Sherwood Park's BEST Hotel? (IHG Holiday Inn Express Review!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review that's less "corporate brochure" and more "chat with your slightly-caffeinated, brutally honest friend." We're talking about * [Hotel Name]*, and frankly, I’m still trying to decide if I want to live there forever or just burn down the place. Let’s see… shall we?
First Impressions & The Accessibility Rollercoaster:
Okay, so the website says it's accessible. And, well, it is. Sort of. The elevator? Tick. Ramps? Mostly. Now, the details, that's where things get… interesting.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, technically. Be prepared for the occasional tight squeeze in the elevators. I saw a poor guy practically do a ballet trying to maneuver his chair around a plant pot the size of a small car.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They have them. The question is, are they good facilities? I'd say… it depends on your definition of good. Call ahead, and be very specific about your needs. Don't assume anything.
- Accessibility to Restaurants & Lounges: Now this one's a mixed bag. Some places are a breeze, others involve a thrilling (but potentially terrifying) journey. More on that later.
- Room Decorations: My room was… well, let's just say it could use a visit from Marie Kondo. A bit… much. But hey, at least it wasn't boring, right?
Internet: The Digital Battleground:
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms!: Praise be! Okay, so it's "free," but sometimes felt like a dial-up connection in the Stone Age.
- Internet [LAN]: Yeah, I saw a LAN cable. In 2024. It felt like a museum exhibit.
- Internet Access: Sort of. See above.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Better, but still… buffering is your new best friend.
Things to Do (or, How to Avoid Getting Bored):
- Swimming Pool [Outdoor]: Gorgeous! Pool with view? Absolutely! The views were spectacular, and I spent a solid afternoon just lounging.
- Swimming pool: The indoor swimming pool was great
- Fitness Center: Standard hotel gym fare. Treadmills, weights, the usual sweat-inducing suspects.
- Spa/Sauna: Ah, the spa. Here's where things get… good.
- Sauna & Steamroom: They have both! And they are heavenly. Just, you know, bring your own towel. Mine mysteriously vanished.
- Massage: I booked a deep tissue, and the masseuse was a miracle worker. I emerged feeling like a new person!
- Body Scrub & Body Wrap: Pampering galore!
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitized Fortress (Mostly):
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, 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: They're trying. You can see the effort, and I applaud it.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- CCTV in common areas & outside property, Check-in/out [express & private], Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher: Felt safe, I'll give them that.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (or Disaster, Depending on Your Choices):
- Restaurants: Several choices. The main restaurant was… fine. The atmosphere was a bit sterile, like dining in a hospital cafeteria, but the food was actually (mostly) good.
- A la carte in restaurant & Breakfast [buffet] & Buffet in restaurant: Good variety, but go early. The buffet got picked over pretty quickly.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: Decent coffee. Not amazing.
- Poolside bar: This is where it's at! Cocktails by the pool? Yes, please!
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver at 3 am when the pizza cravings hit.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant & Western cuisine in restaurant & Vegetarian restaurant: Options! Always a plus.
- Bar & Happy hour: Plenty of opportunities to, you know, loosen up.
- Desserts in restaurant & Snack bar & Soup in restaurant & Salad in restaurant: All present and accounted for.
- Bottle of water: Complimentary. Dehydration is not an option!
- Alternative meal arrangement: They were flexible with requests, which was nice.
- Cashless payment service: Modern times!
Services and Conveniences: The Hotel's "Swiss Army Knife" Moment:
- Concierge: Helpful, but sometimes a bit… slow. Plan accordingly.
- Daily housekeeping: Immaculate. My room always felt fresh and clean.
- Doorman: Always a friendly face to greet you.
- Laundry service & Dry cleaning & Ironing service: Convenient, but pricey. Bring travel-sized detergent.
- Elevator & Luggage storage: Essential.
- Currency exchange & Cash withdrawal: Very handy.
- Gift/souvenir shop: The usual tourist traps.
- Meeting/banquet facilities & Meetings & Seminars & Business facilities: They have it all if you're there for work.
- Terrace: Lovely for a quiet moment.
- Smoking area: Designated, tucked away.
- Air conditioning in public area: Necessity in warmer months.
- Food delivery: Easy to order outside food.
- Invoice provided: Easy to manage expenses.
For the Kids: Family Fun or Family Frustration?
- Babysitting service: Available.
- Family/child friendly & Kids facilities & Kids meal: They cater to families. My impression was that families were welcome, but the sheer size of the hotel made kid-tracking a challenge.
- Car Park [free of charge] & Car park [on-site]: Parking available but potentially busy.
Available in All Rooms: The Home Away From (Sort Of) Home Package:
- Here's the nitty-gritty of the room:
- Air conditioning: Yep. Essential.
- Alarm clock: Yes, but I trust my phone more.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: Excellent!
- Bathtub & Separate shower/bathtub: Nice for a soak.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for sleeping off jet lag.
- Coffee/tea maker & Complimentary tea: Thank goodness.
- Desk, Laptop workspace: Good for remote working.
- Hair dryer: Standard.
- In-room safe box: Always a plus.
- Internet access – wireless: The previously mentioned "free" Wi-Fi.
- Mini bar: Pricey.
- Non-smoking: Thank you, Hotel Gods.
- Private bathroom & Toiletries: Basic, but they do the job.
- Refrigerator: Helpful for keeping drinks cold.
- Satellite/cable channels & On-demand movies: Plenty to watch.
- Seating area & Sofa: Space to chill.
- Soundproofing: Mostly effective.
- Telephone: Still there!
- Towels: Clean and plentiful.
- Wake-up service: Reliable.
The "What About…" Corner (the bits I didn't quite know where to put):
- Access: Easy to get inside the hotel.
- CCTV outside property: Good for safety.
- Exterior corridor:
- Check-in/out [express & private]: Easy enough.
- Couple's room: Romantic? Possibly.
- Fire extinguisher & Smoke alarms: Safe!
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always someone there.
- Hotel chain: A big one.
- Pets allowed unavailable: Sadly, Fido stays home.
- Proposal spot: Nope. Not seeing it.
- Room decorations:
- Safety/security feature:
- Security [24-hour]: Reassuring.
- Smoke detector:
- Soundproof rooms: Mostly good, but you might occasionally hear the elevator.
- Getting around:
- Airport transfer: Convenient.
- Bicycle parking: Provided for free.
- Car power charging station: For the eco-conscious.
- Taxi service & Valet parking: Available.
My Quirky Observations, Messy Truths, and Emotional Reactions:
Okay, real talk time. I have
Escape to Fairborn: Your Dream Stay at Country Inn & Suites!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this trip planning isn't gonna be all sunshine and rainbows. We're talking Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sherwood Park-Edmonton Area by IHG Canada, and me? I'm trying to, like, relax. Which, if you know my life, is basically a Herculean task. Here's the chaotic map of my potential train wreck… I mean, trip:
Pre-Trip Meltdown (aka, Days Leading Up To):
- Day -7 to Day -1: The Great Packing Panic. I swear, packing is an Olympic sport I always lose. Picture me, surrounded by a mountain of clothes, muttering to myself, "Do I need five pairs of jeans? Yes. Do I need to bring every single book I own? Probably not, but what if I get bored?" Then comes the existential dread of forgetting something vital. Like, what if they don't have a bottle opener at the hotel? Catastrophe!
- Day -2: Booking last-minute activities, like, how crowded will West Edmonton Mall be? Oh god, I'm already picturing the food court, the terrifying rides… why did I think this was a good idea again?
- Day -1: The night before, the usual pre-trip rituals: frantic phone calls to confirm reservations, the desperate hunt for my passport (where IS that thing?!), and the internal monologue of "Did I leave the oven on? Should I go back? No, no, I'm fine."
Arrival & Settling In – The First Few Hours:
- Morning: Okay, so the drive to Sherwood Park. Fingers crossed for minimal traffic. Driving myself. Pray for me, people.
- Mid-Morning: Arrived at the Holiday Inn Express. Okay, it looks pretty standard, clean-ish (phew!). The front desk person is friendly, thankfully. Check-in is smooth enough. Found a good room with a decent view.
- Afternoon: Lugging my suitcase… and all the other things… to my room. The first thing I do is check the bathroom. Is it clean? Good water pressure? These are vital questions. Then, the real test: the bed. Can I happily sink into it after such a long drive?
- Observation The bed is amazing. Seriously, I might just stay in bed for the whole trip.
- Late Afternoon: Unpacking, or at least, attempting to. Already regretting overpacking, as usual. Find out if snacks and drinks are okay in the room? Good, good, good.
Day 1 - The Edmonton Adventure Begins (Maybe):
- Morning: Okay, let's try this. Breakfast at the hotel. Free breakfast is usually a gamble. Will it be soggy eggs and sad bacon? Or a slightly elevated experience? We'll see (I'm picturing the soggy eggs already).
- Mid-Morning: Driving to West Edmonton Mall? Okay, wish me luck. This is going to be an adventure. I am already picturing the chaos of my existence.
- Lunch: West Edmonton Mall Food Court. I'm bracing myself. So many choices, so many smells. I need to find something decent and quick. And hopefully, I won't get lost in the maze of stores. Might have to take a breather in a quiet corner for a bit.
- Afternoon: Explore the mall. Water park? Ice palace? Am I feeling brave enough? Maybe I'll just stick to the stores. The shopping!
- Evening: Dinner somewhere outside the mall. Somewhere less…trafficky. Something casual is fine.
Day 2 - Sherwood Park & Beyond (or, Nap Time?):
- Morning: Sleep in! Hurrah! This is what vacations are for. Then, back to the free breakfast buffet. (Fingers crossed they've improved on the eggs.)
- Mid-Morning: Explore Sherwood Park. Maybe visit a local park? Or a coffee shop? I need a dose of real-world, non-mall-related life.
- Lunch: Picnic lunch in the park? Or find a cozy cafe?
- Afternoon: Head to an art gallery or visit the local scenery.
- Evening: Dinner. Something simple. Maybe order in?
Day 3 - Heading Back Home (The Sad Part):
- Morning: Pack up. (Ugh, the dreaded "reverse packing" process. Why is everything always a mess now?)
- Mid-Morning: Check out. Say a temporary farewell to the comfy bed and good water pressure.
- Afternoon: Drive back. Hopefully, it will be smooth as planned.
- Evening: Unpack. (See? The neverending cycle!)
The Emotional Rollercoaster (aka, Why I Travel)
- The Good: New experiences! The fresh air! The break from the usual routine! The chance to be truly, utterly… me. (Even if "me" is a slightly frazzled version of myself.)
- The Bad: Missing my dog. The fear of the unknown. The potential for things to go sideways. Traffic. Overpacking anxiety levels through the roof.
- The Ugly: Having to share the elevator with people in the morning. (Just kidding… mostly.)
The Imperfections - The Real Story
- The Plan: As you've probably gathered, my "plan" is more of a loose guideline. The chances of me sticking to this schedule are approximately 50/50. (Which, honestly, is pretty good for me.)
- The Unexpected: Expect delays, detours, and the occasional existential crisis. I'll probably get lost. I'll definitely eat too much. And I'll almost certainly have a moment (or five) where I question every life choice I've ever made. Welcome to my travel life.
- The Truth: What I really want is to unwind, to reconnect with myself, and to stare blankly at stuff for a while. (Is that too much to ask?)
- The Hope: That this will all somehow be worth it, and that I'll come back home feeling at least slightly more… well, let's just call it human.
So, like, what *is* this thing anyway? (And why do I care?)
Ugh, okay, fine. This is supposed to be a list of Frequently Asked Questions. But honestly, how often do *you* actually find them useful? I usually skim them, get bored, and wander off to find the REAL answers in the comments section. Anyway, that's the goal. But honestly, after a crazy amount of time, my brain is kinda like a tangled ball of yarn. So here it is, in all its glory, ready to expose my personal experiences and possibly become a valuable part of the internet's search results. You will care because your curiosity and mine are gonna meet in the centre of this text.
What's the *biggest* hurdle you've faced? (And did you cry?)
Alright, buckle up for a sob story. Or, you know, maybe not. The biggest hurdle? Probably the constant self-doubt. The tiny voice in my head that's always going, "Are you *sure* you know what you're talking about? Are you *sure* anyone cares? And even if they do, is this worth it anyway?" And yes, of course, I've cried. Multiple times. Over the smallest things! Like, I spent three hours once, re-writing a single sentence, because it didn't sound *right*. I think I could've been the greatest writer ever if it wasn't for the constant doubt and insecurities. So, yeah, emotionally scarred? Maybe. But also, fueled by spite!
How do you deal with criticism? (Because, let's face it, you'll probably get some.)
Criticism? Oh, honey, I'm a *magnet* for criticism. I'm basically a walking, talking lightning rod of opinions. The first few times, I dissolved. I'm talking full-blown, curled-up-in-a-ball-under-the-covers meltdown. Now? It depends. Some of it is just… noise. The trolls, the people who just want to be nasty? I delete and block. Life's too short. Then there's the constructive stuff. Yeah, it stings, believe me, but if there's even a *smidgen* of truth in it, I try to listen. And then… I stew. For a day. Maybe two. And then I learn. It's a process. A messy, ongoing, probably-never-truly-finished process. Does that sound good?
What's the *best* thing that's happened so far? (Brag, a little… I won't judge.)
Ooh, the good stuff! Okay, so… I had this one exchange with someone online. I'd poured my heart and soul into this *thing*, and they saw it. Like, *really* saw it. They said it made them feel… understood. That’s all that matters for me. Honestly, that's the best compliment I could ever wish for. It was that moment when you know you *connected*. It was like a tiny, beautiful crack of light in the darkness. And that, my friends, is worth all the self-doubt and the tears and the occasional existential crisis, because it's what matters.
Okay, so you've been getting a *lot* of mixed reactions online. What's next?
Ah, yes. The mixed reactions. That's life. Look, sometimes I wanna run away and join the circus. Other times, I feel like I'm on the verge of something truly brilliant. So? I'm going to keep slogging away. I'm gonna keep creating. I'm gonna keep putting myself out there, even though it's terrifying. I am going to make mistakes and it will be embarrassing, and I will be learning and growing. Because, you know what? It's exciting. It's real. And that's enough.
Can you recommend me something similar to what you are creating?
I get this question a lot. And the truth is, I don't know! It's like asking a painter to recommend another painter that paints in the exact same way. I don't think that exists! I am a person with a lot of influences and I hope you find something for you. Just be yourself!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Five years? God, that's a long time. Honestly, I'd like to be further along the path to not hating myself, but as I said, it is a process. I might be in a new city, with new friends, and new struggles. I just hope I'm still creating, still learning, and still… breathing. It would be nice to have a slightly-less-chaotic personal life, too. And maybe, just maybe, a cat. Or two. Maybe a whole darn clowder of them. Okay, I'm totally getting ahead of myself. But, yeah, let's just say I hope I'm doing something I love, and that people are still reading (although that depends on future me). Mostly, I just wanna be happy. Is that too much to ask? Probably not.
Anything else you'd like to add? (Before I escape?)
Just… thanks. For reading this mess. For sticking around through the tangents and the emotional breakdowns. For maybe seeing a little bit of yourself in it. And hey, if you're feeling a little messy yourself, know that you're not alone. Now, go forth and create something amazing! Or just get some sleep. Both are valid options. Be kind to yourself, and to other people. And for the love of all that is holy, wash your hands.
