Moab's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a review of [Hotel Name], and let me tell you, it's not going to be a squeaky-clean, corporate vanilla-fest. This is going to be real talk, with all the messy, imperfect, and gloriously human bits that make life, and hotel reviews, interesting.
First things first: Accessibility. Let's be honest, this is where a lot of hotels trip up. [Hotel Name], how'd you do? Well, I'm happy to report they try. They've got wheelchair accessibility, which is a huge win. But! And there's always a "but," isn't there? I didn't personally experience it as a wheelchair user, but I did see… potential hiccups. The elevator seemed reliable, and there's the facilities for disabled guests, good. This is a start, but more specifics on room types, accessible features inside the rooms, and the exact layout of restaurants/lounges would be truly comforting to see. Because let's be real, a "try" is better than nothing, but concrete details are what really give confidence.
Now, let's move onto the stuff that gets me excited: Internet! Because, priorities, people! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Thank the bandwidth gods! And it's Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN – options, options! I even saw they offer Wi-Fi for special events. This is where they get serious points. I need that internet, and I want it fast.
Regarding the On-site accessible restaurants/lounges situation, again, I'll need more info, but at least it exists.
Okay, next up: Things to Do and Ways to Relax. This is where [Hotel Name] really shines. (Maybe. We'll see.) They’ve got it all laid out, and it gets my heart rate up just reading it. Spa, sauna, steamroom, and a pool with a view – sold. Body scrub, body wrap, massages – yes, yes, and yes. It's like they built this place specifically to get me to unwind. There is also a fitness center I love, and I am a big fan of the Gym/fitness area.
I am also interested in Swimming pool [outdoor] and Swimming pool.
Here’s where I get a little… personal. I went for the massage. I’m telling you, after a long flight, THAT is the only way to begin a vacation. I didn’t want to get up from that massage bed. It was pure bliss. The therapist was amazing, knew all the knots I didn't know I have, and left me feeling like a limp noodle in the best possible way.
Now for the reality check:
Cleanliness and Safety: They claim to take this seriously, with anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and professional-grade sanitizing services. They include daily housekeeping. They've got hand sanitizer everywhere, and a doctor/nurse on call (thank goodness, I can be clumsy). Room sanitization opt-out available. All the right buzzwords are there. Also, they offer Rooms sanitized between stays, and Sterilizing equipment – which means they're taking some steps to make me feel calm, and I appreciate that.
But. (There's always a "but," right?) I had a minor issue. One day, a little bit of dust happened to be present in the corners of my room. Dust is dust, but it does get me thinking about whether the whole "top-to-bottom" is really happening. I can't say anything for sure, but I’m keeping an eye on what I am doing. The safety protocols also include: First aid kit, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Security [24-hour], and Security/safety features
Let's wander over to Dining, Drinking, and Snacking. Okay, guys, food is essential. They offer a wide array of options. They have buffet restaurant and A la carte in restaurant, along with Asian cuisine in restaurant, Breakfast service, Coffee/tea in restaurant, a poolside bar, and Restaurants. If you like Desserts in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Happy hour, and Salad in restaurant, then that’s great.
I did have the breakfast buffet. Was it the best buffet I’ve ever had? No. Was it passable, and did I eat my weight in pastries? Absolutely. I appreciate the effort, and the attempt to have something for everyone. I saw Vegetarian restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant, so they try to cater to all tastes. They included Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], and Alternative meal arrangement. I am a big fan of the Snack bar.
They also offer Room service [24-hour], which is a LIFESAVER after a long travel day, or for a midnight ice cream craving.
Moving on to Services and Conveniences. This is where a hotel either lives up to its name or completely disappoints. They have quite a selection: Air conditioning in public area, Concierge, Cash withdrawal, Contactless check-in/out, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, and an Elevator. They have Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal, and a Luggage storage service.
But… (Oh, here we go again.) The whole convenience store wasn't as convenient as I'd hoped. It was more like a glorified vending machine. But hey, at least it's something, right?
I am also impressed with Car park, Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site].
For the Business facilities, there’s Audio-visual equipment for special events, Invoice provided, Meetings, Meeting/banquet facilities, Xerox/fax in business center, and Wi-Fi for special events.
Let's talk about the For the kids category: There is Babysitting service and Kids facilities. The Family/child friendly service is a plus, and the Kids meal for kids is a bonus.
Available in all rooms: Okay, let’s talk about what you can expect inside your room. It’s a long list. I am especially satisfied with Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and Window that opens. What a list!
The Rooms themselves were good, but there were those minor imperfections: the slightly faded paint, the slightly worn carpet. The occasional… well, let’s just say “character”.
Getting around: They have Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, and Valet parking.
My Overall Verdict:
[Hotel Name] is a solid contender. It isn't perfect, but it's got a lot going for it. It's a place where you can relax, pamper yourself, and get some work done (thanks to that Wi-Fi!).
My Emotional Reactions:
I loved the spa. I was slightly disappointed by the convenience store. Overall, I felt relaxed and cared for.
Here's My Offer, To You, the Reader:
Are you looking for a hotel that tries, gives you options, and lets you escape reality for at least a little while? Do you need some good internet and a cozy bed to fall into after a long flight? Then, check out [Hotel Name]. With some minor caveats, it’s a decent choice.
Escape to Paradise: Unbeatable Econo Lodge Airport Deals!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to embark on a Moab adventure that's less "Instagrammable perfection" and more "slightly sunburnt chaos with a side of existential dread (kidding…mostly)." This is my, ahem, slightly tweaked itinerary for a stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Moab, because, let's be real, travel never goes exactly as planned.
Day 1: Arrival and Canyon Fever (aka Panic Mode)
1:00 PM: Arrive at the (thankfully air-conditioned) Holiday Inn Express. First impressions? Clean, which is crucial after a questionable flight. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and ambition, a scent I'm learning to associate with budget hotels. Quick check-in, yay! This whole "traveling solo" thing is officially official.
1:30 PM: Unpack. Or, more accurately, throw my stuff onto the bed in a frantic attempt to establish some semblance of order. Why do I bring so much stuff? Seriously, it's like I'm packing for a polar expedition.
2:00 PM: Realize I forgot my… [insert crucial item here - usually sunscreen, a specific charging cable, or my favorite pen]. Sigh. Okay, there's a convenience store across the street? Progress!
2:30 PM: Wander Moab's main street. The heat is intense. Like, "melting the soles of your hiking boots" intense. I find a little coffee shop called "Moab Coffee Roasters," and order the strongest iced coffee they have. It's delicious, and suddenly the world doesn't seem so intent on turning me into a puddle of sweat.
3:30 PM: Feeling ballsy. Decide I'm going to drive the scenic byway! Which is when I start realizing I have no idea what I'm doing. The map is daunting, the red rocks majestic and intimidating. I pull over at a viewpoint, take a deep breath, and almost immediately drop my phone down a crevice. After a frantic search, I have to ask for help! An older, sun-weathered man, probably a retired geologist, points to a small rock and says, "There she be." The feeling of relief is overwhelming.
6:00 PM: Dinner at "Miguel's Baja Grill." A little cheesy for my taste, but the margaritas are potent, and the sunset is unbelievably beautiful. I spend the evening sketching, and writing in my journal what this day has been like.
(Anecdote Alert! The Margaritas) Okay, listen, those margaritas? Legendary. The second one, I swear, made me feel like I could climb a mesa. Good… and maybe, just maybe… a little bit dangerous.
8:00 PM: Collapse in bed, exhausted and slightly tipsy. Watch some brain-dead TV (a truly important part of any vacation). Contemplate the sheer vastness of the Utah landscape and my surprisingly fragile ego.
Day 2: Arches and Anxiety (and the sheer wonder of it all)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up before the sun even thinks about rising. Dragging myself out of bed is half the battle. Today: Arches National Park!
- 7:30 AM: Grab the free continental breakfast. The scrambled eggs remind me of rubber, but the instant coffee is acceptable. Seriously, though, how does a hotel consistently mess up scrambled eggs?
- 8:00 AM: Arches National Park! The line to get in is already a nightmare, but the views are something else. The iconic Delicate Arch is… well, it's delicate, actually. And the crowds are insane. I feel a bit claustrophobic. Am I the only one who sometimes worries that everyone is just pretending to have a good time?
- 9:30 AM: Hiked to Delicate Arch. The trail itself is a sweaty, uphill battle. I'm wheezing, my legs are screaming, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to spontaneously combust from heat exhaustion. But then… I round the corner, and there it is. Beautiful. I stand there for several minutes just staring. The raw beauty is overwhelming. I want to stay forever.
- (Anecdote Alert! The Hike) The trail to Delicate Arch destroyed me physically. At one point, I had to sit down on a rock and try not to cry. There was a moment of utter despair, where I thought I was literally going to pass out from the exertion. Then, a little kid, probably about five years old, skipped past me, singing a song. I'm telling you, it's humbling.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in the car. My PB&J sandwhiches and bottled water. This is how the locals do it.
- 2:00 PM: Back at the hotel! I have to keep remembering to drink water to fend off the sun.
- 3:00 PM: Relax at the hotel, writing, reading, or trying to meditate, to get myself back into a centered state.
Day 3: River Rafting and Realizations (and a little bit of sunburn)
8:00 AM: Wake up feeling slightly achy but ridiculously happy. Today: river rafting!
9:00 AM: Stumble down to the lobby for a quick cereal.
10:00 AM: The raft, the water, and the incredible sights! I end up making some great friends. The rapids are exhilarating, the scenery is stunning. I even manage to conquer my minor fear of… well, everything. The splash of cool water is like a reset button after the desert heat.
1:00 PM: Lunch at a campsite near the river. This is the life! I was feeling so much better!
3:00 PM: I get back to the hotel, and I'm exhausted, but in the best way possible. I end up falling asleep in the pool chair.
4:00 PM: The sunburn! I can't believe its so bad. I immediately take a cold shower, and slather on aloe vera.
6:00 PM: Dinner and drinks at a local brewery. Feeling the burn, but the beer is cold and the company is good. I meet a fellow traveler and end up sharing stories and laughs until late into the evening.
(Emotional Ramble Alert!) You know, it's funny. Before this trip, I was feeling a little lost. But being here, in the heart of this wild, untamed landscape…it's like something clicks. The red rocks, the wide-open spaces, the sheer effort of just existing in this environment…it forces you to confront yourself, to be present, to just be. It's hard to explain. I guess I'm just experiencing something like "clarity."
Day 4: Canyonlands and Farewell (with a dose of melancholy)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, feeling sad it's almost time to go.
- 8:00 AM: Trying one last breakfast at the hotel, but just not quite the same.
- 9:00 AM: Head out to Canyonlands National Park, a slightly less crowded but equally spectacular option. The views are just unreal.
- 12:00 PM: One last wander through Moab. Buy way too many cheesy souvenirs.
- 1:00 PM: Check out of the hotel. Say goodbye to the front desk lady, who has seen me at my best and worst. Feel a pang of sadness.
- 2:00 PM: Head to the airport.
- 4:00 PM: The flight home. Start thinking of my next adventure!
Final Thoughts:
This trip to Moab? It wasn't perfect. There was sweat, sunburn, moments of doubt, and a few minor existential crises. But it was… real. It was beautiful. It was a reminder that even when things don't go as planned, even when you think you're going to melt into a pile of sunscreen-covered goo, there's still an incredible world out there to explore. And sometimes, that's the best part. Now, where's that charger?
Shinsaibashi Subway Access! FREE WiFi & Amazing Location!
Why are we even doing this? Like, seriously? FAQ? Really?
Ugh, good question. Honestly, I’m starting to question my life choices. Did I *want* to spend my afternoon crafting a series of questions and answers? Probably not. Did someone *tell* me to? Let's not go there. The point is, here we are, staring into the abyss of... informational content. The inherent *pointlessness* of it all is almost paralyzing. (Takes a deep breath.) But hey, at least I'll get some practice using all this fancy HTML stuff, right? That's gotta count for *something*, right? Maybe... maybe not. Maybe this whole thing is just a giant, elaborate digital hamster wheel. Anyways... next question!
So, what *exactly* are we talking about here, anyway? Are we talking cats? Cheese? The meaning of life? Someone please tell me!
Okay, okay, deep breaths. Let's... *assume* we're creating a guide about, well, *stuff*. Could be anything. Maybe the best way to make a perfect cup of tea. Maybe the secret to surviving a zombie apocalypse (I *wish* I knew!). Or it could be something equally mundane, like how to fold a fitted sheet. (That one's a mystery to me, honestly. I usually just crumple it up and hope for the best.) Thing is... *I don't know*. And that's kind of the point, isn't it? The ambiguity. The sheer, unadulterated uncertainty of it all. It's really stressing me out. I need a cup of tea. Speaking of which...
Can we get to the actual content already? I'm bored.
Look, I *get* it. I, too, am impatient. I'm basically writing this on the fly, improvising like a jazz musician on a caffeine high. But what if the content *is* the journey? Or, to put it more accurately: what *if* there *is* no content, just this endless loop of self-doubt and rambling? Hmm. I like the way my brain works, sometimes. Other times, not so much. I *swear* I was supposed to be doing something else today, like... you know, living my life. (Shrugs) Moving on.
Why are socks always disappearing in the dryer? I swear, it's a conspiracy.
Oh. My. God. This is a *life-altering* question, right here. I could write an *entire thesis* on the Great Sock Vanishing Act. I've tried everything! Matching, sorting, safety pins... nothing works! I have a mental image of a tiny, sock-devouring gremlin living inside my dryer, gleefully stuffing them into a little sock-sized portal to... I don't even know where. Sock Island? The Land of Lost Underwear? Whatever it is, they're clearly having a party at my expense. One time, seriously, ONE TIME, I found a SINGLE, lonely sock clinging to a sweater, and it was like a little victory. Like I had outsmarted the sock gremlin. Then, next load, POOF! Another one gone. I'm telling you, it's a conspiracy. A beautifully, infuriatingly, fluffy-sock-stealing conspiracy. I'm half tempted to glue all my socks together before I put them in the dryer and see if that works!
Okay, fine, let's say this is about.... *lemons*. How do you, uh, use a lemon?
Lemons, eh? Alright, let's pivot. Lemons! Suddenly, I feel a faint, almost imperceptible, *direction*. Okay, so, you can use a lemon, like... in lemonade. Duh. Groundbreaking, I know. But! What if you're like me, and you hate the taste of lemons but *love* the smell? Then you chop them up, put them in a bowl, and put them in your fridge to make it smell like a spa. And... (pauses, searching my memory) ...you can use lemon juice to brighten your hair? I think? Or maybe that's a myth. I'm pretty sure my hair is the color of boredom. So, lemons. They're sour. They're yellow. They're citrusy. Wow. I'm really selling it here, aren't I? I feel like that's all I have to say! What's next?!
What's the worst lemon-related experience you've ever had?
Okay, so, confession time. One time, and I *STILL* shudder when I think about it... I was, like, 12 years old. I was at a carnival. And there was this... this *lemonade stand*. And the lemonade, oh god, the lemonade. It was *hideous*. Too much lemon, not enough sugar, and the guy running the stand looked like he hadn't slept in three days. I took a sip, and my face contorted into a grimace so severe, I think I actually pulled a muscle. And of course, the wind chose that very moment to pick up, and it blew some of the lemonade directly into my eye. I'm not kidding you, it felt like someone had poured acid in there. I started screaming. I remember scrambling away from the stand, tears streaming down my face (mostly from the lemon, but also from the sheer humiliation). And on top of all that, as I was running away, I tripped and fell face-first into a giant pile of... well, let's just say it wasn't confetti. It was the worst day of my life. Lemonade: 0. Me: 0. Dignity: Gone. The memory... *still* stings. See? I told you I wanted to work with more emotions here.
