Harrison's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Unbelievable Stay!
Harrison's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Unbelievable Stay! - Yeah, Actually, It Was Pretty Great! (And They Got the Coffee Right!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Harrison's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and let me tell you, unbelievable might just be an understatement. I went in with low expectations (you know, Holiday Inn Express, right?), and came out…well, genuinely impressed. This ain't your grandma's Holiday Inn, folks. This is a Holiday Inn that’s apparently swallowed a whole bunch of sunshine and good vibes.
First Impressions: The Accessibility & That All-Important Wi-Fi
Right off the bat, a sigh of relief. Accessibility is a real thing here. I poked around, and noticed thoughtful touches like ramps, elevators, and…look, I didn't need them personally, but it felt like they cared about making things easy for everyone. Huge win. And in a world of patchy Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is practically a divine gift. Seriously, I live off the internet. I am the internet. So, the fact that I could stream cat videos (don't judge) without buffering was a huge, HUGE start. They’ve even got Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN, for those of us who are old-school and still like a physical connection. Plus, Wi-Fi in public areas, which, let’s be honest, is crucial for Insta-bragging about your amazing vacation.
The Room: Cozy Cave of Comfort (Plus, Blackout Curtains! Thank the Gods!)
My room? Clean, comfortable, and surprisingly well-appointed. Okay, it wasn’t a suite at the Ritz, but it felt nice. The Air conditioning worked like a charm (vital!), the Blackout curtains were a godsend (I sleep like a vampire), and the Coffee/tea maker actually made decent coffee. This is worth its weight in gold, people. I spent a solid five minutes just staring at the Complimentary tea selection. Seriously, where’s the bad?
And the essentials? Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Mini bar (essential for that late-night snack run), Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels (because, you know, brain-rotting TV is sometimes necessary), and Wi-Fi [free]. Plus, a Desk, a Laptop workspace, and even a Scale – because, let’s face it, we're all curious about the damage done by the buffet. The Additional toilet was a pleasant surprise. The Bathtub… let me just say, it was big enough to soak and relax in.
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-Era Sanity
This place takes cleanliness seriously. I’m talking about Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They even offer Room sanitization opt-out available if you're feeling extra paranoid (or just really committed to your own particular brand of germ protection). Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff seemed genuinely committed to following safety protocols. I even saw them using Professional-grade sanitizing services. You could practically eat off the floor (but I wouldn't recommend it, unless you REALLY trust the carpet).
Dining: Food, Glorious Food (And No, I Didn't Just Eat Bread)
Alright, let's get to the good stuff. The Breakfast [buffet] was actually pretty good. Yes, you could get the standard bagel-and-cream-cheese situation, but there was also… wait for it… hot food. Asian breakfast and Western breakfast options, even! I devoured a pile of scrambled eggs and pastries. There's also a Breakfast takeaway service - perfect for those mornings when you just can't face the buffet crowd.
I even ventured into the Restaurant a couple of times. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality. They had Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and even a Vegetarian restaurant menu if you are into "healthy" food. They also have A la carte in restaurant, and Buffet in restaurant. I'm not ashamed to admit I ordered extra Desserts in restaurant. The coffee was good too. Which is something I look for when I'm traveling.
They also have a Poolside bar! I ordered a cocktail and sprawled out by the Swimming pool [outdoor]. This is where I found myself spending most of my time.
Things to Do (or, You Know, Do Nothing Gracefully)
While I’m not a spa person, I did hear good things about the Spa/sauna, and Sauna. So if those are your jam, knock yourself out. The Fitness center was there (but I skipped it, because, vacation). There's also an Outdoor venue for special events, so if you are planning a big party, they have you covered.
Service and Conveniences: Smooth Sailing (Mostly)
The staff? Super friendly and helpful. The Doorman greeted me with a smile, the Concierge helped me find a good restaurant, and the Daily housekeeping kept my room a sparkling oasis of calm. They've got a Convenience store for those late-night snack attacks, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, and On-site event hosting. All the usual suspects, really. The Elevator was a lifesaver with my luggage. They even had a Car park [free of charge].
The Little Quirks and Imperfections: A Reality Check
Look, this isn’t a flawless utopia. The gym could’ve been a bit better equipped. And the coffee shop closed a bit early for my liking. But these are minor quibbles. They have Cashless payment service (huge win) and I even saw them sanitizing tableware. My internet did cut out for 5 minutes, but I think it was caused by my own device.
The Verdict: Book It!
Honestly, if you're looking for a clean, comfortable, and conveniently located hotel with genuinely friendly service, Harrison's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn Express & Suites is a seriously good option. It’s a hidden gem, indeed. It exceeded my expectations.
Offer: Unleash Your Inner Relaxation!
Book now and get:
- 20% off your stay!
- Complimentary upgrade to a room with a view!
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Rodeway Inn: Your Unexpected US Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. Here's a potential disaster – I mean, trip – to Holiday Inn Express & Suites Harrison, by IHG, Arkansas. And believe me, I'm just as terrified of the IHG coffee as you are.
Title: My Harrison Hustle: A Holiday Inn Express Odyssey (Pray for Me)
Day 1: The Great Escape (From Reality, Mostly)
1:00 PM: Arrive at Little Rock National Airport (LIT). Okay, first hurdle: the flight wasn't delayed! Miraculously. Feeling cautiously optimistic. The rental car is…a beige sedan. Sigh. Beige, just like my hopes and dreams right now.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: The road. I swear, driving in Arkansas is like a masterclass in "scenic route" and "endless cornfields." I'm pretty sure I saw Jesus on a billboard selling fertilizer. Or maybe it was just the heat stroke kicking in. Needed a snack. Bought some beef jerky (questionable).
3:30 PM: Arrive at the majestic Holiday Inn Express & Suites Harrison. Let’s be honest; it looks like a Holiday Inn - maybe a slightly nicer one. The lobby is surprisingly clean, and the air conditioning is working hard. I felt a surge of pure, unadulterated relief.
3:45 PM: Check-in. The receptionist is wearing a name tag that says "Brenda." Brenda is… efficient. Bless her heart. She gives me the key card, and I'm off to my room.
- The Room Reveal (Dramatic Music): Okay, it's clean. Bed looks comfy-ish. The air conditioner is blasting a arctic blast. There is a faint scent of chlorine and… something else. I can't quite place it. Maybe old dreams? The view is… well, it's of another building. Hey, at least it's not a prison. I’m calling a win here.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Attempt to unpack. Fail. The suitcase explodes. I have a strong urge to lie down and watch daytime television, but I rally and just start putting things anywhere.
5:00 PM: The pool. I'm not a pool person. But it's hot, and I’m alone. And it appears it might be the pool is empty. "Excellent." It turned out the pool wasn't empty. There was a kid cannonballing from the deep end! The kid's screams were a symphony of unbridled joy, and I retreated, defeated, back to my room.
6:00 PM: Dinner. I find a local restaurant, "The Ozark Diner" It has flashing neon lights. I order a burger and actually get the best darn burger I've had in months. They also served fries with fry sauce, and I may or may not have licked the container clean.
7:30 PM: Back at the room. Watch some mind-numbing television. Wrestle with the remote control. Fail again.
9:00 PM: Attempt to sleep. Fail. There's a suspicious dripping sound in the bathroom. Decide I'll deal with it tomorrow. It will probably not be a problem.
10:00 PM: The dripping sound is still there. Start to suspect I might be in a Stephen King novel, but I’m too lazy to check the plumbing. Try to bury the feeling of existential dread in the hotel pillow.
Day 2: The Adventure Begins (Or Does It?)
7:00 AM: The dreaded hotel breakfast. Cereal, questionable pastries, and the all-important coffee. The coffee tastes like it's been brewed in a rusty bucket. I load up on the fake sugar and hope for the best.
8:00 AM: Head out to explore Harrison. The plan, which is very loosely defined, is to… see things. I'm thinking maybe a nature trail? Or a scenic overlook? (I'm regretting the beige sedan.)
9:00 AM: Find Mystic Caverns. I love caves! They are cool and spooky and always a bit magical. This one has a tour! I'm excited! Turns out the tour is mostly about stalactites and stalagmites. The guide kept pointing at the formations and saying, “Look! It’s the Queen’s hat!” or "Here's a dog!" I just kept nodding.
10:30 AM: The drive to the hiking trail I marked on the map. The map said a good hiking trail. Turns out the map lied. It might be a trail, but it's more like a rocky goat path. Which is, admittedly, scenic. I walk for about 30 minutes, get bitten by things unknown, and realize I'm wearing the wrong shoes. Time to turn back.
11:30 AM: Find a local antique shop. I love antique shops! I spend an hour browsing through dusty treasures, vintage clothes that smell of mothballs and things I have absolutely no room for. I buy a ceramic cat figurine. It’s chipped, and the eyes follow you around the room, and I love it. (Probably should have gotten something besides the cat, though)
1:00 PM: Lunch. Find a local sandwich shop. The sandwiches are incredible. The staff is even nicer. Everyone is really friendly here. I get a strong feeling that they are all, for the most part, content with life. I'm starting to get it.
2:00 PM: Attempt to visit something called the "Buffalo National River." More driving required! I can't find the entrance. I give up and take a nap in the beige sedan.
4:00 PM: Back at the hotel. The dripping sound has stopped. I don't know why. The mystery remains. I decide to use the pool. Nobody's at the pool! This is perfect, isn't it?
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Swim. Have a perfectly wonderful hour. Completely alone.
7:00 PM: Dinner. Return to The Ozark Diner. Burgers are good. Fries are good. Life is good.
9:00 PM: The cat figurine. Still creepy. Still love it.
10:00 PM: Get ready for bed. I don't feel existential dread, but I realize I might have forgotten to brush my teeth. Well.
Day 3: Farewell, Harrison (and My Sanity?)
7:00 AM: Hotel breakfast. Coffee, cereal, the usual. I'm starting to feel like a regular here. Which is a little depressing.
8:00 AM: Pack up. Realize I forgot to use half the toiletries and that my suitcase is still a disaster. But the cat figurine is safe!
9:00 AM: Check out. Brenda the efficient receptionist bids me a polite farewell. I feel a pang of sadness to be leaving Harrison.
10:00 AM: Start the drive back to the airport. Stop for one last burger and fries.
12:00 PM: Arrive at Little Rock National Airport. The flight isn't delayed! Again! Are we sure this isn't a dream?
1:00 PM: Take off.
Final Thoughts:
Harrison, Arkansas: A mixed bag of questionable coffee, unexpected beauty, and the ghost of a dripping faucet. Would I return? Maybe. Would I recommend the Holiday Inn Express? Sure. It's a solid, clean hotel. Will I remember the trip? Definitely. Mainly because of the cat figurine. And the fries. And the existential dread. And, you know, all of it.
Now back to reality…
Unbelievable West Kelowna Getaway: DoubleTree by Hilton Awaits!
Harrison's Hidden Gem? More Like a Treasure Map... With a Few X's Marking Questionable Territory.
So, is this place REALLY a "Hidden Gem?" The marketing, you know...
Okay, let's be real. "Hidden Gem" might be a tad generous. It's more like… a slightly-less-obvious-than-the-highway-side-motel gem. Look, it's a Holiday Inn Express, people. Expectations should be adjusted accordingly. But! And this is a big but... it's got charm. Sort of. Think comfortable, slightly-dated, but ultimately… fine. The truth is, after a long day of hiking or whatever you're doing in Harrison (more on that later!), a hot shower and a clean bed are basically all you need. And the Harrison HIX generally delivers on that front. It's not the Ritz, folks. But it *works*.
The Breakfast Buffet Saga: What's the deal? Is it, like, edible?
Ah, the breakfast. The breakfast is… an experience. Look, if you're expecting gourmet, go elsewhere. You're in Harrison, Arkansas, not Paris. The usual suspects are present: scrambled eggs that may or may not be actually eggs (jury's still out), questionable sausage patties, some kind of pre-made waffle that's always… slightly… limp. But! Here's the silver lining: the coffee is usually decent. And the staff, bless their hearts, are always trying their best. I once saw a woman practically *beg* a waffle maker to work faster because the line was growing. Glorious scene. Expect a bit of a battle for the good pastries. Protect the cinnamon rolls. They're the real MVP.
The Pool: Is it kid-friendly, or a swamp of doom?
The pool… alright, this needs some context. I went once. Once. It wasn't bad, per se. It was… functional. Picture this: the pool is indoors, which is great for the unpredictable Arkansas weather. The water was a tad *chilly*. And the chlorine? Woof. My eyes were burning for, like, an hour after that. Definitely kid-friendly (lots of kids were in there, splashing happily), but be prepared to battle for pool towels. They go *fast*. My own kids nearly turned into little demons when I told them we couldn't swim. So yeah, kid-friendly in the sense of "they'll survive," but maybe pack your own goggles.
Rooms: Are they clean-ish? Do the beds actually *work*?
Okay, the rooms. This is where things get… variable. Generally, yes, they are clean-ish. I’m not a germaphobe, but I'm also not going to pretend I didn’t quickly wipe down the remote control with a Lysol wipe. The beds are usually comfortable enough. (Remember, you're not aiming for Shangri-La here!) My one major *pet peeve*? The pillows. They're often the fluffy, flat kind that offer zero neck support. I always end up piling them up like some kind of pillow fort just to get comfortable. One time, I called down to the front desk for an extra, and the guy sounded as tired as I was. We had a good laugh about it, though. Human connection! Nice.
Location, Location, Location: What's good around there? Is it easy to find stuff?
Location-wise, it's pretty decent. It's close to… well, *everything* in Harrison. You're not going to get lost, basically. There's a Walmart conveniently nearby (essential for forgotten toothpaste and emergency snacks, let's be real). Restaurants are close, too. The drive to the Buffalo National River is pretty easy-- which is the point. Harrison is an outdoor kind of place. You’re going to drive anyway. So, yeah, location gets a solid B+. It's functional, practical, and puts you in the heart of the action… or, you know, close enough. And it's easy to find, which is always a plus after a day on the hiking trail.
The Staff: Are they friendly? Helpful? Or just…there?
This is where the Harrison HIX really shines! The staff? Mostly fantastic. They're genuinely friendly and seem to *care*. I had a minor issue with my room once, and the person at the front desk, bless her heart, bent over backwards to fix it. She was super apologetic and even offered me a free soda. They’re what makes the place special. This is a big one, actually. Because, let's face it, a lot of hotels coast on the bare minimum. The Harrison HIX seems to genuinely want you to enjoy your stay. And that goes a long way. They make the whole 'Holiday Inn Express experience'… tolerable, even enjoyable. Maybe even memorable. In a good way!
The "Unbelievable Stay" Part of the Name: Is that...exaggeration? Spill the tea!
Okay, the "Unbelievable Stay." Yeah, that's… marketing. It's a notch above the average for a Holiday Inn Express, sure but "Unbelievable"? Let's just say, I wouldn't write home about it. But here's the thing: I *would* recommend it. Not because it's inherently mind-blowing, but because it's dependable, clean enough, and the staff is great. It's like that reliable friend who always shows up for you, even when you're being a hot mess. It won't give you a Michelin-star experience, but it *will* provide a decent base camp for your Arkansas adventures. So is it unbelievable? No. Is it a solid option? Absolutely.
Okay, Okay, You've Gotten This Far... What is "The One Experience" from this place that you'll neverHotel Safari
