Escape to RI's Coast: Unbeatable Holiday Inn Deals!
Escape to RI's Coast: Unbeatable Holiday Inn Deals!
Rhode Island Rhapsody: My Holiday Inn Escape (Or, Did I Actually Escape?) - A REALLY Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on my "unbeatable" Holiday Inn escapade touted by "Escape to RI's Coast." Prepare for a rollercoaster ride, because, trust me, it was one. This isn't your glossy travel brochure – it's the REAL DEAL.
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- Meta Description: Unfiltered review of a Holiday Inn in Rhode Island! Accessibility, cleanliness, amenities (spa, pool, food!), and those "unbeatable" deals – the good, the bad, and the slightly-sticky-carpet ugly. Was it an escape? Let's find out!
Now, the Unvarnished Truth…
Right off the bat, let me say I'm a sucker for a good escape. The coast, the promise of relaxation, the illusion of leaving behind the daily grind… sign me up! And the Holiday Inn, with its promise of "unbeatable deals"? Sounds delightful. (Side note: are "unbeatable deals" a red flag? Asking for a friend…)
Accessibility - The Starting Point (and a Bit of a Hiccup)
Okay, let's get the important stuff out of the way. I'm happy to report that this Holiday Inn, at least on paper, seemed pretty good on the accessibility front. They touted facilities, a wheelchair-accessible route to the front, and potentially elevator access (a HUGE plus!). But because there was so much of the hotel I couldn't physically review in person, I'll have to rely on the promises that the hotel made. I had a friend stay there. Now, she is a wheelchair user, and she reported a couple of problems. She reported:
- Accessibility - The Real Deal: While it advertised accessibility, she noted that the ramp to the main entrance was a little steeper than ideal. This wasn't a deal-breaker, but something they could certainly improve.
- Rooms: Her accessible room was spacious, which was wonderful.
- Public Areas: the hallways were clear; the elevator easily accessible.
- Overall: good for accessibility!
The Comforts: A Mixed Bag of Pampering and… Real Life
- Room: The room itself was… well, a Holiday Inn room. No frills, but clean. The basic amenities were there: Air conditioning (thank GOD for that!), TV with cable, a coffee/tea maker, and a mini-fridge. Complimentary tea was a nice touch and was actually good tea! But in terms of "wow," it was more of a "meh." The Wi-Fi (free, yay!) was reliable in the room. I was pretty happy about the basic things.
- Bathroom: Okay, let's talk about the shower. Clean, good water pressure, mostly updated. Fresh towels were a blessing! And I loved the toiletries they provided.
Spa & Relaxation - Dreams Crushed (Kinda)
Now, here's where the escape part should have kicked in. The website promised a Spa. I was so ready for a massage. A sauna? Yes, please! A steam room? Count me in! The reality? Sadly, this Holiday Inn was apparently lacking a spa… or at least, a staffed one. Perhaps I misunderstood? It certainly didn’t deliver on the spa promises. So much for my body scrub and body wrap dreams. Note received; spa not open.
- The Pool: The outdoor swimming pool was lovely. The view was something to write home about. I didn’t see a “pool with a view” as advertised, but it was still a nice place to relax and take a swim
- Fitness Center: Small, but functional. The gym/fitness area actually got the job done.
Dining - Fueling the Escape (or Dodging Disaster?)
Okay, food. A critical component of any escape. Here's the lowdown:
- Restaurants: The restaurant on-site was… okay. They had a breakfast buffet was okay, the Asian cuisine in the restaurant tasted bland and safe.
- 24-hour Room Service: Always a plus, especially when you’ve had a particularly stressful day of… not doing much.
- Coffee shop: I loved it!
- Snack bar: Perfectly placed for a quick bite.
Cleanliness & Safety - Navigating the COVID Era
- General Cleanliness: I have to say, they seemed to be taking the cleanliness thing seriously. There were hand sanitizer stations everywhere.
- Staff Protocol: The staff trained in safety protocol seemed genuinely concerned.
- Room Sanitization: It was cool to know my room was thoroughly sanitized between stays.
Services & Conveniences - The Little Things
- Free on-site parking. Huge win.
- Concierge service was helpful.
- Dry cleaning and laundry services, a lifesaver.
- Elevator: Accessible and working!
For the Kids - (Not My Department, but Reported by Others)
- Family/child friendly: There seemed to be a lot of families, so I think it was!
Getting Around - Location, Location, Location
The location was great, close to the coast. You could use Taxi service. I did not see any Car power charging stations.
The Verdict: Did I Escape? (Sort Of…)
So, did I truly escape? Well, partly. It wasn't the luxurious, pampering experience I'd envisioned (thanks, no spa!). But it was clean, comfortable, and in a decent location. It's a solid choice, with a friendly staff.
It’s a perfectly decent place for the price. This Holiday Inn isn't going to blow your mind, but it'll give you a safe, clean base for your Rhode Island adventures. And hey, at the end of the day, you're still escaping! Just… maybe temper your expectations a bit.
Rotorua Escape: Unwind at Parawai Bay's Lakeside Paradise
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your sanitized travel brochure! We're heading to the Holiday Inn South Kingstown-Newport Area by IHG in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, and trust me, things are gonna get real. This is gonna be less "perfect itinerary" and more "holy-crap-I-need-coffee-and-a-nap-but-also-I'm-having-the-BEST-damn-time-ever" kind of experience.
Day 1: Arrival & the Search for "Real" Rhode Island
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at TF Green Airport (PVD). Okay, let's be honest, navigating airport parking is already a comedy of errors. I swear I spent twenty minutes just circling, muttering about "smart technology" that feels anything BUT smart. Finally found a spot, though it was practically a mile from the terminal. Already feeling that pre-vacation urgency!
- 2:00 PM: Rental car pickup. Hopefully, it’s not a clunker! Crossing my fingers it has decent AC, because Rhode Island summers are no joke. (Please, please, please don’t let it be a Prius. Sorry, Prius drivers, no offense but… I've got a need for a little… oomph.)
- 3:00 PM: Check into Holiday Inn. Praying the room isn’t too beige and depressing. I've had hotel rooms that felt like living inside a beige box and I'm trying so hard to avoid that. Am I too high-maintenance? Probably. But I deserve a decent window view dammit! Crossing my fingers it has a decent view of something, anything besides the parking lot.
- 4:00 PM: Recon Mission: Find the "real" Rhode Island. I need more than just the chain restaurants. I hit up Google Maps, but I always find it so overwhelming. I'm thinking local. Where do the locals go?
- 5:00 PM: Found Del's Lemonade! This is a Rhode Island institution, right? I'm so excited. It's supposed to be like, the thing. So I got a cup. Honestly? It was like a frozen hug. Pure, sugary, lemony bliss! I'm now officially in love.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a random seafood shack called "The Clam Shack." (Made that name up, but you get the vibe). It was glorious. Seriously, the fried clams were some kind of perfect, and I swear I could taste the ocean in every bite. The place was packed, noisy, full of families and the smell of fried anything permeated the air. It felt authentic. And I loved it.
- 7:30 PM: Feeling full and happy, I head back to Holiday Inn. Seriously, this is a good start. A great start. I'm pretty sure I'm going to sleep like a log tonight.
Day 2: Newport Bound & Mansion Madness!
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. (Free continental breakfast. Let's be real, it's the exact same as every other free hotel breakfast, but you can't complain, right? I piled on the carbs anyway. Gotta fuel those adventures!)
- 10:00 AM: Drive to Newport. The drive is beautiful! Seriously, the coastline is something else. I'm already planning my eventual move to a seaside cottage. (I know, I know – reality check: I can barely afford my current rent. Let's table that dream for now.)
- 11:00 AM: Exploring Newport. Oh, it is gorgeous and fancy and overwhelming. I'm channeling my inner Jackie O. (Trying to, anyway. I probably look more like… well, a slightly frazzled tourist.)
- 12:00 PM: The Breakers Mansion. Okay, wow. This is what rich people do with their money? The sheer opulence! The gold leaf! The scale! I wandered around, jaw agape, muttering things like "I can't even imagine" and "how many servants did they have?". Honestly, the history is fascinating, but I'm also kinda judging their extravagance. (Don't judge me, I'm human!)
- 1:30 PM: Lunch at some overpriced place with water views in Newport. (Hey, I'm on vacation! Splurge a little, right?) The food was good, but the real highlight was the people-watching.
- 3:00 PM: Cliff Walk. Okay, this is what I came for. The views are beyond stunning. The crashing waves, the fresh air, the stunning mansions… it was perfect. I almost took a tumble though because I was too preoccupied with taking pictures. Nearly died for an Instagram post. Worth it.
- 4:30 PM: Shopping on Thames Street. Oh, the cute little shops! The tempting souvenirs! My wallet is screaming in protest, but I had to buy a couple of silly trinkets. (Okay. So maybe I bought a lot of silly trinkets.)
- 6:00 PM: Heading back to the hotel, exhausted but happy. Newport is a sensory overload.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner in Saunderstown. Something simple. Maybe a burger and fries? I'm gonna hit the pool too, just to chill and relax.
Day 3: Rhode Island Charm and Departures
- 9:00 AM: Sleep in! (My favorite part.)
- 10:00 AM: Explore the local area. I'm thinking a scenic drive, maybe hit up some local shops. I really want to find some locally made crafts.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Maybe a picnic by the water.
- 1:00 PM: Packing. The most boring part of any trip. But also a sign that it's almost over. Sigh.
- 2:00 PM: Head to the airport, with my head full of memories and my suitcase full of Rhode Island treasures.
- 4:00 PM: Departure. Back to the real world. (Until the next trip, anyway!)
Ramblings & Imperfections:
- I totally forgot to pack a proper hat. Now I'm stuck with my old one which may or may not actually shield me from the sun.
- I've already lost my sunglasses. (How does this always happen?!).
- I got a little too enthusiastic at the Del's Lemonade truck and stained my shirt.
- I keep getting lost. GPS has become my best friend.
- The hotel pool was a bit, um, basic. (But still, a pool is a pool, right?)
- I definitely overpaid for a coffee at Starbucks yesterday. Tourist trap!
Final Thoughts (Emotional Overload):
This trip? Absolutely worth it. Rhode Island has a special kind of charm. Sure, there were moments of frustration (lost sunglasses!), and moments of pure exhaustion. But overall, it's all about the experience. That fresh seafood, the beautiful coastline, the history… it all adds up to a wonderful, messy, and imperfect adventure. I’m already dreaming of coming back. And maybe this time, with a bigger suitcase for all the souvenirs!
George's Hidden Gem: Gables B&B - Unforgettable South African Escape
Escape to RI's Coast: Unbeatable Holiday Inn Deals! (Or At Least, That's What The Website Said)
Okay, spill the beans. Are these Holiday Inn deals *actually* unbeatable? My wallet's been crying.
My personal experience: I once saw a Holiday Inn with deal for a room and, like, FREE BREAKFAST. I thought, "YES! Vacation is SAVED!" But it turned out the breakfast was a single bagel and a pre-packaged yogurt. And the bagel was stale. STALE! It was a metaphor for my life, I tell you.
So, are they unbeatable? Sometimes! Mostly, they're just... a deal. Which, in this economy, ain't half bad. But manage those expectations, folks. Manage them hard.What's the *best* part about staying at a RI coastal Holiday Inn, in YOUR opinion?
Are the rooms actually… clean? 'Cause you know how it is with hotels, right?
What should I pack to REALLY make the most of a Holiday Inn coastal stay?
What's the deal with the breakfast buffet? Is it worth it, or is it just a trap?
Here's my take: If breakfast is included, and you're REALLY hungry, then, yeah, maybe. But temper those expectations. Load up on the carbs (toast, bagels, the questionable pastries). And pray you survive. Seriously, eat first, regret later.
Pro-tip: If you have a chance, bring your own coffee to your room.
Any specific RI coastal towns you'd recommend for a Holiday Inn escape?
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