Helena's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Unforgettable Stay!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill all the tea on Helena's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter reviews – this is the real deal, warts and all. Let’s dive in – and hopefully, I’ll remember to breathe.
First Impressions & The "Accessibility Asylum" (aka, The Good Stuff – and some things to be aware of)
Okay, first things first. I’m a sucker for a good "Holiday Inn Express," mostly because they’re reliably, well… reliable. And Helena’s? It definitely aims for reliable, with some serious brownie points for accessibility.
Accessibility (Holy Moly, They Tried!): My initial scan revealed a serious commitment here. The elevators are plentiful, the hallways are wide, and the rooms… Well, we'll get to the rooms. They claim wheelchair accessibility, and while I’m not in a wheelchair myself, everything looks like it would work. I’m talking wide doorways, accessible bathrooms, the works. My only HUGE question mark? Did they actually test it? Seriously, folks, a real audit by someone with a disability is worth its weight in gold. Hope they did, and if not… Consider it. Otherwise, kudos for the effort.
Wheelchair Accessible? See above. I want to believe! But a real verification can go a long way.
Internet Access: The Digital Tango: Thank GOD for free Wi-Fi in every room! They even have LAN, which is like, a blast from the past, but hey, options are good. My connection? Surprisingly decent. I actually got some work done. (Which, let’s be honest, is a small miracle when you're supposed to be on vacation).
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (and a Few Annoyances)
Okay, so the room… It's a Holiday Inn Express room. You know the drill. Clean, functional, and about as exciting as beige paint. But! There's some decent stuff here:
Comfy Bed, Blackout Curtains = Bliss: Seriously, thank you, blackout curtains! I needed to sleep. The bed was a decent, sleep-inducing cloud.
Bathroom Essentials, but…: Good toiletries, but my shower water pressure was a little weak. Minor quibble, but hey, I'm picky about my showering experience.
The Mini-Fridge vs. My Late-Night Cravings: A mini-fridge! Essential for stashing snacks and avoiding those overpriced vending machines (which, by the way, are there).
Room Decorations Okay, let's talk about Room Decorations, there were none. The room was designed with functionality in mind, not the kind of style that would have a person sit in awe.
Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, 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 All of this was in the room - perfect, nothing over the top, and nothing too short.
Amenities: The Battle of the Buffet, and Some Surprising Wins
Okay, let's get the "meh" bits out of the way first:
Breakfast is… Buffet-ish: The breakfast buffet? Standard Holiday Inn Express. Everything you can imagine, but the food felt slightly "pre-fab". The coffee was ok, but nothing to write home about. BUT, there's an option for breakfast in room, take out, and even some Asian breakfast items.
Fitness Center? Gym/Fitness?: I did stumble in there once, and I think the equipment worked. I mostly stuck to the treadmill because I'm a creature of habit.
Swimming Pool [Outdoor]: The pool looked inviting, but I didn't jump in. It did appear to be well-maintained, and I felt happy about that choice.
Now for the SURPRISES!
The Spa: (Wait, What?) Okay, this wasn't a full-blown spa – no fancy-schmancy treatments or anything. But a sauna was in the place! This was a godsend after a long day of… well, everything.
The Staff: Above and Beyond: The front desk staff were SUPER friendly. Seriously, I lost something important and the way they handled it, I felt really seen. This is the kind of customer service that makes a difference. They answered all my questions, smiled, and made me feel like they genuinely cared.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking
Restaurants: I didn't eat at either of the Restaurant locations in the hotel since I was too busy exploring the city, but the fact that they have a good variety is really attractive!
Poolside Bar: Since I didn't use the pool I didn't use this bar.
Snack Bar: A snack bar is always a helpful thing to have!
Bar: I love a bar - this is a good sign.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Secure (and maybe a little paranoid?)
I'm a germaphobe, so trust me on this one. This place felt clean. And while they have standard features like:
Hand sanitizer everywhere
Anti-viral cleaning products
Staff trained in safety protocol
Rooms sanitized between stays
They also have:
Cashless payment service
Daily disinfection in common areas
Individually-wrapped food options
I was also glad for:
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour]
I.e. the whole shebang.
Services and Conveniences: They Had Almost Everything!
From the usual suspects (daily housekeeping, laundry service, elevator, air conditioning in public area).
Concierge : While I didn't use the concierge, I bet it's helpful.
Hotel chain : This is what gives you reliability.
Essential condiments : A nice bonus, I bet!
Meeting/banquet facilities, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events: If you happen to need them.
For the Kids:
- Family/child friendly : Good to know.
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking : All good.
The Verdict: Should You Stay?
YES!
Here's the Deal…
Helena’s Hidden Gem offers a solid stay for anyone looking for a reliable, comfortable, and reasonably priced experience. The accessibility features are commendable, the room was clean and comfortable, the staff was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, and the amenities, while standard, got the job done. Just don't expect a luxury resort. Think of it more like a well-oiled machine designed to make your stay as pleasant as possible.
What really matters You're not going to be disappointed by this hotel. The fact that it's an accessible hotel is a massive point in its favor.
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The Offer (Because You Need One!)
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(P.S. Don't forget to mention this review to the front desk! You might just get a free cookie!)
Escape to Paradise: Chonburi's Zen Haven Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-polished travelogue. This is me, raw and unfiltered, trying to wrangle a trip at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Helena, Montana, into something resembling a coherent story. Prepare for tangents, pronouncements, and a healthy dose of "wait, what was I doing again?"
The Helena Hustle: A Mostly-Organized, Unintentionally-Chaotic Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic (Helena, Here I Come!)
1:00 PM (ish): Arrive at Helena Regional Airport (HLN). Okay, first hurdle: the rental car. Praying it's not a clunker. Last time, I got this… this… thing. Shouted at me every time I went over 55 mph. Fingers crossed for something not that. The air is crisp, though. Montana air? I’m already calmer. Maybe.
1:30 PM: Car acquired! (Hooray! It’s not a death trap, but… it is a minivan. Ugh. But hey, space for luggage and the inevitable souvenir-buying spree.)
2:00 PM: Check-in at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. The pictures online looked promising – clean lines, a decent pool. I'm holding my breath as I approach the front desk. (Side note: why are hotel lobbies always so… beige? Like corporate beige is the official color of the hospitality industry.)
2:15 PM: Room acquired! (Woohoo! Turns out it’s fine. Not jaw-droppingly amazing, and definitely still beige-adjacent, but the bed looks comfy and that’s what matters. Free wifi is a plus. Also, the tiny shampoo bottles – I love them. Okay, maybe this beige ain’t so bad.)
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Unpack, attempt to organize my life (failed), and then the real test: the complimentary coffee at the hotel. This is where the rubber meets the road, folks. A bad hotel coffee can ruin a whole trip.
- 4:00 PM: Verdict on the coffee: C-. Drinkable, but not memorable. Back to the room to plan the next adventure.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Exploration of the hotel. Check out the pool! (It's a little…chlorine-y. Okay, a lot chlorine-y. But! It’s warm and inviting. I might actually enjoy this later…) And the gym. (Oh dear god. I'm not going NEAR that. Ever.)
6:00 PM: Dinner! (Still a little hangry from the coffee letdown.) Head to a local spot… looking for something authentic Montana. I've heard about this place, "The Brewhouse" (Helena). Let's see. Could go wrong.
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at The Brewhouse. Oh… WOW. The atmosphere is what I was looking for. The food is great! Huge portion. My stomach is content!
8:30 PM: Stroll around the town. Breathe the crisp Montana air. People are friendlier than the state I live in! I like it!
Day 2: Gold! Ghosts! And… Laundry?
8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel! The usual suspects: eggs, some sad-looking bacon, and the promise of more coffee. (Hoping today it’s even better than yesterday's C-.)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Gold! Gold! Gold! The Montana State Capitol Building and the Original Governor's Mansion. History is never my forte, but I always like to learn something.
- 10:00 AM: I started losing it a little bit and just listened. This is a beautiful building! I love the architecture.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Lunch at a place with "burgers" in the name. I need a good burger.
- 2:30 PM: That burger was good! I would do it again!
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Laundry Day! The ultimate relaxation. Honestly.
Day 3: Goodbye (For Now!), And a Little Bit of Regret.
8:00 AM: Back to the breakfast buffet. Feeling a little bit of the usual. Time to go.
9:00 AM: Check out. Farewell, complimentary shampoo. And thanks, beige walls, for not judging.
9:30 AM: Drive to the airport.
11:00 AM: Fly home.
Post-Trip Commentary (aka Rambling Thoughts):
The Good: Helena surprised me! The people were friendly. The scenery was amazing. The hotel was…well, it was a Holiday Inn Express. What more can you ask? And, importantly, I didn't screw anything up.
The Bad: I wish I'd had more time. And maybe I should have skipped the gym. Seriously.
The Ugly: The laundry.
Final Verdict: Helena, Montana, you were…unexpectedly wonderful. Would I go back? Absolutely. Maybe with a slightly better coffee tolerance and a stronger sense of time management. And possibly a different car. Definitely a different car.
Helena's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Unforgettable (Mostly!) Stay! - FAQs - Because Let's Be Real... Hotels Aren't Always Perfect, Right?
Okay, "Unforgettable"... What's So Special About This Place, REALLY?
The Breakfast... The Dreaded Hotel Breakfast. Good or Ghastly? Be Honest.
What About the Rooms? Clean? Comfortable? Or More "Mystery Stains"?
Tell Me About the Staff. Were They Actually... Nice?
The Gym... Ah, The Hotel Gym. How Bad Was It?
Would You Stay There Again? Honest Answer, Please!
- The mountain view was breathtaking and made me feel a peace I haven't felt in years.
- The staff were genuinely lovely people. That makes a HUGE difference.
- The bed was comfy. That's HUGE!
- Convenient location.
- Pancakes!!!
Okay, So Let's Talk About That Orange Juice Incident... Go On...
