Escape to Hocking Hills: Your Perfect Holiday Inn Express Getaway
Escape to Hocking Hills: Your (Mostly) Perfect Holiday Inn Express Getaway - A Brutally Honest Review (With SEO!)
Okay, folks, let's get real. You're looking at Escape to Hocking Hills: Your Perfect Holiday Inn Express Getaway. Sounds idyllic, right? Well, I'm here to tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me Google. (SEO, baby! We're talking Hocking Hills lodging, Ohio hotels, accessible hotels Ohio, Holiday Inn Express Hocking Hills… you get the idea.)
This isn't some pristine, picture-perfect brochure. This is my experience. And it involved a whole lotta coffee, a near-miss with a rogue pool noodle, and a profound realization about the joys of a decent blackout curtain. Buckle up.
First Impressions & Accessibility - The (Potentially) Rocky Road
Alright, let's tackle the accessibility stuff upfront. Wheelchair accessible? YES! This is a HUGE plus. I saw ramps, elevators, and generally a good effort made to accommodate everyone. The facilities for disabled guests were, from what I could observe, pretty legit. That's a massive win right there. The exterior looks okay - Exterior corridor.
Now, I didn't spend all day playing wheel-chair tag (though that does sound fun). I'm not disabled, so take my observations with a grain of salt, but I did appreciate the thought and the fact that they're making an effort. CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property – good to see. Makes you feel a little safer, even if it does give you the heebie-jeebies.
Check-in/out [express]? Mostly. The staff tried to be efficient, but there's always that one person ahead of you who's got a list of complaints longer than the Ohio River. Check-in/out [private]? No.
Cleanliness and Safety - A Breath of (Anti-Viral) Fresh Air
Let's be honest, travel these days can be stressful. So, big props to the Holiday Inn Express for taking safety seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays… it's reassuring. Hand sanitizer everywhere – you'll never run dry. Staff trained in safety protocol – they seemed to know their stuff. Cashless payment service, very convenient. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Safe dining setup – Yes to all of this! Even if you don't care about COVID, the enhanced cleaning is just… well, nice.
Rooms: The Sanctuary (Mostly)
Okay, the rooms. Here's where the real stuff happens. They're pretty standard Holiday Inn Express fare, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
- Air conditioning? Check. LIFE-SAVING in Ohio summers.
- Blackout curtains? GOLD. Pure. Gold. I love sleep, and I love darkness even more. These were surprisingly effective.
- Free Wi-Fi? Yes! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! You get the basic internet needs covered, and Internet access – wireless is pretty decent. Internet access – LAN (yep, they still have it.)
- Coffee/tea maker? Essential. The coffee might not be award-winning, but hey, it's there. And, Complimentary tea as well!
- Refrigerator? Perfect for keeping your celebratory beverages cold.
- Desk? For those of you who have to work (I feel your pain). Laptop workspace.
- Ironing facilities? Yes! Though I wouldn't advise too much ironing on vacation…
- Mini bar? Nope. (Probably a good thing for my wallet.) But, Free bottled water so you don't need to buy any.
- Alarm clock? Yep.
- Bathrobes? Alas, no.
- Bathroom phone? No, thankfully.
- Bathtub? Check.
- Carpeting? Present and accounted for!
- Closet? Yes.
- Extra long bed? Woohoo!
- Hair dryer? Thank the heavens.
- High floor? Potentially. Check your preference.
- In-room safe box? Yes.
- Interconnecting room(s) available? Yes.
- Ironing facilities? Yes.
- Linens? Yes.
- Mirror? Yes.
- Non-smoking? Duh.
- On-demand movies? Yes.
- Private bathroom? Yes.
- Reading light? Yes.
- Safety/security feature? Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels? Yes.
- Scale? Nah, but the Scale is available near the gym.
- Seating area? Most likely, yes.
- Separate shower/bathtub? Maybe, depends on your room.
- Shower? Definitely.
- Slippers? No.
- Smoke detector? YES.
- Socket near the bed? YES! This is more important than you think. My phone thanks you.
- Sofa? No, unless you go for a suite.
- Soundproofing? Well, it tried.
- Telephone? Yes, and it works!
- Toiletries? Yes.
- Towels? Yes!
- Umbrella? Possibly.
- Visual alarm? Yes.
- Wake-up service? Yes.
- Window that opens? I actually like this a lot!
The Slight Disappointments:
- Couple's room: Not really different from any other room.
- Room decorations: Average.
- Additional toilet? No.
- Bathtub: Not very big.
- Exterior corridor: Not ideal, although it's expected with this type of building.
- Proposal spot: No.
Dining, drinking and snacking: The buffet situation, well its a buffet. It is breakfast – Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Restaurants, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - The Hocking Hills Advantage
This is where the Holiday Inn Express really shines… or doesn’t, more depends on you. Things to do? Oh, the Hocking Hills have them in droves! Hiking, caves, waterfalls, scenic drives… it's a nature lover's paradise. Fitness center? Yep. I'm not a gym rat, but it seemed adequate. Pool with view? The big pool, definitely. Sauna and Spa/sauna unavailable.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area? Of course.
- Business facilities? Yes.
- Cash withdrawal? Likely. ATMs exist.
- Concierge? Not really. Though, the front desk staff were helpful.
- Convenience store? Yes, snacks and essentials.
- Currency exchange? No.
- Daily housekeeping? Yes.
- … and more.
For the Kids…
Family/child friendly. Yes!
Getting Around
- Airport transfer? No.
- Bicycle parking? Likely, not sure.
- Car park [free of charge]? YES!
- Car park [on-site]? YES!
- Car power charging station: No.
- Taxi service: You can get one.
- Valet parking: No.
My Verdict:
Look, this isn't the Ritz-Carlton. But for a Holiday Inn Express, Escape to Hocking Hills delivers. It's clean, safe, and convenient. It's a solid base camp for exploring a fantastic natural area.
Final Thoughts and Quirks and Rants (Because I’m Human)
- The Pool Noodle Incident: Okay, a quick story. I was chilling by the pool, minding my own business, when a rogue pool noodle – a powerful pool noodle – came at me like a torpedo. I narrowly escaped. This is not a reflection of the hotel's safety, but a testament to the sheer force of unsupervised pool fun. Be warned.
- That Breakfast: Remember that buffet I mentioned? Okay, the coffee was… passable. The scrambled eggs? Questionable. But the sausage? Surprisingly good. Go figure.
- The Bedding: The blackout curtains
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your meticulously color-coded spreadsheet itinerary. This is a chaotic, emotion-fueled, maybe-slightly-hungover chronicle of my stay at the Holiday Inn Express Hocking Hills-Logan, by IHG. Think less "smooth sailing" and more "slightly-seasick, but still with a killer view (probably)."
Day 1: Arrival, Accidental Oysters, and the Existential Dread of a Motel Room
- 1:00 PM: Arrive. Finally. The drive was brutal. Traffic, wrong turns (thanks, GPS!), and the constant nagging thought of "Did I REALLY pack enough socks?" (Spoiler alert: I didn't.) Check-in was surprisingly smooth. The woman at the desk looked like she'd seen it all, but also managed a genuinely friendly smile. Score one for humanity!
- 1:15 PM: Room. Standard fare, right? Nope. This room… it's got a certain… vibe. It's clean, sure, but it’s also devoid of all personality. Like a beige-on-beige assault on the senses. I swear I could hear the curtains silently judging my travel choices. I plopped my bag on the (thankfully) sturdy bed and immediately regretted not grabbing a power bar at the last gas station.
- 2:00 PM: Accidental Lunch. Okay, so I was supposed to have a hearty, adventure-fueled lunch. Instead, after a long drive, all I had was a strong smell of hunger. I saw "Logan's" in Logan. I love seafood. I don't have enough money for seafood. I ordered oysters. I don't actually LIKE oysters… or maybe I do.
- 3:00 PM: A stroll through the town. Logan, Ohio. Well, Logan. I'm trying to be kind. Like a lot of small towns, it has its charms and its letdowns. The most charming thing was getting to pick up some souvenirs in a small mom-and-pop shop.
- 5:00 PM: Pool Time (Failed Attempt). The indoor pool was… well, it was there. The air was thick with chlorine and the faint sounds of shrieking children. I lasted approximately 10 minutes before retreating back to the beige sanctuary of Room 312. I think I need a nap.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a Local Diner. Found a cute, slightly greasy spoon. Ordered a burger. I ate the whole damn thing. Shame? Maybe a little. Satisfaction? Absolutely. The waitress actually knew what "diet coke" was (miracle!).
- 9:00 PM: Back at the hotel, staring at the bland hotel ceiling. I'm so tired. I'm also… a little bummed? The Hocking Hills are supposed to be amazing, and so far, I've mostly experienced mild disappointment/existential angst. Maybe tomorrow will be better. (Please, God, let tomorrow be better.)
Day 2: Hocking Hills, Hiking, and a Serious Questioning of My Life Choices
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Free breakfast at the hotel, as promised. It was a buffet of lukewarm scrambled eggs, sad-looking pastries, and slightly stale cereal. Fuel, at least. Fuel to hopefully avert a meltdown.
- 9:30 AM: Finally, Hocking Hills. I was driving and I could tell I was getting close! This is where it gets good. A real forest. The trails were beautiful. I, myself, am anything but. I hate exercise. I still wanted to go.
- 11:30 AM: Old Man's Cave. Crowds. Beautiful. Crowds and beauty. Lots of huffing and puffing. I'm not in shape. The cave itself was impressive. I feel like I need to say that. The air was cool and damp, and it did make me feel the real impact of "nature".
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Brought a granola bar. It was perfect.
- 2:00 PM: Cedar Falls. More hiking. More beautiful scenery. More sweating. I actually enjoyed this one. It was a little less crowded. I felt somewhat adventurous and as the water fell, I got out of my head a little.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel room. Shower time. I think I have poison ivy.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Local Italian restaurant. The food was ok. Felt like I should order a whole pizza… I didn't.
- 8:00 PM: Watching television. The room, it seems, is growing on me. I’m still annoyed by the beige, but I have become used to it. I'm starting to feel like this is enough. Relaxing and letting loose.
- 10:00 PM: Bed.
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Smell of Mild Disappointment
- 8:00 AM: Final breakfast. More meh breakfast. I’m starting the trip home.
- 9:00 AM: Final packing. I was sure I forgot something. I did.
- 10:00 AM: Checkout. The woman at the desk still had a smile. She handed me a bottle of water. Nice.
- 10:15 AM: Driving home. Thinking about food. Thinking about the hotel. Thinking about the future. Is this the start of mid-life crisis?
- 1:00 PM: Home. I'm tired. I need a nap. Did I enjoy the trip? Eh, maybe?
Final thoughts:
This wasn’t perfect. There were moments I questioned everything. But there were also moments of genuine beauty, of feeling connected to something bigger than myself.
So, would I recommend the Holiday Inn Express Hocking Hills-Logan? It depends. If you're looking for luxury, go elsewhere. If you're looking for a place to rest your head, to launch your Hocking Hills exploration, then yes – it does the job. Just bring your own soul, and maybe a splash of rebellion against the beige. And enough socks. Always enough socks.
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Escape to Hocking Hills: Your Honest & Slightly Messy Holiday Inn Express Getaway FAQs
So, Hocking Hills. Is it *really* worth the hype, or just another pretty place Instagram's ruined?
Okay, real talk. Instagram *has* definitely had its way with the Hocking Hills. You'll see the same perfect waterfall shots over and over. But honestly? It's still worth it. My first trip? Utter chaos. We were supposed to leave at 8 AM, but somehow we didn't roll out until almost noon. Traffic was a beast, and my GPS kept sending us down dirt roads that looked suspiciously like someone's driveway. (Turns out it *was* someone's driveway. Oops.) But then… you get there? The air just hits different. Like, actual, *real* air. The color of the rocks, the way the sunlight filters through the trees… it’s something else. So, hype-worthy? Yes. Instagram-able? Absolutely. But don't just *look* at it. Breathe it. Get lost. And try not to get lost in someone's actual driveway like I did. Twice.
The Holiday Inn Express. Is it… you know… clean? And are the beds as comfy as they look in the photos?
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. The Holiday Inn Express? It's *good*. Not mind-blowing, not luxury-hotel-level, but solid. The clean factor? Yep, they were clean. Honestly, after a day of hiking, I *appreciated* the cleanliness. As for the beds? The "photos" don't lie. The beds were genuinely comfy. I'm a light sleeper. If the slightest thing is amiss, I'm awake. Slept like a log. No weird smells, no mystery stains (I did *look*). Just... pure, blissful sleep. Though, I *did* have a minor heart attack on my last trip. I was in the bathroom getting ready for bed and saw a cockroach scurrying across the floor. I'm not gonna lie, I let out a little girly scream. The front-desk lady was great, moved me into a new room no problem, and even gave me a voucher for a free breakfast. Saved the day. But yeah... roaches can make a girl reevaluate everything.
What’s the *best* thing to do in Hocking Hills? Be honest!
Okay, this is tough. Everyone says Old Man's Cave, and yeah, it's stunning. But... here's the real secret: **Cedar Falls**. Don't tell *anyone* I told you this. It's just... magical. The way the water cascades down, the quiet trails… it's just… *breathtaking*. One time, I went with my husband. He's not much of a hiker (more of a "sits-on-the-couch-and-criticizes-the-TV" type). But even *he* was impressed. We just sat and, for like, an hour, did nothing except listen to the water and... well, he didn't criticize anything. That's saying something. It's a bit of a climb to get back to the parking lot (prepare yourself for a burning sensation in your thighs), but honestly, it's worth the effort. Forget the overcrowded trails; *go to Cedar Falls.* You won't regret it. Just be prepared for the inevitable crowds... just kidding there's always a little space to find solitude.
The breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express... is it *actually* free? And worth sacrificing precious sleep for?
Yes, the breakfast *is* free. And the answer to whether it's worth sacrificing sleep? Depends. I'm a coffee addict. If the coffee machine is sputtering to life by 6 AM, I'm there. They usually have the usual: eggs (suspect quality sometimes), sausage (slightly better), bagels (meh), fruit (always good, keeps you regular). The best part? The little waffle maker! You make your own waffles! The first time I tried to make one, it exploded batter everywhere. I was mortified. But hey, at least you’re in the privacy of your own breakfast nook. It's not exactly gourmet, but it fills the hole, fuels the hiking, and maybe, *just maybe*, it'll prevent a hanger-fueled meltdown later in the day.
What *shouldn't* I do in Hocking Hills? Any major rookie mistakes to avoid?
Okay, learn from my mistakes. First, don't wear brand-new hiking boots. Just... don't. My feet were blistered within an hour. Second, check the weather. Seriously. Hocking Hills weather can change on a dime. I was once caught in a torrential downpour with no rain gear. I looked like a drowned rat and the ensuing cold gave me the flu - which made the whole experience pretty miserable. Third, overpack. You don't need seven pairs of hiking pants. Trust me. And finally, don't underestimate the crowds. Go early, go during the week if you can, or prepare to wait. Nothing kills the vibe like standing in line to see a waterfall. And, for the love of all that is holy, *don't* touch the poison ivy. I learned that one the hard way. (Let's just say I looked like I had a particularly bad case of chickenpox for a week.)
Are there any good restaurants nearby, or am I stuck with fast food?
Okay, the restaurant scene? It's not exactly Michelin-star caliber. But there are some gems. The Olde Dutch Restaurant in Logan is a classic (home-style cooking; don't expect any fancy plating). Millstone BBQ is good for a quick, messy, and satisfying meal. Maya's Pizza is what it is but it's dependable. Don't go expecting a culinary adventure, but you *will* find something to fill your belly. Just... maybe pack some snacks. Because in Hocking Hills, the best restaurants are often the ones you find at home -- but that isn't the point, is it?
Can I bring my pet?
You know what is a good mood killer? Not being able to bring your beloved furry friend. As far as the Holiday Inn Express is concerned, yes, you can. But I'd double-check with the specific location. There's a fee and maybe some rules to adhere to, so be mindful. Just don't let Fluffy get too excited in the room and tear it up, or they might ban you from coming back. And then you'd really be sad.
