Durham's BEST Hotel? 🤫 Holiday Inn Express RTP Review!
Holiday Inn Express RTP: My Unvarnished Confession (and Why I Keep Coming Back!)
Okay, let's be real. I'm not exactly a travel guru. I’m more of a “survive-the-work-trip-without-crying” kind of traveler. And the Holiday Inn Express RTP? Well, it’s been my…ahem… companion in that struggle for a while now. So, here's the unvarnished truth, the good, the bad, and the slightly-stained-with-coffee-from-the-breakfast-buffet (that's a metaphor, mostly) reality of this Durham gem.
First Impressions – The Curb Appeal (and My Constant Need for Caffeine):
The exterior? Practical. Functional. Let's not pretend it screams "Architectural Digest." It's a solid, well-maintained building…but it's the inside that really matters. And the inside? The lobby is actually pretty pleasant. Always a small, but appreciated, pop of color. The front desk is always staffed, which is a huge win for me. No waiting around, desperate for a key card and caffeine. Speaking of, they do provide coffee in the lobby, but I'm a black coffee snob. I always run for the room coffee maker, or I'm not even going to bother.
Accessibility – A Small Win For Inclusivity (Hopefully More to Come):
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. This is a big deal, and honestly, it's always a mixed bag with hotels. The Holiday Inn Express RTP does have elevators, which is essential. I saw a few rooms that seemed to be specifically for folks with mobility issues (though I didn't inspect them, don't want to get arrested). They have a decent amount of ramps, and the staff is generally very helpful. However, I still worry about the restaurant. I didn’t see signage, but I am pretty sure with the type of restaurant they have, it should be fine.
(Rambling Thought: More info and a little more in-depth information would be great here.)
The Rooms – My Personal Oasis (Sometimes with a Side of Weird):
Okay, the rooms. They’re…reliable. Clean. That's the important part, right? The basics are covered: comfy beds (essential for a tired traveler), good AC (this is North Carolina, people!), a decent-sized TV, and gasp FREE WI-FI! (which is more important than oxygen these days). The bathrooms are functional, with strong water pressure in the shower (a major plus in my book).
But…there's always a "but," isn't there? Sometimes, the decor feels a little…dated. And the lighting? Let's be honest, it's not exactly romantic. I've had rooms that seemed to have lingering echoes of past occupants – the faint scent of air freshener trying (and mostly failing) to cover up something else. But you know what? For the price, and the reliability, I'm good with it. Side note: They do have those blackout curtains, which are a lifesaver for a light sleeper like me. And I always appreciate the in-room coffee maker. It might be weak coffee, but it's a lifesaver.
(Sidetracked thought: I am NOT a fan of those small bathrooms. It always feels claustrophobic…)
Cleanliness and Safety – Pandemic Era Realities:
Look, in the age of the plague (let's call it what it is), cleanliness is paramount. They seem to take this seriously. I've seen staff actually wiping down things in the common areas, not just pretending too, and they have hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Yes, there is a visible effort at cleanliness, and I appreciate that. The staff are generally wearing masks, and they seem to be trained well in safety protocols. There is a good amount of Sanitizing equipment on site. They'll even provide a room that is sanitized if you ask. I’m cautiously optimistic about their efforts here.
(Emotional Reaction: A little bit of fear and comfort at the same time. I like that they take it seriously)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Breakfast Blues (and Sometimes, The Joy):
Okay, the breakfast. Let's dive in. It's included, so I should be ecstatic, right? Well… it's a buffet. With the state of the food, that should be an absolute NO GO! But here's the thing, you can get a decent meal, with the right expectations. They usually have some variation of eggs (scrambled or something similar), some type of breakfast meat (bacon, sausage…the usual suspects), and a waffle maker that can be a lifesaver. There are also the usual continental suspects: cereal, pastries, and fruit. And, of course, the dreaded pre-packaged pastries.
Now, here’s the thing that’s truly made me respect the breakfast. They do offer breakfast takeaway. If I'm in a rush (and I almost always am), I can grab a quick takeaway meal. That's how they win me over. I can also grab a bottle of water before I leave. Which is super thoughtful of the staff.
(Quirky observation: I swear I saw a guy trying to make a waffle with ALL the syrup in the world. The resulting mess was…epic.)
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax) – Or, What Doesn't Exist:
This is the area where the Holiday Inn Express RTP…falls a little short.
- Fitness Center: They have one. It's small, but it's there. I’ve peeked in, and it has the basics: treadmills, elliptical, and some weights. It's not a luxury gym by any means, but it'll do in a pinch.
- Pool: They have an outdoor pool, which looks nice, but I haven't been in it. I'm a germaphobe who also hates water.
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Nope. Not here. This is a functional hotel, not a resort.
- Poolside bar, Coffee shop, Happy Hour: Nope.
- Things to do near the hotel The Hotel is in Research Triangle Park (RTP) so the options are limited. Getting to Durham would be your best bet.
(Opinionated rant: Look, I get it. This isn't a resort hotel. But a little bit more in the "relaxation" department wouldn't hurt!)
Services and Conveniences – The Perks (and the Occasional Headache):
The basics are covered. Daily housekeeping is a huge win. Dry cleaning and laundry service are available (thank goodness, I ALWAYS overpack). They have a concierge and a front desk that work 24 hours! The elevators are functional. There is Wi-Fi for special events and they have business facilities.
Getting Around – Wheels and Worries:
They have free parking, yay! But that's about it. No shuttle, no bicycle parking (at least, not that I saw). I have used Airport transfer. I do wish that they allowed Pets.
(Anecdote of imperfection: I once locked myself out of my room at 3 AM. The front desk guy was very nice about it, but I was mortified.)
For the Kids – Family-Friendly (But Don't Expect Magic):
They're family-friendly, which is awesome. They have babysitting services They have kid facilities. But they’re by no means a destination for families.
(Stronger emotional reaction: My heart goes out to parents.)
Overall – The Verdict: My Guilty Pleasure?
The Holiday Inn Express RTP isn't perfect. It's not luxurious. It's not going to blow you away. But it's reliable. The beds are comfy, the rooms are clean, the Wi-Fi works, and the staff tries. Is it the BEST hotel in Durham? Nope. Is it a dependable, decent option that gets you through the workweek without causing too much stress? Absolutely. And for me? That's enough.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-formatted itinerary. This is my attempt to wrangle a trip to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Research Triangle Park in Durham, NC into something resembling a plan, seasoned with a healthy dose of reality. Prepare for chaos!
Pre-Trip Anxiety and Packing Panic (AKA, The Night Before)
- 6:00 PM: Okay, deep breaths. Durham! Research Triangle Park! Sounds… important. I've booked the hotel, the flight… Wait, did I pack enough socks? (Always a crucial question.) I swear, packing is the hardest part of travel. It's like a jigsaw puzzle of fabric and toiletries, and I’m pretty sure I’m missing half the pieces.
- 7:00 PM: Checked the weather. Apparently, it's going to be… checks notes… "humid." Just what I need! My hair already has a mind of its own. I’m envisioning a frizz-fest. Time to embrace the chaos and make sure to pack my emergency hair serum.
- 8:00 PM: Tried to create a playlist for the flight and got hopelessly lost in a rabbit hole of Spotify. Ended up listening to the same three songs on repeat because my brain couldn't handle any new choices. Panic starts to creep in about anything I might have forgotten to pack.
Day 1: Arrival and The Quest for Coffee
- 7:00 AM: Flight: The usual airport suspects – crying babies (I love toddlers), the guy who takes up the entire armrest, and the woman who insists on talking. I feel like I can’t breathe and my travel partners were super awkward on the plane.
- 11:00 AM: TOUCHDOWN! Durham, here I come! Getting through baggage claim is always a nail-biter. Will my suitcase survive? Will it have been relocated to Timbuktu? Thankfully, all luggage made it.
- 12:00 PM: Checked into the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. The lobby is… clean. A little sterile, truth be told, but the staff are friendly. Room is alright. Standard issue hotel room. Fine. I always wonder if anyone else has slept in my bed. It's a random thought, I know.
- 12:30 PM: THE COFFEE EMERGENCY! I need coffee. Desperately. The complimentary coffee in the lobby is…well, let’s just say it's not gourmet. It's a watery offering. My inner coffee snob is screaming. Scourging nearby establishments for a proper latte is now my top priority, the itinerary now fully dependent upon the acquisition of caffeine. Thankfully there's a Starbucks a few minutes away, where I inhale a double shot of espresso and start to feel human again.
- 2:00 PM: Explore the hotel amenities. The gym? Probably will skip it. The pool? Maybe. The complimentary breakfast? Definitely.
- 3:00 PM: I might consider exploring the Research Triangle Park area. I have no specific plans, but I should check out the local stuff.
- 6:00 PM: Find somewhere to eat. Maybe I'll go on Yelp. Or maybe I'll just order room service. I feel weird deciding what to eat in what is, let’s be honest, a mediocre hotel room.
- 8:00 PM: Crash. Exhausted from the flight/coffee quest/general existential dread. Maybe I'll watch some TV, or maybe I'll just stare at the ceiling and contemplate the meaning of everything. Who knows? It's the beauty of travel, right? Unpredictability.
Day 2: (Attempted) Cultural Immersion and the Breakfast Buffet Battle
- 7:00 AM: THE BREAKFAST BUFFET BATTLE. This is where things get… interesting. The Holiday Inn Express breakfast is included (hooray for free food!). But it's a battlefield. The sausage is questionable (always is). The eggs are… rubbery. The waffle maker is a source of endless frustration (I’m convinced it has a mind of its own). And the coffee is… well, we've been through this. I manage to assemble a semi-edible plate and take a small victory.
- 8:30 AM: Finally get out of the hotel. My goal: to soak up some of Durham's culture. My brain screams “Museum! Museum!”
- 10:00 AM: Spent a few hours. The museum was great and fun.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch! Found a cute little cafe nearby. The food was good, and it was nice to be out and about.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel. I need a nap. The museum took it out of me!
- 6:00 PM: Dinner in Durham. This time, I try a local restaurant. I hope it’s good.
- 8:00 PM: Contemplating my existence. Maybe I'll read a book. Or stare at the ceiling. Or maybe… I’ll actually fall asleep.
Day 3: Departure and Reflection (aka, The Aftermath)
- 7:00 AM: Repeat breakfast buffet battle. This time, I'm armed with a certain resignation.
- 8:00 AM: Packing. Again. The suitcase is always the same… a chaotic mess. Did I forget anything? Probably. I'll discover it later, back home.
- 10:00 AM: One last walk around the hotel. The hotel's already starting to feel like some kind of temporary home.
- 12:00 PM: Fly out. Goodbye, Durham!
- 5:00 PM: Back home! Unpack. Laundry. The post-trip blues begin to settle in. But at least I have memories. And anecdotes. And a slightly-used hotel shampoo bottle.
- Reflections: Durham was… a place. The Holiday Inn Express… was a hotel. The coffee… well, let’s just say I survived. Overall, it was a trip. Not perfect, not glamorous, but real. And, in its own messy, imperfect way, that’s what made it wonderful. Now it's time to start planning the next adventure… and make sure I pack enough socks.
Okay, Let's Talk About the Holiday Inn Express RTP (Because You Need to Know!) - Durham, NC
Alright, buckle up buttercups, ‘cause we’re diving headfirst into the wonderfully… *interesting* world of the Holiday Inn Express in Research Triangle Park. I’m not gonna lie, I've stayed here a few times, and it's… an experience. So, let’s break it down, shall we? Think messy, think real, think... me trying to remember what the heck happened last time I stayed here. Here goes nothing...
1. Is this the *Best* Hotel in Durham? (Spoiler: Probably Not. But…)
Hah! Best? That's a loaded question. Look, this ain't the Ritz, okay? It's a Holiday Inn Express. You’re not going to get caviar and valet parking. But… and this is a BIG but… for a budget-friendly, location, location, LOCATION kinda deal, it's seriously considered. It's close to everything in RTP. Perfect if your "business" involves not dealing with traffic. I've heard of colleagues staying at places that are just SO far away, and then they're late to the meetings. Awful. So, no, probably not the ABSOLUTE best, but it’s a damn *convenient* option. Depends on what you're looking for, really. Emphasis on "convenient." (Did I say that already?)
2. The Breakfast – Is it REALLY “Express”? (And is it Edible?)
Oh, the breakfast. This is where things get... interesting. "Express"? Well, you can *get* it quickly... especially if you get there early. The whole shebang is like a well-oiled, slightly chaotic machine. The usual suspects are there: the sad, pre-made omelets (that always seem a little *too* rubbery), the suspiciously orange scrambled eggs (are those… real eggs?), and the waffle maker that either produces pure gold or a charcoal briquette, depending on the day. I once saw a guy, bless his heart, try to make a waffle and the batter just… exploded everywhere. He looked defeated. I'm pretty sure I survived on instant oatmeal and a banana that day. But hey, it's free. And sometimes, you just need some sustenance before facing the corporate gauntlet. So... edible? Sort of. Express? Maybe. Memorable? Definitely.
3. The Rooms - Are They… Clean? (And What About the View?)
Alright, let's be real. The rooms are… fine. Not a five-star resort, mind you. Clean-ish. I've never found any… *uninvited guests* in my stays, so that's a win, I guess? The bedding is… generally acceptable. The shower pressure? Variable. Sometimes it’s a delightful, invigorating torrent; other times, a disappointing trickle. It’s a gamble. And the view? Well, it depends. You might get a lovely vista of the parking lot, or maybe a glimpse of the… other parking lot. One time, I swear, my window faced a brick wall! But who goes to Durham for the views, right? Emphasis on "generally acceptable." I've never seen any bedbugs... (knock on wood!).
4. The Staff - Are They Nice? (And Can They Help with Anything?)
The staff? Honestly, they're usually pretty great. They're typically friendly and helpful, which is a huge plus. They seem to be trying their best. I’ve had some delightful conversations at reception. They have always managed the check-in and check-out process with a great attitude. They're basically the unsung heroes of the RTP hotel experience. Now, I'm going to admit something embarrassing. One time, I locked myself out of my room at 3 AM. Completely my fault. The night staff? Totally chill. They got me back in quickly, no judgement (whew!). So, yes, the staff is a definite pro. They deserve a raise. Seriously.
5. The Pool – Is it Inviting… Or a Biohazard?
Okay, the pool. (Deep breath). Let's just say… it’s there. I’ve never actually *used* the pool. Something always seemed off. Sometimes it looks a little… murky. Other times, it's just *cold*. And a few times, it looked like they were doing some serious cleaning. I think that's always a good sign. When it’s open, there might be a gaggle of kids running amok, or a lonely businessman looking profoundly disappointed. I stick to the gym, which is also… there. (More on that later). I’d recommend getting your swimming in elsewhere. Maybe it's fine. I just… don't know. And I’m not sure I *want* to know.
6. The Gym – Is it Actually Usable? (And Does it Have Enough Equipment?)
The gym is… modest. It’s not a Gold's Gym, okay? It's more like a slightly-better-than-nothing room with a few treadmills, a machine or two that MIGHT work, and some free weights that look like they've seen better days. It's functional, though. You can get a decent workout in if you’re not too picky. The treadmills are usually okay. I’ve managed to run on them without falling off (impressive, I know). The towels are… well, they're provided. Don't expect luxury. It’s the kind of gym where you’ll probably end up making awkward eye contact with other guests while you're sweating. But hey, it's better than nothing, and sometimes you just need to burn off that waffle you ate for breakfast.
7. Location, Location, Location! Is It Really That Convenient? (And What's Nearby?)
This is where Holiday Inn Express RTP *really* shines. The location is fantastic. It’s smack-dab in the middle of RTP. You can practically roll out of bed and be at your meeting (unless you're late like I sometimes am). Seriously, if your business is in RTP, this is a massive win. You're close to restaurants, shopping, and all the RTP action. You're also reasonably close to Durham itself. Traffic can be a beast, but you’re already ahead of the game. Plus, proximity to good coffee is a big plus in my book. A MUST-HAVE in the chaos of business travel. So, yes, location is a major selling point.
8. The Overall Vibe – Does it Feel… Like Home? (Or at Least… TolerPersonalized Stays
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