Charleston Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Holiday Inn Express Southridge!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into an absolutely chaotic, unfiltered review of a hotel. Forget the press releases and polished brochures… this is real talk. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable grammar, and my unvarnished opinions. We're aiming for a review so honest, it probably deserves its own trigger warning.
Let's get this show on the road with [Hotel Name] – or at least, my take on it.
First Impressions & The Accessibility Tango (or, how I almost face-planted on a ramp)
Right, first things first: Accessibility. This is important, people. Like, really important. And let's be honest, hotels often botch this. [Hotel Name]? Well, it's a mixed bag. They say they've got it covered, but… sigh.
Wheelchair Accessible: Okay, so they say they're wheelchair accessible. And yeah, there are ramps. But the ramp leading to the lobby? It felt like it had the incline of a ski slope. And you know what? I'm not even in a wheelchair! I just almost ate it on my way in. So, proceed with caution, or maybe bring your own sherpa. The other facilities: elevators are present, and the walkways are mostly okay wide.
Facilities for Disabled Guests: I'm happy to see what they've made available, but I'm not sure how well it would work, so I'd recommend calling in advance.
Check-in/out [Contactless]: Thank god, they've got contactless check-in. Because, you know, germs. And because I'm inherently awkward at front desks.
Elevator: Yes, thank heavens for the elevator. I am not climbing stairs after a day of sightseeing!
Rooms & Comfort – My Personal Sanctuary (Or, Where I Found Inner Peace… And a Mildly Moldy Showerhead)
Okay, let's talk rooms. Because, you know, that's where we spend most of our waking hours pretending to be fancy.
Wi-Fi [Free] in all rooms!: Bless. The. Internet. The Wi-Fi was not always perfect, but it was available, and it was, as they say, free.
Available in all rooms: So many amenities! You know the drill: Air conditioning (essential), alarm clock (for when you're super tired of sleeping in), bathrobes (because who doesn't want to lounge around in a fluffy robe?), and a hair dryer (praise be!). Plus, they had…
Complimentary tea, and coffee/tea maker: Tea, coffee, and more!
Blackout curtains: Absolute game-changer. Slept like a baby. A caffeinated, tea-loving, baby.
Desk, Laptop workspace: Great for the digital nomads, or in my case, writing this review in my underwear.
Non-smoking rooms: Yes! Praise be.
Soundproof rooms: Mostly. I did hear the occasional overly enthusiastic karaoke session from what sounded like a very competitive wedding party, but overall, solid soundproofing
Extra long bed: Huge plus!
In-room safe box, Safety/security feature:: I am a fan of feeling safe.
Now, here comes the but. The showerhead. Yes, the showerhead. It might have had a touch of mold. A tiny, almost imperceptible amount. But hey, let's be realistic, this is a hotel, not a sterile lab.
The Rest (And the Restlessness): What Else Does This Place Have?
Right, beyond the room? Let's get to the nitty-gritty.
Amenities: Oh, the amenities! They've got everything.
Fitness center and Gym/fitness: A fitness center! I intended to go. I truly did. But…exhaustion. And the lure of the…
Spa/sauna, Steamroom: The sauna! The steamroom! Bliss. I practically melted into a puddle of relaxation. After this, my muscles were much more ready.
Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The outdoor pool was gorgeous. I'm talking Instagram-worthy views. I ended up spending hours there. I might have even skipped a scheduled activity or two. Worth it.
Things to do: I did the sightseeing, but I also found myself sitting in the pool. Both was fun in its ways, but I'd recommend the pool more.
Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap: Yeah, their Spa is a real highlight. I went for a massage and may have fallen asleep. No regrets.
Dining: Okay, so this is where things get interesting.
- Restaurants, and Restaurants [Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant]:: The restaurants…they had them. Multiple! I did enjoy the Asian cuisine they offered, and the international selection was fairly good too. There was a Vegetarian restaurant, too, which was nice.
- Poolside bar: This is what you want, trust me. Cocktails while you're lounging by the pool = perfection
- Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfast buffet was… extensive. Maybe a little too extensive? So many choices! I kind of felt overwhelmed. And the quality was a bit inconsistent. The pastries were heavenly one day, and the scrambled eggs were… not.
- Room service [24-hour]: Which is a must after a day of sightseeing and pool-lounging.
- Coffee shop: Good for a quick caffeine fix.
- Snack bar: Because sometimes, you just need a snack.
For the kids, Babysitting service: They seemed very family-friendly, with kids facilities and babysitting on offer.
Services:
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent. My room was always spotless.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Always appreciated, especially when your suitcase exploded on the first flight.
- Concierge, Doorman: Always appreciated. The concierge was incredibly helpful with booking tours and making restaurant recommendations.
- Food delivery: A nice touch for those late-night munchies.
Safety & Cleanliness: Okay, COVID-era, this is important.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: They say they use them.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! Which is good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: I saw them cleaning everywhere.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Good.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I definitely felt safe.
The Quirks, The Clunkers, and The Conclusion (aka My Honest Verdict)
- Quirks: I feel I wasn't able to stay here long enough for any real quirk to present itself, but I feel I could definitely find some if I had a longer stay.
- Clunkers: That showerhead. It’s the little things, you know? And the slightly wonky ramp.
- The Verdict: [Hotel Name] is a solid choice. It's not perfect, but it's comfortable, clean (mostly!), has enough amenities to keep you occupied, and the staff is genuinely friendly. I’d recommend it. Just maybe pack a showerhead cleaner, just in case.
My Emotional Rating:
- Overall: 4 out of 5 stars. (Minus one star for that questionable showerhead.)
- Would I go back? Absolutely. (Once I scrub that showerhead.)
SEO Stuff (Because, You Know, People Search Stuff):
Keywords: This review uses keywords like "hotel," "accessibility," "spa," "pool," "restaurants," "Wi-Fi," "cleanliness," "fitness center," "room," "breakfast."
Target Audience: This review is aimed at travelers looking for a comfortable, convenient hotel with a strong focus on amenities and a decent level of accessibility, and perhaps a willingness to overlook a few minor imperfections.
My Unsolicited Advice:
- Book a room with a view. Trust me, the views are worth it.
- Pack a book. Or a tablet. Or something to do while you're sprawled out by the pool.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. The staff is genuinely helpful.
- Bring shower cleaner. Just in case.
- Enjoy yourself! You're on vacation, after all.
I hope this review was helpful (and entertaining!). I've tried my best to be honest, human, and a bit chaotic, just like me!
Roanoke Getaway: Best Western Inn & Suites - Unbeatable Deals!
Alright, here we go. Buckle up, buttercups, 'cause this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is Charleston, Southridge, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, in all its chaotic glory.
Day 1: Charleston, I Hardly Know Ye… Yet.
Early Morning (Like, really early): My alarm screeches like a banshee. Ugh. Gotta love a 5:00 AM flight. Drag myself outta bed, fueled by instant coffee that's probably older than I am. Check! Finally, the airport. I swear, the TSA agent's seen me at least a dozen times this year. Maybe I'm getting a frequent flyer discount on airport security. Nope. Just a regular, perpetually stressed traveler.
Mid-Morning: Arrival & First Impressions Charleston, here I am! Everything is a blur. I can't believe how much I've already forgotten. Okay, deep breaths. Where is the hotel? Oh, right. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston-Southridge. Driving can't be too crazy. I see the exit.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Hotel Check-In & Room Reveal Checked in. The lobby is… well, it's a Holiday Inn Express. You know the drill: predictable, clean, and smells vaguely of chlorine and artificial air freshener. The staff is friendly, though, bless their hearts. My room key? Successfully retrieved.
- Room: Alright, the room. Not bad. Not amazing. Window overlooking the parking lot. (sigh) At least there's a decent-sized bed. I will, however, be forced to rearrange the furniture because I'm a maniac that doesn't like the placement.
- Room: The bathroom? Also clean. I guess the bar of soap is an amenity, and you know what they say. I guess I'll take it, but I don't remember the last time I used a bar of soap. The shower pressure could be better, to be honest.
- Room: Okay, let's settle in! I'm feeling a bit peckish. Where do I keep getting my food?
Afternoon: First Taste of Charleston – or, "Why Did I Choose THIS Restaurant?" Okay, time for a serious excursion. Need food. Yelp recommended this place called "The Rusty Spoon." (It wasn't Rusty. It was clean, but I suppose it was a spoon.) I ended up getting shrimp. A LOT OF SHRIMP. It was okay, I guess, but the wait was longer than advertised. I should have just ordered the burger. I guess I still would be waiting, though.
- Observation: The waitress, bless her heart, was trying very hard to be cheerful. I'm sure she's seen it all, and I'm sure she saw me and my face.
Evening: Relaxing (Attempted) Back at the hotel. I watched some stupid TV but now I'm going to go to sleep.
Day 2: Exploring (and Maybe Becoming a Local)
Morning: Holiday Inn Express Breakfast Buffet – A Love/Hate Relationship That hotel breakfast. Glorious and disappointing at the same time. The hot coffee is always bitter, the juice tastes like it's been sitting out since the Reagan administration. But the waffles? Those I have no hesitation. The waffles always get to my heart. They call it free but I think they are worth it.
- Rant: Why do hotel coffee machines ALWAYS make the worst coffee?! Why?!
Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Charleston Market and "Vintage" Shopping – My Wallet Weeps Decided to wander around the shops. Souvenir shopping is a must but my wallet hates me.
Afternoon: This city is a labyrinth. It's going to take me days to get a handle on. I got lost twice today. It's amazing, and what's worse? Everyone is so helpful, and I'm never embarrassed. I love it.
- Anecdote: I was wandering around a random side street and there was so much to enjoy.
- Rant: I am exhausted. There is so much to see, and I can't do it all.
Evening: "Fine Dining" (aka, Pizza to Go) I'm beat. Pizza it is. I found a local place, "Tony's Tasty Slices." The name is not a lie. The pizza was amazing. It was everything I needed.
Day 3: Charleston's Charms (and My Growing List of "Must-Do's")
Morning: Last Swim?? Time to check out. It's sad, and it means I have to go back to the real world, but I might have to make time for a quick swim.
Late Morning: Last Trip to the City Before the plane, I had to go back. I'll have to come back. I love it.
Afternoon: Airport Chaos & Farewell, Charleston! Now, the airport. The lines, the stress… It's all the same across the world, but it's a reminder that I'll be back soon to Charleston. I love that city!
Final Thoughts (aka, A Messy Wrap-Up):
Charleston, you were a whirlwind! You were a beauty. There were moments I wanted to run away, and moments I wanted to move here. I loved it. I'm already planning my return. My phone has a ton of videos and pictures that I'll have to put out on the world after returning home, but I'm very excited to revisit this place.
Rating: Holiday Inn Express - a reliable, no-frills basecamp for exploring. Charleston - absolutely worth the trip. Come prepared for unexpected adventures, crowds, and maybe a little chaos. Embrace it!
Harris Surabaya: Unbeatable Deals & Luxury Await!
So, what *IS* this FAQ about anyway? Like, what are we doing here?
Why are you doing this? Is it for fun? Some kind of therapy?
What are you *really* passionate about?
Do you have any weird habits?
What, if anything, are you *not* good at?
What inspires you?
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
What do you do for fun?
What annoys you?
