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

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Elgin By IHG United States

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

Elgin's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This!) - My Honest Take!

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Elgin's… well, best hotel, the Holiday Inn Express. And trust me, it's a rollercoaster. I'm talking unexpected highs, minor lows, and a whole lot of "huh, that's interesting." This review is for the REAL people, the ones who don't mind a little messiness and want the honest truth, not a brochure's glossy-eyed promises. So, here we go… (deep breath).

First Impressions & Getting Your Bearings (and the Internet)

• Accessibility: I didn't personally need any special accessibility features, but I did poke around. The elevators are definitely a plus, and from what I saw, they appear to have ramps and accessible rooms (check with the hotel specifically, though! Always best). (Accessibility, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests)
• Check-in/out: Smooth as butter. They had contactless check-in/out. I appreciated not having to hand over my credit card to a stranger. ( Contactless check-in/out, Check-in/out [express], Front desk [24-hour])
• Internet - The Lifeline: Okay, let’s be real. We all need Wi-Fi. And guess what? They’ve got it! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Wi-Fi in public areas. It was, for the most part, reliable. I even managed to stream a little Netflix in the evening, which is a HUGE win in my book. You know, when the world outside the hotel feels a bit "meh," Netflix is a lifesaver. ( Internet access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas)

The Room - My Haven (with Some Quirks)

My room… well it was clean, but not spotless. You know, the kind where you could tell someone actually tried to clean it, even if they weren’t a perfectionist. And hey, I’m not a Princess and the Pea kind of person.

• The Bed: Comfortable! (and the extra long bed was welcome for my tall frame).
• Air Conditioning: Worked like a dream. Seriously, a HUGE win – I can't do stuffy rooms. (Air conditioning, Air conditioning in public area)
• The Bathroom: Standard. Clean. The water pressure was decent, the toiletries were… well, they were there. (Private bathroom, Shower, Toiletries, Towels)
• The Little Things: The blackout curtains saved me (I sleep like a vampire). And the coffee machine? That’s essential for a morning person. (Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Hair dryer, Ironing facilities, Slippers, Socket near the bed, Mirror, Reading light, Safe box)
• Minor Grumbles: One little thing, the TV remote was a bit… sticky. Small, insignificant detail, but it's the little things that can make or break the whole experience.

Cleanliness & Safety - Covid Era Considerations

• Safety Measures: Look, I’m still a little paranoid about the germ situation and the Holiday Inn here does a pretty good job keeping guests safe. They’ve got hand sanitizer everywhere, they say they're doing daily disinfection, they've got individually-wrapped food options, and they are using anti-viral cleaning products. (Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, 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, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment)
• The Room Sanitation: It seemed like it'd been properly cleaned before I got there, as my initial impressions were that the room was pretty clean, despite the slight stickiness. (Rooms sanitized between stays)

Dining, Drinking & Snacking - Fueling the Adventure

• Breakfast - My Happy Place (Mostly): Free breakfast! That's gold, Jerry, GOLD! They had a buffet; it wasn't the most gourmet experience, but it had all the classics: eggs, bacon, pastries, cereal. The coffee was surprisingly good. The only real downside? The scrambled eggs sometimes looked a little… sad. (Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Western breakfast)
• Other Eating Options: Didn't eat anything other than breakfast, so can't say. (A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant)

Amenities & Relaxation - Because We All Need a Break

• The Pool (It Depends): There's an outdoor pool. I'm not really a pool person, so I just glanced at it. It looked clean and inviting. It does have a nice view which is always a plus. (Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view)
• Exercise: There's a fitness center, I think, but I didn't go. (Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Spa, Spa/sauna)

Services & Conveniences - The Little Things that Matter

• The Staff: The staff were generally friendly and helpful. Not overly chatty, but efficient and professional.
• Convenience: They had a small convenience store, which is always handy for a late-night snack. (Convenience store, Gift/souvenir shop)
• Laundry: I didn't need to do laundry, but they offer the service. (Laundry service)
• Parking: Free parking. That's always a win in my book. (Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site])

Things to Do & Getting Around

• Location, Location, Location: Depends on what you're looking for in Elgin. The hotel is relatively well-situated, but like any town that isn’t centrally located you’ll need a car for sure. (Taxi service).
• Other: I didn’t use the shuttle service, but it’s available. (Airport transfer)

Verdict: Is It REALLY Elgin's BEST Hotel?

Look, is the Holiday Inn Express the fanciest hotel in the world? No. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But for Elgin, considering the price, it's pretty darn good. It's clean, comfortable, has a decent breakfast, and the Wi-Fi is decent. It's a solid choice.

My Very Specific Recommendation: If you're looking for a clean, comfortable, and convenient place to stay in Elgin, definitely consider the Holiday Inn Express. It's a good option for both business and leisure travelers.

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See you in Elgin!

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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously-planned itinerary. This is Elgin, Illinois, baby, and we're gonna experience it, warts and all, from the glorious, slightly-musty confines of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable food choices, and the inevitable existential dread that comes from staring at a continental breakfast at 7:00 AM.

The Elgin Odyssey: A Mostly Accurate Account (with a Side of Hilarity and Mild Panic)

Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious Quest for Caffeine

• 3:00 PM - Arrival at the IHG Hotel: Okay, first impression? Decent. The lobby smelled faintly of chlorine and stale coffee, which, honestly, is the scent of my soul. Check-in was smooth. The front desk guy, bless him, looked like he'd seen some things. Probably dealt with a lot of "lost luggage" claims, I'd venture. I got a room on the third floor. (Spoiler alert: no amazing views, just the parking lot. Still, it's a roof over my head, right?)
• 3:15 PM - The Caffeine Crisis: Crucial. Absolutely CRUCIAL. My internal gyroscope was pointing me in one direction: caffeine. Now, the hotel claimed to have coffee. Oh, it had a machine… that spat out something of a vaguely brown hue. This was a disaster. I needed a real coffee. Luckily, a quick Google search revealed a Starbucks lurking nearby. Victory! (Small victory, but a victory nonetheless.) The baristas there looked surprisingly happy, which made me feel… concerned for them, in a way. "They must have no idea what they're missing!" I thought to myself, as I swallowed the bitter, delicious nectar. (Seriously, that coffee saved me.)
• 4:00 PM - Settling In and Evaluating the Decor: Okay, let's be honest, this hotel is not the Four Seasons. But it's clean-ish. The decor is… beige. Like, beige on beige on beige. It’s the kind of beige that subtly encourages you to give up on all your dreams and embrace the quiet, grey monotony of middle age. The curtains don't quite close all the way, which provides a lovely view of the passing cars outside. The bed… well, it's a bed. I've slept in worse. (Much worse. Remember that hostel in Prague? Shudder.)
• 6:00 PM - The Dinner Dilemma – Mexican Food or Bust: After settling in and planning our evening, we all went out for Mexican food! It was delicious and we had a great time just relaxing and talking.
• 8:00 PM - Back to the Hotel - The Netflix and Chill Phase: After dinner, we went back to the hotel, where we watched some TV.

Day 2: Downtown Elgin and the Unforeseen Pancake Panic

• 7:00 AM - The Breakfast Battlefield: Ah, the continental breakfast. This is where the real adventure begins. The eggs look… suspiciously yellow. The "sausage" is a mystery meat of an unknown origin. The pastries… well, they look like they've been sitting out since the Eisenhower administration. I steel myself, grab a hard-boiled egg (safe bet, right?), and attempt to make coffee from that terrifying machine. It fails. Utterly, completely fails. I pour some juice and then head back to my room to prepare for my day.
• 9:00 AM - Downtown Elgin Adventure Begins: Today we're exploring downtown Elgin! Now, I've gotta say, I was expecting… less. Not necessarily negative, just… less. But downtown Elgin is charming! It has a nice, historic vibe to it. I loved driving around and seeing everything it had to offer.
• 12:00 PM - Lunch and the Unexpected Emotional Surge: We were starting to feel hungry so we went to this little diner. The food was good, but the best part was talking to the friendly waitress. She was so nice and we all got along really well and we all had a great conversation with her.
• 1:00 PM - Pancake Panic and Existential Dread: We went back to the hotel and I was doing some work when I thought I would have some pancakes. So, I went to the little breakfast bar and tried to get some pancake mix. Instead of pancakes, all of the batter fell and spilled all over the floor. So, I start freaking out and start laughing and trying to clean it up. It was honestly one of the worst and best experiences I've ever had at the hotel and it made me realize how happy I am with my life.
• 3:00 PM - Rest and Relaxation is Crucial: After a long day, we spent a couple of hours watching some TV and just relaxing, since we had a busy day the next day.
• 6:00 PM - Dinner Time!: For dinner, we went for some more Mexican Food and relaxed at our table.

Day 3: Departure and Reflections (Mostly on the Pancake Incident)

• 7:00 AM - The Continental Breakfast… Again: The eggs are still there. The pastries are slightly more… crumbly. I contemplate a second hard-boiled egg. Maybe I'm starting to like them? Is this the beginning of the end? (Of my culinary standards, that is.)
• 10:00 AM - Goodbye, Elgin (and the Pancakes): Sadly, it's time to leave. Packing up, saying goodbye to the slightly-musty, beige-filled haven that is the Holiday Inn Express. As I'm driving away, I can't help but smile, thinking about Elgin. Thinking about the pancakes. About the friendly people, and the bizarre mix of emotions the little Illinois town conjured up.
• 11:00 AM - Reflecting on the Trip: As I drive away, I start thinking about how much fun I had. It was awesome to get to experience a new place and be with friends.
• 12:00 PM - Back Home!: We got back to our home and that was the end of the trip.

Final Thoughts:

Would I recommend a trip to Elgin, Illinois? Maybe. It might not be the height of luxury or the most exciting destination in the world. But if you're looking for a place to find some new experiences and be with friends, then you sure can. Just be prepared for beige, questionable breakfast options, and the occasional existential crisis brought on by a rogue pancake batter spill. And embrace the messiness, the imperfections, and the sheer, beautiful humanity of it all. Because life, much like a trip to Elgin, is rarely perfect. And sometimes, the imperfections are what make it truly memorable. Now, I'm off to find some real coffee. Wish me luck.

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Elgin's Holiday Inn Express: My Brain Dump of a Review (You've Been Warned!)

Okay, SO - Is the Holiday Inn Express in Elgin REALLY the "BEST"? Don't make me regret booking...

Alright, settle down, buttercup. "BEST" is a STRONG word, isn't it? Let's be real. I booked it because, frankly, it wasn't the Motel 6. And I was REALLY tired. So, best *compared* to what, exactly? A cardboard box? Probably. A luxury resort? Absolutely not. Listen, I'm a demanding customer. I like my pillows fluffy, my coffee strong, and my internet that actually works *without* me having to perform some pagan ritual to appease the WIFI gods. Elgin's Holiday Inn Express? It's...well, it's an EXPERIENCE. Let's dive in, shall we?

Let's talk about the *room*. What did the actual space look like? Did it smell okay? *Was* there even a window?!

Oh, the ROOM. Okay. First things first: Yes, there was a window. Phew. I'd be REALLY unhappy if I was trapped in windowless hell. The decor… well, let's call it "classic hotel beige." Think shades of beige that have seen things. Lots of things. Like, probably, the same beige carpeting that George W. Bush once stepped on. You know? The smell? Mostly neutral. Maybe a *hint* of cleaning solution mixed with the lingering aroma of… previous guests? Look, I've stayed in worse. I mean, I've stayed in *much* worse. The air conditioning worked, and that's a HUGE win in my book. Size-wise? Surprisingly decent. Not a mansion, but enough room to flail around a bit without hitting furniture. Crucial for a morning person like myself.

The Breakfast Situation! The bane of every hotel experience. Was it a tragedy? A triumph? Or just...breakfast?

Ah, yes. The breakfast buffet. The daily lottery of whether or not you'll get a decent start to your day. Prepare yourself. Okay, so the "hot" options (eggs, sausage, occasionally some sad-looking potatoes) were...well, they *existed*. They were edible. I've had better, I've had MUCH worse, but hey, the point of being there is to fuel up. The coffee? Standard hotel coffee. Drinkable, but don't expect it to win any awards. If you're a coffee snob like me, bring your own. My biggest memory? The waffle maker. It was a glorious, golden opportunity for a DIY masterpiece. I could make a waffle, and i did. It felt as if the world would not end, so that's a +1 in the box, right?

The Staff! Were they helpful? Did they *look* happy to be there? (This is VERY important.)

This is where the Holiday Inn Express REALLY shines. The staff were, without exception, pleasant. Friendly. Helpful. Like, *genuinely* helpful. I had an issue with my keycard (typical) and the front desk person, a lovely woman named...oh, I'm terrible with names. But she was VERY nice, and fixed the problem almost instantly with a smile. THAT's a win. I'm telling you, that kind of service can really make or break a trip. So, yeah, the staff? Excellent. They get an A+ in my book. They probably deal with a lot of nonsense, and they STILL smiled!

The Pool and Fitness Center - Did you use them? If so, were they… usable?

Look, I’m going to be brutally honest. I *intended* to use the pool and fitness center. I packed my tiny speedos and everything to start my wellness adventure. But the real honest truth? No. I collapsed on the bed after a long day and watched bad television. The siren song of the remote control was too strong. I *peeked* in the fitness center. Looked clean enough. Probably had treadmills that didn’t spontaneously combust. The pool looked…okay. Nothing fancy. Probably fine if you're into swimming. Just not for *me* that day. Next time, next time. I promise.

What about the Location? Was it easy to get to things? Any local tips?

The location was perfectly adequate. It's conveniently located near… well, *stuff*. Restaurants, shops, whatever you might need. Easy access to the highway, which is a BIG plus. I, personally, had no problems getting around. Everything seemed to be within a decent driving distance. As for local tips? Umm… I’m not exactly a local expert. I was mostly there to catch up on emails, sleep, and eat waffles. But I did see a really good looking Pizza place. So there's that. Maybe you could find something more interesting? I fully believe in you.

Okay, the BIG question: Would you stay there again? Would YOU recommend it? Spill the tea!

Alright, here's the truth bomb: Yes. For the price, the location, and the generally pleasant experience, I would ABSOLUTELY stay there again. I mean, it's not the Four Seasons, but it’s clean, the staff are great, the location is convenient, and the waffles are edible. Those are all HUGE positives in my book. Would I *recommend* it? Yeah, probably. If you're looking for a clean, comfortable, reasonably priced hotel in Elgin, you could do a LOT worse. Just don't go in expecting a luxury getaway. Expect a solid, dependable, and quite honestly, decent hotel. And bring your own coffee.

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