Chillicothe's BEST Hotel? (Holiday Inn Express Review SHOCK!)
Chillicothe's BEST Hotel? (Holiday Inn Express Review SHOCK!) - Prepare for a Whirlwind… of Opinions!
Alright, folks, buckle up. I'm about to spill the tea on Chillicothe's… well, allegedly best hotel: the Holiday Inn Express. Prepare yourselves. This isn't your cookie-cutter, sterile hotel review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth, seasoned with a healthy dose of "WTF was that?"
First things first: The Hype vs. Reality (Accessibility, a Mixed Bag)
Look, I'm not a mobility expert, but I've stayed in enough hotels to develop a keen eye for accessibility. The Holiday Inn Express in Chillicothe? Meh. It's got the bare minimum, at least from what I saw. Wheelchair accessible? Technically, yes, but navigating the lobby felt a bit…cluttered. The elevator was fine, thank God. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, but I didn't go digging around to test them; not my main concern this trip.
Internet Access: A Modern Necessity (Mostly Good!)
Thank the Wi-Fi gods! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Seriously, in this day and age, a decent internet connection is non-negotiable. The connection itself was pretty solid, no buffering during my Netflix binge. Internet access [LAN]? I didn't even check; who still uses ethernet cables? Internet services was good, if basic. Wi-Fi in public areas? Yep, but don't expect blazing speeds in the lobby during peak hours. All in all, a thumbs up.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Pandemic Era Edition (Trying!)
Okay, let’s talk Pandemic. Anti-viral cleaning products? Supposedly. Daily disinfection in common areas? Probably. Individually-wrapped food options? Yes! Room sanitization opt-out available? Nope. Rooms sanitized between stays? Yes. Staff trained in safety protocol? They seemed to be, wearing their masks correctly at least. Hand sanitizer everywhere! It's more reassuring than feeling you are in a germ palace, that's for sure. Safe dining setup? More on that later. But hey, it felt like they were trying. It felt like they were doing their best to keep things as clean as possible. But the hallway carpets could use some help.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast Blues (and a Little Bit of Happy Hour Hopes)
Breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. This is where things get…interesting. Breakfast [buffet]? Yes, a mini buffet. Breakfast takeaway service? Kinda. It's all individually wrapped, which is smart. Buffet in restaurant? Small, but present. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yes. Coffee shop? Nope. Asian breakfast? Not that I saw. Western breakfast? Standard fare: waffles, cereal, eggs (of questionable origin). I grabbed a yogurt, a fruit, and a single, lonely hard-boiled egg, which felt less like a culinary delight and more like a sad, protein-packed pebble.
I did hear whispers of a "Happy Hour" at the bar, but I never found it. Bar? Yep. Poolside bar? Nope. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yes. Restaurants? Besides the breakfast area, nothing. Room service [24-hour]? Sadly not. Don't get me wrong, it's serviceable, especially if you're starving.
Services and Conveniences: The Perks and the Quirks
Daily housekeeping was on point. My room was always tidy when I returned. Elevator? Yes. Facilities for disabled guests? As mentioned, present but not tested. Safety deposit boxes? Yes! Cash withdrawal? From the front desk. Concierge? Not exactly. The front desk staff were friendly enough, but it wasn’t the “let me plan your entire trip” kind of service. Dry cleaning? Listed, but I didn't need it. Air conditioning in public area? Yes, very necessary in Ohio summers. Business facilities? I saw a corner with a computer and a printer. Meeting/banquet facilities? Yes, but I didn’t attend a rave in the parking lot.
For the Kids
Family-friendly? Yes! I was there with some nieces and nephews and it felt like the ideal place for them to run around and break things. Kids meal? I didn't see it, but I'm sure they could find something on the menu.
Getting Around: Cruising (or Crawling) into Chillicothe
Car park [free of charge]? YES! Thank goodness. Airport transfer? No, this is Chillicothe, not Heathrow. Taxi service? Probably. Valet? HA!
Oh, the Room (Where the Magic Happens…kinda)
Let’s dive into the details! Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet? Nope.
- Air conditioning? YES!
- Alarm clock? Definitely (woke me up at 3 am!).
- Bathrobes? Nope.
- Bathroom phone? No, and thank god.
- Bathtub? In my room! (I love a good soak.)
- Blackout curtains? Mostly, if you could position them just right.
- Closet? Yes.
- Coffee/tea maker? Huzzah!
- Complimentary tea? Yes.
- Daily housekeeping? Indeed!
- Desk? Yep.
- Extra long bed? Yep.
- Free bottled water? One bottle. Stingy.
- Hair dryer? Yes.
- High floor? I think I was on the second.
- In-room safe box? Yes, standard fare.
- Interconnecting room(s) available? Maybe, but I didn't get the chance.
- Internet access – LAN? No.
- Internet access – wireless? YES!
- Ironing facilities? Yep.
- Laptop workspace? Desk!
- Linens? Clean.
- Mini bar? No.
- Mirror? Yes.
- Non-smoking? Yes.
- On-demand movies? Nope.
- Private bathroom? YES.
- Reading light? Yes.
- Refrigerator? Yes.
- Safety/security feature? Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels? Yes.
- Scale? No.
- Seating area? Yes.
- Separate shower/bathtub? No.
- Shower? Yes.
- Slippers? No!
- Smoke detector? Yes.
- Socket near the bed? Yep.
- Sofa? Nope.
- Soundproofing? Nope.
- Telephone? Yes.
- Toiletries? Basic.
- Towels? Clean.
- Umbrella? Nope.
- Visual alarm? Didn't have one in my specific room.
- Wake-up service? Yes.
- Wi-Fi [free]? ABSOLUTELY.
- Window that opens? Yes! Fresh air is a win.
The Emotional Rollercoaster: A Moment of Truth
Here's the thing that really struck me. I spent one afternoon holed up in my room. I popped out on the terrace and looked around. Nothing much to see. Just other people. I needed to escape! I was running late. I went to the lobby. I asked for a map. They gave me one. It was helpful in the end. The map. Not the lobby. The lobby was fine.
The Verdict and a Bold Offer (Prepare Yourself!)
Okay, so the Holiday Inn Express in Chillicothe. It's not perfect. It's sometimes a bit bland. It's not exactly a luxury resort. But! It has the essentials down (cleanish rooms, good Wi-Fi, solid AC). It's a perfectly okay place to lay your head. It's fine.
Why Book This Hotel?
- Location, Location, Location: The hotel is conveniently located.
- Free Wi-Fi: Never Be Disconnected: Stay connected with free, reliable Wi-Fi in every room.
- Clean and Sanitary: Rest easy knowing that the hotel is prioritizing safety and hygiene.
Chillicothe’s BEST Hotel? (Holiday Inn Express) – Book Now! Limited Time Offer!
Book your stay today and receive:
- Free breakfast guaranteed to beat my experience.
- 20% off your first night!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your cookie-cutter, "perfectly curated itinerary." This is… well, this is what REALLY happened when I tried to "relax" at the Holiday Inn Express Chillicothe East. God help me, here goes:
The Chillicothe Chronicles: A Trip Journal (with a healthy dose of chaos)
Day 1: The Great Escape (from… what, exactly?)
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at the Holiday Inn Express: Honestly, finding the place was a small victory. The GPS kept trying to lead me down a gravel road that looked suspiciously like a meth lab waiting to happen. Finally, I saw the familiar, almost too-familiar, blue and orange sign. "Relax," I told myself. "You're surrounded by chain restaurants and probably the same two reality TV shows on repeat in every room. You are safe." My room? Standard. Smelling faintly of chlorine and… hope? Maybe.
- 1:30 PM - Unpacking and Assessment: The unpacking process is always like a mini-reveal of my psyche. Suitcase vomit everywhere. Realized I’d forgotten my toothbrush. (Classic.) Immediate panic. Went downstairs, begged for a spare. The guy at the front desk, bless his soul, just shrugged and said, “Happens to the best of us.” Felt suddenly understood.
- 2:00 PM - The Pool Disaster. (Or, The Thing That Made Me Question Everything) I decided to be all "wellness guru" and hit the pool. It was… well, it was where the dreams of fun go to die. The water felt like tepid dishwater. There was a questionable hair floating near the ladder. And a kid, about five, kept cannonballing directly into the shallow end, creating a mini-tsunami every few seconds. My carefully constructed zen disappeared faster than my dignity. I retreated to my room defeated. My "relaxation" mission? FUBAR.
- 3:00 PM - Channel Surfing and Existential Dread: I'd sworn to cut back on screen time, but guess what? Here I was, glued to whatever awful daytime programming was on. Found myself strangely riveted by a Judge Judy marathon. Why? Because at least someone had their life together. (Also, her shade game is impeccable.)
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at Applebee's - The Carb Coma: Okay, I know Applebee’s isn’t haute cuisine. But I was hungry and didn't want to drive. Ordered the Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp. A carb-laden behemoth. Ate the whole damn thing. Now I was in a full-blown food coma, questioning all my life choices, and feeling absolutely zero guilt.
- 8:00 PM - The Bed's Embrace: Sweet, Sweet Sleep: Fell into bed, ready to sleep, but the "hotel" sounds are real. The heater kicked in, the pipes rattled, and someone next door was snoring like a goddamn chainsaw. I tossed and turned, and almost fell asleep until a fire alarm broke my peace. Great…
- 10:00 PM - Actual Sleep: I finally drifted off to sleep, dreaming of escaping to a deserted island with an endless supply of bourbon. That was nice, but this is not it.
Day 2: Attempts at Redemption (and the slow, creeping boredom)
- 7:00 AM - Free Breakfast: The Hope of a New Day (And Lousy Coffee): Bless the Holiday Inn for its breakfast. It's free! The stale bagels, the pre-made sausage patties, the processed fruit… It's a beautiful symphony of mediocrity. The coffee, however, was basically brown water. But hey, the waffle maker was fully functional, so silver lining.
- 8:00 AM - The "Scenic Drive" (aka, Driving Around In Circles): I attempted to find some of the "local attractions." Google Maps led me to a crumbling historical marker. I gave up after 15 minutes of feeling lost.
- 10:00 AM - Walmart Run (because, well, life): The true highlight of any small-town trip. I bought a new book, some emergency snacks (because food coma), and a travel-sized bottle of mouthwash (THANK GOD). The people-watching was top-notch, too. Truly.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at a Diner: The Culinary High Point (so far): Found a cute little diner. Had a burger and fries. It was greasy, delicious, and exactly what my soul needed. The waitress was a sassy, old woman who probably knew everyone in town. I kinda loved her.
- 1:30 PM - Back to the Room, The Lull: The afternoon was a blur of more channel surfing, a nap that lasted way too long, and the distinct feeling that I was slowly turning into a potato. Had to give my brain a massage
- 6:00 PM - More Applebee's. What? It was close. But this time the pasta, the "house special." I was not happy.
- 8:00 PM - Packing (and accepting my fate): Okay, I packed my bags, realizing that I was leaving behind a room that wasn't sparkling, but that I didn't have to clean.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: I was looking forward to go back home, to the comfort of my own bed. As I went to sleep, I was feeling grateful for what I got. Maybe I did need this, after all.
Reflections:
So, Chillicothe. It wasn't exactly the life-altering, soul-searching experience I'd hoped for. It was, in many ways, ordinary. Messy. Imperfect. And, for some weird reason, that's what made it… real. Maybe the point of “vacation” isn’t to be perfect. Maybe it’s to embrace the absurdity, the boredom, the occasional existential dread. And to find comfort in the fact that even in a bland hotel room, you're still, you know, alive. And in need of a good burger. And maybe, just maybe, a new travel toothbrush. Off I go, I guess.
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Holiday Inn Express Chillicothe: The Hotel Review You REALLY Need
Okay, spill it! Is this *actually* the BEST hotel in Chillicothe?
Alright, alright, settle down. "Best" is a tricky word, isn't it? Especially in a town like Chillicothe. Look, I've stayed here a bunch. It's... serviceable. Let's just say I haven't booked a room with a celebratory confetti cannon in anticipation. But is it the absolute WORST? Nah. Let's delve, shall we? I mean, it's Chillicothe, what are your expectations, a Four Seasons?
Here's the truth bomb: It's consistently...consistent. Which, in a hotel, is kinda what you want. Clean enough. Breakfast is... well, it's there. The staff? Mostly friendly, but I swear I once saw one of them wrestling a waffle maker. (Seriously, it was a whole THING). So yeah... it’s in the running.
The Breakfast. Tell Me About the Breakfast. Is it a Glorious Feast or a Tragedy in a Buffet Line?
Oh, breakfast. The great equalizer. Okay, look. It's free. And often hot. That's a win, right? They have the usual suspects: Scrambled eggs that are... well, they *resemble* eggs, but sometimes possess a certain... rubbery quality. Sausage patties that whisper "processed," but hey, protein is protein. The waffle maker? Still a potential hazard, as previously mentioned. And don't EVEN get me started on the coffee. Let's just say it's best consumed *after* you've secured a strong cup from a nearby coffee shop. And don't expect fresh fruit that is the color of actual fruit.
But here's the thing: there is cereal, yogurt, fruit cups that are probably from a can, and a tiny little to go bag you can fill up with the left overs that you are going to eat later, when you're hungery again. It's enough to get you started. It's utilitarian, not gourmet. Don't go in expecting Michelin stars, and you'll be fine. I've had worse. Roadside diners are usually worse.
Once, I saw a kid, maybe seven years old, load up a plate with waffles, then cover them in syrup so thick you could almost stand them up. Majestic. That, I think, is the ultimate Holiday Inn Express breakfast review.
The Rooms! Are They Clean? (I'm kind of a germaphobe...)
Alright, room cleanliness is paramount. I get it. Look, it's not the Ritz, but I've never found anything truly horrifying. The housekeeping staff seems to do a decent job. The sheets *appear* clean. The bathrooms... well, they're bathrooms. You know the drill. Don't go poking around in the corners. The air conditioning will work. It all seems... sanitized. It's a "close your eyes and hope for the best" kind of clean, not a "white glove inspection" kind of clean. I've never seen any evidence of a previous guest's gross habits so that's good. They stock enough towels, too. So, yeah, it's good enough, unless you are on a mission to find filth then you might be disapointed. Chillicothe is not a filth paradise.
Let's Talk Location. Is it Convenient? Close to Things?
The location is fine. Actually, it's BETTER than fine. It's right off the highway. (Which also means some slight road noise, but nothing unbearable). You're close to a handful of restaurants – the usual chain suspects, and a few local places. There's a Walmart nearby for any forgotten essentials. You can get food, gas, and supplies with ease. It's not in the bustling downtown, so if you are looking for a hotel in the heart of the action, this isn't it. But for a quick in-and-out stay, it's pretty darn convenient. You'll be able to get to the place in question, and get out with quick ease.
Alright, spill the tea! Any *real* problems? What's the catch?
Okay. Real talk time. Sometimes, the elevators are slow. VERY slow. And sometimes they fail to work at all. I was there once when the elevator was out, and I was on the fourth floor. I had to lug my suitcase up four flights of stairs. I felt like I was going to die. So be forewarned, if you have mobility issues or are hauling a mountain of baggage, maybe request a first-floor room. Or, you know, pack light.
Also, the Wi-Fi can be a little temperamental. It's not the fastest. And sometimes, the pool is closed. It's a basic hotel. Basic problems. But I've never had anything that would make me swear off the place entirely.
I will say, one time, the shower pressure was abysmal. Like being licked by a damp kitten. That was a low point. But it was just one time, and I survived. Overall, it's a small package of imperfections.
The Pool! Is it worth it? (I love a good hotel pool)
The pool... It's there. It's indoors, often. It's a pool. It's not the biggest pool, don't plan on doing laps. I've been there and it's fine, and it seems like kids enjoy it, but I've also been there when it was really gross, so I couldn't go in. It's a gamble. I'd call ahead and ask the front desk about its current state, and if its open. Some pools, you can smell the chlorine a mile away. This one... you can't always smell it. So, again, proceed with caution. It might be great, it might be a little...off. Don't base your entire trip around the pool. Which reminds me of the time I did an entire Trip Advisor review dedicated to a hotel pool. That was embarrassing.
So, should I stay here? Sum it up!
Look. If you're in Chillicothe and need a place to crash, it’s a solid choice. It’s not a destination in itself. It's a functional place to lay your head. It’s reliable, generally clean, and convenient. You won't leave hating your life. You might leave with a vague sense of "eh," but that's okay! Chillicothe itself is a bit of an "eh" kind of town, if I'm being honest.
If you're expecting luxury? Keep looking. If you're terrified of hotel breakfast buffets? Pack some granola bars. But if you're looking for a dependable, affordable hotel in Chillicothe that is better than aHotel Deals Search
