Easton's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Easton's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe THIS Mess!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash the full, unvarnished truth about the Holiday Inn Express in Easton. Forget those slick travel blogs – this is raw, unfiltered, and probably a little bit messy, just like my own life. I'm talking:
Accessibility: They Actually Care (Mostly)
Let's start with the good news. The Accessibility at this place is… pretty decent! I mean, it's not the Ritz, okay, but it's a solid effort. The elevator is a LIFESAVER, especially after lugging my suitcase around for an hour looking for the entrance (don't judge, my sense of direction is, shall we say, "unique"). They've got facilities for disabled guests, though I didn't need to use them. I did notice wide hallways, which is a HUGE win – no bumping into walls and feeling like a clumsy elephant. Internet access is, thankfully, everywhere! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!. This is a must in the modern world, no more waiting for connectivity.
Rooms: Cleanish and Functional (Emphasis on Cleanish)
My room? It was your standard Holiday Inn Express fare. Air conditioning blasted like a hurricane the whole time. I love that. No stuffy little things here. The bed was… comfortable. Okay, let's be real, it was a bed. Linens were clean, and that's what matters at the end of the day. Alarm clock worked, blackout curtains did their job (hallelujah!), and the bathroom… well, it had a shower that sprayed water. No complaints there. More importantly, the place smelled clean. You know how sometimes hotels just have A Smell? This one didn't, which is a victory in my book.
Now, about the cleanliness… There were a few… minor imperfections. A tiny, almost imperceptible stain on the carpet (sorry, OCD is kicking in). I found it. Daily housekeeping did a great job, but I did notice some things. The mirror in the bathroom had a few… smudges. It's nothing that would make me call the health department, mind you, but let's just say I inspected everything very closely. Rooms sanitized between stays, great. This all just reinforced my faith in humanity.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Drama
Okay, the breakfast. This is where the real drama unfolds. They offer breakfast [buffet], and it's… well, it's a Holiday Inn Express breakfast. Think: scrambled eggs that might be eggs, sausage that might be something… else, and a waffle maker that's always surrounded by people. I'm not a fan of Asian breakfast, however the Western breakfast was available. One day, I went for a quick takeaway. The other day, the line for the waffle maker was longer than the line at Disney World on Christmas. So I skipped the waffles and just went straight for the coffee, which, thankfully, was decent. The coffee shop was great. I think I had a coffee at least twice a day. It's worth noting that individually-wrapped food options were available and safe dining setup was in play and the Sanitized kitchen and tableware items were available. I wouldn't be picky.
Snack bar was there too.
Things to Do (Besides Exist): Not Much, But That's Okay
Let's be honest, Easton is not exactly Ibiza. So, the Things to do at the hotel itself are… limited. There is a Fitness center, which, let's be honest, I didn't see. Possibly Gym/fitness as an option. There is also a swimming pool [outdoor] which is nice. But the best part? Just ways to relax in your room.
Services and Conveniences: Run-of-the-Mill, But Helpful
The staff were friendly. The front desk [24-hour] was always there to help, especially when I needed an ironing service to fix my clothing. They had a concierge too. I didn't use it, but it was there. Cash withdrawal was available, and I'm pretty sure there’s a convenience store. The elevator was, again, a lifesaver. There's also Meeting/banquet facilities. And I’ve seen some great Meeting stationery. Laundry service they had. And the luggage storage was great. The Daily housekeeping was great. The smoking area was useful for those who need it.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Solid Effort (But I'm Still a Nervous Wreck)
Listen, I'm a bit of a germaphobe. So, I was really paying attention to the cleanliness and safety protocols. They had hand sanitizer everywhere, which I appreciated. I believe they used Anti-viral cleaning products, and all the staff were wearing masks. Daily disinfection in common areas, which is great. Staff trained in safety protocol, good news. I actually felt pretty safe, which is a HUGE deal for me. The CCTV in common areas added another layer of security.
Here's the Juicy Bit: An Anecdote That Sums it Up
So, I went to the Poolside bar one evening. Took a deep breath, grabbed a beer, and sat down. There was a couple there having a romantic time. Someone nearby spilled their drinks. The staff were quick, they cleaned it up with no fuss. The whole experience was surprisingly… pleasant. That's the Holiday Inn Express experience in a nutshell: it's not perfect, it has its quirks, but ultimately, it's reliable and gets the job done.
For the Kids (And the Young at Heart):
Family/child friendly and Kids facilities were available. I didn't dig deep here.
Getting Around:
Car park [free of charge] was available, and the Taxi service seemed to be available.
Overall Impression: A Solid Choice (Especially at the Price)
Look, the Holiday Inn Express in Easton isn't going to win any awards for luxury. But it's clean, it's comfortable (mostly!), the staff are friendly, and it's conveniently located (depending on where you want to be in Easton, of course). For the price, it's a solid choice.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars (With Potential for 4 if They Up Their Waffle Game)
The Irresistible Offer You Can't Refuse (If You're Going to Easton!)
Tired of overpriced, pretentious hotels that leave you feeling… meh?
Craving a clean, comfortable, and convenient stay in Easton without breaking the bank?
Then look no further than the Holiday Inn Express!
Here's what you get with our exclusive offer (that you won't find anywhere else!):
- Guaranteed* Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Stay connected and catch up on your work.
- A surprisingly comfy bed and clean linens!
- Complimentary breakfast! That includes eggs, waffles, sausage…and coffee!
- Easy access to everything Easton has to offer!
- Friendly staff! Ready to make your stay amazing
But wait, there's more!
Book now and get:
- Extra Points on your IHG Rewards.
- A 10% discount on a future stay at any Holiday Inn Express worldwide. (Just because!)
Don't delay! This offer won't last forever! Click the link below to book your unforgettable stay at Easton's finest… or at least, its most reliable… hotel!
[Insert Booking Link Here]
P.S. Tell them I sent you. Maybe they'll give you extra waffles. No promises. (But I'm really working on getting them to up their waffle game).
Bristol Airport Hotel: Unbeatable Deals & Luxury at Holiday Inn!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your Grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is a chaotic, potentially delightful, and definitely opinionated journey through… well, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Easton, PA. And trust me, we're gonna feel it.
A Messy, Mostly Real-Time Itinerary: Easton Edition (with a healthy dose of rambling)
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic
2:00 PM: Arrival & Reality Check. Okay, so I pictured myself gliding into Easton like a sophisticated travel blogger, seamlessly checking in, and immediately sipping artisanal coffee while gazing out at something vaguely inspiring. Nope. Traffic from Philly was a MESS. The GPS was convinced I was actively trying to off-road in a cornfield. And I'm pretty sure the "suites" part of the hotel promised a slightly larger room than what I got. It's clean, though. That's a win, right? (Deep breath). Checking in was easy, thankfully. The front desk lady had that practiced professional smile, the kind that says, "I've seen things," and I'm already one of her "things."
3:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance & The Eternal Question of the Coffee Maker. The room: Bed, desk, TV, the usual suspects. The coffee maker? Looks like a tiny, slightly hostile robot. It's going to be a battle, I can feel it. I need coffee. Like, yesterday. Also, the air conditioner is louder than a rock concert. I'm going to spend the night either freezing or deaf. Wonderful.
3:30 PM: Strolling…with Low Expectations. Okay, let's explore. I ventured out to the hotel's… pool? Gym? (More on that later). Nope! All closed up. I am starting to not like the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Easton.
4:00 PM: The Local Scene. I decided to walk around a bit to see what Easton had to offer. It was quiet, but charming. I even saw a really cool, almost abandoned building. I could picture a great story being set there! I decided to get some takeout food to eat in the room.
5:30 PM: Pizza & Regret. Well, I ordered pizza. It was a local place. The place wasn't anything to be excited about, but it was edible. I hate eating in hotel rooms, but I'm already settled. I think that's what it is like, you try to force yourself to be happy with what you have.
7:00 PM: TV Time & The Sound of Silence (Mostly). I tried to watch some TV. Nothing interesting was playing. It's a slow night. I decided to journal.
9:00 PM: Bedtime Blues (or, "The Air Conditioner Strikes Back"). The air conditioner is now officially in a war with me. I can't turn it down as it's already on the lowest setting, but the noise alone is trying to kill me. I'm probably going to have a terrible night of sleep.
Day 2: Adventures (and Hotel Breakfast Shenanigans!)
7:00 AM: Breakfast Debacle. The free breakfast: the Holy Grail of budget travel, or a potential breeding ground for disappointment? Today, it's the latter. The scrambled eggs… let's just say they have the texture of something that has been sitting under a heat lamp since the Jurassic period. The "fruit" looks suspiciously like it’s been pre-chewed by a squirrel and the coffee? Still battling with that little robot. The whole experience felt like a school cafeteria, which in itself is a nightmare.
8:00 AM to 11:00 AM: Exploring and Getting Lost (Literally). I wanted to visit the Crayola factory. And I did. The whole town seems to be built around this place. It was really fun. I enjoyed myself, even though it was more kid-oriented. I really let my inner child shine.
11:00 AM to Midday: That Gym is…Questionable. OK, I finally gathered the courage to check out the hotel gym. (I thought I'd make it to the pool, but it's still mysteriously closed) It's one room. A treadmill, a bike that looks like it was last used in 1987, and a weight machine that looks like it’s about to fall apart. I opted to be a coward and went back to my room.
1:00 PM: Lunch that wasn't so good. I went out for lunch again. Again, the options are bleak. I decided to head back to my room.
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM: The Museum. I decided to go to the The National Canal Museum. I heard a lot of good things about it. It was a nice place to visit. I spent a couple of hours there.
6:00 PM: Another Pizza, Another Regret. Oh god. I ordered pizza again. I feel like I'm trapped. The pizza was as average as the first time.
8:00 PM: The Air Conditioner vs. Me: Round 2. It seems I'm in a stalemate. I can't win against that machine. I decided to change the thermostat to something more reasonable.
Day 3: Departure & Bitter-Sweet Reflections
7:00 AM: Final Breakfast Fiasco. Eggs that once again resembled rubber pucks. I grabbed a banana and a sad-looking muffin and fled.
8:00 AM: Hotel Exit. I actually saw the pool, it looked decent. But there was no time! The hotel was fine, just not great. The staff were all friendly.
9:00 AM: Leaving Easton. The drive back was uneventful. I have a new appreciation for the little things in life! I may not be booking another Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Easton anytime soon but hey, at least I survived, right?
10:00 AM: The Aftermath. I'm home. I'm tired. I need a vacation from my vacation. But you know what? There's something oddly comforting about the imperfections. Maybe the real lesson is: Embrace the chaos, laugh at the bad coffee, and carry on. And next time, I'm bringing my own pillow.
Holiday Inn Express Easton – The Truth (My Truth, Anyway!)
Alright, let's address the elephant in the room: "BEST hotel in Easton." Is it? Look, I’ve stayed in some dumps, okay? Places where the only thing moving faster than the dust bunnies was the cockroaches (shudders). So, comparatively speaking, yeah, *maybe*. It depends what your baseline is. I mean, is it the Ritz? Absolutely not. Is it a place you'll tell your grandkids about? Probably not. But is it a solid, dependable, clean-ish place to crash after a day of outlet shopping (which, let's be real, is why most people are in Easton)? Yeah, absolutely.
**Confession Time:** My expectations were SO low. I'd booked last minute because, well, let's just say a certain online shopping spree had decimated my budget and I went for the cheapest decent-looking option. I mentally prepared for the worst. You know, the usual suspects – thin walls, questionable breakfast pastries, the vaguely floral scent of industrial cleaner. But… (cue dramatic pause) … it was decent. Decent is high praise from me, trust me.
Let's talk breakfast, my friends. The most important meal of the day, especially when you've got a full day of outlet shopping ahead of you. The Holiday Inn Express breakfast? Well, it's the usual suspects, folks. Sausage links that look suspiciously like tiny, pre-formed hockey pucks. Scrambled eggs that are, let's be honest, a bit… yellow-ish. The usual continental suspects.
But here's where they redeemed themselves: The Waffles! They had those little waffle makers, and you could make your own. And they actually tasted GOOD! Golden, crispy, not *too* sweet... a moment of pure, sugary bliss. I loaded mine up with syrup and whipped cream (don't judge me, I was on vacation!). And then... disaster struck.
My waffle tragedy: I was so engrossed in devouring my first waffle that I didn't see it coming: the dreaded… *waffle overflow*. Syrup, whipped cream, and waffle batter all over my hands, down my shirt, and onto the floor. Mortifying. I considered pretending it wasn't me, but the evidence plastered all over my now-sticky self told a different story. I ended up having to hide in the bathroom to clean up after myself. Note to self: Pace yourself.
However, I can still say the waffles did their job and I walked out of there feeling energized for an afternoon of trying to find things to make the experience worthwhile.
The room itself was… acceptable. Clean-ish. Look, I'm not a germaphobe, but I do appreciate a clean space. And this room passed the sniff test. Mostly. The bed was comfortable enough, the pillows fluffy-ish, the TV worked. Standard fare. No complaints.
However… (there's always a 'however', isn’t there?)… there was a *smell*. Not a bad smell, not offensively bad. More like… a *lingering* smell. Like a combination of industrial cleaner, air freshener, and… let's say… "previous guests." It wasn't overpowering, but it was… *present*. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it was the carpet? Maybe it was the ghost of a forgotten air freshener? Who knows! It was just… there. Oddly, it didn’t bother me *too* much, I've smelt worse, and at least it didn’t remind me of a specific incident.
It did, however, offer a reminder of how many people had been in that room beforehand.
The staff? Well, they were... functional. They did their jobs. They weren't bubbly, overly enthusiastic, or particularly memorable, but they were *fine*. They checked me in, handed me my key, and offered a perfunctory "Have a good day." The breakfast staff quietly replenished the food and wiped up the spills (thank you, breakfast staff!).
No complaints, no raves. Just the quiet hum of a hotel staff diligently doing their thing. Which, you know, is exactly what you want. I'm not looking for a new best friend; I just want a clean room and a decent breakfast. And that's what I got.
Okay, here's where the Holiday Inn Express *really* shines: the location. It is, as they say, prime real estate. If you're going to Easton to shop, then you're golden. Seriously, it’s practically *in* the parking lot of the outlets. You can literally throw a (small, soft) rock and hit a Coach store. Okay, maybe not, but you get the idea.
However… (surprise!)… if you're *not* there to shop, well… you're a bit out of luck. There's not a whole lot else going on nearby. You're not going to stumble upon a charming little café or a hidden gem of a restaurant. You're in outlet-mall land, baby. Embrace it or be prepared to drive (and pay for parking).
