Escape to Texas Hill Country: Your Dream Stay Awaits at Holiday Inn Express!

Escape to Texas Hill Country: My Dream Stay (and a Few Hiccups) at Holiday Inn Express! - A Rambling Review

Okay, buckle up folks, because I just escaped to the Texas Hill Country, and let me tell you, it was a damn adventure. And where did my weary bones find respite? The Holiday Inn Express, of course. Now, before you roll your eyes, hear me out! This ain’t your grandma’s HIE. Well, maybe it is, but with a Texas twist!

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First Impressions & the Accessibility Angle (because, let's be real, it matters):

Pulling up, the exterior was… well, a Holiday Inn Express. Clean, predictable, and sporting that familiar green logo. The first thing I immediately checked was accessibility. And here's where I'm giving them a major thumbs up. The entrance was wide, ramp-accessible, and the automatic doors worked like a charm. Accessibility: ✅. Plenty of parking, and marked spots specifically for those who need them. Now, I don't need them, but I always appreciate the consideration. Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: ✅✅

Inside, the lobby was bright and airy, with comfortable seating and a friendly face at the front desk. Front desk [24-hour]: ✅. The elevator worked smoothly, which is a HUGE win for accessibility! The hallways were also wide and well-lit, making navigating easy. Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests: Double ✅. This is important people! Because let's be honest, a bad elevator can ruin a good vacation.

Rooms & Ruminations:

My room was… a Holiday Inn Express room. You know the drill. Comfortable bed, a desk (Desk: ✅, essential for the workaholic in me), a small fridge (Refrigerator: ✅, crucial for keeping my beer cold), and a decent-sized bathroom. Air conditioning, Blackout curtains, Free bottled water, Wi-Fi [free], Non-smoking, Additional toilet: ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅.

Now, here's where I’m going to get a little picky, because I gotta be honest. The decor was a bit… beige. Seriously, the walls practically whispered “neutral.” But hey, I wasn't there to judge the wallpaper. I was there to relax! And the bed was ridiculously comfortable. I sank into it like a cloud of cotton. It was a little too easy to fall asleep and forget about all the pressures of life. It also had more pillows than I could actually use, which is always a plus.

Cleanliness & Safety (because, hello, we're living in a pandemic!):

Alright, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I'm always extra vigilant here. The hotel tried. Cleanliness and safety: ✅. They had all the usual suspects: hand sanitizer stations everywhere, staff wearing masks, and signs reminding people to social distance. Hand sanitizer, Staff trained in safety protocol, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: ✅✅✅.

And, can I just say, the individual wrapped breakfast options were a godsend. Individually-wrapped food options: ✅. I'm a sucker for a pre-packaged muffin! Although, I did get a little tired of the same choices after a few days. The room itself felt clean and well-maintained. They also offered the option to opt-out of daily housekeeping. Room sanitization opt-out available: ✅. I think, they were doing their best to keep things safe. One little niggle, though, I did spot a tiny spider in the bathroom! Room sanitization opt-out available. I'd like to believe it wasn’t a resident.

Food, Glorious Food! (or, the Breakfast Buffet Saga):

Breakfast was… well, your standard Holiday Inn Express breakfast. Breakfast [buffet] ✅. The usual suspects: scrambled eggs (slightly rubbery, but hey, it’s free!), sausage, waffles (the best part!), and cereal. There were also fruit and yogurt, which I appreciated. They had a little toaster and coffee machine, which was a lifesaver in the mornings. Coffee/tea in restaurant, Breakfast service: ✅✅.

And here is where the messy part comes. They served coffee in those flimsy, single-use coffee cups. Now, I'm all about convenience, but it did feel a little wasteful. I felt a strange guilt for all the cups, but hey, a small price to pay for my morning caffeine. The coffee itself was just okay. Not the best, not the worst.

Oh, and let's just talk about the buffet for a second. On the first day, it was a well-oiled machine. On day two, it was a little less organized; there was a shortage of plates and forks. But, I saw the staff running around restock and fix it. No complaints, so kudos to them. Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant: ✅.

Dining, Drinking and Snacking (and a little longing):

This HIE lacked one thing crucial to a perfect vacation: a full-service restaurant. Restaurants: ❌. There wasn’t even a proper bar, although they did have a small area where you could buy beer and wine. Bar: ✅. The snack bar was basic and had a few pre-packaged things; not a great selection. Snack bar: ✅.

There's a pool-side bar, but the pool wasn't open as of the time I was there. Poolside bar: ❌. So, yeah, I had to venture out for food and drinks. Which, honestly, wasn't the worst thing in the world, but I always appreciate the convenience of having a restaurant right there. I think it was a minor drawback.

Pool, Spa & Relaxation (or, My Near-Drowning Experience):

The Swimming pool [outdoor]: ✅ was a real highlight. It was a decent size, clean, and surrounded by lounge chairs. I'm not gonna lie, the first day, I practically lived in that pool. The water was the perfect temperature, and it was so refreshing to just float around. But here is the problem. There was no shade. I got a little sunburn that day. I wished there was a Pool with view: ❌.

Regarding the Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom: ❌❌❌❌. They didn't have any of those. I was slightly disappointed, because I was hoping for a serious pampering session! No Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage: ❌❌❌❌.

Fitness & Fitness Fail:

The Fitness center: ✅ was on the smaller side but had basic equipment: a treadmill, elliptical, and some weights. Good enough to get a quick workout in. Gym/fitness: ✅.

Services & Conveniences (the good, the bad, and the slightly annoying):

The staff was generally friendly and helpful. Concierge, Front desk [24-hour], Doorman: ✅✅✅. They were always willing to answer questions and offer recommendations. Daily housekeeping: ✅.

They had a small convenience store (Convenience store: ✅) for snacks and essentials, which was handy. The Air conditioning in public area, Elevator: ✅✅ worked well. The Wi-Fi was free and generally reliable (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! , Internet access, Internet: ✅✅✅), which is crucial for staying connected. I used it to stream shows on my laptop. Some of the hotel provided items were missing, but not a big deal when I could just buy them at the nearby convenience stores.

On another note, I really appreciated the water bottle provided. Bottle of water: ✅.

For the Kids (because, families!):

This hotel felt pretty family-friendly. Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Babysitting service, Kids meal: ✅✅❌❌. I didn't see any specific kids' activities, but there was plenty of space for children to roam, and the pool was definitely kid-friendly. The lack of on-site restaurant with kids' meals was a minor drawback.

Getting Around (because, duh, Texas!):

Airport transfer, Taxi service, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking: ✅✅✅✅❌. You're in Texas, so you need a car. Free parking? Always a win! I didn't take advantage of the airport transfer or taxi service, preferring to drive myself.

The Bottom Line:

Honestly, the Holiday Inn Express in the Texas Hill Country was a perfectly decent stay. It's not luxury, it's not overflowing with amenities, but it's clean, comfortable, and convenient. The best part? The accessibility. If you’re looking for a solid base for exploring the Hill Country, or just a comfortable place to crash after a long day of driving the Texas open roads, I'd say book it.

Would I go back? Probably. Especially if they start serving slightly better coffee. And maybe, just maybe, that pool would get

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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your cookie-cutter itinerary. This is my potential soul-crushing, potentially soul-rejuvenating trip to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in New Braunfels, TX. Let's see if I survive this… and if the continental breakfast lives up to its hype.

Pre-Trip Panic (aka Prep Time is My Enemy):

-48 Hours: Okay, so I thought I booked this ages ago. Turns out, I vaguely remember booking it, somewhere between a Pinterest deep-dive and a late-night online shopping spree for novelty socks. Finding the confirmation email? A treasure hunt. My password manager currently hates me.
-24 Hours: Packing. The eternal struggle. I’m pretty sure I'm overpacking, as usual. Jeans? Check. Cute top? Check. Comfy pants? Check. My inner monologue: "You'll need the heels… even though you know you won't wear them." Why do I do this to myself?!
-12 Hours: The car is mostly packed. Let's just say it looks like a very organized explosion of luggage and… well, mostly luggage. Did I remember snacks? Crucial. I'm pretty sure my blood sugar is directly linked to my overall happiness.
-6 Hours: I'm hungry! This is a problem. I'm also starting to get that pre-travel anxiety where I start questioning everything. Did I remember to turn off the… the… all the things?
-2 Hours: Okay, deep breaths. Google Maps loaded on the phone. Seatbelt on. Let's do this, or maybe not?

Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and a Pool That Might Contain Bugs (or Not, Who Knows?)

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Great Check-In Caper: Arrive at the glorious (hopefully) Holiday Inn Express & Suites in New Braunfels. The struggle is real. Can I find the front desk? Are there kids screaming? Am I going to have to deal with a delayed flight of angry customers? Pray for me. Hopefully, the clerk is not hungover, that will make my stay be a lot worse.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Unpacking and Appraisal: Unpack. Ahh, a bed. The sweet, soft nectar of existence. Inspect the room. Is the air conditioner working? Is the remote control covered in questionable residue? Did they give me a room facing the parking lot (the horror!)? Take a quick survey of the surroundings. Is the hotel clean? Is there anything that will make me want to move straight back home?
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Pool-Side Contemplation (and Maybe Mild Panic): The pool. The glistening siren call of… well, something. The pool is a must. Will it be crowded with screaming children? Will I accidentally ingest chlorine? Will the water be disturbingly green? These are the questions that keep me awake at night. Maybe I'll just dip my toes in. Or maybe I'll just sit on a lounge chair and stare at the water, pondering the meaning of it all. And hoping I don't see anything unsavory floating by.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Snack Attack and Existential Angst: Okay, snack time. Did I pack something that doesn't require any prep? And, if I did, did I remember to bring a bottle opener? I'm usually not this much of a disaster. I may need a snack to avoid a complete breakdown.
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner Disaster (or Triumph?): Where to eat! The eternal travel dilemma! The possibilities are endless. Mexican food? BBQ? Maybe a burger? Or… the hotel restaurant. My past experiences lead me to believe it's a gamble. I'll consult Yelp, tripadvisor, and maybe throw a dart at a map. Hopefully I can get there before the restaurant closes (and hopefully, it's a decent place).
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Evening Wind-Down (or, More Likely, Evening Screen-Time): Back to the hotel. Maybe watch some TV. Maybe read a book. Maybe doomscroll through social media and feel even worse about my life choices. Either way, I'm probably going to end up staring at a screen for a few hours before I fall asleep.

Day 2: River Time and the Shadow of the Breakfast Buffet

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: The Continental Breakfast Gauntlet: The moment of truth. The legendary, the much-anticipated, possibly-disappointing continental breakfast. Will there be waffles? Will the coffee be passable? Will I accidentally make eye contact with someone who also has bedhead and realizes we're both judging the quality of the muffins? The drama! And the coffee better be good. I need caffeine.
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM: The River Adventure (or, The Quest for Inner Peace): New Braunfels is known for it's rivers. The river is the real draw. Tubing? Kayaking? Paddleboarding? I'm not sure. The only thing I'm certain of is that I will probably fall. I'm clumsy. Hopefully I'm not going to get sunburned.
12:00 AM - 1:00 PM: River-Side Lunch: I'm probably going to be starving at this point. Picnic? A casual burger joint? Some delicious street tacos? I can't wait to find out!
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Exploring New Braunfels (or, Wandering Aimlessly): Okay, now, the real adventure begins. What to explore? I'll just pick a place and start wandering! I'm open for suggestions if you have any!
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Hotel Refresh and Existential Recalibration: Back to the hotel for a quick shower. Time to recharge. Maybe I'll read and take a nap. Gotta prepare myself for the last night here.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner and Dessert: A final meal! A good place to grab some food and some dessert.

Day 3: Departure and the Aftermath

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast Encore (and Judging, Naturally): The continental breakfast, round two! Is it as good as the first day? Or did I somehow lower my expectations? Either way, I'm going to make the best of it.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Packing and "Cleaning": Packing. The bittersweet moment. I'll attempt to repack, but realistically, the suitcase is going to look like a disorganized explosion of my belongings again.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Check-Out Chaos: The final showdown with the front desk. Pray for no hidden charges. No complications. No major life-altering events.
10:00 AM - Till The Next Trip: The journey back home. And then, the long recovery process after my chaotic trip, from the holiday inn express.

Post-Trip Reflection (aka, My Honest, Messy Thoughts):

So, how was it? Honestly? I'm not sure yet. Travel is always a mixed bag. It's a gamble, a chaotic adventure. But, at the end of the day, I survived. And maybe, just maybe, I also had a good time.

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Escape to Texas Hill Country: Your Dream Stay Awaits (Maybe...?) at Holiday Inn Express! - FAQs (and My Crazy Thoughts)

Okay, seriously, what IS the deal with the Holiday Inn Express in the Hill Country? Is it actually... nice?

Alright, let's be real. "Nice" is a loaded word. Like, my ex-boyfriend *claimed* he was nice... Anyway! The Holiday Inn Express in the Hill Country? It's… well, it's a Holiday Inn Express. Think predictable. Think cleanish. Think… probably not going to win any design awards. But! And this is a BIG but, it DEPENDS. What are you expecting? Fancy-pants luxury? Run away, fast. A comfortable basecamp for exploring the wineries and stunning scenery? Potentially. I stayed there last year. It was hot. Really, really hot. And the air conditioning? Let's just say I spent a good hour wrestling the thermostat. It’s a whole *thing* sometimes.

How's the breakfast? That's a make-or-break situation, honestly. Because hangry is a real thing.

Breakfast. Oh, breakfast. This is where the HIE shines, or… well, *attempts* to shine. They have the standard continental stuff, right? Cereal, pastries that look like they've seen better days (but hey, free carbs!), the waffle maker of destiny! And the *coffee*. Listen, the coffee is… serviceable. It'll provide you with a caffeine kick, sure, but don't expect artisanal, hand-roasted perfection. I vividly remember one morning, I swear I saw a woman practically *clawing* her way to the waffle maker. Pure, unadulterated waffle-fueled desperation. Me? I stick to the yogurt and fruit. Safer that way, especially after one too many glasses of Hill Country wine the night before. But honestly, if you're a waffle person… go for it! Embrace the chaos!

Are there any activities, like a pool or gym? Because I need to work off those waffles.

Yes to a pool, hallelujah! And a gym. The pool is… fine. Clean-ish. It gets the job done. The gym? Oh, the gym. It's tiny. Like, "two treadmills and a stationary bike judging you" tiny. I went in there once, convinced I needed to "work off the breakfast," and I saw a couple of guys, both *very* serious weightlifters, practically *grunting* at each other over the only bench. I retreated. Back to the waffles, I think. The gym... it's a testament to the hotel's *attempt* at fitness, but don't go expecting a world-class experience. Just lower your expectations… way, way down.

How far is it from the main attractions, like wineries and… things to actually do?

Okay, here’s the important bit. The location is… decent. It’s close enough to be convenient but far enough to make you feel… isolated. Depends on the specific Holiday Inn Express you're looking at. Some are closer to Fredericksburg and the wine trail, but others… you'll be doing a lot of driving. Check Google Maps, *seriously*. I made the mistake of assuming *everything* in the Hill Country was close together. Newsflash: it’s Texas! Everything is spread out! Allow plenty of time for driving, and for unexpected detours because you *will* get lost at least once. I swear, I spent an hour one afternoon just circling a roundabout, muttering about how confusing Texas roads are. Take that as a life lesson, not just advice.

Is it pet-friendly? My chihuahua, Reginald, is practically royalty.

This is something you *absolutely* need to check on the individual property's website or by calling. Pet policies *vary wildly*. Some HIEs welcome your furry friends with open arms, and I'm picturing Reginald in a tiny cowboy hat already, others… not so much. Don't get caught out! Call ahead! Imagine the heartbreak! Reginald needs to approve of the bedding. This is a non-negotiable condition. And if Reginald isn't happy... *nobody* is happy. And nobody wants me to be unhappy. So please, check the pet policy *before* you go.

Any tips for surviving a stay? I'm a delicate flower.

Tips! Okay, brace yourself:

Lower your expectations. Seriously. You're not at the Four Seasons. You're at a Holiday Inn Express in the Texas Hill Country. Embrace it!
Bring snacks. Always. Because sometimes you just *need* a mid-afternoon bag of chips. Or, you know, chocolate.
Pack comfortable shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking, exploring, and possibly running away from the gym. Comfortable shoes are key.
Hydrate! The Texas sun is no joke. Drink water like it's your job.
Check the reviews before you book. Read the recent ones. Ignore the ones from 2008. They're irrelevant.
Be prepared for potential minor inconveniences. It's a budget-friendly place, things *might* not be perfect. Embrace the imperfections! They make for a good story later. Like the time I tried to iron a shirt and the iron spat out black gunk. Good times.
Most importantly: have FUN! The Hill Country is beautiful. The wine is delicious. The memories, even with the potential for minor hotel mishaps, are worth it.

Oh, and one more… **Don't forget your phone charger!** Seriously. You will. And then you’ll be miserable. Like, *really* miserable. Trust me on this one. I learned it the hard way. Twice.

Okay, FINE, I get it. But, honestly, is it romantic? I'm planning a getaway…

Romantic? Hmmm… Let’s just say, a Holiday Inn Express is not *inherently* romantic. But, *you* can make it romantic! The setting is key. If you're looking for a candle lit dinner in the room, probably not. But, if you're there to spend time with your partner, the Hill Country has a way of doing the heavy lifting. Go for a long drive in the evening, watch the sunset from a scenic overlook, maybe get a bottle of wine and cuddle up on the bed. Romantic isn't about the hotel, it's about the *effort*. I once knew a couple who spent their honeymoon in a… *ahem*… somewhat questionable motel. They loved it. They were truly in love. If the love is there, the location is just a backdrop. And, who knows? Maybe the slightly underwhelming breakfast becomes the stuff of legend. Remember the waffle maker? The legend of the woman clawing her way to those perfect waffles? See? It can be done! It’s not ***Germany's Most Stunning Art Nouveau Hotel: You HAVE to See This!**

Escape to Texas Hill Country: Your Dream Stay Awaits at Holiday Inn Express!