Frankfort's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review Will SHOCK You!
Frankfort's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review Will SHOCK You! (Maybe.)
Alright, folks, buckle up, because I just got back from a trip to Frankfort, and let me tell you, my hotel experience… well, it was something. You’ve been warned. This ain't your sterile, corporate review; this is a real person’s experience, warts and all, focusing on the Holiday Inn Express because, well, that’s where I ended up. And let's be honest, the title is clickbait, but if you're looking for a decent stay in Frankfort, Kentucky, read on.
First off, let's address the elephant in the room: Is this the BEST hotel in Frankfort? Probably not. But is it a comfortable stay in a pinch? Absolutely.
Accessibility & Getting In Without Tripping (Hopefully)
Okay, so let's start with the basics. Accessibility is key, and they seem to try. I mean, they have an elevator, which is a HUGE plus. The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property made me feel relatively safe. However, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I saw a few ramps here and there. Whether it meets full ADA compliance? I’d need a specialist for that. They DO have facilities for disabled guests, and that’s a good starting point. Getting around the city itself? Well, that’s a whole other review! But they have airport transfer, which is fantastic, and car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site] so you can park your jalopy.
Cleanliness and Safety - Can I Trust My Own Bed?
This is where things get… interesting. Cleanliness and safety are paramount, especially these days. I noticed they had anti-viral cleaning products in use. They mentioned daily disinfection in common areas which is reassuring. And the rooms? Okay, the rooms. I didn’t see any germ-o-phobe signs, but there’s a lot of talk about room sanitization opt-out available. I mean, it was clean-ish. But my first thought when I walked in was, "Okay, how thoroughly are we cleaning these rooms?" I'm a guy who likes to feel comfortable, but I'm not going to become obsessive over things I can't control.
Rooms – The Cozy Little Cubicles of Comfort
Let's talk about the rooms themselves. Mine had air conditioning, thank goodness. Blackout curtains? Essential. I actually appreciated the effort to make the room comfortable. They have non-smoking rooms, a MUST. The desk was workable. The Wi-Fi [free] was… well, it was fast enough to stream some shows. Extra long bed? A GODSEND! I'm a tall dude, so that was a huge win. They had an alarm clock which I always fumble with. Coffee/tea maker which is essential for surviving the morning!
But… and there's always a but… the soundproofing wasn’t perfect. I heard a kid screaming in the hallway at 6 AM. Just pure, unadulterated screaming. So much for a relaxing stay.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking – The Food Odyssey
Okay, the breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. It was… a breakfast [buffet]. Western breakfast, to be precise. Think: scrambled eggs that may or may not have been real eggs, questionable sausage links, and those little pre-packaged muffins that taste suspiciously like cardboard. They also had coffee/tea in restaurant, so that’s a plus. There's also a snack bar. I stuck to the coffee. A couple of people ordered the breakfast takeaway service, which is convenient. I really wanted to try the restaurants but kept putting it off and finally ran out of time.
Services and Conveniences – The Perks (and the Quirks)
The front desk [24-hour] was a blessing for late arrivals. They had a concierge, but I didn’t really need him. They offer daily housekeeping which is good. There's a convenience store in case you need snacks. The cash withdrawal facilities came in handy, which is always great. They have an elevator, laundry service, and access to a Xerox/fax in business center which is very helpful.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – What About the Spa?
There wasn't a spa, as a matter of fact, it's a Holiday Inn Express. I wasn't expecting it anyway. You could try the fitness center (I didn’t), but from the outside it seemed just adequate. There's no swimming pool [outdoor] or sauna. So, relaxation is limited. Consider it a crash pad rather than a resort.
For the Kids – (Maybe) Not Their Paradise
I didn’t travel with kids, but the Family/child friendly is a bonus. I also felt I could have used the babysitting service in the mornings. The kids meal will save on the cost.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - A Whirlwind of Experiences!
Alright, let’s recap. The Holiday Inn Express in Frankfort isn’t going to win any awards for luxury. It's not a glitzy, over-the-top experience. It’s a solid, reliable place to base yourself in Frankfort.
Here's my honest assessment:
- The Good: Free Wi-Fi (mostly), comfortable bed, decent A/C, friendly staff, good location.
- The Bad: Breakfast from the depths of my nightmares, some noise issues, the occasional questionable cleanliness in the rooms.
- The Ugly: The kid screaming.
My Closing Appeal:
Looking for a no-frills, no-nonsense, and affordable stay in Frankfort, Kentucky? Then, click the link down below. I won't say "book now," because, frankly, I’m not quite THAT enthusiastic, but… the Holiday Inn Express will probably do the trick.
But WAIT! Don't wait!
Book your Frankfort adventure now and get 15% off with code: FRANKFORTFUN. Limited Time Only! (And tell them the review dude sent you. They won't know who I am, but it’s worth a shot!)
(SEO Keywords in the Review): Frankfort, Kentucky, Hotel, Holiday Inn Express, Accessibility, Free Wi-Fi, Breakfast, Cleanliness, Safety, Airport transfer, Car park, Non-smoking rooms, Desk, Soundproofing.
Hotel Ross Germany: Unbeatable Luxury Awaits You!
Okay, strap in buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into a stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Frankfort, a place I've been meaning to visit for ages (or maybe just a week, memory is fuzzy). Buckle up because it's going to be a bumpy, beautiful ride.
The Frank-a-thon: A Frankfort, Kentucky, Romp (or, at least, an attempt at one)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Bedding Debacle (AKA, Why Did I Pack So Much?)
- 3:00 PM: Arrived at the Holiday Inn Express. Okay, first impressions: it's… beige. Beige and clean. Which, honestly, is a win after the last… shudders …motel experience. Check-in was a breeze. The gal behind the desk, bless her heart, was clearly dealing with a convention of… something. Could've been competitive pie eating. Who knows.
- Anecdote: I swear, I always overpack. It's a curse. My suitcase, this time, decided to rebel at the airport (it's a very dramatic hardshell, you see). Anyway, the first thing I did was sit down for 20 minutes trying to sort out my luggage.
- 3:30 PM: Made it to my room. Ah, the sweet, sweet smell of… what is that? Cleanliness? Air freshener? Regardless, it's a welcome change. The room itself is fine. Standard. Functional. The bed, however… that's where the drama began. This is where I will put my own bedding on it, because the bed's comforter looks rather thin, I've seen better ones in a 10$ local market.
- Quirky Observation: Do you ever get the feeling that hotel beds are designed to either be incredibly comfortable or actively hostile? There's no in-between. This one… well, we'll see.
- 4:00 PM: The room is decent, but I've got a view of the parking lot. At least nobody can see me from the outside.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Finding a restaurant felt like navigating a minefield of chain eateries. Settled for a local diner. They were happy to have me. Big portions, a whole lot of butter, and some very interesting conversations. This is what travel is about.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Watched TV for a bit. The remote, naturally, is another source of hotel peril. The buttons are worn, and the batteries are always on their last legs. It took me a solid five minutes to turn the volume down.
- Emotional Reaction: (Good) The sheer simplicity of just being in a hotel room with nothing to do is sometimes the best feeling in the world.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep. Or, at least, an attempt. Hotel room sounds are a given. Air conditioning whirring, distant conversations, the occasional slam of a door. It's like a symphony of white noise.
Day 2: Bourbon, Babies, and the Unexpected Beauty of a Parking Lot
- 7:00 AM: Free breakfast! (I hate to pay for breakfast) The typical hotel fare: eggs, pastries, and a suspicious amount of processed sausage. I feel great!
- Opinionated Language: Okay, the coffee was truly awful. I am a coffee snob, and I will not apologize.
- 9:00 AM: Bourbon tour! (This is why I came, really). There are probably tons of bourbon distilleries in Kentucky, I don't want to miss any.
- Stream-of-Consciousness Ramblings: Wowzers. Well, the tour was… informative. And boozy. Very boozy. I was told a lot about barrels. And mash. Mash is important. I'm just glad I didn't drive. The bourbon was strong (in a good way), and the guide was very enthusiastic. I feel like I learned a lot about… well, bourbon. The distillery store, of course, was a temptation.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch, and I almost lost my mind from hunger!
- 2:00 PM: Exploring Frankfort. The town is nice, if you like historic buildings, and I do.
- 4:00 PM: Randomly, I found myself in the local park. There was a playground, and… babies. A lot of babies. Suddenly, I was surrounded by the sounds of tiny giggles, squeals, and the absolute joy of seeing a dog. I started to feel nostalgic. But I had to get more whiskey.
- Emotional Reaction: (Unexpected Good) This was not on the itinerary, but honestly. This was what I needed.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a small place I found on Yelp. Decent food, but the service? Let's just say "leisurely". I tried to get the waiter's attention for a glass of water for 10 f*cking minutes.
- Messy Structure: Okay, this is where I admit that I forgot to write down the name of the restaurant. I am not a great travel blogger. I'm a travel attemptor.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the hotel. This time, the parking lot suddenly looked beautiful, with everyone's cars parked.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 3: Farewell, Frankfort, and the Quest for Decent Coffee (Again)
- 7:00 AM: Free breakfast, again. This time, I had a coffee. The Holiday Inn Express coffee machine should be thrown to the bottom of a lake.
- 8:00 AM: Final walk. This is it, I am out. I still haven't finished exploring, but I don't know if I want to..
- 10:00 AM: Check-out. The gal at the front desk smiled and asked if I had a good time. I said "Yes, I did". I really meant it.
Final Thoughts (or, Ramblings of a Slightly Tipsy Tourist)
Okay, so the Holiday Inn Express in Frankfort? It was fine. Undeniably beige, but fine. Clean. Comfortable (enough). The free breakfast was… free. The bourbon was excellent. The babies were adorable. The parking lot was surprisingly pretty at night. This trip wasn't perfect, it certainly wasn't Instagram-worthy, and that's what made it perfect. Travel isn't about fancy hotels and perfectly curated experiences. It's about the unexpected, the imperfections, and the moments that catch you completely by surprise. And sometimes, it's just about finding a decent coffee (which, let's be honest, is a constant struggle).
So, would I go back to Frankfort? Maybe. Would I stay at the Holiday Inn Express again? Probably. And maybe, just maybe, I'll remember to take notes next time. Probably not, though.
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Frankfort's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express... Honestly? (Prepare for Rambles!)
Okay, so, is the Holiday Inn Express in Frankfort REALLY the "best"? I mean, what's the REAL deal?
Alright, buckle up, Buttercup, because the "best" is subjective. I've seen some wild claims online. Let's be honest; it's a Holiday Inn Express. It's *not* the Ritz. My experience? Well... it's complicated. Frankfort is... well, Frankfort. It's not exactly Vegas. It's charming in a "little town with a big history" kind of way. So the hotel... it has to be seen within THAT context. Is it the absolute, top-of-the-line, "wow-factor" place? Nope. But is it a solid, reliable, clean-ish (more on that later), and generally pleasant stay? Usually, yeah. I keep going back, which says something... right? Unless I'm just a creature of habit with low expectations, which is entirely possible. Let's dive in.
Speaking of "clean-ish"... how's the cleanliness? I'm a germophobe, you know!
Ah, the cleanliness. Here's the raw, unfiltered truth, and I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt if YOU have your own experience: It varies. One time, I walked into the bathroom and… let’s just say I’m pretty sure the previous guest had a family reunion with a colony of dust bunnies. I shuddered. Seriously, I almost turned tail and ran. But the front desk was *super* nice, and immediately offered me another room (which, thankfully, was better). Another time? Spotless. Like, genuinely impressed. So, it’s a gamble. Bring your own wipes, just in case. I always do now. And check the sheets *thoroughly*. Trust me on this. I'm a visual person, and once I saw something… I'm not going to describe. We move on.
**Pro-Tip:** When you get to the room, do a quick once-over. Don't be shy about asking for another room if you're not comfortable! They WANT you to be happy. Or at least, they pretend to. ;)
What about the breakfast? The free breakfast is always a make-or-break for me. Is it good? Is it... edible?
Okay, breakfast. Now we're talking. The free breakfast is… well, it's a Holiday Inn Express breakfast. Don't expect gourmet. Do expect: plastic-wrapped pastries of questionable origin (sometimes good, sometimes a rock), the usual scrambled egg/sausage situation (again, hit or miss on the quality), make-your-own waffles (always the highlight for the kids, or the perpetually-youthful-at-heart like myself...), and the coffee. The coffee. The *coffee*. It's… coffee. Not amazing, not terrible, just… there. I usually grab a couple of those little instant coffee creamers immediately, and fortify. It's a marathon, not a sprint in the morning, folks.
**Rambling Anecdote:** One time, I saw a kid try to make a waffle using the tongs as a spatula. It was a disaster. Waffles everywhere! I almost offered to help, but then I realized it was way more entertaining to watch from a safe distance. (Sorry, kid!)
The staff. Are they, you know, *human*? Or just robots trained to say "Have a nice day"?
The staff? Generally, yes, they are human. And they're *nice*. I've had some truly lovely interactions. They seem to genuinely care about making your stay comfortable, which is a HUGE plus. They've always been helpful, quick to assist with any issues (like, you know, the dust bunny situation). They're the real MVPs. There was this one older gentleman checking guests in, I think his name was John, who always had a twinkle in his eye and a slightly dry wit. He was a total pro. The front desk staff have been helpful and kind. This is a huge plus for this place.
The location? Is it actually convenient to, you know, *things*?
The location is pretty good. It's close enough to the main drag without being *right* on the busiest street. You're a short drive from the Kentucky State Capitol, which is pretty cool. Plenty of restaurants nearby, some better than others (definitely ask the staff for recommendations - they usually know the good spots!). Easy access to main roads, which is a bonus for getting around. If you're there for the bourbon distilleries? Well, you’re in a pretty good spot. You might need a designated driver though!
Okay, let's get real. Would you recommend it? Honestly.
Look. If you're looking for a good, solid, reasonably priced place to stay in Frankfort, the Holiday Inn Express is a strong contender. It has its flaws; it's not perfect. But it's reliable. Clean-ish (again, bring wipes!). The staff are great. Location is decent. The breakfast is edible (and free!). Would I recommend it? Yeah, probably. Just go in with realistic expectations. Don't expect a five-star experience, and you won't be disappointed. And hey, if you have a funny story to share about your stay? I want to hear it! Because honestly? The unpredictable nature of it all is part of the charm (or maybe I'm just easily amused).
