Houma's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn IHG Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Houma's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn IHG Review (You Won't Believe This!) - Seriously, You Won't!
Alright, folks, buckle up. This isn't your average, cookie-cutter hotel review. We're diving headfirst into the swamplands of Louisiana, specifically…Houma. And we're talking about the Holiday Inn, the one you think you know. Newsflash: you probably don't. Because this place? This Holiday Inn? It's kinda… surprisingly awesome. And I'm not just saying that because I spent three days battling humidity and eating enough fried alligator to qualify as a reptile myself.
First Impressions: More Swamp Than Sleek, But…
Let's be real. Houma isn't exactly the Las Vegas strip. But the Holiday Inn? It's… well, it's there. And that’s a good start, right? The exterior is… serviceable. Think brick, with a splash of "we've seen a hurricane or two." But listen, the real magic, as usual, is inside. And let me tell you, the lobby is pretty good. Check-in was surprisingly smooth, a genuinely friendly face welcomed me (I’m not sure what my actual expectation was?), the kind of check-in that starts your trip on a good note.
Accessibility: A Sigh of Relief (For Some)
Okay, a shout-out right off the bat: Facilities for disabled guests are actually present and functioning well. I saw elevators, accessible rooms, and what looked like decent ramp access to most areas. That's huge, and a rarity for some smaller towns. It's nice to see a place that tries. Plus, the Front desk [24-hour] is really a bonus. Even if you do not need it, is nice to know that somebody will be there if you need it. Good work!
Rooms: Clean, Comfy, and… Surprisingly Well-Equipped.
My room? Excellent. The Air conditioning was a godsend, fighting off the Louisiana heat like a champ. The Blackout curtains were clutch. Sleep is important, people. And the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! - I mean, it's 2024, but still, a solid win. I felt like a king with all the Bathrobes, Slippers, and a freaking refrigerator (because left-over gator bites deserve the royal treatment!). The Internet access – wireless was strong, which is critical when you're trying to work remotely from a hotel. The desk was a good size and comfy. The Smoke detector was doing its job too (thankfully, no fire alarms and a safe environment!)
I honestly don't remember a time when I felt so comfortable in a hotel. The bed was one of the most comfortable I've stayed on. And it's not because I'm a hotel connoisseur, it's because it was genuinely comfortable.
Amenities: The Unexpected Gems
Now, here's where things get interesting. I came for the swamps, I stayed for… the spa? Okay, no lie. I didn’t expect a full-blown spa experience. BUT! I'm not saying that this Holiday Inn is a luxury spa, but the Spa/sauna was surprisingly good. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was a great place to end the day. This pool was perfect for a refreshing dip after a long day of exploring the local culture. The Gym/fitness was well-maintained with all the basics. I'm not a gym rat, but it's good to have options, right?
Dining: From Buffet Bliss to… Well, Alright Food.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ah, the breakfast buffet. It's a love affair (or a war, depending on your stomach). This one didn't disappoint. They had everything, the usual cereals, fruit and pancakes.
- Restaurants: Yes, the Holiday Inn here in Houma has an on-site restaurant. The Western cuisine in restaurant had something for everyone, and the food was delicious.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
- Restaurants: The Holiday Inn offers a few restaurants (one, to be precise)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: The restaurant also had coffee and tea
- Snack bar: Great for a quick bite, I even had a pizza.
- Happy hour: Always a bonus!
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Secure
- Daily disinfection in common areas: The hotel uses a Daily disinfection in common areas
- Cashless payment service: The Holiday Inn offered a Cashless payment service
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I saw the Staff trained in safety protocol
- Hand sanitizer: Plenty of Hand sanitizer
- Rooms sanitized between stays: It's a great feature that the Rooms sanitized between stays
Things to Do: Beyond the Hotel Walls
Okay, let's be real. You're in Houma. You need to get outta the room! The hotel's conveniently located for exploring the bayous, going on a swamp tour (DO IT!), and getting your fill of Cajun culture. The Concierge service was really friendly.
A Random Anecdote (Because Why Not?)
One day, I got completely turned around and ended up wandering through some back alleys looking for a good gumbo place. It was hot, I was lost, and I was starting to regret my life choices. But then! I remembered the Holiday Inn had a convenience store! Which, for someone as directionally challenged as me, was a literal lifesaver. I bought a cheap map, a bottle of water, and managed to find my way, and the next day's adventure started.
The Verdict: Is it the "You Won't Believe This!" Kind of Experience?
Look, it's a Holiday Inn. It's not the Four Seasons. But. Honestly? I think this one deserves the hype. It's clean, comfortable, packed with surprisingly good amenities, and staffed by genuinely friendly people. It's a solid basecamp for exploring Houma and the bayou. It's the kind of place you could happily spend a long weekend, not just a quick overnight stop.
For the Kids:
Good news, the Holiday Inn has Family/child friendly and a Kids meal
The Offer (Because You Deserve It!)
Tired of the same old humdrum hotel experience? Craving a little Louisiana charm, a touch of unexpected luxury, and a whole lotta comfy? Then book your stay at the Houma Holiday Inn today!
Here's the deal:
- Guaranteed lowest rate: Because you deserve it!
- Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected, even in the bayou!
- On-site Spa: Unwind after a long day of gator-gazing.
- Book Directly: Get the best deals.
Don't just take my word for it. Check out the Houma Holiday Inn IHG! You might just surprise yourself (like I did!) and have an amazing time.
Goshen's BEST Kept Secret: Fairfield Inn & Suites Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into a chaotic adventure at the… well, let’s just say it, the Holiday Inn Houma. Not exactly the Seychelles, is it? But hey, gotta start somewhere, right? This isn’t a brochure; this is real life. This is me.
The Unofficial, Unsanctioned, Utterly Unplanned Holiday Inn Houma Itinerary (with a healthy dose of existential dread and questionable choices):
Day 1: Arrival… and the Deep Fried Unknown
- 12:00 PM - Arrival, Check-In, and a Glimmer of Hope: Okay, first impression: The lobby is… well, it’s a lobby. Standard. The lady at the front desk was blessedly efficient, though I may or may not have stared at the complimentary coffee machine with a longing that bordered on the inappropriate. Needed caffeine. Badly. Side Note: Why are hotel hallways universally the same color of beige? Is it psychological warfare?
- 12:45 PM - The Room Revelation: The room? Perfectly… adequate. Two queen beds, a slightly dodgy-looking armchair, and a view of… the parking lot. Sigh. It's not the Ritz, but the A/C is actually working, and that's a victory in this heat.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch Roulette: McDonald's or Subway? The Eternal Question: Seriously, there's a McDonald's like 5 seconds away. Subway is on the other side of the parking lot. Decisions, decisions! Settled on McDonald’s. Yeah, I know, classy. But the McFlurry was calling my name, and my willpower is a fickle beast. Felt a pang of guilt for not supporting local businesses, but sometimes you gotta feed the inner child, even if that child is fueled by processed sugar and questionable beef.
- 2:00 PM - The Swamp Tours of Doom (or Delight?): Okay, this is why I'm actually here. Houma! Home to… swamps! I booked a tour. I’m not sure if it’s going to be amazing or if I’m going to be eaten by a gator. I'm leaning towards the latter honestly. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos. Maybe they are not as ferocious as I imagined.
- 5:00 PM - Post-Swamp Trauma (or Jubilation?): Okay, the swamp tour was… intense. The heat, the humidity, the gators – it was all a bit much. I was almost certain I was going to get eaten. Saw a gator! He was, like, 10 feet long! (Okay, maybe exaggeration is my strong suit). The air smells very muddy, I noticed a few smells which I won’t delve into, and I can tell you this is very different than the suburbs.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner & Dilemmas (The Crawfish Conundrum): Restaurant options around here are…. limited. I'm faced with the classic choice (again): Seafood. Or… more seafood. Ended up at a place that promised "authentic Cajun cuisine” which meant a whole lot of spice and some questionable ingredients. I bravely ordered the crawfish, and I am now questioning the life choices of my stomach. Spicy! Painful! I am sweating!
- 9:00 PM - Room Service and Regret. The Nightcap's Dark Side: Okay, room service wasn’t actually an option. Probably a blessing, considering my current state of spicy-food-induced distress. I did, however, discover the vending machine! A fountain of sugary drinks and regret. I hate it, but I love it. (I now get why people say "I hate that I love this!")
Day 2: Adventures in… Well, Everything
- 7:00 AM - The Breakfast Bar Blues: The Holiday Inn breakfast bar. The holy grail of undercooked scrambled eggs and lukewarm coffee. I bravely attempted a waffle. It was… a waffle. No surprises, sadly. The lack of any fresh fruit made me question my life choices.
- 8:00 AM - The Bayou Black Mystery: I decided to drive along the bayou. The houses are beautiful but I’m getting the feeling that the people are very private.
- 10:00 AM - The Swamp Tour… Take Two?: I spent all morning thinking about the boat tour. It was so cool. Also, I did more research, and now I realize there weren’t as many gators as it felt like.
- 12:00 PM - A Quick Snack? No, the Food Nightmare Continues: I thought I could settle down at a sandwich shop, but the flies were just too much. I lost my appetite and it was the worst sandwich of my life.
- 1:00 PM - The Afternoon Slump and the Question of Purpose: I’m starting to ask myself “What am I doing here?”. I miss my dog. I am tired.
- 3:00 PM - The Houma Shopping Center: All I wanted was a few snacks. I hate malls.
- 5:00 PM - "Dinner?" (Or, The Attempt to Reclaim My Sanity): After that abysmal lunch/dinner combo, I decided to take a stroll and try and find a decent restaurant.
- 7:00 PM - Hotel Hell. The Inevitable Meltdown: I am back at the hotel, and I’m tired and frustrated. I’m going to go to bed to try and sleep.
Day 3 - The Escape (or, Back to Reality!)
- 7:00 AM - The Last Breakfast (Thank God): The same bland buffet. The same lukewarm coffee. But this time, there was a sense of victory. I was surviving!
- 8:00 AM - Packing and Pondering: Did I learn anything? Did I grow as a person? Did I get eaten by a gator? Mostly, I’m wondering how quickly I can get home.
- 9:00 AM - Check Out and the Sweet Taste of Freedom: Goodbye, Holiday Inn Houma. It’s been… an experience. Not a particularly good experience, but definitely an experience. I’m not sure I’ll be back, but who knows? Maybe next year I'll be craving undercooked eggs and a view of the parking lot.
- 10:00 AM - The Drive Home: I'm heading back. And I already miss the swamp!
Final Thoughts:
- This trip? Messy. Unplanned. Filled with questionable food choices and existential dread.
- Would I do it again? Probably not. But… hey, I have stories. And that, my friends, is what it’s all about, right? (Cue the triumphant, slightly manic laughter.)
Houma's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn IHG Review (You Won't Believe This!) - Unfiltered & Frankly Messy FAQ!
Okay, Spill. Is the Holiday Inn in Houma *actually* a hidden gem? You're getting my hopes up...
Alright, alright! "Hidden gem" might be a *slight* exaggeration, especially if your previous "gem" experiences have involved five-star resorts. Let's say it's more like a... well-loved, slightly chipped antique trinket you found at a flea market. It's got *character*, folks. It's not perfect, Lord knows, but it's got a certain charm. I went in expecting a generic Holiday Inn and came out... well, I'll get to that. Prepare yourself for a bumpy ride, literally and figuratively. The road leading there? Let's just say it's perfectly Houma.
The Room! Give me the lowdown: clean? Comfy? Are we talking mold or magic?
Okay, ROOMS. This is where things get... interesting. My first room? Let's just say the air conditioning sounded like a dying walrus. Seriously, I swear I heard a gasp right before it sputtered back to life every twenty minutes. The comfort level? Well, it wasn't *un*comfortable. The bed was… a bed. Solid, but not cloud-like. Cleanliness? Passable. I didn't see any mold, thankfully! But I *did* find a stray… uh… *button* under the bed. Not sure where it came from, but hey, bonus finding, right? (Note to self: remember to bring my own cleaning supplies next time. Just in case.)
The Pool! Because let's be honest, that's crucial in Louisiana. Worth a dip?
The pool… ah, the pool. Okay, picture this: A slightly cloudy, but refreshingly cool, rectangular body of water surrounded by mismatched lounge chairs. Some of them are cracked, some are missing cushions. But the water *is* cool! And you know what? I saw a few happy kids splashing around. And, yeah, I'm not gonna lie, on a scorchingly hot Houma afternoon, it actually felt pretty darn good. Don't expect Olympic-level cleanliness, but it's a pool! In Louisiana! Embrace the imperfection! Just... maybe shower *really* well afterward.
Breakfast. Don't even *think* about skipping breakfast. Tell me about it!
Breakfast. THIS is where the Holiday Inn in Houma truly shines (or at least, flickers a bit). Forget those sad continental breakfasts you get elsewhere. They have... well, they had... *bacon*. Glorious, crispy, perfect bacon! And not just, like, two measly strips. We're talking a whole tray of the stuff. Eggs? Sure. Sausage? Yep. Waffles shaped like... well, I think they were supposed to be hearts? Look, breakfast wasn't gourmet, but it was hot. It was plentiful. And the bacon. Good lawd, the bacon. I almost wept with gratitude. Just... expect a bit of a free-for-all at the buffet. You'll be competing with a group of hungry construction workers, some sweet elderly couples, and maybe a few kids who are fueled by pure sugar-cereal-induced energy. It's chaos. But delicious, meaty, early-morning chaos.
Service? The staff - friendly or frightful?
Okay, so, Service... This is a mixed bag, like a Mardi Gras King Cake. Some staff members were absolutely delightful, genuinely helpful and kind. Seriously, the woman checking me in was an angel. Others... well, let's just say they were efficient. No complaints, but not exactly overflowing with Southern charm. I think they were probably a little stressed. It's a busy hotel, after all! But, overall, I can't complain. They got me what I needed. And that check-in lady? She singlehandedly made my stay better.
What was the WORST thing about your stay? Come on, be honest!
Okay, the absolute WORST thing? (Deep breath). The noise. The constant, relentless noise. Yes, the A/C, but also, the walls. The walls, apparently, are made of paper. I could hear EVERYTHING. The person snoring in the room next door. The ice machine dispensing. The distant, never-ending hum of the highway. It's like sleeping inside a very loud, slightly rusty, metal drum. Seriously, bring earplugs. Or maybe invest in some noise-canceling headphones. You'll thank me. I'm *still* recovering from the lack of uninterrupted sleep, and this review is brought to you by several cups of coffee. (And maybe a tiny bit of resentfulness.)
Okay, on a scale of 1-10, would you recommend the Holiday Inn in Houma? Be brutally honest!
Brutally honest, you say? Okay, here goes. If you're expecting luxury, skip it. If you're a light sleeper, run FAR away. But, if you're on a budget, need a place to crash for a night or two, and appreciate the quirky charm of a place that *tries*… I'd give it a solid 6.5 out of 10. Especially if you enjoy bacon. Consider the bacon a solid 2 points on its own. Just…brace yourself for the bumps (both on the road and in the hotel). And for the love of all that is holy, bring earplugs! I have no shame, it's a solid experience which, at the end of the day, I feel is worth the price of admission. Just be smart when booking a room: try to get a room away from the elevator and pool if you want to give yourself the best chance of a good sleep!
You mentioned a "bumpy ride" earlier. Elaborate, please!
Oh, right, the "bumpy ride." Ah, Houma! The drive *to* the hotel. It's… *scenic*. You know. Lots of bayous, some industry, the promise of amazing Cajun food just around the corner. But the *road*... It’s the Louisiana experience distilled. Pot holes, bumpy patches, the kind of road where you feel every single tire rotation! And, the road *from* the hotel? Just as bad! So, factor that into your experience. Consider preparing yourself mentally for, well, a long and bumpy road, and you will be fine. It’s a story, and a decent one at that! You can say you experienced Houma for what it is at its most honest.
