Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Dover By IHG United States

Dover's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You WON'T Believe This!)

Dover's Hidden Gem? My Holiday Inn Express Review - Buckle Up, Buttercups! (You Won't Believe the Coffee Machine!)

Okay, Dover, let's talk hotels. Because, let's be honest, finding a decent place to crash that isn't soul-crushingly generic can feel like a treasure hunt. That's why I'm here to spill the tea on the Holiday Inn Express in Dover. Is it the "BEST" hotel in Dover? Well, that depends. On what you value. And, honestly, after my stay, I’ve got thoughts. Glorious, messy, opinionated thoughts.

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Check-In - Smoothish Sailing (with a Sprinkle of "Huh?")

First impressions matter, right? The check-in process was…fine. Efficient, I'll give them that. Contactless check-in/out? Check. It's the 21st century, people! The front desk [24-hour] is a definite plus, especially if you're prone to late-night cravings (more on that later). The staff were polite, but let's just say they weren't exactly brimming with bonhomie. Maybe it was post-pandemic exhaustion, maybe it's just Dover.

Accessibility - Solid Efforts, But…

Let's get the important stuff out of the way. Wheelchair accessible? Seems like they’ve made a genuine effort. Elevator, check. Facilities for disabled guests mentioned, good sign. However, this is where my ramble begins…

(Rambling… I just love rambling.) I always get a little… wary. You know? Like, does "accessible" actually mean accessible for everyone? Or does it mean, "We tried"? I didn't personally need these services, but I always like to see the attention to detail. And, perhaps a few more details about accessible bathrooms, shower chairs, etc. would be helpful.

The Internet situation? Alright, listen up because this is important. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Rejoice, weary travelers! Connection was pretty decent, though I did have a brief, existential crisis when the signal dipped during a crucial cat video marathon. Internet access [LAN] is listed, but let’s be real, who’s plugging in a cable anymore unless you're a corporate drone or a true digital hermit?

**(Oh, I almost forgot, I saw a **Shrine… in the lobby! Like, a small, ornate, *thing*. I'm not sure what it was, but hey, Dover does things a little differently, I guess. Maybe it wards off bad hotel juju.)

The Room – Comfort… and a Little Bit of Mystery.

Okay, let's dissect the lair. Cleanliness? Pretty good. Rooms sanitized between stays. That’s reassuring – especially after all the recent travel drama. The non-smoking rooms are a godsend. The bed? Surprisingly comfortable. Extra long bed? Yes, please! The blackout curtains were a blessing, allowing me to sleep off my questionable life choices and the aforementioned cat video marathon.

The little things…

Air conditioning? Yep, keeping me cool and collected.
Coffee/tea maker? The holy grail of hotel room features. More on that later.
Free bottled water? A nice touch.
Refrigerator? Essential for my emergency chocolate stash.
Satellite/cable channels? Tick.
Desk? Perfect for pretending to be productive while actually browsing travel blogs.

Now, the Mystery: There was a tiny mirror in the bathroom. Like, one of those ones with a magnifying glass. I spent a good five minutes staring at my pores, wondering if I should invest in a facial mask or re-evaluate my life choices. The slippers? Non-existent. The bathrobe? Missing in action. Small imperfections like these, but they do add to the feeling of the hotel.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The Coffee. Oh, The Coffee.

This is where things get…interesting. The breakfast [buffet] is included. Breakfast takeaway service? Also available, which is a blessing if you're in a hurry and have a deep craving for coffee. The Asian breakfast option? Never tried, but that is definitely different.

Here’s the truth bomb: The coffee machine, people, the coffee machine. It was…a work of art. It dispensed coffee, sure. But it also dispensed a symphony of whirring, clicking, and hissing noises that woke me up with a start every single morning. I’m not sure if it was a feature or a malfunction. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. It was… memorable.

The breakfast [buffet] itself was standard fare. A bit of everything. Nothing mind-blowing, but it filled the stomach. Buffet in restaurant? Yep. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Of course! Happy hour? I didn’t see it. No poolside bar, no snack bar. Just solid, basic provisions.

Speaking of provisions…

(…And now I get sidetracked!) I saw a convenience store right next door. Perfect for grabbing… whatever you need. More coffee. A chocolate bar. A magazine. (I got a magazine.)

Ways to Relax – Or Not So Much?

The Fitness center is available. Never tried it, mostly because my idea of exercise is walking to the breakfast buffet. I did not see a spa, sauna, or a steamroom (which, honestly, is a shame). No pool with a view (or any kind of pool). For a hotel, it's a bit lacking.

Cleanliness and Safety – Trying to Stay Safe

They seem to be trying their best. They have Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available. Staff trained in safety protocol, Cashless payment service is also there.

Services and Conveniences – The Essentials

The Business facilities seem available. There's Business facilities, Concierge, Daily housekeeping is a must. Laundry and Dry cleaning are a bonus. There’s not much I would need.

(Another random observation: I noticed a sign for a "Proposal spot." Romance is alive in Dover!)

For the Kids - Family Friendly

Family/child friendly? Sounds like it.

Getting Around – The Transportation Conundrum

Car park [free of charge] is there, as well as taxi service, that's great.

The Verdict – Is This Dover’s “BEST”?

Okay, folks, the million-dollar question: Would I recommend the Holiday Inn Express in Dover?

As the “BEST”? Hmm… I’m still on the fence. It’s not a luxury experience, but it’s clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced. It’s a solid, reliable choice for a stay. I'd say it's easily one of the best Dover hotels for its price point.

The Deal: A Compelling Offer (Because I Like You)

Attention, weary travelers! Book your stay at the Holiday Inn Express Dover today and receive:

15% off your room rate (apply code: "DOVERFUN")
A complimentary upgrade to a room with a slightly less noisy coffee machine (subject to availability, fingers crossed!)
Unlimited access to my (admittedly questionable) travel advice. Just ask.

Click here to book your stay! [Link to Hotel Booking Site]

But here's the secret: if you're looking for a no-frills hotel experience with reliable amenities and an okay breakfast, then the Holiday Inn Express is a very solid choice. Don't expect perfection, but expect to be reasonably satisfied. And be warned: that coffee machine… it'll change your life. In a small, caffeinated kind of way.

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Alright, Buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your corporate-approved, sanitized travel plan. This is, shall we say, a documented experience at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Dover, Delaware. And let's be honest, my expectations were… well, let's just say I wasn't anticipating a Michelin-starred experience. But hey, adventure awaits, even in a hotel that smells faintly of chlorine and regret.

Day 1: Dover Delights? (Or, the Day My Suitcase Became a Villain)

14:00 - Arrival & Check-In (The Battle Begins): Okay, first impressions. The lobby… it's… beige. Beige carpet, beige walls, a beige reception desk manned by a woman who, bless her heart, looked like she hadn't slept since the Clinton administration. "Welcome to Dover!" she chirped, a little too brightly. My suitcase, a magnificent beast of overpacking, promptly decided to take a tumble and spill its contents. Cue the immediate mortification and the internal screaming. Not exactly the glamorous start I was envisioning.
14:30 - Room Reconnaissance (The Room, My Fortress): Ah, the room. Clean. Functional. Comfortably generic. The air conditioning, thankfully, blasted out a healthy dose of arctic coolness, which was a blessing considering the Delaware humidity. The bed, though, looked suspiciously like a well-loved trampoline.
15:00 - The Hunt for Food (Starving in Dover): Okay, crucial mission: locate sustenance. The hotel "convenience store" was a depressing collection of instant noodles and offensively priced snacks. Adventure time. I ended up at a nearby diner. Basic, greasy, and exactly what I needed. The waitress, a woman named Betty with a voice like gravel and a heart of gold, poured me more coffee than I knew what to do with. "You look like you need a stiff drink, honey," she cackled. Maybe she was right.
17:00 - Dover Downs Casino (The Lust For Glory And Money): Let's face it, I'm no high roller. But, I had to check out Dover Downs. I thought, hey, why not? Experience the thrill of betting on horses and the flashing lights of the slots. And I found out it that I am terrible at gambling. I lost. Very quickly. My fault, of course. Should have stuck with Betty's advice.
20:00 - Hotel Dinner (The Microwave Marathon): Back to the hotel defeated. I attempted to cook a frozen entree in the microwave. The instructions seemed clear enough, but the result? A vaguely edible, lukewarm mass. I added a side of pretzels. Delicious.
21:00 - TV and Bed (A Glorious Retreat): Watched some TV, read the remote's user manual. The bed, despite its trampoline-like qualities, was surprisingly comfortable. Finally, I fell asleep, dreaming of a world where room service actually existed.

Day 2: Dover's Charm (And the Bathroom's Mysterious Odyssey)

07:00 - The Breakfast Debacle (The Scramble for Survival): The "complimentary" breakfast. Let's just say it's a culinary adventure. Think lukewarm scrambled eggs (again), questionable sausage, and a waffle station that looked like it hadn't been cleaned since the Reagan years. I ended up with toast and fruit. At least the coffee was strong.
08:00 - Bathroom Mysteries (The Water Ballet): The shower decided to stage its own water ballet. First, a trickle, then a sudden blast of icy cold. Then a scalding torrent. By the time I got it to a reasonable temperature, my skin was already on the brink of a boil. This is where I learned to really appreciate the power of the dial.
09:00 - Downtown Dover (The Quiet Streets): I ventured into downtown Dover. Quaint, to say the least. Historic buildings, a slow pace of life. It's nice, and it's charming, in a slightly depressing way. I got a coffee at a local place. Really liked the people here.
12:00 - Lunch! (A Local Treasure): I saw a local place, a tiny diner. Oh. My. God. The best sandwich I've ever had. The staff was charming and had so much heart. Felt like a real community.
13:00 - The Kent County Courthouse (In Court): I actually went to the court. Not as a defendant. But I was curious to see how the law works in Delaware. It was boring.
16:00 - Hotel Pool (The Chlorine Embrace): The pool… I saw some kids who got in, and immediately got out. The chlorine smell was strong, and I wasn't in the mood for that.
18:00 - Hotel Dinner (Another Microwave Adventure): A different frozen entree. Slightly better than yesterday's, but still a shadow of its former self. I'm starting to think about ways to sneak my own food into the room.
20:00 - TV and Bed (A Glorious Retreat, Pt. 2): Watched even more TV. The remote is finally starting to make sense.

Day 3: Departure (Freedom!)

07:00 - Breakfast (The Grim Finale): The same breakfast, but somehow, more depressing. I ate it anyway. I'm a survivor.
08:00 - Check-Out (The Escape): Smooth, uneventful. The woman at the desk actually smiled this time. Maybe she'd had a good night's sleep. Or maybe she just wanted to be rid of me.
08:30 - Departure (Freedom!): The suitcase, that villainous beast, was thankfully, better behaved this time.
09:00 - A Final, Bitter Gaze: I looked back at the Holiday Inn Express. It wasn't the Ritz-Carlton, but it was the site of an experience. It wasn't the most luxurious experience, but maybe next time.

Final Thoughts:

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Dover, Delaware? It's… fine. It's a place to lay your head. It's not a destination in itself. The real experience was the experience of being here. And maybe, just maybe, that's the point. It was an adventure, an experience of the human spirit. I may never eat another frozen meal again, but that just means I have more experiences to explore. Would I return? Probably, but I'll pack my own snacks. And maybe, just maybe, I'll learn to gamble a little less stupidly.

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Okay, Seriously... Is the Holiday Inn Express Dover REALLY the "BEST" hotel? (My Expectations were… low)

Alright, alright, let's address the elephant in the Continental Breakfast room. "Best"? That's a HUGE claim, especially for a Holiday Inn Express. I mean, I've stayed in some questionable motels in my time… places where you genuinely need a hazmat suit just to use the bathroom. So, going in, my expectations were… tempered. Think lukewarm coffee. The kind of place you just… sleep. BUT!... This place, the Dover Holiday Inn Express, actually surprised me. It wasn't perfect. Far from it. But "best"? Maybe… maybe it sneaks in there. Maybe. Let me tell you, it was a *journey*.

The infamous Breakfast… How Brutal is it REALLY?

Okay, the breakfast. This is where things get REAL, folks. I’m a breakfast person, which means I'm easily disappointed. And let me tell you, the usual suspects were there: sad-looking scrambled eggs (probably from a carton, no judging!), rubbery sausage links, and those pre-packaged muffins that taste suspiciously like cardboard. But... there was a toaster. And the bagels. Oh, the bagels. They were actually… decent. Not New York bagel quality, mind you, but edible, especially with some cream cheese and the surprisingly okay coffee (the coffee machines are a miracle of engineering). And hey, they had those little yogurt parfaits! Okay, the fruit was canned, but the yogurt was creamy. I actually went back for seconds. Which is saying something. The real problem? Getting a table. That first morning was chaotic. Kids screaming, people shoving, the continental breakfast hunger games were REAL. I had to circle for like ten minutes before finally finding a seat. So, yeah, breakfast could be improved. But hey, it's free! And bagels... bagels.

Let's talk about the room… Dirty Secret or Spotless Sanctuary?

Alright, the room. This is where you hold your breath, isn't it? You can tell a lot about a hotel by its room. And I was mentally preparing myself for crumbs, questionable stains, and the lingering scent of… well, you know. But! (Are you sensing a pattern here?) The room was … clean. Like *actually* clean. The bed was made, the sheets smelled fresh (seriously, that's a HUGE deal), and the bathroom was… spotless. No lingering hairs, no questionable water stains on the ceiling. I was shocked. I even checked under the bed (don’t judge me, I’ve seen things!). The only real complaint was the air conditioning which was a bit loud, but that's a minor quibble. Honestly, I was thrilled and felt like I had won the hotel lottery.

Location, Location, Location! Is it Convenient or a Complete Pain?

The location of the Holiday Inn Express in Dover is actually pretty good. You're near a bunch of restaurants, which is a lifesaver when you arrive starving after a long drive - trust me on this one. There are also some shops for those last-minute essentials or souvenirs, and the main town is relatively accessible. The downside? Well, parking can be a bit of a nightmare. It gets tight, especially during peak hours. One night, I had to park practically across the street, which wasn't ideal, especially in the pouring rain. But overall, the convenience outweighed the parking hassle.

The Staff… Were They Angels or Hotel Hell Henchmen?

Okay, the staff. This is where things can make or break a stay. And honestly, the staff here were genuinely lovely. From check-in (which was quick and efficient) to the cleaning staff (who were always friendly), everyone was helpful and friendly. One of the staff members even went above and beyond and helped me with some directions to nearby attractions, which was awesome. They seemed to genuinely care about making the stay as pleasant as possible. A big thumbs up for being friendly and kind!

The Pool… Was It a Sparkling Oasis or a Petri Dish?

The pool. Oh, the pool. I didn't use it. I'm not a huge pool-goer. I'm more of a "Netflix and room service" kind of gal. But I DID take a peek. It looked… alright. Clean enough, I guess. A little small, perhaps. But I did see children playing in it, which is generally a good sign. I even saw a few adults in there as well, that didn't look like they were regretting their decision, which gave me confidence. So, for what it's worth, the pool seemed perfectly… functional. Which, considering the standard of other facilities, was a good enough result for me.

That ONE Thing… The Biggest Surprise (Good or Bad) during My Stay?

Okay, my biggest surprise? It wasn't the clean room, or the surprisingly decent coffee… it was the WiFi. Seriously. I expect hotel WiFi to be slow, spotty, and generally infuriating. I consider it part of the "hotel experience." But this WiFi... was actually decent. Like, I could stream Netflix without constant buffering. I could answer emails. I could even video call my grandma. I KNOW, RIGHT?! It sounds silly, but for someone who works remotely and relies on the internet to… you know… pay the bills, this was a HUGE win. It made my stay so much less stressful. It was a small miracle in a world of mediocre hotel experiences. So, yeah… the WiFi. That was my unexpected hero.

So… Is the Holiday Inn Express Dover REALLY "BEST"? The Verdict

Alright, the moment of truth. Is it "best"? Well, it's not the Ritz. It's not a luxury resort. But for a Holiday Inn Express? Yeah. Yeah, I'd say it's pretty darn good. It surprised me. It was clean, comfortable, the staff was great. It had good WiFi. And sometimes, that's all you need. So, if you're looking for a clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced hotel in Dover, I'd absolutely recommend it. Just… temper your breakfast expectations. And pack your own bagel-slicing knife, just in case.

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