. The A la carte in restaurant menu offered slightly more exciting options at dinner; I tried the salad, but it lacked personality. The bar was open, and provided a decent selection of beer and wine.
Restaurant score: 6/10 (Buffet was mostly processed)
Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant
Relaxation & Recreation: Trying to Unwind
Swimming Pool: Okay, the Swimming pool [outdoor] was a major selling point for me. A nice, albeit small, pool with Pool with view of the street. I went for a swim. It was great, but the water was a bit cold, but hey, I needed a dip!
Fitness Center: Yes, it had the Gym/fitness center, which was clean enough but I only stayed there for 5 minutes.
Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Nope. Sadly, there was no Spa, no Sauna, no Steamroom. My dreams of a luxurious spa day in Burlington were dashed. (Maybe I should have checked that before booking.)
Things to do, ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]
Cleanliness & Safety: A Modern Necessity
Look, I'm a germaphobe at the best of times, so this was important. The hotel seemed relatively clean. The Hand sanitizer stations were plentiful, and I saw staff actively disinfecting things. The Room sanitization opt-out available felt reassuring. They also had Daily disinfection in common areas. I did appreciate the effort.
- Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, 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, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment
- Hotel Security: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things
The staff were (mostly) friendly and helpful. Concierge services were available, but I didn't need them. The Contactless check-in/out was a nice touch, saving me some time. Daily housekeeping was a lifesaver. They had an Elevator. They offered a Safe deposit box, though I promptly forgot the code. The Business facilities (Xerox/fax in business center) were there, but I didn't need them.
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center
For the Kids/Proposal Spot/Pets: Meh. I didn't have any kids with me, so
Escape to Columbia: Microtel Inn & Suites' Unbeatable Deals!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is a full-blown, possibly disastrous, and definitely opinionated account of a trip to Burlington, North Carolina, specifically centered around the hallowed halls of the Holiday Inn Express Burlington. Let's see if we survive…
Day 1: Arrival and the Perils of Pillow Selection (aka the Quest for Decent Sleep)
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at the Holiday Inn Express. Oh, the glorious, beige-carpeted promise of the hotel lobby! Check-in was… fine. The front desk attendant, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen some things. Probably tourists like me. We got the key cards, a packet of stale cookies (that I definitely ate), and instructions on how to find the elevator. So far, so good.
- 1:30 PM - The Room Reveal. Okay, here's where things get real. The room? Clean-ish. The bed? The eternal struggle of hotel beds begins. I spent a solid 15 minutes fluffing pillows, testing angles, and generally trying to achieve a level of comfort that eluded me. Too soft! Too firm! Too… itchy? I swear, hotel pillows are designed to be the nemesis of a good night's sleep. I finally landed on a compromise - two thin pillows stacked crooked. We'll see if my neck survives.
- 2:00 PM - The Great Coffee Machine Confrontation. The in-room coffee maker. This thing… it's a ticking time bomb of lukewarm disappointment. Attempting to make coffee turned out to be an Odyssey of clogged filters and weak, watery brown liquid. I took one sip and decided I'd face the world on caffeine deficit today.
- 3:00 PM - Exploration - Burlington City Park. Okay, I forced myself out of the hotel. I figured I'd stroll around Burlington City Park to find some peace. I'm not a big fan of the great outdoors, but hey, a park is closer than say, the jungle. I found a duck pond, and the ducks were cute. Mostly. One of them seemed to be judging me, I swear. But the walk was nice, I got some sun, and resisted the urge to feed the ducks.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner and the Quest for Soul Food. Google told us there was a fantastic soul food place nearby. My stomach, also known as the ultimate decision-maker, was screaming soul food. So off we went… only to discover it was closed. On a Friday night! I was devastated! We ended up at some chain restaurant. Bland. Uninspired. I ate it because I was starving, but my heart (and taste buds) were still yearning for those fried chicken. I may be on a personal mission to find the best fried chicken, let me tell you.
- 8:00 PM - The Hotel TV Shuffle. Back at the room. The usual routine. Finding the right remote (always a mini-adventure), wrestling with the cable box, and flipping through channels until settling on something brain-meltingly neutral. I think I watched a rerun of a home renovation show. It was a struggle between wanting to sleep and wanting a distraction from my thoughts.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime & the Pillow Problem, Part 2. More pillow adjustments. More internal grumbling. I finally conked out, convinced the hotel pillows were secretly conspiring to give me a crick in my neck.
Day 2: Breakfast, the Antique Shop Adventure, and the Unexpected Magic of Burlington (maybe)
- 7:00 AM - The Breakfast Battle! Free breakfast at the hotel! I was cautiously optimistic. The breakfast buffet was a chaotic tableau of lukewarm eggs, rubbery sausage, and suspiciously overripe bananas. The waffle maker, however, was a triumph. Golden, crispy, and a beacon of hope in a sea of mediocrity. I made two.
- 8:00 AM - Exploring Downtown Burlington. The downtown area. A charming mix of old and new. I walked the blocks, checking out some unique stores, a record store, and an antique store. I was instantly drawn to the antique shop as the place of hidden treasures, old stories, and the potential to unearth a vintage masterpiece.
- 9:00 AM - Antique Shop Adventure. I could have gone back to the car but instead, I went in. I spent an hour among the dusty shelves, smelling the musty scent of generations. Found a vintage map of North Carolina that's probably not worth much, but it totally gave me the vibes. This was the real highlight of the trip so far. The owner was a woman with bright eyes and a smile that could stop traffic. We chatted about old things and the city. Really, this is what I wanted the trip to be about.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch and Local Flavor. I'm still searching for good food, and I'm getting desperate to find it. This time, I tried a diner on the outskirts of Burlington. The atmosphere was cozy, the staff friendly. I ordered a burger. And you know what? It was okay. It actually wasn't as bad as I expected.
- 2:00 PM - Hotel Pool and the Eternal Sunburn. Yes, I went to the hotel pool. I sat there for a while. It's not very good. The pool looks nice at first, but the water is cold and the chairs are uncomfortable. After a few minutes of sitting there, I retreated.
- 5:00 PM - Dinner Redux. More food searching, more disappointment. I tried again to find soul food, but the search was in vain. I found a pizza place across from my hotel.
- 7:00 PM - Free Time. Back in the room, reflecting on the day. Did I find what I was looking for in Burlington? I was starting to think maybe I was. Not the perfect vacation, but it was doing fine.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime and the Pillow Problem, Part 3. More pillow adjustments, more grumbling, and a fitful night of sleep. I should have brought my own pillow!
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Smell of Laundry Detergent (and Regret?)
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast, Again. The same breakfast buffet, the same lukewarm eggs, and the glorious waffle maker. I felt a strange sense of kinship with the waffle maker.
- 8:00 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Scramble. Scouring the hotel gift shop for a last-minute souvenir that wouldn't scream "tourist."
- 9:00 AM - Checkout and Goodbye, Holiday Inn Express. Checkout was quick and painless. I handed in my keycard, thanked the front desk (who was by now starting to recognize me), and hit the road, leaving behind a trail of slightly disturbed pillows and the lingering scent of generic laundry detergent.
- The Verdict: Burlington, North Carolina, was… interesting. The Holiday Inn Express was… a hotel. Nothing life-changing, but also not a total disaster. I didn't become best friends with the pillows, but I didn't strangle them either. Overall, it was a decent trip, one that will be buried in my memory someday. Maybe I'll come back, and maybe I won't. All I know is that I'm already planning my next adventure, and I'm definitely bringing my own pillow.
So there you have it. My Burlington, NC, experience in all its messy, imperfect glory. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Escape to Luxury: Crystal Peak Lodge's Unforgettable Breckenridge Getaway
Burlington Getaway: Seriously? Holiday Inn Express? Okay, Fine. FAQs (Because Adulting Demands Them)
Why Burlington? Is it, like, Burlington, Vermont? Or... a different Burlington? (Don't judge, geography is HARD.)
Okay, look, I *genuinely* thought about this. The prompt *could* be for ANY Burlington. I spent a solid 30 seconds staring at a map, mentally picturing different Burlingtons. My inner monologue went something like: "Okay, Burlington, North Carolina? Doubt it. Burlington, Ontario? Could be... maybe... No, wait! Burlington, Iowa, birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk's future wife, and if you're a Trekker, and I am one, you'd be there. Okay, back to the real question: Is this for the Vermont Burlington?" But I'm guessing it's *that* Burlington because, well, it's the one most people think of. If it's not? I'm already mentally prepping for disappointment.
Holiday Inn Express? Seriously? That's... a hotel, right? Are we going for budget-friendly or... just boring?
Alright, let's be honest. Holiday Inn Express isn't exactly the Ritz-Carlton. More like... the reliable, slightly-too-bright-lit-and-always-perfectly-fine-with-a-free-breakfast-that-probably-has-cold-scrambled-eggs of lodging. I've stayed in worse, believe me. Like that one time I booked a "charming countryside cottage" on Airbnb, and it turned out to be a glorified shed with questionable plumbing. So, yeah, HIE is probably an upgrade. It's practical. It's predictable. It’s... fine. But, my inner voice whispers, wouldn't a *tiny* bit of luxury, a *touch* of whimsy be great? The free breakfast is certainly a bonus, though...
Booking Now? What's the urgency about? Is there some kind of Burlington-based apocalypse looming I don't know about?
The "Book Now!" is a classic marketing tactic, isn't it? My brain immediately translates it to "HURRY! We're either running out of rooms, or more likely, trying to create a sense of artificial scarcity so you panic and spend more money!" I'm onto you, Holiday Inn Express! But, hey, maybe they have some amazing deals I'm missing out on. Maybe, just maybe, this is the *perfect* time to experience Burlington... whatever Burlington we’re talking about... before all the other adventurous folk get there. Okay, getting overly optimistic just to combat the 'blah' of HIE.
What's Burlington like, anyway? Is it all maple syrup and flannel shirts? (Let's be real, I kinda hope so.)
Okay, THIS is the real question, and I'm *dying* to know. Assuming we're talking VT, from what I gather, Burlington is kind of hipster-y, artsy, and outdoorsy. Maybe. I’ve seen pictures. Think: breweries, co-ops, college kids, and a whole lot of stunning scenery. I'd love to wander through a farmer's market, maybe grab a locally brewed IPA (if that’s even a thing there), and take in a sunset over Lake Champlain. And yes, I'm secretly hoping for the flannel shirts and the maple syrup. And maybe, just maybe, a cute lumberjack. One can dream.
What about parking? Are we talking about the dreaded parking-lot-fights-at-Trader-Joe's levels of stress? Because I'm not built for that.
Parking. Ugh. The bane of every road tripper's existence. Hopefully, the Holiday Inn Express has parking. Preferably free parking. If not, I'm already anticipating a massive headache involving parallel parking, excessively narrow streets, and the ever-present fear of getting a parking ticket. I've had nightmares about parking tickets. One involved me being chased by a giant, sentient parking meter… It was not a good look. A quick Google search is in order, methinks.
Okay, so the free breakfast... what's the *real* deal? Is it continental, or does it at least have waffles? My stomach is already rumbling.
This is a crucial question. The free breakfast can make or break a hotel experience. If we're talking sad continental (stale pastries, lukewarm coffee), I'm going to have a sad. But if there are waffles? Fresh fruit? Maybe even something resembling scrambled eggs that *aren't* rubbery? Then we're talking. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I'm hoping Holiday Inn Express understands that. I've seen enough hotel breakfast buffets to know, it could be spectacular, or the stuff of nightmares. The suspense!
Let's talk room amenities. What are we getting? WiFi? A mini-fridge? A working TV? Because I need to binge-watch trashy reality TV to unwind.
Essential! WiFi. Absolutely must-have. I need to be able to post pictures of my adventures (or, you know, whatever I'm doing). Mini-fridge, also a plus. Gotta keep those beverages cold. And a working TV? Critical. After a long day of sightseeing, I need my dose of brain-rotting comfort. Think: reality TV, bad rom-coms, anything that doesn't require me to use my brain cells. I'm secretly hoping for a massive flat-screen TV. And maybe a comfy chair. And a good view. Okay, I'm getting a *little* carried away...
What if something goes wrong? Like, what if the toilet explodes? Is there 24-hour help? I have a history of attracting plumbing disasters.
This is a legitimate fear, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I am, for reasons I still haven't figured out, a magnet for plumbing problems. It's a running joke. My friends are already betting on how many times the toilet will flush and how long it will it last. So, 24-hour help is a *must*. I need someone who can deal with the inevitable toilet-related crisis. I also need a towel… a lot of towels. And maybe a hazmat suit. Just in case (kidding...mostly).
Okay, you've convinced me (maybe). What's the actual *process* of booking? Is it a nightmare of pop-ups and hidden fees?
Post a Comment for "Burlington Getaway: Book Your Holiday Inn Express Now!"