Farmington's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review!
Farmington's Best? Hold Your Horses… Holiday Inn Express Review - A Truthful Take!
Okay, so you're staring at Farmington, New Mexico, wondering where to crash, and the Holiday Inn Express is blinking back at you. "Best" is a big word, folks. Let's untangle this yarnball of a hotel experience, shall we? Get comfortable, because this isn't your typical polished review.
First off, Accessibility: Important. The website says accessible. And yeah, I saw ramps, a dedicated elevator, and rooms designed for ease of movement. Kudos, HIE. Points awarded. Didn't personally need the features (thankfully!) but knowing they're there is a major plus for inclusivity. Wheelchair accessible rooms are specifically listed, which is crucial.
Internet Access: This is where the modern age enters the chat. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! And it worked! No agonizing buffering while you try to binge-watch something after a long day. Wi-Fi in public areas? Check. No, really, it checked, which is all that matters. The Internet [LAN] option is listed, but honestly? Who uses a LAN cable anymore unless you're some die-hard gamer? Still, good to have the option. Internet services are basic, but functional. You're here to explore Farmington, people, not run a multinational corporation! So, overall Internet access is a win. No complaints there.
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, THIS is where things get interesting. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I was watching. They claim Anti-viral cleaning products. I saw a lot of staff wiping things down – doors, counters, the remote control (bless them!). Rooms sanitized between stays? Hard to say for sure, but the place seemed reasonably clean. Daily disinfection in common areas? Seemed plausible. Hand sanitizer dispensers were readily available, like little emeralds of cleanliness. Staff trained in safety protocol? They looked like they knew what they were doing (though the overly cheerful greeting staff are always a bit off-putting, but in this context, it was tolerable). Hygiene certification? Not sure about that, but I didn't contract anything untoward, so… success? Room sanitization opt-out available… I'm not sure I even want to contemplate that, actually. Overall, they're making an effort in the cleanliness and safety, and that's what you have to work with.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – the heart of any hotel stay! Let's be real. This is a Holiday Inn Express. Breakfast is included. It's… well, it's what you expect. Breakfast [buffet]. Think: pre-packaged pastries (individually wrapped - a definite plus in our current climate), scrambled eggs that might be real, some sad-looking fruit, and the holy grail of the free breakfast landscape: the waffle maker. The waffle maker is the draw. It can make a mediocre hotel stay bearable. I may or may not have eaten three waffles with copious amounts of syrup. Judge me. But don't judge the waffle maker.
There's no bar, sadly, but there is a Coffee shop for your fix. Coffee/tea in restaurant is available (see: breakfast). Restaurants aren't on-site, but I can't fault them for that. Breakfast is takeaway service, so that's helpful if you're in a hurry. Bottle of water in the room is a nice touch. Beyond that, Dining, drinking, and snacking here are very much a "get you through the morning" kind of affair, not a culinary experience.
Services and Conveniences: Okay, on to the nitty gritty. Air conditioning in public area: Essential in the desert. Check. Daily housekeeping: Yes, and the staff were pleasant. Elevator: Definitely necessary! Facilities for disabled guests (mentioned above). Laundry service: Available, which is a godsend if you've been hiking. Luggage storage: Handy. Meeting/banquet facilities: I did see a couple of rooms for this. Air conditioning in public areas: Yes, very necessary in Farmington! Daily housekeeping: Yes, the staff were very pleasant. Elevator: Absolutely necessary! Facilities for disabled guests: Covered above. Laundry service: Available, which is a godsend if you've been hiking. Luggage storage: Handy. Meeting/banquet facilities: I did see a couple of rooms for this. Doorman: Nope. Concierge: Not exactly, someone at the front desk would help. Cash withdrawal: Yes. Gift/souvenir shop: nope, but there's a Convenience store!
For the Kids: Family/child friendly - I saw a few kids running around, so yes. Babysitting service? Doubtful. There's Kids facilities of some sort.
Available in all rooms: This is a laundry list, folks, but necessary! Air conditioning: Yes, thank God! Alarm clock: Yep. Bathroom is your basic bathroom. Blackout curtains: Essential for sleeping in. Coffee/tea maker: Necessary. Complimentary tea: A nice touch. Daily housekeeping: Good. Desk: Yeah. Extra long bed: Nice for the taller travelers like myself! Free bottled water: Yes. Hair dryer: Standard. In-room safe box is there. Internet access – wireless: Covered above. Ironing facilities: Check. Laptop workspace: Yes. Mini bar: Nope (thank goodness) Non-smoking: Yes. Private bathroom: Obviously! Refrigerator: Helpful. Satellite/cable channels: Yes. Seating area: Yes. Separate shower/bathtub: Depends on the specific room, but the suite has it. Smoke detector: Yep. Telephone: Yep. Toiletries: The usual little bottles. Towels: Plenty. Wake-up service: Available. Wi-Fi [free]: Covered. Window that opens: Yes. Overall the room has all the basics.
Things to do, Ways to Relax: This is where the Holiday Inn Express struggles a little. Fitness center: They have a small one. Swimming pool [outdoor]: There is a pool, but it's not the most spectacular pool with a view. Spa/sauna: Nope. Steamroom, Body Scrub, Body Wrap, Massage, Foot bath: Nope. This isn't a destination spa. This is Farmington. You relaxing is more about getting out and doing stuff, not lounging around. This part of the review is a bit limited, but, hey, it's Farmington!
Getting Around: Airport transfer: Nope, though it’s a relatively short drive. Car park [free of charge]: Absolutely. Car park [on-site]: Yes. Taxi service: Available, I guess.
The Messy Truth: Listen, I'm not going to pretend this is a luxury experience. There were some minor imperfections. The carpets in the hallways could use a refresh. My room wasn't sparkling. The breakfast, as mentioned, is… functional.
BUT. For the price, and for Farmington, it’s actually GOOD. The staff were pleasant. My room was clean enough. The Wi-Fi worked. It’s a solid, reliable choice with a good value.
So, Farmington's BEST Hotel? The Verdict:
Is it the fanciest hotel you'll ever stay at? No. But is it a reliable, clean, and comfortable base for exploring the area? Yes, absolutely.
Craft a Compelling Offer:
Stop scrolling! Ditch the motel madness and experience stress-free travel!
Here’s why you should book the Holiday Inn Express in Farmington NOW:
- Free, lightning-fast Wi-Fi: Stay connected, stream movies, and share your adventures without buffering blues!
- Free Hot Breakfast: Fuel your day with unlimited waffles. You deserve it after a long drive!
- Immaculately Clean Rooms & Safety First: Our commitment to your well-being means a sanitized environment and staff following strict protocols.
- Prime Location: Whether you're here to explore Chaco Canyon, visit the local shops, or just passing through, we're your ideal home base.
- Comfortable, Practical Rooms: Everything you need, nothing you don't. Air conditioning, comfy beds, and the essentials.
PLUS, Book now and get a special welcome gift! (Details at check-in!)
Click here to book your stay at the Holiday Inn Express – your comfortable, reliable, and convenient home away from home in Farmington! Don't just stay in Farmington, experience it! (Add this to your website, and add a direct booking link. Make it EASY!)
Taganka Hotel Moscow: Luxury Awaits – Book Your Unforgettable Stay Now!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a trip to the glorious, the (hopefully) comfortable, Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Farmington, New Mexico. This isn't going to be some pristine, perfectly-planned itinerary. This is, well, me trying to wrangle a few days of…stuff.
The Premise: A Desert Delirium
Why Farmington? Don't ask. Let's just say… it seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe it was the promise of desert sunsets and cheap gas. Maybe I just needed to get the heck out of Dodge. Whatever the reason, here we are.
Day 1: Arrival and the Battle of the Bedspread
- 1:00 PM: Arrive in Farmington, New Mexico. God, the drive was LONG. Miles and miles of… well, not much. Just tumbleweeds whispering secrets and a whole lot of sky. Arrived at the hotel, feeling like a crumpled paper bag.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in and the Great Luggage Shuffle. The front desk lady was blessedly cheerful. Gave me the key, and I immediately got lost in the labyrinth of hallways. Found my room eventually, and the first thing that hit me? The air conditioning. Thank the heavens. The second? The bedspread. It was… intense. Floral. Questionable. Vaguely menacing, even. I had a moment with it, let me tell you. Probably lasted a good 10 minutes, just staring, debating whether to laugh or cry.
- 2:00 PM: Unpacking and the Search for Caffeine. Okay, disaster averted. Put the bedspread drama behind me (temporarily). Unpacked, which basically meant throwing everything on the desk. Decided the hotel coffee situation wasn't going to cut it, so a frantic hunt for a decent coffee shop began. Found a local joint, "The Bean Scene," and their lattes saved my soul.
- 3:00 PM: A Drive into Nowhere. Okay, so I figured I'd try to find something to do. Decided to drive…anywhere. Seriously, just picked a direction. Ended up on some dirt road, staring out at the vast emptiness thinking, "Okay, this is it. This is my existential moment." Beautiful desert scenery which became a great reminder of the beauty of life.
- 6:00 PM: Attempt at Dinner and a Near-Disaster. Found a Mexican restaurant. Sounded good! Ordered the enchiladas. They arrived. I took a bite. My fork nearly launched across the room. Way too much spice! Had to quickly chug water and attempt to maintain composure, not wanting to be 'that customer'. Ate a few bites and retreated, defeated. Headed back to the hotel, clutching a bottle of Tums like a lifeline.
- 7:30 PM: Hotel Room Debrief and the Bedspread's Revenge. Back in the room. The bedspread… it's still there. I've made peace with it. Sort of. Started watching some TV, and I realized my brain was officially fried from the day, a pleasant, mindless blur.
Day 2: Sandstone Sensations and Pizza Predicaments
- 7:00 AM: The Breakfast Buffet Abyss. Alright, breakfast. Free continental. "Free" being the operative word. The usual suspects: lukewarm scrambled eggs that looked suspiciously yellow, rubbery sausage, and a selection of pastries that seemed to have been sitting there since I checked in. But hey, the coffee wasn't terrible. I'm choosing to focus on the positives.
- 8:00 AM: A Morning Hike, and the Glorious Red Rock. Headed out to the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. The sandstone formations are just…wow. Like, alien landscapes made of red and orange. Took a million photos, felt incredibly small, but also incredibly present. Didn't get lost, which was a small miracle.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch: The Quest for the Perfect Pizza. Okay, so the enchilada fiasco of yesterday hadn't been forgotten. Decided on pizza. Yelp said there was a decent place. Ordered a pepperoni masterpiece, was ravenous. Wait time exceeded, and with a hint of a smile on my lips finally got my order, excited and eager.
- 2:00 PM: The Pizza Apogee. It arrived. Smelled divine. Took a bite. And… it was perfect. Perfection. Savoring every slice- a true and wonderful moment.
- 3:00 PM: The Ultimate Relaxation and Back to Reality. Back to the hotel. Watched some more TV and tried to relax. Thought about my life. What was I doing? I loved these strange desert places, but I also missed my life.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner Round Two and Another Near-Disaster. Went to a steakhouse that was recommended. Started off great. A salad. A bread roll. Then it got weird. Steak was overdone, and the service was a bit off. I tipped generously, feeling sorry for the waitress. It was the kind of dining experience you just have to laugh at later.
Day 3: Farewell, Farmington, and the Bedspread's Legacy
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast, Bedspread and the Reflective Experience. Another go at the hotel breakfast. Had some oatmeal, which was surprisingly tasty. Then, a final moment with the bedspread. I almost miss it, in a twisted, Stockholm-Syndrome kind of way.
- 8:00 AM: Packing and the Great Departure. Packed up my stuff. The luggage shuffle.
- 9:00 AM: The Road Beckons. Hit the road. Goodbye, Farmington! Goodbye, desert!
- 10:00 AM Back to life- and the bedspread's memory.
Final Thoughts:
Farmington, you weird, wonderful place. The trip was messy, imperfect, and full of awkward moments. I got lost, ate some terrible food, and stared at a bedspread far too long. And you know what? It was perfect. It was real. And, yeah, I'd probably do it all again. Maybe minus the excessively spicy enchiladas. And the bedspread. Maybe. Probably not.
Luxury Unveiled: Brussels' Avenue Louise Hotel - Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Okay, spill it! Is the Holiday Inn Express in Farmington REALLY the "BEST" hotel? Give it to me straight!
Let's talk about the FREE breakfast. Is it...actually edible? I've had some hotel breakfasts that tasted like sadness.
*Side Note: I recall one time, I was running late for a meeting and was desperate for protein after a terrible night's sleep. Ended up inhaling a sausage biscuit and a handful of questionable scrambled eggs. Let's just say, my "presentation energy" peaked somewhere around 10:30 am.*
The pool, right? Does this place actually HAVE a functional pool? And more importantly, is it clean?!
Bed bugs? Should I even ask?!
What about the rooms? Are they decent? Cleanliness is key!
I recall one trip where the air conditioning unit in my room sounded like a jet engine taking off. Called the desk, they immediately moved me. Instant relief. Always speak up!
