Dubois Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Holiday Inn Express!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving DEEP into the world of that is… well, let's just say it's got a lot going on. And I, your friendly neighborhood hotel reviewer (and resident chaotic good), am here to untangle the good, the bad, and the absolutely bizarre. This isn't your grandma’s dry hotel review; we’re going full-throttle honesty here.
SEO Fodder (We gotta please the algorithm, right?)
Keywords, Keywords, Keywords! We're talking accessibility, spa, dining, Wi-Fi, safety, cleanliness, and everything in between. Let the Google gods be appeased!
First Impressions (And They're Not Always Pretty)
Okay, so, that hotel. Website photos? Beautiful. Reality? Well, let's just say it's got character. It's like that friend who’s always late but somehow ends up making the night interesting.
Accessibility: Navigating the Labyrinth
- Accessibility: Look, it says it's accessible. Let's see… Does it actually mean it? This is CRUCIAL.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Is the whole place really wheelchair-friendly? or just the front door? Ramp angles matter, people!
- Elevator: Essential. You need one, and you need it to work.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: More than just a ramp. Do the rooms accommodate? Wide doorways? Grab bars? We’re talking real accessibility, not just a token gesture. This is crucial to get right. Screw it up, and I'm furious.
My Immediate Reaction: Honestly, I need to see it with my own eyeballs. The website is gorgeous, which makes me suspicious - it better deliver!
The Digital Connection: Will the Internet Gods Smile on Us?
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet Services: Gotta have it. And I mean reliable.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: This is a MUST. You want to be accessible? Free Wi-Fi is non-negotiable.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Essential. I can't handle a hotel that still charges for Wi-Fi in the lobby in 2024. That's just… rude.
My Honest Moment: Let's be real, a flaky hotel Wi-Fi can ruin a whole experience. Work, streaming, checking maps…it's all dependent on it!
Fun & Games (or, Things to Do Besides Staring at the Ceiling)
- Things to do: What's the vibe? Is it all about relaxing, or is there something to do…
- Pool with view: A good pool with a view is a win.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Okay, so I'm not a gym rat, but I appreciate a decent gym.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Yes, please! I'm all about the relaxation.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Gotta have a pool, especially if it's outdoor.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap: Spa time! Consider it a necessity.
My Honest Moment: I need a good spa. I deserve a good spa.
Cleanliness & Safety: Is This Place a Petri Dish?
- Cleanliness and safety: Post-COVID, this is THE priority. It must look and smell clean.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: YES!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: DOUBLE YES!
- First aid kit: Essential. You never know…
- Hand sanitizer: Availability is everything.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Necessary for a good scrub.
- Hygiene certification: Do they have any proof?
- Individually-wrapped food options: A nice touch for extra safety.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Okay, this shows they care.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays: Again, vital.
- Safe dining setup: Important.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Duh.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They better be.
- Sterilizing equipment: Nice if they have it.
My Honest Moment: If I start getting a bad gut feeling about cleanliness, I am OUT. No chance. Nope.
Food, Glorious Food! (Will I Get Food Poisoning?)
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: Okay, is the food good?
- A la carte in restaurant: Good!
- Alternative meal arrangement: Good!
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant: Okay!
- Bar, Poolside bar: Needed. Happy hour, anyone?
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant: I love a good buffet.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: Needed. Essential.
- Desserts in restaurant: The most important thing of ALL!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Good flexibility.
- Restaurants, Room service [24-hour]: Essential!
- Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: Healthy options.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Excellent!
- Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Good variety.
My Honest Moment: I have high expectations for food. It can make or break a stay.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Luxuries
- Air conditioning in public area: Vital.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Wi-Fi for special events: Good!
- Business facilities, Xerox/fax in business center: Still important for a few people.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Handy.
- Concierge, Doorman: Nice touches.
- Contactless check-in/out: Good!
- Convenience store: Always appreciated.
- Daily housekeeping: Necessary.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Useful.
- Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests: Crucial
- Food delivery: This is a must.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Great for gifts.
- Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events: Good!
- Invoice provided: Necessary.
- Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting: Good!
- Projector/LED display: Good!
- Safety deposit boxes: Essential.
- Seminars, Shrine: Cool!
- Smoking area: Fair enough.
- Terrace: Nice.
For the Kids: Are the Little Rascals Welcome?
- Babysitting service: Helpful.
- Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Okay if you are bringing kids.
My Honest Moment: I am not a parent, this is a non-factor for me.
The Nitty-Gritty: Access & Security
- Access: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express, private],
- Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms
- Getting around: 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: 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, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
My Honest Moment: I need to feel SAFE, or I'm out. That's non-negotiable. I'm also a sucker for a good view.
The Verdict (My Messy, Honest Take)
Okay, so this hotel? It has the potential. It's got all the right buzzwords. It sounds amazing. But the devil is in the details.
Unbelievable Deals: Your Dream US Getaway Awaits at Best Western Inns!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your pristine, perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is… my messy, glorious, and probably slightly embarrassing journey through the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Dubois By IHG. Get ready, because here we go…
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for Caffeine (and Wi-Fi That Doesn't Make Me Want to Scream)
- 1:00 PM (ish): Touchdown in Dubois! Okay, touchdown is a strong word. More like, "wobbled out of the car after way too many hours behind the wheel." Honestly, my back feels like a pretzel. First impressions of the hotel? Surprisingly… nice. The lobby is clean, the staff is friendly. Score! Maybe this won't be a total disaster. Famous last words, amirite?
- 1:15 PM: Check-in. Smooth sailing… until the Wi-Fi password. Seriously, why is this always a battle? It's like a secret code only the chosen can decipher. After approximately 5 minutes of repeatedly entering "HIEGuestDubois2024!" (I think), and nearly throwing my phone against the wall, I finally connect. Victory! Now, time to find the caffeine.
- 1:30 PM: Room exploration. Decent. A little… generic? You know the drill: beige, neutral colors, a bed that promises comfort but probably won't deliver. I'm already picturing myself wrestling with the duvet cover at 3 AM. But hey, it's clean, and the air conditioning works. That's a win in my book. The real test, though, is the coffee situation.
- 1:45 PM: The coffee machine in the room. Nope. Clearly, it was designed by Satan to torture weary travelers. The coffee pods are all wrong, leaving me with a sad imitation of caffeination. Head to the lobby - a real test of patience.
- 1:50 PM: Ah, the lobby coffee machine. Slightly sad but drinkable. Grabbing my complimentary (I'm cheap, okay?) travel mug, I am ready to start my trip! Now, to decide what to do first….
Day 2: Wind River Wilderness - Or, How I Became Best Friends with a Mosquito and Almost Got Eaten by My Own Anxiety
- 8:00 (ish) AM: Breakfast at the hotel. This is where the true test of hotel living begins, right? Oatmeal, instant this, pre-packed that, and maybe an egg. The sausage patties look… questionable. I go for a waffle because why not? It’s the closest promise of happiness I can find without spending a lot of money. Oh, and the coffee, still weak. Gotta add more. Much more.
- 9:00 AM: Wind River Wilderness. This is what I'm here for! Hiking through the mountains. My plan was to be all "nature-loving explorer" but… let's be honest, I'm more of a "slightly clumsy person who appreciates a good view" kind of person. The drive there was stunning, though. Seriously, Wyoming is ridiculously beautiful.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Hiking. I was prepared for this! I had a fully-stocked backpack, sunscreen, even hiking boots (which, admittedly, I haven’t broken in properly). The first 30 minutes was bliss! Then came the relentless swarms of mosquitoes. Like, biblical levels of mosquitoes. I swear, one of them was personally taunting me. "You're gonna get me, right?" I yell out loud… and hear nothing but my own voice.
- 10:45 AM: Panic kicks in. Am I lost? Did I bring enough water? Wait, did I take any pills for my anxiety? Oh crap. I start to get that feeling, you know, the one where your heart tries to escape your chest and your breath gets all shallow. I take deep breaths, focus on the mountains, and eat a granola bar.
- 11.15 AM I see a sign. Phew. I'm still bad but at least I'm on a real trail. At this point, I'm not even pretending to care about the view. I just want to survive.
- 11.30 AM I remember a quote and I begin to feel better. 'If you're going through hell, keep going.' - Winston Churchill. Who knew a quote could calm you from anxiety?
- 12:30 PM: Back at the car. Covered in bites and slightly traumatized but alive! I'm going to assume I'm okay and walk back. I eat all my snacks.
Day 3: The Wildlife Museum and a (Slightly Overpriced) Steak Dinner
- 9:00 AM: Actually slept decently! The bed wasn’t a complete disaster. I'm starting to warm up to the Holiday Inn. (Don't get used to it, hotel, it's a very fragile truce).
- 9:30 AM: Breakfast. Okay, at least the sausage patties don't look like they're plotting my demise. Maybe.
- 10:30 AM: Dubois County Wildlife Museum. Surprisingly good! It had a very cool exhibit on the local bears, which was particularly interesting considering I'd spent the previous day half-convinced a bear was going to eat me. (I'm still not entirely convinced.) They also had a taxidermied moose that was… impressive. And slightly unsettling. Why do they make their eyes like that?
- 1:00 PM: Back to the hotel to rest.
- 4:00 PM: Dinner at a local steakhouse. (Names withheld to protect the guilty). The steak was good, but the sides were… let's say "rustic." The service was friendly but slow. And the price? Let's just say I’ll be eating ramen for the next week. But it was worth it. Kind of. Maybe.
Day 4: The Long Road Home (and the Deepest Regret of My Life)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. The usual terrible coffee/breakfast. This is the hotel, after all. Packing. Sigh. The end of the adventure has arrived.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. Surprisingly easy this time. The Wi-Fi password? Still the bane of my existence.
- 9:30 AM: Hit the road. On the way home, I replay the trip in my head. Laughing at the mosquitoes, the panic, and the slightly disappointing steak.
- 12:00 PM: Deepest, most profound regret: I forgot to buy a souvenir. That's it; I'm getting one of those "I survived the mosquitoes" t-shirts next time.
Closing Thoughts:
The Holiday Inn Express Dubois, by IHG? It was… an experience. A perfectly imperfect human experience. Would I go back? Yeah, probably. But next time, I'm bringing my own coffee and a giant can of mosquito repellent. And maybe a therapy session after the trip. Until next time!
Grand Rapids Airport's BEST Kept Secret: AmericInn Review!
So, what *is* this even about? Like, what are we *talking* about today?
Honestly? Good question. I was thinking we'd just bounce around some topics, ya know? Stuff I've been mulling over lately. Maybe some advice, maybe some gripes... it's all on the table! Basically, it's my brain vomit, lovingly formatted for the internet. Think of it as a therapy session you didn't ask for. Prepare for tangents, digressions, and probably a lot of caffeine-fueled rambling.
Okay, okay... fine. But what if I *actually* need advice? Like, real advice? Are you qualified?
Qualified? Honey, the only "qualification" I have is surviving this far. Look, I'm not a therapist, I'm not a life coach, I'm just a person who's made a *lot* of mistakes. So, the advice you get here? It's less "expert guidance" and more "lessons learned the hard way." Take it with a mountain of salt, maybe a shot of tequila. Definitely tequila.
So, let’s dive more deeply! What's the deal with "relationships"? Ugh, so complicated!
Oh, relationships. The grand, glorious rollercoaster of emotions. You get the highs, the lows, the loops-de-loops that make you scream... and sometimes, the ride just... stops.
**The biggest advice regarding relationships?** Listen. Like, really *listen*. Not just waiting for your turn to talk, but *actively* hearing what they're saying. Because sometimes, all someone wants is a shoulder to cry on or someone to just validate what they're feeling. It’s not always about "fixing" the problem.
And for the love of all that is holy, communicate! Like, *tell* them how you feel. Don't expect them to be mind readers (they're not, trust me). And, for goodness sake, don't EVER go to bed angry. I've made that mistake. Oof. The morning-after resentment is *brutal*.
What about *friendships*? Are they just as messy?
Oh, friendships. They're a whole different ball game. Sometimes, they're the most dependable thing in the universe. Other times? They're a parking lot free-for-all where the spaces are always disappearing and there's a lot of passive-aggressive horn honking.
**Here's the thing about friendships:** They change. People change. What you needed in a friend at 20 is *very* different from what you need at 40. Accept that some friendships will fade, and that's okay. It doesn't mean they weren't important. It just means life happens.
And the *absolute* best friendships? The ones where you can go months (or even years!) without talking and then pick up right where you left off. Those are the gold. Hoard them. Cherish them. Text them stupid memes at 3 AM. It’s what it’s about.
Work-life balance? Is that even *real*? Is it a myth made up by Instagram influencers?
Hah! Work-life balance. I'm pretty sure it's a scam. Like, a really well-marketed scam. I personally haven't found this elusive creature yet. My life is usually a chaotic blend of deadlines, emails, and the desperate plea for a single moment of peace.
**My advice?** Lower your expectations. Seriously. Aim for *work-life integration*. See if you can find *pockets* of joy and relaxation within the chaos. Schedule short breaks for yourself (even if it’s just five minutes of staring out the window). Don't feel guilty about taking them. You *need* them. Otherwise, burnout city, population: you. And remember, you are not a productive worker-bot. You're a human being! Don't forget it.
Speaking of work. How do you handle *stress*? I'm a stress factory!
Oh honey, I *get* you. Stress is my constant companion. It's that annoying friend who always shows up uninvited with a mountain of anxiety.
**My Stress-Busting Toolkit:**
* **Deep breaths:** Sounds cliché, but it works. Like, really, *really* works.
* **Exercise:** Even a short walk can help. I'm not saying I *enjoy* it, but I always feel better afterwards. Lies... it's usually more of a trudge for me, I'm being honest.
* **Dark chocolate:** (Preferably with sea salt. Don't judge.)
* **Unplug:** Seriously disconnect from your phone, social media... the whole shebang. It helps!
* **Talk it out:** It can be a friend, a therapist, or even just screaming into a pillow.
I've found the most crucial thing is to *own* your stress. Identify your triggers, learn your limits, and forgive yourself when you inevitably fail. It's a constant battle.
What about hobbies? Should I have one? Honestly, I'm too tired.
Hobbies. The things we *should* be doing but often... don't. Yes, you should have one. Even if it's just something small. Something that makes you feel *a little* less like a cog in the machine of life. Mine? I *love* to try and bake. And I say "try" very intentionally. Honestly, I'm a disaster in the kitchen. Cookies burn, cakes sink, and I've set off the smoke alarm more than once, true story.
**The important thing:** The *process*. The act of doing something you enjoy. It doesn't matter if you're good at it or if it's "productive." The point is to find something that sparks a tiny bit of joy. Something that makes you forget, at least for a little while, about all the crap swirling around in your brain.
And, hey, if you burn the cookies? At least you have a funny story to tell. Silver linings!
Okay, let’s get personal. What's the most embarrassing thing that's *ever* happened to you? Spill the tea!
