Woodbury's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (Shocking!)
Holiday Inn Express Woodbury: More Than Meets the Eye (and Definitely Not a Surprise!) - A Raw, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on my recent stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Woodbury, NY. It was… well, it was an experience. And like any good experience, it was a mixed bag. So, let's dive in, shall we? And yes, I'm being thorough. Forget those sterile, perfectly polished travel blogs. This is the real deal. Prepare for some real opinions!
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- Meta Description: A brutally honest and detailed review of the Holiday Inn Express in Woodbury, NY. We delve into accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, dining, and the overall experience, warts and all. Get ready for real talk!
Arrival and First Impressions: (Accessibility? Kinda. Quirky?)
The first hurdle? Finding the darn place. Okay, I'll admit, I might have missed the exit. (GPS, you're a fickle mistress!). Once I finally rolled up, the exterior looked… well, like a Holiday Inn Express. Predictable. Functional. The car park [free of charge] was a welcome sight. And the car park [on-site] was… well, it was there. Plenty of spaces, but not exactly scenic.
Accessibility: Now, being honest, I don't need a wheelchair. But I'm always looking out for my friends and family. The elevator was a godsend (I'm lazy, sue me!), and I did spot some facilities for disabled guests. The lobby seemed pretty straightforward - the front desk was easily accessible. I didn't specifically check for wheelchair-accessible room details or Braille signage, but based on appearance I'd give it a "likely accessible". But, like I said, I am not an expert on that.
Check-in & The Room – The Good, The "Meh," and the “Wait, What Was That Noise?”
Check-in/out [express]? Nailed it. Quick and painless. Check-in/out [private]? Nope, didn't see that offered.
My room felt like a proper hotel room: clean, well-lit, and smelling faintly of… something sanitized. That’s positive? The non-smoking rooms are a must. The air conditioning was blasting ice-cold air - a lifesaver because that New York humidity is brutal.
Available in all rooms: Okay so the basics are here: Air conditioning, Alarm clock (why do these still exist?), Coffee/tea maker (essential, people!), Free bottled water (complimentary tea, too!), Hair dryer, In-room safe box (I have never felt the need to use this). I'm all for those amenities! It was pretty cozy!
Room sanitation opt-out available? I didn’t notice. Rooms sanitized between stays – I'd assume so, based on what I saw. Daily housekeeping was good. The Wi-Fi [free] worked like a charm. I’m a sucker for free things!
Internet access [LAN], I did not try it out. Internet access – wireless: Yep!
The desk was good for a laptop for some work. Mini fridge was nice!
The Imperfection: The blackout curtains? Didn't quite… black out. There was some light leakage. And… and I SWEAR I heard a weird, like… drip in the wall at one point during the night. Maybe it was plumbing. Maybe a ghost. I'm choosing to believe it was the plumbing. I did not venture out for the reason.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Breakfast, The Buff-et of Dread, and Coffee That Could Wake the Dead
Breakfast [buffet]? Yes. Breakfast service? Yes. The breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was a buffet. Nothing spectacular, but absolutely nothing horrifying. Definitely filled a hole. The standard issue: scrambled eggs (questionable texture, but edible), sausage (slightly greasy), waffles (excellent), cereal, fruit (grabbed an apple), and bread. The coffee/tea in restaurant, on the other hand… that coffee was powerful. Like, "stay awake for the next 12 hours" powerful. I’m not complaining.
Asian breakfast: They were trying! Not every hotel can cater to that. Alternative meal arrangement: I never needed to ask!
I didn't explore any restaurants or bars beyond the breakfast area. I'm simple folk!
Wellness & Relaxation – The Elusive Spa Experience
Okay, so here's where the review gets… interesting. The Holiday Inn Express in Woodbury boasts a Fitness center, and a Swimming pool [outdoor].
Did I use the gym? Nope. Did I intend to? Absolutely. Did I actually go? Absolutely again… until I got there and saw the equipment. Let's say the treadmill looked… well-worn. The dumbbells, a bit neglected and there was a lack of motivation. No spa. No sauna. No steamroom. The website promised a pool (indoor or outdoor). Alas, the pool was closed for the season. I may have let out a little groan of disappointment. The only place I relaxed? In my room watching TV.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Sanitization Station
This is important, especially in these crazy times. I was impressed. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol - definitely. Anti-viral cleaning products? Probably. They seemed on top of it. The place felt… clean. Definitely!
Cashless payment service was available, which I used.
Services and Conveniences – The Essentials (and a Bit More)
Business facilities: I did not use any. Cash withdrawal was available. Concierge? Not a concierge-style presence. Convenience store? There was a little thing there, but it was closed when I wanted it. Daily housekeeping was great. Elevator - yes! Laundry service and Ironing service were available, but I didn't need them. Luggage storage too. A gift/souvenir shop that I missed.
For the Kids – Family-Friendly Vibes (or Not?)
Babysitting service? Nope. Family/child friendly? I would say yes, but I didn't see any dedicated kids' facilities.
Getting Around – The Parking Game
Car park [free of charge]: Massive win! Car park [on-site]: Also good. Airport transfer: Nope. Taxi service? Probably, but didn't need it.
My Final Verdict: Not a Flop, But Not a Five-Star Resort
Okay, let's be real. The Holiday Inn Express Woodbury isn't going to blow you away. It's not a luxury experience. But it's perfectly acceptable. It's clean, convenient, and the basics are covered. The breakfast is… adequate. The coffee is caffeinated. The staff were friendly. It's excellent for what it is: a solid, reliable hotel for a decent price.
Would I stay again? Yep. Absolutely. Especially if the price is right. And if the pool is open next time, I might even venture in! Maybe.
Escape to Paradise: Alexander Oceanfront Resort's Miami Beach Bliss
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly polished travel brochure. This is my Holiday Inn Express Woodbury experience, warts and all. So, here we go…
Subject: Woodbury, Minnesota. Land of Unexpected Flavors & Slightly Sticky Elevators (Mostly Metaphorically, I Hope)
Day 1: Arrival & An Ode to the Pillows (Seriously, They Were Good)
1:00 PM: The Great Descent (and the Small Panic)
Okay, first off: planes. I love them, I hate them. Today, the landing in Minneapolis was… bumpy. My stomach did that thing, you know, where it tries to escape through your throat? I swear, one more bounce and I was prepping to lose my lunch, but after landing in Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), I got an Uber. I am always forgetting how to do these things. After getting the Uber and after the trip, I arrived at the Holiday Inn Express Woodbury. It's one of those standard, clean-cut hotels. Nothing fancy, you know? The lobby was… clean. Pleasant, even. Then I got to my room. Which, I'm not going to lie, could have been the setting for an entire Lifetime movie. But, let’s not let it ruin the mood and the good experience.
2:30 PM: Pillow Perfection & the Battle of the Remote
My immediate reaction upon entering the room? The pillows. Those fluffy angels. Seriously, I could have just crawled in bed and stayed there for the rest of the trip. I got lost for a bit searching for the perfect temperature. The room temperature was initially set a bit too high, and I spent a good 10 minutes wrestling with the thermostat, but finally won. And then the remote. Oy vey. I think I broke it. After I got the remote to finally work, I laid back on the bed and watched a movie. Nothing special, something dumb for mindless enjoyment.
4:00 PM: Woodbury's Wandering & the Quest for Coffee
Alright, time to explore. I swear, every time I get into a new place, I try to find the best coffee, and I've been failing miserably. I like coffee. I went out and walked the streets, hoping to find the best coffee. I walked and walked and walked so much.
7:00 PM: The Taco Triumph and the Evening Slump
Dinner was an adventure. I ended up at this little hole-in-the-wall Mexican place. I had some tacos. They were great. I am hungry and really enjoy the tacos.
Day 2: Unexpected Awkward Moments & The Miracle of Free Breakfast
7:00 AM: Free Breakfast Bliss & the Waffle-Making Wars
Okay, here's the thing about hotel breakfasts: they’re either a disaster or a delightful surprise. This place? A delightful surprise! The waffle maker was a game-changer. I devoured two waffles. The bacon? Crispy perfection. I felt like royalty.
9:00 AM: Woodbury City Tour (and the Lost Tourist)
I really tried my best to be a tourist. I went for a walk. In the end, I was tired and frustrated. I decided to go back to my room, take a nap, and watch a movie. I needed a break because I was really tired.
12:00 PM: The Lunch Debacle & the Case of the Disappearing Fork
I ordered lunch. I didn't get the fork. I tried to search for one, no luck, so I was forced to eat with my hands. I did not enjoy this experience, but alas, it is what it is. It was really awkward, but I had no choice and was really hungry.
3:00 PM: The Afternoon Slump & the Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing
In the afternoon, I spent some time doing nothing. I watched a movie. I went back to sleep. I feel bad spending my days doing this, but I do enjoy it.
7:00 PM: The Dinner & the Great Regret
I ate dinner, and I had a burger. The burger was great, but later on, I felt bad, and had a stomachache. I hated this experience.
Day 3: Departure & (Mostly) Fond Farewell
8:00 AM: Breakfast Redux & the Bitter Sweet Goodbye
Last chance for the waffles! I devoured three this time. The bacon was still incredible. I was sad to leave, but I had to leave at some point.
11:00 AM: Check Out & the Final Pillow Farewell
Checking out was painless, thankfully. I lingered in the lobby for a few more minutes, just to soak up the last of the free Wi-Fi. I was really sad to leave.
12:00 PM: Uber to MSP & The Last Thoughts
Back to the airport… The experience was great. I want to go back.
Overall Mood:
Woodbury was… an experience. I have never been here before. It was not bad. I do hope to come back here at some point in the future.
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Woodbury's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (Shocking!) - Let's Get Real.
So, is this REALLY the "BEST" in Woodbury? The HIE, huh? My Expectations vs. Reality...
Okay, okay, let me preface this: "Best" is a loaded word, right? Like, what's YOUR "best"? Mine involves a clean room, a working shower that doesn't punish me, and maybe, JUST MAYBE, a decent breakfast. Going in, I saw the Holiday Inn Express in Woodbury as… well, a Holiday Inn Express. Predictable. Safe. But did it *deliver*? Hold my coffee, because this is where things get interesting... and possibly a little rant-y. Woodbury isn't exactly the Champs-Élysées, so expectations weren't sky-high. But still... I hoped for *more* than lukewarm coffee and a slightly depressing "make your own waffle" station. And the WiFi? Don't even get me STARTED. Okay, I'm starting.
The Room: Clean…ish? The Great Pillow Conspiracy of 2024?!
Alright, let's talk room. First impressions? Decent. Not *gleaming* clean, mind you. I’m pretty sure I saw a rogue hair clinging to the bathroom tile, whispering sweet nothings. (Maybe I was tired. Jet lag is a killer.) But the real drama? The pillows! Oh, the pillows! I swear, they were either flat as pancakes or hard as bricks. One was like a cotton-filled cannonball, the other...well, let's just say I slept on a folded towel. Seriously, who chooses pillows like these?! It felt like they were actively plotting against a good night's rest. I'm convinced there's a secret pillow-designing society running things, and they *hate* comfort. And the lighting. Dim. Always dim. Like, preparing-for-a-zombie-apocalypse dim.
Breakfast: The Waffle Debacle and the Mystery Juice
Right, breakfast. The promised land. The land of mediocre… everything. The infamous waffle maker. I watched, mesmerized, as a fellow guest battled it. It seemed determined to produce only pale, anemic excuses for waffles. I opted for the "safe" choice: the pre-made muffins. (They were… fine. Not offensive. The highest praise I can give a Holiday Inn Express muffin). And the juice! Oh, the juice. It *looked* orange. It *smelled* orange. But the taste? A vaguely citrus-adjacent, slightly chemical…thing. I’m pretty sure they're extracting the essence of cardboard and calling it "orange juice." The coffee, as mentioned, was lukewarm sadness. I did, however, appreciate the self-serve toast. A small victory, really.
The Staff: Friendly (Mostly). The Hallway Siren?
Okay, credit where credit is due: the staff *were* genuinely friendly. Smiling faces always help, especially after a night spent wrestling with the pillow-cannonballs. They were helpful with directions and requests. My one minor gripe? The hallway echo. Goodness, the echo! It felt like a constant chorus of slamming doors and chattering voices. If you're a light sleeper? Godspeed. Seriously, pack earplugs. The constant symphony of hotel life can be…intense. I think I spent half the night imagining a little hallway siren, attracting lost souls with her siren song of slamming doors...
Location, Location, Location: Convenient, But is it Soul-Stirring?
The location? Pretty good, actually. Close to everything, near the highway, easy access. Woodbury is, well, Woodbury. Not much to say. It served its purpose. Convenient for shopping and... well, whatever people do in Woodbury. It wasn't exactly a view to write home about, but hey, you're there to *sleep*, right? Unless, of course, those pillows are your enemy.
The WiFi: Slow as Molasses in January. Is Dial-Up Back?
This is where things REALLY went south. The WiFi... oh, the WiFi. It was a disaster. Utterly and completely useless. I'm pretty sure my dial-up modem in 1998 had faster speeds. Trying to load a webpage felt like watching paint dry. Streaming? Forget about it. Sending an email took an eternity. I genuinely considered going back to the lobby just to be near the router. I'm pretty sure I aged approximately five years trying to simply check my email. I ended up tethering to my phone, which, in this day and age, should NOT be necessary. The hotel's WiFi felt like a cruel joke, a technological anachronism in a supposedly modern establishment. Zero stars for internet. Make sure you have a good data plan!
The Bathroom: The Shower Head Saga and the Mystery of the Toilet Paper
Let's dive into the bathroom, shall we? The shower situation was... questionable. The water pressure? Feeble. The temperature control? A gamble. One moment you're basking in a lukewarm drizzle, the next you're being scalded as if you're trying to cook yourself. And the toiletries? Generic. The shampoo left my hair drier than the Sahara. Then, there was the toilet paper. Seriously, what *is* it with the toilet paper in these places? It was like sandpaper. Scratchy. Thin. Destined to disintegrate at the slightest provocation. I swear, I went through half a roll just verifying it was still there. It felt like a personal affront to my backside. Why, oh why, can't they spring for some decent toilet paper? My expectations were rock bottom, yet still they failed!
So, Would I Stay Again? The Reluctant Verdict...
Look, for a quick overnight in Woodbury? Probably. It’s…adequate. It's convenient. But "best?" Nah. Not even close. If they upgraded those pillows, fixed the WiFi (seriously, fix the WiFi!), and maybe, just maybe, served something remotely resembling decent coffee, then maybe. But until then… it’s a solid "meh" with a side of mild frustration. It's a perfectly functional, slightly depressing experience. You'll survive. Just pack your own pillow, earplugs, and a good book (because you won't be streaming anything!). And pray for the miracle of a decent cup of coffee. Or, you know, maybe check out another place. Just sayin'.
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