Austin's BEST Kept Secret: Holiday Inn Round Rock!
The Truth About Austin's "Best Kept Secret": Holiday Inn Round Rock (A Truly Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because I'm about to spill the tea (which, by the way, is complimentary in the rooms, score!) on the Holiday Inn Round Rock. And believe me, I'm not your average TripAdvisor robot spewing canned phrases. I’m talking real-world experience, warts and all, because let's be honest, that's what makes a review worth reading. Plus, I'm obsessed with finding a good hotel, and this one… well, it's got layers.
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First Impressions (and a slight panic attack):
Pulling up, the Holiday Inn looks… well, it looks like a Holiday Inn. No grand, Instagrammable entrance, mind you. It's functional, clean, and maybe a little beige. But hey, I’m not here for the architecture, I'm here for the experience. I, like a moron, booked this trip late and was a tad nervous about finding an accessible hotel – you know, the whole wheelchair situation. Immediately – relief! Large, clearly marked accessible parking spots. Score one.
Accessibility: Not Perfect, But Pretty Darn Good:
Look, this is HUGE for me. The accessibility here is… mostly great. The lobby, the elevators, the common areas – all smooth sailing for my wheelchair. The rooms? Well, that’s where it gets slightly tricky. My room had a huge open bathroom (which is good! Big space!), but the turning radius near the toilet was… ahem… snug. I'm talking, I had to back in and out a few times. Not ideal, but manageable. The grab bars were positioned thoughtfully, though, and that’s a win. (Accessibility Score: 4 out of 5 stars, for those who want to be overly specific)
Rooms: Comfort & the "Free Bottled Water" Dance:
My room was surprisingly spacious, clean, and, crucially, had blackout curtains. Hallelujah! I'm a sucker for those. The bed was comfy (a MUST), the TV worked (another MUST), and the free Wi-Fi worked like a charm. Seriously, fast and reliable – a godsend for someone who needs to be constantly online. (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – CHECK!) And speaking of free stuff, free bottled water! In these times of constantly being nickel-and-dimed, it’s a small gesture that goes a long way.
Now, the imperfections: The air conditioning was a touch noisy (typical, right?), and the bathroom, while accessible, had these tiny little toiletries. I am a man who likes a good lather with a decent bar of soap, and this was just sad. (Bring your own bath products, folks!)
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-19 Anxiety, Briefly Averted:
Let's be real, traveling post-pandemic brings a whole new level of anxiety. Here's where the Holiday Inn Round Rock really shines. They seemed genuinely serious about cleanliness. Seeing the staff diligently cleaning and sanitizing every surface was reassuring. Hand sanitizer dispensers were everywhere. And the room? I opted out of the "room sanitization opt-out" because, you know, I'm paranoid. But I felt secure knowing they cleaned the rooms between stays. (Safety Score: 5 out of 5 stars – even for a worrywart like me!)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Mixed Bag, Honestly:
- Breakfast: They offered a buffet (with all the appropriate shields and precautions) and also had a "Breakfast Takeaway service." The Asian breakfast was tempting, but I stuck with the Western options. Let's just say the coffee was… functional. Not gourmet, but it woke me up. My advice? Grab a coffee at the Starbucks down the street… but hey, I'm a coffee snob.
- Bar: The bar area itself was nice enough. I had a drink a couple of days. It was fine. Not overly fancy, but a good spot to chill after a long day.
- Restaurants: The on-site restaurant offered a la Carte, which was a little too much for me when I'm used to grab-and-go.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: A Little Something For Everyone (Mostly!)
- Pool with a View: The outdoor pool area was the highlight! Beautiful, with plenty of space for lounging and some great views. Even for a wheelchair user, getting to the pool was accessible.
- Fitness Center: Honestly, I didn't check it out, but good to know it's there!
- Spa: (Hears ringing in my ears…)
- Spa and Sauna, Spa/Sauna, Footbath, Body scrub, Body wrap, Steam room, Massage: I don't know, I literally had no idea they had these things and I didn't go. Why didn't I go?
- For the Kids: I noticed they had some family-friendly facilities. It's a good option if you're traveling with little ones.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter:
- Free Parking: Another win!
- Convenience Store: Handy for grabbing snacks and essentials.
- Contactless Check-in/out I did it the old-fashioned way.
- Laundry/Dry Cleaning: I didn't need to use it, but good to know it's available.
Wheelchair Features: This is Where We REALLY Shine:
- Wide door openings (check!)
- Roll-in shower with grab bars
- Lowered sinks and counters: Accessibility is clearly a priority here, and I appreciate it.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy.
- Easy to get to from Austin.
- Car park [free of charge] - Another win!
- Taxi Service: Also available, but I wouldn't call that the best way to get around.
My Honest Take: The Good, The Slightly Flawed, and The Surprisingly Charming:
The Holiday Inn Round Rock isn't a luxury resort. It's not going to blow you away with its design aesthetic. But here's the thing: it's a solid, reliable, and surprisingly comfortable option. It's clean, the staff is friendly, and the location is convenient. It's accessible (mostly!), which is a huge deal for me. And, you know what? It has character. It's got that slightly-worn, lived-in feel that somehow makes it feel more welcoming.
Recommendation (if that's what you're here for):
If you're looking for a reliable, accessible, well-located hotel in Round Rock (or if you're visiting Austin and want a more budget-friendly option just outside the city), this is definitely worth considering. Book it. Just BYOB (Bring Your Own Bath products). And maybe bring some fancy coffee. And if they have a spa, for GOD’S SAKE, GO! You won’t regret it. You just might find your own little "best kept secret."
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your typical, sterile travel itinerary. This is… my attempt to survive a trip to Holiday Inn Austin North By IHG in Round Rock. Lord, help me.
Subject: Operation: Keep My Sanity (and Maybe See Some Bluebonnets?) - A Round Rock Rant-inerary
Day 1: The Drive From Hell (Austin Edition)
- 1:00 PM: ARRIVAL - I'm finally here. After fighting I-35 traffic that felt like being slowly devoured by a particularly aggressive anaconda, I’ve arrived at the sacred Holiday Inn grounds. (Okay, it’s not sacred. It's a hotel. Let's not get carried away). The lobby, surprisingly, smells like… a very clean air freshener. Not complaining. Yet. I’m checking in, and the guy at the desk has the weary, seen-it-all look that tells me he’s dealt with a Karen or five this morning. My kind of person. Hope the room isn't haunted. Or filled with screaming kids. That's a win for today.
- 1:30 PM: ROOM INSPECTION. I try the key card, and it fails. Oh god, it’s the start of the trip's chaos! Back to the desk, where weary-eyed guy re-programs it. Success! The room is… adequate. Clean, thankfully, although the wallpaper is giving serious 1980s motel chic vibes. I swear, is that shag carpet?! Nope. Thank GOD. Settling in and hoping the AC is good. I need a cold blast of air after that drive.
- 2:00 PM: The dreaded unpacking. Why is it that the act of unpacking always brings such unadulterated joy? I'm going for a casual, comfortable vibe.
- 2:30 PM: A quick exploration of the hotel. There's a pool! (Maybe later. Sunscreen is a must. Not looking like a lobster.). The gym looks depressing (I'll pass, maybe). The vending machine is strategically located near the ice machine. Genius.
- 3:00 PM: First serious mission: Find coffee. There's probably a Starbucks nearby. Or, shudder, a gas station coffee situation. The latter is not ideal, but sometimes, desperation calls.
- 3:30 PM: COFFEE SECURED (Starbucks, thank the heavens). Now I can function.
- 4:00 PM: Okay, I got lost on the way back to the room. I did it again on the way to the coffee shop this morning. Seriously, how do you get lost in a small corridor? It's a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, sprinkled with my directional challenged.
- 4:30 PM: I'm in the room now. And I'm in desperate need of a nap. I just fell asleep.
- 5:00 PM: I'm alive. Ready to see the world.
- 5:30 PM: Dinner. Some promising-looking BBQ place in Round Rock. I was picturing a perfect brisket, but I was wrong. It was too fatty. And now I'm just sad.
- 7:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Netflix and chill. Seriously. I need that. Can I get a bubble bath and candles?
- 9:00 PM: Night, night, time to sleep.
Day 2: The Quest for Authenticity (and Avoiding the Tourist Traps)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Ugh. Why is it always so hard to get out of bed?
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast in the hotel. Oh god. The buffet line. I'm picturing lukewarm scrambled eggs and sad-looking sausage. I was right, but there was a waffle machine. All is forgiven.
- 10:00 AM: I am determined to not be a tourist. I can't handle the tourist traps.
- 10:30 AM: I drove to a place that was only OKAY!
- 12:00 AM: Lunch. I had a sandwich and I'm still not ready for the next activity.
- 12:30 PM: I'm doing some research.
- 1:00 PM: I went to the pool and enjoyed the sun.
- 2:00 PM: The pool got boring, so I came back to the room.
- 3:00 PM: Naptime.
- 4:00 PM: I was awake again.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner with my friend, who came over and met me.
- 7:00 PM: I'm in the hotel room again. And I'm going crazy.
Day 3: The Grand Finale (AKA: The Escape)
- 7:00 AM: Ugh. Packing up. My least favorite. And I'm already exhausted.
- 8:00 AM: Last breakfast. I'll be sad when my trip is over.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. Farewell, Round Rock. It's been… interesting.
- 9:30 AM: On the road. Traffic is light. The gods are smiling.
- 10:00 AM: I'm on the way home. I'm so ready to go home.
- 11:00 AM: I'm home.
Final Thoughts:
This trip… was a trip. It wasn't perfect. It was a mess. But it was mine. And isn't that what matters? I survived. I made it. I did what I was supposed to do.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go collapse on my couch and never leave the house again. (Until the next trip, of course.)
Unbelievable Sapa Views: Sapa Charm Hotel Awaits!
Holiday Inn Round Rock: The Secret's Out... Maybe? (A Totally Unofficial FAQ)
Okay, Okay, Spill the Beans. What's the "Best Kept Secret" Thing About this Place?
The Pool. You Mentioned It. What's the Swimming Situation *Really* Like?
What About Breakfast? Free Breakfast is Always a Win, Right? Spill the Truth!
The Rooms. What Are They Really Like? Clean? Comfy? Ghosts?
Is It Good For Families?
What's the Deal with the Location? Anything Good Nearby?
Any Horror Stories? You Must Have *Something*!
