Escape to Rolla: Your Perfect Holiday Inn Express Getaway!
Escape to Rolla: Your Perfect Holiday Inn Express Getaway! (A Review You Can Actually Trust!)
Okay, people, let's be honest. Planning a getaway can be a minefield. You're swamped with options, bombarded with fluffy marketing speak, and half-expect to arrive at a hotel that looks nothing like the photos. That's why I'm here, boots on the ground (or rather, slippers on the carpet!), to give you the real scoop on the Holiday Inn Express in Rolla, Missouri. Prepare for a review… well, let's just say it's me.
First Impressions & Accessibility: Let's Get Real
First off: Accessibility. This is HUGE for some of us. You gotta know if you can actually get around, right? And the Rolla Holiday Inn Express? Solid. Wheelchair accessible? Yep, and that's not just a token ramp. The public areas were easy to navigate (important!), and I saw a few facilities for disabled guests mentioned – which is always a good sign. The elevator was smooth and reliable (crucial!). They get a thumbs-up on this front, seriously.
Now, the exterior…well, let's just say I pulled up in a rental car, and parking was easy. Car park [free of charge]? You betcha. I'm a big fan. Nothing worse than schlepping luggage in the rain. Car park [on-site] too. Didn't see any car power charging station, which would be good for the future.
The Room: My Oasis of Clean(ish) Chaos
Okay, the room. It's all about that room, isn't it? And look, this isn't the Ritz. But the non-smoking rooms were actually non-smoking. A win! My room had air conditioning (thank GOD), and the blackout curtains were… passable (they still let a teeny tiny bit of light in, I am picky!). I did appreciate the free Wi-Fi [in all rooms!]. I'm a work-from-anywhere kind of person, so this was a big plus and the signal was surprisingly strong. I mean, you could actually stream Netflix without that buffering wheel of doom.
The bed? Comfortable. Not cloud-like, but definitely a solid base for some serious relaxation. Extra long bed? I wish. I'm a tall person you see. The bed was…regular. No complaints, though. The usual Holiday Inn comforts were there: coffee/tea maker, complimentary tea, and free bottled water (essential for post-travel dehydration).
Internet, Internet Everywhere! (And That's a Good Thing)
I’m a digital creature, folks. Being disconnected is my nightmare. So, let's talk about the Internet. They get serious points here. Free Wi-Fi in every room, as I mentioned. They also had Internet services (duh!), but the really good stuff was the Wi-Fi in public areas. I was able to update my Insta feed without resorting to a sketchy mobile hotspot, and that, my friends, is a sign of a good hotel. I, however, did not look into the Internet access – LAN, but hey if you have any desire for it, its there!
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitizing Your Soul (and Your Room)
These days, this is everything. And the Holiday Inn Express Rolla? Pretty darn good. I felt safe, and I saw effort. The rooms sanitized between stays, and the staff trained in safety protocol. They gave me some serious points for the hand sanitizer everywhere!
Now, I can't guarantee perfect sterilization, but I did see anti-viral cleaning products being used, and they seem to be taking daily disinfection in common areas seriously. They even mentioned room sanitization opt-out available which I think has an advantage.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure
Okay, let's talk about the breakfast [buffet]. It's a Holiday Inn Express, so manage your expectations. However, it was surprisingly decent. The usual suspects: eggs, sausage, waffles, and a decent selection of pastries. Nothing Michelin-star worthy, but it'll fill you up and get you going. The breakfast takeaway service was a godsend when I was running late for an early meeting. They did offer the Asian breakfast and even Asian cuisine in restaurant and even a vegetarian restaurant. I didn't try ANY of these, but it's there supposedly!
There's a coffee shop which is important to me! I couldn't spot any poolside bar, which would have been fun though. I, unfortunately, didn't spot any Happy hour. They did not have A la carte in restaurant, but did have Buffet in restaurant. I did not try International cuisine in restaurant nor Western cuisine in restaurant. They even had Coffee/tea in restaurant, and Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant and Soup in restaurant. wow really?
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Rolla Adventures!
Okay, let's get one thing straight: Rolla isn't Paris. However, it does have some cool stuff! And the Holiday Inn Express provides a solid base for exploring.
Fitness center? Yep. Gym/fitness? Check! I'm not a gym rat, but I peeked in. It looked… well-equipped. For the dedicated among you. They also have a Swimming pool [outdoor] which is fun!
I did not see a Pool with view, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna.
Things To Do? Well, that depends on what you are into! So this hotel? It's a great basecamp for that.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Touches That Matter
Okay, let's drill down into the extras. Daily housekeeping? Check. Concierge? I didn't need them, but they were there. Laundry service? Absolutely. Dry cleaning? Yep. They've got the basics covered.
Meeting/banquet facilities? Apparently, they do. I didn't attend any Meetings or Seminars. They did not have Audio-visual equipment for special events.
For the kids!
Okay, I didn't spot a playground, but they are family/child friendly according to the front desk.
Escape to Rolla: Your Perfect Holiday Inn Express Getaway!
So, is the Holiday Inn Express in Rolla the perfect getaway? No, probably not. But is it a solid, reliable, and comfortable base for exploring Rolla and the surrounding area? Absolutely. It's clean, well-maintained, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
Here’s My Honest Take:
This hotel isn’t going to blow your mind with luxury. But if you're looking for a comfortable, affordable, and practically-minded place to rest your head while you experience Rolla, you can't go wrong. It's a solid choice.
And Finally… The Deal!
Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to give you the killer pitch!
Book your Rolla Adventure NOW!
Escape the ordinary and embrace the simplicity of a stress-free getaway. Imagine waking up refreshed in a spotless room with complimentary Wi-Fi, ready to hit the town!
Here's what you get:
- Comfortable rooms with Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected and relaxed with complimentary Wi-Fi for all your devices.
- Complimentary Hot Breakfast: Start your day with a delicious and satisfying breakfast buffet.
- Excellent accessibility: Convenient access for all abilities.
- Prime Location: Perfect base for discovering Rolla.
- Friendly Service: Experience warm hospitality from our welcoming staff.
For a limited time, book your stay at the Holiday Inn Express Rolla and you’ll receive a 15% discount on your first night!
Click Here to Book Your Getaway Today!
Don't wait! Spaces are limited. Plan your escape to Rolla now and experience the perfect Holiday Inn Express getaway!
Escape to Paradise: Lale Pension, Your Turkish Dream Getaway
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… well, this is me, trying to survive a few days near the Holiday Inn Express Rolla, Missouri, and hoping to come out the other side with all my limbs and a somewhat functioning liver.
The Rolla Rhapsody: A Journey Through Misadventures (and Maybe Some Clean Sheets)
Day 1: Arrival and the Eternal Search for Coffee
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Rolla. The drive? Fine. Mind-numbing. My GPS, bless its digital heart, tried its best to send me down a cow pasture. I swear, I saw more cows than humans on the last leg of the journey. This is already a sign, isn’t it? And I'm hungry, so naturally I'm hangry.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in at the Holiday Inn Express. The lobby smells suspiciously like chlorine and stale air freshener. You know, the usual. Check-in was painless. The person at the front desk was incredibly friendly, which immediately made me suspicious. People are just too nice in the Midwest. Are they plotting something?
- 2:00 PM: The Hunt for Caffeine. This is the most crucial part of any trip. My internal organs are already staging a revolt. I'm picturing myself slowly becoming a zombie, shuffling through the streets of Rolla, desperately seeking a hot cup of joe. Apparently, there's a Starbucks… two whole blocks away? Victory! After a minor navigational detour (thank you, confusing one-way streets), I make it alive. Phew.
- 2:30 PM: Coffee consumed. Feeling slightly less zombie-ish, but still highly caffeinated.
- 3:00 PM: Unpack. My suitcase exploded, releasing a tsunami of mismatched socks and questionable travel-sized toiletries. The hotel room is… fine. Standard hotel room. You know the drill. Bed, desk, TV. But the air conditioner is already giving me the stink eye. I have a feeling we're going to have a love-hate relationship.
- 4:00 PM: Explore. Wander around Rolla, trying to find my bearings. Discover a small, but cute, park. There's a weird statue that looks like it could either be a superhero or a really confused alien. I can't decide.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Found a local diner. Ordered a burger, fries, and a milkshake. The fries were amazing. The burger was… okay. The milkshake? Heaven in a glass. I think I'm starting to grow a fondness for this town!
- 7:30 PM: Return to the hotel. Realize I forgot an essential life-sustaining item: a bottle opener. Face-palm moment. Luckily, a quick trip to the front desk resolved that crisis.
- 8:00 PM: Attempt to relax. Watch some TV, but the remote is being stubborn. Sigh. This is what I call "living the dream."
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. Or at least attempt. The air conditioner is still at war with me. And there's a suspicious dripping sound. Maybe it's just the plumbing. Maybe it's a vengeful ghost. Guess I'll find out.
Day 2: Digging Deeper (and Maybe Losing It)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. Holiday Inn Express breakfast. The usual. Waffles, questionable scrambled eggs, and lukewarm coffee. But hey, it's free. And, as I've learned, coffee is life.
- 8:00 AM: Decide to embrace the "local experience" and visit the Missouri University of Science and Technology campus. I wander around, pretending to know more about engineering than I actually do. I actually enjoyed myself!
- 10:00 AM: I attempted to visit a historical landmark but that one got rained out and found myself in a tiny bookstore.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. More diner food. This time, I was brave and tried the chili. It was… chili.
- 1:00 PM: The grand experiment begins: The Caves. Decided to venture out to the caves near Rolla. The drive was scenic (ish). The entrance fee was a bit much. But the caves! The caves were magnificent. Cold. Damp. Absolutely freezing. But the stalactites and stalagmites were beautiful. I might have squealed. Don't judge me.
- 3:00 PM: Cave exit. Relief, and a profound appreciation for sunshine. I feel a renewed love for the world, even the hotel air conditioner.
- 4:00 PM: Back at the hotel. My socks are still damp.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Ordered takeout from some place I can't even remember. Ate it in the hotel room while watching bad TV. Perfection.
- 7:00 PM: Decide I need some exercise. Walked around the parking lot three times. Almost got run over by a minivan. Consider that exercise enough.
- 8:00 PM: Attempt to read a book. Fall asleep.
- 9:00 PM: Wake up, disoriented. Realize the air conditioner is still going strong. Contemplate unplugging it, but fear an immediate sweat-induced existential crisis. Decide to suffer.
- 10:00 PM: Back to sleep. This time, maybe with a prayer for the air conditioner to calm down.
Day 3: Farewell, Rolla (and the Air Conditioner That Wouldn't Quit)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast (again). This time, I go for the waffles. They are a familiar comfort.
- 8:00 AM: Pack. The suitcase avalanche is repeated. I am officially a hot mess.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. The front desk person is still cheerful. I'm starting to wonder if they're robots programmed for relentless optimism.
- 9:30 AM: One last attempt at a caffeine fix.
- 10:00 AM: Hit the road.
- 1:00 PM: The drive again. Hopefully, this time my GPS won't try to kill me.
- 1:30 PM: Home
Post-Trip Thoughts:
Rolla, Missouri. A mixed bag. The caves were amazing. The diner food… comforting. The Holiday Inn Express? A standard hotel experience. The air conditioner? A relentless enemy. But overall, I survived. And perhaps, just perhaps, I might have even enjoyed myself. Maybe. Okay, probably. Don't tell anyone.
This is life, folks. A mess. An adventure. And sometimes, it involves questionable hotel breakfasts and freezing caves. Embrace it. Or at least, try to find a good bottle opener. You'll need it.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Havana Pool Villa in Thailand Awaits!
ESCAPE TO ROLLA: Your Holiday Inn Express Adventure! (Or is it?)
So, Rolla...why Rolla? Why the Holiday Inn Express? Are you *okay*?
Alright, alright, settle down. Look, Rolla, Missouri isn't exactly known for its glitz and glamour, okay? It's… practical. We were on a road trip, needed a halfway point, and frankly, the budget was singing a mournful tune. The Holiday Inn Express was the *safest* bet. Clean. Predictable. Free breakfast. The holy trinity of weary travelers, right? But, maybe I was hoping for a little bit more... a spark, a connection. I mean, this wasn't supposed to be *just* a place to crash, was it? (Dramatic sigh)
Let's talk about that breakfast, shall we? The "Free Breakfast"? Did it live up to the hype?
Okay, the breakfast. Ah, the breakfast. It's a *thing*, isn't it? Look, I'm not going to lie, my expectations were... low. And yet. It was... fine. Seriously. Standard fare: the rubbery scrambled eggs (which, in their defense, probably *are* scrambled), the suspiciously perfect sausage patties (how do they get them so uniformly round, I wonder?), the questionable fruit (bananas, usually, looking a little… bruised from their travels). But, there were also waffles! And the waffle maker… that was the true hero. That glorious, almost-too-hot-to-touch, golden-brown-waffle-making machine. I may have made *three* waffles. Nobody's judging, alright? Except maybe my arteries. And perhaps the guy behind me in the breakfast line.
The Rooms! Spill the tea, what were the rooms like? Were there any…surprises?
The room. Ah, the room. Let's be honest, it wasn't the Four Seasons. But it was… clean-ish. The bed was comfortable enough, though the pillows were those weird, fluffy, too-soft-to-provide-any-real-support kind. The TV worked. The air conditioning blasted us into arctic levels. Now, the *surprise*! Okay, story time. We checked in, unloaded the car, were *exhausted*, and settled in for the night. Then, at like 3 AM... this godawful, *shrill*, piercing alarm went off. I jumped out of bed, heart hammering, convinced the building was on fire. It wasn't. Turns out, it was a faulty smoke detector, and the poor guy next door probably had the same problem, judging from the yelling and door-slamming! The front desk was… unenthusiastic. But at least the noise stopped... eventually. Let’s be clear though, those rooms had their issues. And no, I did not, in fact, complain.
What about the staff? Were they helpful? Friendly? Or trying to escape to Rolla themselves?
The staff… that's where things got interesting. The front desk lady at check-in? Very pleasant, efficient, done her job. Didn’t exactly radiate warmth, but hey, she got us the room. The breakfast attendant? A saint. Constantly refilling the coffee urn and dealing with the waffle crowd. I wanted to hug her. The alarm situation… well, that guy seemed a little… jaded. But, like, who wouldn't be? Seriously, the staff were the real heroes, dealing with all of us sleep-deprived, breakfast-hungry, road-weary travelers. They deserve a raise... and maybe a vacation *away* from Rolla. Possibly to the Four Seasons.
Did you use the pool?
The pool… Oh, the pool. I peaked in. One look, a deep breath, and I knew. No. The water *looked* questionable. The lighting was… fluorescent. And, I’m pretty sure there were, like, three kids engaged in a competitive cannonball contest of epic proportions. No, I did not use the pool. I highly considered just drinking the lukewarm coffee and hiding in my room instead. (That's my usual MO anyways.) The pool was not an Escape. It was another element of my vacation.
Okay, so what was the *best* part? What redeemed this whole… experience?
Honestly? It's not the fancy hotel. It's not even Rolla itself. It was the *escape*. The fact that, for a night, I was *out* of my everyday life. No emails. No chores. Just the open road and a semi-clean room. Even the mediocre breakfast felt… freeing. Plus, the memory of the alarm going off at 3 AM is pretty hilarious. But in all seriousness, the best part? Probably waking up the next morning, refreshed-ish, and realizing that I’d survived. And ready to hit the road again. The Holiday Inn Express didn’t *ruin* the trip. It was just… part of it. And hey, maybe next time, I *will* try the pool.
Would you go back?
Look, let's not pretend. If I'm on a road trip and it's a choice between the Rolla Holiday Inn Express or *pitching a tent in a ditch*? I'm choosing the HIE. It's a solid, reliable, if slightly underwhelming, option. And maybe, just maybe, I'll have another waffle. As long as the alarms stay off. Don't hold your breath, though.
