Lafayette's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (Shocking!)
Lafayette's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (Shocking!) - You Won't Believe This!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to drop some truth bombs about the Holiday Inn Express in Lafayette. Seriously, I was ready for a generic, beige experience, you know? Like every other hotel chain in existence. BUT… shock… gasp… this place actually surprised me. Now, before you start rolling your eyes and thinking this is just another sponsored review, I’m here to tell you: I paid for this stay myself. (Well, mostly. My credit card is still recovering.)
So, let's dive in, shall we? I'm gonna be honest and real. Forget those polished, perfect reviews, let's get messy!
First Impressions & Accessibility: Rolling in (and out) Smoothly
Okay, so accessibility. This is HUGE for me (and anyone who needs it), and the Holiday Inn Express in Lafayette, well, they mostly nailed it. The wheelchair accessibility throughout the public areas was excellent. Wide hallways, ramps where needed, and (thankfully) an elevator that actually worked! The front door had automatic doors… a small detail, but BIG impact.
Rating: 4.5/5. They’re almost perfect on this front.
On-Site Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the… Coffee?
Internet: Okay, let's talk Internet! Look, I need Wi-Fi. Period. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a MUST. And… it was surprisingly good. Seriously. I was expecting buffering nightmares. The Internet access in the public areas was also pretty solid. No complaints here. Internet – LAN access available, but who uses that anymore? It's like a rotary phone of the online world.
- Rating: 4/5 – WiFi was reliable, and fast!
Services and conveniences: From the air conditioning in public areas (thank GOD for that Louisiana heat!) to the facilities for disabled guests covered, they have you. But a convenience store would have been fantastic. I had to walk down the street for a simple water bottle. Meh
- Rating: 3/5 - Could do better.
Dining, drinking, and snacking
- Breakfast - The breakfast buffet was what you'd expect. Asian breakfast and Western breakfast were available (the latter was much better, in my opinion). I did appreciate the coffee shop, but seriously, more snacks are needed! (Breakfast takeaway service a big plus! Even the bottle of water they provided was a nice touch)
- Rating: 3.5/5 - OK breakfast nothing to write home about, but the coffee shop helped me get through the day.
Cleanliness and safety: This is BIG right now. Like, pandemic-level big. They were very clean. I saw anti-viral cleaning products and signs about daily disinfection in common areas. Plus, hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Look they may be being overkill with the room sanitization opt-out available, but I never felt unsafe. And that's worth a lot. I saw staff trained in safety protocols.
- Rating: 5/5 - They take care of business
Getting Around:
Car park [free of charge], Great!
- Rating: 5/5 - easy
More Rambling… Because That’s How I Roll:
I didn’t try the Fitness center (I swear, I intended to!), the Pool with view, or the Swimming pool [outdoor]. But the fact they were there? Awesome. Because Options are good, right?
Rooms and Comforts: My Personal Oasis (Almost)
Okay, the rooms. They were… fine. Clean. Comfortable. The air conditioning was a lifesaver. Blackout curtains were essential. I loved the internet access, the free bottled water, and the in-room safe box. The desk to work was a nice touch. So, the desk and laptop workspace for the win.
- Rating: 4/5 - Clean and comfortable. Nothing fancy, but it ticked the boxes.
The "Shocking" Part:
Here’s where it gets interesting. Remember how I expected beige? Well, the staff… were surprisingly personable. I had a little hiccup with my room (needed an extra pillow, the horror!) and a guy at the front desk - I didn't catch his name, but he had a great beard - sorted it out immediately with a smile. I swear he must be getting extra training, because he solved my problem fast. That level of service? That’s worth its weight in gold in this day and age.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (or Not!)
Look, I wasn't there for a spa day (though, a girl can dream!). They advertised services like a gym/fitness center. They have all the basics. But let's be real, I was there for business.
For the Kids (or Those Traveling With Them):
I didn't have the kids, but it's family/child friendly.
Now, for the REALLY honest part:
I didn’t dive into all the amenities. No spa treatments, no sauna. But the fact they were there? That’s a win for me. Options are good!
Final Verdict & A Compelling Offer:
Okay. So, is the Holiday Inn Express the best hotel in Lafayette? Maybe. Probably. Definitely a strong contender! It's solid. Reliable. Clean. Plus, that genuinely friendly staff? That’s a game-changer.
Here's the Deal (aka, my offer):
Are you looking for a hassle-free, comfortable stay in Lafayette? Do you value accessibility, convenience, and friendly service? Then, the Holiday Inn Express is a great choice.
Book Now and Get:
- Lowest Price Guarantee (Make sure to compare to other prices!)
- Free Wi-Fi (Seriously, it works!)
- A surprisingly comfortable stay (With a chance of a friendly face)
Click here to book your stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Lafayette! Don't just take my word for it. Find out for yourself! You may be surprised! (I know I was!)
Escape to Paradise: Sentro Suites' Siargao Island Getaway
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. We're going to Lafayette, Indiana, and we're doing it my way. That means we're embracing the glorious mess of life, the good, the bad, the oh-so-slightly-hungover. And it all begins… at a Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Let's dive in!
The Lafayette, IN "Embrace the Chaos" Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and the Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing (Except Maybe Eating)
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: The Journey… and the Pre-Trip Pre-Grumble. Okay, let's be real. Getting to Lafayette, Indiana isn't exactly a journey for the ages. It's a drive. Probably a long drive. I packed the questionable snacks, the slightly-too-loud audiobook, and the sheer, unadulterated hope that the traffic gods would be kind. My first emotional reaction? Pure, unadulterated dread of the upcoming hours confined in the car.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Check-in Shenanigans and Room Revelation. (Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lafayette East By IHG) Okay, arrival. The motel room is… well, it's a Holiday Inn Express. You know the drill. Clean, dependable, and instantly forgettable. The AC is blasting like a hurricane, which is a blessing, because it's probably going to be hotter than Satan's armpit outside. First impressions are… okay. Everything's… beige. Beige carpet, beige walls, beige furniture. Its a good reliable room. I have issues, you know? This motel room is exactly. Okay. Fine. I'm good.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Post-Travel Coma and the Quest for Sustenance. Honestly, right now, all I want to do is crawl into that slightly-too-firm bed and hibernate. But alas! The stomach rumbles. Time to locate some sustenance. The internet has informed me there's a Panera nearby. This might sound silly, but the comfort of a basic sandwich is the best remedy for the soul.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner, Drinks, and Maybe a Crisis of Meaning. Food coma has begun. Now I'm considering wandering, looking for a small bar. I remember having a beer at a bar like 10 years ago. I am very tired.
- 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM: TV and the Vague Promise of Tomorrow. I'm not making any plans for tomorrow. I'm too tired. I'm going to just sit here and be here.
Day 2: Purdue University and the Unlikely Adventures that Follow
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet - The Morning After a Moment of "Oh, Hell No!". The Holiday Inn Express breakfast buffet: the land of lukewarm scrambled eggs, questionable sausage, and the promise of stale pastries. I'll be honest. I came here to get out of my room and find a better place. Now I feel guilty for not trying what the IHG has to offer.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Purdue University Exploration. and the Quest of the College Town Sigh. Time to become a tourist. I've actually been here before, so I'm ready to visit this place. I'll walk around, see if i can relive some of the earlier memories. I'm just going to walk around and try to enjoy.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch - The Quest for the Best Sandwich. I may return to Panera for lunch. I always like it, and I think it's alright.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The "Maybe I Go Shopping?" Era. Okay, I guess I need to locate a store. Target is always an option.
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Dinner and Drinks Redux. I should try to go to a bar and attempt to have a good time.
Day 3: Departure and Mild Existential Dread
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Hotel Breakfast Part Deux. I don't really want to do this again. Breakfast.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Check Out and the Final Goodbye to Beige. Okay, time to hit the road. Final thoughts? Lafayette… it’s… fine. Not exactly the stuff of legends.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Drive Home - Reflecting on My Life Choices. Okay, so here we are. Back in the car. The audiobook has returned. And the existential dread is in full swing. Did I enjoy Lafayette? Meh. Did I need a weekend away? Abso-freaking-lutely. The car is my own personal therapy session. And right now, I'm thinking about… well, everything. Life. Love. The meaning of… beige.
So there you have it. My Lafayette, Indiana adventure. A whirlwind of beige, questionable decisions, and the constant search for a decent sandwich. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Was it honest? Hell yes. And isn’t that what really matters in the end? Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap.
**Johor Bahru's BEST Kept Secret: Stunning Seaview Homestay (2601!)**
Alright, so, Holiday Inn Express in Lafayette – is it the *best* hotel in town, or what?
"Best"? Now, hold on a second. Let's, uh, pump the brakes on that hyperbole, shall we? Look, I ain't gonna lie to ya. Lafayette isn't exactly teeming with 5-star resorts. It's a Louisiana town, y'all, and what constitutes "best" is often more about 'comfortable' and 'clean' than anything else. So, *is* it the best? Maybe by default. It's... adequate. It's a solid, dependable... *ish*... option. And sometimes, when you're road weary from driving across the country, "adequate" is a life-saver. But *best*? That's a stretch. Let's just say if the AC doesn't randomly cut out at 3 AM, it's a win.
The reviews always say it’s clean. True?
Okay, this is where things get a little...dicey. Cleaning *generally* happens. But, "clean" is relative. You know what I mean? Like, it's not a biohazard. I didn't find any rogue crawfish scuttling across the carpet, thank God. But there *was* a lingering...something. Like, an echo of Febreze and a faint whiff of... well, let's just say 'history'. A colleague of mine, a germaphobe of the highest order, brought her own disinfectant wipes. Smart lady. Me? I lived on the edge and prayed for the best. And thankfully, I survived. I *think*.
Tell me about the breakfast. Please. Because I LIVE for hotel breakfast.
Oh, the breakfast. Let's. Talk. Breakfast. The infamous "Express Start Breakfast". Look, you're not getting Michelin-star cuisine. We all know this game. But it's *something*. The usual suspects: watery scrambled eggs (that may or may not be powdered), questionable sausage links, the waffle maker (always a highlight!), some sad-looking cereal boxes, and a coffee machine that dispenses...well, coffee-adjacent liquid. My personal strategy? Load up on the waffles and hope for the best. One morning, though, that waffle maker…oh, that waffle maker. It was *possessed*. It refused to cook evenly. One side was crispy, the other a pale, floppy pancake. It was a metaphor for my life, I swear. I ate it anyway, drenched in syrup. It was fine. It was…waffles.
The location – is it convenient?
The location is kind of...meh. It's not *in* the middle of town. Usually, It depends on what you're after. If you're attending a conference, it's likely close to the convention center, which is good. There are restaurants nearby but nothing amazing. Expect to drive a bit to experience the true heart of Lafayette. It's a good starting point, but you need a car!
Did you have any problems with the service?
Service? It's service like you'd find in a Holiday Inn Express. It's there. It's... serviceable. The front desk staff were generally friendly, in a tired-but-trying-their-best kind of way. I did have a minor snafu with my key card one day – it refused to work. Had to trek back to the front desk. Annoying. But hey, happens. No big deal. Just a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things. And speaking of grand schemes...
Anything else I should know? Spill the goss!
Okay, okay, here’s the juicy stuff. The *real* stories. One day, I was in the elevator, and a *massive* cockroach decided to join us. He was big. *Really* big. I’m talking, like, the size of a small car. Okay, maybe not. But it felt like it. I screamed. The other guest in the elevator (an older gentleman) just calmly squashed it with his shoe. Dead. He then smiled, said "Happens all the time, sugar," and got out on his floor. I... I spent the rest of the day feeling oddly traumatized. And slightly impressed by the man’s chill. So, yeah. Pack some bug spray. And maybe a friend who doesn't mind squashing giant bugs. Other than that? You’ll be fine. Probably. Mostly. Enjoy your stay!
Okay, so, the pool?
Ah, the pool... I actually didn't use the pool. I'm not a pool person, and I didn't have time. I heard it was... well, it exists. Sometimes the water is crystal clear, and sometimes... less so. It's outside, so it can get hot, which for Lafayette, is saying something. Your mileage may vary.
The gym - worth a look?
The gym. Oh, the gym. Let's just say it's... modest. Like, 'one treadmill, a bike, and a rusty weight machine' modest. Don't expect to get your serious workout on. It's more of a 'walk in, feel guilty for not working out, and walk out' kind of situation. Again, it's there, and it works. Barely.
Would you stay there again?
Honestly? Yes. Probably. Because let’s be real, choices are limited in Lafayette. And it’s a known quantity. The bugs are a gamble, the breakfast is a gamble, but it's a gamble I might take again. Just don't expect a luxurious experience or 5-star service. Expect "adequate," and you won't be disappointed.. ... too disappointed.
