Chihuahua's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercup! Because we're about to dive headfirst into a review of [Hotel Name], and let me tell you, it's a journey. Forget those perfectly polished, corporate brochure reviews. This is the real deal, warts and all, the kind you'd actually want to read before dropping your hard-earned cash. And yes, SEO is in on this, sneaking in like a sneaky ninja, because who wants to be invisible on the interwebs?
First Impressions: The Accessibility Gauntlet (and the Occasional Triumph)
Okay, let's be real. Accessibility is a big deal. So, kudos to the hotel for mentioning it. Wheelchair accessible? Check. Elevator? Check. But does "check" actually mean "smooth sailing"? That's the question. The devil, as they say, is in the details. Were the ramps gentle? Were the doorways wide enough? Did the staff genuinely understand how to assist? These are the things that make or break a stay for someone who needs it. I wish I could provide a definitive answer, I genuinely do, but based on the available information, I cannot definitively say.
- SEO Snippet: Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Facilities for disabled guests. (I'm hoping they really mean it!)
Internet: The Modern-Day Necessity (and the Wi-Fi Saga)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Music to my ears! Seriously, the modern traveler NEEDS this. I once stayed at a "luxury" hotel that charged extra for Wi-Fi, and I almost had a conniption. It's 2024, people! That said, "free" doesn't always mean "good." Did the Wi-Fi actually work? Was it fast enough to stream anything other than pixelated cat videos? And what about those public areas? If I'm stuck waiting somewhere, I expect connectivity.
- My personal experience: I am always on the go and need to be constantly be online. Being connected is important for business and personal activities for me.
- SEO Snippet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Days and Fitness Fiascos?
Alright, let's get to the fun stuff! A pool with a view? Sign me up! Sauna? Steamroom? Spa services? YES, YES, and YES! I'm a sucker for a good massage. And a body scrub? Heaven. But here's the thing: how good are they? And what's the overall vibe? Is it a peaceful sanctuary or a crowded meat market? Speaking of which, the fitness center… is it actually a fitness center or a closet with a rusty treadmill?
- My personal experience: I once went to a hotel spa that promised a "therapeutic massage" and ended up with a masseuse who seemed to have more experience wrestling alligators than kneading human muscles. I still have a crick in my neck from that experience.
- SEO Snippet: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor] (I'm already dreaming of lounging by that pool!)
Cleanliness and Safety: The New Normal (and the Germaphobe in Me)
Anti-viral cleaning products? Daily disinfection? Sanitized this, sanitized that… yes. This is what we need. Hygiene certification is a must. Knowing the hotel takes cleanliness seriously is a HUGE selling point in today's world. Individually-wrapped food options? Good. No one wants to catch the sniffles on vacation. I'm a little obsessed with cleanliness nowaday.
- My personal experience: The idea of a "safe dining setup" just makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
- SEO Snippet: Anti-viral cleaning products, 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
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Culinary Adventure (or Disaster?)
Restaurants, bars, coffee shops… the lifeblood of any good hotel! A la carte? Great! Buffet? Depends on the buffet. I'm all for a good breakfast buffet, but it better be good. Asian, Western, International cuisine? Variety is the spice of life, people! But is it delicious? Do they offer a decent Bloody Mary? Do they have a pool bar? This is where the real questions arise.
- My personal experience: I once had a "gourmet" burger at a hotel restaurant that tasted like cardboard. I’m hoping this place has better options!
- SEO Snippet: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. (I am making a mental list of all the cuisines to sample, depending on the quality.)
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
Air conditioning? Check. Concierge? Check. Daily housekeeping? DOUBLE CHECK! Luggage storage? Essential. A convenience store? Wonderful for forgotten toiletries and late-night snacks. But the devil is in the details… are the staff friendly and helpful? Is the elevator reliable? Do they offer dry cleaning? These are the things that can elevate a stay from "good" to "amazing."
- My personal experience: One time, I arrived at a hotel after a 14-hour flight and discovered they didn't have my reservation. The concierge, bless her heart, managed to find me a room and even sent up a complimentary bottle of wine. Saved my sanity!
- SEO Snippet: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. (Seriously, this list is longer than my arm!)
For the Kids: Keeping the Mini-Me's Happy
Babysitting? Family-friendly? Kids' meals? Good. I don't have kids, but I do appreciate a hotel that caters to families. Happy kids mean happy parents, which means more peaceful surroundings for the rest of us.
- My personal experience: I am going to write a review about the kids section in another part, since it needs to be mentioned.
- SEO Snippet: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location… and Transportation
Airport transfer? Crucial. Car park? Awesome, especially if it's free! Taxi service? Well, unless it's reliable. The hotel's location would shape how you reach to the hotel.
- My personal experience: I'll never forget the time I got stranded at an airport with no transportation. I just had to call a friend to pick me up.
- SEO Snippet: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking
Available in All Rooms: The Real Deal
Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes… these are the essentials. But what about the extras? A decent hair dryer? Blackout curtains? A really good mirror? These are the things that make a hotel room feel like a home away from home. And the Internet, of course, again, is this available and working.
- My personal experience: Nothing beats a good blackout curtain after a long flight. I've learned the hard way.
- SEO Snippet: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my gloriously imperfect trip to Chihuahua, Mexico, centered around the… frankly unremarkable, but functional, Holiday Inn Express. Prepare for a train wreck of an itinerary, seasoned with a healthy dose of "this is my life" realism.
Chihuahua Chaos: A Holiday Inn Express Odyssey
Day 1: Arrival and the Awkward Taco Encounter
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at Chihuahua Airport (CUU): The flight was mostly smooth. Except for that screaming baby three rows back. I swear, that kid could give Mariah Carey a run for her money in the high notes. Luggage retrieval was a battle, naturally. I swear, I swear, my bag was the last one on that carousel. I was already sweating from the anticipation of exploring the city.
- 1:30 PM - Shuttle to Holiday Inn Express Chihuahua: Found the pre-booked shuttle! Thank god, because navigating Mexican public transport with my minimal Spanish would be a comical disaster. I spent the whole ride staring out the window, a mix of excitement and the lingering fear that I'd forgotten to pack underwear. (Spoiler alert: I hadn't. Phew.)
- 2:30 PM - Check-in Debacle: The front desk guy was super friendly, but the computer was… um… not. Took a frustratingly long time. Finally got the key card, and the room was… well, it was a Holiday Inn Express room. Clean, functional, smelled vaguely of air freshener. I'll take it.
- 3:00 PM - Taco Quest (and Failure): Okay, this was supposed to be my triumphant introduction to Chihuahua's culinary scene. I googled "Best tacos near me" and set off with high hopes. The first place was closed. The second one only served… gringo tacos. The third? Closed. The fourth? A mariachi band was playing so loud that my eardrums started bleeding. Defeated and hungry (and slightly deaf), I ended up at a McDonald's. Don't judge me! I ate some surprisingly good fries and felt like a complete failure.
- 6:00 PM - Hotel Room Reconnaissance: Decided to spend some time in the hotel room after my taco failure. I took some time to get accustomed to the hotel. I really liked the pillows because they were soft and fluffy. I had a decent sleep and got comfortable
- 7:00 PM - Early Night: Watched some terrible telly, read a few pages of my book, and felt a wave of pure, unadulterated exhaustion. Bedtime. Because, you know, I'm old.
Day 2: Cathedral Clues and the Great Barrancas Canyon
- 8:00 AM - Free Breakfast Buffet (and Existential Dread): The classic Holiday Inn Express breakfast buffet. Scrambled eggs that have the texture of rubber, lukewarm coffee, and those weirdly sweet, individually wrapped pastries. I ate them anyway, because what else am I supposed to do? Found a table by the window, and had a moment of quiet contemplation about life as I ate a plate of subpar fruit.
- 9:00 AM - Cathedral Chihuahua Exploration: Headed downtown to see the Cathedral. The Cathedral itself was gorgeous, though. Impressive architecture, and a quiet, soothing atmosphere. Spent a while wandering around, feeling a bit wistful, and wishing I was more religious.
- 11:00 AM - The Train to the Canyon… and the Near-Miss: Okay, this was the big one. The Chevo Train to the Copper Canyon! I had tickets booked. I was READY. Except… (This is where it gets messy). The car rental got delayed. The train was literally about to leave. I sprinted across the parking lot, yelling and waving my arms like a madman. Somehow, I managed to get on board with seconds to spare, absolutely breathless but ecstatic.
- 12:00 PM - Barrancas Canyon Bliss: The train journey was epic. Stunning views, a rollercoaster of emotions, and a feeling of awe. Looking out the train window, I could't help but feel small and truly captivated. The canyon itself was breathtaking. It's something you have to see to believe. I've seen pictures, but in person, the scale is mind-boggling. The air was crisp, the sun was warm, and the whole experience was almost too perfect.
- 5:00 PM - Back to Reality (and the Hotel): Exhausted but exhilarated, I was back at the Holiday Inn Express. My feet ached from all the walking, and my brain was buzzing with all I'd seen. I treated myself to a shower, watched some more telly, and started planning the next day.
Day 3: The Revolutions, the Museum, the Souvenir Scramble and the Airport. (The Finale)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast, Again: I swear someone was playing tricks on me. This seemed to be the same breakfast as yesterday. It was an okay start to the day.
- 10:00 AM - The Revolution Museum: Honestly, it wasn't my thing, but I gave it a go. The exhibits were interesting, but my attention span for historical details is… limited. Still, I got to see some cool old guns and learn a little bit about Pancho Villa, so… success? It was interesting for a while, I thought. The museum had a lot of interesting artefacts.
- 12:00 PM - Souvenir Scramble: Last chance for souvenirs! I sprinted around the shops, frantically trying to find something for my friends and family. I ended up buying some keychains, some cheap chocolates, and a ridiculously oversized sombrero. (I'm not sure what happened there). Hopefully, they'll like their gifts.
- 1:00 PM - Last Taco Attempt (and Success!): Determined to finish the trip on a high note. I decided to check out a place that was recommended: "El Taco Loco", by some locals, the food was great, and for the first time in the trip, I actually had a genuine Mexican taco experience. I was so happy and relieved.
- 2:00 PM - Back to the Hotel. Packed and checked out.
- 3:00 PM - Airport Shenanigans: Getting to the airport was easy. The flight was delayed. Airport food was expensive and depressing. That feeling of going home, blended with that post-vacation blues.
- 5:00 PM - Flight Home: As the plane took off, I thought about all the things I had seen, done, and eaten. Chihuahua, you weird, wild, and wonderful city. Never a dull moment, and I was glad that I had the experience.
Final Thoughts:
Chihuahua, you may not be on everyone's bucket list but you were perfect for me. I came, I saw, I ate (some questionable) food. I survived. And I learned once again that even the most meticulously planned trips inevitably go a bit sideways. But that's part of the fun, isn't it? The mess, the mistakes, the unexpected moments of pure, unadulterated joy. The Holiday Inn Express? Well, it was a bed, a roof, and a place to recharge for the next adventure. Not bad, not bad at all. And the next time, I'll try to pack more underwear.
Rwanda's Urban Revolution: CityBlue's Game-Changing Vision
Seriously… why are we even doing this whole online dating thing in our 30s? Isn’t this supposed to be over and done with?
Okay, real talk. Remember those romantic comedies everyone told us were real? Yeah. Turns out, meeting your soulmate while accidentally spilling latte on them at a quirky bookstore is a *lie*. A beautiful, cinematic lie. By our 30s, the pool (or lack thereof) of available humans in real life has become… well, let's just say it resembles a lukewarm kiddie pool with questionable hygiene. So, apps it is. I think I'm also just bored to tears sometimes. Friday nights used to mean "amazing plans!". Now, the highlight is finding a new show to binge. So, I guess, hoping that someone wants to talk back to me, is, well, a pretty good incentive for a while. It's depressing but true.
What’s the *absolute worst* thing about swiping? Let’s get specific.
Ugh, where do I even *start*? Okay, the worst. The ABSOLUTE worst? Gotta be the *consistency* of the disappointment. It's like, you scroll through, right? And then you find that 'perfect' profile... gorgeous, witty bio, shares your love for obscure indie bands, and then... crickets. OR they match, and then the conversation dies after two messages like a wilted flower. It's soul-crushing. And the *ghosting*? Don’t even get me started. One minute you’re planning your wedding (okay, maybe a date), and the next… they're gone. Vanished. Like they were sucked up by a black hole of indifference. I had a guy *literally* tell me he was "reconsidering his whole life" after five messages. Seriously? Five? I hadn't even gotten to my annoying opinions on pineapple on pizza!
What’s the best thing… like, anything redeemable about these dating apps?
Alright, alright, before I descend into a full-blown rant fueled by cheap wine and online dating misery… there *are* some upsides. I mean, it's certainly efficient, right? You can weed out the "must love dogs" without wasting your precious Friday evening. And... okay, I met a guy once who was *genuinely* awesome. Smart, funny, actually listened. We dated for, like, a month! It wasn't the epic romance of the century, and it ended, unfortunately, but it did prove that actual, decent human beings *do* exist on these apps. So, there's hope. Maybe. And hey, sometimes the banter is actually hilarious. I've had some genuine laugh-out-loud conversations. It makes the endless swiping worthwhile, more or less... sometimes.
How do you handle "catfishing" (or the fear of it)?
Honestly? I’m pretty cynical at this point. I assume everyone is a potato until proven otherwise. Picture verification is a MUST. I've started doing video calls *before* meeting. If they deflect or have a reason as to why they can't do a call, red flag city, I'm out. And if they're ridiculously good-looking? Even more suspicious. I had one guy send photos… that were *clearly* from a professional photoshoot. And his bio said he was a… carpenter. Yeah. Right. And even if they *are* who they say they are, you have to be prepared for the possibility that the online persona doesn’t match the reality. Someone told me he 'loved hiking'. Then, when we met, got winded walking from my apartment door to the car. So, yeah. Lower your expectations, people.
What’s your dating profile like? Does it *actually* work?
My profile? Oh, God. It’s a work in progress. I’ve tried everything. The carefully curated "cool girl" with obscure references? Total flop. The brutally honest "I love wine and naps"? Actually, surprisingly effective, but probably not for the reasons I want. The currently prevailing strategy is a mix of good photos (the ones where you look moderately presentable), a few witty lines, and a healthy dose of self-deprecation. Like, "Looking for someone who appreciates sarcasm and doesn't mind my obsession with true crime." I think what really works is being genuine. If you *genuinely* love something, let it shine through. Fake it 'til you make it, everyone says, but, well, honesty works better, even though it's harder sometimes. It has gotten me dates, but, well, none have worked out yet, but like... progress?
Tips for avoiding the dating app burnout? Because, let's be honest, it's real.
Oh, the burnout. It's a beast! You get this feeling like you're just endlessly sifting through the same generic profiles and the same boring conversations, and it’s exhausting. First, take breaks. Seriously. Put the phone down for a week, or even a month. Deactivate your profile. Live your life. Focus on your friends, your hobbies, your cat (if you have one, which I highly recommend). Recharge. Then, try to remember why you're doing this in the first place. Is it loneliness? The desire to find "the one"? Or just bored? Knowing your motivations is key. Because if it's just boredom, maybe try a new hobby instead. Maybe. And remember, it’s okay to be picky. Don’t settle for someone who doesn't excite you. Also, remember, it’s the apps, not you. You’re worthy of love, even if the internet seems to disagree sometimes. If you got the vibe I went through a bad breakup, well, let's just say it's complicated.
Okay, you mentioned a bad date. Spill the tea. What's the WORST dating app story you've got?
Oh, man. Where do I even *begin*? Okay, buckle up, this one's a doozy. This was a few years back. I matched with this guy on... let's just say, one of the more… *explicit* apps. He seemed interesting enough in his profile, mentioned hiking, enjoyed a book or two... So, we chatted for a few days, and he seemed… normal. We decided to meet up at a local brewery. He showed up. And he was… different. Photos must have been *ancient*. And before I even got to "hello," he launched into a *twenty-minute monologue* about his intense love for rare earth minerals. I kid you notTravel Stay Guides
