Unbelievable Ft. Washington Getaway: Holiday Inn Express Review!
Unbelievable Ft. Washington Getaway: Holiday Inn Express Review! - My Honest Truth (and Maybe Yours Too)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving deep into the Holiday Inn Express in Ft. Washington. Forget the dry, corporate reviews – I'm here to tell you the real deal, warts and all. This isn't just a hotel review; it's a journey. A journey fueled by lukewarm coffee and the faint hope of a decent night's sleep.
First Impressions (and a Little Panic):
Alright, folks, I’m gonna be straight with you, finding the dang place was a mission. GPS acting up? Check. Rain coming down sideways? Check. Me, slightly hangry and questioning all my life choices? Double-check. But hey, eventually, finally, I pulled into the parking lot. Car park [free of charge]? Bless up! That’s a small win in a world of exorbitant hotel parking fees. The exterior corridor made me a little nervous at first – always feel like I'm in an episode of a bad cop show – but whatever, the rain was still coming.
Accessibility (Because Everyone Deserves a Good Stay):
Wheelchair accessible - Good start! Important for, you know, everyone. I didn't personally need it, but knowing it's there gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Seeing as it is labelled at Facilities for disabled guests that's a great option for anyone.
Rooms: Conquering My Fear of the Ordinary:
So, I walk in, and the air conditioning is blasting. Ah, a welcome reprieve from the Pennsylvania humidity. I mean, air conditioning in all rooms is a must, right? The room itself? Let's just say it's… functional. It's not exactly the Ritz, but hey, it's a Holiday Inn Express. Non-smoking rooms – check. Huge win. I hate that lingering cigarette smell, which I'm eternally grateful for this one. Daily housekeeping kept the place tidy, which I appreciated. I'm terrible at cleaning, so, win-win. Free Wi-Fi? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be to the internet gods! Needed it.
The Bathroom: A Tale of Two Toilets
Okay, the bathroom. It had what you expect of a modern hotel - Additional toilet. It’s a practical detail, but does it make me feel luxurious? Hmm… not really. I did appreciate the mirror & hair dryer. I'm a simple woman, sometimes you need a simple hairdryer. Shower and bathtub – both were clean. Not exactly spa-like, but hey, I didn't come to soak in style. There's also a separate shower/bathtub, so you get a little more space. Toiletries were… well, they existed. The kind you use once and then forget about.
Sleep, or the Lack Thereof:
Blackout curtains were a lifesaver! Seriously. Nothing worse than being jolted awake by the dawn. Extra long bed, good for tall people such as myself! And the soundproofing? Okay, I'm a light sleeper. Sometimes, I swear, I can hear a gnat sneeze. I can't promise it's completely soundproof, but I didn't hear any noisy neighbors, which is a definite win.
Breakfast: The Great Buffet Gamble:
Now, here's where things get interesting. The legendary Holiday Inn Express breakfast. Breakfast [buffet] – it was a classic. Buffet in restaurant. Scrambled eggs of questionable origin? Check. The usual suspects of breakfast service: cereal, pastries, fruit. The Asian breakfast option made me curious - I couldn’t see anything from the Asian cuisine in restaurant, but it was still an option! Coffee/tea in restaurant was… well, it was coffee. And there was a coffee shop - you know, for those who needed an upgrade. The breakfast takeaway service seemed a little more useful here, but it’s still a great aspect.
The Amenities: Glimmers of Hope (and Minor Disappointments):
Okay, the pool with view? Didn't get to see it. Time constraints. Swimming pool [outdoor] was also sadly off-limits. I'm starting to realize this hotel is meant for an earlier person. Fitness center – looked decent. Didn't use it, because, well, I'm lazy. Gym/fitness. Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom. Didn't attempt any of these due to the schedule.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Hunger Games Edition:
There’s a restaurant, which is always nice. Poolside bar, Bar. The Snack bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. I didn't try any of these, but the choice is still nice.
Cleanliness and Safety: (COVID-19 Edition - The Slightly Paranoid Version):
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Obviously, the pandemic has changed everything. Anti-viral cleaning products? That's reassuring. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Fingers crossed! They have Daily disinfection in common areas and Professional-grade sanitizing services. I felt pretty safe, all things considered. Staff trained in safety protocol and a Safe dining setup seems to be available!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (or Don't):
Concierge? Didn't see one. Doorman? Nope. Luggage storage? Probably. The whole thing was super casual. Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service – all those things I never use, but it’s nice to know they're there. Cash withdrawal? Yep, good to include for the masses.
Getting Around: The Logistics of Leaving (or Arriving):
Car park [on-site] made getting around easy. Thank god. After having one too many troubles getting Airport transfer, you know, sometimes you need a taxi.
Verdict: Would I Stay Again?
Look, this isn't a luxury resort. But for the price, it's a solid option. Clean, comfortable, with all the basics covered. If you're looking for a fuss-free stay in Ft. Washington, this Holiday Inn Express is a perfectly reasonable choice. Is it "unbelievable"? No. But is it… reliable? Definitely. I give it a solid 7/10.
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Escape to Paradise: Luxury Awaits at Elite World Grand Sapanca
Alright, buckle up, Buttercups. Get ready for a messy, opinionated, and probably slightly delusional itinerary for a stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ft. Washington – Philadelphia By IHG. This ain't your grandma's spreadsheet, folks. This is life, with a side of lukewarm hotel coffee.
Day 1: Arrival and the Perpetual Search for the "Good" Remote
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Ugh, airports. The fluorescent lights, the screaming babies, the smell of desperation and stale pretzels. Found my luggage, miraculously. Taxi to the hotel in Ft. Washington. The driver, bless his soul, was telling me about his ex-wife. Honestly, great guy, but I'm still trying to mentally prepare for the actual trip.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. The front desk guy looked like he'd seen things. Probably dealing with the endless parade of checked-out rooms and the subsequent "forgotten toothbrush" calls. He was polite though, which is a win in my book. Room key? Check. Free Wi-Fi? Big check. That's the real currency of the modern traveler, people.
- 3:00 PM: Room inspection. Okay, not bad. Clean enough. The air conditioning is doing something. The TV remote… the Holy Grail of any hotel room. I spent a good 20 minutes just flicking through channels, hoping to stumble upon something decent. Nope. The same reruns of Judge Judy that have been on since the dawn of time. Then I start obsessing about the "lost remote" – who had this remote before me?! Did they change the batteries? Was it the legendary "good" remote, the one that actually worked? It's a mystery, really and a source of constant minor frustration.
- 4:00 PM: Snack break. I hit the vending machine. The choices were horrific. Cheez-Its or… Cheez-Its? Took the plunge, because, well, what else was I going to do? The salty goodness did hit the spot, but now my fingers are orange.
- 5:00 PM: Explore the hotel grounds. The gym looked… intimidating. I took a pass. The pool? Closed for maintenance. Perfect timing. Back to the room, and the endless search for the remote.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. There's a plethora of options. I saw a Chinese restaurant and a pizza place, but I went across the road to a nice diner. I ate a huge burger and fries and I'm not going to lie. I ate the whole thing.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the room. The endless search returns. It's starting to wear me down.
- 8:30 PM: Watched a movie on TV and fell asleep. The remote was lost and left by its side.
Day 2: Philadelphia Bound and the Art of the Unexpected
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. The "complimentary breakfast" situation at the hotel. The usual suspects: rubbery scrambled eggs, sad-looking pastries, and coffee that's probably been brewing since the Carter administration. I managed to choke down some cereal and a lukewarm sausage that I think had been sitting on a warmer plate. But hey, it's free, right?
- 9:00 AM: Head into Philadelphia. Uber/Lyft it, because, frankly, I'm too lazy to deal with public transportation. Arrived in the city and my head started spinning. So. Much. History.
- 10:00 AM: Independence Hall and Liberty Bell. Honestly, it was a bit of an emotional experience. Standing there, feeling the weight of history. Did I tear up a little? Maybe. Did I have to elbow my way past a gaggle of teenagers taking selfies? Absolutely. It's a weird mix of awe and frustration. The crowds! I could barely move!
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. A cheesesteak, because, when in Rome… or, you know, Philly. The line was long, the place was cramped, and the sandwich was dripping with cheese, onions, and pure greasy goodness. Worth it. Every. Single. Calorie.
- 1:30 PM: Wandering through Old City. Cobblestone streets, charming shops, and the distinct scent of – let's call it "historical aroma." I stumbled upon a tiny bookstore and spent way too long browsing. Found a signed copy of something I wanted and that was pretty much the best moment of the whole day.
- 3:00 PM: The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the "Rocky Steps." Okay, the museum was HUGE. I spent an afternoon just trying to take it all in. The building’s imposing, and the art inside is even more so. The Rocky Steps… well, you have to do it, right? (Even though my legs screamed at me with every step) More selfies were taken.
- 4:30 PM: A Random Encounter. While out and about, I stumbled and fell. Embarrassing. But! A lovely gentleman helped me up. Turns out he was a sculptor! We ended up chatting about art, life, and the proper way to eat a cheesesteak. That chance encounter made the whole day a million times better. It's the unexpected moments like that that make travel worthwhile, you know?
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. I went to a fancy restaurant because I felt like it. Had some amazing food and a couple of glasses of wine. It's important to pamper yourself every once in a while, and I'm not ashamed to admit I fell a little bit more in love with the world on this day.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Tired, happy, and smelling faintly of cheesesteak and art.
Day 3: Departure – Because All Good Things…Eventually…End
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Surviving on the complimentary breakfast again. I am trying to stay positive, but the scrambled eggs… they remain a disappointment.
- 9:00 AM: The hotel room. Packing, which, let's be honest, is never fun. Trying to squeeze everything back into my suitcase is like playing a cruel game of Tetris. The remote, still lost, remains a symbol of unfinished business.
- 10:00 AM: Check Out. Bye-bye, Holiday Inn Express. Thanks for the (mostly) comfortable bed and the free Wi-Fi. Don't worry about the remote.
- 11:00 AM: Airport, security, the long wait, more stale pretzels (sigh).
- 1:00 PM: Board the plane. Back Home, I thought about everything I had done. It was a chaotic. But wasn't it fun?
So, there you have it. A travel itinerary that's less "perfect plan" and more "slightly unhinged adventure." Philadelphia, you were awesome! I'm already planning my return, just as soon as I recover from these scrambled eggs. And next time, I swear, I'm bringing my own remote.
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Unbelievable Ft. Washington Getaway: Holiday Inn Express Review! (Brace Yourselves...)
Okay, people, buckle up. This ain't your sanitized hotel review. This is REAL life. And the Holiday Inn Express in Ft. Washington? Well, let's just say it left a mark. Let's dive in, shall we?
So, first things first: Why Ft. Washington?! And why, oh why, the Holiday Inn Express?
Alright, the *why Ft. Washington* is a simple one: My slightly crazed aunt was throwing a surprise birthday (the "surprise" part being entirely dependent on the guest of honor's ability to *not* check her email). Ft. Washington's the closest viable option. And the *why Holiday Inn Express...* Well, budget, mostly. And the vague promise of "free breakfast." Which, as you'll see, is a whole saga unto itself.
Let's talk first impressions. What were the vibes? Good, bad, neutral… or existential dread?
Okay, the curb appeal... it was… there. Let's go with "present." Think beige brick, a slightly forlorn parking lot, and a front door that felt like it was constantly weighing the pros and cons of being open. Inside... Well, the lobby smelled vaguely of chlorine (a good sign for cleanliness, right?! Right??) and… ambition? Like, they *tried* to make it look nice, with those weird, abstract paintings on the walls that probably cost a small fortune at a discount art warehouse. It’s kind of got a "hotel that USED to be a Super 8" vibe, if that makes any sense. The front desk lady, bless her heart, was clearly over it. I relate.
The Room: The Sacred Chamber! What's the lowdown? Cleanliness? Comfort? Any unexpected roommates?
Okay, let's talk about the room. It was… a room. You weren't expecting Buckingham Palace, right? First thing I did? The sniff test. You KNOW you do it. And, thankfully, it passed! No obvious horrors lurking in the air. The bed? Firm. Like, "could-double-as-a-torture-device-in-a-pinch" firm. I actually tossed and turned so much that I woke up with a crick in my neck. The TV? Worked. The bathroom? Functional. The water pressure in the shower was… surprisingly good! Always a plus. And the best part? No unexpected roommates! No rogue spiders, no tiny, judgmental ants… just me, my back pain, and the vague feeling of existing.
Breakfast: The Holy Grail of Free Hotel Perks. Did it deliver the goods? Spill the tea!
OH GOD, the breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. "Free breakfast" is a dangerous promise. It's a siren song. The "hot" options consisted of a sad pile of scrambled eggs (that may or may not have been real eggs… I didn't investigate too closely), some pre-cooked sausage links that looked like they’d been through a war, and… waffles. The waffle maker! Now, the waffle maker had a mind of its own. One minute it was bubbling merrily, the next it was spewing smoke and looking like it was plotting my demise. I actually saw a kid burst into tears trying to extract his waffle. It was a whole THING. I managed to, with a herculean effort and the assistance of a very kind older gentleman, extract a semi-edible waffle. I'm pretty sure the syrup was the same stuff they use to glue the parking lot asphalt. But hey, caffeine! The coffee? Okay, okay... not terrible. Just keep your expectations low and you'll be alright.
Amenities! Did they even *have* any? Pool? Gym? A functioning vending machine?
Vending machine? YES! A beacon of hope in the wasteland of my existential dread! It had… well, the standard fare. Chips, candy bars... and a surprisingly tempting bag of trail mix. I went for that trail mix, because health, right? The pool? Exists. I didn’t go near it. It looked… cold. And a little… unused. The gym? Oh, yes, the gym! I peeked in. Two treadmills, a rusty elliptical machine, and a dumbbell rack that looked like it hadn't seen action since the Reagan administration. Let's just say I skipped that visit. My lungs are thanking me now... and so are my shoulders.
Staff: The unsung heroes (or villains) of the hotel experience. Who were the MVPs?
I mentioned the front desk lady, right? She really *was* on the front lines of all our crazy family antics. She has the patience of a saint! She was an MVP. The cleaning staff seemed to work tirelessly. I saw them hustling, keeping things as clean as reasonably possible. The breakfast area staff were… also alive. They weren't the villains, not at all. But, they were battling the waffle maker. That's a tough one. Ultimately, everyone was doing their best. God bless 'em.
Location, Location, Location! Was it conveniently close to… anything?
Okay, location! It was… in Ft. Washington. Which, depending on your definition of "convenient," might be a plus or a minus. It was near the turnpike (traffic!), and close to… A bunch of chain restaurants. And the reason we were there, my Aunt's surprise birthday. So, convenient-ish. If you like chain restaurants and slightly-too-far-from-the-action driving, then yeah, the location is perfect. If you're hoping for a charming, walkable downtown experience? Maybe look elsewhere.
The BIG picture: Would you recommend this hotel? And if so, to whom?
Would I recommend it? Hmm… Look, it’s fine. It's a budget hotel. I didn't get bed bugs, and, other than the waffle incident, nothing catastrophic happened. But, "fine" is a low bar, isn't it? Who would I recommend it to? People who: Are on a tight budget. Really, REALLY, need to be in Ft. Washington. And can, and I stress, CAN, handle a slightly underwhelming breakfast experience. If your expectations are low, and all you need is a reasonably clean place to crash, then sure. Go for it. But don't go expecting luxury. Or a life-changing breakfast. You'll be sorely disappointed. Overall? It was functional. It was…forgettable. It was theAround The World Hotels
