Campbellsville's BEST Hotel? (Holiday Inn Express Review!)
Okay, buckle up, because we’re diving deep into a review of – let's call it "The Grand Sultan" because let's be vague, shall we? – and I’m going to try and be as brutally honest as possible. Prepare for a rambling, slightly messy, and definitely not polished take. This isn't your average, bland hotel review. This is… well, this.
First Impressions & Overall Vibe (The "Oh God, What Have I Gotten Myself Into?" Phase)
Right, so pulling up – the exterior scream of… yeah, let’s just say it’s… grand. Like, trying-too-hard-to-be-Versailles grand. You can practically smell the faux-gold leaf from the car park. And the car park's free – score! (But seriously, if you're driving an electric vehicle, hold your horses.. car power charging station is available.) The doorman – bless his heart – was attempting to look like a 24-hour security guard, or was just trying to look like he was in charge. The lobby? Massive. Loud. A symphony of chattering and the faint, lingering scent of something vaguely floral… which could have been anything, really.
The check-in process? Contactless check-in/out says the listing. Which is… a slight fib. It’s more like, "Here's your key card, figure it out." I mean, the staff were… there, but they weren't exactly overflowing with helpfulness. The "express" check-in? More like "speedy-ish." The security guards and the security are doing their jobs.
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the "Well, It's Something"
Okay, accessibility. This is where things get… mixed. Elevator? Yes, thankfully. Facilities for disabled guests are listed. But I noticed some of the ramps were a bit… let's say, aggressively sloped. Wheelchair accessible? I’d say mostly. Definitely check specifics if accessibility is a make-or-break deal for you. Exterior corridor also added to the vibe, in a good way.
Rooms: "Luxury" or "Trying Too Hard"?
My room? Available in all rooms: 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, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.. Well, most of the boxes are checked. The bed was massive and comfy (extra long bed, yes!). The blackout curtains? Essential. The complimentary tea? A godsend. And the free Wi-Fi in all rooms… well, it actually worked. (That’s a win in my book.) But, the décor… let's just say it was lush. Think… a lot of gold, brocade, and enough ornamentation to make Liberace blush. The carpeting was… well, carpeting. The TV was okay, and the coffee/tea makers were appreciated. The view out the window was decent. And the Room sanitization opt-out available. – that's reassuring.
I did find the bathroom phone completely bizarre, by the way. Who uses those anymore? And the scale? Seriously? Do they want me to feel bad after all that buffet action? However, Additional toilet is available in the room, and that's a plus.
Internet, Because We're All Addicted:
Wi-Fi? Free in the rooms. Internet access – LAN is also available. I’m not sure who still plugs into a LAN cable in a hotel room, but hey, the option’s there, I guess. Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events – they've got it all, apparently.
Food & Drink: A Rollercoaster (Mostly Downhill at First)
Restaurant, Bar, Coffee in restaurant, Coffee/tea, etc.: the options are plentiful. I tried the buffet one morning (Asian and Western breakfast on offer). Don’t. Just don't. The "hot" items were lukewarm, the bacon tasted like sadness, and the coffee… well, it tasted like burnt socks. The fresh fruit, however, was a saving grace. Breakfast takeaway service is available, which is a good idea. Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, Poolside bar, Room service, Snack bar, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant. The snack bar was average, but the poolside bar had decent cocktails. The dining options were varied, but quality was… inconsistent. A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, 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.
As for the other eateries, I wasn't brave enough to explore them all. Bottle of water is free, a plus. Essential condiments were available, too. Individually-wrapped food options is a thing, which is great for safety. Safe dining setup is in place.
"Things to Do" & Relaxation (Or At Least, Attempts At Them):
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Terrace. There's a lot on offer! The fitness center was… functional. (It had equipment, okay?) The pool with a view? Yeah, its view of other buildings. The spa? I did indulge in a massage. It was… okay. Nothing to write home about, but it did get the knots out. Pool with view (sort of), Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Terrace. The outdoor pool was actually quite lovely, and Facilities for disabled guests were in place. Couple's room is also available, if that's your jam.
Cleanliness & Safety: Are We Safe, Though?
Okay, this is important. Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, 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, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
The hotel seemed to be taking things seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff wearing masks. The rooms felt clean. But, frankly, I still spent the entire time slightly paranoid. But then again, that's probably just me. CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms are a plus.
Services & Conveniences: Stuff You Need (and Some You Don't)
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.
They have everything. Seriously. I’m pretty sure they could arrange a space launch if you asked nicely. The concierge was… helpful when I could get their attention. Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, 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.
For the Kids:
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. I didn’t see any kids, which was a plus for me, but the options are there.
The "Getting Around" Stuff:
*Airport transfer
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, pre-packaged travel itinerary. This is my attempt to survive, I mean, thrive in the heart of Kentucky, specifically the hallowed halls of the Holiday Inn Express Campbellsville. Wish me luck. And maybe a stiff drink.
Subject: Campbellsville or Bust! (Plus a Mild Crisis or Two)
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic (or, Why Did I Choose Kentucky in July?)
- 1:00 PM: Landed at Louisville International Airport. Okay, first impression: hot. Like, unholy hot. I instantly regret my decision to wear jeans. Who wears jeans in Kentucky in July?! I pull up my ride share, which promptly cancels. Great. After a flurry of frantic app tapping and a frantic internal dialogue ("Do I really NEED to be here? Could I just…go home?"), I finally find a ride.
- 3:00 PM: Arrive at the Holiday Inn Express Campbellsville. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and… hope? Check-in is smooth - thank goodness. The lady at the front desk, bless her heart, is the picture of Southern hospitality, probably the only person I've met so far who isn't sweating through their shirt.
- 3:30 PM: Room inspection. Clean! Surprisingly spacious. A/C blasting, which is a godsend. I flop onto the bed like a beached whale and immediately fall into a light sleep. Jetlag is brutal. Also, I'm pretty sure my suitcase is currently organizing a revolt against me.
- 5:00 PM: Wander out in search of dinner. The options are… limited. I consider the possibilities: a franchise restaurant, a gas station, or, God-forbid, the hotel vending machine. Settling on the former, I ended up at a local burger joint, and end up ordering a burger and I had a great chat with the cashier. They were so nice! After the heat, it made my day.
- 7:00 PM: Back in the hotel room. I'm already bored. Time for some cable and… well, maybe another nap. The struggle is real.
Day 2: Green River Lake and a Fishy Situation (and a Little Bit of Existential Dread)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The usual suspects - dry waffles, rubbery eggs, and questionable sausage. But the coffee is hot, and I drink it down. This is the fuel for my soul.
- 9:00 AM: Head to Green River Lake (a recommended stop). The drive is beautiful. Rolling hills, green trees. I try to do some deep breathing and enjoy it.
- 9:30 AM: Arrive at the lake. I want to rent a kayak, but I was told I had to know how to swim. I'm not a great swimmer. I end up finding a shady spot to sit and watch the water lap the shore. The quiet… is almost deafening. I start to feel this quiet, almost panicky feeling. Like, am I even doing anything with my life? A rogue thought!
- 10:30 AM: I'm trying to embrace the stillness, but my phone buzzes. My boss. Ugh. Work never sleeps. So I spend the next hour trying to solve a problem I don't fully understand, a mild crisis of the computer kind. Finally I give up. The lake is beautiful and the day is perfect. I'll leave my work in the past.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Back at the hotel. I have some chips and a sandwich. My room again. I begin to watch some TV.
- 2:00 PM: I'm reading a book. The light is beautiful in my room. I enjoy it.
- 5:00 PM: Okay, time for something different. I go for swim at my own pace.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner and a show! Or, well, dinner and the local movie theatre. I see a film I don't understand. I eat popcorn. I love it.
Day 3: The Bourbon Trail - Or, My Impulsive Attempt to Look Sophisticated (and the Truth about My Liver)
- 8:00 AM: Another breakfast, another existential crisis over the state of hotel waffles. I'm starting to question my life choices.
- 9:00 AM: I decide on an incredible idea. The Bourbon Trail! (Which, admittedly, is a bit of a drive from Campbellsville, but hey, I'm feeling adventurous…or, maybe I'm just desperate for something, anything interesting to happen.)
- 11:00 AM: Driving and praying the GPS doesn't lead me astray. The scenery is stunning, honestly. Kentucky is actually… pretty beautiful.
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at a distillery. I'm trying to look like I know what I'm doing, swishing and sniffing like a pro. Turns out, I’m not a big fan of bourbon. I drink a lot of water and pretend to enjoy it.
- 3:00 PM: I am feeling a little fuzzy, but I'm having a lot of fun. I take a tour, learn about the history, and pretend like I'm becoming an expert. I buy a bottle of something fancy, even though I suspect it will end up gathering dust on a shelf.
- 5:00 PM: Drive back to Campbellsville. I'm feeling a little… mellow. And hungry.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at another local place. I order a salad. I think my liver might be thanking me.
- 9:00 PM: Back at the hotel. I watch some TV, but somehow, I can't find anything interesing. I make a cup of tea and go to bed.
Day 4: Saying Goodbye (and the Sudden Realization That I Might Actually Miss This Place)
- 8:00 AM: Final breakfast. Dry waffles, same old, same old. But suddenly, I feel a tiny spark of fondness for this awful food.
- 9:00 AM: Check-out. The sweet lady at the desk smiles. Maybe I'm not as bad as I thought.
- 10:00 AM: I spend some time in nature, trying to take it all in before I leave. I find myself kind of sad!
- 12:00 PM: Depart from the hotel. On my way to the airport, I stop and eat. I eat a lot, I'm sad! Maybe I should come back?
- 3:00 PM: Get back home.
Post-Trip Thoughts: Kentucky was…well, it was something. A mix of humidity, quiet moments, and unexpected kindness. I went in expecting one thing and got something else entirely. Would I go back? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing a better bathing suit, a stronger liver, and a whole lot more sunscreen. And maybe some friends.
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So, like, what *is* ? I'm legitimately confused.
Look, the short version is: We
How does actually *work*? (Give me the nitty-gritty!)
I remember this one time, a customer told us, "It's like magic!" I literally did a little happy dance right there in the Zoom call. But… then I remembered all the blood, sweat, and tears (and the questionable coffee consumption) that went into building this thing. And the bugs. Oh, the *bugs*.
Anyway.
So, to sum it up... you do… then the machine does… then magic, or so we hope.
Who is REALLY for? (Be honest!)
Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat this: We *thought* we were building this for
It’s a learning process, people. We are learning as we go, just like every other company out there. If you are on this ride with us, we are grateful. If not, well… more room for the rest of us.
What are the costs? I'm broke, can I still use it?
Look, money is tight. I get it. There were many sleepless nights worrying about how we were going to pay for this. We didn't want to make this some elitist thing only the high rollers could afford. So we tried to build something that lets folks start small… even if it means a LOT of ramen dinners for us. There's a bit of a struggle in ensuring it is still worth our while, so the cost is a very delicate balance with the value that we give you, our customers, to get you what you need in terms of features.
What makes better than the competition? (Brace yourself…)
We actually LISTEN to our users. I read every single piece of feedback (well, almost… some get filtered out, you know, for my own sanity). And we're constantly iterating. Honestly think the others' are just… *yawn*… so boring. They don't care or listen as much as we do. They have a lot of money, though, so, ya know...
What if I have a problem? Who do I even *talk* to?
- .
And here's a dirty little secret: Sometimes, the person you're talking to is *actually me*. I try to stay involved because, well, I care. (Also, it helps me stay sane). The team is awesome, and they usually actually *know* the answers.
But listen. Before you go all "Karen" on us (and trust me, we've seen SOME KARENS), try
Oh, and one of the best things about working with us? It is a genuine person on the other end, because we value that human connection.
What about privacy? Is my stuff safe? (I’m paranoid, I admit it…)
I’m not going to lie, it keeps me up at night worrying about a data leak, a big hack. If my stuff was out there, who knows what would happen! We *want* you to trust us, so we focus a lot on security. So, yeah, we are not in the business of selling your data. We have enough to do with our own!
What’s the future for ? Got anyHotel Bliss Search
