Lacey's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (Olympia Near!)
Okay, buckle up, because this isn't your grandma's Holiday Inn Express review. We're diving deep into the Olympia-adjacent Lacey's BEST Hotel (or so they claim), and trust me, it's gonna be a bumpy ride. Prepare for a rollercoaster of expectations, triumphs, and maybe a minor existential crisis or two.
Lacey's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (Olympia Near!): The Unvarnished Truth
Alright, let's get this started. "BEST Hotel," eh? Bold claim. First impressions? Well, the parking lot was… vast. Like, seriously vast. Good for accessibility, I guess (more on that later). But it also made me feel like a tiny ant in a concrete jungle. I’m already tired.
Accessibility - The Good, The Meh, and the "Hmm…"
Okay, let's be real, Accessibility is important. This is Lacey, Washington, not the Swiss Alps. This Holiday Inn Express (HIE) mostly delivers here.
- Wheelchair Accessible?: Yep, ramps everywhere, wide hallways. Good job, HIE. The lobby even seemed… dare I say?… welcomingly accessible.
- Elevator?: Of course! Because who wants to lug luggage up a staircase.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Generally, this seemed to be on point. Handicap parking, roll-in showers. However, I'd recommend confirming specific needs before you arrive. Don't assume - always check.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Zero. Zip. Nada. Now, this is a major ding. It's Lacey near Olympia. You get around, you drive out. It’s not bad, just not convenient.
Internet: The Great Wi-Fi Hunt
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Yes, and THANK GOD. I mean, come on, in this digital age? It's a necessity.
- Internet Access – Wireless: Worked. Pretty reliably, for the most part. Though one night, there was a minor glitch, like a temporary internet outage… It felt like a personal betrayal.
- Internet [LAN]: Didn't even look for this. Who uses LAN in 2024?
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (or Attempt To)
Let's be real, this HIE isn't a destination spa by any stretch.
- Fitness Center: Ah, the gym. Let’s see. A treadmill, a bike, some weights… Standard hotel gym fare. I went once, and the air conditioning was glorious. The equipment, less so.
- Swimming Pool [Outdoor]: Look, it’s in Washington. It’s pretty much like this year-round; the pool was closed! (I’d double check, as I said).
- Spa, Sauna, Steam room, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Pool with view: Nope, nope, nope, and double nope. This is a Holiday Inn Express. Manage your expectations!
Cleanliness and Safety: The Pandemic Edition
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Individually-wrapped food options, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol: I mean, they said all this stuff, and the place felt reasonably clean. Didn't get sick, so… success?
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Like, you couldn't escape it. Which, honestly, is a good thing.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried. It's a hotel. People are people and space is tricky.
- CCTV in common areas, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour]: Seemed secure. Didn't feel like I was in any immediate danger.
- Non-smoking rooms: Woohoo! Thank goodness.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Battleground
Here’s where it gets interesting. And by interesting, I mean the free breakfast.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant: The heart of the HIE experience. The breakfast. It’s… well, it’s a buffet. Think: scrambled eggs (questionable), cereal, muffins, and a waffle maker that always has a line.
- Asian breakfast, Western breakfast: The options were fairly basic.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Snack bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Nope.
- Happy hour, Poolside bar, Bar, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: Again, nope.
Anecdote Time: The Waffle Wars
I'll be honest, the waffle maker was stressful. There was a strategy involved. You had to get there early, stake out your spot, and hope your waffle didn’t turn into a hockey puck. One morning, a kid tried to shove three waffles into the little toaster, resulting in a minor waffle-related incident. I was so tempted to just start yelling. But I did a good job. I won the Waffle Wars.
Services and Conveniences: The Everyday Essentials
- Air conditioning in public area, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Air conditioning, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Shower, Private Bathroom, Smoke detector, Soundproofing: All of these were, in general, adequate, helpful, or present.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Convenience store: Haha, these are funny. It is not a big hotel.
- Doorman, Dry cleaning, Invoice provided, Laundry service, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Seminars, Shrine: Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.
- Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, Wi-Fi for special events: Nope.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn't see any of this, but it did feel kid-friendly.
Available in All Rooms: The Nitty-Gritty
- 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, 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: Yep. All the usual suspects. The bed was comfortable. The TV worked.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Maybe it's more kid-friendly than advertised.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Parking was free, and plentiful.
- Airport transfer: Probably not.
- Car power charging station: I have no idea.
The Verdict (and the Quirky Observation)
Look, Lacey's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express (Olympia near!) is… a Holiday Inn Express. It's functional, it's clean (mostly), and it has free Wi-Fi and breakfast. It’s not fancy. Don’t expect the Ritz.
The Quirky Observation: The walls were… thin. You could practically hear the struggles of the couple next door. I actually felt a little bad.
The Emotional Reaction: Ultimately, it was… fine. I survived. The internet worked (mostly). The waffles were… a challenge. But in the end, it's a place to rest your head.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercup! This isn't your perfectly polished itinerary. This is the messy, glorious, slightly-hangry reality of a trip to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lacey – Olympia. Let's see if I can make it through without losing my mind… or my phone.
Day 1: Arrival, Exhaustion, and the Eternal Quest for a Decent Coffee
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at SeaTac Airport. Okay, let's be real, "arrive" is putting it politely. More like "stumble dramatically off the plane, praying my luggage made it too." The grey skies of the Pacific Northwest are a warm hug compared to the anxiety emanating from my carry-on.
- 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Car Rental Chaos. (Yes, I pre-booked. Yes, I still ended up in a line that snaked around the entire rental agency. Why are car rental places designed to suck the joy from your soul? I swear, the cashier had the same defeated look as me). Finally, the tiny SUV beckons.
- 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: The Drive to Lacey. (Yes, I somehow failed to program the GPS beforehand. Again. The scenic route it chose was… a lot of traffic and not much scenery. The rain had started to fall, and I found myself muttering about the "eternal drizzle of the PNW."
- 3:30 PM: Check-in at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lacey – Olympia. Hooray! Finally! The front desk staff seemed surprisingly chipper despite the weather. Kudos to them. Found my room. It was… a room. Clean, functional, with that generic hotel smell that's both comforting and slightly unsettling. I’m already tired of my own feet.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The coffee crisis. This is a matter of life and death. The free coffee in the lobby was… well, let’s just say it wouldn’t win any awards. Hunted for a better caffeine source. Found a Starbucks a few blocks away. The line made me question my life choices. (Note to self: Next time, pack instant coffee. Never underestimate the desperation of a caffeine-starved traveler).
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Unpack (sort of). Mostly I just threw my stuff in various places and hoped for the best.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Taco Bell. Judge me all you want. I was hangry, I was a tourist, and it was convenient. Hey, at least the Baja Blast was good.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Collapse on the bed. Netflix and mind-numbing reality TV. The perfect end to a travel day.
- 9:00 PM: Try to sleep. Fail. Hotel rooms always seem to have a symphony of background noises designed to keep you awake. (The hum of the AC, the distant chatter, someone's dog barking).
Day 2: Discovering Olympia (And My Own Limitations)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Against my will, unfortunately. The coffee situation remains dire. The hotel coffee is even worse this morning.
- 8:00 AM: Managed a quick breakfast at the hotel, and went for an hour-long walk around the hotel. (The lack of sleep may be the primary cause of this entire itinerary).
- 9:00 AM: Attempt to be a Tourist. Decided to try to visit the Washington State Capitol Building. The architecture was impressive, but the crowds…oof. I also got lost in the Senate chambers. It was surprisingly empty, and I wandered into a room that looked suspiciously like a place where serious decisions were made. I beat a hasty retreat, feeling like an idiot.
- 11:00 AM: Lunch. Found a cute little cafe downtown. The food was decent but my internal monologue kept screaming "You could be napping."
- 12:00 PM: Explore the farmer's market. I'm not a huge fan of vegetables, but the atmosphere was nice. Bought some overpriced artisan bread and a weirdly aggressive pickle. (Okay, I did enjoy the pickle.)
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Olympic Museum. Really. I loved all the exhibits, but my legs and my brain were tired. I went slowly from exhibit to exhibit.
- 3:30 PM: Back to the hotel. I had a serious nap. I'm not ashamed.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local diner. The food was hearty, the service was friendly, and the portions were enormous. I felt like I could take on the world… or at least a large milkshake.
- 7:00 PM: Watch the sunset. The sky was painted with the most gorgeous shades of pink and orange. Suddenly, everything felt okay.
- 9:00 PM: Try to sleep. Slightly better than last night, thanks to the nap. The hum of the AC, and the distant chatter, this time gave it a touch more of a warm hug.
Day 3: Departure (and a Strong Desire to Stay)
- 7:00 AM: Awaken.
- 7:30 AM: The coffee situation is still bad. This is not a drill.
- 8:00 AM: I went for a walk around the hotel again.
- 9:00 AM: Checked out. Goodbye, Holiday Inn Express & Suites! You were… a place.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Drive back to SeaTac. The GPS decided to take me on a different scenic route. More traffic. More muttering. More acceptance of the drizzle.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Return the car. Successfully. (Miracle!).
- 1:00 PM: Wait at the airport. I bought snacks. I people-watched. I felt a strange melancholic feeling. Olympia, in all its imperfect glory, had grown on me.
- 3:00 PM: Fly home.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was messy, exhausting, and full of imperfections. But it was also real. And in its own chaotic way, it was pretty amazing. I discovered I have a serious caffeine addiction, that I am terrible at navigating, and that I have a soft spot for slightly aggressive pickles. Also, I managed to survive. And that, my friends, is a victory. (Also, I should have packed better coffee). And I would most likely be back in this Holiday Inn (or, in a similar hotel), in my other favorite town, Olympia, again.
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Is this REALLY the "BEST" Hotel in Lacey? Come on now…
Okay, okay, the "BEST" is subjective, right? And the "BEST" is what I've titled this. Look, it's a Holiday Inn Express. Let's not pretend we're talking about the Ritz. But for Lacey? Yeah. Probably. The competition isn't exactly stiff. It's clean, the breakfast is edible (more on that later!), and the staff, generally, are pretty darn nice. It's my go-to when I have to haul myself to the area. It's...reliable. And in the chaos of travel, sometimes reliable is a *godsend*.
What's the deal with the breakfast? Because let's be honest, hotel breakfasts…
Oh, the breakfast. Ah, the breakfast. It's the usual suspects: powdered eggs that may or may not resemble actual eggs, sad little sausages, those pre-packaged pastries that taste suspiciously of nothing, and a waffle maker that is either your best friend or your sworn enemy. I've been there on both sides. One time, I practically *danced* in the waffle line after like a 2-hour drive in the rain, ready for sugary carbs. The next, I'm staring at a pile of congealed eggs, questioning my life choices at 7 AM. It's a gamble. But they *do* have good coffee. *Very* important. And sometimes, they surprise you with fresh fruit! Score!
Okay, but is it *clean*? Because that's a big one.
Clean enough! Generally. Look, I'm a bit of a germophobe (don't @ me), so I'm always on high alert for suspicious stains. I always do the "bedspread inspection" – you know, the one where you lift it up and pray you don't find… well, you know. I've never *actually* found anything truly horrifying at this particular HIE, which is saying something. The bathrooms are usually sparkling, bless the housekeeping staff. And the rooms, while not exactly minimalist chic, are perfectly acceptable. I once found a rogue, very small, forgotten dog biscuit under the desk. But I think that I was more worried about what the dog was up to than the biscuit.
What's the location like for a tourist? Is it close to anything good?
Well...it's in Lacey. Lacey is...adjacent to Olympia. Olympia is where the coolness is. *Mostly*. You're a short drive from the state capitol, which is pretty impressive (and free to visit!). You are very close to a plethora of chain restaurants (Denny's, Applebee's, Red Robin, the usual suspects), gas stations, and a large shopping area. If you're looking for something specific, you will most likely find it here. Want actual character? You're gonna have to drive into Olympia or beyond. I'm not complaining. I'm just being realistic.
Can you talk specifics, like the rooms? Are they noisy?
Rooms are standard Holiday Inn Express-style. Nothing fancy. They've got the basics – comfy bed (usually), a decent TV, a desk (useful!), and a mini-fridge (essential for my emergency stash of chocolate). Noise levels... well, it depends. I usually get one near the elevator (why, universe, why?!) which means you get the lovely beeping and clunking of the hotel's lifeblood. On occasion, you'll encounter a family with small children, or worse, a very loud party. Bring earplugs. Trust me. I speak from experience!
Let's talk about the swimming pool. Do they even have one?
Yes! They *do* have a pool! It's an indoor pool, which is a huge plus in the Pacific Northwest, where the weather is notoriously unpredictable. It wasn't huge, but it's long enough to actually swim some laps. However, I have *never* been there when it wasn't filled with screaming children. Mostly, it's the kids' paradise. And it smells heavily of chlorine. It's a real dilemma! After a long day of travel, a swim sounds *DIVINE*. However, I am not always in the mood for tiny people and loud noises. So, I usually skip the pool. I do like the idea of it though. Maybe someday I can enjoy a serene swim there. Someday.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Because rude staff can ruin a trip.
The staff is usually pretty darn great! I've had nothing but positive experiences. Front desk folks are always kind and helpful. Breakfast crew *try*. They seem to genuinely care about their job, which is a rare and beautiful thing. I once had an issue with a key card not working, and the woman at the desk fixed it with a smile and some genuine sympathy. Made me feel better instantly! And the housekeeping staff? Bless them. They do a thankless job and keep the place relatively tidy. So, yeah, the staff is a definite selling point.
The gym. How is the gym? Do they even have a gym?
Yes, they have a gym! I think it's technically a "fitness center". I peeked in once or twice, but I am not a gym person. It seemed like a basic setup – treadmills, some weights, the usual. I saw a few people in there, mostly looking determined. So, if you're a fitness fanatic, you'll probably be fine. Just don't expect a luxury experience, okay?
My Most Memorable/Messy Experience???
Okay, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. I have a *very* specific and memorable Holiday Inn Express experience. And it, in a wonderfully awful way, happened at this particular location. It was a stormy, rainy Friday night. I was exhausted from a long day of travel, meetings, and general adulting. Arriving at the hotel, I was thrilled because I was ready to curl up in bed and do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I wanted to be left alone. I just needed a hotel room, a warm bed and some television. I went to checkStarlight Inns
