Escape to Comfort: Clinton's Best Hotel Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into a review of [Hotel Name]. This ain't your grandpa's sterile, cookie-cutter hotel write-up. We're getting REAL. We're getting honest. We're getting, well, me.
The Big Picture: Does [Hotel Name] Actually Do It?
First off, let's be clear: I'm not getting paid to say good things. These are MY thoughts, fueled by caffeine and a healthy dose of cynicism. But I'm also genuinely excited to share if it was a letdown or the opposite. So here's the quick rundown: this place tries. It's ambitious. Does it always nail it? Nah. But it definitely leans into the "experience" vibe. And, look, in the hotel game, effort counts for something.
Accessibility – Navigating the Labyrinth (or Not)
Accessibility: Okay, so this is IMPORTANT. [Hotel Name] says they're accessible. And they DO have some facilities for disabled guests, like… um… an elevator (thank goodness!). I’m not a wheelchair user, so I can't give a definitive "this is perfect!" BUT I did notice they talk about facilities, but I couldn't find many specs so I would definitely contact them. Before you book. Seriously, call them. Ask specific questions, like the width of doorways, the availability of accessible rooms with roll-in showers, etc. Don't leave it to chance. I’m going to give them a cautious thumb-up.
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: Again, ask beforehand. They should be able to give specifics.
Internet – Are You Connected?
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: They shout about Wi-Fi. And guess what? It's mostly true! The Wi-Fi in my room (and yes, all the rooms, apparently… thanks marketing!) was decent. I could stream Netflix (essential!), browse, and generally stay connected to the world. The public areas were also okay, but I found that the Wi-Fi in the lobby was spotty at certain hours, which was slightly irritating. If I was a total internet addict (which I am not, cough), I’d maybe have a backup plan.
Ways to Relax – Ah, Bliss (Or Not So Much…)
- Things to do. Here is where I got truly excited! They have a LOT of fun stuff, including a fitness center, pool with a view, a spa with a sauna, a massage, and a steam room… and body scrub.
- Pool with view: The outdoor pool was actually quite stunning, looking right over the cityscape. But honestly, getting a chair was like winning the lottery. Apparently, everyone else thought the view was amazing too.
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Okay, so the spa. This is where things got… interesting. I treated myself to a massage (because, you know, research). The ambiance was spot-on: low lighting, hushed tones, the works. The massage itself? Decent. Not the best I've ever had, not the worst. But worth it for the "I'm on vacation" feeling. The sauna was… well, a sauna. The steam room was genuinely wonderful.
- Fitness Center/Gym: I glanced in. It was a gym. Looked clean. I don't do gyms on vacation, so I can't give you the deep dive.
Cleanliness & Safety – Are We Safe Here?
- Cleanliness and safety: They definitely made a show of things. The hallways, rooms, and public areas were all spotlessly clean. You knew they were on top of the sanitizing game.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: They went all out. I saw people wiping down door handles (and, yes, the elevator buttons) constantly. I felt safe, which, let's be honest, is huge when you're traveling.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: That’s reassuring.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Largely observed, though the pool situation (see above) got a bit crowded sometimes.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yup, they seemed clued-in.
- Sterilizing equipment: Didn't notice any, but I'm not going to go rooting around in the supply closets.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking – Feed Me!
- Dining: This is a BIG one. [Hotel Name] has a bunch of options. Restaurants, a bar, a coffee shop, a snack bar, and even room service 24/7.
- Restaurants (A la carte, Asian/International/Western cuisine, Vegetarian restaurant). The main restaurant offered a buffet breakfast which, thankfully, had a decent selection (more on that later). The a la carte menu was okay, nothing to write home about, but the food quality overall was better than you'd expect.
- Breakfast (Breakfast [buffet], Asian/Western breakfast, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service). The breakfast buffet was… alright. The usual suspects: eggs, bacon, pastries, the works. The Asian options were actually pretty good. If you're a breakfast person, it'll keep you happy. However, one morning, I was REALLY late, and they were just starting to take down the buffet. The staff, bless their hearts, let me pile a takeaway container up with a weird mishmash of leftovers. That was genuinely thoughtful.
- Bar/Poolside Bar/Happy Hour/Coffee Shop/Desserts: The bar was lively, especially during happy hour. The poolside bar was a lifesaver. The coffee shop served decent coffee. I did not get an opportunity to try the desserts.
- Room service: It was 24/7 and actually surprisingly quick.
Services & Conveniences – The Little Things (That Matter)
- Services: They have a TON of conveniences. The usual suspects: concierge, laundry service, dry cleaning, luggage storage, etc.
- Air conditioning in public area, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities: All present and accounted for.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Score! That helps.
- Contactless check-in/out: Smooth as butter.
- Convenience store, Gift/souvenir shop: Handy if you forgot something.
- Daily housekeeping: Yep, done efficiently.
- Food delivery: Not from the hotel.
- On-site event hosting: Check. (Did not attend any events, so I can't judge the quality.)
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a good thing.
- Smoking area: Designated.
- Terrace: Yes, and some of them had excellent views.
- Xerox/fax in business center: You know, just in case.
For the Kids
- Family/child friendly/Babysitting service/Kids facilities/Kids meal: I saw plenty of families having fun. They definitely seem to cater to kids.
Access – Getting In & Out
- Access: They have a lot of features to help with access.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms: All the basics are covered, which is reassuring.
- Check-in/out [express]: Works fine.
- Elevator: Yes, thank heavens.
Getting Around – Getting There & Back
- Getting around: Pretty easy. They offer airport transfer, car park (free), taxi service. Everything you need.
Available in All Rooms – Snuggling Up
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, 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, Interconnecting room(s) available, 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: They’ve got it all! My bed was comfortable (extra-long, thank goodness), the air conditioning worked beautifully, and the blackout curtains meant I could sleep until noon. The free Wi-Fi in my room was great. And the complimentary tea and coffee were absolute lifesavers. I even got a robe (thank goodness
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Clinton, Iowa: A Whirlwind of…Well, Something. (My Itinerary, God Help Me)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly curated Instagram travel feed. This is me, stumbling through Clinton, Iowa, and documenting the delightful (and occasionally disastrous) mess that is my life. My base camp? The Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Expect chaos. Expect opinions. Expect maybe a desperate cry for a decent cup of coffee.
Day 1: Arrival & The Mystery of the Missing Charger
- 1:00 PM: Arrive in Clinton. Or rather, finally arrive. My navigation app, in its infinite wisdom, decided to route me through… well, let's just say it involved more gravel roads than actual paved ones. My car hates me now. I hate my navigation app. But the Holiday Inn is THERE. Finally! The lobby is clean, smells faintly of chlorine and ambition, and the front desk guy (let's call him "Keith," because he looked like a Keith) is blessedly patient. He’s seen it all, I could tell.
- 1:15 PM: Check-in. Room 217. The key card works! Score! Though my suitcase seems to have multiplied in size overnight. Seriously, what is in that thing?
- 1:30 PM: Unpack… and panic. Where's my phone charger?! Panic mode activated. I’ve checked every pocket, every crevice of my bag, even under the questionable bed. Nope. Nothing. This is a disaster. Seriously. I NEED social media, I NEED to update my friends, I NEED my phone! I desperately hope Keith has spares.
- 2:00 PM: The Keith Initiative. Keith, bless his heart, had a drawer full of miscellaneous chargers. Finding the right one was like playing high-stakes Tetris. Eventually, success! My phone is saved. My sanity, perhaps, less so.
- 2:30 PM: Clinton's Fine Dining (or, the Quest for Food): I ventured out with a vague craving for something… edible. Yelp pointed me towards a local diner called "The Rusty Spoon." Charming name, right? Found it!! It was packed. Like, elbow-to-elbow packed. The air buzzed with the cheerful cacophony of conversations, the clatter of plates, and the tantalizing aroma of… well, everything. I ordered a burger, fries, and a milkshake. It was…perfect. Simple, unpretentious, and exactly what I needed. A tiny taste of Americana bliss.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. Mild Naptime. Deciding my burger-induced food coma needs to be addressed, I waddle back to my room. A nap. The ultimate luxury.
- 6:00 PM: The Great WiFi Struggle (and the ensuing mood swings). The WiFi here… let’s just say it’s “optimistic”. It’s like a toddler trying to run a marathon. I need to upload some pictures. I need to check my emails. I start getting this twitchy feeling. My mood turns sour. "WHY, WIFI, WHY???" (Okay, maybe I said it out loud.)
- 7:00 PM: The Pool Debacle. Yes, I decided to hit the hotel pool. Clearly, I was not thinking straight. It was…children. Everywhere. Screaming, splashing, and generally owning the place. I retreated, slightly shell-shocked. Maybe tomorrow.
- 8:00 PM: Pizza and Regret. Ordered a pizza from some place called "Tony's." It was edible. I'm giving it a solid "C+". More importantly; I ate the whole thing.
Day 2: River Views & The Unexpected Charm of a Local Brewery
- 8:00 AM: The Breakfast Buffet…or so it seemed. The breakfast buffet. Oh, the breakfast buffet. A true test of human resilience. The scrambled eggs looked… yellow. The waffles were, well, waffle-y, but at least the coffee was strong. Really strong. I needed that.
- 9:00 AM: A Walk Along the River. The Mississippi River is… huge. Seriously, you don’t grasp the sheer size of it until you’re standing right there, getting a blast of fresh air. The riverfront walk was surprisingly nice. Peaceful, even. I actually started to think, maybe, just maybe, Clinton isn't so bad.
- 10:30 AM: The Murphy's Law of Souvenir Shops. I wandered into a local gift shop. I love souvenir shops! I end up buying a Clinton, Iowa, t-shirt (so I can prove that I was here!).
- 12:00 PM: The Brewery Revelation. I'm not usually a beer person. I am a wine person. But I stumble upon the "Clinton Brew Pub" and decide, "Why not?" The place is buzzing. The bartender is friendly. He recommends the "Iowa Amber." And, for the first time in my life, I enjoy beer. I spend a solid 2 hours chatting with locals, laughing, and enjoying the vibe.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel. I was still buzzing from the brewery.
- 4:00 PM: The Pool, Take Two (with a little less chaos). The pool was marginally less chaotic today. I actually managed to get some swimming in! Victory!
- 7:00 PM: The Search for a Decent TV Channel. The hotel's TV situation is dire. Seriously. Mostly reruns, cheesy movies, and the local news (which, let's be real, is probably fascinating to someone). I eventually settle on a 24-hour news channel.
- 8:00 PM: Attempting to Finish the Book. Failing. I've been trying to read a book all week, but I keep getting distracted. I force myself to attempt to read the final chapters and then I fall asleep.
Day 3: Departure… and a Glimmer of Hope
- 8:00 AM: Goodbye Breakfast. The buffet. I eat. I leave. Farewell, fluffy eggs and questionable sausage!
- 9:00 AM: Final packing. I'm surprisingly organized this trip, and my departure is a success!
- 10:00 AM: Departing and reflecting. Clinton, Iowa. It wasn't what I expected. Actually, it was better. The people were friendly. The landscape was… well, I got used to it. Maybe I'll even come back someday. (Maybe not.)
- 11:00 AM: Headed Home. I am thankful I found someone to get me out of Iowa so I won't have to suffer any more. Goodbye, Iowa!
Final Thoughts:
The Holiday Inn Express was fine. It was clean, convenient, and the staff was generally pleasant (Keith deserves sainthood). Clinton, on the other hand, was a quirky, surprising, and undeniably real travel experience. It wasn't glamorous. It wasn't perfect. But it was mine. And as I drove away, I knew that, despite the inevitable frustrations and the missing charger, I'd be carrying a little piece of Clinton, Iowa, with me. And that, I suppose, is the whole point of travel, isn't it? To stumble, to learn, and to emerge a little bit (hopefully) more seasoned.
Uncover St. Lucia's Untamed Secrets: South Africa's Hidden Paradise
So, like, What *IS* the meaning of life, anyway? Big question, I know…
Ugh. There it is. The million-dollar query. Look, if anyone *actually* knew, they’d be sipping margaritas on a private island, not answering questions in a terribly formatted FAQ. My take? It’s a choose-your-own-adventure novel, only you’re the author and you're also the character who can't decide if they want pizza or tacos for dinner.
I once spent a solid week – and I mean *solid* – in my pajamas, reading philosophy. Plato, Nietzsche, the whole shebang. Ended up more confused than when I started. My takeaway? Meaning is something *you* create. So, maybe it's about finding joy in the little things (like that perfect cup of coffee this morning), maybe it’s about making a difference, or maybe it’s about mastering the art of online shopping. Honestly? I’m still working on the latter. The cart abandonment rate is *real*.
How do I deal with… y'know… *the world*? It can be a real dumpster fire sometimes.
Okay, real talk: the world *is* a dumpster fire. A beautiful, chaotic, occasionally smelly dumpster fire. And dealing with it? That’s an art form.
First, accept that you can't control most things. Seriously. The weather? Nope. Your annoying coworker? Maybe a small amount, but mainly, no. The current state of social media? God, no.
My system involves a healthy dose of escapism (hello, Netflix!), a good therapist (they're worth their weight in gold, trust me), and lots and lots of chocolate. Oh, and a supportive friend group who completely understands your need to complain about your cats being jerks (they just might be).
Oh! And I try to practice radical acceptance. Like, "Okay, the world is messy, I'm messy, and we're all just trying to figure it out." Makes it feel... manageable, at least.
What about relationships? Love, family, friends… the whole messy shebang?
Oy vey. Relationships. The best and worst things in the world, all rolled into one glorious, complicated ball of yarn.
Family? They're the ones who know all your embarrassing childhood stories (and, let's be honest, probably still judge your fashion choices). Love? It's a rollercoaster, a wild ride, and sometimes it feels like you’re strapped in with a malfunctioning harness. One minute you're soaring, the next you're… well, you're wondering what went wrong, and the only thing that makes sense is curling up in a ball and ordering ice cream.
Friends? Those are the lifelines. The people who will laugh with you, cry with you, and help you bury the evidence (kidding… mostly). They remind you you’re not alone in this crazy, weird world. Cherish them. And call them often.
How do I… *adult*? I feel like I'm faking it.
Okay, *this* is the question that keeps me up at night. I'm pretty sure the majority of adults are just winging it, pretending to know what they're doing. We're all basically kids in slightly more expensive clothes, figuring out how to pay bills, keep a plant alive (a feat in itself!), and avoid burning dinner.
My biggest discovery? No one *actually* knows. Sure, some people are better at *looking* like they have their act together, but trust me, they’re probably just as stressed as you are.
The key is to:
* Fake it 'til you make it (or at least until you get through the week).
* Learn to prioritize (what *really* needs to get done, and what can wait until the next existential crisis).
* Ask for help when you need it. (Seriously, don’t be afraid to ask. Someone’s been there, done that).
* And don't forget to laugh. A lot. Especially at yourself.
What's the best way to deal with failure? I kinda… suck at that.
Oh, honey. Failure? It’s the condiment of life. The bitter chocolate on every otherwise perfect dish. It's inevitable. We all fail. *Constantly*.
I remember, back in college, I decided I wanted to be a chef. Epic fail. Burnt everything, set off the smoke alarm multiple times, and nearly poisoned a very patient roommate with what I thought was a “gourmet” beef bourguignon (it was, in fact, a gelatinous mass of… something).
The *BEST* way to deal with failure is:
1. Acknowledge it. Yep, you messed up. Own it. Don’t try to pretend it didn’t happen (trust me, been there, done that, even when it was an *extremely* questionable attempt to make a cake from scratch).
2. Learn from it. What went wrong? What could you have done differently? (In my chef example, way less salt, and perhaps not setting things on fire would have been a good start).
3. Dust yourself off and try again. Or maybe try something completely different. (I went into writing. Slightly less flammable.)
4. And yes, ice cream. Always ice cream.
Career advice? It's my kryptonite!
Career? Oh boy. If I knew the secret, I'd be relaxing on my private island, with those margaritas I mentioned.
My career path has been less of a path and more of a meandering hike through a particularly thorny forest. One minute I'm convinced I'll be a famous novelist (still working on it!), the next I'm considering becoming a professional cat cuddler (that's a real thing, right?).
Here's what I've learned, mostly the hard way:
* **Don't be afraid to try new things.** That "dream job" you have in your head? It might not exist. Or, even if it does, you might hate it. Try different things, even if they seem weird or unrelated to your "plan."
* **Network!** Ugh, I know. But it *does* help. Talk to people, build connections, and don't be afraid to ask for advice. (Side note: be wary of people who *always* have all the answers, but also be grateful to those that will help)
* **Don't compare yourself to others.** Social media is a highlight reel. Everyone else seems to have it all figured out. They don't. They are mostly, and often the most, lost as you are.
* **It's okay to not know.**Best Hotels Blog
