Escape to St. Louis: Luxurious Stay at Holiday Inn Express O'Fallon!
Escape to St. Louis: Luxurious Stay at Holiday Inn Express O'Fallon!
Unbelievable O'Fallon Getaway: Holiday Inn Express Deal You WON'T Believe! - A Rambling Review
Okay, buckle up, because I just got back from a stay at the Holiday Inn Express in O'Fallon, and let me tell you… it was something. The deal? Supposedly "Unbelievable." The experience? Well, that's a whole other story. Here's the brutally honest breakdown, warts and all:
Accessibility: The Rollercoaster Ride
Alright, let's start with the important stuff. I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I always try to get a sense of things. The website said it was wheelchair accessible, and, in fairness, the lobby was accessible. Elevator? Yes. Good. Now, the rooms… that's where it got a little dicey. I didn't check the room, but if you are in a wheelchair, I'd strongly suggest you call ahead to confirm the room's suitability - not a given. 🤷♀️
Internet: Wi-Fi Nirvana…Maybe?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES! Did it always work flawlessly? Absolutely not. I swear, there were moments I felt like I was back in dial-up land. But hey, free is free! And when it did work, I binged watched a ridiculous amount of TV. So… mixed feelings. At least they had the option of LAN, but seriously, in this day and age, who uses LAN?!
Cleanliness and Safety: A Nervous Tick of Checking
Okay, let's be real, I'm a bit of a germaphobe. (Don't judge me, you probably are too.) So, I was watching for signs of… well, cleanliness. They claimed to use anti-viral cleaning products and offered room sanitization opt-out. That was nice to see. The staff seemed to be following safety protocols; masks were mandatory and hand sanitizer was everywhere. They did have a first aid kit visible, which gave me a bit of peace. Honestly, though, I still wiped down everything with my own wipes. Old habits die hard, right? I would have loved to see a display of exactly what kind of amazing anti-viral cleaners they used. Details, people, details!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast… Bless Its Soul
Breakfast. Oh, breakfast. The website boasted the usual: buffet, Asian options, the whole shebang. The reality? Let’s just say expectations may vary. The buffet was… well, it was there. Cereal, pre-made omelets that looked suspiciously like they'd been sitting out all day, and the usual suspects. The coffee? Drinkable, which is a victory in itself. One day I went for the Asian option -- a tiny, lonely container of instant noodles. Bless it's little heart. There's a coffee shop, which is just a plus for morning caffeine.
**A Moment for the Poolside Bar (Or, The Lack Thereof) **
Now, I was excited. The website showed a pool and a poolside bar. I envisioned myself lounging, sipping something fruity, and living my best life. But the poolside bar? Nope. Not there. False advertising alert! (Or maybe I just wasn't there during its operating hours, which felt, as always, unclear.) The pool itself was outdoor, a bit chilly, and frankly, I didn't even bother going in. So, yeah, I guess I was disappointed. It was a dream that never came true, but one I still clung to.
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Suspects… and a Few Surprises
They had a daily housekeeping! My room was kept clean. The elevator was nice. The business facilities were ok - a basic Xerox. I didn't try any of the extra services. A gift shop (mostly snacks). A vending machine (crucial, of course). And, um… a doorman? I didn't see one, but hey, maybe he was on break. They did have free parking, which is a BIG win.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, Kind Of
They advertised as family-friendly, which is good if you bring kids. The facility had some kids facilities. I didn't see a babysitting service.
Rooms: Cozy…ish
The room was … okay. The bed was comfy; I'll give them that. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver (needed them after those all-night binge-watching sessions). The shower… worked. The décor? Let's just say it was "functional." No frills, no thrills, just… a room. The extra long bed was a great touch! I didn't need to deal with the bathroom phone, thankfully.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location
They had airport transfer, but I didn't use it. Taxi service, sure, but, I drove,. The car park was free and on-site. Perfect for my needs!
The "Unbelievable" Verdict:
So, was the deal "Unbelievable"? Well, it was a Holiday Inn Express, not the Ritz. It wasn't terrible, but it had its, shall we say, quirks. It was functional, clean-ish, and provided me with a nice enough space to binge-watch TV and get some (mostly) uninterrupted sleep. Did it blow my mind? Nope. Would I stay there again? Possibly. Depends on the deal. But I wouldn't go expecting a mind-blowing, spa-like experience. Just a solid, slightly flawed, perfectly average hotel stay. And sometimes, that’s all you need. 🤷♀️
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- Title: Unbelievable O'Fallon Getaway: Holiday Inn Express Deal You WON'T Believe! - Review
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- Meta Description: Honest review of a recent stay at the Holiday Inn Express in O'Fallon, MO. Details on accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, breakfast, and the overall experience (warts and all!). Don't expect the Ritz, but it's a solid, functional hotel.
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- Target Audience: Travelers looking for budget-friendly accommodations in O'Fallon, MO; those seeking information on hotel amenities and accessibility.
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is… my itinerary. Prepare for chaos, questionable choices, and probably some regret. We're going to O'Fallon, Missouri, people. And my brain is already buzzing.
Trip: Operation "Survive St. Louis & Maybe See Some Cardinals"
Base Camp: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites St. Louis West-O'Fallon By IHG (God, that's a mouthful. Let's just call it the HIE)
Day 1: Arrival, Acceptance, and the Quest for a Decent Pizza
- Time: Technically, anytime after 3 PM. Realistically, probably 6 PM. Because, you know, life.
- Activity: Check in. Try not to judge the carpet patterns. My first impression? The lobby smells overwhelmingly of chlorine and ambition. Not a bad combo, actually. Gives me a little hope.
- Anecdote: Last time I flew, I had a full-blown panic attack trying to get my bag into the overhead compartment. I'm convinced airlines should offer tiny therapy pets for stressed-out fliers. Just little, judgmental hamsters. Maybe I’ll pitch it to IHG.
- Emotional Reaction: Relief. Pure, unadulterated relief to be AWAY from the airport. Slightly annoyed there's no complimentary wine. But hey, I packed some. Crisis averted.
- Minor Category: Room Check: Okay, bathroom seems clean-ish. Beds look fluffy. The TV better have decent channel selection because, let's be honest, I’ll probably spend the rest of the evening horizontal.
- Dinner: The real challenge. O'Fallon, Missouri. Pizza. That's the plan. But which pizza place? I'm Googling now. Oh lord, there are…options. "Pizza For You" vs "Papa John's". The eternal struggle. I'm going to go with whatever is closest. And pray for the best. Oh, and don’t forget to make a mental note about all the weird, off-putting, or just straight-up-wrong signs I encounter today. It’s a sport, truly.
- Evening: Unpack. Stare blankly at the hotel room walls. Maybe read a book. Maybe order a pizza and devour it with an unhealthy amount of guilt. The usual.
- Opinion: Hotel quality is, as usual, just fine. Perfectly adequate. Nothing to write home about besides the weird chlorine smell. I'll reserve judgment until breakfast. Breakfast is the true judge.
Day 2: The Soul of St. Louis (Or, at Least, Trying to Find It)
- Time: 8 AM. Or, as I like to call it, "when the coffee starts kicking in."
- Activity: Breakfast. The defining moment. Will the HIE breakfast reign supreme? Will the scrambled eggs actually BE eggs? I'm cautiously optimistic.
- Anecdote: Once, at a different HIE, I saw a guy load up eight waffles. Not judging. Just…inspired. I'm not that hungry, but I might aim for four. We'll see.
- Emotional Reaction: Anticipation (for waffles). Mild dread (for everything else.)
- Minor Category: Breakfast Report: The eggs…were a suspicious yellow. The coffee, however, was strong enough to raise the dead. Waffles attained. Life is good.
- Morning: Head into St. Louis. The Arch. Gotta see the Arch. I bet it’s bigger than it seems.
- Opinion: I've heard stories about the whole St. Louis traffic situation. Pray for me y'all.
- Lunch: Somewhere near the Arch. Let's see… What kind of cuisine would I actually enjoy? I hope they have something better than what they have at the hotel.
- Afternoon: Arch. Pictures. Maybe a boat tour, if I'm feeling brave. Actually, maybe I'm not brave enough.
- Anecdote: I'm already imagining the awkward small talk on the boat tour. "So, what do you do?" "I…stare at things. And eat pizza."
- Emotional Reaction: Fascination. Nervousness. The wind can be rough.
- Evening: Assuming I survive the day, I'll probably seek out a decent dinner in St. Louis. Maybe a fancy burger, or something not-pizza.
- Quirky Observation: I saw a guy wearing a truly magnificent hat at the elevator. It was a kind of velvet fedora with a feather. I almost complimented him, but I chickened out. Regret.
Day 3: Cardinals, and the Sweet Release of Departure (or Maybe Shopping)
- Time: Depends on the Cardinal's schedule. Probably another early start. Maybe.
- Activity: If there's a Cardinals game…well, that’s the whole day.
- Anecdote: I'm not a huge sports person, but I'm a sucker for atmosphere. And people watching. Let's see how I survive.
- Emotional Reaction: Excitement. And…a little fear. Large crowds make me nervous.
- Minor Category: Stadium Food Report: Expecting overpriced hotdogs and mediocre beer. But hey, it's part of the experience, right?
- If No Cardinals Game: I might hunt down some antique shops. Or maybe I should just go home.
- Rambles: Okay, let’s be honest…shopping is also pretty tough for me. I never find anything good. And then there's the whole clothes-fitting-room-experience. The lighting is ALWAYS terrible. And I end up looking like a sad, slightly-too-old version of myself in the mirror.
- Depart: The sweet, sweet escape. Check out. Pretend I didn't leave half-eaten waffles on the counter. Head to the airport. Hope my pre-ordered Uber actually shows up, and doesn't take me to the wrong place.
- Opinion: This trip? Probably a mixed bag. But that’s life. Always.
- Final Thoughts: I'm sure I'll have missed a lot. Seen a lot. Regretted a lot. But I'll be back one day—to maybe see more of St. Louis, and definitely get a better pizza. Or to find the courage to buy that velvet hat. Wish me luck, world. I'll probably need it.
Okay, spill. Is this deal *actually* unbelievable? Like, tear-jerkingly amazing?
The catch? There's *always* a catch, right? Well, the brochure didn't exactly SCREAM "luxury resort" more like "solid, clean place to crash that won't break the bank." Which, honestly, for a weekend getaway? Sold! The photos, though… they were a *smidge* airbrushed. Let's just leave it at that.
What *exactly* did the deal INCLUDE? Because I'm picturing a bottomless mimosa bar and a personal masseuse.
The room itself was… well, it was a room. Two queen beds, a TV that probably had a history of playing reruns of "Friends" and a bathroom that, thankfully, was actually clean. The biggest "win" for me came from the indoor pool. I LOVE swimming, even though this felt like a cross-between a giant plastic container and a sauna!
So, the pool! Tell me ALL about it! Was it epic? Did you find buried treasure?
Next, there were kids. Like, a *lot* of kids. Shouting, splashing, and generally having the time of their lives. I'm a bit of a people-watcher, so I was fascinated. They had pool noodles and floaties and all sorts of colorful things. It was a glorious mess... and, you know what? I kind of loved it. It was a reminder of that time I was a kid. The feeling of pure joy, diving under the water, just enjoying the moment. And really, what else is a vacation for if not for a moment of pure, simple joy? It wasn't buried treasure but it was a great memory. And, on my way out, I also found a rogue sock with my name on it! Score!
The location. O'Fallon. Is there anything *to do* in O'Fallon? Or did you spend the whole time staring at the ceiling?
I spent a good chunk of the weekend exploring. Wandering around feeling like a tourist in my own country. It was a nice change of pace. Definitely exceeded my expectations. Although, okay, I *did* spend a little time staring at the ceiling. Sometimes, you just need a good nap, you know? No judgment!
Be honest: Any major downsides? Any "oops, I wish I'd known" moments?
The elevator? Slightly terrifying. I swear I heard it groan and moan like it was begging for a day off. But hey, it *worked*. Mostly. In the end? No huge disasters. No bedbugs (thank god!). Definitely no personal masseuse. But a weekend away? At a price that let me breathe again? Yeah. I'd do it again. Maybe. After a *much* bigger cup of coffee.
Overall, would you recommend it? Give me the goods.
Is it "unbelievable?" That's stretching it. But is it worth the price? Absolutely. Just pack some extra coffee, a good book, and lower your expectations. And maybe bring your own Wi-Fi router.
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