McPherson's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the McPherson, Kansas, Holiday Inn Express! This ain't your grandma's cookie-cutter hotel review. I'm here to give you the REAL scoop, the gritty details, and the emotional rollercoaster that is… a night (or two!) at a Holiday Inn Express. Prepare for a bumpy ride, and hopefully, a laugh or two along the way.
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First Impressions (and a little bit of "Ehhh…")
Pulling up to a Holiday Inn Express is like… well, it's like pulling up to a Holiday Inn Express. You know what you're getting. Clean lines, predictable architecture, and that familiar, vaguely sterile scent. The exterior was perfectly fine, not breathtaking, but perfectly functional. I was really hoping for a majestic facade… Nope.
(Accessibility)
Let's talk accessibility. I can't personally comment from experience, but I made sure to check all the boxes. The website claims wheelchair accessibility, and they say they have facilities for disabled guests. I did spot an elevator, which is always a plus. (Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible) I would feel more confident if I had first-hand experience, but based on what was there, they seem compliant. This is crucial for anyone with mobility concerns, so if you have specific needs, PLEASE call ahead and confirm! Don't just take my word for it!
(Check-in: Contactless? Maybe? Depends… )
The front desk staff were friendly enough. Not overly bubbly, but efficient. ( Front desk [24-hour], Check-in/out [express], Concierge ) Contactless check-in? Theoretically, yes. Reality? Still some paperwork. I'm not entirely sure they've perfected the art of avoiding contact entirely. But hey, the desk woman was super nice. She even offered me a little bag of earplugs (because… Kansas). This kind of goes to show they care when you see small details like that. Good on you, McPherson Holiday Inn Express! (Room Aesthetics - A Symphony of Beige) (Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Shower, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.)
The room. Ah, the room. It was… a room. Clean, yes ( Cleanliness and safety, Rooms sanitized between stays ). Comfortable, mostly. The ubiquitous beige palette was present and accounted for. Honestly, it’s a little soul-crushing. ( Room decorations). I am hoping for more pizzazz from the best hotels in Kansas, but I probably will not get pizzazz. The bed was comfy enough. (Extra long bed) I think I slept like a baby. The blackout curtains were a godsend. ( Blackout curtains ) Especially after a long day of whatever one does in McPherson, Kansas. Okay, I have to admit, the room had everything you needed. Wi-Fi was free and fast. Yay! ( Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free] , Internet ) The coffee maker churned out… coffee. ( Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea ) The shower had good water pressure. ( Shower ) I have to say, I loved the shower, it was one of the best showers I've had in a while. ( Complimentary tea, Refrigerator, Slippers, Smoke detector )
(The Rest of the Room Rundown)
The lighting, however, was a bit…dim. Like, "romantic date night in a dimly lit library" dim. I got to do work there. ( Laptop workspace ) I appreciate being a little bit on the darker side, but the lights were too low for work. No, there were no bathrobes. :( (Bathrobes, Slippers, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone ) No, there was NO “room with a view.” ( High floor ) Just the parking lot. I'm not completely sure that the view is what I was hoping for. I probably should consider the fact that it is Kansas. ** (On-demand movies)** Safety/security feature I felt safe and secure in the room. (Internet Access - LAN)* I was not able to have Internet - LAN connection - bummer. (Smoking area) The hotel had a smoking area, perfect for smokers needing to get some fresh air. (Room Sanitization opt-out available) Rooms sanitized between stays. (Additional toilet) I didn't see any additional toilets in the room. (Interconnecting room(s) available) I didn't check for interconnecting rooms.
(Food Glorious Food (and Drink!)
Breakfast. The holy grail of Holiday Inn Express experiences. The buffet was, as expected, a buffet. (Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service) The usual suspects were there: scrambled eggs, sausage, waffles (with that weird, not-quite-maple syrup), cereal, and the holy grail: the cinnamon rolls. Those cinnamon rolls… They were the highlight of my stay. ( Desserts in restaurant ) Maybe a bit too sweet, but who cares? I ate three. ( Breakfast takeaway service, Breakfast in room )
(Dining, drinking, and snacking: Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant) They also had a small coffee shop. Room Service! ( Room service [24-hour] ) 24 hour room service isn't too bad, but I did not order any. Alternative meal arrangement I probably could have asked for something different, but I did not. They did not seem to have Asian cuisine, but you can get it at the Asian cuisine in restaurant.
(Amenities (or Lack Thereof) - The "Relaxation" Factor)
Okay, let's be honest. This ain't a spa resort. No body wraps. No foot baths. No saunas. ( Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom. ) But they did have a swimming pool. ( Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor] ) It was… functional. Clean, maybe a little chilly, but hey, it's a pool! I didn't actually swim, but I peeked. It was a nice pool with a view (of the parking lot – see a theme here?). There was a fitness center, but I didn't have to time to go to the fitness center. ( Fitness center, Gym/fitness )
(Cleanliness and Safety - Post-Pandemic Peace of Mind)
They took cleanliness seriously, that was obvious. Everything felt… clean. (Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Non-smoking rooms and Soundproof rooms) Hand sanitizer was readily available (essential!). The staff wore masks. They seemed genuinely concerned about safety. I felt pretty comfortable.
(Things To Do (in McPherson and… Nearby?)
Listen, I'm not going to tell you McPherson, Kansas is bustling metropolis. It’s not. ( Things to do, ways to relax ) This isn't what you may want to do, but don't be discouraged from trying something new. There’s stuff to do! I saw some green areas, however.
(Services and Conveniences - The Little Things)
Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking) They offered all
Unbelievable Ikebukuro Find! Shiina-cho Room 201 Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. Because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is my potential disaster… er, adventure at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in McPherson, Kansas. Get comfy, 'cause we're gonna get REAL.
A McPherson Meander: A (Highly Subjective) Travel Plan
Day 1: Arrival and the Mystery of the Waffle
- 1:00 PM: Land in Kansas. (Assuming the flight gods are smiling upon us. Which, let's be honest, is a big assumption. I'm already picturing a canceled flight and a screaming toddler. Send wine.) Okay, focus. First things first, get the rental car. Pray it isn't a lemon. (Knock on wood. Hard.)
- 2:30 PM: Check-in at the Holiday Inn Express. Pray for a decent room. Pray for a clean room. Pray, for the love of all things holy, that the air conditioning works. Seriously. I sweat like a hog in a sauna. Also, gotta scope out the breakfast situation. The online reviews raved about the waffles. Raved! This is my life's mission. To verify waffle quality.
- 3:00 PM: Unload the car. Sigh deeply. This is always the hardest part. Suitcases, snacks, emergency supplies (chocolate, hand sanitizer, and a tiny rubber ducky for moral support).
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Unpack. Assess the damage. (To my emotional state, not just the luggage.) Maybe a power nap? Or should I just dive headfirst into the waffle investigation?
- 5:00 PM: The waffle. The moment of truth. Descend upon the breakfast area like a famished Viking. Encounter the buffet. Survey the waffle station. (Deep breath). Make the waffle. Observe its structural integrity. Taste. Analyze. (Maybe take notes if I'm feeling particularly intellectual. Or maybe just eat it. Probably just eat it.) Report back on waffle veracity. This is top priority.
Day 2: McPherson's Charms (and My Potential Meltdown)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. (See waffle situation, above). Seriously though, if that waffle disappoints, I'm calling for a therapist.
- 8:00 AM: Explore McPherson. (Google Maps is my friend. Pray for good cell service. Pray for no confusing one-way streets. Pray I don't drive off a bridge.) I'll aim to visit the McPherson Museum & Arts Center. I'll try. (I might get distracted by a shiny squirrel. Or a good coffee shop. Or a strategically placed antique store.)
- 10:00 AM: Downtown McPherson. Hopefully, some quaint shops. Possibly a cute coffee shop. (Coffee is essential.) Maybe I'll buy a souvenir. Probably something wildly impractical. (Like a ceramic gnome. Or a life-sized cardboard cutout of Elvis.)
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Gotta find some local grub. (No chain restaurants, people! Unless they have really good fries. Then I might break.) Research local restaurants. Reviews welcome. (I'm a Yelp fanatic. Don't judge.)
- 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM: This is the free time for the day. Visit the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, or maybe just chill at the hotel. This will depend on my mood, energy levels, and tolerance for potential wildlife encounters. Do they have good wifi? If so, I can probably sit in the room for the day and watch the news without feeling guilty.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Back to that local grub situation. (Fingers crossed for culinary joy.)
- 7:30 PM: Back at the hotel. Netflix and chill? (Maybe a relaxing bath? Provided the water pressure is adequate.) Or, if I'm feeling ambitious, I might attempt to write some postcards. I probably won't.
- 8:00 PM: The Big Bad Breakdown. Seriously, I'm anticipating a moment of utter exhaustion and possibly tears. This could be any given moment. Is the ice machine working? Because if not, I. Am. Done.
Day 3: Departure (and Waffle Withdrawal?)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. (Last chance for waffle glory or despair!) If the waffle is subpar on this day, I will write a strongly worded review.
- 8:00 AM: Check out. (Pray the check-out process is smooth.) Say goodbye to the friendly hotel staff. (Or, if the service was terrible, offer a curt "goodbye").
- 8:30 AM: One last look. I'm sure I will have forgotten something. I always forget something.
- 9:00 AM: Head back to the airport. (Pray the drive is uneventful. Pray the flight isn't delayed. Pray I don't cry on the plane.)
- 11:30 AM: Home. Collapse on the couch. (And immediately start planning my next adventure – preferably somewhere with a consistently good waffle.)
Post-Trip Report (Subject to Change)
- The Waffle Verdict: (To be determined. This is the ultimate decider of my McPherson experience.)
- Emotional Toll: (Let's be honest, probably a little battered, but hopefully, also a little happier. Travel is like that.)
- Memorable Moments: (Probably involving a poorly taken photo, a hilarious encounter with another tourist, or that one time I misread a sign and ended up somewhere entirely unexpected.)
- Would I Go Back? (Maybe. Depends on the waffle. And if the air conditioning works.)
So, there you have it. My gloriously messy McPherson adventure, laid bare for all the world to see. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it. And send chocolate. And maybe a good book. And definitely, definitely, a good waffle.
Unbelievable Bad Axe Getaway: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Awaits!
McPherson's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review! - The Real Deal (No Filter)
So, is this Holiday Inn Express in McPherson really "best"? Spill the tea!
Let's talk breakfast. The Holy Grail of hotel stays! Tell me EVERYTHING!
The room! What was it like? Cleanliness? Comfiness? The important stuff!
Any major hiccups? Like, did the toilet spontaneously combust?
Location, location, location! Is it convenient? Easy to find?
The staff! Were they friendly? Helpful? Or did they just want to disappear?
Would you stay here again? Honestly?
Anything else? Any tiny, little details we NEED to know?
