Farmington's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review SHOCK!
Farmington's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review SHOCK! (Hold on to Your Hats!)
Alright, Farmington, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – and maybe some Diet Coke because, you know, gotta stay hydrated. We’re talking about the Holy Grail, the diamond in the rough, the… well, you get the picture. It's the Holiday Inn Express in Farmington. And I, your intrepid hotel reviewer, have just returned from a stay. Prepare for a rollercoaster!
Let's kick things off with the basics, shall we? Accessibility. (Because, duh, it's important. And I'm not talking about the kind of accessibility that lets you find the remote at 3 AM. That's a different kind of quest.)
- Accessibility: They claim to be accessible. Did I test it? No. (I'm not in a wheelchair. I'm in a perpetual mental state of needing a nap, but that's different.) But their website looks legit and they have those little ramps and things. So, promising!
- Wheelchair Accessible: See above. Fingers crossed! (And if you're actually needing accessibility, call ahead and grill them. Don't trust my ramblings.)
Now, the meat and potatoes! This is where things get good… Or maybe terrifying. Let’s dive into the good stuff:
Cleanliness & Safety: Oh boy, this is where the SHOCK part comes in.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: They say they use them. My sniff test didn't detect anything, which, considering the smell of some hotel cleaners, is a good thing, right? Right?
- Breakfast [takeaway service]: Yes! And thank the sweet baby Jesus. This is crucial. You know, in case you want to avoid the breakfast buffet (more on that horror show later).
- Cashless payment service: Yep. Important in these times. Less touching, more… well, more not touching?
- Daily disinfection in common areas: I think I saw someone swabbing a doorknob. Or maybe I was delirious from lack of sleep. Who knows?
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. You can’t not see it. (Unless you’re actively trying to avoid it, in which case… what are you doing?)
- Individually-wrapped food options: Thank you, sanity. Because nobody wants a shared croissant after… well, you guys know.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: They swear they do. Again, I didn't take a UV light to the place. I'm not a CSI agent.
- Safe dining setup: Eh, it's the breakfast buffet, but with extra barriers. We'll get there.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed alright. I didn't see anyone coughing on anyone else, so, score!
Rooms That Are More Than Just a Place to Crash:
- Air conditioning: Absolutely. Essential. Especially when you're trapped in a hotel room with nothing but your thoughts and the siren song of the mini-bar (which, thankfully, wasn't overly tempting).
- Blackout curtains: Bless the designer who thought of this. Essential for sleep-deprived travelers (like me!). I could have slept a week straight in those rooms.
- Coffee/tea maker: YES! Caffeine is a survival necessity. Although, the instant coffee tasted like… well, like instant coffee. But hey, it was coffee.
- Free bottled water: They had them. God-sent!
- Free Wi-Fi: Crucial. I'm serious. I needed it to update my travel blog (ahem). It worked.
- Hair dryer: A lifesaver for those of us with questionable hair choices.
- Internet access – wireless: Did I mention the internet was free? Yeah, pretty awesome.
- Non-smoking: This is a good thing. No one wants to smell other people's smoke.
- Alarm clock: The bane of my existence, but hey, it did its job.
- Shower: It worked, the water was hot, and everything. Not much to say, but it was pretty standard. Not complaining, I didn't want any more complications in the day.
- Socket near the bed: Very good. I could charge my phone while lying in absolute comfort.
- TV: They had a TV. I didn’t watch it. Why would I?
- Wake-up service: I used my phone to tell me what time it was, but it's there.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Hunger Games:
- Breakfast [buffet]: This is where things get dicey. Let’s be honest. Hotel breakfast buffets are a lottery. You might win a decent scrambled egg. Or you might lose, and end up with a rubbery disaster. Now, this one… let’s just say it was a mixed bag. The fruit was decent, the cereal was, well, cereal. The eggs? Let’s not go there. It’s… an experience. But hey, free food!
- Breakfast service: Yep, they had them.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: See above. The coffee was… coffee.
- Coffee shop: There wasn’t one on-site, but there’s always something nearby.
- Restaurants: Nope. Just the breakfast.
- Snack bar: Yes, they had a snack bar, but I didn’t have the stomach for it after the eggs.
Services & Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter (Sometimes):
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, and it worked. Thank you sweet deities!
- ATM: Not that I saw.
- Business facilities: They had business facilities. Didn't use them.
- Car park [free of charge]: Score! Free parking is always a win.
- Cash withdrawal: No.
- Concierge: Didn't need one.
- Convenience store: Nope
- Currency exchange: Don't remember.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was cleaned. No complaints.
- Elevator: Yes, thank goodness.
- Facilities for disabled guests: They had them. (See: "Accessibility" above.)
- Gift/souvenir shop: Nope.
- Indoor venue for special events: They had the space. Didn't see any events.
- Laundry service: They had it.
- Luggage storage: Yes, they did.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: They had them. Again, didn't use them.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yep.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service: Don't know. Didn't ask.
- Family/child friendly: Seemed so.
- Kids meal: Not a thing.
- Pool: Outdoor Pool!
- CCTV in common areas & CCTV outside property They are watching you!
Getting Around – The Great Escape:
- Airport transfer: Not that I observed.
- Car park [on-site]: Yes, that's the place.
- Taxi service: I'm sure you could call a taxi.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – Or Not…
- Fitness center: I'm a hotel room explorer, not a gym person. Still, it looked… gym-y.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes! It's an outdoor pool. Clean, and perfect for a post-breakfast dip (after you recover from the breakfast).
- Sauna, Spa: Not that I saw.
- Massage: Where were the massages?
- Steamroom: Not that I saw.
- Spa/sauna: Nada!
- Body scrub: Nah.
- Body wrap: Nope.
- Foot bath: Where could I get one of those??
The Quirks, The Flaws, the Truth Serum…
Okay, folks, this isn't a five-star resort. It's a Holiday Inn Express, and that means it’s… well, it's a Holiday Inn Express. It’s clean, it's functional, and it's probably the best option in Farmington. My expectations weren't sky-high, and I was pleasantly surprised. But…
The biggest drama was the breakfast. Dear Lord, the breakfast. Look, breakfast buffets are a delicate dance. You’re hoping for a culinary miracle, and sometimes you get… let’s say, “close”. The fruit was fine, the coffee tasted of sadness, and the eggs? Let's just say they achieved a level of… texture… that was… memorable. (And, let’s not delve into my personal nightmare, the mystery meat. I swear, it had a life of its own!)
But despite my breakfast trauma,
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-organized itinerary. This is a real travel plan, forged in the fires of procrastination and fueled by a serious craving for complimentary breakfast waffles. We're hitting the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Farmington by IHG in the US, and let's be honest, I'm probably gonna forget my toothbrush.
Day 1: Arrival and the Perilous Quest for the Pool
- 14:00: Supposedly arrive at Farmington. In theory. In my dreams. Realistically, I'm probably running late because I underestimated the time it takes me to find matching socks and second-guess my outfit choices. Pray for me.
- 15:00: Check-in. Hopefully, the front desk person is having a good day because I’ll probably be a disaster, luggage scattered, clutching a lukewarm coffee. Fingers crossed for a room on a higher floor. I’m not sure why, but I always feel safer up high.
- 15:30: The Real Quest Begins: Locate the pool. This is crucial. My mission? To assess its cleanliness and temperature. My sanity hinges on this. If it's cloudy and freezing, I'm blaming the weather gods. Or possibly myself for not packing a proper swimsuit. (Note to self: check swimsuit situation.)
- 16:30: Pool assessment done? Good. Time for a little unwind, maybe read a book (if I remembered to pack one). If not, the TV will be my lifeline. I can’t promise I won’t fall asleep with the sound on.
- 18:00: Dinner. Options: Whatever the hotel has in the vending machine, or bravely venture out into the culinary unknown of Farmington. I'm leaning towards the latter, but after a long drive, I might just settle for a bag of chips and a sandwich. Decisions, decisions…
- 19:00 - 21:00: If I'm being ambitious, some light exploration of the area. Maybe find some shops. Or I might just collapse on the bed and watch some dreadful TV. I deserve it, right?
- 21:00 onwards: Attempt sleep. Battle the unfamiliar hotel-room sounds (HVAC, distant chatter, potential snoring from the room next door). Hope I don’t forget to set the alarm.
Day 2: Breakfast Brawl and The Great Waffle Conspiracy
- 06:30 (ish): Wake up. If my internal clock doesn't fail me, I need to be up. But the best time for breakfast is always before rush hour.
- 07:00-08:00: THE BREAKFAST. This is the most important part of the day. We're talking about the free breakfast buffet. My game plan is to hit that waffle machine first, because those things disappear faster than a politician’s promises. I will be there, waffle-ready and armed with syrup, before the hordes arrive. It will be glorious. This is where I am most likely to have a run-in. Like someone grabbing the last blueberry muffin. Oh, the humanity!
- 08:30 - 12:00: This depends on my sanity level after breakfast. Do some work? Explore the local area? Depends how well the waffles go down and my mood. Probably just a bit of aimless wandering, taking pictures of random stuff.
- 12:00: Lunch. Probably something quick and easy.
- 13:00 - 16:00: This is where I might go and revisit the pool, or if it's looking drab, I'll probably just stay in the room.
- 18:00: Dinner. This time, I might try a local restaurant. Or maybe I found a convenient takeout place.
- 20:00: Back to the hotel. Maybe some more aimless channel-surfing. Or I stumble upon a hidden gem on Netflix.
- 22:00: Another Attempt at Sleep. Pray that the room is quiet tonight.
Day 3: The Departure and the Existential Waffle Crisis
- 07:00 (ish): Rise and shine. Again. The breakfast buffet calls! One last waffle pilgrimage. This time, I'm going to figure out the secret to the perfect waffle: crispy edges, fluffy interior, perfect syrup-to-waffle ratio. It's a life mission.
- 08:00: Pack up everything. The dreaded task. I'm probably going to leave something behind. Keys? Charger? My entire personality? Only time will tell!
- 09:00: Check out. Say a fond farewell to the friendly staff (who probably think I'm a total weirdo at this point) and to the waffle machine.
- 10:00: Hit the road. And the adventure draws to a close.
- 10:00 onward: Start to replay the trip in my head. All the good times and bad, the things I forgot, and the waffles I devoured. Begin to plan the next trip, ideally with a better packing strategy and a renewed appreciation for the humble waffle.
Important Notes (because I’m a Mess):
- Mood Swings: This itinerary is subject to drastic changes based on my mood, the weather, and the availability of good coffee.
- Procrastination: I'm a champion procrastinator. Things might be delayed, skipped, or completely forgotten. Embrace the chaos.
- Food: I will eat everything. Be warned.
- Hotel Amenities: I will utilize the hotel amenities to their fullest extent. I mean it's right there, right?
- Honesty: This isn't about being perfect. It's about having fun, embracing the mess, and hopefully, getting a good waffle.
Oh, and if you see a slightly frazzled person wandering around the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, mumbling about waffles and pool temperatures, that's probably me. Wish me luck.
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Farmington's "BEST" Hotel? Hold on to your hats! Holiday Inn Express... A Review (Sort Of)
Okay, so is this place actually good? Because the "BEST" title seems...bold.
Alright, look. "Best"? That's what they *say*. My experience? Let's just say it's a tale of two pillows (we'll get to the pillows). Honestly, Farmington, New Mexico isn't exactly known for its glitz and glamour. Think practical, functional... and maybe a little worn around the edges. The Holiday Inn Express? It largely delivers on that promise. It *is* reliable. It's a cleanish, comfy-ish place to lay your weary head after a day wrestling with the oil fields (or, you know, exploring the local ruins...which are AMAZING, by the way).
But 'best'? I wouldn't go that far. Let's just say I've stayed in places that *felt* less like a slightly-used business trip and more like a charming, rustic cabin. You know, a little character. This is... the reliable friend you know you can count on. But you wouldn't necessarily write home about it.
Let's talk about breakfast. The MOST IMPORTANT meal. What's the story?
Breakfast... Ah, the breakfast. This is where things get interesting. It’s free, which is always a win. Always. You know you're going to get the usual suspects: Scrambled eggs that suspiciously look like they were made by, well, a machine. Sausages that… exist. Cereal boxes so familiar you could close your eyes and recognize the mascot. The coffee? It's... coffee. It'll wake you up. You won't *love* it, but it'll do the trick.
Here's the kicker though. One time, I swear, there was a waffle incident. I went down at the recommended breakfast time (7 AM, because I'm a diligent traveler, I guess?) and the waffle maker was... jammed. Completely and utterly jammed. Like, the culinary equivalent of the engine seizing on a road trip. There wasn't a single waffle in sight. I asked the poor breakfast attendant (bless her cotton socks, she was clearly doing her best) and she just sighed. "Happens all the time," she mumbled. "But we have toast!" Toast. So, I ate toast. And a slightly sad sausage. It was a low moment. But, hey, at least there was coffee.
The Rooms! The Bread and Butter (or, Waffles) of the Experience. What's the deal?
Rooms? They're... fine. Again, "fine" is the operative word here. Clean enough. Beds *mostly* comfortable. The TV worked. The air conditioning blasted out cool air like a champ (which is crucial in the New Mexican desert!). But here's where the "slightly worn around the edges" thing comes in. The decor? Think beige, beige, and more beige. It’s the kind of aesthetic that whispers, "We are a perfectly adequate hotel room, and we do not judge your questionable fashion choices."
I did, however, have a slight pillow-related crisis. One was puffy and perfect, the other...flat. Like, pancake-flat. I spent a good five minutes trying to fluff it back to life, but it was no use. So, I slept on one good pillow (bliss!) and the sad, deflated one. It was a metaphor for the entire hotel experience, I swear. Highs and lows! The good, and... also the not-so-good.
Any other Amenities? Like, a Pool? Or a gym? Please tell me there's a pool.
Ah, the pool. Yes, there's a pool! And a hot tub! Hallelujah! It's indoors, which is great because, again, desert. The pool is… serviceable. The water is clear. There were usually kids splashing around. The hot tub? Potentially a little *too* hot sometimes. I'm not going to lie, I did a quick dip in the hot tub after a long day of hiking, and it was...intense. Felt like my skin was melting off. But in a good way? Maybe? It was definitely an experience. Use with caution! And maybe bring a cold drink. The gym? I saw it. It was... there. I did not step foot inside. I'm all about that post-hiking nap with the good pillow.
Location, Location, Location! How's it situated in relation to...things?
Location-wise? Pretty decent. It's close to the main drag, which means you can walk (or take a short drive) to restaurants and shops. Easy access to the highway, which is crucial for exploring the surrounding area. Now, is it in a *charming* neighborhood? Not especially. But it's safe, which, let's be honest, is a huge plus. You can easily drive to the Aztec Ruins National Monument, which is an absolute must-see! And the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness? Stunning! So, yeah, location is a definite win for this hotel. You're not stuck in the boonies, which is a good thing, considering...well, it's Farmington.
The Staff? Tell me they're nice. Please.
The staff? Okay, this is where things get genuinely good. They're *nice*. Really, really nice. Friendly, helpful, always willing to go the extra mile (even if that mile is just pointing you toward the nearest gas station). They seem genuinely invested in making your stay as pleasant as possible. The breakfast attendant, the front desk folks…everyone. They're a HUGE asset to this place. Seriously, the staff is the best thing about the Holiday Inn Express in Farmington. They really are.
So, the Final Verdict? Would you *recommend* it?
Okay, the final verdict... Look, if you're in Farmington and need a place to crash? Yes, I'd recommend it. It's clean, it's comfortable enough, it's got a pool (and a hot tub, use with caution!), and the staff is fantastic. It's not going to blow your mind. You probably won't write a poem about it. But it's reliable. It's functional. It's a solid, if slightly unremarkable, choice. Just pack your own extra pillow, just in case.
And try to get there before the waffle maker jams. Or at least be mentally prepared for toast.
