Forest City's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Forest City's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This!) - A Seriously Honest Take
Okay, alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the (probably complimentary) tea on the Holiday Inn Express in Forest City. Forget the canned marketing spiel – this is real life, people. I went, I stayed, I ate (a lot), and I’m here to tell you if it’s worth your hard-earned vacation days. And trust me, it’s a rollercoaster.
First Impressions: Accessibility & The Great Elevator Saga
Right off the bat, MAJOR props to the Holiday Inn Express for accessibility. They actually get it. The website boasts “Facilities for disabled guests,” and guess what? They deliver! Wide doorways, ramps, and all the usual suspects made mobility a breeze. Seriously, a massive win, especially considering some places still think "accessible" means "we'll point you towards the stairs." (The Elevator? Reliable. Praise be.) However, during my stay, it once got stuck between floors, so an extra point for the Elevator (but not, say, the most reliable system).
Oh, the Internet: Wi-Fi Everywhere, Kind Of
Let's talk connectivity. The holy grail of modern travel: reliable Internet access. They shout it from the rooftops – "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" and it’s true! And what, Wi-Fi in public areas? Yes! But… and there's always a but, isn't there? The Wi-Fi in my room (and occasionally the public areas) was… temperamental. Think dial-up internet's grumpy, slightly more tech-savvy cousin. Still, when it worked, it worked. Just don't plan on live-streaming the Grand Canyon from your room.
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitized and… Slightly Obsessive?
Right, COVID. Still a thing. And the Holiday Inn Express takes it seriously. I’m talking Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and staff that look like they’re permanently enrolled in hazmat training. The Hand sanitizer stations were plentiful, and I appreciated the Individually-wrapped food options (more on that later). Honestly, I felt safer there than I sometimes do in my own home. They even had Professional-grade sanitizing services, and a Sterilizing equipment that I'm pretty sure could wipe out a small nation. However the Room sanitization opt-out available makes me think, did they really sanitize my room or was this just a marketing ploy to make me feel safe?
The Room: My Little Oasis (Mostly)
Okay, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the room itself. The usual suspects are there: Air conditioning (praise be!), a comfy bed (check!), a desk (check!), and a coffee/tea maker (double check!). My room was equipped with Blackout curtains, a mirror, private bathroom, separate shower/bathtub, desk, all of the basic amenities as expected. I'm talking a safe and a refrigerator; I mean, I'm staying at a Holiday Inn Express. The slippers, and bathrobes, are not necessarily luxurious, but a nice touch. I was especially thrilled with the extra long bed. The Internet access – wireless, that I mentioned earlier, was (eventually) up and running, allowing me to enjoy the on-demand movies.
The little things? Complimentary tea and Free bottled water (always a win). But, I was a bit irked by the lack of a Window that opens; however, I was glad to have soundproofing and soundproof rooms to shut out the noise.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast… The Breakfast.
Let's cut to the chase: the Breakfast [buffet] is… interesting. I'm going to be brutally honest. It's a Holiday Inn Express breakfast. Think: scrambled eggs that are fighting for their lives, questionable sausage patties, and a waffle maker that clearly hates everyone. They had the standard Breakfast [buffet]. However, it's really a step above those sad continental breakfast options. You can get Breakfast in room, or Breakfast takeaway service.
BUT! There were redeeming qualities! They offered Asian breakfast options. And the Coffee/tea in restaurant was palatable. They also had Coffee shop. Now, let me tell you about trying to navigate the buffet with the whole COVID setup. A bit awkward, but again, props for the safety measures. The Sanitized kitchen and tableware items are much appreciated.
Things to Do & Relax: The Illusion of Relaxation
Okay, the "things to do" at this hotel? It’s not a resort. No Body scrub or Body wrap here (thank god, because I can't imagine myself in that situation). There's a Fitness center (I peeked, it looked adequate), and a Swimming pool [outdoor]. I’m no spa aficionado, so the lack of a Spa, Spa/sauna, or Steamroom didn't bother me. If you're looking for a relaxing getaway with all the bells and whistles, this isn’t it.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Extras (and the Pricey Ones)
The Holiday Inn Express offers a decent array of services. Daily housekeeping (thank you, sweet angels!), concierge, and a convenience store for those late-night snack attacks. There's also the usual Dry cleaning, Laundry service, and Ironing service. Now, if you’re looking for Airport transfer or a Taxi service, be prepared to pay.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly but… Mildly Mediocre
The hotel is "Family/child friendly," which, in this case, means they have a few Kids facilities. I saw a few kids running around, so I'm assuming the hotel is pretty receptive to families. No Babysitting service or Kids meal, this is as family-friendly as it gets.
Getting Around: Car Parking & All That Jazz
Car park [free of charge]? You betcha! Car park [on-site]? Yes, sir. The hotel's location is good.
Let's Talk About the Extras
They had things like First aid kit.
My Verdict:
Look, the Holiday Inn Express in Forest City won't win any awards for sheer luxury. However, it's clean, safe, accessible, and the staff are genuinely friendly (and, thankfully, not too robotic in their sanitization obsession). It's a solid, reliable choice.
Quirks and Quirks:
The sheer number of security measures made the lobby feel like a heavily guarded bank vault. The breakfast, while free, often felt like a challenge. The Wi-Fi, when it worked, was a godsend. The bed was comfortable.
The Offer You Can’t Refuse (Well, You Can, But You Shouldn't)
Tired of the cookie-cutter hotel experience? Crave clean, safe, and… surprisingly okay breakfast? Book your stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Forest City today!
Here's the deal:
- Book directly through their website (or your preferred online travel agency) and get a guaranteed discount! (Check to see if they have a specific discount or a promotion)
- Free Wi-Fi! (When it cooperates. Sorry, can't predict the internet gods).
- Free breakfast! (Embrace the mystery meat and watery eggs!)
- Clean rooms and a staff that takes cleanliness seriously.
- Accessibility features for everyone!
Don't wait! Book Now and experience the surprisingly decent, and definitely quirky, Holiday Inn Express in Forest City!
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly polished travel brochure. This is real travel. This is me, wrestling with a Holiday Inn Express in Forest City, Iowa, and you're coming along for the ride. Prepare for a bumpy, beautiful, and occasionally beige adventure.
Day 1: Arrival & The Battle of the Breakfast Buffet
- 1:00 PM - Arrival, Check-in & Immediate Regret:
- Okay, first, let's be honest. Forest City. Iowa. The name alone is a promise of… well, let's just say it's not the French Riviera. I pull up to the Holiday Inn Express, the sign radiating a cheerful blandness that's both comforting and a little soul-crushing. The lobby smells faintly of chlorine and… is that… cinnamon? My hopes for the "express" part of the experience are quickly dashed. Check-in takes approximately the amount of time it takes to knit a small sweater. The woman at the desk is perfectly pleasant, but there's a slow, deliberate quality to her movements that suggests decades of dealing with weary travelers. She hands me my key card. Number 314. I'm suddenly craving pie.
- 1:45 PM - The Room: A Study in Beige (and Mold?)
- Alright, room 314. Let's see what we've got. Insert dramatic pause here. Beige carpet. Beige walls. Beige bedspread. I think a single rogue dust bunny might be darker than anything in this room. It's functional, I guess. The air conditioning is humming like a dying robot. And, is that a slight moist smell? I swear, if there's mold in this place, I'm going to lose it. I've battled mold in places far more "exotic," and frankly, my tolerance is at zero.
- 2:30 PM - First Reconnaissance Mission: Local Eats (or the lack thereof)
- Time to explore. I step outside, squinting against the relentlessly bright Iowa sun, and… Well, let's just say Forest City isn't exactly a culinary mecca. I found a cafe, but I'm not sure if I'm prepared for that kind of adventure. I am also not well adjusted, after a 30+ years of just being, I now have a new found appreciation for travel and how much I'm not prepared.
- 6:00 PM - The Dinner Dilemma:
- After driving around for an hour, I eventually found…pizza. I mean, come on!
- 7:00 PM - Evening Entertainment: Channel Surfing and Existential Dread
- Back in the room. The TV. The holy grail of the weary traveler. I flip through the channels. It's a wasteland. No great movies. No interesting documentaries. Just endless commercials for reverse mortgages and local car dealerships. I start to wonder if I've made a terrible mistake. Am I trapped here? What is the purpose of life? Why is the carpet so relentlessly beige? I have no answers.
- 9:00 PM - The Shower & the Unexpected Philosophy:
- Ah, the shower. The sanctuary of the road warrior. The water pressure is acceptable, which is a win. I'm feeling, at least, clean. It is also the only time I feel I can have any alone time. I reflect on my choices that have brought me here. I let the hot water wash away my worries, and the beige of the room fades, for a moment. I am becoming a whole new person.
- 10:00 PM - Lights Out (and the haunting whispers of the AC unit)
- Lying in bed, the AC unit starts its incessant humming again. I start to wonder if it's laughing at me, at my pathetic existence. Trying to sleep. Everything is fine, I guess.
Day 2: A Journey into the Heart of… Nothing Much & Breakfast!
- 7:00 AM - The Breakfast Buffet: A Real-Life Hunger Games
- Game. On. I am not going to miss out on breakfast. I've heard legends. The buffet. This is where lives are won and lost. The breakfast room is a madhouse. Families are everywhere. There's a screaming toddler, a couple engaged in a silent battle over the last waffle, and a guy who looks like he's about to construct a sandwich consisting of every single food item available.
- I grab a plate. The waffles, thankfully, are still warm. The "fruit" is mostly canned. The scrambled eggs are…yellow. I grab a sausage. I try not to judge.
- Oh god. This is not what I expected. But it's fine. It's edible. I have coffee, and I have survived.
- 8:30 AM - The "Attractions" (More Like Places to Stare at the Horizon)
- Forest City. Okay, what can I do. I decided to visit something I read about. Now I'm trying to make it through my day without exploding.
- 12:00 PM - The Unexpected Revelation: Finding Myself in a Gas Station
- Okay, maybe a bit melodramatic, but I did find an amazing gas station. Clean bathrooms, great people-watching, and the world's best selection of beef jerky. I buy a bag. Victory!
- 2:00 PM - Return to the Hotel: The Lull Before the Storm
- Back in the beige embrace of room 314. I'm starting to feel…accepting. Maybe even a little bit fond of the beige. (Don't tell anyone.)
- 5:00 PM - Dinner: The Pizza Gambit, Part 2
- I had pizza again. I'm not proud.
- 6:30 PM - The Evening's Entertainment:
- Watching the locals as they get in and out of their cars.
- 9:00 PM - Early Bedtime & The Hope of Morning:
- Another night. The AC is starting to sound less like a dying robot and more like a slightly grumpy companion. I am starting to sleep here. I hope I feel good in the morning.
Day 3: Escape & The Elusive "Express"
- 7:00 AM - The Breakfast Buffet: Round Two (and a newfound respect for toast)
- I approach the breakfast buffet with a soldier's resolve. I got this. I'm a breakfast buffet veteran now. I grab the toast. I load up on the coffee.
- 8:30 AM - Check-Out and Departure (Freedom!)
- The woman at the desk is still moving in slow motion, but I'm not judging. I'm free! I am out! I am… well, I'm leaving.
- 9:00 AM - Reflective Moments:
- I have to give Forest City credit. It was a place, with people. It was… an experience. And, more importantly, my mind is made of steel now.
Final Thoughts:
Okay, the Holiday Inn Express in Forest City? It wasn't glamorous. It wasn't luxurious. It was definitely beige. But it was… something. It was real. And sometimes, that's just what you need.
Would I go back? Maybe. If I was really, really, really tired. And if the pizza place had a new special.
Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta: Your Indonesian Paradise Awaits!
Okay, So, Holiday Inn Express in Forest City… Is it *Really* the BEST?! Come on!
Alright, alright, settle down. "BEST" is subjective, right? But, let me tell you, after that *experience*... the Forest City Holiday Inn Express is sticking WITH me. Look, I've seen some hotels that should've just stayed in the drawing board. And some... well, let's just say they *barely* deserve the "hotel" title. This one? It's got its quirks, trust, but it actually felt *clean* (a BIG win, people!). And the staff... well, more on them later. But YES, based on my crazy weekend, I'm leaning towards a qualified "yeah, it's pretty good." Maybe the best? Depends on what you're looking for. But good? DEFINITELY good.
Let's talk about the breakfast. Seriously. My sanity depends on a decent breakfast. Spill!
Ooooh, breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. The classic Holiday Inn Express breakfast? You know the drill: scrambled eggs of questionable origin, rubbery sausage patties that could bounce, those tiny yogurts... The Forest City location? It wasn't *bad*, but not exactly a gourmet experience either. I ate a bagel. They had a *decent* bagel. (Okay, I ate two. Don't judge.) The coffee... well, it was *coffee*. You know? Like, it existed. Honestly, after driving for like, six hours, I'd have drank battery acid if it had caffeine in it, so... Plus, there was this super-enthusiastic woman refilling the orange juice. She kept popping up and telling everyone how "DELICIOUS" it was. I smiled and just kept eating my second bagel.
The room itself! Was it a dungeon? A palace? WHERE DID YOU SLEEP?!
Okay, the room. This is important. And honestly, it's a mixed bag. Clean. It was *clean*. You have NO IDEA how much that matters to me. Seriously, I walked in expecting… well, I don’t even want to say. But it wasn’t like that. THE BED! Oh, the bed. Actually, it was pretty darn comfortable. Comfy enough that I ended up sleeping way later than intended. The pillows? Fluffy. Win number two! The bathroom? Updated. Not luxurious, but clean and functional. The only real downside? The air conditioning was... loud. Like, 'airplane taking off' loud. But hey, at least I knew it was working, right? And let's be honest, I crashed so hard every night, it barely registered.
What about the staff? Were they helpful? Grumpy? Did they try to sell you a timeshare?
Oh. My. God. THE STAFF. This is where the Holiday Inn Express in Forest City really shines. They were... *genuinely* friendly. Not the fake hotel smile and rote greetings. I mean, they actually *seemed* to care. I asked the front desk guy for some extra towels, and he didn't make me feel like I was burdening him, as if I was asking for him to build a new wing. He was like, 'Absolutely! Coming right up!' I swear, he even *remembered* my name the next day! Seriously. That's some next-level hotel wizardry right there. No timeshare pitches, thankfully. Just good, old-fashioned hospitality. That's a HUGE plus in my book. Huge. This might be the thing that pushed it from “okay” to "wow."
The Location? Was it conveniently located or did you have to hike for miles to get anywhere?
Location. Another win! Okay, I didn't go exploring the wide world beyond the hotel, but it was super easy to get to everything I needed to do. There were like, a million restaurants within a five-minute drive. (Okay, maybe not a million, but a lot!) Parking was easy. Which, by the way, is a huge stress reliever. No circling the parking lot for 20 minutes like I've experienced at OTHER hotels. It was like, a practical, no-nonsense location. Exactly what I needed after the long drive. It helped make the whole experience smooth, and less of a headache.
Okay, spill about that 'crazy weekend' you mentioned earlier. Did something wild happen? A ghost encounter? Giant spider?
Okay, you want the story? Buckle up. It wasn’t a ghost, thankfully. Or a giant spider. Though, the thought did cross my mind as my room had a *very* low ceiling in the bathroom. No, the 'crazy' part wasn't in the hotel itself. But my trip was for a... competitive pie-eating contest. (Don't judge me!) Let's just say things got messy. *Very* messy. And I may or may not have needed a LOT of extra towels (see the friendly front desk guy's reaction above). The point is, after the chaos of that weekend, the Holiday Inn Express was the perfect place to crash, recharge, and come back to reality. The staff was so accommodating with my... ahem... 'situation'. They genuinely made everything easier. So, yeah, the hotel played a critical role in my post-pie recovery. And THAT, my friends, is why I might actually call it the BEST. Maybe it's the best... for *me*, at least. And maybe, just maybe, you'll find it's pretty good for you too. Just maybe pack some extra wet wipes for that trip, you know, for whatever reason...
Would you stay there again? Seriously?
Absolutely. Without a doubt. If I'm ever back in Forest City (and, let's be honest, probably WILL be, after the upcoming blueberry pie eating contest), I'm staying at the Holiday Inn Express. Comfortable bed, clean rooms, good staff, and easy location? Yes, please. Plus, I'm looking forward to seeing the staff again. I hope they don't think I'm a total weirdo after my trip. Maybe I'll even bring them some pie this time... though maybe not. Maybe. Definitely. Ok. Okay. YES! Just. Yes.
