Towson's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the… well, mostly delightful world of the Holiday Inn Express in Towson. This isn't your grandma's stiff, sterile hotel review. We're going real here. Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions, observations, and maybe a rant or two. Consider this your official, unfiltered guide to whether you should stay here or not.
Towson's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review (You Won't Believe This!)
(Spoiler alert: The title's a touch clickbaity. But… maybe?)
First Impressions? Let's Be Honest…
Pulling up, it's… a Holiday Inn Express. You know the drill. Clean lines, the usual brick facade. Nothing mind-blowing. But hey, I'm not expecting the Taj Mahal. I'm expecting a clean bed, a hot shower, and hopefully not a herd of screaming kids at 6 AM. (More on that later.)
Accessibility – A Big Thumbs Up!
Right off the bat, major kudos for the accessibility. I didn't need it personally, but I did check things out. Wheelchair accessible, easy access from the car park [on-site], Elevator readily available. Seems like they've actually thought about folks with mobility issues. That's a huge win in my book. The hallways weren't super cramped, and the lobby? Spacious. Score one for inclusivity!
Rooms – The Heart of the Matter (With a Few Quirks)
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks: the rooms. I got a classic double room, and honestly? It was fine. Air conditioning worked like a champ (praise the AC gods!), and the bed was surprisingly comfy. Not a luxury bed, mind you, but definitely a solid, sleep-inducing one. Plenty of pillows. A total lifesaver. The blackout curtains lived up to their name! You'd think you were in a cave. Beautiful for sleeping in!
Here's where things get a little… idiosyncratic.
- Internet? Yup. Wi-Fi [free] is listed everywhere. And it, uh, mostly worked. Had a few hiccups, but it's not the end of the world. Plenty of options like Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN.
- Cleanliness and Safety: Now, this is where I got really impressed. Post COVID, they're taking hygiene seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization opt-out available. (Although, let's be real, who wouldn't want their room sanitized these days?) Hand sanitizer was everywhere. They were doing everything possible to have us relax in the room but it was the staff that made me feel safe. I even saw staff in training, all smiles, which warmed my heart.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathroom phone (seriously?), Bathrobes (a nice touch!), Bathtub, Blackout curtains (I already raved about this!), Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor (I wasn't that high, but it was good), In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar (empty, sadly), Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (ugh), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers (didn't see these), Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. I forgot to mention the Additional toilet, it was a small bathroom, but there was a lot going for the room.
- Bathroom Quirks: That bathroom phone? Seriously, who uses those anymore? And the shower… it was clean, but the water pressure was a little… wimpy. A minor gripe, but worth mentioning.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking – The Buffet Blues (and a Silver Lining)
Okay, this is where things got… interesting.
- Breakfast: The free breakfast. Ah, the free breakfast. It's the breakfast of champions, right? Well, if by “champion” you mean someone who’s content with a lukewarm scrambled egg and a slightly stale bagel, then yes, it's amazing. Breakfast [buffet] was available, with Breakfast takeaway service, Buffet in restaurant. But, and this is a big but, there was also a very welcome Asian breakfast option! I mean, really? You go to a Holiday Inn Express and get actual, delicious Asian noodles? It seriously made my morning.
- Coffee Shop: Well, there was a coffee machine. You could make coffee.
- Restaurants: Restaurants were missing from the menu.
- Snack Bar: There's a, well, not a proper snack bar, but a little grab-and-go area in the lobby with chips, candy, etc. (Which, let's be honest, is basically all I need sometimes.)
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Spa? Not So Much.
Let's be honest: this isn't a resort.
- Fitness Center: There's a Fitness center! It's small, but it has the basics. Treadmill, elliptical, some weights. Good for a quick workout.
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: Yes! The pool! It's outside, the water was clean, and it was lovely. Not the biggest pool, but a decent size for a quick dip.
- Things to do: There were a few brochures. But again, this isn’t the Four Seasons. You're mostly on your own for entertainment.
- Ways to Relax: The pool, the bed, a quiet corner with a book are all options.
- Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Spa: None of these available.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
- Concierge: Didn't encounter one, but the front desk staff were friendly and helpful.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Didn't see either of these available.
- Daily housekeeping: Check! My room was spotless every day.
- Elevator: Yes!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Plenty!
- Laundry service: Available, I don't use it.
- Lobby/Public area: The Audio-visual equipment for special events was great considering the size of the hotel.
- Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop and Convenience store: These were not available.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service: All available, for free!
- Business facilities: Business facilities were available, but I didn't get deep into them since I wasn't on business.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Seminars: Didn't participate in anything.
- Doorman, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Didn't check these out.
For the Kids – Family Friendly?
- Babysitting service: No such service.
- Family/child friendly: Yes, definitely. Kids are welcome, and it's a pretty relaxed atmosphere.
- Kids meal, Kids facilities: Didn't see anything specifically for kids, per se.
Cleanliness and Safety – A Sigh of Relief
I mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: This place gets it. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization opt-out available. The staff seemed genuinely invested in keeping things clean and safe. I felt comfortable and secure.
Getting Around – Location, Location, Location…
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service: All available, for free!
- Airport transfer: No.
The Verdict – Is it the BEST?!
Okay, so the title’s a bit of a stretch. Is it the absolute best hotel in Towson? Probably not. But, it’s a solid choice.
Pros:
- Clean, safe rooms.
- Excellent accessibility.
- Free breakfast (with unexpectedly good Asian noodles!).
- Free parking.
- Friendly staff.
Cons:
- The free breakfast (save for the asian noodles) leaves something to be desired.
- No real on-site amenities.
- Water pressure in the shower could be better
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't just any itinerary. This is a confession, a cry for help, and a slightly bewildered exploration of the Holiday Inn Express in Towson, Maryland. Prepare for the emotional rollercoaster that is… my vacation (or, you know, business trip. Who can tell anymore?)
My Towson Travails: A Messy, Emotional Guide to the Holiday Inn Express
Day 1: Arrival & Déjà Vu (aka, the "I've-Been-Here-Before" Feeling)
- 15:00 - 16:00: The Check-In Gauntlet. Fly in from (insert city here - because honestly, does it matter?) and arrive at the hotel. Ah, the familiar scent of chlorine and…well, something else. That distinct "hotel air" that's a mix of cleaning products and a lingering suggestion of stale coffee. I’m pretty sure I've lived in this lobby before. Or maybe I'm just experiencing a serious case of travel-induced existential dread.
- Anecdote: The front desk staff was super friendly (bless their hearts), but I swear the person in front of me took longer to check in than it took to fly here. It involved a passport, a birth certificate, and a handwritten agreement to never use the mini-fridge for anything other than lukewarm water.
- 16:00 - 17:00: Room Reconnaissance & the Great TV Remote Mystery. Okay, room. Not terrible. Standard hotel beige. Beds look…sleepable. I always judge a hotel room by its bed. Can I collapse messily onto it immediately? Check. The bathroom? Adequate. Everything works! (So far.)
- Quirky Observation: The TV remote. The bane of my existence. Why are they always so complicated? Did a rocket scientist design these things? I swear, I'm going to spend half my trip just trying to figure out how to change the channel. And the other half trying to get the Wi-Fi password to work.
- 17:00 - 18:30: Settling In & the Battle of the Brain Fog. Time to unpack and try to remember why I'm here. I think it's a conference? Something about…something. My brain is currently operating at about 20% efficiency, fueled by lukewarm airport coffee and the lingering fear of a missed connection. Gotta find the iron…because wrinkles.
- Emotional Reaction: Ugh, this unpack/settle-in part is always the worst. I'm not a good packer, so the room instantly looks like a hurricane hit it. Socks everywhere. Crumpled shirts. The usual. And now, just now, my back's starting to ache from the flights. This is going to be a long week.
Day 2: Conference Chaos and Breakfast Bonanza
- 07:00 - 08:00: The Breakfast Ritual & the Cereal Conundrum. Alright, the free breakfast. Let's do this. Always a gamble, isn't it? Will the eggs be rubbery? The coffee, vaguely brown-ish hot water? (Spoiler alert: probably yes to both). I have a strict breakfast game plan: avoid the bacon if it looks even remotely greasy, load up on the fruit (hopefully, the bananas aren't already brown), and pray the orange juice isn't from concentrate.
- Messy Structure: Okay, so I got distracted by the waffle maker. It’s a commitment, a dance of batter and tongs and a silent prayer for evenly cooked golden crispness. And, you know, sometimes it's a flop. A waffle tragedy. I just can't help but laugh at myself for being so invested in a free waffle.
- 08:00 - 17:00: The Conference (Maybe, Possibly, Involves Learning?) The reason I'm here! The dreaded/anticipated conference! It’s all lectures, meetings, and forced networking, and the ever-present fear of accidentally saying something incredibly awkward in front of a room full of people.
- Opinionated Language: I can't stand small talk. "So, what do you do?" Kill me now. I'd rather wrestle a badger.
- 17:00 - 18:00: Post-Conference Panic & the Search for Good Coffee. Survive the day. Now? COFFEE. I NEED COFFEE. Preferably strong, dark, and not from a hotel-breakfast machine. (Did I mention this?)
- Emotional Reaction: Ugh, the conference! It feels like I absorbed a whole semester's worth of information, but I'm not sure any of it will stick. And I swear, the hotel lighting is designed to make people look perpetually exhausted.
Day 3: One-on-One with myself
- 08:00 - 09:00: Gym or Die Trying. The hotel gym. Usually a sad little room with a treadmill and a rusty elliptical. But I try! I really do. Every trip, I promise myself I’ll work out. Every trip, I manage about 10 minutes of half-hearted effort before giving up and retreating to my room for Netflix and…well, you get the idea.
- Anecdote: The last time I tried the gym, I tripped on the treadmill and nearly face-planted in front of a group of overly-enthusiastic fitness fanatics.
- 09:00 - 10:00: The "Wander Around" Session. Explore everything about Towson; this includes the streets, the parks, the shops, and the people.
- Quirky Observation: Is Towson friendly? That depends if you have the time.
- 10:00 - 17:00: The Self-Reflection. Time to be introspective. Reflect on the things you have done and what you want to do.
- Emotional Reaction: I feel more tired than ever, I think I want to go back home.
Day 4: Departure Depression and Airport Anxiety
- 08:00 - 09:00: Last Breakfast & the "Goodbye, Beige Room" Farewell. Okay, last breakfast. Face it. The eggs will be rubbery. Embrace it.
- Messy Structure: Seriously, though. How did I eat so much breakfast? I swear, I'm always hungry on these trips. Maybe it's the stress. Or the sheer boredom. Or the fact that hotel food is designed to be…inexplicably appealing.
- 09:00 - 10:00: Packing & the "Lost Sock" Saga. The great packing challenge. Will everything fit? Will I remember where I put my phone charger? Will I find the lost sock that mysteriously vanished on Day 1? (Spoiler alert: probably not.)
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: Ugh, the packing. The dread. The realization that I've accumulated a mountain of dirty clothes, a collection of half-eaten snacks, and a lingering sense of disappointment.
- 10:00 - 11:00: Final Check-out & the "See You Next Time?" Illusion. Checking out. Saying goodbye to the beige room. Promising myself that I’ll be back.
- Opinionated Language: I hate goodbyes.
- 11:00 - 12:00: Airport & the Wait. Getting to the airport. Waiting in line for security. Praying my flight isn't delayed.
- Natural Pacing: Wait, wait, wait.
Final Thoughts:
So, the Holiday Inn Express Towson. It's not a destination. It's a…thing. A place to sleep, a place to eat questionable eggs, a base of operations for the chaos of travel. It's unremarkable, yet memorable. It's a part of a journey, and maybe, just maybe, that's enough. And hey, at least they have free Wi-Fi (sometimes!).
And now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. And possibly a vacation from my vacation.
Hermess Hotel Johor Bahru: Your Unforgettable Malaysian Escape Awaits!
Towson Holiday Inn Express: The *Uncensored* FAQs - Buckle Up!
Alright, spill the beans. Is this place actually *good*? Or is it, you know, a hotel?
Okay, okay, the truth serum is kicking in. "Good"? That’s a flexible term. Look, it’s a Holiday Inn Express. Expectations should be tempered. Think…reliable, not revelatory. It's your basic, dependable aunt who always brings casserole – not your cool, globetrotting cousin. It's FINE. It'll get you through the night. But will it knock your socks off? Nope. Unless you REALLY love beige.
Let's talk ROOMS. What's the deal? Clean? Spacious? Or...haunted?
The rooms…they're *rooms*. Clean-ish. I mean, they're not *filthy*, but don't go hunting for dust bunnies under the bed. I’d say the cleanliness is up to the individual housekeeper/maid. The space? Adequate. You won't be throwing a party, but you can probably maneuver without bumping into the furniture, which is a win in my book. Haunted? Nah. Just… a slightly unsettling vibe from the flickering fluorescent lights in the bathroom. Seriously, they flicker. Constantly. Makes you think you’re in a low-budget horror flick.
The Breakfast. The *infamous* breakfast. What's the lowdown? Scrambled eggs? Cereal? The usual suspects?
Oh, the breakfast. Bless its heart. It's…a thing. The "infamous" reputation? Earned, I’d say. It’s *free*, which is a MAJOR plus, let’s be honest. Expect the usual suspects: sad-looking scrambled eggs (that might or might not be real eggs – I'm not judging, just observing), pre-packaged pastries that seem to have been around since the dawn of time, and a waffle maker that can either produce a magnificent golden brown masterpiece OR something resembling a hockey puck. Seriously, it's a gamble every time. The coffee? Strong enough to strip paint. Which, hey, might be a good thing, given the paint job in the rooms…
**Anecdote Time:** Once, I witnessed a small child stare at a plate of (what *might* have been) sausage patties with such a look of utter, silent despair, it felt… existential. Pure existential breakfast melancholy.
Parking! Is it a battle? Do I have to circle the block for an hour looking for a spot?
Parking...it exists. That's the best I can say. It’s…sufficient. Is it a free-for-all? No. Is it a sprawling, spacious expanse? Also no. You'll probably find a spot. Eventually. Might have to walk a bit, especially during peak hours. Pack comfy shoes. You'll thank me later. Honestly, I'm not even sure where the parking lots begin and where they end. It's an unmarked land, and the signs don't help.
The Staff. Helpful? Rude? Somewhere in between? Give it to me straight!
The staff… they're trying. They're definitely trying. I've encountered both the incredibly friendly and the…slightly less enthusiastic. Let’s call it a mixed bag. They're usually efficient enough, which is all you can really hope for, right? Don’t expect concierge-level pampering, but they’ll get your key card sorted. Just try to be nice. They're dealing with a *lot*. And people in hotels are usually a mess, and people in Towson are, well, people. So, it's fine.
**Confession Time:** One time, I totally lost my key card and the front desk guy (bless his heart) managed to get me a new one. I was mortified. And he was very professional. I feel bad now.
Location, Location, Location! Is it convenient to, like, *anything*?
Okay, here’s the good news. The location is…decent. Close to Towson University. Close to some restaurants. Close to some shops. Easy access to the highway. You're definitely in the heart of Towson. So, that’s a win. If you need to be in Towson, well, that's perfect. If you're not, it's still okay, but you might have to battle a little traffic. But what can you expect? You're in a bustling city, right?
Anything else I should know? Warning signs? Dealbreakers?
Dealbreakers...hmmm. If you're a particularly light sleeper, bring earplugs. The walls aren't exactly soundproof. You might hear… things. Things you probably don't want to hear. The elevators are…slow. Like, ridiculously slow. If you’re in a hurry, take the stairs. And the Wi-Fi… it's there, but it sometimes makes you believe that you're back in the 90s again. Prepare to be patient.
**Rant time** Okay, look. One of the worst things? The air conditioning. It feels like you're either in a meat locker or a sauna. There's no in-between. You can't get it *just right*. And you sweat! I sweat during my stay. I hate being sweaty. And let's not even get into the questionable stains on the carpets. (Shudders).
But, ultimately, it’s a Holiday Inn Express. Manage your expectations, and you should be fine. You'll survive. You'll get a bed. You'll get a (free!) breakfast. You will probably still be alive when you check out. That's gotta be worth *something*, right? Right?!
