Escape to Fishkill: Your Perfect Holiday Inn Express Getaway!
Escape to Fishkill: My Holiday Inn Express Odyssey (and Why You Should Book Now!)
Okay, let's be real. You're looking for a getaway. Not a five-star, white-glove experience that feels like you're being judged by your cutlery choices. You want… Escape to Fishkill. And, let me tell you, the Holiday Inn Express in Fishkill, New York? It's seriously a contender. I just got back, and I'm still unpacking my thoughts (and possibly some stray goldfish crackers from the buffet).
First off, SEO, SEO, SEO! We're talking accessible accommodation here. And it's pretty darn good. I have a friend who's wheelchair-bound, and she raved about the wheelchair accessibility of the place. Elevators are a must, naturally, and the hallways seemed wide enough for a parade of mobility scooters. Accessibility is a HUGE plus, especially when you consider how many places think they're accessible and, well, aren't. They got it right.
Cleanliness and Safety: This is where things got interesting, especially post-pandemic. They are obsessed with cleanliness, and that's a good thing. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Double check. Rooms sanitized between stays? You betcha. I even saw them using professional-grade sanitizing services on a few occasions. Look, you gotta appreciate the effort. They had hand sanitizer stations everywhere. And I really appreciated how they had individually-wrapped food options at the breakfast buffet. And let's not forget the cashless payment service. I’m all about that life. Oh, and the staff trained in safety protocol. They looked like they knew what they were doing.
Then there's the food. Let's talk Dining, Drinking, and Snacking.
- Breakfast Buffet: Okay, the breakfast [buffet] itself was… well, it was a buffet. You know the deal. Scrambled eggs (questionable origin), sausage (probably the same as the eggs), and a waffle machine that's always either on fire or spitting out sadness. BUT! They had a surprisingly decent selection of cereals, yogurt, and fruit. And, crucially, the coffee was hot and readily available. I can’t function without coffee and really appreciated the coffee/tea in restaurant situation.
- Restaurants: There's not actually an on-site restaurant, but there's a Snack Bar.
- Coffee Shop: Okay, the coffee shop situation was just my ticket.
- Room Service: Room service is 24 hours, and you know what? Sometimes, after a long day of… whatever you're doing in Fishkill (more on that later), you just want to eat pizza in your pajamas. And they deliver.
- Alternative meal Arrangement: The front desk was happy to help when I needed something special.
Amenities & Things to Do:
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: The pool. Ah, the pool. It's not the Olympics. Nor is it a pool with a view. But it was clean, well-maintained, and perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day. In fact, I spent hours just floating, letting the sun bake my worries away. I even saw someone doing… laps! At a Holiday Inn Express! I'm not sure if it's a Pool with a view, but hey, there was a pool. And that’s what I needed.
- Fitness Center: It had the usual suspects: treadmills, ellipticals, a few weights. I, uh, didn't use it. But it was there! And if you're the type who actually enjoys working out on vacation, more power to you.
- Internet: This is crucial, and the Wi-Fi [free] was pretty solid. And, of course, Free Wi-Fi in all Rooms! They also have Internet [LAN] if you're feeling old-school.
- Services and conveniences: The daily housekeeping was top-notch. The rooms stayed clean and fresh throughout my stay. They also had a convenience store for snacks and essentials, which came in handy when I (inevitably) ran out of goldfish crackers.
The Room:
Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. My room (non-smoking, naturally) was… comfortable. It wasn’t a palace, but it was clean, well-lit, and had everything I needed. Air conditioning (bless!), a comfy bed with a proper extra long bed, a refrigerator, a coffee/tea maker, and, most importantly, free Wi-Fi. I had a desk which was the perfect spot for me to get some work done. It was basic but good. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in. The shower was fine, the towels were fluffy enough, and the slippers, a lovely detail. The thing that struck me was how well used the space was. Everything had a place and a function. Plus, the wake-up service was on point. I woke up on time.
Things to do in Fishkill (and Surrounding Area -- the real reason to book):
Okay, here's where things get interesting. Fishkill itself is charming. It's a great base for exploring the Hudson Valley (and all the things to do there!).
- Beacon, NY: You absolutely must go to Beacon! It's a short drive away and home to Dia Beacon, an incredible modern art museum. I spent hours wandering around -- it was the perfect way to relax.
- The Culinary Institute of America: Alright, so I just had to visit, and I certainly enjoyed the experience.
- Hiking: The area is full of beautiful hiking trails, with varying difficulty levels.
Escape to Fishkill: My Honest Take and Why You Should Book
Look, this isn't the Ritz. It's not supposed to be. It's a Holiday Inn Express. And it's a good Holiday Inn Express. It's clean, comfortable, convenient, and the staff is genuinely friendly and helpful. It successfully balances affordability with a high standard of service. It's the perfect spot for a low-key getaway.
The Imperfections: Sometimes the elevator feels a little slow. And, okay, the breakfast buffet is not Michelin-star quality. But, honestly, those are minor quibbles.
What I Loved:
- The easy access to the Hudson Valley.
- The cleanliness and safety protocols.
- The comfortable bed.
- The free Wi-Fi (crucial!).
- The feeling of not being judged (because, let's be honest, sometimes you just don't want to be judged).
My Offer: Book Now and Get Your Escape!
Why Book Now?
- Guaranteed Cleanliness: Peace of mind knowing your stay is in a meticulously cleaned and sanitized environment.
- Perfect for Exploring: The ideal base for exploring the beauty, history, and culture of the Hudson Valley.
- Relax and Recharge: Comfortable rooms, a refreshing pool, and all the amenities you need for a stress-free getaway.
Call to Action: Head to the Holiday Inn Express Fishkill website and book your stay! Don't wait – your escape awaits! Say yes to a weekend where you don't have to make your bed, cook breakfast, or worry about anything other than enjoying yourself. Give yourself the gift of Fishkill. You deserve it.
Thailand Luxury Condo: Pool, Jacuzzi, & Walking Street Steps Away!
Alright, buckle up, butterflies! Here’s the gritty, gloriously messy, and hopefully hilarious itinerary for my Fishkill, NY, adventure, centered around the fabulously beige Holiday Inn Express. Emphasis on the "Express," because, let's be honest, I'm not exactly planning a leisurely stroll through the Hudson Valley. This is a grab-and-go, fuel-up-and-go kind of trip.
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for Edibles (and maybe Sanity)
2:00 PM: Arrival! Woohoo! I pull up to the Holiday Inn Express, and the first thing that hits me is… well, the beige-ness. Like, the entire building is the color of a slightly stale biscuit. I swear, even the sky looks beige here. But hey, at least it’s air-conditioned. After the drive, I am a hot and sweaty mess. Check-in is…smooth. The desk clerk has a slight resemblance to a deer caught in headlights, which immediately endears her to me. My room! It smells of…clean carpet and the faint ghost of chlorine. Score one for the hotel.
2:30 PM: The Great Snack Scramble. The journey. The journey to the room. I need food. Desperately. I open the door to my room and dump my bag. A quick search reveals: a vending machine on the first floor. Hope. I grab my wallet and head down the hall. The vending machine. Full of chips and other processed food, with no healthy options for my hungry stomach. sigh. This is gonna be an adventure.
3:00 PM: The Pizza Predicament. Okay, so, plan B. I'm Googling "pizza near me" like it's a life-or-death situation. The reviews are… mixed. One place is apparently "famous for its garlic knots" but also "known to be slow." Another place is "run by a guy who looks suspiciously like he might also be a mob boss." I choose the garlic knot place. I'm starving. This could go any way.
- 3:45 PM - The Pizza Arrives The journey to the pizza joint was rough. I could barely find a parking space, and waited in line, only to find out that it was cash only, after I saw the pizza! I drive 2 blocks to find an ATM and ran back, to still not get a parking spot. Once back at my room, the pizza was delicious, and the garlic knots were divine. They were divine, and worth the wait.
- 4:30 - 6:00 PM: Downtime and Prep I rest in my comfy bed, take a shower, and watch some tv. I decided to take some time to plan for tomorrow.
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM - The Hotel Gym - I'm gonna be honest. I meant to hit the gym, but after pizza and the emotional rollercoaster of the garlic knot experience, I'm more inclined to watch Netflix and snack on chips I bought from the vending machine (yes, I caved). The gym is in the basement. It's got two treadmills staring at each other. The air conditioning is set to "Antarctic Blast." I feel a pang of guilt, but the beckoning glow of my laptop screen wins out.
Day 2: History, Hang-Ups, and More Pizza (Possibly Mob-Boss Pizza This Time)
8:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet of Dreams (or at Least Expectations). Free breakfast! A crucial element of any Holiday Inn Express experience. I stumble down to the breakfast area, hoping for more than just the usual: dry muffins and sad, rubbery eggs. The continental buffet? Yep. The usual suspects are there (the muffins, the eggs), but I spot… waffles. And not just any waffles. Shape-of-a-state-of-NY waffles! My inner cheese-lover rejoices.
8:30 AM: The First Attempt. Okay, I grab a waffle and pile it high with whipped cream and strawberries. I bite and my eyes roll back, as the texture and taste are so yummy.
9:00 AM: Beacon's Historical Hoedown. Head out in search of history! Today, after a little bit of searching, I decided to visit the Mount Gulian Historic Site in Beacon. The scenery is fantastic! I love the area. Also, I learned so much about colonial life, architecture, and farming. The site is beautiful. I take pictures.
12:00 PM: Lunch, Maybe Another Pizza Attempt. It's lunch time, and my stomach is rumbling again. I'm back to the pizza search. Am I brave enough for the mob boss? Part of me says "Hell yes." The other part (the part that values not being whacked) suggests a safer option.
1:00 PM: Scenic Drive. I drove around, enjoying the sights and landscapes of the area surrounding Fishkill. The scenery is amazing, and I feel great.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Another Historical Site. I visited Bannerman's Castle, and learned about it. I was intrigued. The island location, the history… It was mesmerizing.
6:00 PM: Rebuilding My Stomach. It's always time to go to dinner. But I want a small break, let the food digest. I decide to order food again from the Garlic Knot place. They're great!
7:00 PM: Downtime. I'm done with history for the day. Back to the hotel. I watch tv.
Day 3: Departure & the Beige Farewell
8:00 AM: Breakfast Again. Same routine, but feeling more content. The waffles are calling to me. There's a strange camaraderie among the hotel guests at this point, bonded by their shared quest for non-sad breakfast.
9:00 AM: packing up and check out. I gather all my possessions. And say goodbye to the room.
9:30 AM: Goodbyes I did more exploration and learned more interesting things. The last few times I visited Beacon, and everything went very well. I drive off and plan my next visit.
10:00 AM: Driving and Thoughts I drive away from the area hoping I can come back soon.
Post-Trip Musings:
- The Beige Factor: Okay, the Holiday Inn Express was…beige. But it was clean, the staff were nice, and the waffle was a legitimate high point.
- Pizza: I'm going to come back and visit that Mob Boss's pizza place and try it out.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: I realized I enjoy planning an itinerary, but I also enjoy not following it.
- Overall: It was a trip!
Escape to Fishkill: Your Holiday Inn Express (Or Deal With It) FAQ (Because Let's Be Real...)
So, Fishkill. Really? Why Holiday Inn Express? Is this... a thing?
Okay, look, first of all, *don't judge.* Fishkill, New York, is... a place. And the Holiday Inn Express? It's *reliable.* Think of it as the comfy sweatpants of hotels. It's not fancy-pants, it's not going to win any awards for interior design (unless the award is "Most Likely to Have Free Coffee"), but it's there. And sometimes, that's all you need. We're talking about a *getaway,* people! Not a five-star glamping experience in the Swiss Alps. (Though, sigh, *that* would be nice.) It's a good launching pad for exploring the Hudson Valley. Plus, let's be honest, sometimes, the only thing standing between me and complete mental collapse is a lukewarm continental breakfast and a clean-ish bed. The Holiday Inn Express excels at both. Sometimes, the reliability is the *point.*
What's the *best* thing about the Fishkill Holiday Inn Express, besides the aforementioned coffee? (Because, like, really? Is it *that* good?)
Okay, the coffee. Yes, it's... fine. It's not a barista's masterpiece. More like "industrial strength brown liquid." But, AND THIS IS KEY, the **consistency** is amazing. You know what you're getting. And honestly? The thing that *really* elevates the experience? The microwave. Honestly, it saved me! Needed a quick snack after driving all day, boom! Microwave magic. Plus, they always have a *ridiculous* amount of milk, which, as someone who drinks way too much coffee and *needs* milk (again...don't judge!), can literally turn the tides on a potentially grumpy morning for me. And after a truly awful Friday, I found it at 6AM! That alone is a win!
Okay, *bad* things. Spill the tea. What's the catch? What's the *worst* thing?
Alright, here's the juicy stuff. Let's be real, it's not perfection. Number one, the internet is... spotty. Like, "I'm pretty sure I heard dial-up tones" kind of spotty. Don't plan on streaming your favorite show unless you've downloaded it. Seriously, that's almost a deal-breaker for me. And, and *this* is a real pet peeve... the breakfast area can get absolutely *madhouse* levels of chaotic. Seriously, people. It's like a feeding frenzy at dawn. Grab your waffle before someone else steals it. The fact that there are only two waffle irons and the lines were always long nearly caused a breakdown. But, hey, gotta get your carbs, right?
Is it *really* a "getaway"? What's there to *do* in Fishkill? (Besides, you know, stay in the Holiday Inn Express.)
Okay, okay, *yes*, Fishkill itself isn't exactly Times Square. But it's the *location* that shines. You're a short drive from EVERYTHING. Like, literally everything. The walk is a bit much. Think about checking out the Dia Beacon art museum. It's a converted Nabisco box printing factory – seriously, awesome art in a super cool space. Or go for a hike up Breakneck Ridge. Prepare for some serious climbing/crawling but the views? *Worth* it. Then you can head to some local wineries or drive to West Point. And then? You can always go back to the Holiday Inn Express and crash. And, honestly? After hiking Breakneck Ridge, that comfy bed is what I'd look forward to, even more than the views!
Is it family-friendly? Do they cater to the little monsters?
YES! They seem to *thrive* on families, I swear. I've seen more mini-humans running around that hotel then in a small town. The breakfast situation? Well, let's just say there are more than a few sticky fingers getting into it. But yes, they have the usual suspects: a pool (small, but functional), the aforementioned waffles, and, most importantly... **a distraction**. TV's, that can keep them glued to the screen so the parents can at least drink their coffee in peace. And it has all the usual things needed. Clean is clean!
Okay, let's talk about the *bed*. Is it comfy? Because that's important.
Ah, the all-important bed. The sweet, sweet haven of sleep. The beds are... fine. They're not the *softest* beds you've ever encountered. But they're clean, and they have enough pillows to build a small fort. And after a long day of... well, existing... you will crash, HARD. It's like a warm hug, after a long and frustrating day of life. Yes, if you are a fan of harder matress, then this may be your thing because it has a good firm mattress.
Is there anything around the hotel, or am I stranded until I drive somewhere?
You're not *completely* stranded. There are a few chain restaurants nearby. Definitely not a foodie paradise, but you won't starve. There's a shopping center a short drive away. But honestly, the best thing about the location is that its a launching pad. You'll want to explore the Hudson Valley. So you will want to drive.
Should I bring my own snacks?
YES! A thousand million times YES! Especially if you're a snacker. The vending machines? Limited and overpriced. The convenience store selections? Also limited and likely to induce sticker shock. Pack your own snacks. Trust me. Pack the salty, the sweet, and the maybe-something-slightly-healthy-to-make-yourself-feel-less-guilty-about-the-waffles. Because, let's be real, you're gonna eat those waffles. And you'll LOVE them. Especially when you get back to the room after a hike and have a bag of chips at hand.
Would you go back? Seriously?
You know what? Honestly? *Yes*. I would. Because, despite the iffy internet and the breakfast chaos, the Fishkill Holiday Inn Express is *reliable*. It's a comfortable basecamp for exploring a cool area. And sometimes, in the chaos of life, reliable is a godsend. Plus, the thought of that microwave... I’m already picturing it. With all the snacks that I was able to smuggle in, I could totally stay there forever. Probably a week at least.Backpacker Hotel Find
