Ames' BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This!)

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ames By IHG United States

Ames' BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This!)

Ames' BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This! - And Maybe Neither Will I!)

Okay, folks, buckle up. Because I just stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Ames, Iowa. And, well, let’s just say the experience was… eventful. This isn't your slick, corporate brochure-speak – this is real, raw, and probably a little bit messy. Consider this my personal, highly-opinionated, and potentially-over-the-top review. Ready? Let’s do this.

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First Impressions & Accessibility (Because, You Know, It Matters):

Walking in, it's a Holiday Inn Express. You know the drill: beige. So much beige. But hey, at least it was clean. Cleanliness and safety are clearly a priority, or at least, they say they are. I spotted hand sanitizer readily available, and the staff seemed genuinely focused on keeping things tidy. Kudos for that.

Regarding Accessibility, the Holiday Inn Express in Ames is, well, mostly accessible. The elevator is a godsend, especially if you're on a higher floor. The facilities for disabled guests are available, but I didn't personally confirm how extensive they are. I saw no CCTV in common areas though.

The Room: My Little Kingdom (or at Least, My Temporary Prison):

My room? Decently sized. The Air conditioning worked like a champ (thank goodness!), the blackout curtains were actually effective (a rare and beautiful thing!), and the bed… was… comfortable. This is where my messy rambling begins because they had extra long bed! (Good for that though, it feels better) They offered Free Wi-Fi and other basic amenities, Like the desk to work on my laptop, and coffee and tea maker… They also offered slippers, it was pretty neat. I found the Complimentary Tea to be a nice touch, or free bottled water. They do offer good room choices, such as Non-smoking rooms, although, no smoking area in the complex.

My Internet Access was pretty good, The Wi-Fi [free] worked like a charm in the room, and the Internet access – wireless was also a plus.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Where the "Express" Factor Kicks In):

Okay, the breakfast situation. This is where the "Express" part really shines. We're talking Breakfast [buffet] - or at least, a semblance of one. It was the usual suspects: scrambled eggs that may or may not have seen a real chicken, some sad-looking sausage, and a waffle maker that somehow always seems to create… disappointment. The Breakfast takeaway service was a saving grace though.

There is a Coffee Shop. And Coffee/tea in restaurant is a nice thing to have. They also offer Restaurants and Bars.

The Spa, Gym, and Other "Relaxing" Amenities (Spoiler: Mostly Just a Gym):

Let's be honest: this isn't the Four Seasons. There’s a Gym/fitness, but the "Spa" is more of a wish and they don't offer Body scrub, Body wrap, a Foot bath, a massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom.

But they do offer a Swimming pool, or and outdoor one. So, points there.

Services and Conveniences (The Stuff That Makes Life Easier, or Not):

The concierge was nice, although I kind of wished they could perform miracles. Daily housekeeping kept things spick and span. There's a convenience store if you need a snack or forgotten toothbrush, and its 24 hour Front desk [24-hour]. They do offer a Cash withdrawal and Currency exchange. Laundry service and Dry cleaning are available if you stay long enough to need 'em. They do offer Food delivery!

Now, for the REAL Deal (And My Personal Anecdote!)

Here’s where the story (and the review) gets juicy. I had a minor crisis while attempting to check in: an unexpected plumbing issue in my room that involved a rather unwelcome (and very smelly) guest. It was a testament to the hotel’s professional-grade sanitizing services. Okay, I'm just kidding, Rooms sanitized between stays. The staff were quick to apologize, and eventually, with the help of a determined maintenance person, things were resolved. They even offered an upgrade to a larger room! This is important, right? Well, I thought, you know, bad things is okay, as long as they make it good.

The "Quirky Observation" Section (Because Why Not?)

Okay, I've got to say it. The artwork in the elevators? It's… something. Abstract landscapes. Lots of muted tones. I'm not sure what the point of it all was, but it certainly sparked some existential questions (e.g., "Am I really going to have to go to the breakfast buffet again?").

The Verdict: Is Ames' Holiday Inn Express Worth It?

Look, it's a Holiday Inn Express. It's not going to blow your socks off. But for the price, and with some reasonable expectations, it delivers. It’s clean, the staff is generally friendly, and it has all the basic necessities. Accessibility is decent, and the location is pretty convenient for exploring Ames.

Here’s the Deal: The Good, the Bad, and the Beige

The Good:

• Cleanliness is a priority.
• Friendly staff that (mostly) seem to care.
• Decent breakfast [buffet] (hey, it's free!).
• Convenient location.
• The extra-long bed!

The Bad:

• The breakfast [buffet] (let down your expectations just a bit)
• The "Spa" is more of a dream.
• The art in the elevator (it's just a little… much).

Who Should Stay Here?

• Budget-conscious travelers.
• Families (it's mostly Family/child friendly).
• People who prioritize cleanliness.
• Anyone who's okay with a solid, reliable hotel experience.

Who Should Avoid It?

• Luxury hounds.
• Spa enthusiasts.
• Anyone who needs intense art therapy.

My Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. It's a solid, reliable option. You won't be heartbroken, and you might even get a good night's sleep. And hey, at least there's free Wi-Fi!

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• FREE Wi-Fi: Stay connected with lightning-fast internet throughout the hotel – perfect for streaming your favorite shows or catching up on emails.
• Complimentary Breakfast: Fuel your day with our delicious breakfast [buffet]!
• Clean & Comfortable Rooms: Get ready to relax in our inviting, well-appointed rooms, designed to make you feel right at home.
• Accessible Amenities: We're committed to providing a comfortable stay for all travelers, with accessible rooms available.
• Convenient Location: Explore all that Ames has to offer, from Iowa State University to local attractions, all within easy reach!

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This review is filled with real-life anecdotes, opinions, and messy structure to give a more compelling and human experience. The language is casual, and the stream-of-consciousness style reflects the actual experience of staying at the hotel. It avoids being overly positive or negative but delivers a realistic and engaging account. The offer encourages bookings by appealing to the target audience's needs and desires while highlighting the hotel's strengths and features. The keywords are integrated throughout the review.

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Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt at taming the beast of a weekend at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Ames, Iowa. Prepare for some bumps, some triumphs, and a whole lotta me talking to myself. Let's go!

Friday: The Arrival & The Existential Crisis of the Free Breakfast

• 3:00 PM: Arrive at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. You know, that familiar feeling of walking into a place that smells vaguely of pool chemicals and hope? Yeah, that's the one. The front desk guy, bless his heart, looks like he's seen some things. Probably a lot of cranky tourists, which, fair enough, considering I'm probably about to become one. Check-in… smooth enough. Get the key card, the elevator is… functional. So far, so good.

• 3:30 PM: Unpack. The room? Standard. Two queen beds (thank the heavens, no shared nightmares). The desk… well, it'll do. The view? Parking lot. My emotional response? Mild disappointment, followed by a shrug. I'm here for the Ames experience, not the picturesque vistas.

• 4:00 PM: Explore the hotel. Okay, the gym is laughably small. Think a treadmill, a bike, and enough space to trip over the water cooler. Pass. I'll get my workout in… sometime. The promised "indoor heated pool and hot tub"? I'm in! After a quick dip, it was pretty alright.

• 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local place called "Mio". The food was… fine. Honestly, I’m not exactly a gourmand. I was more concerned with how much ranch dressing I could sneak onto my plate without appearing like a complete heathen. (Spoiler alert: a lot).

• 7:30 PM: Back to the hotel. Bed. Watch some mindless TV. The soothing hum of the air conditioner. The profound thought of why do they make hotel pillow so dang comfortable? I sink into the pillows.

Saturday: Cyclones, Cornfields, and the Dreaded Pancake Machine

• 7:00 AM: The free breakfast. This is the moment I've been dreading, the true test of my resilience. The siren song of the pancake machine. It's always a gamble, isn't it? Will it produce perfectly golden, fluffy discs of joy? Or hockey pucks of disappointment? I'm preparing myself for either outcome. The coffee is… adequate. The fruit is… suspiciously uniform. But the real test? The pancake machine. I slowly, cautiously, enter the breakfast area, my heart pounding in my chest.

  • 7:05 AM: Success! Delicious pancakes. But wait, the machine starts to malfunction. A loud grinding sound, then a sudden stop. Oh, no. The pancake gods are testing me.
  • 7:15 AM: After a quick fix, I decide it's a good idea to have another one.
  • 7:20 AM: Leaving the free breakfast, I feel a little bit of accomplishment.

• 9:00 AM: Game day at Iowa State! The energy is electric. Seeing the crowd… amazing. Tailgating is in full swing – the smell of grilled meat, the sound of laughter, the occasional overly enthusiastic college student trying to high-five a stranger. It's everything I expected and so much more. Iowa State beat the visiting team - it was an amazing experience.

• 2:00 PM: Lunch at a local brewery. Burgers, beer, Iowa hospitality. Perfect after a day spent screaming myself hoarse at a football game. The waitress, bless her heart, tells me about her life ambitions and family. It was great.

• 4:00 PM: Drive through the Iowa countryside. I feel the need to see some cornfields.

• 6:00 PM: Back at the hotel, for a quick swim.

• 8:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

• 9:00 PM: Bed. Exhausted.

Sunday: Departure & the Lingering Scent of Chlorine

• 7:00 AM: The free breakfast. Let's see how that pancake machine is doing… Nope! Broken.

• 9:00 AM: Check out. The whole process is fast.

• 9:30 AM: Final thoughts. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t glamorous. But it was… real. I had the pancake machine, the pool, all the things I was hoping for. I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I learned that I am capable of having a good day, sometimes even a great one.

• 10:00 AM: Drive home, already plotting my next adventure. And searching for the perfect pancake machine.

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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the… let's call it *interesting* experience that is the Holiday Inn Express in Ames. Prepare for some serious stream-of-consciousness, because frankly, my brain feels like a scrambled egg trying to recall this place.

Alright, spill the beans. Is the Holiday Inn Express in Ames… actually any good?

Okay, fine. Let's be honest. "Good" is a strong word. It's… a *place*. A place with a roof and a bed. And, crucially, a breakfast. But good? Mmm, depends on your definition of "good." If your definition involves questionable carpet choices, the faint scent of chlorine and disappointment mixed with the lingering aroma of stale coffee, then YES, it's stellar! But seriously, it's a Holiday Inn Express. Manage your expectations. I certainly didn't. And suffered for it. We'll get to the suffering.

Let's talk about the beds. Are they… sleepable? Because I'm picky.

Oh, the beds. Now *this* is where things get… well, not *exciting*, exactly. They're… adequate, let's say that. The mattress feels like a slightly worn-out embrace from a polite accountant. Not the most passionate lover, but they'll do the job, I suppose. My main beef, and this is a *big* one, is the pillows. They're the enemy! Seriously, I spent half the night wrestling a pillow that seemed determined to suffocate me with its lack of structural integrity. I swear, it was plotting my demise. Bring your own. Seriously, bring your own pillow. You'll thank me.

The breakfast. TELL ME ABOUT THE BREAKFAST. My survival depends on it.

Ah, breakfast. The make-or-break moment. I'll be real with you: it's…predictable. The usual suspects: dry-ass scrambled eggs (seriously, those eggs need to be rescued), sad-looking sausage patties, a rotating cast of sugary cereals, and the ever-present waffle maker. The waffle maker is KEY. You *must* master the waffle maker. Otherwise, you're stuck with the sugary cereal, and trust me, the sugar rush crashes *hard*. One morning, I saw a kid in a full Iowa State uniform *devour* like, six waffles. Six! I'm pretty sure he was fueled by pure, unadulterated sugar and the burning desire to beat someone at… something. Bless his heart. I tried for three, but it was a sugar-induced coma afterward. So, predictable, yes. But also, potentially your only source of sustenance before a long day of… whatever you're doing in Ames. Plan accordingly. And bring your own syrup. The stuff they put out is like, water-based.

The location? Is it… convenient? I don't want to drive an hour to get to the university.

Location? Alright, let's see… it's in Ames. So, yes, it's *in* the city, and therefore, probably convenient if you're, you know, *going to Ames*. I think it's fairly close to the university. Walking distance? Nope. But a quick drive? Yeah, probably. Honestly, I was so focused on surviving the pillow-induced nightmares, I didn't pay much attention to the actual *location*. It's the location of the *experience* that's worth focusing on really.

What about the staff? Are they… you know, kind?

The staff? Hmm. Well, they're present. And they are… attempting… to be helpful. I wouldn't call them relentlessly cheerful, but they're not actively trying to sabotage your stay. I think. Okay, there was one woman at the front desk who was *phenomenal*. She somehow managed to juggle about five different complaints at the same time and still smile. She deserves a medal. The rest… were just *there*. Which, let's be honest, is often all you can reasonably ask for. Remember that lady. She's a rockstar.

Okay, the pool. There IS a pool, right? And can I use it? If so, what's it *really* like?

Ah, yes... the pool. Let's just say, the pool is a study in contrasts. It *exists*. That's a plus! It's indoors, which is also a plus, because, Ames. I vividly remember the chlorine scent hitting like a wall the moment I walked in. And then... the lighting. Oh, the lighting! It was something straight out of a low-budget underwater sci-fi movie. Greenish-blue, casting long, distorted shadows. I swear, the tile was slightly cracked, in a way that suggested a long, hard life. I think I saw a kid take a running leap off the side, nearly taking out some poor, unsuspecting soul. The temperature? Lukewarm. Not refreshing, just… there. I wouldn't call it a highlight of the whole thing. The image of that pool is permanently etched into my brain, this weird, hazy memory. More like a *vibe* of a pool, than a functioning, enjoyable thing.

Any hidden fees? I HATE hidden fees!

Okay, I can't definitively say *no* hidden fees. I wasn't exactly scrutinizing the fine print with the intensity of a tax auditor. However, I didn't recall being blindsided by any surcharges that made me want to spontaneously combust, so that's a win, right? Keep an eye out, just in case. It's always the little things that get you.

So, would you stay here again? Be honest!

Look, if I *had* to be in Ames again? Probably. Desperate times and all that. Would I *choose* to stay there? Probably not. Unless there's some amazing waffle-eating competition going on. Or if that one awesome lady from the front desk is working again. Otherwise, it's a functional place to rest your weary head. Just… bring your own pillow and lower your expectations to "survival mode". You'll be fine. *Probably*.

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