Enid's BEST Hotel? Highway 412's Hidden Gem! (Holiday Inn Express Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're diving headfirst into a review of [Hotel Name] – a place that promises everything but probably delivers…some of it. We're talking accessibility, spa days, and enough Wi-Fi to stream cat videos till your eyes bleed. Let's get this show on the road!
SEO-fied Rundown (Because, you know, visibility is key):
Accessibility: Okay, so, this is a crucial one. "Facilities for disabled guests" is ticked, which is a good start. But let's get real, folks. We need DETAILED info! Are the elevators actually big enough for a wheelchair? Ramps? Grab bars in the bathrooms? This is the stuff that separates a maybe accessible hotel from a definitely accessible hotel. I'm cautiously optimistic here, based solely on the listing. Needs more concrete info for a solid thumbs up. (My cousin, bless her heart, she needs a ramp, and hotels always forget that part!)
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: Same principle as above. "Accessible" in the description is meaningless without specifics. Door widths? Table heights? Are the menus in Braille or readily available digitally? Don't leave a detail out.
Wheelchair Accessible: See above. Seriously. This is a dealbreaker for a significant portion of the population (and I'm not one of them!).
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Finally! The internet is a big deal! The all-important question: is the Wi-Fi actually good? Because nothing screams "vacation ruined" like buffering videos. Free Wi-Fi in rooms is basically a minimum requirement these days. Good job on that one!
Things to do, ways to relax, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Sauna, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Pool with view: Whoa, Nelly! This is a lot. My weakness- a spa! I NEED a steamroom, okay? And a pool with a view? Sign me up! However, a lot of these things, like the gym, don't make sense to me. When I'm on vacation, I'm doing absolutely nothing that resembles even an ounce of exercise. A massage, however… YES, PLEASE! So, let's hope this spa lives up to the promise.
Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: COVID-conscious – and it sounds like they might actually care. That's a huge deal. Individually wrapped food options? Probably for the best at this point. "Room sanitization opt-out available" – smart move. Gave me an idea of what that must look like.
Dining, drinking, and snacking, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Oh, the food, glorious food! A buffet? A poolside bar?! My stomach is already doing happy dances. 24-hour room service? YES! (For those late-night cravings – we all have them…). And there's a vegetarian restaurant. Good stuff!
Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Okay, this is the kitchen sink of amenities. But let's focus on what actually matters. Daily housekeeping? Crucial. Contactless check-in/out? Hugely welcome. A convenience store and a gift shop? Prepare to leave lighter in the wallet!
For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Family-friendly? Okay, that's either a blessing or a curse, depending on your perspective. Babysitting service is HUGE for parents wanting a little "us" time.
Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Safety is paramount, and that's great to see. 24-hour front desk and security? Solid. Non-smoking rooms? Obviously.
Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Transportation options are plentiful, which is always a plus. Free car park? Winner!
Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, 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], Window that opens: The nitty-gritty of the rooms. That's a LOT. "Blackout curtains"? Thank GOD. "Free bottled water"? Always a nice touch. A scale?! Are they trying to ruin the vacation? Kidding. A mini-bar? Yes, please.
My Honest, Messy Experience (Stream of Consciousness Alert!)
Alright, so, I'm picturing myself there, and let's face it, the first thing I'm doing is heading straight for the spa. But, the question then becomes, is the spa worth it? I hate it when they call it a spa and all you get is a tiny room with a massage table. A real spa needs…well, what I want it to have.
(A deep, dreamy sigh…)
Imagine: Walking in, the air thick with the scent of eucalyptus. I’m going to get a massage, a real one. Not the "rub you down with some oil and call it a massage" kind. And then…a steamroom! The kind where you can actually feel your pores opening. And THEN, a pool with a view. Picture me – sprawled on a chaise lounge, sipping something fruity with a little umbrella, and watching the world go by.
Now, on the not-so-glamorous side of things – and this is important – those stairs. Will there be stairs for me to get to the steam room? Hopefully not. Elevator is a must.
(A sudden, sharp intake of breath)
And the food! The food! I NEED that 24-hour room service menu. Because let's be real, after a day of pampering, the last thing I want to do is go anywhere. And the breakfast buffet? Oh, the possibilities! Croissants, fresh fruit, eggs Benedict… drools. But, buffet can be a crap shoot!
(A moment of reflection)
And the internet! I NEED the internet to be great. Because if I can't stream my trashy reality TV, the whole trip's ruined.
Here's the Deal (AKA My Persuasive Offer):
Listen, [Hotel Name] sounds promising. It's ticking a lot of boxes – from the potential for ultimate relaxation (that spa!) to the practicalities of free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service.
**But here's what I NEED to know BEFORE I
Turkey's Hidden Gem: Caravanserai Inn Hotel - Unforgettable Stay!
Alright, buckle up buttercups. You’re about to embark on a digital descent into my mental vacation, centered around… wait for it… the Holiday Inn Express in Enid, Oklahoma. (Don't judge! It was cheap and I needed a break from… well, everything.) This isn't your pristine, perfectly-grammed itinerary. This is the messy, caffeine-fueled truth.
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (Enid, Here I Come!)
1:00 PM: Arrive at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. (Spoiler alert: the airport smelled faintly of hot dogs and regret. It’s a tough combo.) I’m already running late, thanks to a TSA agent who, bless his cotton socks, took one look at my carefully constructed carry-on (read: a disaster zone of mismatched socks and emergency snacks) and decided it needed a full cavity search. Literally.
2:30 PM: Rent a car. The guy behind the counter looked like he hadn’t seen sunlight in a week, which, frankly, was mood. He also tried to upsell me the "premium GPS package," which I declined, because, hello, Google Maps exists. (I’m an independent, Google-loving woman!)
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Drive to Enid. The Oklahoma landscape unfolded before me: vast, flat, and dotted with… well, mostly fields. I swear I saw a tumbleweed or two. Played classic road trip tunes on the car stereo, belting out the lyrics. (My singing voice is… an acquired taste.) Started musing on the meaning of life, gazing at the vast expanse. Decided the meaning of life was probably… pizza.
5:00 PM: Check into the Holiday Inn Express. Ah, the sanctuary. The lobby was kinda generic hotel bland. (Think beige, but with more fluorescent lighting). My room? Surprisingly decent. Clean, the bed looked comfy, and the air conditioning was blasting. A solid start.
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Unpack, collapse on the bed, and then… panic. I realized I forgot my phone charger. Of course. The universe is clearly conspiring against me. Had to make do with the bare minimum battery of this day. Contemplated ordering room service (do they even have room service?) but ended up deciding to take a walk outside.
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Wandered the neighborhood (which, let's be honest, was mostly chain restaurants and gas stations). Found a decent little diner called "The Rock & Brews" – all the classic rock, burgers, and fries. Devoured a truly epic burger. Started chatting with the waitress, a woman named Dee, who gave the best life advice that day, which was "Don't sweat the small stuff." (Easier said than done, Dee!)
9:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Watched late-night TV (because, you know, Oklahoma). Found some bizarre infomercials. Realized I was slowly turning into my grandmother, but embraced it.
Day 2: Wheat, Water, and Wrestling (Oh My!)
7:00 AM: Woke up, dragged myself to the "complimentary" breakfast buffet at the hotel. (Let’s be real, it was a continental breakfast of the most basic kind.) The scrambled eggs looked… suspicious. Settled for a stale bagel and weak coffee. Suffered through the morning as I could.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: The Enid Wheat Field. It was truly immense, which was oddly moving. The wind swept over the golden ripples, looking like a scene from a movie. Contemplated quitting my life and becoming a farmer, but realized I don't know the first thing about farming.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Swimming at the YMCA. This was not planned, but after the heat of the fields, it was tempting. The pool was surprisingly well-maintained, filled with local kids. I swam for an hour, and felt like a new person. I'm really glad I did this.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Took a detour to the local wrestling arena. I'm trying to explain this. It was a wrestling showcase in a small town. I had never seen anything like this, and to be honest, it was hilarious and weird, and I felt like I might be the only person in this place who hasn't been here before.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch at a local BBQ joint. Ate enough ribs to feed a small army. (I'm not proud of it, but… look, it was good BBQ!)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Attempted to visit the local museum. (My intellectual side.) Unfortunately, it was closed for renovations. (The universe, again!) Ended up wandering the downtown area. Found an antique store. (Filled with… well, I'm not sure what, but it was fascinating.)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Afternoon nap. (Jet lag is a real thing, people.) Woke up disoriented.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at the same diner from last night. Dee was working again! Ordered the exact same burger. Dee told me a story about her cat, Mittens. (I love Dee… and Mittens.)
8:00 PM: Back to the hotel. This time, I remembered to charge my phone. Watched more TV. (My life is riveting, I know.)
Day 3: Departure and Deep Thoughts
7:00 AM: Breakfast redux (the eggs still looked… suspicious). Checked out of the hotel. Said goodbye to the beige haven.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: The drive back to Oklahoma City. Started processing the things I just experienced.
10:00 AM: Back to the airport. TSA this time, thankfully, left me alone.
11:00 AM: Boarding the plane. Reflecting on my Enid experience… It was… messy. It was imperfect. It was… real. There were moments of boredom, moments of elation, moments of deep existential questioning fueled by questionable breakfast eggs. But hey, isn’t that life?
1:00 PM: Take off. Back home. Realize I need another vacation. Maybe next time I’ll visit The Rock & Brews again. And Mittens. Maybe Mittens will join me…
So there you have it. My Enid adventure. A trip filled with the mundane and the unexpected, the awkward and the awesome. And the Holiday Inn Express? Well, it was a place to sleep. And sometimes, that's all you need. (And maybe, just maybe, a really good burger.)
Escape to Paradise: Your 4BR Thai Villa Awaits! (Pool & Breakfast Included)
Alright, alright… What *is* this whole thing about?! What are we even doing here?
Okay, deep breaths. This is… my attempt at answering frequently asked questions. But, like, *my* way. Which means it's gonna be less 'encyclopedia' and more 'diary entries peppered with caffeine-fueled ramblings'. I’m not promising perfection, because, frankly, I’m still trying to figure out how to make my coffee without spilling it everywhere. Seriously, the other day… *shudders*… don't even get me started. Anyway, expect honesty, questionable sentence structures, and maybe a few tangents about my cat, Princess Fluffernutter. She's a gem.
So, like, are you an expert? Should I actually *listen* to anything you say?
Expert? Ha! Honey, if being an expert meant knowing the perfect balance of sugar and cream in my morning coffee, I'd be *knocking* it out of the park. But alas, I'm just a person, a wonderfully flawed, opinionated person, with opinions that are subject to wildly varying levels of accuracy. So listen at your discretion. If it resonates, great! If it doesn’t? Consider it entertainment. And maybe, just maybe, I'll stumble on something useful by accident. I hope so, for your sake!
Okay, fine. Give me a specific example. What’s something you *think* you know about?
Let's say... *the joy of finding the perfect parking spot*. Yes, I said it. It's a little thing, but it can make or break your whole day! Finding a spot, especially when you're running late, is like winning the lottery. Pure elation! You see it, you swoop, you nail it... and for those glorious seconds, you're a goddamn champion! I'll never forget the time I circled for what felt like an hour, rain lashing down, already late for a doctor's appointment, and then BAM! A tiny spot, right near the door, *perfect*! I parked, skipped (yes, skipped!) inside, and felt like I could conquer the world. I did get a lecture from the nurse for being late, but the triumphant feeling lingered.... and that's all that mattered, dammit!
But, seriously, what if I disagree with you? I'm not a fan of skipping or parking spots.
Oh, honey, disagree all you want! That's the spice of life! I embrace disagreement. Seriously. Maybe I'm secretly a masochist. I'm not sure. And I'm also not exactly sure what the point of this whole thing is. Am I supposed to be offering advice? Giving life lessons? Nah. I'm just here to vent, share, and maybe make you laugh a little. If you disagree, then you disagree. That's your right! It's your mind! It's completely okay! The only thing I ask is that if I give you the urge to scream, that you do it in your own space! Not at me. Unless you think that’s more cathartic… in that case, let her rip!
Okay, fine. Let's talk about something more… serious. Like, what are your thoughts on... *controversial topics*?
Aaaah, the big guns. Look, I have opinions. Everyone does. And as much as I'd love to dive headfirst into debates, my brain starts to feel like a microwave popcorn bag about to explode when I do. So, I'll generally steer clear. But that said, some things are just... not okay. So, let's just say, when the topic is basic human decency? I'm on board. And I'm *loudly* on board, okay? I’ll be clear on that! Now, let’s move on from this because I am starting to have a headache.
Do you secretly work for a corporation? Are you trying to sell me something here?
OMG, no! Do I look like I have the organizational skills to work for a corporation? I struggle to keep my desk clean... Honestly, if I was a corporate shill, I'd be *terrible* at it. My mind wanders. I spill coffee on things. I forget important meetings. And, let's be real, I'd probably accidentally sell the company to a black market cat food manufacturer. No, I'm not selling anything…except maybe a few sanity points. Take them if you need! Honestly!
What about the future? Do you have any goals?
The future, huh? My goals? Survive. And maybe, just maybe, learn to bake a decent loaf of bread. And, and most importantly: To ensure Princess Fluffernutter lives in the most luxurious conditions imaginable (think: heated beds, endless tuna, and a throne made of catnip). Beyond that… I want to keep my brain from going completely off the rails. But, honestly, sometimes those are the best adventures, aren't they? So, let’s see where is all goes… and if you could, please point me to the nearest bakery because I am starving!
You sound like you're having fun. Are you?
Honestly? Yes. It's messy, it's ridiculous, and I'm pretty sure I'm not making any sense half the time, but yeah, I'm having a blast! It's like therapy, but with more exclamation points! And, maybe, just maybe, someone out there is getting something out of it... or at least getting a good laugh at the absurdity of it all. And if not, well... I’ll keep rambling. Because I feel good! And that my friends, is more than enough for me. Now, where's that coffee?
