Hull City Centre Getaway: Unbeatable Holiday Inn Express Deals!
Okay, buckle up, because we are about to dive HEADFIRST into a review of [Hotel Name Here. I can't actually name a hotel without some info, let's pretend it's the "Grand Majestic Resort"] and it's going to be a glorious, messy, unfiltered ride. I'm talking spilled coffee, questionable life choices, and the hard truth about those tiny hotel shampoos. Let's go!
SEO & Structure (Mostly):
Alright, so we need to sprinkle in those magic keywords, right? "Grand Majestic Resort," "Hotel Amenities," "Luxury Hotel," "Accessibility," "Spa," "Dining," blah, blah, blah. We'll get to it organically (pun intended!). We'll cover everything you listed. Promise. But more importantly, we're aiming for the feel of a real human sharing their experience, not a robot spitting out keywords.
First Impressions (The Arrival… or, My Disaster):
Okay, so picture me: jet-lagged, luggage-laden, and utterly stuck at the airport because my pre-booked airport transfer, allegedly arranged by, you guessed it, The Grand Majestic Resort, was a no-show. Seriously. An hour of frantic calls and a near mental breakdown later, I finally hailed a taxi. NOT a great start, GMResort! Maybe a little "getting around" section is needed, eh?
- Getting Around (and my taxi trauma): Let's be honest, the airport transfer should be seamless, and it wasn't. Thankfully, once I FINALLY arrived, the resort is dead easy to get around. Car parks are free, which will save a few bucks, and they do offer car park[on-site] and valet parking – although after my taxi adventure, I was too scared. Also, the resort is perfect for wheelchair users to get around.
Accessibility & Being Kind to My Knees:
- Accessibility: Okay, here's where I was relieved. "Grand Majestic Resort," I give you props! The place is, generally, pretty damn accessible. Elevators are plentiful and easy to find. The lobby, restaurants, and that gloriously tempting outdoor pool… all accessible. I spent hours just marveling at it. BUT!
- Wheelchair accessible : Definitely. Ramp access and accessible rooms are available. I saw folks using wheelchairs navigating effortlessly, which is what it should be.
- Facilities for disabled guests: They've thought about this. Makes a huge difference.
Rooms – The Sanctum (with flaws):
- Available in all rooms: Here's a rundown of what you can expect: Air conditioning, Alarm clock (which, thankfully, I turned OFF immediately), Bathrobes (yes!), Bathroom phone (who uses those anymore?), Bathtub, Blackout curtains (bless!), Carpeting (classic!), Closet, Coffee/tea maker (essential!), Complimentary tea (nice touch!), Daily housekeeping (amazing!), Desk, Extra long bed (needed!), Free bottled water (yes, hydrate!), Hair dryer (standard), High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar (tempting!), Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (I avoided that…), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers (YES!), Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries (the tiny shampoos!), Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- My Room: I had a "Deluxe" whatever, and while the bed was a cloud, the room felt… slightly generic. Like a very nice, very comfortable, but ultimately forgettable room. It was clean, (cleanliness and safety section below!), and the blackout curtains were a godsend for fighting jet lag. The Wi-Fi? Spotty at times. A minor annoyance, but hey!
Internet – The Digital Battlefield:
- Internet: Okay, so they tout "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" and technically, that's true. But the connection fluctuated like the stock market. One minute, streaming Netflix. The next, a buffering vortex of doom.
- Internet [LAN]: The LAN option, which is a more reliable choice for those who need the net for business.
- Internet services: They have internet services generally, but I would opt for a hotspot or the LAN if you have it.
Cleanliness and Safety – Peace of Mind (Mostly):
- Cleanliness and safety: Thank god, this is important. And let's be honest, I was slightly paranoid about all the "things" post-pandemic.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good start.
- Breakfast in room: Yes indeed. If you order an hour before, they come and serve.
- Breakfast takeaway service: If you don't want to have it in your room, get a takeaway.
- Cashless payment service: They've got this covered. Easy peasy.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: I saw it, I felt it.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Excellent.
- First aid kit: Yep.
- Hand sanitizer: EVERYWHERE. Maybe too much, but better safe than sorry, right?
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Essential for sanitary concerns.
- Hygiene certification: Hopeful, no proof.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Nice touch.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Seems like they really try.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Yep.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Good to know.
- Safe dining setup: Seems they tried to take precautions in the restaurant.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Always a good sign.
- Shared stationery removed: Hooray!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Didn't see anything particularly amiss.
- Sterilizing equipment: Hopefully, they keep this up.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Culinary Adventure (and Minor Disappointments):
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: I'm a foodie, so this is EVERYTHING.
- A la carte in restaurant: Got it.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They were pretty accommodating.
- Asian breakfast: I tried it! It was… an "experience."
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yep.
- Bar: There's a bar (yay!), but it closed way earlier than I would've liked.
- Bottle of water: They give you one in your room. A tiny one. Get more if you can.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet was the star, I'll give them that. The usual suspects: eggs, pastries, fruit, and (thankfully) decent coffee.
- Breakfast service: Good.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes, but it could be better… much better.
- Coffee shop: There is one, with a solid coffee, so there is always hope.
- Desserts in restaurant: Delicious, worth the calories.
- Happy hour: Yes! Cheap drinks and nibbles. I capitalized.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Absolutely.
- Poolside bar: Yes, but the drinks were expensive.
- Restaurants: Several.
- Room service [24-hour]: Lifesaver. Especially after that airport fiasco.
- Salad in restaurant: Always a good option.
- Snack bar: They’ve got one, with things to go, the usual stuff.
- Soup in restaurant: Yes.
- Vegetarian restaurant: They had some vegetarian options.
- Western breakfast: Yes.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Plenty of options.
Things to Do – Relaxation Central (Mostly):
- Things to do: Okay, this is where The Grand Majestic Resort shines.
- ways to relax: The entire place is geared towards it.
- Body scrub: Yes!
- Body wrap: Sounds amazing.
- Fitness center: Solid. Treadmills, weights… the works.
- Foot bath: Ahhhh!
- Gym/fitness: See Fitness center.
- Massage: Yes. Heavenly. Book it. Do it now.
- Pool with view: The outdoor pool is stunning. Seriously. Infinity edge, looking out over… whatever the view was (I was too busy relaxing).
- Sauna: Yup.
- Spa: A full-on spa experience.
- Spa/sauna: Yes.
- Steamroom: Yes.
- Swimming pool: Indoor & Outdoor.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The crown jewel.
The Spa – My Zen Sanctuary (and My Only Complaint):
Escape to Paradise: The Cove Hotel's Unforgettable US Getaway
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly-curated Instagram post. This is Hull, baby, and this itinerary is about to get real. We're talking Holiday Inn Express Hull City Centre by IHG, and you're gonna know it's been lived in. Prepare for a rollercoaster.
Day 1: Arrival & Hull's Hazy Charm (and a Near-Miss Pigeon Incident)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Hull Paragon Interchange. Right, first impressions. It's…busy. And surprisingly clean, compared to my expectations (which were admittedly rock-bottom). Bag-toss to get a cab, which then took a thrilling high-speed pursuit down a one-way street (apparently, the driver knew a shortcut). Ended up at the Holiday Inn Express. The lobby? Perfectly fine. Functional. Did the check-in spiel, got my keycard (always a triumph), and made my way to the room. It smelled mildly of disinfectant, which, honestly, is a blessing in a hotel. Standard, functional, clean. Thank you, cleaning staff, you are amazing.
- 1:45 PM: Room Check & Existential Crisis. First thing, window open! Gotta get that fresh, slightly-fishy Hull air flowing. (Kidding! …mostly.) My room's view is…well, a brick wall. But hey, at least it's a solid brick wall. No existential dread here, just the faint hum of a fridge. Which, by the way, works. Bonus points!
- 2:30 PM: The Pigeon Apocalypse (Attempted). I decided to step out for a walk. Headed towards the marina, which looked rather picturesque. The sky was a glorious, bruised purple-grey, very atmospheric. Until… I almost got dive-bombed by a particularly aggressive pigeon. Nearly lost a good scarf! Lesson learned: eye-contact is crucial. And maybe invest in a pigeon-repelling hat.
- 3:00 PM: Exploring the Marina & a Moment of Zen. The marina itself is actually quite lovely (once you've avoided the airborne avian attacks). The water, shimmering like a giant, slightly tired mirror, the boats bobbing gently… I sat on a bench for a while, just breathing. Hull had a certain… charm. Like a grumpy old relative you secretly adore.
- 4:00 PM: Preston Road Shopping Centre. This place… is something. A chaotic, vibrant hub of local life. Had a wander, soaked it all in. Saw more characters than a Dickens novel. Made a mental note to return for some proper people-watching. And maybe fish and chips.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner Disaster (and eventual triumph) at a Local Pub. Found a pub promising "traditional pub grub." Ordered the fish and chips, a Hull staple. The fish arrived looking suspiciously like a deep-fried, breaded submarine. It was… okay. Undercooked, and I’m pretty sure the peas were older than I am. BUT! Determined to find more tasty food, so I just had a beer to wash it down. Then, in desperation, I ordered a side of onion rings. THEY WERE GLORIOUS. Saved the meal. Saved the day.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the Hotel: Netflix & Chill (literally). Crawled back to the room. Exhausted. The bed is calling my name. Netflix and a mindless documentary it is. The room temp is still a little chilly, despite having the heat on. But I'm too tired to care.
Day 2: History, Art, & a Brush with the Unexpected
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet & Regrets. The breakfast buffet. The bane of my life. The sad reality. Rubbery scrambled eggs, questionable sausages, and weak coffee. I ate it anyway. Because I'm here. And I'm hungry.
- 10:00 AM: Hull Maritime Museum. This place is phenomenal. Beautifully curated, fascinating displays, and a real sense of Hull's seafaring history. Seeing all the ships and boats, that felt amazing. I was actually moved. That's a win.
- 12:00 PM: Fruit Market: This place is quirky. Independent shops, art galleries, and a general bohemian vibe. I bought a slightly overpriced but very cool piece of art. Support the artists!
- 1:00 PM: Lunchtime! Deciding where to eat was a nightmare. I was craving something other than fish and chips. Found a cafe that looked promising on the internet. It wasn't. The food was awful, the service was worse.
- 3:00 PM: The Street art. Wandering around trying to find it was an adventure!! It took me a while but it felt very worth it.
- 6:00 PM: Evening Meal and a Night Out?
A local place with live music. That's the plan. But will I actually go? The thought of leaving my comfy hotel room… We'll see.
- 7:00 PM: On the way to the restaurant, I saw a cat. An absolutely majestic, ginger cat, perched on a windowsill. And I had a minor (but intensely felt) moment of connection with the animal, a silent "hello" between us, before I went on my way.
- 11:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. Decided to skip the night out. Way too tired. Hull, you've worn me out. But still love you.
Day 3: Departure & a Fleeting Glimpse of Hope
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast…again. Same buffet, same existential dread. But, determined to make the best of it, I mixed together all the leftovers and ate it. Still a bit peckish later though.
- 10:00 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt. Scavenging for a Hull-themed souvenir to take home, which is proving a bit difficult. Found a slightly tatty postcard and a key-ring that may or may not fall apart.
- 11:00 AM: Checking Out. Smooth and painless. A rare moment of pure hotel satisfaction.
- 11:30 AM: Farewell Stroll (and a possible romance?!). One last walk around the marina, to say goodbye. The air actually feels different. Lighter. As I was leaving, I saw the ginger cat again, The same cat!
- 12:00 PM: Departure. Waiting at the interchange, I can't help but smile. Hull, you were weird. You were messy. You were occasionally frustrating. But you were also… unforgettable.
Overall:
This trip wasn't perfect. Far from it. But it was real. And that's what matters.
(P.S. If anyone sees a pigeon with a slightly singed feather somewhere, please let me know. I think I owe him an apology.)
Escape to Paradise: Springlake Summarecon's Dream Studio!
So, like, I *WANT* a cat. Badly. But... is it a good idea? Seriously, be honest.
Okay, okay. Deep breaths. YES. And NO. Mostly, it’s a gut feeling. If you've got the constant, nagging “I need a purr-machine in my life”, then yeah. Do it. But. Seriously, the "but" is HUGE. Are you ready for the furry overload? Think: Early morning meows. Hair. EVERYWHERE. The 3 AM zoomies. The constant judging... Oh, the judging! My cat, Mittens, once stared at me while I was eating cereal. I swear she was calculating my dietary deficiencies with pure contempt. She's judging me right now, probably. And that's another thing, it's a commitment. They are not like goldfish. You're signing up for a fuzzy overlord for like, a decade. Sometimes longer. Think long and hard. Then, probably do it anyway. They're worth the weirdness.
What's the *best* kind of cat to get? Shelter? Breeder? Barn cat (is *that* a thing??)?
Okay, listen. Breeders are… well, that's a whole other topic. But let’s just say, consider the shelter or rescue route first, okay? Purebreds are adorable, I get it. But shelter cats? They need you. They're often just as lovely – sometimes *more* lovely – and they're already house-trained (usually). I found Mittens at a shelter, and her "breed" is basically "Floofy Chaos." Best decision of my LIFE. Barn cats… okay, that's cool if you have a barn. Or live in a rural area with a lot of mice. Otherwise, probably not ideal for the average apartment dweller. Unless you *really* like dead rodents on your doorstep. Which, you know, some people do.
Okay, I’m getting a cat (probably). What do I *need* need, like, *right now*? And don't say "a cat."
First, seriously, congrats! Now, the essentials: Food and water bowls (ceramic is nice, plastic gets... well, you'll find out), cat food (duh), a litter box (and clumping litter – trust me, you do *not* want a non-clumping situation), a carrier (for vet trips, which you'll need), a scratching post (save *your* furniture!), and toys. Cheap toys. Don’t go wild. They’ll probably ignore the fancy stuff anyway. Also, if you can swing it, a water fountain. Cats are... finicky. They like running water. My cat prefers her water to come from the bathroom sink. So. Take that for what it’s worth. And something else I almost forgot: Patience. Lots and lots of patience.
My apartment is tiny. Can a cat survive? *Will* a cat survive?
Look, cats are adaptable. They'll nap in shoeboxes if they have to. My first apartment was basically a glorified closet, and Mittens ruled it like a furry queen. The trick is vertical space. Cat trees are your friend! They provide climbing and exploring opportunities. Also, lots of windows so kitty can watch the world and plot world domination. Also, frequent play is important. Otherwise, be prepared for the furniture to die a slow, agonizing, claw-filled death. Trust me on this one. Also, the cat will absolutely find the one spot you don’t want them in. Like in the middle of your work space.
I’m allergic. Is there *any* hope for a cat-loving, allergy-ridden human?
Okay, this is not my area of expertise. But, from what I **vaguely remember**, there are breeds that *allegedly* produce less of the protein that causes allergies (it's in the saliva, that stuff). The Siberian or the Balinese are often mentioned, but do your research. Go meet a cat, spend as much time as you can, then get an allergy test. And be prepared to take antihistamines for the rest of your life. Allergy shots are also a thing. This is a deep, personal, potentially itchy decision. Also, if you get a cat, that cat will cuddle with you despite the constant sneezing.
What about scratching? My furniture is my life.
This is where things get real. You know those fancy sofas you spent a fortune on? Yeah, they're dead. Dead as doornails, unless you take preventative action. It's a *battle*, people. Get scratching posts. Get multiple scratching posts. Get posts covered in different textures. Cardboard, carpet, wood. You name it! And pray. Because, the truth? Your cat will probably still scratch your furniture. They like the way it feels, dammit! Double-sided tape on the areas you want to protect can sometimes work, but cats are smart. They'll figure out ways to bypass it. Consider investing in furniture covers, and accept your fate. Embrace the scratch marks! Consider it "cat art". It's all part of the experience.
How do I introduce a cat to my *other* pets? And what if that other pet is... another cat?
Oh boy. Okay, the introduction game is one for the record books. Don't just plop a cat in front of another and expect sunshine and rainbows. (Unless maybe you already have a sweet little lamb-like dog). Start slow. Like, *really* slow. Baby steps. Isolate the new cat in a room. Let them get used to the new smells. Swap blankets so they start getting familiar with each other's scents. Once they seem a little calmer, try supervised visits, but short ones. If they hiss, growl, or try to kill each other, separate them immediately. And repeat. It might take days, weeks, or even months. Some cats will never be best friends. They can just agree to co-exist. If you have multiple cats and they aren't getting along, consider it a game of cat-and-mouse, but with cat-and-cat. It is the literal definition of cat-astrophic.
