Luxury Getaway Awaits: Holiday Inn Express Lustenau!
Luxury Getaway Awaits: Holiday Inn Express Lustenau!
Luxury Getaway Awaits: Holiday Inn Express Lustenau - A Messy, Honest Review (and Honestly, I’m still processing it)
Okay, so, Luxury Getaway Awaits: Holiday Inn Express Lustenau. The name itself sounds like a promise. And honestly? It kind of delivers. But not without a few side quests, emotional baggage, and a weird obsession with the shower pressure. Buckle up, buttercups, because this is gonna be a journey, probably with more tangents than a high school geometry project.
Getting In (And Around): The Basics & The Blunders
First things first: Accessibility. This is HUGE for me. I’m happy to report they mostly nail it. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and the facilities for disabled guests are clearly a priority. Ramp access, elevators (thank God!), the whole shebang. A big, fat thumbs up. Airport transfer available: very useful. Car park [free of charge] is a lifesaver – because, let's be real, parking fees add up faster than my therapy bills. They even had a car power charging station – futuristic! They tick all the boxes in terms of getting around, which is a relief. Although, I did wander around for a concerning amount of time looking for the Bicycle parking. Turns out, it was tucked away behind a bush that looked like it might be hiding a secret portal to Narnia. Just saying.
Check-in/out [express/private/contactless] – smooth sailing! They've clearly adapted to the post-COVID nightmare, which is a HUGE plus. The Elevator was a godsend, as I was on the high floor. The Exterior corridor just led to a nice view. And the Doorman was always nice enough to greet me with every come & go. Oh, and speaking of getting in, the 24-hour Front desk is crucial for late-night snack cravings (more on that later).
Rooms: My Lair (and the Shower's Dominance)
Now, the rooms themselves. They're… adequate. Clean? Yes. Modern? Sure. Luxurious? Let's not get carried away. But perfectly functional, which, in the grand scheme of things, is a win. I'm obsessed with a good shower, and I have to get super specific and personal about this, and it was a mixed bag.. They've got all the basics: Air conditioning, Blackout curtains (essential for my vampire-like sleep schedule), Free Wi-Fi, Coffee/tea maker (a LIFE SAVER), Refrigerator, and a desk that was actually usable. They also had bathrobes and slippers. So, yay for fluffy things!
But the shower… That's where things got interesting. The pressure was… inconsistent. One minute, I'm getting a gentle rain; the next, a full-on power wash. I spent a significant amount of time adjusting knobs and muttering to myself. My private bathroom was generally nice. But the shower, and the fact they didn't have a proper bathtub.. I was bummed. And I'm kind of obsessed with additional toilet for the sake of being a luxury get-away. Also, the hair dryer was slightly anemic. But ahem… that's a personal detail, I guess. Despite all this, the room was soundproofed enough to let me ignore the adjacent interconnecting room(s)'s shenanigans.
Oh, and the additional toilet, bathrobes, slippers, bathroom phone, safe box, smoke detector made up a nice experience. There were also towels, linens, mirror, toiletries, wake-up service. But still, I stand by the shower.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: A Culinary Rollercoaster
Alright, the food. This is where the Holiday Inn Express experience gets… interesting. Let's start with the good: the Breakfast [buffet] was actually pretty decent. They had your standard fare: Western breakfast staples – eggs, bacon, those weird little sausages. The usual Asian breakfast food, and all the usual Coffee/tea in restaurant. And a breakfast takeaway service for those of us who can't face polite society before we've swallowed our weight in caffeine.
But the rest of the Dining, drinking, and snacking was very limited. There wasn't much in terms of an A la carte in restaurant option. The Bar was well-stocked, although the Happy hour was oddly… un-happy. And I'm kind of sad there wasn't an option for a Poolside bar. They had a Snack bar, but it was basically just vending machines.
And let's just say the Room service [24-hour] menu was… minimalist. After a long day of… well, whatever I was doing, I ended up ordering a salad, which was sadly a tragedy. Then, the bottle of water was a lifesaver.
Things to Do (or Not Do): The Relaxation Station and the Gym… Possibly
Okay, so, things to do. I'm a relaxer. I dig relaxation more than most. So, I was hoping for some serious pampering. The Spa and the spa/sauna looked promising. But when I got there, it was… a bit underwhelming. The Sauna was so-so, and I couldn't find anyone to do a Body scrub or a Massage. The Swimming pool [outdoor] looked inviting from afar; I chickened out of actually getting in, because, well, it was a bit chilly outside for my preferences.
And the Fitness center… Let's just say, it existed. It possessed a treadmill, some weights, and the faint scent of stale sweat. Look, I tried. I really tried to use the Gym/fitness. The pool with view was a good idea but didn't pan out.
Cleanliness, Safety & The Cautious Embrace of the New Normal
Cleanliness and safety are clearly a top priority. This made me feel at ease, which is a huge plus. They've got the usual suspects: Hand sanitizer stations everywhere, Hand sanitizer, Daily disinfection in common areas, Staff trained in safety protocol. I caught one staff member looking at me and then at the CCTV in common areas. I took it like all that's needed is some help to keep the property secure. They even had Anti-viral cleaning products! I mean, top marks for trying to keep us safe, even if the room sanitization opt-out available option sounded a little paranoid. They even have Saftey/security feature and Smoke alarms.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and the Things That Don't)
Services and conveniences: a mixed bag. The Concierge was helpful, but I didn't need much. The Daily housekeeping was efficient. A Convenience store was a nice, although, I didn't even make myself available to go! The Laundry service was a life-saver.
For the kids: Babysitting service looked appealing, but not applicable.
Internet access: The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was… well, it worked. Kind of. Occasionally. And it wasn't clear if Internet [LAN] would work. I found the Internet access – wireless faster.
Overall Impression… and That Shower:
So, is the Holiday Inn Express Lustenau a "luxury getaway"? Not in the traditional, five-star, champagne-and-caviar sense. But it's a perfectly decent option. It's clean, safe, and functional, and it delivers a solid foundation.
But, and this is a HUGE BUT, the shower situation haunts me. The inconsistent pressure, the general lack of oomph… it's kept me up at night.
Would I go back? Maybe. If they're prepared to address the shower issue. It's a small thing, I know, but a good shower can make or break an experience. And considering the promise of “Luxury Getaway Awaits”… well, a decent shower is essential. I'm still processing that shower. Just… ugh.
Unveiling the Secrets of Dalat's Royal Palace: A Hidden Gem!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're going to Holiday Inn Express Lustenau, Austria. Let's see if this place can handle me (and my questionable travel decisions). This is gonna be messy, probably glorious, and most definitely fueled by copious amounts of coffee.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Bread Predicament (and the Existential Dread of Luggage)
- 10:00 AM (ish) - Arrival in Lustenau: Okay, so the flight was a blur of screaming toddlers, dry airplane air, and my desperate attempts to sleep. I swear, I’m pretty sure the guy in the window seat used my shoulder as a pillow at one point. Rude! Anyway, we made it. Lustenau, here I am! Finding the Holiday Inn Express was… well, let's just say my GPS got a serious workout. Remember folks, offline maps are KEY. Especially when you're running on zero sleep and fueled by airline coffee (which, let's be honest, is practically poison).
- 11:00 AM - Hotel Check-in and Disappointment (in a lovely way): Lobby check-in was smooth, actually. Turns out the room is clean and modern. A bit too modern, perhaps? Does every hotel need to look the same these days? But I digress. The best part? Free Wi-Fi! (Thank goodness for that). The worst part? My luggage still hasn’t arrived. The airline, bless their bureaucratic hearts, is "working on it". I'm currently rocking whatever survived my carry-on. Which is not ideal, let me tell you. This whole "minimalist travel" thing is NOT working for me.
- 12:00 PM - The Bread Conundrum: Okay, breakfast at this Holiday Inn is supposed to be a highlight. And guess what? IT IS!!! A fresh bread situation that has me salivating. But here's the thing: there were too many choices. Too. Many. Choices. Should I go for the rye? The sourdough? The pretzel rolls?! The sheer weight of these bread-related decisions almost broke me. I panicked and took one of each. (I’m not proud.) But the bread. Oh, the bread! It was divine. And I devoured every crumb. (No regrets.)
- 1:00 PM - Exploring Lustenau (or, the "Where's the Center?" Adventure): Okay, so I set out to explore the town. Lustenau is charming, in a quiet, almost shy way. I wandered around for a bit, trying to find the "center" as they say for any town. Apparently, the center is where you eat. And also, good lord, those flower boxes are immaculate. Seriously, Austrians are doing something right with their landscaping. I got slightly lost, asked for directions… and promptly forgot them. It's fine. I'm a free spirit.
- 3:00 PM - Room is clean, Time for "Me Time": Finally, my luggage has shown up. I spent the rest of the afternoon sorting and repacking my bag, and then took a long needed shower and a nap.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at "Pizzeria La Piazza": After a day of travel, I was craving something simple and familiar. "Pizzeria La Piazza" had great reviews and was just a short walk from the hotel. The pizza was excellent, not too much cheese, crisp crust, and a wide variety of toppings. I had the pizza with the local sausage. Amazing. The staff was friendly, and I sat by myself and people-watched, which quickly became my favorite thing to do.
- 8:00 PM - Evening Stroll and Unexpected Revelations about Austrian Cows: Another stroll around town. This time, I got to see the "cow art" on display in front of a local business. Okay, I'll admit it: I took photos. Because, cows. This is when I noticed how pristine everything is. There's a level of orderliness here that's almost… unsettling. I mean, where are the stray coffee cups? The overflowing trash bins? It felt alien. But then I saw a little kid drop an ice cream cone, and a little girl ran to get her. Everything is really fine.
- 9:00 PM - Back to the Hotel and the Eternal Struggle with Hotel TV: Trying to figure out the TV. Why is this always a battle? I swear, the instructions are in the language of the gods. Give up and read.
Day 2: Culture Shock(ing Decisions) and the Vorarlberg Museum
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast, Take Two: The Return of Bread (and the Coffee Coma): Back to the bread buffet! This time, I approached it with a strategy: sample smaller portions. (Mostly successful.) The coffee, though… it was a siren song. I think I drank about three cups. I suspect I might be vibrating.
- 10:00 AM - Museum Time: The Vorarlberg Museum (a little too much, maybe): I'm a sucker for a good museum, and the Vorarlberg Museum was recommended. It looked beautiful and well-organized. I tried to take in the culture of the region. The art, the history, the local crafts… it was all fascinating. But after a few hours, I found myself struggling to stay awake. So much information. And it was all so… serious. I'm not sure I fully appreciated the depth of the exhibits.
- 1:00 PM - Quick Lunch (a cheese and sausage snack, obviously): Something quick and light to keep the energy up.
- 2:00 PM - Exploring (again, and maybe getting lost again): I decided to venture further afield. Back to wandering aimlessly, enjoying the scenery. So many cute little shops. If I hadn't been alone, I would have definitely bought a souvenir. No, those are not my problem right now.
- 4:00 PM - The Great Coffee Experiment (and a Near-Disaster): I decided I needed more caffeine. I found a cute little cafe and ordered a coffee. (You know, the Viennese kind). The coffee itself was delicious, but I made the mistake of assuming the barista knew English. I ordered "cream and sugar". It had enough cream and sugar to send a hummingbird into a diabetic coma. I tried to discreetly drink it, but ended up choking. (Graceful, I am not.)
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at "Gasthof Krönele": I wanted a truly local experience, so I found a traditional Austrian restaurant. The food was hearty, the beer was cold, and I managed to butcher my attempts at ordering. The waitress just stared at me. I think she was trying to contain her amusement. But eventually, I got my food: the best goulash I've ever had.
- 8:00 PM - Hotel Relaxation and the Quiet Loneliness of a Hotel Room: Reading a book and catching up on news. I suddenly felt homesick. But, still, no regrets.
Day 3: Farewell, Lustenau (and a lingering thought about bread…)
- 7:00 AM - Farewell Breakfast (and another bread indulgence?!): I'm not even going to pretend I didn't go back for more bread. It was a sad goodbye to this amazing bread, but I also had to leave, and I can't take it with me.
- 8:00 AM - Hotel Check-Out: Simple, quick, painless.
- 9:00 AM - Final Wanderings (and a newfound appreciation for order): One last walk through Lustenau. I found a park and sat on a bench, watching the world go by. The sun was shining, the air was clean, and I felt a sense of peace. Maybe, just maybe, I was starting to understand the Austrian obsession with order. Maybe. Or maybe I’m just tired.
- 10:00 AM - Departure: Airport, here I come. I'm exhausted, slightly richer, and with a bunch of memories. Lustenau, you quirky, orderly, bread-filled place, you were good to me.
- Forever - The bread. Still, I can't get the bread out of my mind.
This, my friends, is travel. Imperfect, messy, and utterly, gloriously human.
Fortaleza Getaway: Unbeatable Luxury at LIVE IN FORTALEZA Hotel!
Luxury Getaway Awaits: Holiday Inn Express Lustenau - Uh, Is It REALLY Luxury? Let's See...
Okay, "Luxury Getaway" at a Holiday Inn Express? Seriously? What's the deal?
Alright, alright, *truth bomb incoming*. "Luxury" might be a *slight* overstatement. Let's be real, we're not talking five stars, champagne wishes, and caviar dreams. But hear me out! The Holiday Inn Express Lustenau isn't *awful*. It's clean, the staff is generally nice (more on that later…), and it’s a good basecamp. Think “comfortable and convenient” rather than “opulent palace.” My expectations were… adjusted. I mean, I *expected* the "Luxury Getaway" title. I was hoping for maybe fluffy robes? Nope. But, hey, at least the bed didn’t try to eat me in the night. That's a win, right?
So, the breakfast… is it the usual Holiday Inn Express *thing*?
Ugh, breakfast. The make-or-break moment for any hotel, isn't it? And yep, it's… pretty standard. The usual suspects: scrambled eggs (sometimes vaguely resembling eggs), questionable sausages, the bread that looks like it's seen better days, the pastries that could maybe, possibly, be described as "edible." One morning, I watched a kid meticulously construct a pancake tower the size of a small mountain, and honestly? I was jealous. I’d have given anything for a pancake the size of my head. But, real talk? Grab a coffee, toast a piece of the bread, smear it with butter, and you'll be fine, you know? It fuels the adventure, right? (Or at least, fuels the stumbling-around-looking-for-coffee-that-tastes-like-coffee-rather-than-brown-water adventure).
Was the room clean? Because, you know… hygiene is important.
Okay, this is a biggie. And I can happily report… yes! The room was clean. Like, genuinely clean. No suspicious stains on the carpet (thank goodness!), no mystery hairs in the bathroom (double thank goodness!), and the sheets felt fresh. I'm not a germaphobe, but a clean room is a *game changer*. I spent a solid five minutes inspecting the bathroom the first time, just *expecting* something… off. But nope. Shiny tiles, clean sink, and… and… *drumroll* a perfectly functioning shower! Seriously, sometimes the simple things. This goes a long way in the "luxury" factor, at least in my book.
What about the location? Is Lustenau a good spot?
Lustenau? Well… it’s a bit… well, it *is* a town. It's not exactly the Eiffel Tower, you know? It's quieter, less touristy, which is nice if you want to *avoid* the hordes. (And trust me, sometimes you DO). The hotel is a good jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding area, like, say, Austria or Switzerland. It's close to the Swiss border, which is kinda cool if you're into that sort of thing. I drove over, which was a bit… hairy. The roads are… well, let's just say I saw more roundabouts than I'd ever imagined existed in one lifetime. But, once I got used to the Swiss-Austrian roundabout dance, finding the hotel was easy. Plus, parking! It’s got parking!
Okay, let’s talk service. Were the staff helpful? Or just… meh?
Mixed bag, honestly. Most of the staff were perfectly lovely. Smiling faces, willing to help, all that jazz. Check-in was a breeze. I had a minor crisis trying to figure out the TV remote (seriously, why are they so complicated?!), and someone came up to help... and I swear they were as baffled. BUT! Remember I said "more on that later"? Well… One day, I needed to print something out for important business (ok, it was a train ticket... the *most* important business). I went to the front desk, and the person on duty gave me *the look*. You know the one? The look that says, "Ugh, another one." It wasn't outright rude, but it wasn't exactly *helpful* either. I ended up figuring it out myself. Bit of a bummer, but overall, friendly enough. It is, after all, a Holiday Inn Express. Don't exactly expect butler service.
Is there anything truly *bad* you can say about the Holiday Inn Express Lustenau?
Hmm… okay, let me think hard… First, the air conditioning was… *iffy*. One night it worked so well I felt like I was camping in the Antarctic. The next, it was like a humid sauna. I spent a good five minutes each day fiddling with the controls. Secondly, the Wi-Fi. It was there, mostly. Occasionally it dropped out, which is a *nightmare* when you're trying to navigate a city with only Google Maps for backup. Third, let’s revisit the whole "Luxury" title. Again, it's not *bad*, but it's not *luxury* luxury. However, the gym was okay, but it was small. But, again. Considering the price and location it's a very good Hotel… don't expect a five-star experience! What’s the phrase again? Temper your expectations? Something like that. So, it's not perfect. But it's not a complete disaster either! It's a solid, reliable base of operations… and honestly? Sometimes, that's enough. It offers a pleasant stay.
So, would you go back?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly? Yeah, I probably would. (Don't tell my bank account I said that!). It's a practical choice, especially if you're on a budget. It's clean, it's convenient, and the staff, for the most part, are nice. It's not a destination in itself but a good base for exploring. And sometimes, all you need is a clean bed, a somewhat edible breakfast, and a place to hang where you can relax. So, yeah, I'd recommend it. But, you know, maybe don't expect the world. Just… expect a decent stay. And pack your own robe. Just in case.
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