Escape to St. Charles: Luxurious Stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Escape to St. Charles: Luxurious Stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Escape to St. Charles: My Honestly Messy, Mostly Awesome (& Slightly Overhyped) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Review
Okay, folks, buckle up. You’re about to get real. I just got back from a stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in St. Charles, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. This isn’t your perfectly polished, corporate-approved review. This is me, spilling the tea, the lukewarm coffee, and maybe some metaphorical crumbs all over the place.
First Impressions (and a Little Bit of Panic)
Finding the place was surprisingly easy. Even I, with my atrocious sense of direction, managed to navigate the backroads. The exterior? Clean, modern, and… well, beige. Beige-ish. But hey, at least not offensive beige. Pulling up, I was immediately checking out the Car park [free of charge]. Score! And the CCTV outside property gave me a little boost of confidence, like, "Okay, maybe I won't get mugged leaving my car." Baby steps, people. Baby steps.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Bless Their Hearts
Now, let's talk accessibility. The Elevator was a godsend, especially after lugging my suitcase (filled with mostly unnecessary outfits) up the stairs of life. The Facilities for disabled guests are listed, which suggests a something, but I didn't personally test them. I did notice wide hallways, so that's a hopeful sign, but further research is needed on access to specific amenities.
Check-in/out [express] and Concierge: Smooth Sailing (Mostly)
Check-in/out [express] lived up to the hype! Super quick, super efficient. The Concierge was friendly and helpful (shout-out to Miguel!), though I felt a little guilty asking him what the best pizza place was – probably because it wasn't on their list of pre-approved recommendations.
Rooms: Clean, Comfy… And Did I Mention Beige?
Alright, my room. The holy grail. The Air conditioning blasted the moment I swiped my key card (bless). Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hooray! Internet access – wireless worked like a dream. (Though, I might have accidentally spent a good hour doomscrolling). I had an extra long bed (much appreciated!), a decent desk, and a working desk and reading light. Blackout curtains are a MUST for me, and these delivered. No rogue sunbeams waking me up at dawn. Pure bliss. There was also, the usual suspects; a Refrigerator, Complimentary tea and Coffee/tea maker, basic Toiletries, a Hair dryer, all the usual suspects. And the Non-smoking rooms were a must for this sensitive soul.
The Bathroom was clean, functional, and I especially appreciated the Separate shower/bathtub. But, let’s be real, it was a little sterile. Missing my own quirky bathroom decor.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safer Than My Anxiety Would Normally Allow
The hotel certainly took their COVID precautions seriously. Lots of Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol seemed genuine - I witnessed them actively cleaning tables in the restaurant, and they weren't just going through the motions. Room sanitization opt-out available felt nice, but the daily cleaning kept the paranoia at bay. Daily disinfection in common areas - check. Professional-grade sanitizing services - likely, but I didn’t have a black light to double-check.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Buffet Bliss (Mostly)
Breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. I'm a sucker for a hotel buffet. And the Breakfast [buffet] here? Pretty decent! Western breakfast staples like scrambled eggs (sometimes questionable), bacon (yay!), and pastries (heaven!). They had a decent amount of Vegetarian restaurant options, too, which made me happy. I didn't try the Asian breakfast, though, maybe I should have! Coffee/tea in restaurant was always on hand. The Buffet in restaurant offered options, but the quality could be… inconsistent, let's say. I did enjoy a sneaky coffee at the Coffee shop and thought about ordering a slice of Desserts in restaurant at one point, but I have issues.
The Poolside bar was tempting, but it wasn’t quite pool weather when I visited. And the temptation of a Pool with view was more of a draw than it ever was.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Fitness Fanatic or Couch Potato?
Okay, confession time: I intended to hit the Fitness center. Really, I did. But then I saw the Swimming pool and I got too distracted by all the leisure options. It looked good. I could have done the Sauna or the Spa, but I didn't. I hear they did some treatments. If you like that sort of thing. I didn't even make it to the Steamroom.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Awesome and "Meh"
Daily housekeeping – a blessing. Laundry service - thank goodness. Dry cleaning? Not me, I'm a "hand-wash-in-the-sink" kind of gal. The Convenience store was handy for late-night snack runs. The Cash withdrawal option wasn’t something I saw. The Car power charging station felt modern.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, But (Maybe) Not for YOUR Kids
I saw families, so it is Family/child friendly. But I didn't see any Kids facilities or Babysitting service.
The Weird Stuff (and the Slightly Annoying Stuff)
- The lighting in the hallways felt a bit… prison-esque. But maybe that was just my imagination.
- The lack of accessible info on the website and the slow restaurant service.
- The constant faint smell of cleaning products. Is that good? Is that bad? I can’t decide.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Yes! Despite my minor gripes and occasional moments of existential dread, I had a really pleasant stay. It's clean, well-located, relatively affordable, and the staff are generally helpful. It's not a luxury resort, but it's a solid, reliable choice for a comfortable escape to St. Charles. The Internet access – wireless alone is worth it! SEO and Metadata Stuff (Because, You Know, Gotta):
Keywords: Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. Charles, St. Charles hotels, hotel review, accessibility, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, breakfast buffet, clean hotel, family-friendly, spa, gym, [add more relevant keywords]. Accessible, Wheelchair accessible
Metadata Description: Honest review of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in St. Charles. Find out what's good, what's not, and if it's worth your stay. Accessibility, amenities, and real-world experiences!
Hotel chain: Holiday Inn Express
Hotel Rating: 3-4 stars (?)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because my trip to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. Charles, MO by IHG is about to get REAL. This isn't your perfectly-packaged, Instagram-filtered travel diary. This is the unfiltered, slightly-caffeinated, mildly-stressed-but-mostly-excited version. And yes, there will be rambles. You've been warned.
The St. Charles Scramble: A Messy Itinerary (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Parking Lot)
DAY 1: Arrival & Initial Impressions (AKA "Where Did I Park?")
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Arrival & Check-In Chaos. Okay, so the drive was…a drive. Traffic was a beast, my GPS thought I was an off-roading champion, and I arrived slightly frazzled. The absolutely first thing? Finding PARKING. Seriously, is it just me, or does every hotel lot feel like a Hunger Games arena for parking spots? I circled, I glared, I considered abandoning the car and just walking across the parking lot. (Which, let's be honest, would have been faster.) Finally, victory! A spot, though it was kind of far and near a dumpster. (Spoiler: Dumpster smells don't improve with time). Check-in itself was…well, it was check-in. The guy at the desk seemed genuinely pleasant, though I suspect he'd seen a few frazzled travellers in his time. He handed me a keycard and the usual pep talk about breakfast. I'm always skeptical about hotel breakfasts. The thought of lukewarm scrambled eggs haunts my dreams…
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance (And, Oops, Forgot the Charger!). Okay, the room. It's…clean. That's a win! Decent size, a comfy looking bed (that's crucial), and a view of…the parking lot. Sigh. Okay, I can work with this. The AC is humming, there’s a TV (a glorious distraction), and a coffee maker (bless). Wait. Where’s my phone charger? PANIC. First world problems, I know, but a dead phone is a recipe for travel disaster. After a frantic search of the car and bags (a near miss with a rogue granola bar), I remembered I’d left it at home. Brilliant. Guess I'm going to the front desk.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Charger Quest & Hotel Exploration. Back to the front desk! Luckily, they had a spare charger I could borrow. Saved! While I was there I did a quick recon of the hotel. There’s a pool, which looks…okay. And a small exercise room. (I'm not judging, I'm just saying it's unlikely I will even look at the exercise room.) Went back up and started trying to acclimate.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: St. Charles Streets. (Finding them). St. Charles, Missouri. That's the real goal here. I hopped in the car and started the drive. I can't quite explain it, but I tend to make things harder than they need to be. Apparently, I could have gotten off at a different road and reached the same place in like, 10 minutes. Instead, I had my own little scenic route. It gave me time to get familiar with the area. I parked, and went out!
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner & Initial Impressions of St. Charles. I found a local restaurant: The Old Mill. It’s right on the water and it just felt so…right. I ordered a burger and fries, watched the people outside, and just sunk into it. The food wasn't over the top, but it was nice. Nice and calming, because I needed that. So, St. Charles. It's charming. Real charming. Definitely a place where folks say "y'all" without a hint of irony. The cobblestone streets, the historic buildings… I can see why people like it here. I feel like I'm in a movie set.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. Parking Lot Pt. 2 The walk to my car, thankfully, was easier than earlier. I got back to the hotel and promptly fell into bed.
DAY 2: Breakfast, History, and the Unsung Hero of Travel - The Water Bottle
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: The Breakfast Battle. Okay, it's breakfast time. I brace myself. The lobby smells of coffee and…well, it could be anything, really. I head down to the breakfast area, and it's the usual suspects: scrambled eggs (the ones that haunt my dreams!), sausages, pastries that probably weren't made that day, cereal that's probably the same cereal as my childhood. Surprise! the eggs weren't HORRIBLE. I got some coffee, a piece of fruit, and sat down. I feel like I've won a battle of sorts.
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Exploring the City. I took a long walk around St. Charles, just enjoying the beauty.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Frenchtown Experience. I stumbled upon Frenchtown. It's a bit more rough around the edges than some of the more polished parts of town and maybe I wouldn't have found it except thanks to my lack of planning. But that’s what makes it interesting. I found a local cafe and got to know a few of the locals. Great stories, great coffee, and a sense of connection. This is the kind of experience I come for.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch and a Moment of Zen. Back to the room, for lunch. I had some snacks, and sat for a bit and just let it all sink in. I took a nap, which was nice.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Riverfront. I took a walk along the river, and looked out at the water. I took some photos. I like just being still and looking at the water. It’s so easy to just get lost in the moment.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Unsung Hero. The unsung hero of my trip has been my water bottle. Hydration is key, especially when you're basically walking the entire city. I filled it up before leaving the hotel every morning, and it kept me sane, and not as cranky as I'd otherwise be.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Dinner and Evening Strolls. Back to the city for dinner, watching the lights come on. I had dinner at a small pub. I ended up chatting with the waiter for a while and just enjoying the city.
DAY 3: Departure (And the Eternal Pursuit of a Good Coffee)
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast, Again! (And the Coffee Quest). Back to the breakfast buffet. I'm happy to report the eggs were still…edible. The coffee, though? Still a mystery. It either tasted like burnt dirt or barely flavoured water. I feel like this is one of those things I'll always struggle with.
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Last-Minute Shopping. I wanted to get some souvenirs, so I did some last-minute shopping. I bought a few small things, and I'm ready to go!
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Checkout & Reflections. Checkout was quick and painless. As I drove away from the hotel, I thought about my trip. It was messy, and imperfect, and at times, I was probably a bit frazzled. But it was mine. I explored, I laughed, and I found some small moments of quiet joy.
- 10:00 AM - Onward to the Next Adventure!…Or Home. I can safely say I truly enjoyed my time.
Final Thoughts: The Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. Charles? It was perfectly serviceable, though the parking situation is something that needs a serious rethink. The breakfast buffet has its flaws, but hey, the coffee kept me vaguely functioning. St. Charles itself? Charming. And, honestly, the best part of the trip wasn't the fancy sights or the planned activities. It was the unexpected conversations, the quiet moments of reflection, and the joy of just being somewhere new. Now, time to start planning the next adventure… and remember to pack the charger.
Alwaha: Your Arabian Nights Await – Luxury Living in KAEC
Escape to St. Charles: Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Spill the Beans (and the Continental Breakfast!)
So, is this Holiday Inn Express in St. Charles actually *luxurious*? Seriously, I'm picturing a sad breakfast and a questionable pool.
The breakfast? Ah, the breakfast. The "Continental" part? Yep. Cereal, pastries, the usual suspects. But! They had those little mini-omelets. And the coffee was... well, it was coffee. And sometimes, in a hotel, that's all you need. Let's be honest, the whole "luxury" thing is mostly about escaping the chaos of your life for a few precious hours. And in that regard, it totally delivered. Though now I’m thinking about that kid… and the potential for chaos *everywhere*.
What's the deal with the location? Is it close to... anything interesting?
There are restaurants nearby! Lots of them. We went to a decent Italian place. But I was also secretly hoping the pizza delivery guy would be cute, because, hey, I was escaping. My husband just rolled his eyes, but I'm telling you, it's the little things that help.
It's also close to the casino. Which, I'd normally avoid like the plague, but then I decided, "Hey, I’m *escaping*". I promptly lost $20 in five minutes. Moral of the story? Escaping your life does *not* magically make you good at gambling. Lesson learned. Or maybe not.
The rooms... are they actually *suites*? What's the space situation like?
There was a mini-fridge, which is always a win for keeping emergency snacks, even though my husband did manage to sneak a whole pizza box into the room. Seriously, how did he do that unnoticed? Also the bed. Comfortably firm, as a base for an escape, is absolutely perfect.
Parking? Is it a nightmare to park? Because I *hate* parking.
They had a decent amount of space, and I managed to find a spot right near the entrance, which is a definite win. Seriously, that's a huge plus for me. I'm not walking across a vast parking lot if I don't have to, and no one should have to. Score one for the Holiday Inn Express! And really, this is about managing expectations. You’re not going to be pampered, but you're not going to be actively *miserable*, either. That's the sweet spot.
Anything I *shouldn't* expect? Like, what's the worst part? Be honest!
The other thing? The elevator was a bit slow. I mean, not "stuck in the 70s" slow, but definitely "consider the stairs" kind of slow, which I decided to avoid even more.
But overall? It's a solid, reliable escape. Just don't expect perfection, and you won't be disappointed. And bring your own good coffee. And maybe a decoy plate to confuse the plate-staring lady.
Would you go back? Or is it a one-and-done kind of deal?
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