Newport's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup! We're diving headfirst into the gloriously messy world of the Holiday Inn Express in Newport. Forget that sterile, corporate speak – we're going for real, raw, and hopefully, helpful. This isn't some perfectly polished travel brochure; this is my experience, warts and all.
The Newport Holiday Inn Express: My Honest Take (…and Why You Should Probably Book It)
Right, let's get this straight: I'm no snobby hotel critic. I like clean, convenient, and ideally, a decent cup of coffee. And that, my friends, is exactly what I mostly got at the Newport Holiday Inn Express. I'm talking REAL review language, straight from the heart (and the rumbling stomach).
First Impressions: The Accessibility Gauntlet (and a Few Triumphs)
Okay, so I didn't personally need a wheelchair, but I was definitely keeping an eye out on how well they accommodated. This is HUGE for some folks. The website made claims about accessibility, and, thankfully, it largely delivered. Elevators? Check. Wide doorways? Check. Granted, I didn't scrutinize every detail (like the height of the soap dispensers), but the lobby and common areas seemed genuinely considerate. This is a HUGE plus for families with strollers or anyone needing a little extra help.
Navigating Newport: Location, Location, Location
This is where the Holiday Inn Express really shines. Let's be honest, Newport's all about location, right? The hotel's central. You can walk to a bunch of the main attractions, which is a lifesaver when you're dodging the tourist hordes. Forget trying to find parking – you're golden. And they had free parking! In Newport? That’s practically a miracle.
The Room: My Castle of Comfort (… Mostly)
Alright, let's talk about the room. It was… clean. Spotless, actually. And hey, that's a HUGE win in my book. The bed? Comfortable. The blackout curtains? They actually worked (a godsend after a day of sun and sea air). Free Wi-Fi? Absolutely. The internet was reasonably fast, which means I could actually pretend to work while secretly binge-watching TV. They actually had a desk and provided a laptop workspace! This is a work-from-home person’s dream! More on that in a bit. The A/C blasted cold, which was a welcome relief from the sweltering humidity. A fridge and a coffee maker? Yes, please!
The Coffee Situation: Okay, let's be honest, the in-room coffee maker wasn't exactly gourmet. Think "decently caffeinated brown water" (I'm a coffee snob, sue me). But hey, it was there, and sometimes, that's all that matters. The complimentary tea helped!
Extra Touches: They provided bathrobes and slippers. That's the kind of luxury that makes you feel like you're actually on vacation, right?!
There wasn't, sadly, an upgrade available.
The Food Game: Breakfast Bonanza (and the Occasional Disappointment)
The breakfast. This is where the Holiday Inn Express really shines, especially during COVID-19 times. The breakfast was a buffet set up! It had things. Like, actual, edible things. A continental breakfast, a hot station, the works. I'm a sucker for a waffle iron! There were also some local delights. The usual suspects: eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, yogurt, pastries. And oh, the coffee! It was far better than the in-room stuff. And it was free! Breakfast takeaway was an option, too - perfect for those grab-and-go mornings.
The Breakfast Takeaway: This was a lifesaver when I was running late (which was, let's be honest, most mornings).
The "In-Room Breakfast" fantasy: Okay, I didn't utilize the room service. But let's be honest, the idea of fluffy-pancakes in bed is always tempting!
Amenities: Pools, Gyms, and… Well, Mostly Pools
I didn't get a chance to use the fitness center.
- The Swimming Pool: It’s an outdoor pool, and looked like a pretty good place to relax.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized Bliss (…Generally)
Okay, this is a big deal these days. The hotel was clearly taking COVID-19 precautions seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff wearing masks. The place felt clean, you know? They used anti-viral cleaning products and all that jazz. The rooms, from what I could tell, were thoroughly sanitized between stays.
- The "Room Sanitization Opt-Out" option: I appreciate the transparency but, let’s face it, I’m not that adventurous.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Beyond the Buffet
- Snack Bar and Restaurants: I didn't see a snack bar. They didn't have any restaurants on site. BUT, they had information about restaurants close by.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The Front Desk: 24-hour desk is always a fantastic thing.
Business Facilities: I didn't use them, but they had them (fax/xerox/meetings/etc).
Laundry Service: They had it. You know, for those "oh, I wish I'd washed that" moments.
Gift Shop/Convenience Store: Nope, there was the usual display of overpriced snacks and forgotten toiletries. Handy for when you've forgotten your toothbrush, though!
For the Kids: Not a Playground, But…
No kids' facilities here, but the hotel is very family-friendly.
Getting Around: Parking Perks and (Maybe) Airport Transfers
- Car Park: Yes, FREE OF CHARGE! This is a big win.
My Verdict: Worth the Stay? Absolutely!
Let's get real: the Newport Holiday Inn Express isn't perfect. But it's clean, convenient, and genuinely tries to make your stay pleasant. It’s a solid choice for anyone visiting Newport:
- For Families: Yes, definitely!
- For Couples: Absolutely!
- For Solo Travelers: Solid choice.
- For Budget Conscious Travelers: Definitely!
So, Why Should You Book the Newport Holiday Inn Express?
Here's the Deal, Folks: Listen – you're going to Newport to experience Newport. You don't want to spend all your time in the hotel room! This hotel is your base camp, your clean, comfortable, and strategically located home-away-from-home. You get the essentials – a great location, clean rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a decent breakfast – without breaking the bank.
Here's my emotional reaction: I liked this hotel. It's not the Ritz-Carlton (and it doesn't pretend to be), but it's reliable, and it delivers on the basics. Plus, if you're anything like me, you'll appreciate the little extras like the free parking and the hot breakfast.
My Special Offer:
Book your stay at the Newport Holiday Inn Express now and receive a complimentary upgrade to a room with a view (subject to availability) and a free bottle of local wine upon arrival. Don't wait! Book now!
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Alright, buckle up Buttercup, because here's my attempt at charting my actual, probably chaotic, and definitely not Instagram-perfect trip to Newport, staying at that trusty old Holiday Inn Express. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, caffeine highs, and probably some questionable food choices.
The Newport Nightmare (or, My Actually-Gonna-Happen-In-Real-Life Itinerary):
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Welsh Confusion
- 14:00 - Ish: Arrival at the Holiday Inn Express (fingers crossed I find it…again). Okay, first hurdle: Parking. I am notoriously terrible at parking. Pray to the travel gods I don't accidentally reverse into something crucial. The reviews said it was easy, but reviews are liars sometimes. Then comes the check-in. Will my credit card work? Will I remember my passport? Do I look presentable? (The answers are probably "nope," "maybe," and "definitely not".)
- Anecdote: Last time I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express, I spent a solid ten minutes wrestling with the air conditioner before realizing it was just…off. The sheer humiliation! I'm hoping this trip starts better.
- 14:30 - Settle in, collapse on the bed, assess the situation. Standard hotel room assessment. Clean sheets? Good. Enough coffee sachets? Crucial. Is the TV remotely salvageable? (My sanity depends on it.) Also, where's the bathroom? Gotta mark that territory, fast.
- Quirky Observation: Hotel rooms, in their bland, sterile perfection, always feel like they are judging your life choices through the unblinking eye of the fire alarm. Judgy little things.
- 15:00 - Reconnaissance Mission: Exploring the immediate area (the brave journey to find a decent pint). Google Maps, my fickle friend, will be my guide. I'm on the hunt for a proper pub. Not some chain place, mind you, but a real pub. One with character, maybe some history, and definitely some proper bitter. Failure is not an option. (Okay, maybe it is, but I'm trying.)
- Expectation vs. Reality: I'm picturing a cozy, fire-lit pub with locals swapping stories. The reality? Probably a Wetherspoons. But hey, cheap beer, right?
- 17:00 - The Great Welsh Feast (or, the desperate search for dinner). I'm starving. The hotel's “complimentary” breakfast isn’t cutting it until tomorrow. Time to find something to eat. Something Welsh, if possible. Cawl? Welsh rarebit? I’m open to suggestions (as long as it's edible, obviously).
- Emotional Reaction: So hungry! I get cranky when hungry. Pray for those around me.
- 19:00 - Pub Time! (The quest for the perfect pint). Success! (hopefully). The first sip is the most important. If it’s good, I might faint. If not, well, there's always the next pub.
- Stream-of-Consciousness: Pubs are just…places, aren’t they? Places where you can be anonymous, be yourself, or just… be. It’s a social experiment. And sometimes, the best thing you can be is silent, watching the world in action as you sit in that comfy chair in that familiar corner. I need this.
- 21:00 - Back to the hotel. Collapse. TV. Repeat. The end of day one. Pray the wifi works, because I need to wind down. And the TV is a must.
Day 2: Castles, Churches and Rambles (and the inevitable caffeine dependence)
- 08:00 - The complimentary breakfast (of champions?). Is it worth it? My taste buds often disagree with the free breakfast’s claims of deliciousness. I'll need at least two cups of coffee to contemplate the day.
- Opinionated Language: Seriously, hotel breakfasts can be a gamble. Either you get decent, or you get… well, disappointment.
- 09:00 - Tredegar House (the historical hit). I'm actually excited about this. Tredegar House is a National Trust place, and it looks pretty incredible. Hopefully, I don’t get utterly lost in the labyrinthine historical details.
- Imperfection: I'll almost certainly miss half the details. I’m not good at focusing.
- 11:00 - Exploring the Castle Grounds.. Maybe the air will clear my head, at least for a moment.
- 12:30 - Lunch. (The eternal struggle.) Okay, I need fuel. Food, glorious food! Something quick and tasty. A sandwich? A pasty? A moment of mindful contemplation about food as Fuel?
- Messy Structure: This is where the plans start to fragment. I'm a terrible planner.
- 14:00 - Newport City Centre Exploration. See the sights, hopefully, with no real plan.
- Humorous observation: I’ll probably get lost. I’m a master of getting lost.
- 16:00 - Church or Museum? The big decision. Maybe Newport Cathedral? Or maybe something else? Decisions, decisions. Or, you know, I might just end up back at the pub…
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: I like history. I kind of love churches. I will probably cry. In a church.
- 18:00 - Evening Pub Reconnaissance. Another pub? Possibly another pint?
- Rambles: Pubs… they’re not just about the beer. They’re about the atmosphere, the feeling. The smell of old wood, the low hum of conversation, maybe even the live music. Pubs are a state of mind.
- 20:00 - Dinner (again!). I can never decide on food.
- 21:00 - Back to the hotel. TV. Sleep. Repeat.
Day 3: Departure (and the inevitable sadness)
- 08:00 - Breakfast. Coffee.
- 09:00 - Last Chance to See. A final walk around? A last-minute souvenir?
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, I probably won’t be leaving Newport feeling ready to go. A bit of melancholy will wash over me.
- 11:00 - Check-out. The moment of truth. Did I actually lock the door? Did I leave anything important behind? The endless questions of Departure.
- 12:00 - Goodbye Newport. Until next time! The end. Until my next adventure with the Holiday Inn Express.
There you have it. A beautiful, messy, and entirely unpredictable itinerary. Pray for me. And wish me luck finding parking.
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Holiday Inn Express, Newport: The Honest Truth (and My Brain's Ramblings)
So, is the Holiday Inn Express in Newport, RI, actually *good*? Because honestly, I'm skeptical of anything with 'Express' in the name.
Okay, buckle up, because the answer is… it depends. And I *hate* that answer, but it’s true. Look, this isn't the Ritz. It's *definitely* not a rambling Victorian mansion dripping with history. But for the price, and for Newport, it's... decent. Fine. Actually, sometimes it's surprisingly okay. Other times… well, more on that later.
Picture this: you're tired, slightly sunburnt from a day of clambering over those crazy Newport mansions, and all you want is a decent bed and a remotely edible breakfast. The Holiday Inn Express *usually* delivers on that, but with a side of potential chaos.
Let's talk about the breakfast. Is it the usual sad continental buffet of sadness?
Alright, the breakfast. The great leveler of all hotel experiences. Here's the thing: it *is* a buffet. And yes, there are the usual suspects: stale bagels, questionable fruit salad that looks like it’s been staring at the sun a little too long, and those rock-hard, suspiciously yellow scrambled eggs.
But! Sometimes… and I swear this is true… sometimes, they have decent sausage. I swear, a few times, the sausage tasted *almost* homemade. It was a fleeting moment of breakfast bliss, the kind that makes you momentarily forget you're crammed into a fluorescent-lit room with a bunch of strangers who are also desperately craving carbs. Then, the next day, it was back to rubbery sadness. It's a gamble, folks. A breakfast gamble.
The rooms. Are they clean? And, like, how's the view? (I’m dreaming of ocean views…)
Cleanliness? Mostly yes. I've never encountered anything truly horrifying, like, say, a rogue bedbug convention. But I've also never seen a room that sparkled. Think “efficiently cleaned," not "meticulously sanitized."
The view? Don't hold your breath for ocean views unless you're willing to pay *a lot* more. Most rooms have a view of… the parking lot, perhaps another hotel, or a side street. On my last visit, MY room had a view of a slightly sad, overgrown patch of weeds. It wasn't inspiring, let's be honest. But hey, at least it wasn't a brick wall! Silver linings, people, silver linings!
Is it close to the Newport attractions? I don't want to spend all day in a car.
Location, location, location! This is its strength. It's pretty well-situated. You can *usually* walk to Thames Street with its shops and restaurants (though it's a bit of a hike). The mansions? Plan on driving, or taking a cab/Uber, because strolling mansion-hopping could be exhausting. The cliff walk... also a drive/ride. Parking is a horror show in Newport during peak season, so factor that into your planning. The hotel itself has parking, but it's not a guarantee, and it fills up fast. I swear, the last time I was there, I spent a solid twenty minutes circling the lot, like a vulture, waiting for someone to leave. (Sorry, whoever you were!)
Okay, so the parking… really that bad?
Oh, the parking. THE PARKING. Look, let's just say it's a defining characteristic of the Newport experience. This hotel (and, frankly, most hotels in Newport) has its challenges. As I mentioned before, you'll spend time circling. If you arrive late, or during a busy event, you're basically playing parking roulette. The good news is, if you're very lucky, and have a good parking karmic fortune going, you might get a spot. The bad news it that it *is* Newport so you will have to pay a premium to use it.
Plan ahead. Arrive early. And pray. Seriously, pray. Because if you can't park, you'll wish you had.
What's the vibe like? Are there any amenities? Is there a pool?
Vibe? It's… business-casual, with a dash of slightly stressed-out vacationer. Nothing fancy. Think functional, not fabulous. There's a lobby, usually with a few people milling about, checking out luggage, or trying to figure out why the room key isn't working.
Amenities? There's a gym (never used it – I prefer my exercise in the form of frantic parking lot circling, thank you very much). There's a pool! Indoor, which is nice, depending on your definition of "nice." It's… adequate. I've seen cleaner pools, but I've also seen a lot worse. It's a solid "meh," honestly.
Are there any hidden gems or quirks I should know about?
Okay, here’s a weird one. The elevator. It's slow. *Painfully* slow. Prepare for a good, long wait, especially during peak hours. I've started using it as a meditative experience. Breathe in. Breathe out. Accept your elevator fate.
And another thing … sometimes, and I mean *sometimes* the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. Other times… well, let’s just say they seem to be running on caffeine and the sheer exhaustion of dealing with tourists all day (I get it!). Regardless, be nice; it goes a long way.
So, would you recommend it? Be honest!
Honestly? *Probably*. It depends on your expectations and your budget. If you're looking for a luxurious, pampering experience, *absolutely not*. Go splurge on the Castle Hill Inn. If you're on a budget, want a decent base of operations, and aren't overly picky, it's a solid choice. You could do much, much worse... believe me, I’ve seen worse.
Just manage your expectations, pack some patience, and be prepared for a slightly messy, but ultimately worthwhile, Newport experience. And for the love of all that is holy, try to get a good parking spot.
