Rochester's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because we're about to dive headfirst into the swirling, sometimes slightly murky, but ultimately fantastic world of "Rochester's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem Awaits!" – which, let's be honest, is a mouthful. But hey, if the hotel's good, I'm here for it. Let's get this messy, honest, and hopefully, hilarious review rolling.
First Impressions – The Great Accessibility Gamble & Elevator Adventures
Alright, let's talk accessibility. It's crucial. And listen, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I have been with people who are, and I can tell you a poorly designed hotel is a nightmare. Now, the website says they're good on accessibility. They say they have facilities for disabled guests and an elevator (bless!), but you know how it is – websites can be… optimistic. So, I’m going to dig a little deeper. This is the kind of thing that really separates the wheat from the chaff. (We'll assume the chaff is… bad hotels. Stick with me here.)
- Wheelchair Accessible: Okay, this is a big one. The reviews mention a few accessible rooms, but I'd be calling to confirm specific features (shower grab bars, lower sinks, etc.) before I booked. Don't be shy, ask questions! That's what we're supposed to do.
- Elevator: Phew! Yes, a real elevator. This is a huge relief. Because let me tell you, dragging luggage up five flights of stairs after a long day is a level of hell I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Gotta confirm the specifics. Are ramps actually usable? Are the doorways wide enough? Are the restaurants accessible? These are the make-or-break details.
Internet & Tech – Free Wi-Fi Bliss, But Let's Talk About That LAN Cable…
Alright, crucial stuff for the modern world. Workaholics, rejoice!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: YES! Thank the heavens! This is a must. I mean, who doesn’t need to post those Insta stories of their poolside cocktail? The internet gods are smiling.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Good. You know, in case your room signal is patchy.
- Internet Access: Now, hold on… LAN? (Internet [LAN]) Okay, so some rooms might have old-school Ethernet ports. Remember those? Yeah, probably still works. But, you know… wired. I’m not sure who would use LAN these days, unless you're a gamer, or maybe your grandma is still running Windows 98.
- Internet Services: Let’s hope they've got a helpful IT staff (because, sigh, sometimes you need one).
Cleanliness, Safety, And All That Germaphobic Jazz
Okay, let’s get real. COVID era… hygiene is everything. If I even suspect something is sketchy, I'm out. Period.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Alright! This is a solid start.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Excellent. This shows they care.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Essential. Seriously.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Hope they are actually doing it.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere, please!
- Cashless payment service: Makes things easier.
- Physical distancing: Let's hope it is enforced.
- (Room sanitization opt-out available): Weird. Why would I opt out of that?
- Safe dining setup: Depends. I'm picky.
Food Glorious Food – Breakfast Buffets and Poolside Cocktails (Fingers Crossed)
Alright, the most important part. Because I eat food. And I like it.
- Restaurants: Multiple? Good. Variety is the spice of life (and prevents me from getting bored).
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ah, the buffet! The ultimate hotel experience, right? Let’s hope it’s good.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yessss! This is a must for lazy days or late-night cravings. Imagine that.
- Coffee shop: Crucial for those of us who need our caffeine fix.
- Poolside bar: Okay, now we're talking. Cocktails by the pool? Sign me up!
- Restaurants: Okay, seriously, how many?! I'm getting confused.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax… Or Not
This is where things get interesting.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: A pool with a view? I'm in!
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Okay, the obligatory gym. I'm not a regular gym-goer but hey, it's nice to have it, right?
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Now we're talking. A good spa is pure heaven on earth.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap: Okay. Let's really relax.
- Sauna: Always a good way to detox.
- Pool with view: Okay, if this swimming pool is all it's cracked up to be then, I need to soak in that view (and maybe a cocktail or two).
Rooms – The Home Away From Home – With a Refrigerator, I Hope!
Let’s talk about the actual room. This is where you’ll spend a significant chunk of your time.
- Air conditioning: Essential, unless Rochester’s climate is perpetually perfect.
- Blackout curtains: For sleeping in!
- Coffee/tea maker: YES! I’m a caffeine addict.
- Refrigerator: This is a must. For storing leftovers, cold drinks, and emergency chocolate.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Crucial again, for all your Insta needs!
- Bathroom (separate shower/bathtub, and all that jazz): That's always nice.
Services and Conveniences – Because Life is Easier When a Hotel Does the Work
Okay, hotels are supposed to make my life easier.
- Concierge: Someone to help you with anything! That's wonderful.
- Daily housekeeping: Please, please.
- Laundry service/Dry cleaning: Score.
- Luggage storage: Essential. I'm a chronic over-packer.
- Elevator: Again a win.
- Air conditioning in public area: Always good.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking: Nice to have options.
The Verdict… or Rather, My Rambling Thoughts
Okay, so “Rochester’s BEST Hotel? IHG’s Hidden Gem Awaits!” It sounds promising. I'm getting a good vibe overall, BUT there are definitely areas that need more specifics.
First, the Good Stuff:
- The pool. Pool with a view? Sign me up!
- 24 room service! Always a top perk in my book.
- The spa/sauna/steam-room stuff If they're really good, that could seal the deal for me.
Second, the "Hmm" Areas:
- Accessibility. Gotta get concrete answers.
- Dining Variety. How many restaurants actually are there?!
- The Lan Cable. Really?
Here's a quirky anecdote to illustrate the experience:
I once stayed at a hotel that claimed to have a spa. It turned out to be a tiny, sad room with a massage table and a guy who looked like he’d rather be ANYWHERE else (and probably was). I think that experience has permanently traumatized me. I won't let it happen again!
So, Here's My Hot Take…
This hotel has potential! Especially if it's got a killer spa, amazing pool, and a decent breakfast. However, I'd be calling to confirm the accessibility stuff and getting REALLY specific about the restaurant options.
The Offer (That's Meant to Lure You In!)
Ready for a Rochester Getaway That Actually Feels Like a Getaway?
Forget the usual cookie-cutter stays! "Rochester’s BEST Hotel? IHG’s Hidden Gem Awaits!" is calling your name, and we're ready to answer.
Here's the deal:
- Book your stay this month and get a complimentary upgrade to a room with a view! (That's right - you'll be gazing at the city skyline from the comfort of your perfectly-appointed space).
- Enjoy a free cocktail at our poolside bar! (Because what's a vacation without a little liquid sunshine?)
- We're offering 15% on any spa treatment! You deserve to be pampered.
But here’s the catch: This offer is only good for a limited
Unbelievable West Kelowna Getaway: DoubleTree by Hilton Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're heading to the majestic (ahem) Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Rochester Webster By IHG in the good ol' US of A. Consider this less a rigid timetable and more… a general direction. And expect some SERIOUS tangents.
Subject: Operation Upstate New York… or Bust! (Plus, Maybe Some Laundry)
Day 1: Arrival of the Unorganized
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at Rochester Airport (ROC): Okay, let's be honest, I'm always running late. Today was no exception. Scrambled through security, nearly forgot my toothbrush (again!), and finally, finally, made it to the rental car. The smell of stale airplane coffee is clinging to my clothes, and I'm already regretting that extra donut I devoured at the airport. Traffic was… Rochester-esque. That means slow and confusing if you're not used to it. Found the hotel! Score! I'm pretty sure I saw a squirrel give me the stink eye on the way in. He probably knew.
- 2:00 PM - Check-in & Hotel Exploration: HOLY CARPET, this place is…well, it's a Holiday Inn Express. Clean enough, I guess. The front desk lady was super friendly, though, and I swear there was a hint of bewilderment in her eyes when I asked for a room with a view (of, like, anything other than the parking lot). Settled in, and took a deep breath. Checked out the pool - nah. Breakfast? I'll circle back; I never touch hotel breakfast. Time to unpack, which, let's be real, means chucking everything onto the bed and hoping for the best.
- 3:00 PM - First Mission: Grocery Run: Needed to load up on snacks. Found a Wegmans. If you're from the East Coast, you KNOW. Spent an hour wandering the aisles, mesmerized by the bulk candy section. Came out slightly over budget, but armed with enough chips and fizzy water to survive the apocalypse. Maybe I should have gotten some real food too…
- 4:30 PM - Nap Time? My brain had gone into a full-blown nap call. 30 mins of sleep!
- 5:00 PM - Dinner: Unplanned Chaos. I saw a Mexican place, that was probably a great idea! Ended up there, and it was great. I need to get back there!
Day 2: Embracing the Awkward (and, Possibly, Some Culture?)
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast: The Hotel Buffet - Revisited: Curiosity got the better of me. The smell of artificial eggs wafted through the air. I ended up with some cereal. Ate and left quickly.
- 9:00 AM - Trying to find something to do? A quick search revealed a park, which involved driving. The drive was ok!
- 10:00 AM - Park Exploration: The Park Ah, the fresh air. Spent a glorious two hours wandering, breathing in the crisp air, and avoiding eye contact with anyone walking their dogs. The geese, however, I judged. I'm not sure what it was, but there's something deeply judgmental about geese. I almost got "honked" at.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch: Another Mexican Restaurant I never found a place as good as the local one again.
- 1:30 PM - The World's Biggest Nap Again.
- 3:30 PM - Laundry: The Dark Side of Travel. Okay, here's where it gets real. Faced with a mountain of dirty clothes and the prospect of wearing the same jeans for the rest of the trip, I bravely ventured into the laundry room. Disaster. First, the machines looked like they were from the Jurassic period. Second, I slightly overloaded the washer, and now my favorite shirt is probably wearing a smaller shirt made of lint. Sigh. Found a local laundromat, and went.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Debacle. Didn't eat. Went straight to bed.
Day 3: The Unceremonious Departure
- 8:00 AM - Free Breakfast: The Final Frontier: Nope. Nope. Just nope.
- 9:00 AM - Packing (Attempt #2): This time, I at least attempted to fold things, but I was tired, so things were messy.
- 9:30 AM - Check-Out: Farewell, Sweet, Slightly-Underwhelming Sanctuary. The friendly front desk lady smiled and waved, probably glad to see the back of me. Or maybe she just appreciated the mess I left.
- 10:00 AM - Travel to the airport, and then home Finally over!
Postscript:
So, there you have it. The incredibly detailed, and utterly chaotic, chronicle of my brief, but eventful, stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rochester Webster. Did I see all the sights? Nope. Did I stick to the schedule? Absolutely not. Did I have fun? Absolutely. It wasn’t perfect, it was pretty bad, but the memory sticks with me. Now, I need a vacation from my vacation. And maybe a new shirt.
Escape to Paradise: 4BR Luxury Villa in Fresnaye, South Africa!
Okay, spill it. Is this "IHG's Hidden Gem" actually *good*? I'm skeptical. Rochester hotels, you know?
Alright, alright, let's get real. "Hidden Gem" is a big claim, right? And Rochester, bless its heart, isn't exactly known for its booming luxury hotel scene. Look, I’ve stayed in some places that looked like they’d been abandoned since the Cold War. So, yeah, I went in with a healthy dose of cynicism.
But… (and there's always a "but" in these situations, isn’t there?)… this one surprised me. It's not perfect. Nothing ever is. But it’s genuinely a *nice* place. Clean, modern-ish, and the staff, bless their cotton socks, seemed genuinely happy to be there. That counts for a lot, in my book. I'm talking a solid 7.5 out of 10, maybe an 8 on a really good day (like the day they inexplicably had free cookies at the front desk... I may have eaten three).
What's the vibe? Is it all business suits and hushed whispers, or can you, you know, relax?
Definitely the latter. Okay, there were *some* business-y types, because, well, it's a hotel. But it's not oppressively corporate. Think more… comfy chic? Like, you could show up in jeans and a t-shirt and not feel judged. Unless your t-shirt says something incredibly offensive, maybe. Don't do that.
They had a really nice lobby area with comfy armchairs. I actually saw a couple curled up reading books by a fireplace (a *real* fireplace, not one of those fake electric ones), which, honestly, just made me want to join them. It felt… inviting. Peaceful, even. Okay, I’m getting a bit carried away. But seriously, the vibe is chill.
Okay, the room. That's the make-or-break, right? Any disasters?
The room! Ah, the room. Okay, here’s where we get a little… complicated. The first room I was given… well, let's just say the view wasn't exactly postcard-worthy. It overlooked... the parking lot. And a rather sad-looking dumpster. I’m not going to lie, I almost lost it. I pictured myself spending my precious vacation time staring at trash cans.
But, and this is important, the staff was *amazing*. I explained my, shall we say, *disappointment* (trying to be polite, you know?) and they immediately apologized and offered me a new room. The second room? MUCH better. Bigger, with a proper view (of, thankfully, some trees), and a really comfortable bed. The bathroom was clean (a huge win!), the water pressure was decent (another HUGE win!), and the TV actually worked. So, disaster averted. Phew.
What about the food? Breakfast, lunch, dinner? Anything worth writing home about? (Or, y'know, sending a strongly worded email about?)
Breakfast was… breakfast. It was free, which is always a plus, right? Continental, standard fare. Waffles, cereal, some sad-looking fruit. Let's be honest, it wasn't gourmet. It was fuel. It filled the hole. They did have decent coffee, though, which is crucial to my survival. The coffee alone bumps it up from “meh” to “acceptable.”
Didn't have lunch or dinner there, so can't comment. But there are a few restaurants nearby. One place, Joe Bean Coffee Roasters, I highly recommend . It’s a short drive away and had amazing coffee and some seriously delicious pastries. Totally worth the calories.
Alright, let's get to the nitty-gritty: The Staff. Are they helpful? Overly perky? Just… there?
Okay, this is where this hotel really shines. The staff… wow. They were genuinely *nice*. Not the fake, forced-perky kind. They were helpful, friendly, and seemed to actually care. Like, when I had the parking lot room debacle, they were genuinely apologetic and went out of their way to fix it. That’s worth its weight in gold, believe me.
They gave me directions, offered recommendations, and even remembered my name after, like, five minutes (okay, maybe they just read my name tag, but still!). It's a small thing, but it makes a huge difference. I feel like hospitality is becoming a lost art. So, yeah, the staff… big thumbs up. Huge.
What's the WORST thing about the hotel? Be honest. I can take it.
Alright, alright, here comes the confession. Besides the room lottery (which they *fixed*, bless 'em), the worst thing? The parking situation. It’s not awful, but it's a little cramped. Especially if you arrive late at night, you might have to walk a bit. I'm talking, maybe, 20 extra steps. The horror!
And… okay, I’m grasping here… the ice machine on my floor was out of order one day. First world problems, I know. But when you're craving ice for your (overpriced, but delicious) soda from the vending machine… well, it's a minor crisis. So, yeah, parking and the occasional ice drought. Minor annoyances. That's about it. Seriously.
Okay, let's talk location. Is it convenient? Are you going to spend all your time in a car?
Location, location, location! It's actually pretty good. It wasn't *right* downtown, which, honestly, is probably a blessing. Downtown Rochester can be a bit… well, Rochester. But it's a short drive to most things. Museums, parks, restaurants, you name it. The map wasn't a nightmare. I managed without getting lost, which is a win for me.
Even better, it was close to some good coffee shops (like Joe Bean, I mentioned!), so my caffeine needs were easily met. And that's a major factor in my happiness, let's be honest.
Would you go back? That's the real question. The bottom line.
Absolutely. Look, I'm not promising a life-altering, mind-blowing experience. It's not the Ritz. But it's a solid, comfortable, and genuinely pleasant place to stay. The staff is fantastic, the rooms are decent (once youHotel Search Tips
