Murray's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review SHOCK!
Murray's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review SHOCK! (And My Brain!)
Okay, folks, buckle up. Because I just escaped… ahem… "experienced" the supposedly "BEST" hotel in Murray. And let me tell you, the dust still hasn't settled in my brain. They told me it was a Holiday Inn Express. But after this trip? SHOCK is probably the best one-word summary.
Forget "smooth sailing". This was more like a slightly bumpy boat ride with a questionable captain and a leaky bucket. Let's dive in, shall we? (Deep breath…)
(Accessibility & Safety – The Basics… and a Few Hiccups)
First things first: Accessibility. They say they're accessible. And, erm, they mostly are. The elevators worked, which is a HUGE plus. Wheelchair access, from what I could see, looked alright. (I'm not, thankfully, wheelchair bound, but I did keep an eye out.) CCTV in common areas and outside the property? Yep. Security seemed… present. 24-hour front desk? Check. Safety/security feature appears to be standard. Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms? Yep. The essentials checklist mostly ticks out. The rooms themselves seemed well-lit and spacious, but I did notice how oddly positioned the TV remote was from the bed.
Cleanliness and Safety (The COVID Shuffle)
This is where things get… interesting. Anti-viral cleaning products and daily disinfection in common areas are claimed and that's reassuring. Staff trained in safety protocol? (Gulp) I hope so. Plenty of hand sanitizer stations, and the rooms sanitized between stays is a definite bonus. They also offer room sanitization opt-out available, which, I'm guessing, is for those who want to breathe the same air as the last guest… (shudders). Individually-wrapped food options? Yessss! Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? They try. (More on that later.) Safe dining setup, sanitized kitchen and tableware items, and shared stationery removed are all supposed to be there, but honestly, I couldn’t watch them the whole time.
(The Room – My Cozyish Prison)
Okay, the room. Let's be honest, it's a Holiday Inn Express – not the Ritz. But it's supposed to be "BEST!" Right? Air conditioning? Check. Blackout curtains? Thank the sweet baby Jesus, YES. (I need my sleep). The internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]) was… well, it worked. Kinda. Sometimes. Other times, it felt like I was using a dial-up modem. A desk, a chair, a TV (with on-demand movies!), a coffee maker… The usual suspects. They even had the essential condiments (ketchup, mustard, little packets of salt and pepper).
Here's where the "SHOCK" part comes in: I asked for a non-smoking room. Definitely asked. Got a room that… let's just say, housed the faint aroma of a chain-smoker who hadn't showered in a decade. Non-smoking rooms? Technically, yes. Practically? Debatable. I had to request a room change, and the staff were pretty accommodating about that once I complained. So, a point for the staff. But, seriously?
(Breakfast – The Buffet Blues)
Breakfast [buffet]? Yep. Breakfast service? Indeed. Asian breakfast? I think I saw some… rice. Western breakfast? More like "Westernish". Let's just say, the scrambled eggs were… ahem… variable. The coffee? Weak. The fruit selection? Mostly pre-cut melon (blegh). Seriously, I was expecting the culinary equivalent of a Michelin-starred experience. A breakfast takeaway service might have been preferable. A la carte in restaurant? Nope. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yes. But again, this wasn’t a gourmet experience.
And the COVID situation? Buffet lines snaking around like an anaconda full of lukewarm sausage. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? I hope so. I spent half my time just trying to dodge people.
(Dining, Drinking & Snacking – Where's the Glamour?)
Restaurants? Technically, one. But it's more a glorified breakfast room. Bar? Nope. Poolside bar? You guessed it, no. Snack bar? Not that I saw. Okay, so, the dining options aren’t a highlight. Not a surprise really. It’s pretty much what you expect.
(Services & Conveniences – The Extras)
Air conditioning in public area? Yep. Elevator? Thank God. Dry cleaning, laundry service, and ironing service? Yep. Cash withdrawal and currency exchange? Apparently available. Daily housekeeping? Yes, but… (here comes the but). I had a "Do Not Disturb" sign on my door all day. Guess what? They still knocked. Seriously. At 7:30 PM. “Housekeeping!” they chirped. I wanted to scream.
(Things To Do, Ways To Relax – The "Spa," The "Gym", The "View")
This section… hmm. Fitness center? Yes. Looked like a closet with some outdated equipment. Gym/fitness? Same story. Pool with view? Nope. Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes, and it seemed pretty popular with families. Spa? Spa/sauna? Steamroom? In my dreams maybe. Therapy? Yes! I needed to see a therapist after all of that. Massage, body scrub, and body wrap? Nope.
(For the Kids – Family Friendly?)
Family/child friendly? Absolutely. Did I mention that the hallways were acoustic paradises for tiny, highly expressive humans? Babysitting service? Not that I could find. Kids meal? I can only imagine it was whatever the adult breakfast was.
(Getting Around)
Car park [free of charge]? YES! Car park [on-site]? Yes, (also free). Airport transfer? Nope. Gotta arrange your own. Taxi service? Pretty available, although I will say it was a long way to get here.
(Things I Liked (Seriously!)
- The Bedding: The bed itself was actually pretty comfortable. The sheets were clean. Big wins for a tired traveler.
- The Staff (Mostly): Despite the occasional blip (the smoking room incident, the early knock), most of the staff were friendly and tried to be helpful.
- The Location: Okay, it was easy to get to, close to the highway, which was a big plus.
(Things I Didn’t Like (A LOT!)
- The Smell: The lingering smoke from the first room. Seriously, it was a contender.
- The Internet: Slow. Spotty. Frustrating.
- The Breakfast Experience: The anaconda of lukewarm sausage. The sad melon. The weak coffee. The crowds. Need I say more?
- The Ambience: It just felt… impersonal. A generic hotel experience. Not a "BEST" hotel experience.
(My Verdict – The "SHOCK" Factor)
Is Murray's Holiday Inn Express the "BEST" hotel in Murray? Based on my experience? HELL NO. It’s… adequate. It's perfectly fine if you just need a place to crash for the night. But if you're looking for something special, something memorable, something… shockingly good? Keep looking. This trip was a journey of slight let-downs, minor annoyances, and a few unexpected moments of… well, okay, maybe just one.
(My Unofficial Offer – Don't Pay Full Price!)
Listen, I'm being honest here. If you must stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Murray, here's my advice:
- Book online for a discount. Don’t pay rack rate. You’ll feel less disappointed.
- Bring your own food. Seriously. Unless you have low expectations about breakfast.
- Pack Earplugs. Trust me on this one.
- Lower your expectations Just come here thinking. That way, you won't be too disappointed.
- Consider a Room at a different hotel. You should do yourself a favor and do some research and book at another one.
The bottom line? It’s an okay place to stay. Just don't show up expecting a luxurious experience, or the “BEST” hotel in Murray. Because, trust me, you'll be in for a shock.
(Disclaimer: My mental state may be a little fragile after this experience. Your mileage may vary. But I'm just being real here. And… wow. I need a vacation from my vacation.)
Akasaka Granbell Hotel: Tokyo Luxury Redefined (5-Star Paradise Awaits!)
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Murray: My Kentucky Road Trip Diary (AKA, My Brain Hates Planning)
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Great Breakfast Debacle
Okay, so. Murray, Kentucky. Pop quiz: what do you really know about Murray, Kentucky? Exactly. Me neither. That's part of the charm, I guess. I was supposed to arrive at the Murray Holiday Inn Express around 3 PM. "Supposed to" being the key phrase. Google Maps, bless its algorithmic little heart, routed me past a construction zone of apocalyptic proportions. Let's just say my arrival was less "smooth sailing" and more "navigating a gravel apocalypse."
Finally, finally, I saw the glorious blue sign. The hotel lobby…well, it's a Holiday Inn Express. You know the drill: vaguely floral wallpaper, a slightly too-bright fluorescent glow, and a lobby that smells like "clean linens and nervous anticipation." Checked in, snagged my key, and felt a tiny surge of optimism. Maybe this wouldn't be a complete disaster.
First impressions of the room? Perfectly adequate. Clean, the bed looked comfy, and blessedly, no lingering odors of questionable origin. I unpacked, sprawled on the bed, and flipped through the TV channels for a solid hour. Gotta unwind after the journey!
Then came the moment of truth: the promised "Express Start Breakfast." This, my friends, is where things took a turn. I approached the buffet with the same predatory hunger of a toddler eyeing a cookie. The waffle maker. The holy grail.
And…it was broken.
The woman working the breakfast station, a lovely lady with a nametag that read "Betty," looked at me with a face that clearly screamed, "Honey, I've seen worse." She muttered something about a "sticky situation" and offered me a pre-made microwaveable breakfast sandwich. Defeated, I ate it. It tasted like disappointment and processed cheese. Betty did, however, offer me a backup waffle, which was actually pretty good. The little things, right?
Anecdote Alert: While eating, I overheard a couple bickering about the lack of a good gym at the hotel. Their conversation escalated, culminating in the man slamming his fist on the table. I nearly choked on my sausage patty. Maybe they should have checked out the waffle situation first. Just saying.
Quirky Observation: Every Holiday Inn Express seems to have that one slightly off-kilter piece of art. Today's prize? A painting of a… well, it looked like a giant, abstract, purple…thing. I'm still not sure what it was. But it was mesmerizing.
Day 2: Murray State University & The Pursuit of Authentic BBQ (Spoiler: it's harder than it looks)
Okay, so, Day 2. Today's mission: Embrace the local culture. First stop, Murray State University. I decided to check out the campus because the itinerary I’d half-heartedly constructed said to. Parking was a nightmare. I swear, college campuses are designed to make you feel old and confused. Found the Quad, which was lovely and green. Did a quick walk, took some photos…felt like an awkward tourist.
Emotional Reaction: This campus is beautiful, but I felt like an alien. Maybe it’s because I’m old. Maybe it’s because my jeans are ten years old. Maybe it's because I don't have the vocabulary to hold a conversation with an undergrad anymore.
After the university, the REAL quest began: the legendary Murray BBQ. According to my Google research (again, my life's run by algorithms!), there were a few promising contenders. My first attempt led me down a dusty road and ended at a place that appeared abandoned. Second attempt? Closed. The universe, apparently, was actively conspiring against my BBQ ambitions.
Rambling Moment: I spent an hour wandering around, hopelessly hungry, getting more and more hangry. The irony of this search was killing me; I probably would find better barbeque back home. But as I drove I stumbled upon a diner called "Big Boy." Could it be? A last-ditch effort.
Day 3: Lake Barkley & Existential Reflections (and maybe a slightly better breakfast)
Lake Barkley! Finally, an escape from the (mostly) mundane! I drove the short distance, feeling the weight of the past few days start to lift a little bit. The lake was pretty. Really pretty.
Took a walk along the shore, and the stillness of the water made me think…about everything. About my life, the meaning of existence, the profound disappointment of the previously mentioned breakfast.
Stream-of-Consiousness Moment: The sky was the color of a bruised peach, the water sparkled, and all I could think was, “I should have packed sunscreen.” And, "I am definitely gonna ask about the waffle maker again."
Before I left the hotel to go home, the Breakfast: I am happy to say that on this day, the waffle maker, while still not working perfectly on the previous day, had been fixed. I feasted. Two waffles. One with syrup, one with the pre-made fruit cups. It was the best I'd felt all week.
Opinionated Language: This trip wasn't perfect, it was certainly not planned, but I'm better for it. I think that's what matters, ya know?
In Conclusion:
Would I recommend the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Murray? Yeah, probably. It was clean, the staff were lovely (especially Betty, bless her heart), and the location was convenient. The breakfast situation? Let’s just say it's a gamble. But hey, that's life, right? You never know what kind of adventure (or breakfast) you're gonna get. And that, my friends, is the beauty of travel, imperfect though it may be. This trip was messy and a little disappointing, but it was mine. And next time, I'm bringing my own waffle maker.
Sapporo's Hidden Gem: Mitsui Garden Hotel West - Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Okay, spill the tea. Is this Holiday Inn Express in Murray, Kentucky actually *good*? I saw that headline... "SHOCK!" What's the deal?
Alright, alright, deep breaths. Look, the "SHOCK!" headline was probably a bit much, even for me. But the truth? My experience was... *interesting*. It wasn't a total disaster. Think of it as a beige SUV. Gets you from point A to point B. Does it excite you? Nah. Does it leave you stranded on the side of the road? Hopefully not. So, "good"? Depends on your definition of "good." I'd probably call it... functional. That's the best I can do. Honestly, the "shock" came from the *anticipation*. After reading some reviews (which I *really* should've ignored beforehand), I had this image of pristine perfection dancing in my head. Spoiler alert: Perfection ain't real, folks.
Let's talk about the room. What was it *really* like? And did the air conditioner work? Because, Kentucky.
Oh, the room. The room was... a room. You know? Four walls, a bed, a TV that probably worked (I didn't even *try*), and a bathroom. Standard hotel fare. The bed was... *there*. Slightly lumpy. Definitely not the cloud-like experience promised in the brochures. I think I felt a spring gently protesting my weight at one point. But look, I survived. And yes, the air conditioner worked. Thankfully! Thank GOD. I mean, Kentucky in, say, July? You need that cold blast of air. It was a life-saver. I swear, I was already mentally preparing for a sweat-fest, but the AC did its thing. Thank you, tiny, overworked AC unit, you were a hero.
The breakfast! Tell me about the breakfast! Is it the typical, sad hotel continental breakfast? Or is there hope?
Oh boy, the breakfast. This is where things get... *complicated*. I went in with high hopes, fueled by a pre-caffeine haze and the promise of "hot breakfast." Now, "hot" is a subjective term. It was *warm*. Think lukewarm scrambled eggs and what appeared to be sausage patties that had seen better days. The waffle maker? That was a highlight. I'll give them that. Freshly made waffles are always a win. But here's the kicker: the syrup dispenser was out of syrup! Out! My waffle dream, dashed against the rocks of... well, no syrup. So, it's a mixed bag. There's potential, but it's a gamble. Bring your own syrup, people. Or, you know, temper your expectations.
What about the staff? Were they nice? Rude? Invisible?
The staff…were people. You know? Like, they were there, doing their jobs. No major complaints. No fireworks of amazing service. No glaring rudeness. Just... competent. The check-in was efficient, the check-out was easy. I did have a small issue with a missing towel (seriously, where do towels *go* in hotels?!), and the front desk lady was perfectly pleasant about it. No drama. So, in short: perfectly adequate. Now, I *did* see one of the cleaning staff singing along to the radio while cleaning a room down the hall. That was kinda cute. So, maybe a slight bump up from "adequate" thanks to her. Or maybe I needed more sleep.
Okay, let's get specific. Any particularly memorable moments (good or bad?)
Alright, the memorable moment. This isn't a joke anymore, folks. Brace yourselves. It involves... the elevator. Look, I'm not claustrophobic or anything, but that elevator... it was tiny. I could barely fit in it with my suitcase and another guest who looked equally as uncomfortable. We were riding together, and with an ominous creak, it STOPPED. Not at a floor. Just... stopped. The lights flickered. And in my panic, I hit every button. Nothing. I hit the emergency button. Silence. Then, the other guest, bless her soul, started cracking jokes. "Well, this is cozy!" she said. After five minutes, we heard a voice from the speakers saying the problem will be resolved. I have NEVER felt so alone or claustrophobic.
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
Hmm... that's a tough one. If I *had* to, sure. If it was the only option, I wouldn't break down in tears. But would I actively *seek* it out? No. Probably not. Unless, maybe, I'm REALLY craving a lukewarm sausage patty and a gamble at the waffle maker. Or if I wanted another elevator adventure. (Okay, that part was a little scary, but the story is great.) Look, it's a Holiday Inn Express. It's... a hotel. You know what you're getting. Manage your expectations, pack your own syrup, and maybe avoid the elevator. And you'll probably be fine. Probably.
Final Thoughts? Anything else you want to add?
Just... be prepared for a slightly underwhelming, but functional experience. And, for the love of all things holy, check for the syrup *before* you commit to a waffle. Seriously. And if you *do* end up in the elevator, maybe bring a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer to handle a potential... elevator situation. Oh, and one more thing, before I forget. The pool... I never checked it out. I was still recovering from the great elevator ordeal.
