Escape to Livingston: Luxurious Stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Escape to Livingston: My Honest (and a Little Chaotic) Review of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites! (Spoiler: It's Actually Pretty Good!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to take you on a rollercoaster ride through my stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Livingston. Forget the boring, sterile reviews; this is the real deal. I'm talking honest opinions, quirky observations, and yes, even a few emotional outbursts (mostly from the delicious breakfast buffet).
Accessibility: A Solid Start (Mostly)
Okay, let's get the "serious stuff" out of the way first. Accessibility is important, and I appreciate the effort. I poked around and saw that the hotel offered facilities for disabled guests. The elevator seems to be working flawlessly. Though, I wish there was more specific information on their website about what exactly constitutes "facilities for disabled guests" like room details, so it's a bit of a "wait and see" situation until you actually book.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe Enough (Even with My Germophobia)
Look, I have a slight (massive) case of germaphobia. So, the fact that this place is basically draped in safety protocols is a huge selling point. They were REALLY good about the Anti-viral cleaning products, The daily disinfection in common areas gave me a little peace of mind. And I loved the option to opt-out of room sanitization! (Though, I couldn’t do it, just in case!) Hand sanitizer was everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol? Check. Individually-wrapped food options? Thank you, sweet baby Jesus!
The Rooms: Comfy… And With a Few Quirks
The room. That's where the magic (or the "oh, really?" moments) happens! I snagged a non-smoking room (duh) with a king-sized bed. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver – crucial for my vampire-like sleep schedule. And the free Wi-Fi? Glory be! The Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a godsend, but the connection on the Internet [LAN] was a joke, don’t even bother.
The bathroom was… adequate. Clean, sure, but I really wish they'd install a proper showerhead. And the mini-bar wasn't exactly stocked with my preferred artisanal cheeses and fermented delicacies… but hey, free bottled water is never a bad thing. I have a thing for bathrobes (don’t judge!), and they were there! (Even if they looked a little… worn.)
My Room’s Imperfections, & Unexpected Delights:
I’m going to be honest, the first room, smelled a bit… musty. I get it, you're a hotel, some funky smells linger. But I called down, and within seconds they'd moved me to another room. The service was superb; their attention to detail was top-tier.
And the little things, like the complimentary tea and coffee were a really nice touch. Plus, because I forgot, I was pleased to find the hair dryer. What a lifesaver!.
The Pool (with a View?): Ambivalent Anticipation
I wanted a pool with a view. It sounded so serene in the description. But the pool? It needed a good scrub. The view? Okay, it was there, but it wasn't exactly postcard-worthy. It was fine. Meh. And the fact that the pool was Swimming pool [outdoor] wasn’t great, since I prefer my pools warm!
The Spa & Fitness Center (If You're into that Sort of Thing)
Spa. Sauna. Steamroom. Massage. Yeah. I didn't partake. I’m more of a "Netflix and chill" kinda gal. But I did peek into the Fitness center. It looked… functional. Treadmills, weights, the usual suspects. If you're into that sort of thing, go for it.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Breakfast Nirvana and a Few Disappointments
Okay, this is where I really got into it. The Breakfast [buffet] was, in a word, glorious. I’m talking mountains of fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, a waffle station, and a dizzying array of pastries. The Western breakfast was top-notch. I went back… several times. Seriously, I was fueled by the energy of a thousand suns.
The Coffee shop was good too. A quick pick me up with good coffee, and friendly staff.
But the rest of the dining options? A little… meh. The Poolside bar was closed during my stay (sad face). The Restaurants were nothing too thrilling, but their A la carte in restaurant menu was worth it. However, they ran out of the salad I liked, and the Snack bar was closed.
Services & Conveniences: So Many Options, So Little Time
So many services! So little space to talk about them. The Concierge was super helpful. The Laundry service was a lifesaver. The Cash withdrawal was useful. I couldn’t use a Cashless payment service, which caused me a bit of a problem, since I have trouble using physical money. The Luggage storage was great.
And then, the strangest of all…
They claim to have a "shrine." A shrine. I couldn't find it. Maybe I just wasn't looking hard enough. If I ever go back, I'm definitely on the hunt.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: My Personal Mission: Find the Shrine
Okay, I didn’t have time for things to do! I had to find the shrine. I asked around; no one could quite point me in the right direction. (Maybe it’s a secret?). My mission for any future trips.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, But I Don’t Know Kids.
There were Kids facilities and Babysitting service. I have no kids, so I'm not qualified to judge. All I can say is, I didn’t encounter any screaming children, so that’s a win, right?
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
Car park [free of charge]. Big tick. Plus the ability to use a Car power charging station was also great. Airport transfer? Available, but I didn't use it. Taxi service? Yep. All the transportation bases covered.
The Verdict: Would I Escape There Again? Absolutely!
Look, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Livingston isn't perfect. But it’s clean, comfortable, and the staff is genuinely friendly. The breakfast alone is worth the price of admission. And the safety protocols are a major plus. Yes, I’d go back. I'd absolutely go back. And this time, I’m finding that damn shrine!
Escape to Livingston: Luxurious Stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Your Ultimate Getaway!
Tired of the same old routine? Ready for a true escape? Then come to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Livingston, where luxury meets convenience!
Here's what you get:
- Unwind in Style: Enjoy spacious, comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi, plush bedding, and all the amenities you need - from blackout curtains to coffee makers - to make you feel right at home.
- Fuel Your Adventures: Start your day with our incredible FREE breakfast buffet, packed with everything from fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon to waffles and pastries. Then check out our restaurant for exciting dishes.
- Relax & Rejuvenate: Cool off in the outdoor pool.
- Stay Connected: Benefit from access to high-speed Internet and reliable Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas!
- Safe & Secure: Relax with our strict commitment to cleanliness and safety with anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection of common areas, hand sanitizers, and staff trained in safety protocols. Some rooms have the option to opt-out of room sanitization.
- Convenience at Your Fingertips: Take advantage of our convenient services, including 24-hour front desk, concierge services, laundry service, and car parking at no charge.
Book your stay today and experience the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and escape!
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Escape to Jackson: Luxury Suites & Unbeatable Deals at Holiday Inn Express Flowood!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously color-coded travel itinerary. This is… my attempt at conquering the wilds of Livingston, Montana, from the comfy (hopefully) confines of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. And trust me, things are already a little wonky.
The Livingston Limbo: A Hot Mess of a Plan (and Probably Some Regrets)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (aka, "Is This the Right State?")
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Arrival at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). Okay, so the plan was to land, grab the rental car (fingers crossed the reservation actually existed), and hurtle toward Livingston. But the flight was delayed, causing a full-blown panic attack that I totally, definitely didn't have. The thought of being stranded in the Bozeman vortex filled me with a bone-chilling fear. I swear I saw a tumbleweed roll across the tarmac, and I'm pretty sure it was judging me.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Rental Car Roulette. Ugh. This is where things went south. Finding the rental car place was easy enough, but the line was a snake that stretched into infinity. I made desperate eye contact with the clerk, hoping to win her over with my charm (or, you know, just not burst into tears). Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I got the keys to a suspiciously dented Ford Escape. Named her Bessie.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: The Great Escape (to Livingston). The drive! Glorious! I cranked up the tunes (mostly Bruce Springsteen, because, Montana. No brainier.) and tried to soak in the scenery. Beautiful, I guess. Mountains, fields, the whole nine yards. Honestly, I was so busy battling my inner demons of "Did I forget to pack underwear?!" that I didn't absorb all the amazing landscape.
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Check-In at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Livingston. Okay, finally! The hotel! Check-in was surprisingly smooth. Got my key, the room looked decent. Clean, which is all I ask for at this point. Then I promptly collapsed on the bed, fully clothed. Debating room service, then laughing at myself. No way I have the confidence.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Unpack, Assess, and Question Life Choices. Wait. Did I bring enough socks? Why did I think this was a good idea? Existential crisis time. I stared at the TV, the remote seeming miles away. Ultimately, I decided to embrace the chaos. This is what it is y'all.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Pre-Dinner Reconnaissance. Okay, time to wander. Aimlessly, mostly. I walked around, trying to find a decent restaurant for dinner. All the eateries seemed to be closed, except for a small, sad-looking pizza place. The options were getting bleak…
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner Debacle. So, pizza it was. Let's just say it wasn't award-winning. I ate it anyway, because, you know, food. The restaurant had a distinct "tumbleweed trapped inside" vibe.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Room Meltdown and Bedtime. I went back to the hotel room and spent the entire evening watching bad TV and trying to figure out the climate controls. Still not sure I did it right. Eventually, I succumbed to exhaustion and fell into an fitful sleep. The bed was fairly comfortable.
Day 2: Chasing Waterfalls (And Sanity)
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: The Free Breakfast Battle Royale. Oh, the free breakfast. I ventured into the breakfast buffet with a healthy dose of skepticism. It was… well, it was breakfast. Average. I grabbed some questionable-looking scrambled eggs, a piece of toast, and coffee that was both too strong and too weak at the same time.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Planning and Frustration. Time to figure out the day's activities! I was going to go hiking! I grabbed some maps, brochures, and realized I had zero idea what I was doing. The trails all sounded intimidating and slightly terrifying. Another panic attack. I finally picked a short scenic trail, but my confidence was already wavering.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: The Hiking Hellscape (or, a Gentle Stroll in the Woods). The trail! It wasn't as horrific as I’d feared. It was relatively easy, which was a relief. The scenery was actually gorgeous. I felt a moment of actual peace. Until a rogue squirrel tried to steal my water bottle. I shrieked. I'm not proud of that.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Exploring Downtown Livingston. I drove into town. Livingston's downtown is a bit… sleepy. I walked around, peeked into some antique shops. Found an adorable vintage store. Spent way too much money on a useless knick-knack that I will probably regret later.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch at a Café (and Overthinking). Found a cute café for lunch. I ordered a sandwich, attempted to read my book, and inevitably started overthinking everything again. What am I doing with my life? Why is my sandwich taking so long? Is my table judging me? I swear I saw a tear roll down the waitress' cheek - she felt my pain. I decided to start smiling and be happy.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Driving the Paradise Valley. Beautiful. Driving along the Yellowstone River gave me a sense of beauty.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Back to the Hotel and Quiet Time. I went back to my room, took a long shower, and felt like I need some time in thought. I went to the pool and tried my best to relax, and then ordered some Chinese food.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Journaling and Watching TV (Again). Yeah, I spent the rest of the evening writing in my journal (a lot of griping. And bad poetry.) and channel surfing until I blacked out.
Day 3: Departure (and the Epilogue of Endless Self-Doubt)
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Another Breakfast Battle. More lukewarm eggs.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Final Packing Panic. Did I leave anything behind? Did I even enjoy myself? I started panicking.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Check Out and the Long Good-Bye. Good-bye, Holiday Inn.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: The drive back to BZN and a tearful goodbye to Bessie.
1:00 PM: Flight. I survived.
The End. (Or Is It?)
So, there you have it. My completely unfiltered, probably inaccurate, and definitely messy account of my trip to Livingston. Did I find myself? Definitely not. But I did discover that I can survive on mediocre pizza, a bit of scenery, and a whole lot of self-deprecating humor. And that, my friends, is a victory (for now). Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find a very large glass of wine…or maybe two.
Hesperia Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Holiday Inn Express & Suites!
