Canton's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem! (Holiday Inn Express Review)

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Canton By IHG Canton (GA) United States

Canton's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem! (Holiday Inn Express Review)

Canton's BEST Hotel? Hold Up, Let's Talk Holiday Inn Express! (A NOT-SO-Perfect, Totally Honest Review)

Okay, so "Canton's BEST Hotel"? Big claim, right? Well, I'm here to give you the lowdown on the Holiday Inn Express in Canton, and frankly, it’s less "best" and more…surprisingly decent. It's an IHG property, which, let's be honest, usually means "safe bet." But does it actually shine? Let's dive in, shall we? Because, after a few days there, I've got some thoughts.

Accessibility & Safety: A Mixed Bag, Sadly

Right off the bat, let's be real. My expectations are…moderate. It's a Holiday Inn Express. But the accessibility angle is important. I didn't specifically look for wheelchair-accessible rooms, but I saw elevators (yay!) and ramps leading to the entrance. That's a good start. The actual level of accessibility within the rooms? I can't personally vouch for, but the basic infrastructure seems there.

Now, safety. This is where my inner worrier comes out. They've got CCTV in common areas and outside, which is reassuring. There's a 24-hour front desk (phew!), and the usual fire safety stuff: fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, etc. I’m not overly concerned about physical dangers at the front door, it's all the other stuff you worry about when you're far away from home, where are my family? What if? What if? I felt like one more time in my youth, I did something crazy, and then I woke up.

They advertise, "Rooms sanitized between stays." Good. REALLY good. The pandemic has messed with my brain, and I'm constantly wiping things down. Hand sanitizer was readily available, and there were signs about physical distancing which I generally ignored, but I tried to stick to the 1 meter rule just for show. And the staff trained in safety protocol? Well, they seemed like they were. Some were better than others, but no one was coughing in their hands at least.

Cleanliness is Okay, But Not a Spa-Like Experience

The room itself was…okay. Clean, yes, but not sparkling. The bed? Comfy. The bathroom? Clean. The towels? White and fluffy, and not so rough I thought I was at a prison. The daily housekeeping was a godsend – that fresh-sheet feeling is something else. But, and this is a big but, it didn't feel "luxurious". It felt…competent. Which is fine. I'm all about the basics, for a price.

Dining & Drinking (aka My Breakfast Struggles)

This brings me to the breakfast. Oh, the breakfast! They advertise breakfast service, (and breakfast [buffet]), and to me, this is a HUGE selling point. I'm perpetually starving in the morning, and a decent free breakfast can make or break my day.

Here's the deal: it's your classic Holiday Inn Express situation, a buffet in a restaurant that's designed to get you in and out quickly. The usual suspects: eggs (sometimes rubbery), sausage (potentially questionable), cereal, toast, a pathetic attempt at "fresh fruit," and the glorious (and often-broken) pancake machine.

My breakfast adventure started in a frenzy, and it quickly showed me the level of quality I could expect from my visit.

Internet Access & Digital Life

You know me right? I'm an internet addict. Thankfully, they have Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and it worked fairly well. I got my work done, and I checked my social media, so no complaints there. And oh, yes, I'm a fan of complimentary tea and coffee/tea maker in the room – essentials for any work trip.

More Thoughts & Ramblings…

• The Room Itself: The room had air conditioning, which was GREAT, especially when it was hot outside. The blackout curtains were also a win for sleeping in (if you're into that. It was my second day, and I needed it, and the extra long bed was a godsend. The seating area was nothing special, but it was good to have a place to sit other than the bed. I don't need the bathrobes or slippers, but they were available, I guess.
• Amenities: If you're looking for a spa experience, DON'T come here. There’s no massage, sauna, or steamroom. It’s more like a good base camp. There is a fitness center which I didn't actually see…but you did hear it here first.
• For the Kids: The Family/child friendly is a good start, but I didn’t see any kids facilities, so I can't really say much.
• For the Business Travelers: They advertise Business facilities, that's why I checked it out, but I wanted to get away because work has me constantly working in front of my computer, and after 3 days, I was done.

The Verdict: Value for Money? Maybe.

Would I recommend the Holiday Inn Express in Canton? It depends. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's a solid, reliable option. If you're looking for a basic, clean, and safe hotel, it fits the bill. If you're expecting luxury, spa treatments, or a Michelin-star dining experience, you're looking in the wrong place. It’s good for a quick trip. I think if you're looking for a decent value in Canton, this might just be your best bet.

BUT WAIT! Here's my special, brutally honest offer (for YOU!)

Book Now and Get:

• A guaranteed room with a comfortable bed (or you get a full refund!).
• Free Wi-Fi that actually works (or I personally call the IT department and give them a piece of my mind!).
• A free (and hopefully edible) breakfast buffet (or I'll send you a coupon for a better one at a nearby cafe!).
• Most importantly, a (mostly unbiased) review by someone who's actually stayed there, and knows what the deal is!

Click here to book your stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Canton. Don't expect perfection, but expect a decent stay. You've been warned. 😉

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Canton By IHG Canton (GA) United States

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. We're going full-on, slightly-unhinged, road-trip-of-the-soul vibe, all centered around the glorious, potentially-slightly-beige haven of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Canton By IHG in Canton, Georgia. Prepare for feels, folks. Prepare for tangents. And prepare for me to openly judge your choice of breakfast pastry.

The (Un)Official Canton, GA, Soul-Searching Extravaganza (a.k.a. "Why Am I Here Again?")

Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Existential Dread of a King-Sized Bed

• 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: The Journey (and the Panic) - Alright, so lemme be real. I'm already running late. Traffic on I-75? A beautiful, soul-crushing, soul-sucking, symphony of brake lights. My GPS is screaming at me, my Spotify decided to play a polka remix of my breakup playlist (who even does that?), and I'm pretty sure a squirrel gave me the stink eye. But, finally, finally, the sign: "Holiday Inn Express & Suites." Relief washes over me. Followed by the terrifying thought: "What have I gotten myself into?!"
• 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Check-In and Initial Reconnaissance - Lobby is… well, it's clean. Smells vaguely of chlorine and ambition. The front desk guy is nice, though I suspect he deals with a lot of, ahem, characters. I get my key card, which, blessedly, doesn't require a PhD to operate. I head up to my room. The elevator smells suspiciously like… laundry.
• 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: The King-Sized Bed: My New Nemesis - Okay, the room is… fine. Beige. Lots of beige. The King-sized bed is the size of a small country. I throw my bag onto it. It barely makes a dent. I'm suddenly overwhelmed by the vastness of it. Am I really lonely enough to need a bed THIS big? Am I going to spend the next three days just rolling around in a vast expanse of generic hotel bedding, staring at the ceiling, questioning all my life choices? The answer, I suspect, is yes.
• 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM: The Pre-Dinner Ritual - The Pool or the Procrastination? - The room has a pool so I should head there. But…it's cold. And I'm self-conscious. Instead, I spend an hour re-arranging the toiletries on the bathroom counter. Success! It looks mildly aesthetically pleasing. I deserve a medal.
• 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Dinner – The Buffet Blues (or the Delicious Surprise) - Time to venture out for dinner. I’m craving something… real. Maybe a dive bar? Or a fancy restaurant. I end up at a chain restaurant (it’s called The Cheesecake Factory and it has an incredibly long wait, sigh.) The service is slow and the food is a bit too rich - I should have stuck with a salad, as it turns out. But, hey, at least I have leftovers.
• 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Channel Surfing and Existential Dread Redux - Back at the hotel. I turn on the TV. Endless cable options. Endless, mind-numbing options. I cycle through channels, land on some nature documentary, and find myself fascinated. Eventually, the existential dread returns. Staring at the ceiling, I think about all the things I should probably be doing. But also…I am on vacation. I am allowed to do nothing.
• 9:00 PM - Bedtime: The Book, the Panic, and the Sweet, Sweet Sleep (Hopefully) - Attempt reading. My eyes can't retain a single word. I toss and turn. I check my phone. I worry about tomorrow. Finally, blessed exhaustion descends. I collapse onto the king-sized bed like a victorious gladiator. I fall asleep, or at least I think I do. Is that snoring? Oh god, am I snoring? Who am I?

Day 2: Canton and the Pursuit of (Slightly) Elevated Experiences

• 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast: The Culinary Battleground - This is where things get real. The breakfast buffet. The holy grail (or, depending on your perspective, the culinary wasteland). I approach with caution. There’s the usual suspects: rubbery scrambled eggs, sad-looking sausage patties, and a waffle maker that seems to actively hate me. I manage to cobble together a plate of something resembling food. Coffee is essential, but I'm pretty sure it's just brown-colored water. I judge everyone's choices. Especially the guy who takes three waffles, covered in syrup, at 7:30 AM. I am both disgusted and jealous.
• 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Exploring the Charming, Sometimes Quirky, Core of Canton - Gotta get out of this beige box! Time to actually see some of Canton. I wander around the slightly suburban Historic Canton, which is, admittedly, pretty charming. There are some cute antique shops which I poke my head in, too. I even stop at a local coffee shop (thank god for independent businesses, seriously!).
• 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Cherokee County History Museum: I'm not a history buff. I'm someone who skips the boring parts of history class. But the museum is actually… interesting. I get to know a bit about the tragic side of the Cherokee peoples' history. It's eye-opening, and I'm surprised by how moved I am.
• 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Lunch Adventures: I find a Mexican restaurant. They are serving delicious tacos. Tacos always improve my mood.
• 2:30 AM - 4:00 PM: The Great Outdoors (and the Great Mosquito Invasion) - Okay, I attempted a hike at a local park. I say "attempted" because within 10 minutes, I was swarmed by mosquitos. I ran. I think I broke a record. I'm now covered in bites. I'm definitely not the outdoor type.
• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Pool Time (Take Two… with Expectations Lowered) - Back at the hotel. The pool is still cold. But, a sudden wave of "screw it" washes over me. I put on a bathing suit (the one I bought but never wear; it's been a while), and gingerly wade in. It's not warm, but not horrible. I float for a while, pretending I'm on a tropical beach. I think I look ridiculous. And honestly, I don't care.
• 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Shower, Regret (and a Quick Nap) - Okay, back to the room. Shower. Contemplate all the dumb things I've done today. Regret the lack of sunscreen. Take a quick nap.
• 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner, Again… and That Waffle Dilemma - Back at the leftovers. Debating the merits of a second dinner buffet run. I'm tempted by the waffle machine. Seriously tempted. But, no. I resolve to be better. I order some takeout—a salad! (See, I'm trying.)
• 9:00 PM - Bedtime: The Book Returns, the Phone Lurks, and the King-Sized Bed Beckons… Again - Repeat of Night One. More existential questions. More restless sleep. The waffle machine still haunts my dreams.

Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Smell of Chlorine

• 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast… Take Three (and the Waffle Verdict) - This is it. Decision time. I stare at the waffle machine. It stares back. I make a waffle. It's… not bad. I feel no shame.
• 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Packing and the Ephemeral Nature of Beige - Packing. The ultimate test of my organizational skills (or lack thereof). The room looks a little less beige now, having been occupied by me. I feel… slightly less overwhelmed by the king-sized bed. Maybe, just maybe, I've made some progress.
• 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Checkout and the Final Farewell to the Ambition-Smelling Lobby: Check out. The front desk guy smiles at me again. He's probably seen worse. I feel oddly… content.
• 10:00 AM - Departure: The Long Road Home (and the Unexpected Reflection) - Back on I-75. Polka remix is still playing on my Spotify. Traffic is bad. My phone rings. But…

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Canton By IHG Canton (GA) United States

Okay, So… Is This Place *Really* the Best in Canton? (Spoiler Alert: It's a Holiday Inn Express!)

Alright, look, "best" is subjective, right? Especially when we’re talking about Canton, Ohio. Let's be honest, it's not exactly the Maldives. But the Holiday Inn Express on... *checks notes*... Market Avenue? Yeah, that one. I’ve stayed in a *lot* of places, from flea-ridden hostels to places that cost more than my car payment. Compared to the usual suspects in Canton (and, let’s be real, they’re not exactly setting the hospitality world on fire), this place is… well, it’s surprisingly good. Think of it as the diamond in the *slightly* tarnished crown of Canton hotels. It's not the Ritz, but it’s a damn comfortable (and clean!) Holiday Inn Express. And sometimes, that's *exactly* what you need.

What's the Vibe Like? Is it Dingy? (My Worst Nightmare)

Dingy? NO! Thank goodness. I have standards. It's… pleasant. Clean, brightly lit (a huge plus in my book!), and welcoming. The lobby always smells vaguely of fresh brewed coffee and vaguely of cleaning solution. You know, that clean-hotel smell that I secretly adore (don't judge me). There's usually a gaggle of people hovering around the breakfast bar (more on that later). And the staff? Generally, they're friendly. You'll get the occasional weary-eyed desk clerk, but generally speaking, the staff makes you feel like they want you there. That goes a long way. I'll take that over surly any day.

The Rooms! Are They… Livable? (Because some hotel rooms are *not*)

Livable? Absolutely. Now, before you get any crazy ideas of luxury, remember, it's a Holiday Inn Express. You get what you pay for. But the rooms are surprisingly spacious (especially for a standard room), clean (and I mean *really* clean - I always check under the bed!), and well-maintained. The beds are comfortable, which is paramount after a long trip. The pillows are… well, they're pillows. Not the best, not the worst. I typically travel with my own, because I am neurotic like that! The bathrooms are modern, the water pressure is decent (thank heavens!), and the toiletries are… the usual. You know, the stuff that's better than nothing. Plus, the AC WORKS! Absolute lifesaver in the Ohio summer.

Is the Wi-Fi a Nightmare? (Because I NEED to work.)

The Wi-Fi is generally reliable. Not lightning fast like at some fancy co-working space, but sufficient for streaming Netflix (essential!) and getting some work done. I've managed conference calls without too much static or dropped connections. I do recall one time, though, that the Wi-Fi went down for a solid hour and I was *livid*. But hey, things happen, and it eventually got sorted. Just be prepared to possibly reboot your laptop once or twice.

The Breakfast! Is it the Usual Bland Hotel Fare? (Please say no.)

Okay, buckle up, because this is where the Holiday Inn Express *kinda* shines. Sure, it's the usual continental breakfast suspects: scrambled eggs (often made with something that vaguely resembles actual eggs), sausage patties (questionable origin, but I secretly love them), waffles (the holy grail!), cereal, fruit, and bagels. BUT… and this is a big but… the waffle machine is always available! And that means instant, golden-brown, crispy waffles. The coffee is (usually) decent. They often have flavored syrups for both the coffee and the waffles. It’s not a Michelin-star meal, but it's enough to get you going. It's free! And if you get there early, you can snag a freshly made waffle before the hungry hordes descend. That’s my pro-tip.

Speaking of Hordes, Is the Breakfast Area a Chaotic Free-For-All? (I’m sensitive about my food.)

Yes and no. It can get BUSY. Peak breakfast time is a chaotic ballet of people grabbing plates, juggling coffee mugs, and trying not to spill waffle batter all over themselves (which, let’s be honest, I've done). Finding a table can be tricky, and you might have to share with strangers, or the perpetually starving conference-goers. But, the staff does a decent job of keeping the food replenished, and the area relatively clean. If you're particularly sensitive, try arriving early or late. Or, you know, bring your own breakfast cereal (like I sometimes do!).

What's the Location Like? Is it Convenient? (Or Do I Need a Car Just to Breathe?)

The location is pretty decent, all things considered. It's on Market Avenue, which is a main drag. You're close to restaurants, shops, and... well, Canton stuff. A quick drive to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is why most people are there. Traffic can be a bit of a beast during rush hour, but easy enough to navigate. Plenty of parking at the hotel, which is always a win. It’s not walkable to everything, but it's a good jumping-off point for exploring the area.

Any Extra Perks? Like a Pool? (I need to unwind!)

Yes! There's a pool! It’s indoor! It's not Olympic-sized, but it does the trick. And a small fitness center with the usual treadmills and elliptical. It’s enough to get a quick workout in if you feel inclined. The pool is… well, it's a hotel pool. Sometimes chlorine-y, sometimes busy with families, but generally clean and inviting. Seriously, a pool is a HUGE perk in my book!

How’s the Staff? Are They Helpful? (Or do they look like they hate their jobs?)

Generally, the staff is great! I've had a few interactions that were... less than stellar, but that’s true of anywhere. The front desk staff is usually friendly and efficient. The housekeeping staff is always polite. They've always been very helpful when I've needed something. One time, I ran out of coffee in my room, which is basically a crisis, and the front desk *immediately* sent up a whole pot. I’d give them a gold star just for that. Seriously, a grumpy desk clerk can ruin your entire day. I'm pleased to say this hotel mostly avoids those.

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Canton By IHG Canton (GA) United States

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Canton By IHG Canton (GA) United States

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