Manitowoc's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Review Will SHOCK You!
Manitowoc's "BEST" Holiday Inn? My Review Will Shock You (Maybe!)
Alright, folks, buckle up. I’m diving headfirst into the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc. Yeah, that Holiday Inn. The one that’s probably staring you in the face right now if you're even considering a trip to this fine Wisconsin town. And after my stay, well… let’s just say my expectations were… adjusted. This isn’t your polished travel blog review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth, punctuated by questionable decisions (on my part, mostly), and a whole lot of coffee. (Because, let’s be honest, you need coffee in Manitowoc).
Accessibility & Safety – The Necessary Stuff (and a Few Surprises)
First things first: Accessibility. They seem to have it covered. Wheelchair accessible rooms are a definite thing. Elevator? Check. Seems decent. I didn’t personally need any of that, thank goodness, but it's good to know they're thinking of everyone.
On the cleanliness and safety front, the Holiday Inn really seemed to be trying. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, rooms sanitized between stays… they were practically wielding spray bottles everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol, and the hand sanitizer was plentiful. I gotta say, I was impressed. I even gave them a hesitant thumbs-up. And they had a doctor/nurse on call, which is comforting even if you’re not sick. However, I was a little bummed that there was no visible first aid kit in my room.
Internet Access: Wi-Fi Woes, and a LAN Surprise!
Okay, the Internet access saga… This is where things got interesting. They shout about Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (which they do have!). BUT… I’m a bit of a tech dinosaur, and I was thrilled to see Internet [LAN] listed. Whoa! A good old-fashioned wired connection? In 2024? I actually got excited. I, in fact, brought my own ethernet cable, feeling like a retro-chic nerd. Alas, the port was… deactivated. A minor tragedy. Wi-Fi, however, did work… mostly. And yes, there's Wi-Fi in public areas. They have to, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Buffet Blitz & Beyond
Okay, the food. This is the meat… no, wait! The potatoes… of my review. (See? Messy). Breakfast [buffet] was the main event. I mean it was there every day, and they served it. They have coffee/tea in the restaurant and a coffee shop. The buffet in restaurant itself was… a buffet. You know the drill. Scrambled eggs, sausage, questionable-looking fruit salad. It was fine. They did have some decent Western breakfast options.
But here’s where things got… interesting. I decided one night I was going to try to grab something from their room service [24-hour]. It was late, I was hungry, and I’d been “researching” the local craft beer scene with… ahem, diligence. The menu, a tattered piece of paper in my room, was both extensive and… a little depressing. The choices were limited by availability: A la carte in restaurant. They also had a snack bar. I opted for… well, let’s just say it involved a burger. And a deep, deep feeling of mild regret. A bottle of water was provided, which was nice, even if it wasn't a bottle of water from a luxury spa.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… Well, Let’s See…
Okay, here’s another area where my expectations were… again… adjusted. The fitness center was… there. It had machines, you know, the kind that make you feel like you’re putting in effort even when you're just staring at the TV. There was a swimming pool, and a pretty nice swimming pool [outdoor] that was closed at the time I was there (seasonal, of course). No spa to speak of, sadly. No sauna or steamroom. No massage. No pool with a view (unless you consider the parking lot a "view"). No Body scrub or Body wrap. Basically: don't come here expecting a luxurious wellness retreat. Manitowoc isn't that kind of town.
The Room: My Humble Abode (and its Quirks)
My room. Oh, my room. It was… a room. It had a non-smoking sign, which I appreciated (I am a non-smoker, thankfully). Air conditioning worked. The desk was functional. The bed was… adequate. I had a window that opened, this is always a massive win. There was a refrigerator. The mini bar had a few things in it, but I didn't touch it. Everything I needed and expected was provided. I can't complain.
Beyond those basics, though… it had character. And by “character,” I mean the kind of character that comes from a place that’s seen a lot of guests. The bathtub was clean, but it was a bit… retro. (And by retro, I mean it felt like it was from the last century). The bathroom phone – I didn’t touch it. I figured I'd leave it in case I needed to call out for help. The mirror seemed to be… well, a mirror. I didn’t see any obvious signs that it was haunted… phew.
Services and Conveniences – The Everyday Essentials
They had the standard stuff: Laundry service, dry cleaning, a convenience store, gift/souvenir shop, luggage storage… The basics were there. I didn't need to use them all of them, but it's good that they are present and I would have felt more secure with a safe deposit box. They also had a concierge, which I didn’t need, and a 24-hour front desk. This one was great, since I had to ask for a new towel that I lost in my room.
Getting Around – The Parking Paradise
The car park [free of charge] was glorious. I love free parking. They also had car park [on-site]. I thought about seeing if they had a car power charging station, but I also have a history of being impulsive, so I wasn’t surprised that I didn’t ask about it. They also offer airport transfer and taxi service.
For the Kids - Family Friendly?
I did not travel with kids, so I cannot say for sure. But there were kids facilities, a babysitting service and kids meal options, so yes.
The Verdict: Is the Manitowoc Holiday Inn the BEST?
Okay, so here’s the truth: Is this the best hotel in Manitowoc? Well… maybe. It’s definitely a solid choice. It’s clean, it’s safe (or at least feels safe), and it has the basic amenities you need to get by. It's a good business hotel. It doesn't scream "luxury," but it's comfortable. No, it’s not the Four Seasons. But it’s fine. And sometimes, “fine” is exactly what you need.
But Wait! There's More! (The Pitch!)
Tired of the Same Old Hotel Experiences? Ready for a Wisconsin Adventure?
Book your stay at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc NOW! And take advantage of our special offer:
- Free Breakfast upgrade! Get a complimentary upgrade to the "Deluxe Buffet Experience" (hey, it's the best we have!)
- Complimentary Welcome Drink! Cheers!
- Free Parking! We know that driving is not always easy.
- Easy Access to Manitowoc’s Best Attractions! Spend less time driving, and more time experiencing the best that the city has to offer.
This offer is for a limited time only, so don't delay! Click the link below to book your stay and experience the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc for yourself!
[Link to Book Your Room]
P.S. Don’t forget to check out the Wisconsin Maritime Museum! It's seriously cool. And the beer at the local breweries is even cooler. Cheers!
Haunted History & Royal Luxury: Lumley Castle Hotel Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-organized travel itinerary. This is going to be a messy, emotional, and gloriously imperfect account of my whirlwind adventure in… drumroll, please… Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and my temporary home, the legendary Holiday Inn Manitowoc By IHG. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?
Manitowoc Mayhem: A Holiday Inn Hootenanny (and Maybe Some Sightseeing)
Day 1: Arrival (and Existential Dread, Naturally)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at the oh-so-charming (read: surprisingly bustling) Milwaukee Airport. Okay, first hurdle: finding the rental car. Let me tell you, for a woman who routinely gets lost in her own apartment, navigating an airport is a Herculean task. Found the car eventually, after a minor panic attack involving a flashing "LOW TIRE PRESSURE" light and a very judgmental airport employee. Sheesh.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Great Wisconsin Road Trip Begins! The drive to Manitowoc. Wisconsin scenery is… well, green. Lots and lots of green. I swear, I saw a field of cows staring back at me like I was the weird one. My Spotify playlist became my emotional companion, ranging from angsty indie to cheesy power ballads, depending on the existential crises du jour. Spoiler alert: there were many.
- 4:00 PM: Check-in at the Holiday Inn. I'm immediately charmed by the lobby - it has that classic, slightly faded, but still comforting Holiday Inn vibe. You know, the kind of place that feels like it's seen a thousand stories (and probably spilled a few too many complimentary coffee cups). The front desk clerk, bless her heart, smiles like she hasn’t seen a day without wind, she's super friendly! I requested a high floor with a view. The view? Mostly rooftops and a glimpse of Lake Michigan. But hey, it's my view!
- 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: The Room Inspection. Okay, this is important. I need a good hotel room. A good hotel room is my safe space. My sanctuary. My fortress of comfort in a world of uncertainty. This one is… decent. Clean, but with a slightly suspicious stain on the carpet. (I'm choosing to believe it's just a spilled soda.) Also, the air conditioning is a roaring beast. Oh, and the obligatory Gideon's Bible on the nightstand. Always.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant, The Beacon. I'm starving. The menu is classic American fare – burgers, steaks, salads. I order a burger. It's… fine. Really, really fine. Solid. Not life-changing, but edible. The waitress seems about as enthusiastic as I am about existence, we connect on a level only people who have survived years of restaurant work can.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Unpack. Stare out the window. Contemplate the meaning of life. Check my phone a million times. Scroll through social media. Feel inadequate. Repeat. (Standard operating procedure.)
- 9:00 PM: Attempt to watch TV. The remote is a battle. I eventually give up and fall asleep, dreaming of escape and maybe, just maybe, a decent cup of coffee.
Day 2: Ships, Submarines, and Self-Doubt (Oh My!)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. The aforementioned coffee is, surprisingly, not terrible. Victory!
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. The breakfast buffet at the Holiday Inn. A mix of lukewarm scrambled eggs, rubbery bacon, and sad-looking fruit. I bravely soldier on. I convince myself I'm getting my money's worth. (I'm not.)
- 9:00 AM: THE WISCONSIN MARITIME MUSEUM. This is why I came! Or at least, one of the reasons. I'm fascinated by boats, it's a quirky sort of thing. The museum is actually really good. Lots of exhibits on Great Lakes shipping, and I finally get to touch a real, live (well, not live, but you know what I mean) submarine, the USS Cobia. Seriously, the Cobia is SO COOL. Walking through it, imagining the claustrophobia, the danger… it's intense. But then, it hits me, a wave of panic. I cannot do this as a job! I would be dead.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local diner. I find a little place called "The Red Rooster." It's divey, fantastic, and the waitress calls me "Hon." Best darn grilled cheese I've ever had.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Explore the town. Manitowoc is… quaint. There's a nice waterfront, a charming historic district. I wander aimlessly, feeling a mix of awe and boredom. I visit a small art gallery, where I buy a painting of a cow. (I'm starting to think I have a cow theme.)
- 5:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant, "The Fat Seagull." It's a nice place with a view of the harbor. Good food and cocktails, and the company is pretty darn good too.
- 7:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Feeling a little melancholy so I hit the bar, where I enjoy some small talk and a few drinks.
- 9:00 PM: Collapse into bed, exhausted and vaguely satisfied.
Day 3: Farewell Manitowoc (and a Few Lingering Questions)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up and cry. The rain. The wind. The endless skies of gray.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Repeat of Day 2. I eye the sad-looking fruit with suspicion.
- 9:00 AM: Check out of Holiday Inn. Give the front desk a weary smile. Thank them for the room.
- 10:00 AM: Drive back to the airport. The rain is relentless. I put on some upbeat music to fight the blues.
- 1:00 PM: Flight delayed. Sit in the terminal, surrounded by a symphony of coughing and crying babies.
- 2:00 PM: Finally on the plane!
- 3:00 PM: Land. Back home. A happy sigh.
Final Thoughts:
Manitowoc. It was… an experience. The Holiday Inn? Comfy-ish. The food? Edible-ish. The sights? Interesting-ish. The existential angst? A-plus. The people? Surprisingly warm and welcoming. Would I go back? Maybe. But first, I need a vacation from my vacation. And maybe, just maybe, a therapist.
And the moral of the story? Travel is messy. It's unpredictable. It's sometimes boring. But it's always, undeniably… real. And that, my friends, is what it's all about.
Lethbridge's BEST Hotel? Wingate by Wyndham Review (You Won't Believe This!)
So, "BEST Hotel" in Manitowoc, eh? Is that a joke?
Let's get to the nitty-gritty. The rooms. Are they clean?
And the pool? I heard rumors...
What about the staff? Are they friendly?
Let's talk breakfast, baby. Is it worth getting out of bed for?
Wi-Fi. How's the Wi-Fi? Because, you know, gotta stay connected to the world.
What was the one thing that truly, deeply, deeply annoyed you?
So, overall, would you recommend the Manitowoc Holiday Inn?
