Cheyenne's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review!
Cheyenne's Best Kept Secret? My Holiday Inn Express Adventure (and the Truth Behind the Sheets!)
Okay, folks, buckle up. I’ve just emerged, blinking in the Wyoming sunshine, from a stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Cheyenne. And, let me tell you, it was… well, it was an experience. More on that later. But first! Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of this review, because, honey, I’ve got opinions! I'm gonna be brutally honest, maybe even make your toes curl.
Accessibility: The Golden Ticket, or a Stumbling Block?
From the jump, the Holiday Inn Express seems to care. Wheelchair accessible? Check. Elevator? Thankfully, yes! The hotel is pretty easy to navigate; the halls are wide, which felt good, especially after a long drive. But I had a friend with me who uses a wheelchair, and while the room was advertised as accessible…lets say, there were some minor hiccups. Like the bathroom door occasionally catching, and a slightly awkward reach for the toiletries. A tiny thing, but annoying when you're just trying to freshen up. (See, I'm already getting opinionated!)
Internet Access: Wi-Fi Woes (and Wins)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! (Seriously, I need my internet fix). And it did, mostly, work. Thank goodness for that. There's also Wi-Fi in public areas. The lobby's Wi-Fi was surprisingly good, a lifesaver for some urgent emails when the room's connection sputtered.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized? Or Just Pretending?
Alright, this is the big one, especially post-pandemic. Anti-viral cleaning products? Okay, I trust that. Daily disinfection of common areas? I saw them doing it. Rooms sanitized between stays? Let's hope so. Now, here’s where my slightly unhinged brain starts to wander. I was SO impressed with the general cleanliness and safety policies. I might have gotten a little paranoid, but I had a great chuckle at the amount of Hand sanitizer everywhere. There were dispensers strategically placed. And while I appreciated the effort (and the hand sanitizer), part of me felt like I was living in a science experiment. Still better safe than sorry, I guess!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast Bonanza (and Maybe Not Much Else)
Where to begin? The Breakfast [buffet] was the shining star! The food and options were varied and fairly fresh. The spread included all the usual breakfast suspects, AND (drum roll, please) a waffle maker. I may have eaten three waffles. No judgment, please. The Breakfast takeaway service was a great touch for those on the go, and I can see how it's appreciated. Sadly, that's about it. No Bar, no Coffee shop, no real Restaurants. It's the Holiday Inn Express, not the Ritz.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh"
The Front desk [24-hour] was a lifesaver at 3 AM when I ran into a tiny problem. The staff was friendly, and the check-in/out was smooth. Daily housekeeping? Yep, the room was always spotless. Laundry service? A godsend for a road trip! Also, the Gift/souvenir shop was a sweet little convenience for all the basics, snacks, and toiletries.
Now, onto the “meh” stuff. Cash withdrawal? Nope. Concierge? Nope. No real extras to write home about (or blog about, apparently). It was all pretty standard, no frills, but well-executed. And it's a Hotel chain, so don't expect anything bespoke.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, But…
Family/child friendly: Yep. The Holiday Inn Express tries hard. They had the kids' menus. But let's just say they weren't exactly bending over backwards to cater to the little ones.
Getting Around: Road Trip Ready
Car park [free of charge]: Woohoo! Airport transfer: not exactly. Taxi service? Yes, if you can actually get one in Cheyenne.
Available in all rooms: The Comforts (and a few minor complaints)
Air conditioning? Fantastic, especially when the Wyoming sun is doing its best to bake the planet. Blackout curtains? Perfect for sleeping in. Free bottled water? Always appreciated. But my room faced the highway, and the Soundproofing was not perfect, so light sleepers, beware. The Internet access – wireless was spotty at times. And hey, I'm not gonna lie, the Slippers in the closet? A nice touch, but slightly…used looking.
Things to do, ways to relax: Mildly Impressive
The Swimming pool [outdoor] was beautiful. But I didn't get to hang by the pool. And the Fitness center? Basic, but it worked. The Spa/sauna? Alas, no. But for the price, you can't ask for everything, right?
My Cheyenne Holiday Inn Express Verdict?
Look, it’s not a luxury resort. It’s a solid, reliable hotel. It ticks the boxes for the fundamentals. Cleanliness and Safety gets a high mark. The Breakfast [buffet] is seriously good. But don't expect Michelin-star dining or a butler service.
The Quirky Anecdote: One morning, during breakfast, I spilled my coffee all over myself and then slipped on a grape someone discarded. It was embarrassing but funny. The staff was understanding, and cleaned everything up easily. It was a true testament of their customer service.
Would I stay again? Probably. It's a reliable option for a quick getaway. Just pack your earplugs, embrace the waffle maker, and don't expect miracles. And maybe bring your own slippers! Final rating, based on a brutally honest assessment: 4 out of 5 stars. Would be 5 if the soundproofing was better!
Istanbul's Hidden Gem: The Print House Hotel - Unforgettable Luxury!
Okay, buckle up buttercups! This isn't your grandma's itinerary – this is a potential train wreck… I mean, a memorable adventure – at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cheyenne, Wyoming. Let’s see if we can actually survive this, and maybe even have a little fun.
The Almost Perfect Cheyenne Odyssey: A Holiday Inn Express & Suites Debacle (Maybe? Probably.)
Day 1: Arrival, Room Roulette, and The Great Pizza Panic
- 1:00 PM – Arrival at Cheyenne Regional Airport (CYS): Plane landed, a collective sigh of relief throughout the cabin. Okay, the landing was… spirited. Let’s just say the pilot seemed to have a personal vendetta against smooth landings. We gather our bags, which seem to be the exact same weight as the entire population of Wyoming.
- 1:30 PM - Uber/Rental Car Fiasco: Honestly, I am not a fan of Ubers. After an hour wasted waiting for what I could have walked, I finally called another Uber and went to the Rental Car Fiasco. I did find my rental car.
- 2:30 PM - Check-in at Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Cheyenne: Ah, the promised land! I approach the front desk, feeling all the excitement of going to another hotel. Smiling, I make small talk with the ever-present lady at the front desk (She seems perpetually bored, but hey, I get it). Key card in hand, I head to Room 307… except the door is locked. Great. Back to the desk. Another card. Success! Except… the room smells faintly of stale air freshener and despair. (Okay, the air freshener smell is stronger than faint, it is quite overpowering). Sigh. It's cleanish, though. Maybe the view will save it… View of the parking lot. Yep. Welp. I'm settling in.
- 3:30 PM – Pizza Quest. (Don't Judge): I’m STARVING. After the flight drama and the room disappointment, I have one goal: pizza. Apparently, Cheyenne has a pizza black hole. I search the internet, read reviews, and decide on "Cheyenne Pizza Co." The reviews seemed promising. 20-minute drive across town. Arrive. Closed. On A Saturday. A Saturday!!! My stomach lets out a mournful groan. Fine. We're rolling with the punches. I head back to the hotel, defeated.
- 4:30 PM – Pizza Rescue! Back at the hotel, starving, I search for pizza again, and found a place located very close to the hotel. The pizza arrives, it was okay. Not quite the pizza salvation I was hoping for, but it filled the void. Still, that Cheyenne Pizza Co. thing… I'm going to find out why they were closed. I will.
- 6:00 PM - Hotel Relaxation: I think to rest and watch some telly. So I chill out and watch some television. This is the best way to end a day of travel!
- 7:30 PM - Attempted Relaxation: I realize that it is time to check if the hot tub is working. As I'm heading downstairs, I realized that I forgot my swimsuits. The hot tub will have to wait.
Day 2: Cheyenne's Charm (or Lack Thereof, Jury's Still Out) and the Mystery of the Vanishing Breakfast
- 7:00 AM – Breakfast Buffet Battle: The free breakfast! This is where things should get better, right? Arrive to find the breakfast area looking like… a post-apocalyptic pancake war zone. Scrambled eggs that look suspiciously like rubber, a waffle maker that's seen better days (and probably some burnt waffles), and a coffee pot that's sputtering like an old car. Still, I attempt a waffle. Burnt on the outside, raw on the inside. I give up and grab a banana. (I do spy some decent cereal, though. Minor victory!)
- 8:00 AM - Cheyenne's Culture Quest: Okay, time to be a tourist. Head to The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. It's actually… lovely. A welcome escape from the hotel room gloom. The conservatory is a tropical oasis. The staff is super friendly. I get slightly lost, feel like a proper idiot, but eventually, find my way.
- 10:00 AM - Downtown Cheyenne & the Old Union Pacific Depot: The historic depot! A beautiful building. I wander around, feeling a bit underwhelmed. It’s nice, but the overwhelming lack of people gives it a slightly deserted vibe. I wonder what happened to Cheyenne. (I'm starting to suspect that Cheyenne might be a figment of my imagination.)
- 12:00 PM – Lunch – The Steakhouse Gamble: I saw a steakhouse, and I am hungry. If this place sucks, I will be very, very grumpy. I am not the biggest fan of steak, but I am the biggest fan of being fed.
- 1:00 PM - Attempted Hotel Pool Time: I find the pool on level two. The area is pretty nice. I decide to take a dip. It is cold, and I hate it. It's fine, right?
- 2:00 PM - Siesta and Regret: I retreat to the hotel room. I contemplate the meaning of life, my life choices, and why I thought a Cheyenne trip was a good idea. I take a nap. I wake up feeling even more…blah.
- 4:00 PM - The Great Pizza Investigation: Determined to solve the mystery of Cheyenne Pizza Co., I search the internet for reasons. The place is closed for a week for renovations, and I just spent an hour of searching online, instead of enjoying my free pool time.
- 6:00 PM - Room Service (If Possible): I check to see if the hotel offers room service. They don't. Sigh.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at the Hotel's Bar: I decide to eat at the hotel's bar.
- 9:00 PM - Early Night and the Quest for Decent Sleep: I head to bed. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Maybe. I hope the pillows don't turn out to be bricks.
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Pizza Dreams
- 7:00 AM – Breakfast… Again: I approach the breakfast buffet with a healthy dose of skepticism. The waffles are no better, the coffee still sputters. I opt for the cereal. Slightly less depressing than the breakfast of the previous day.
- 8:00 AM - Final Hotel Room Inspection: I gather my belongings, doing a mental checklist. Keys, phone, wallet… Did I leave any existential dread behind?
- 9:00 AM - Check-out and Farewell (Maybe): I check out. The lobby looks the same. The lady at the front desk is still… bored. I offer a weary smile. "Enjoy your trip!" she says. I suspect she doesn't really mean it. Cheyenne… a town that has left me with a lot of questions.
- 10:00 AM - Airport & the Longing for Pizza: Head to the airport. Waiting to board the plane, I find myself still thinking of pizza. I fantasize about a pizza, a big, magnificent masterpiece of a pizza.
- 11:00 AM - The Journey to get home: The plane takes off. The end!
Final Verdict: The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cheyenne? Well, it was… an experience. Let's just say it has character. Would I go back? Maybe. With lower expectations and a pre-ordered pizza in my bag. Cheyenne? Well, I'm still not sure if it's real. But hey, at least I have stories to tell. And that, in itself, is a win. Kind of.
Tokyo's Strangest Hotel: Robots, Dinosaurs & Unforgettable Stays!
So, like, what *IS* this thing everyone's talking about? (And can I get a coffee?)
Ugh, alright, alright. Deep breaths. Basically, we're (supposedly) talking about [insert vague topic here, like "mindfulness," "sustainable living," or "the joy of competitive spoon-carving"]. It all depends on *what* we're actually avoiding discussing. It's, like, the buzzword of...well, *this* moment. And yes, I *definitely* need coffee. Double shot, extra foam, because dealing with these "frequently asked questions" is gonna drain me faster than a politician's promises.
Okay, but *WHY* is it so important? My cat seems perfectly happy ignoring all of this.
Ah, the age-old question! Look, I'm going to level with you, the "importance" of it all…it depends. Depends on who you ask, what they're selling, and how much therapy they've had. Honestly? Sometimes it feels like it's important because *everyone else* thinks it is. But here's the thing: my cat's joy in sunbeams is something to be envied more than any overhyped trend. Maybe, *just maybe* the importance is about finding *your* thing, the thing that makes *you* happy, not necessarily what society deems important. Sorry, getting philosophical before noon.
But what are the *actual* benefits? (Besides, you know, avoiding eye contact at parties.)
Okay, fine. Supposedly there are benefits. (I'm *skeptical*, mind you, but I'll play along.) Things like... [list some generic benefits here, like "reduced stress," "increased focus," "world peace," or "finally remembering where you left your keys"]. But here's the thing, I tried the whole [related activity] thing last year. I was like, "I'm gonna embrace this! I'm gonna BE one with the… whatever!". And you know what happened? I got *more* stressed. I lost my keys *more* often. And I spent a whole weekend arguing with my cat about the meaning of life. So, you know, your mileage may vary.
Is there a 'right' way and a 'wrong' way to do this? Because, honestly, I'm probably doing it wrong already.
OH, the agonizing pressure of doing something "correctly". *Deep sigh*. Look, any time there's a "right" way, there's someone ready to judge you for doing it wrong. Which, honestly, *is* the wrong approach – it’s the *opposite* of the whole point. The "right" way is probably whatever works for *you*. Maybe it's a rigid schedule. Maybe it's flinging everything out the window and screaming into a pillow. Maybe it's just letting your cat be your guru. No judgment! Well... from *me* at least (probably, maybe, if I've had my coffee).
What are some of the most common misconceptions about this? (And can you debunk them?)
Oh, *misconceptions*. Buckle up, because there are usually a *ton*. Let's see.. People sometimes think its about [mention a common misconception like "sitting quietly for hours," "quitting your job and becoming a hermit," or “only being happy all the time”]. And the reality? Completely, utterly, gloriously different. The misconception that it has to be all or nothing is a big one. Another HUGE one is [mention another misconception, like "it's all about meditation," or "it's only for people with time"]. Ugh, so annoying! The truth is usually messy and complicated. Like my relationship with my sourdough starter.
How do I START? (Please, tell me it's not complicated!)
Alright, alright, let's get practical. This is where *I* start to get bored. Because usually, it's something really simple. It’s a tiny little step. Something manageable. Like, [suggest a simple starting point, like "taking a deep breath," "spending five minutes outside," or "writing down one thing you're grateful for"]. I've tried so many starting points. There was the time I tried the super-strict meditation app, where a British voice told me to "be present". I was *present,* all right. Present with the nagging feeling that I was doing it wrong. And then there was the "mindful eating" phase. I spent an entire lunch hour staring at a carrot stick, feeling incredibly self-conscious about my chewing. Ugh. Now I think about it, just focus on getting out of bed, that's already a win!
What about the cost? Is this going to break the bank? (Because, let's be honest, I'm already broke.)
Money, glorious money... or the lack thereof. The good news is, a lot of this stuff can be *free*. Walk in nature? Free. Breathe? Also free. (Usually.) The bad news? Because capitalism, there are *tons* of overpriced apps, retreats, workshops, and crystals that will happily drain your bank account. My advice? Tread carefully. Prioritize the accessible, free resources first. Seriously, don't give your money to some guru.
Is there a dark side to this? Are there any potential downsides? (Because nothing is ever really perfect, right?)
Oh, *YES*. There's *always* a dark side! Nothing's sunshine and rainbows for long, sorry to break it to you. One potential downside is [mention a possible dark side, like "it can be used to dismiss legitimate emotions," "it can become performative," or "it can be used as an excuse to avoid dealing with real-world problems"]. And, of course, the whole "toxic positivity" thing. The pressure to be *happy* all the time is exhausting and, quite frankly, unrealistic. And can actually push you to a darker place. I had a friend, right? He was obsessed with [related activity] for a while. And the pressure to be *Zen* and *calm* all the time? It drove him *crazy*. He started isolating himself. Ignoring his real problems. It was a mess. He's doing a lot better now, but it was a harsh reminder that forced positivity is just another form of denial.
Where can I findOcean View Inn
