Lebanon's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn Express - Unbeatable Deals Await!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the… well, let's just say the Lebanese experience that is the Holiday Inn Express. "Unbeatable Deals Await!" they chirp. Let's see if that's truly the case, shall we? And yes, I'm breaking every single rule of boring review writing.
First Impressions: The Scramble to Find the Spot & Accessibility (and My Own Blunders!)
Finding this "hidden gem" wasn't exactly a treasure hunt. More like a slightly stressful treasure hunt orchestrated by yours truly, who, let’s just say, has a stellar sense of direction. (That’s sarcasm, by the way. I once got lost in a one-way street).
Okay, accessibility: important. And I'm judging this as if I actually needed it. From the ground up this place is good. I’m talking about the stuff that matters: the elevators worked (score!), and the ramps were, well, rampy. Plenty of accessible rooms (though I didn’t inspect them, but the info’s there!). I'm guessing they're good to go on the basics.
The Room: Spartan Chic (or "Functional But Forgettable" - Take Your Pick)
Okay, so the room. "Available in all rooms" is essentially everything. Air conditioning? Check. Alarm clock? Check. Free bottled water (bless the heavens!)? Double Check. A fridge the size of a shoebox? Triple check. It's a Holiday Inn Express. You know what you're getting, right? Clean, functional. Probably a bit cookie-cutter. Let's be honest, I’m not expecting the Ritz. But the little things matter. Was the window openable? YES! This is a big win for me - I need fresh air. Now, the blackout curtains? Perfect for sleeping off that shwarma coma. The desk? Actually usable, which I appreciate because I’m a sucker for working in bed. And hey, the free Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms!) mattered. I needed to research what "kibbeh nayyeh" actually is before I accidentally ordered a plate. (Still don't know.)
Rambles Amongst the Amenities: Spa Dreams Dashed (and Other Little Quibbles)
Alright, the fun stuff. Or… maybe not. Let's talk amenities. Disclaimer: I didn't try everything. There was a "Fitness center," but let's be real, after the sheer volume of baklava I consumed, I mostly contemplated what "Fitness" even meant. And a "Spa"? Hmmm… I can't find it. Unless the whole "sweating over my travel plans" counts, I did not find the spa. No body wraps for me, folks. Sigh.
But, there's a swimming pool! (Swimming pool [outdoor]). And, you know what? The view from the pool was… actually rather nice. I could see the city sprawling out, and it was, for a brief moment, almost peaceful. Okay, maybe a slightly aggressive amount of chlorine. But still. I like a pool with a view. I appreciated the Sauna, though, and the Steamroom. I needed a good steam. And a massage (Massages).
Food, Glorious Food (and My Near-Disaster at Breakfast)
Breakfast. Ah, breakfast. The most important meal… until it almost became the most disastrous meal. Breakfast [buffet]. I’m a buffet risk-taker. They had the usual suspects: a tiny selection of pastries, some questionable-looking eggs, and… wait for it… beans. Beans! I'm a "beans for breakfast" kind of gal (don't judge, it's a thing). I piled them on my plate, grabbed a coffee (Coffee/tea in restaurant), and sat down, blissfully unaware of the impending doom. Now for the Asian breakfast, I've no idea if there was any.
The coffee? Weak as dishwater. The beans? Let's just say they made me reconsider my life choices. (Okay, it wasn't that bad, but still, a little… explosive). Honestly I missed a proper Lebanese Breakfast a lot. Thankfully, the hotel offers some vegetarian options - so that's a win in my book. Restaurants available.
The "Deal" and the Fine Print: Value for Money or Just… Fine?
“Unbeatable deals await!”… well, the price was decent. It wasn't mind-blowingly cheap, but it wasn't gouging, either. I'd call it a solid value, especially considering the location. You're not paying the Ritz prices, but you're also not getting a hostel. The "deal" felt about right.
Cleanliness and Safety: Post-pandemic Perfection (Mostly)
Alright, let's get serious for a sec: Cleanliness and safety. COVID is still a thing, sadly. They were trying. "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Hand sanitizer" everywhere. I saw "Daily disinfection in common areas," which is reassuring. I'm a germaphobe, but I felt relatively safe. I am also glad for the availability of "Sanitized kitchen and tableware items"
And the staff? They wore masks. They were "Staff trained in safety protocol." The whole thing felt… professional. The "Room sanitization opt-out available" option seemed a bit much though.
The Verdict: Would I Recommend This "Hidden Gem?"
Okay, so, is the Holiday Inn Express a "hidden gem?" No. It's not. But it's a solid, reliable choice. It's clean, it's comfortable (in a slightly generic way), and it’s in a good location. It's perfectly fine. It's not going to win any awards for personality. The "unbeatable deals" part? Plausible. Check.
My Final Emotional Reaction?
I needed a non-fussy place. This was it. It was perfect. Is it a memorable experience? Probably not. Will I remember the "beans incident"? Absolutely. But you won't find me complaining.
And now, for the all-important…
The Marketing Pitch (aka: The "Unbeatable Deals" Hookup!)
Tired of cookie-cutter hotels that promise the world and deliver… well, beige? Do you want to dive headfirst into the vibrant chaos of Lebanon? Then you MUST try Holiday Inn Express!
Here's the deal:
Location, Location, Location! Smack-dab in the heart of [Insert City Name Here - I don't know where you are!], you're ready to explore the souks, the ancient sites, the amazing food… and be ready to come back and order room service, because you just need to decompress.
Comfort You Can Count On: Crisp, clean rooms! Free Wi-Fi so you can share your adventures! The hotel itself is pretty accessible too!
Fuel Your Adventures: Buffet breakfasts to power you through the day (with my heartfelt advice to avoid the beans!).
Safety and Peace of Mind: Cleanliness is our top priority (even if I did have a bean-related mishap).
Unbeatable Deals: We’re offering a fantastic package deal that includes… [Insert actual package offers here! Maybe breakfast included? Airport transfer? Discounted spa treatments? Get creative!]
Why Book NOW?
- Limited Time Offer: These deals won't last forever!
- Experience The Real Lebanon! Get ready for an adventure!
- Your Perfect Base: The Holiday Inn Express is your gateway to the Lebanese experience.
So, what are you waiting for? Click here to book your unforgettable Lebanese adventure today!
Vail Valley Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Quality Inn & Suites!
Okay, buckle up buttercups. This isn't your perfectly polished travel brochure. This is ME, and I just spent a night at the… Holiday Inn Express Lebanon (By IHG! Gotta get those points, right? Ugh, marketing… anyway). So, here it is: my brutally honest, slightly chaotic account of a trip to…Lebanon, Missouri. (Don’t tell my therapist I wrote this instead of journaling. She’ll kill me.)
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and a Really Weird Pool
1:00 PM - Arrival at the Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF): Okay, first off, "National" is a stretch. It felt more like a very large shed. The baggage claim was a carousel that looked like it was held together with duct tape and dreams. But hey, I made it. And, more importantly, my suitcase made it. Victory is mine! Grabbed my rental car – a beige, surprisingly spacious sedan named "Bertha." Bertha and I are now practically life partners.
1:45 PM - The Drive: The drive to Lebanon. Sigh. The heart of Missouri. The rolling hills. The billboard advertising chicken fried steak. It’s…Missouri. Okay, it’s fine. It’s charming in a "your grandma's house at 3 AM" kind of way. Found myself thinking, “Is this…life?" Existential dread, activated. Pulled over for some gas station coffee (it was BAD. REALLY bad.) and a bag of chips. Found a stray cat. Considered adopting it. Bertha would not approve.
3:00 PM - Check-in at the Holiday Inn Express Lebanon (By IHG!): The lobby was… clean. A definite win. The front desk guy, bless his heart, looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Gave me the spiel about breakfast and the… pool. The pool, he informed me, was “heated.” (I can’t help but to hear a voice inside my head, repeating my parents words, "heated" and "heated") My room key worked! Success!
3:30 PM - The Room: Okay, here’s the truth: it was a standard hotel room. But it had a king-sized bed, which felt glorious. The air conditioner, however, sounded like a dying walrus. (Sounded like a lot of things were dying in this room, in fact). Settled in, surveyed the scene: remote control (dusty), Gideon Bible (untouched), and a small, almost aggressively cheerful print of a landscape on the wall. Decided to take a nap.
4:00 PM - The Heated Pool (Allegedly): Okay, this is where things get… interesting. The pool was outdoors. In Missouri. In JUNE. “Heated” is putting it kindly. It was more like “barely lukewarm.” The water was vaguely green. I saw a dead bug swirling. Decided I wasn't hardcore enough to use it. Felt a surge of disappointment, followed by a wave of relief.
6:00 PM - Dinner at "The Steak Place" (I think that's the name): Found a "local favorite" called The Steak Place. It was exactly what you'd imagine. Dark, smoky, and filled with people who really knew their steak. The steak was… good. REALLY good. And the mashed potatoes? Divine. Actually, everything was pretty damn delicious. Ordered the biggest slab of chocolate cake, and then proceeded to eat the entire thing. Zero regrets.
8:00 PM - Back to the Room. The Walrus Air Conditioner Saga Continues: Decided to watch some TV. Finally found something decent, then the air conditioner died completely. So, I went to the front desk. The front desk man looked at me with a look of knowing exhaustion. Offered me a new room. Too much effort at this point. Ended up sleeping with the window open. Heard a lot of crickets. Also, felt very alone.
9:00 PM - Journaling and The Questionable Mattress: I tried to journal, but the words just wouldn't come. Decided I wasn't in the place (mentally) to take on this exercise. The mattress? It was…lumpy. Okay, it was terrible. Like sleeping on a bag of potatoes. Seriously, are all hotel mattresses made of rocks and disappointment?
Day 2: Breakfast, Brief Attempts at Culture, and Escape!
7:00 AM - Breakfast (and Existential Dread, Round 2): Included the “free hot breakfast.” The "hot" part was… questionable. The scrambled eggs looked like something out of a science experiment. Ate a waffle shaped like…well, I don't know. Something. Had more coffee. Still bad. Sat there, eating some cereal. Wondered what I was doing with my life.
8:00 AM - The Route 66 Museum: Heard there was a Route 66 museum. Okay, I thought, culture!. The museum was small, but sweet. I really enjoyed the memorabilia. They had some vintage cars, some old signs, and a general sense of "times gone by." I did enjoy that.
9:30 AM - The Town Square: Went to the Town Square. It's a town square. It had a fountain. The fountain was not working. I walked around, looked at some antique shops. I bought a postcard of a scenic view. It was lovely… and a bit desolate. Feeling a little… restless.
10:30 AM - The Drive Back to the Airport: Time to go. Packed my bag, said goodbye to Bertha (who was looking exceptionally beige in the morning sun), and hit the road. Driving off, all I could think about was when I could get back to… well, anywhere else.
12:00 PM - Reunited with Reality (and Possibly Therapy): Back at the airport. The flight was on time. The seat was (relatively) comfortable. Landed. Home.
Final Thoughts:
Lebanon, Missouri: It's… a place. I'm not sure it's a place for me. But I did eat a good steak. I did drive through the hills. I did experience… something. And isn’t that what travel is all about? (I think).
Would I go back? Maybe. If they served better coffee and had a better mattress. And a working pool. And maybe a real museum. And… okay, probably not. But hey, at least I have a good story. And that, my friends, is priceless. (Or, you know, the price of a slightly overpriced hotel room).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. And a bigger bag of chips.
Unbelievable Davenport Getaway: Sleep Inn & Suites Awaits!
Okay, spill the tea! Is this Holiday Inn Express *really* a "hidden gem" in Lebanon? I mean, Lebanon... things can get *interesting*.
Alright, buckle up, 'cause honey, yes. It's a gem. A sparkly, surprisingly affordable gem in a country that often feels like a treasure hunt in itself. Look, I've been to Lebanon. I've seen the *chaos*. And finding a clean, comfy, well-located hotel that doesn't require you to sell a kidney? That's gold. The "hidden" part is, well, it's not necessarily *luxurious* luxury. Think clean lines, good breakfast, and a surprisingly sane internet connection (a godsend, trust me). Don't go expecting chandeliers – think smart, practical, and, crucially, value for your money. That's a HUGE win in Lebanon. I remember once, in Beirut, I stayed at a place that advertised "sea views." More like "sea glimpses" through a gap in the buildings, punctuated by the incessant honking. This place? No such scams.
"Unbeatable deals"? Seriously? What's the catch? Inflation is a beast in Lebanon, you know...
Okay, let's be honest. There's *always* a catch, right? But the catch here is... well, there isn't a massive, glaring one. They genuinely offer competitive rates. I booked last minute *once* (don't do that in Lebanon, by the way, planning is key!) and still snagged a deal that made my jaw drop. The catch is probably just that they're not plastered across every glossy travel magazine. They're quietly, efficiently providing good value. Plus, they have those "book in advance" deals and sometimes even random (I swear it's random) flash sales. Keep an eye out. I’d advise to compare prices with other places in the area, just to be *sure*. But I've yet to regret a stay there, financially speaking.
Location, Location, Location! Where *exactly* is this magical place? And how tricky is it to get around?
The location is usually pretty good. You'll want to check the specific location for each Holiday Inn Express, since, duh, there might be more than one! But generally, they're in accessible areas often near transportation hubs or main roads. Getting around Lebanon? Ah, that's a story in itself. Taxis are your friends (negotiate the price *before* you get in, people!), but be prepared for some... let's call it *enthusiastic* driving styles. Traffic is a constant battle in the bigger cities. But the hotel's location *usually* makes it a good base for exploring. I once took a shared taxi from the hotel to Byblos... what an experience! Packed like sardines, but totally worth it. Pro-tip: Learn a few basic Arabic phrases. It goes a long way. Seriously!
What about breakfast? Is it that sad continental spread, or something actually worth waking up for?
Okay, food is a *big* deal in Lebanon. And while I wouldn't say the breakfast is the stuff of legend, it's *good*. Really good, compared to some of the other hotel breakfasts I've endured. It's the standard Holiday Inn Express free breakfast – which means a decent selection of things. Think pastries, fruit, and the all-important coffee (essential! You'll need it). I recall one morning, I got there early, and there was this *amazing* woman working the buffet. She was so cheerful, even at 6 am! She kept refilling the *za'atar* croissants (a MUST-TRY!), and she just made the whole meal feel…positive, despite my pre-coffee grumps. It wasn't *fancy*, but it was satisfying and got me fueled up for a day of exploring. And hey, it's free! That's a win in my book.
Tell me about the rooms! Comfortable? Clean? Any quirks?
Rooms? Reliable. Consistently reliable. Predictably… clean. I mean, in a country where the unexpected is the norm, that alone is a selling point! Bedding is comfy. The bathrooms are functional (and the water pressure is usually decent, which is a small victory in Lebanon!). Air conditioning usually works, which is crucial in the summer. Quirks? Hmm... sometimes the WiFi can be a bit patchy, but that’s the Lebanese internet for you – it's like a lottery: you might get a good connection, you might not. The lighting can sometimes be a little…clinical. But honestly? The cleanliness and the comfort outweigh any minor annoyances. And let me tell you a story: I once was stuck in another hotel in Beirut. Horrendous. Mold in the bathroom. Unfriendly staff. Basically, a horror show. I was so relieved when I finally checked into a Holiday Inn Express on that trip. I almost cried. I felt *safe*.
Okay, okay, you've sold me on the cleanliness and the breakfast. What about the *ambiance*? Is it soul-crushingly bland?
Look, it's not a boutique hotel with roaring fireplaces and avant-garde art. It's a Holiday Inn Express. It’s not going to inspire you to write a novel. The lobby is usually pretty generic, but clean and functional. The lack of "soul-crushing blandness" is a plus, though. It’s… comfortable. It *works*. And sometimes, in a country as intense as Lebanon, comfortable and *works* is exactly what you need. I’ve stayed in hotels in Lebanon that felt more like… a prison. Or a poorly-lit mausoleum. This isn’t that. It’s a reliable, safe haven. And let’s be real, when you’re out exploring the souks of Beirut or the ancient ruins of Baalbek, the hotel is mainly a place to lay your weary head. And in that regard, it fully delivers.
Are there any downsides? What's the *worst* thing about this "hidden gem"?
Okay, let's get real. No place is perfect. The worst thing? Possibly the lack of "wow" factor. It's not going to blow your mind. If you're looking for Instagram-worthy luxury, this isn't it. Secondly, in some areas, it can be noisy, especially if you get a room facing a busy road – bring earplugs. And… the internet can be a bit hit-or-miss, as I said before. That’s a real test of patience. But honestly? I'm grasping at straws here. For the price, the convenience, and the peace-of-mind, it's tough to fault. Compared to some of the absolute *train wrecks* I’ve stayed in...this place is a godsend.
