Escape to Ashland: Your Dream Stay Awaits at Holiday Inn Express!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Holiday Inn Express in Ashland! This isn't your momma's cookie-cutter hotel review; we're getting real about this place. Think less Michelin star and more… well, you'll see.
Escape to Ashland: Your Dream Stay Awaits at Holiday Inn Express! (Okay, maybe… with a few reality checks)
Let's be honest, the title sounds a little… aspirational. But hey, a dream's a dream, right? And Ashland, Oregon? She's a beaut. So, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of whether this Holiday Inn Express can actually deliver on the "dream stay" promise. Prepare yourself, because this is gonna be a bit of a ride.
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Ramp of Revelation
Okay, the first thing I notice is the accessibility. Important stuff! They seem to have it pretty squared away. Wheelchair accessible? Check. The ramp, bless its heart, wasn’t a death trap, and that’s a win. Elevator? YES! (Because, let’s be real, lugging your suitcase up stairwells after a long drive is a special kind of hell.) They've got facilities for disabled guests, which is fantastic. And with everything starting from the parking lot to the front desk being friendly to people with disabilities, it's a very good sign.
Inside the Realm of Relaxation (and Reality): The Spa, the Pool, and the Steam Room Dream
Now, let's talk about the good stuff – the potential for relaxation, that is. Spa? Nope. Sauna? Sadly, no. Steamroom? Nada. Okay, okay, hold your horses! We’re at a Holiday Inn Express, not a Ritz-Carlton! So, adjusting expectations is key. But, on the bright side…
- Swimming pool (Outdoor): Possibly. I say possibly because… well, sometimes these things are seasonal or under maintenance. But the idea is there, and if it's open, it's a welcome oasis. Pool with a View? Doubtful in Ashland, Oregon.
- Fitness Center: This is what brought me to tears. A teeny, tiny gym, but at least it exists. I’ve seen dungeons with less space than this, and frankly, after a long drive, I needed to work out.
Cleanliness & Safety: Does it Feel Like a Hospital… in a Good Way?
Okay, this is where the Holiday Inn Express really shines, especially in these post-pandemic times. They are obsessed with cleanliness. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Absolutely. Rooms sanitized between stays? Yes, apparently. Staff trained in safety protocol? Double check. And it's good, it felt very safe. Not in a sterile, emotionless "hospital" way, but in a "hey, we actually care about your well-being" way. Hand sanitizers everywhere? Yup. They even have sterilizing equipment. And, listen up, room sanitization opt-out available! That's a game-changer for the eco-conscious (or germaphobes!)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Buffet Bliss to Reality Bites
Breakfast is included. It’s the classic Holiday Inn Express spread. Breakfast [buffet]? Yep. Buffet in restaurant? You betcha. Asian breakfast? Probably not. Vegetarian restaurant? Again, no. But think: fluffy scrambled eggs, suspect sausage (but you'll eat it), and those weird, perfect-shaped pancakes. And there's coffee! A never-ending flow of coffee! Essential. I mean, it's not a culinary masterpiece, but it's free, fills your belly, and gets you going on your day.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yep.
- Coffee shop: Nope.
- Desserts in restaurant: Nah.
- Poolside bar: Hahaha, no.
- Snack bar?: No.
- A la carte in restaurant: Sigh. No.
- Restaurants: Again, this is a general hotel, you can get some restaurants around Ashland, but it's not what you're expecting.
- Room service [24-hour]: Nope. But you’re maybe 15 minutes from a decent pizza place, depending on traffic.
Services and Conveniences: The Unexpected Gems
This is where the Holiday Inn Express actually surprises you. They’ve got the basics down, but a few things make life easier… Or, they try to!
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential.
- Cash withdrawal: Yes, or cash withdrawal places around the hotel.
- Concierge: Not so much.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes! This is good in these days.
- Convenience store: Nope.
- Currency exchange: No.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes!
- Doorman: You wish.
- Elevator: Yes!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Yes!
- Food delivery: You wish! Call a pizzeria and save the day!
- Gift/souvenir shop: Nope. Bring your own gifts!
- Ironing service: Yes, though I didn't use it.
- Laundry service: Yes, but you'll have to pay.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes, if you can manage to get to a meeting in Ashland.
Internet Access/Wi-Fi: The Digital Lifeline
Here's the deal. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And, get this… Internet access – wireless AND Internet access – LAN (for you old-school techies). The connection was pretty solid. No buffering issues during Netflix binges. A win!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Family-Tiring?
The Holiday Inn Express is generally family-friendly. Babysitting service? Doubtful. Kids meal? Unlikely. But, because of the clean hotel standards, you can rest easy with your kids at the hotel!
In-Room Amenities: Comforts of Home… Minus the Home Part
Let's go room by room because it's important to know what you're getting.
- Air conditioning: Absolutely
- Alarm clock: Check.
- Bathrobes: Nope.
- Bathroom phone: No.
- Bathtub: Most likely. Depends on the type of room.
- Blackout curtains: Blessedly, yes.
- Coffee/tea maker: Mandatory.
- Complimentary tea: Yes!
- Daily housekeeping: Yes!
- Desk: Yep!
- Extra long bed: Possible.
- Free bottled water: Sometimes.
- Hair dryer: Sure.
- High floor: Yep.
- In-room safe box: Often.
- Internet access – LAN/wireless: See above!
- Ironing facilities: Provided.
- Laptop workspace: Yes.
- Mini bar: LOL, no.
- Mirror: Yes.
- Non-smoking: Definitely.
- Private bathroom: Correct!
- Reading light: Yep.
- Refrigerator: Maybe.
- Satellite/cable channels: Indeed!
- Seating area: Depends on the room.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Likely, depending on the room.
- Shower: Yes!
- Smoke detector: Safety first!
- Socket near the bed: Yes!
- Soundproofing: Decent.
- Telephone: Yes.
- Toiletries: Basic, but they'll do.
- Towels: Check.
- Visual alarm: Not bad.
- Wake-up service: Available
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yep!
Getting Around: The Ashland Advantage
- Airport transfer: Maybe. Call to check.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes!
- Taxi service: Available.
Overall Impression and the "Dream Stay" Reality Check
Okay, so is this a dream stay? Look, it’s a Holiday Inn Express. It’s clean, comfortable, and gets you where you need to be. It's perfect for exploring beautiful Ashland, Oregon. You'll be thankful for the AC, the free breakfast, and the solid Wi-Fi after a long day of hiking, theatre-going, or whatever Ashland adventure you've cooked up.
The Verdict: It’s a reliable, clean, and convenient basecamp for exploring Ashland. It might not be a luxurious spa retreat, but it’s a solid choice that prioritizes cleanliness and convenience. It’s not a dream stay, but it's a *very
Camden's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… well, let’s call it a highly subjective and likely chaotic exploration of Ashland, Oregon, centered around the hallowed halls (and complimentary breakfast) of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Prepare for the glorious mess of reality.
Ashland Adventure: Operation "Don't Mess it Up (Too Much)"
(Days are loosely defined, because let's face it, the most concrete thing in travel is usually the hotel reservation. And even that…)
Day 1: Arrival, Realization, and the Quest for a Decent Cup of Coffee
Afternoon (ish): Arrive at the Medford Airport (MFR). The airport… it's an airport. Smells faintly of stale airline food and regret. Grab a rental car. (Pro-tip: avoid the white minivan if you want to avoid looking like you're on a family vacation. Yes, lesson learned.) Drive to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. First impression: … clean. And air-conditioned! A win! Check in. Smooth sailing so far.
The Coffee Crisis: This is where things get REAL. Let me tell you, the in-room coffee situation? Tragedy. Think brown, thin, and vaguely coffee-adjacent. My soul craves a jolt. Vow to find a decent coffee shop ASAP. Google Maps to the rescue! (Oh, the internet. My digital savior, and sometimes, the source of my existential dread.) Head to Ruby's Coffeehouse and Cafe. (Anecdote: nearly got lost because I trusted a detour sign that clearly wanted me to drive directly into a ravine. Ashland, you temptress.) Ruby's. The gods of caffeine smiled upon me. Strong, delicious, life-giving coffee. Order a pastry. Treat yo'self.
Evening (ish): Stroll around downtown Ashland. Cute shops. Charming trees. A general feeling of "well this is pleasant." Amble by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). Gawk at the beautiful architecture. Try to remember if I've ever actually seen a Shakespeare play. (Spoiler: maybe. Probably. The details are hazy.) Dinner at… ugh… decisions, decisions. Head to Standing Stone Brewing Company. Solid food, good beer. Perfect for someone who has been traveling.
Day 2: Shakespeare, Serendipity, and the Great Breakfast Debacle
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Ah yes, the promised land. The advertised "hot breakfast". It's… fine. The scrambled eggs are a bit… rubbery. The pre-packaged pastries? Let's just say they're not Ruby's. But hey, free! And there's yogurt. And coffee (slightly better than the in-room version). Fuel up. Needed: energy for Shakespeare!!
Late Morning/Afternoon: Attempt to see a matinee at OSF. (Note: "attempt" is the keyword here. Tickets? Expensive! So, buy them. Spend a lot of time trying to figure out the best seats and what the heck the play is about. Finally give up, and decide to just walk to the theatre. Discover the entrance. Breathe in the cultural aroma. Decide to buy tickets for the next day.
Afternoon: Wander around Lithia Park. Oh, Lithia Park, you glorious green space! So many trees! So many squirrels! The kids are annoying! Find a bench. People watch. Contemplate the meaning of life. (Or maybe just the meaning of my impending laundry situation.) There's a creek running through it! (The creek, by the way, is my favorite thing.)
Evening: Another restaurant. This time, Lark's Home Kitchen Cuisine. This place is fancy, and the food is great. Feeling fancy. Reflect on the fact that I ate food that was better than what my mother would have made.
Day 3: The Play’s the Thing (Maybe), and Departure (Maybe Not)
Morning: You guessed it: breakfast. Repeat all the previous observations, from the rubbery eggs to the bland pastries. Embrace the predictability. Consider the irony of a "hot breakfast" that is perpetually lukewarm.
Mid-Morning: THE PLAY! (Actual OSF play, finally.) The show. Enjoy the show. Pretend to understand all the subtle nuances of iambic pentameter. Be impressed by the actors’ talent and the elaborate costumes. Secretly hope nobody notices me occasionally nodding off.
Afternoon: Head over to an outdoor store to maybe, possibly, buy some hiking boots. Get overwhelmed by choice. Decide to just browse. Get sidetracked by a quirky display of artisanal jams and jellies. (Bought one. Raspberry-jalapeno. Because… why not?). Stroll through a farmers market, and the entire time, the thought of those hiking boots are in the back of my mind.
Late Afternoon: Depart again, unless that raspberry-jalapeno jam has decided to stage a mutiny inside me. Drive back to Medford. Reflect on Ashland’s charms. Make a mental note to come back and actually see a specific play next time. (Or maybe just spend a week eating pastries and wandering around that park.) Board the plane. Wave goodbye to Ashland.
Imperfections & Rambles (Because I Told You So):
- Packing Fail: Forgot my toothbrush charger. Seriously?! (Hotel front desk: "We have a few spares." Me: "I love you.")
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Alternating between pure joy (coffee!), mild frustration (rubber eggs!), and existential questioning (Shakespeare!). Standard travel fare.
- The "To-Do" List That Got Abandoned: Meant to visit the Scienceworks Hands-On Museum. Didn't happen. The Rogue Creamery. Nope. The Japanese Garden? Maybe next time? (Or maybe I'll just eat more pastry. Priorities.)
- Hotel Room Observations: The artwork in the room is… abstract. (Or as my friend says "it looks like someone spilled paint." Fair.) The air conditioning is a LIFE SAVER. The pillows… well, they’re pillows.
- The Unsolicited Advice from a Local: "You gotta try the…" (Insert product name here). (Said "product" was questionable)
So there you have it. Ashland, Oregon. Messy. Wonderful. And hopefully, you've gotten a glimpse into the glorious, imperfect reality of travel. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go unpack and figure out where to put that raspberry-jalapeno jam…
KLCC's 51st Floor Infinity Pool Paradise: 387 Platinum Suites Await!
Okay, so, Ashland... Why Holiday Inn Express? Isn't that, like, *everywhere*?
Alright, alright, I get it. Holiday Inn Express. Doesn't exactly scream "boutique experience," does it? Look, I was skeptical too. My friend Sarah, bless her heart, booked it. Said it was "convenient." Convenient? In *Ashland*, the land of Shakespeare and overpriced lattes? Turns out, she was right...sort of. It's *conveniently* located, yeah. Close to the theatres (phew!), which is a huge plus when you've been geeking out over iambic pentameter all day and desperately need a shower. And honestly? The free breakfast. Don't judge me. That pancake machine...it's a siren's call. You'll understand. Consider this your "gateway drug to Ashland" lodging. Plus, the staff – some of them are just *lovely*! One lady, I think her name was... Brenda? She saw me wrestling my suitcase and practically *swooped* in. Seriously, a lifesaver after a six-hour drive. So, yeah, not the Ritz, but definitely not a disaster.
The Breakfast - Dish the Dirt! What's the deal with this "free breakfast?" Don't lie!
Okay, the breakfast. Here's the unvarnished truth. It's... predictable. Think: scrambled eggs of questionable origin, pre-packaged pastries that taste... well, like pre-packaged pastries, and the aforementioned pancake machine. But listen! That pancake machine is an absolute *wonder*. It's pure, unadulterated, automated joy. You press a button, out pops a perfect, golden-brown circle of sugary deliciousness. I may have eaten approximately… eight pancakes one morning. Don't judge me! Also, the coffee’s surprisingly not terrible. It'll get you through those early morning play previews, trust me. My tip? Grab a waffle, load it up with the fake whipped cream (don't knock it till you try it!), and don't overthink it. It’s free, and that’s beautiful.
What's the REALLY important stuff? Like, the rooms. Are they clean? Comfy? Or, you know, a horror show?
Okay, so the rooms. This is where it gets… mostly good. They're clean, which is a massive win. I’m a bit of a neat freak, so trust me on this. They've got those slightly-too-firm beds that you either love or hate. I found myself actually sleeping *really* well! The pillows were… well, they were pillows. Not the fluffy cloud kind, more like dense, rectangular… things. But, hey, they did the job. The bathrooms were your standard hotel fare: clean, functional, and with that faint, slightly-chlorine-y smell that's oddly comforting. My only real gripe? The lighting. Fluorescent nightmare! Seriously, pack some extra light if you're someone who needs good lighting to do their makeup. And the air conditioning. It worked, thankfully, but it was a bit… *noisy*. Like a low, constant hum. But hey, I'm not complaining. I'm from the desert. Noise is part of life! It was far from the worst, and I have a feeling if anything was wrong at all, they'd happily fix it.
Location, Location, Location! How close *is* "close" to the theatres? I like to walk myself.
Ah, the glorious walkability of Ashland! The Holiday Inn Express is *definitely* in a good spot. You can absolutely walk to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival theatres. It’s a pleasant stroll, especially in the spring when everything's blooming. Now, I'm not a marathon runner, but it was easily walkable. Maybe a ten- or fifteen-minute walk to the main theatre. Plus, you pass some cute shops and cafes along the way. So, yeah, you don't have to worry about parking (a huge bonus in Ashland!), and you can soak up the atmosphere as you go. It's a far cry from some of those hotels tucked away on the outskirts. I love a good walk, and this was perfect.
Parking! Ugh. What's the deal? Is it a free-for-all?
Okay, parking. This is where the Holiday Inn Express *wins*. It's free and plentiful! Seriously. In Ashland, parking can be a major headache, especially during the festival season. You're constantly circling the block, praying for a miracle. But at the Holiday Inn Express? You've got your own dedicated lot. Paradise! I arrived late one night (thanks, delayed flight!), and still found a spot no problem. Trust me, this is a huge, *huge* selling point. It makes everything so much less stressful. This alone might be the main reason to stay here.
I'm on a budget. Is this place *affordable*? Or am I gonna starve this whole vacation?
Budget-wise...look, it's not *cheap*, per se. Ashland's a tourist town, and prices reflect that. But the Holiday Inn Express is generally a good value, especially compared to some of the more "charming" (read: overpriced) B&Bs. The free breakfast saves you money on grabbing a bite out. The location means you can walk to a lot of things, which reduces your transportation costs. And the parking... did I mention the free parking? THAT is a HUGE saving. You're not going to find a five-star experience here (duh), but you *will* get a clean, comfortable, convenient place to rest your weary head without completely breaking the bank. And hey, you can always splurge on the *actual* good coffee at one of the local cafes. Balance! It’s all about balance!
Customer service? Are the staff nice? Or just, you know... "hotel nice?"
Okay, the staff. This is where the Holiday Inn Express really shines. They're genuinely *kind*. Not just the polite, automatic, "have a nice day" kind of nice. They seem to actually *care*. I mentioned Brenda before, right? Well, she was awesome. There was another woman at the front desk, I think her name was Mary, who gave me some fantastic recommendations for dinner. And whenever I had a question, they were always efficient and helpful. I had a minor issue with my key card one day (user error, probably), and they fixed it immediately, with a smile. It’s those little things that make a difference, right? Makes you feel like you're not just another number. It makes you feel… almost… welcomed. And after a long day of theatre-going and walking, that's *exactly* what you need.
