Mount Vernon's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem Revealed!

Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Mount Vernon By IHG Mount Vernon (IL) United States

Mount Vernon's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem Revealed!

Alright, buckle up buttercups! Because I'm about to spill the beans on Mount Vernon's supposedly BEST Hotel: IHG's Hidden Gem Revealed! And trust me, after my recent stay, "hidden gem" is… well, let's just say open to interpretation. This review isn't going to be some dry, bullet-pointed list of what should be. I'm serving up the real deal, warts and all. Prepare for a bumpy, hilarious, and maybe even slightly traumatizing ride.

First Impressions: Accessibility (Or Lack Thereof) and the Initial Panic

Okay, so, let's kick things off with a category that should be straightforward: Accessibility. The website boasted "facilities for disabled guests." Great! My partner uses a wheelchair. We called ahead, confirmed everything… and arrived to a front entrance that felt like a poorly-designed obstacle course. Seriously, the ramp was steeper than my student loan repayment plan, and the automatic door decided to have a power nap right as we needed it. Cue immediate internal panic (me), and a weary sigh (my partner). Not a great start, IHG. Definitely not a "hidden gem" move. The elevator did work, thank heavens, and the room itself, thankfully, met the basic wheelchair-accessible requirements, (though the maneuvering space around the bed was tight). The doorman was actually helpful, once he'd managed to pry open the front doors.

More on Accessibility : They advertised airport transfer - we did not use it , CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests - were all present and accounted for.

Internet – My Digital Existential Crisis (and Free Wi-Fi!)

The one thing I need more than oxygen? Internet. And thankfully, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a shining beacon of hope. It worked, mostly. Some days it was blazingly fast; other days, it was like trying to download a cat video on dial-up. There was also Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Internet - all available, just sometimes not that reliable. The struggle was real. This whole Internet situation brought on a minor existential crisis. I mean, what is life without access to endless cat videos and online shopping? The hotel's Wi-Fi for special events must have been amazing, since there must have been an event - judging by the noise. Also good to note: Internet services were listed, but not that great.

Rooms: The Good, The Bad, and The Blackout Curtains

Our room – a non-smoking room, thank heavens! – was a mixed bag. The air conditioning blasted like a hurricane, which I appreciated, until I didn't. The blackout curtains were fantastic; I could've slept through the apocalypse. Additional toilet was clean. The bathroom phone looked like it was from the 80s. Bathrobes were present – which I love – and complimentary tea and free bottled water were lovely touches. And the bed? Oh, the bed. It was an extra long bed, and even tall me was comfy. This was something to celebrate! On the downside, the soundproofing was, shall we say, optimistic. Let's just say I learned way more about the couple in the next room than I ever wanted to know… every night. The desk, however, was functional, a serious bonus if you're trying to pretend you're working.

The room had Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (with a Side of Mild Disappointment)

The hotel's dining options were… a journey. The Breakfast [buffet] was a chaotic free-for-all. The buffet in restaurant, advertised an Asian breakfast, Western breakfast and other international cuisines, but the "international" mostly tasted like… well, buffet food. The coffee situation was dire – more akin to dishwater than a caffeine kick. On the upside, the coffee shop did a passable latte. The bar had a decent happy hour, but good luck catching the bartender's eye – he was busy. There was supposedly a salad in restaurant, soup in restaurant, desserts in restaurant, snack bar - none of which I could definitively find. Oh, and the room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver! It was slow, but the burger was actually decent. I'll give them that.

Also good to know: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bottle of water, Breakfast service, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Happy hour, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, Safe dining setup, Individually-wrapped food options, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. I like that they provided Essential condiments, and the Breakfast takeaway service, while I did not use it - it was nice to know.

Things to Do and Ways to Relax : The Spa Experience That Almost Broke Me

Okay, let's talk about the "spa." This was the defining IHG experience, in a good way. They had a pool with view - the view was a highway, but the water was warm… and the swimming pool [outdoor] was a decent temperature for swimming.

They had all the amenities! The hotel had a Fitness center, a Sauna, and a Spa. I decided I needed a hard reset. A massage! A body scrub, heck, a body wrap wouldn't go amiss. I booked myself a massage, and… it was epic, in the original sense of the word. The woman who performed the massage was like an angel with iron fists. I left feeling like a wet noodle, but in the best way possible. The entire spa complex (including Steamroom, Spa/sauna) was immaculate, and the feeling of serenity was palpable. The massage itself was fantastic. The Foot bath was a bonus! And the fact that I was finally able to relax was a testament of the hotel's spa.

Cleanliness and Safety: Germaphobe Approved (Mostly)

In these post-apocalyptic times (a.k.a. the now), Cleanliness and safety are paramount. IHG, to their credit, seemed to take this seriously. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. I didn't see anyone actually disinfecting anything, but hey, at least they said they were!

Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Helpful and… Not So Helpful

The hotel offered a slew of services and conveniences. The Concierge was helpful, the Front desk [24-hour] was always available – though their sense of urgency varied. They had Car park [free of charge], Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Air conditioning in public area. There were also Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service. The Car park [on-site] was free - and definitely useful. I did not use the Bicycle parking.

For the Kids: Family-Friendly? Kind of…

They advertise as Family/child friendly, babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal. The options were… limited.

Getting Around: The Parking Predicament

Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking

Okay, the parking was a nightmare. They advertised free parking. And that's true - for non-existent spaces. Finding a spot was like winning the lottery. I saw people circling for HOURS.

Overall Verdict: Is IHG's Hidden Gem Worth It?

So, would I recommend IHG's "Hidden Gem"? That's a tough one. It had definitely its flaws, and some of them were real bummers. But, the spa was amazing, the staff mostly tried their best, and the bed was comfortable.

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Mount Vernon By IHG Mount Vernon (IL) United States

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's pristine travel itinerary. We're going to Mount Vernon, Illinois, at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. And let me tell you, my expectations are… well, let's just say I'm packing extra patience. This is gonna be a real human experience, flaws and all.

Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of Hotel Carpets

• 1:00 PM: Arrive at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Mount Vernon. (Note: "Suites" is a relative term, let's be honest. Praying for a microwave. Praying HARD.)
  • Anecdote: My GPS, bless its digital little heart, tried to send me down a dirt road that looked suspiciously like a farmer's… you know… private property. Swearing, scrambling back onto the main road, and a healthy dose of side-eye for Google Maps has already set me up for the full hotel experience. Classic.
  • Quirky Observation: The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and… ambition? Like someone really wanted this place to be fancy. They almost made it. Almost.
  • Emotional Reaction: Initial impression: Mildly horrified, but cautiously optimistic. I'm a creature of habit and the only reliable one seems to be the one that always ends up in a cheap hotel.
  • Rambling: You know, hotel carpets. They've seen things. I bet if they could talk, they’d tell stories that would make your hair stand on end. Spilled coffee, late-night pizza crusts, existential crises… the carpet is the silent witness. Are you sure I still want to get in the room?
• 1:30 PM: Check-in. Pray to the WiFi gods.
  • Minor Category: The Check-In Saga: The front desk person(s), is friendly, slightly overwhelmed. I suspect they've dealt with a LOT of "Can I get a late checkout?" requests. I did not ask for a late checkout yet, but I might.
  • Opinionated Language: I swear, if the WiFi doesn't work, I'm writing a strongly worded Yelp review. This is the 21st century people!
• 2:00 PM: Settle into the room. (Fingers crossed for cleanliness and a working TV.)
  • Emotional Reaction: Okay, the room is clean-ish. The TV works (yay!). But the air conditioning sounds like a jet engine taking off. This is… an experience.
  • Messy Structure: Okay, so I'm currently sprawled on the bed, testing the mattress firmness. It's… adequate. The pillows? Questionable. Will report back. (Spoiler: The pillows are like little fluffy bricks.)
• 2:30 PM: Explore the hotel – pool, gym (if I'm feeling ambitious, which I'm not).
  • Anecdote: I bravely ventured into the gym and witnessed the ultimate gym irony: A treadmill that looked lonely and unloved.
  • Rambling: The pool… well, it looks like a pool. I'm pretty sure it's not heated, and I have no desire to find out. I might need a nap.

Day 2: Local Flavors and Existential Reflections on Pancake Syrup

• 7:00 AM: Wake up (after being startled by the jet engine known as the AC.) Head down for breakfast.
  • Minor Category: The Breakfast Buffet: This is always the make-or-break moment. Scrambled eggs? Check. Instant oatmeal? Check. Waffles shaped like… a bear? Okay, I’m intrigued.
  • Opinionated Language: The coffee is… well, it's coffee. It'll do the job of keeping me marginally functional.
• 7:30 AM: Breakfast. Embrace the carbs.
  • Doubling Down on a Single Experience (Breakfast, baby!): The waffle-making machine is my nemesis. I burned the first two waffles. They were sad, charred pucks of potential. But then… magic! The third waffle… golden brown, crispy edges, perfectly round. And the syrup? Pure, unadulterated, high-fructose-corn-syrup deliciousness. It tasted like pure, concentrated childhood. I ate three waffles. I regret nothing.
  • Emotional Reaction: Pancake syrup is a powerful thing. It can make you forget all your worries. For a few glorious minutes, I was happy. Blissfully, ridiculously happy. And then the sugar crash hit.
• 8:30 AM: Explore Mount Vernon. (Recommendations welcome!)
  • Rambling: Okay, okay, I need to venture out. What is there to do in Mount Vernon? I’m picturing… a charming Main Street? A historic courthouse? Ample opportunities for people-watching? The possibilities are vast. Or maybe… a Walmart? Anything is possible here, folks.
  • Messy Structure: First stop: Definitely a coffee shop. I need more fuel. (And maybe another waffle? Don't judge.)
• 12:00 PM: Lunch at… somewhere (suggestions welcome).
  • Anecdote: I swear, I saw a tumbleweed roll past the window. This is… a different vibe than I'm used to.
  • Quirky Observation: There's a certain… air about this town. A feeling of quiet contemplation. Or maybe everyone's just tired from the early start. More research is needed.

Day 3: Departure (and the lingering scent of chlorine)

• 8:00 AM: Final breakfast. Waffle redemption?
  • Emotional Reaction: One last waffle. Gotta savor it. This time, I managed to not burn it!
• 9:00 AM: Pack up and check out.
  • Minor Category: The Check-Out Process: Smooth. Almost… too smooth. No hidden charges, no frantic calls from the front desk. Suspiciously easy.
  • Opinionated Language: I'm leaving Mount Vernon with a slightly better appreciation for small-town life, a slight sugar high, and a lingering suspicion that the ghost of a very judgemental cleaning lady is still watching me.
• 9:30 AM: Depart. Goodbye, Holiday Inn Express!

Well, that was something, wasn't it? Mount Vernon, you weird and wonderful place. Until next time. And to the hotel staff, cheers. May your WiFi always work, and may the pillows be… less brick-like.

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Mount Vernon By IHG Mount Vernon (IL) United StatesOkay, buckle up, buttercup! Because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, messy world of the (allegedly) BEST hotel in Mount Vernon. Prepare for a rambling, opinionated, and probably slightly unhinged FAQ about that IHG "Hidden Gem." Here we go…

Is this hotel REALLY the best in Mount Vernon? Seriously?

Look, "best" is a loaded word, right? Like, what are we even measuring? Best for… what? If you're looking for a gleaming palace with twenty-four-hour room service and a butler named Reginald, then probably not. But, and this is a BIG but, if you want a genuinely pleasant, comfy stay, with a surprisingly good atmosphere and maybe, just maybe, a touch of that "local secret" vibe, then yeah. Yeah, it's pretty darn good. I stayed there last month, and I'm still not over how good the coffee was. (More on that later. Obsessed.)

Okay, spill the tea. What's the *real* vibe like? Is it actually a "hidden gem"?

"Hidden gem" is marketing-speak, sure. But in this case, it *kinda* works. It's not overflowing with tourists. It doesn’t scream "cookie-cutter hotel." It feels… lived-in. In a good way. The staff, bless their hearts, seem genuinely happy. They're not just going through the motions. I remember one morning, there was a minor breakfast fiasco (burnt toast, folks, burnt toast!), and they handled it with such grace and humor. One of the team even started roasting one of the other members, like she was in a stand up comedy show, and it was not even that mean! I thought it was hilarious, and they were like, "Oh that's just how he is! It's fine, no problem!". That's not hotel-chain polish, that's genuine.

Let's talk rooms. Are they… clean? Because, shudder, I've seen things.

Alright, alright, the cleanliness question. The biggest fear, am I right? Well, I'm happy to report, yes. The rooms are clean. They aren't spa-level gleaming, but they are well-maintained and tidy. I checked under the bed (don’t judge me, it’s a habit!), and it was fine. And look, I have high standards. I’m talking clean enough that you're not constantly itching and wondering, "What *was* that smell?" The bed was comfy, the bathroom was functional… it was all good. Not luxurious, per se, but absolutely acceptable. And the A/C? Blessedly quiet.

Breakfast. The most important meal. Is it worth waking up for? Be honest!

Okay, remember when I said I was obsessed with the coffee? You thought I was exaggerating. I was not. The coffee is *divine*. Seriously, I went back for seconds every morning. And the breakfast itself? It's not a Michelin-star brunch situation, but it's a solid continental with a few hot options. Eggs, bacon, the usual suspects. They also have those little individual yogurts that I always go for, as an excuse to have more coffee... What was missing? Nothing substantial. A small gripe, but a good pancake would have been amazing. Oh! and the bagels were a little stale. I'm only saying this because the coffee was so good. You'd figure that they are really good and on top of their game on the food front, too!

What about the location? Convenient or "stuck in the middle of nowhere?"

It depends on what you want to do in Mount Vernon. It's not smack-dab in the heart of the action, which is part of its charm, honestly. It's a short drive (or a manageable walk, depending on your level of enthusiasm and the weather) to most of the major attractions. Which in Mount Vernon is like, a couple of restaurants and... that thing. You know... the location of that thing. Don't expect to be right next to a roaring nightlife scene, obviously. I was there to visit a family member, and, for me, it was perfect.

Okay, let's get real. Any downsides? What's the catch?

Nothing is perfect, people. Let's be honest. Okay, here's a minor gripe: the internet isn't the fastest. Fine for checking emails, but streaming a movie might involve a bit of buffering. Also, the gym is tiny. Like, "one treadmill and a dusty elliptical" tiny. Don't pack your competition-level workout gear. Also, the decor is a little… safe. Think muted tones and generic artwork. (They could use a bit of a design refresh, actually.) But honestly? For the price, and the overall experience, I'm not complaining.

Would you stay there again? Be brutally honest.

Absolutely. One hundred percent. Already planning my next visit. (And yes, I'm already dreaming about that coffee.) It's not a flawless hotel, no. But it has something… a certain something that I was really taken with. It's a comforting, unpretentious, and genuinely pleasant place to stay. It's the kind of place where you actually *want* to relax, not just exist in a sterile hotel room. Plus, the burnt toast incident? That's a memory I'll have forever. Totally worth it.

So the staff is good? What was it like? Give me the goss...

Oh. My. God. The staff. They're the heart and soul of the place. Genuinely, no joke. Okay, so picture this: I was checking in, super frazzled after a long day of travel. My purse practically exploded in the car, I was hungry, and I had lost my phone charger. And the person at the front desk, a woman named... I can't recall, she was so nice! She saw me wrestling with my luggage, and she actually *offered* to help me carry my bags. And then - this is the kicker - she *found* a phone charger for me. Like, a legit charger, from the lost and found! They had a whole box! I was so grateful. She really saved the day. And the breakfast crew. The one I mentioned? They also were amazing. There was this elderly guest, bless him, who kept dropping his cereal. Every. Single. Morning. And they helped him up, cleaned up the mess, and didn't make him feel like an idiot. Their kindness made my whole trip better. I'm a huge fan of anyone who can fake it. These guys did it with a smile and genuine care without a moments hesitation. AMAZING!

Any final words of wisdom for the aspiring Mount Vernon hotel guest?

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Mount Vernon By IHG Mount Vernon (IL) United States

Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Mount Vernon By IHG Mount Vernon (IL) United States

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