Findlay's BEST Hotel? IHG Holiday Inn Express Review!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving deep into the Holiday Inn Express in Findlay, Ohio. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter reviews. I’m about to tell you the real story, the messy, wonderful, sometimes slightly baffling truth about staying there. And yes, this is that review you actually need.
SEO Stuff First (Ugh, but Necessary):
This review is all about the Holiday Inn Express Findlay, Ohio, and we’ll be covering every darn thing. Accessibility, On-site Restaurant, Wheelchair Accessible Rooms, Free Wi-Fi, Fitness Center, Swimming Pool, Cleanliness, Breakfast, Dining Options, Services, Facilities, and Room Amenities. You get the idea. We’re hitting it all, so you can find Findlay hotels or Findlay Ohio hotels and land right here. 😉
The Arrival: First Impressions and the Great Elevator Debate
Okay, so picture this: I’m rolling into Findlay, Ohio, after a truly epic (and by epic, I mean long) road trip. My back is screaming, my bladder is threatening mutiny, and I need… a room. I’m thinking: "Holiday Inn Express, it's dependable! I like dependable!".
The first thing I noticed (besides the blessed air conditioning blasting in the lobby) was the elevator. Now, I’m not physically disabled, but I do appreciate thoughtful design. The signage was clear, the buttons were easy to press (essential after a long day), and it felt…well, safe. Accessibility points right off the bat! I'm sure the elevator would be a dream for someone with a wheelchair, as it seemed spacious and the doors opened wide. (I did see no mention of wheelchair accessible rooms, though I would assume they have them. We'll check!).
Check-in: Smooth Sailing…Mostly
The front desk [24-hour] setup was efficient and friendly. Now, I'm not a fan of endless small talk, but the staff were genuinely pleasant. They even offered me a free water bottle (score!). Check-in/out [express] was definitely a plus, because who has time to stand around after driving for 8 hours? Contactless check-in/out I presume is also available. They made it easy.
Minor Complaint Alert: I wanted to check out a little early the next day, but I noticed a line forming at the front. (Maybe the line wasn't actually that long, but after a long drive, it felt like an eternity.)
The Room: My Tiny Home Away From Home
Okay, let's talk room. I booked a standard non-smoking room. It was clean. Like, really clean. Cleanliness and safety are obviously a priority. The bed? Glorious. Extra long bed? Yes, thank you! I could sprawl out like a starfish and finally feel a little bit of freedom. And the blackout curtains? Oh, the blackout curtains. Absolute game-changer after a long day of staring at the sun.
Available in all rooms:
- Air conditioning: Check!
- Alarm clock: Probably, but I used my phone.
- Bathrobes: I did not see any.
- Bathroom phone: No thanks!
- Bathtub: No! Only a shower.
- Blackout curtains: YES!
- Carpeting: Yes.
- Closet: Yes, adequate.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes! Essential.
- Complimentary tea: Yes!
- Daily housekeeping: Yes!
- Desk: Yes, functional.
- Extra long bed: Yes!
- Free bottled water: Yes, on arrival.
- Hair dryer: Yes!
- High floor: Not sure, but I didn't ask.
- In-room safe box: Didn't check.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Not sure.
- Internet access – LAN/wireless and Wi-Fi [free] ALL YES!
- Ironing facilities: Yes, but I didn't iron.
- Laptop workspace: Yes.
- Linens: Clean!
- Mini bar: Not in the room.
- Mirror: Yes!
- Non-smoking: YES!
- On-demand movies: Didn't care.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Reading light: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Nope.
- Safety/security feature: Yes (the door lock, smoke detector etc.).
- Satellite/cable channels: Yes! (I could finally watch my shows.)
- Scale: No.
- Seating area: Yes, a comfy chair.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Shower only.
- Shower: Yes!
- Slippers: No.
- Smoke detector: YES!
- Socket near the bed: YES! Important!
- Sofa: No, just a chair.
- Soundproofing: Pretty good!
- Telephone: Yes, but I didn't use it.
- Toiletries: Basic, but fine.
- Towels: Yes!
- Umbrella: No.
- Visual alarm: Didn't see one.
- Wake-up service: Probably, but I used my phone.
- Wi-Fi [free]: YES!
- Window that opens: Yes! But not much.
The internet Access: Good Wi-Fi in the room!
I'm a sucker for a comfy room, and this one delivered. Internet access – wireless was strong and easy to connect to (thank goodness for the free Wi-Fi - I need to work, okay?!).
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast… and the Beyond
The breakfast in room option was a nice thought, but I did not order that here. So let's talk about the breakfast [buffet]. It was a standard Holiday Inn Express spread, but it was surprisingly well-stocked. My expectations were low (I've seen some awful hotel breakfasts in my day), but this was decent. Scrambled eggs? Check. Sausage? Check. Waffles? Double check. (And yes, I fully indulged in the waffle-making experience. It's a hotel rite of passage, right?) A nice Asian breakfast was visible.
Foodie Rant: The coffee wasn't the best, and the fruit selection could be better, but overall, it did the job!
The Amenities: Spa Day Dreams vs. Reality
Pool: Okay, here's the truth: I'm not a huge "pool person." I just get weirded out by being in public water with a bunch of strangers. But the swimming pool [outdoor] here looked clean and inviting. The pool with view? Not really, but the pool was decent-sized, and you could probably find a place to relax.
Fitness Center: This is where I almost lost it. I mean, I didn't lose the fitness center, but I almost lost it during the workout I was intending to do. The fitness center itself was small, but serviceable. Treadmills? Yep. Weights? Check. However… it was also a bit stuffy. But at least it had one. (I suspect that if I'd asked, they would have had more. Business facilities perhaps? They had the basics).
Spa/Sauna/Massage: Nope, the only spa-like experience was the hot water from the shower. (So, not really.)
Relax And Things to do:
- Bicycle parking: Not sure.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes!
- Car park [on-site]: Yes!
- Car power charging station: Nope.
- Terrace: Possible, but I didn't see it.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Daily housekeeping was great – the room always felt fresh, with a fresh set of towels. Laundry service was available, but I didn't use it. The hotel offered luggage storage which is useful. They offered food delivery, which seemed convenient. Safe dining setup was a good thing.
Now, this is important! The hotel also offered cashless payment service.
For the Kids: No Babysitting service was described. Family/child friendly Yes. Kids facilities No. Kids meal No.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Unsung Heroes
Okay, this is where the Holiday Inn Express really shined. I'm a bit of a germaphobe at heart, and I was impressed with the level of cleanliness. The whole place just felt clean. There were hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and I saw staff consistently cleaning common areas. The **daily disinfection in
Montreal Paradise: 3-BR Villa Maria Villa, 2 Mins to Metro!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly polished travelogue. This is a chaotic, coffee-stained love letter (and maybe a few swear words) to my weekend spent…well, technically in Findlay, Ohio. Specifically, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, the North By IHG one. Don’t judge. Sometimes you just need a reliable chain.
The FINDLAY, OHIO (And My Emotional Rollercoaster) Itinerary: A Hot Mess Express
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and a Surprisingly Good Pizza
3:00 PM - Arrival at HIE & Suites (Let the Games Begin?) Okay, first impressions. The lobby? Standard. Beige. Inoffensive. Smelt vaguely of chlorine and… optimism? Maybe it was the complimentary cookies. I grabbed one. A chocolate chip. It was… fine. Felt a pang of disappointment, like I’d already failed this trip. The front desk guy, though? He was genuinely smiley. Maybe Findlay had a secret weapon: friendly people.
3:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance & The "Oh God, What Am I Doing With My Life?" Moment My room. Clean. Functional. Bland. The kind of place where time slows down and you start questioning every life choice that led you here. Why Findlay? Why now? Existential crisis averted (for the moment) thanks to the surprisingly comfy bed. I sprawled on it, did a quick social media scroll, and then just… stared at the ceiling. Needed to decompress from the drive. Okay, I'm here. Fine. Deep breaths.
4:00 PM - Pool-side (Attempted) Relaxation & The Loud Children Okay, pool time. This was supposed to be the "self-care" part. Nope. The pool was filled with squealing, splashing children and parents who seemed to have forgotten their parenting manuals. The chlorine aroma was overwhelming. I lasted approximately seven minutes. Found a quiet corner in the lobby and sulked while trying to plan an escape route.
6:00 PM - Dinner at a Local Pizza Place (Halftime Pizza) Finally! Food! I’d read about a place called Halftime Pizza. I got the worst directions to it, ending up in a dark parking lot (that was my fault) but I finally found it. I ordered a pepperoni and mushroom pizza. And here’s the thing: it was delicious. Perfectly crispy crust, tangy sauce, the perfect ratio of toppings. This pizza, people, this pizza was redemption. It made me like Findlay. At least for about 30 minutes.
7:30 PM - Netflix & Chill (Literally… Because the AC Was a Glitch) Back at the hotel. Netflix. Comforting, predictable television. Except the air conditioning in my room decided to go rogue. It was either a frosty tundra or a humid jungle. I spent half an hour battling the thermostat, muttering under my breath. Finally gave up and threw a blanket over the bed. (This is when the existential dread returned for a brief visit.)
9:00 PM - Bedtime (And the realization I’d forgotten my book) Tried to read. Failed. Stared at the ceiling. Then, sleep.
Day 2: Breakfast Trauma, Oil History, And an Unexpected Epiphany
7:00 AM - The Breakfast Buffet From Hell The dreaded breakfast buffet. The Holiday Inn Express staple. The promise of free food. The reality of lukewarm eggs, rubbery sausage, and the awkward social dance of coffee-dodging. I grabbed a bagel, which I somehow managed to drop. I retreated to my room, defeated.
9:00 AM - Hancock Historical Museum (Oil, Oil Everywhere!) Okay, time for some culture! The Hancock Historical Museum. Apparently, Findlay has a rich history in the oil business. Who knew!? I spent a surprising amount of time staring at old oil rigs and learning about the impact of the Ohio oil boom. Actually, pretty interesting! I even learned a new fact! Did you know that the discovery of oil changed everything about this region?!
11:00 AM - Downtown Stroll & The Quest for Caffeine Walked downtown. Found it… underwhelming, but charming in its own way. Needed coffee. Desperately. Found a local coffee shop. The coffee was good, the staff were friendly, and for a brief shining moment, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I could enjoy Findlay.
12:00 PM - The Ohio Theatre Had to go to the Ohio Theatre. It's gorgeous. It felt like a whole other time.
1:00 PM - Lunch Time I wanted to go back to Halftime, but I hadn't left enough time. Decided to eat at a local diner.
2:00 PM - Relax (Finally!) Went back to the hotel and actually enjoyed the time to chill.
4:00 PM - Departure (And a Bittersweet "Goodbye") Left Findlay. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to like it. But… I kind of did. It’s not glamorous. It’s not flashy. But it’s real. And sometimes, that's all you need. The drive home was quiet. I had pizza in my heart. And that, my friends, is a good trip.
Post-Trip Reflections (Or, The Ramblings of a Tired Traveler) Finding yourself in a place like Findlay can be both humbling and weirdly liberating. It's a reminder that you don't need fancy things to find moments of joy. And sometimes, all you need is a slice of really good pizza and a working AC unit. (Okay, maybe the working AC is important.) Would I go back? Maybe. But I'm packing a better book next time. And maybe earplugs.
Findlay Holiday Inn Express: The Gloriously Imperfect Truth - FAQs (with a dash of me)
Okay, spill it. Is the Holiday Inn Express in Findlay really "the best"? Like, *actually*?
Whoa there, slow down, champ! "Best" is a *very* strong word. Look, I've stayed in that place a bunch, and it's a solid, reliable workhorse. Think of it like your favorite pair of jeans: comfortable, familiar, gets the job done. It’s not gonna win any design awards anytime soon, but it rarely lets you down. But, best? Let's just say if you're expecting the Ritz, you’re in for a rude awakening. More like, the Ritz’s chill, non-pretentious cousin who's always up for a board game.
What's the deal with the breakfast? Is it the usual sad, lukewarm, scrambled-egg-and-mystery-meat situation?
Alright, the breakfast... listen, I had a *moment* with the breakfast a few months back. Picture this: I'm running late, fueled by nothing but caffeine and the desperate hope of edible food. I walk in and BAM! The waffles. The *waffles* were perfect. Crispy edges, fluffy inside, and the perfect consistency with the syrup. I'm serious. I ate like, four of them. After a couple of trips back, I saw some other issues, but that morning... It was *magnificent*. Honestly, sometimes it's hit or miss, depending on who’s cooking. The pre-made stuff is… well, pre-made. I usually stick to the pastries and the fruit if I'm being honest, to avoid the breakfast buffet blues.
The pool. Is it, like, disgusting? Or at least, vaguely chlorinated and depressing?
Okay, the pool… okay, let's get real. It's small. Like, "can't do more than a couple of strokes" small. But, hey, it's a pool! It's also indoors, which is great if you're visiting Findlay in, say, February. The water's usually clean enough, though I did once find a rogue rubber ducky. (I swear, it wasn't me.) It's definitely not a resort-style pool, but it's a good way to tire the kids out. Just don't expect olympic-level training or any serious water aerobics.
Rooms: Clean? Comfortable? Smelly? (Be honest!)
Okay, this is where it gets interesting. MOST of the time – and I mean *most* – the rooms are clean. Like, clean enough. You know, sheets that don't smell weird, bathroom that's reasonably spotless, that sort of thing. But, and this is a big but, I’ve stayed in some that felt… off. Like, a lingering smell of air freshener trying *way* too hard to cover something up off. Or a slightly wonky light in the bathroom that's flickering like a possessed ghost. Overall, the rooms are comfortable, the beds are decent (not like, *amazing*, but good enough after a long drive). Just… don't go looking *too* closely. And if you're a germaphobe, maybe bring your own Lysol wipes. Just in case!
What about the staff? Are they friendly or just going through the motions?
The staff… that's a mixed bag. Some are fantastic! Seriously, genuine smiles, helpful, remember you from previous stays. I've had staff members go above and beyond for me! However, I have also encountered the occasional… let's call them "less enthusiastic" employees. They're not rude, exactly, but they’re friendly in that “I’ve been working a double and just want to go home” kind of way. It's a roll of the dice, honestly. But overall, I'd say they're on the friendlier side.
Is the location convenient? Close to stuff?
Yes, the location is generally good. It's close to the interstate, so it's easy to get to. There's a bunch of restaurants nearby... fast food, chain restaurants, the usual suspects. You're not going to be immersed in some quirky, hip neighborhood, but you're definitely not in the middle of nowhere. It’s a practical location, nothing more, nothing less. Perfect for an overnight stopover or a quick business trip.
Seriously, what's the biggest problem with staying there? What's the REALLY annoying thing?
Okay, here's my rant. The *parking*. Sometimes, it's a total zoo! Especially if there's a local event or a weekend. You’re left circling the lot like a vulture, hoping someone will check out. I’ve parked on the far side of the lot before, and I'm convinced I walked a marathon getting to the front desk. It's not a deal-breaker, but it can be frustrating after a long drive. Also, the elevators can be a bit slow during peak times.
Would you recommend this hotel? Honestly.
Look, if you need a functional, reasonably priced place to stay in Findlay, I'd say yes, absolutely. It's a decent option, a safe bet. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's not going to ruin your trip either. Just go in with realistic expectations. And maybe pack your own air freshener, just in case. And if you see a waffle maker that's working great, grab it. You won’t regret it.
