Greenville's BEST Downtown Hotel? (Holiday Inn Express Review!)
My Love-Hate Affair with Greenville's Best Downtown Hotel (Spoiler: It’s the Holiday Inn Express, but buckle up!)
Okay, friends, buckle up. You’ve probably heard the hype about Greenville, South Carolina. Beautiful city. Charming downtown. And let’s be honest, a lot of hotels. I spent a weekend there recently, and the quest for the perfect downtown hotel? Well, it felt a little like searching for the Holy Grail… or at least a decent parking spot during the Saturday market.
And after much deliberation (and a slight panic when I saw the price of the fancier options), I landed at the Holiday Inn Express Downtown Greenville. Now, before you roll your eyes and think "Oh, another chain hotel review," let me tell you, it was… something. A rollercoaster, even. Let's break it down, shall we?
Accessibility & Safety: The Bare Necessities & a Few Unexpected Wins
First things first: Accessibility. Now, I'm not a wheelchair user myself, but I’m always mindful of this. And I was pretty pleased. The hotel boasted wheelchair access, of course (duh!), but also a generally flat, easy-to-navigate layout. Score one for inclusivity! They also had facilities for disabled guests, which, you know, is important.
Cleanliness and Safety was a HUGE thing for me, especially these days. The Anti-viral cleaning products were reassuring. They really leaned into the whole sanitization thing. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Room sanitization between stays? You betcha. They even offered an opt-out option for room cleaning during your stay, which I appreciated (sometimes, you just want to hide in your room and wallow in room service…). The Staff trained in safety protocol seemed evident; everyone wore masks diligently, and the vibe was definitely "we're serious about this."
It was nice to see the Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. I'm a germaphobe, so this was fantastic, and I really appreciated the peace of mind. They even had that Cashless payment service – another plus in the "less touching" department (thanks, COVID!). And the presence of a Doctor/nurse on call felt comforting, even if I didn’t need it.
The Room: A Tale of Two Halves (and Several Coffee Pods)
Okay, let's talk about the room itself. Mine was a Non-smoking room (thank goodness – I can’t handle the cigarette stench), and it was… functional. The Air conditioning worked like a champ, which was glorious in the Greenville humidity, and the Bed was a comfortable haven. I slept like a log. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver, too!
Now, for the imperfections… the Internet! The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms was a HUGE selling point. I'm a workaholic disguised as a tourist, so I needed to get online. BUT… the Wi-Fi was occasionally… glacial. Seriously, at times, I was pretty sure I could have sent a carrier pigeon faster. The Internet access – wireless was definitely better than the Internet access – LAN connection (who uses those anymore?!). They advertised the Internet services as part of their business facilities. Perhaps they should get a better system in place.
Beyond that, it had the usual suspects: Coffee/tea maker (crucial!), Refrigerator, Hair dryer, and a decent Shower. (Important note: Water pressure was surprisingly good!).
Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh"
The Daily housekeeping was efficient, if a little… impersonal. I appreciated the fresh towels, but the vibe was definitely "get in, get out, move on." The Front desk [24-hour] was a lifesaver, especially when I locked myself out of my room at 2 AM (don't ask). The Concierge, on the other hand, was a bit… hit-or-miss. One staff member was fantastic, making excellent restaurant recommendations. The other just gave me the same canned answers.
Getting Around: This is where the Holiday Inn Express shines. Car park [free of charge]?! YES! This is HUGE in downtown Greenville. Seriously, parking is a NIGHTMARE. And free?! Bless them. The Airport transfer was available, but you have to ask, and it’s not included.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast, a bar, and a whole lot of… Convenience.
Breakfast was a mixed bag. They offer Breakfast [buffet] which was fairly standard: International cuisine in restaurant and Western breakfast. The food itself was okay – the scrambled eggs were a little rubbery, but the coffee was decent, and there was always a Breakfast takeaway service, which was a bonus for days when I wanted to sleep in.
There were also Coffee/tea in restaurant and a Snack bar. I didn't spend too long at either, but I think that the Poolside bar was an awesome place. It's something that you can't get everywhere.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: A Little Bit… Limited.
The hotel boasts a Fitness center. I’m not going to lie, I peeked in and then promptly went back to my room to binge-watch Netflix. I was too busy. They had a Swimming pool [outdoor], but it was closed for the season. (Remember to check before your trip!). There was no notable spa/sauna, steamroom, or offer of a Body scrub or Body wrap. It's not the place if you're looking for total relaxation.
For the Kids: Family Friendly but not necessarily a Wonderland
The hotel is Family/child friendly. They do offer Babysitting service and Kids facilities, so you could definitely bring the whole clan, but this is not a theme park. Just a good hotel.
Overall Vibe & My Verdict
Look, the Holiday Inn Express Downtown Greenville is not a luxury resort. It's not going to blow your mind with its originality. But it's a solid, dependable choice. Clean, safe, convenient, and with free parking – it ticked a lot of boxes for me.
The good: The location (walkable to everything!), the free parking, the cleanliness, and the generally helpful staff.
The bad: The occasionally slow Wi-Fi, the somewhat-basic breakfast.
The quirky/memorable: The fact that I locked myself out of my room at 2 AM, and the staff member, without a word, gave me a new key. Legendary service.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Especially if you're looking for a comfortable, convenient, and reasonably priced base for exploring Greenville. Just be prepared to maybe… bring your own snacks. And maybe a stronger coffee for the mornings. And definitely don’t forget to pack your patience for the Wi-Fi!
Nanjing's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn Qinhuai South - Unbelievable Luxury!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't gonna be your grandma's perfectly-polished travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into a weekend in Greenville, South Carolina, with the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown as our questionable (but hopefully comfy) anchor. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable life choices, and probably way too much iced tea.
Subject: Greenville, SC: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bland (Maybe)
Day 1: Arrival and the Agony of Self-Checkout
1:00 PM - Arrival at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). Okay, first impressions. The airport is… well, it's an airport. Clean, functional, forgettable. My emotional reaction? Mild relief. I survived the flight, which is a victory in itself. I’m perpetually convinced I’m going to crash. So, yay for not crashing! The drive to the hotel from the airport was a blur of strip malls and vaguely familiar chain restaurants. My first thought? Is this it? Is this the famous Greenville?
2:00 PM - Check-in at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown. The lobby is, you know, a lobby. The front desk person seemed genuinely happy, which is a nice touch. Makes me wonder what their real job is - an undercover spy, perhaps? Or maybe they just really, REALLY love the IHG rewards program. The room… is a room. Clean, adequate, and with a slight chlorine smell that I'm choosing to ignore. (Mostly. Okay, it's kinda strong.) My first real struggle: the goddamn self-checkout machine in the lobby. I felt like I was wrestling a robot for my overpriced water bottle. It beeped, it flashed, it demanded my credit card… twice. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I prevailed. Victory tasted like plastic and lukewarm hydration.
2:30 PM - Room Recon and Panic. Aha! The room has a view… of a parking garage! I was not prepared for this level of urban chic. Okay, deep breaths. Unpack. Pretend I'm not slightly claustrophobic in a hotel room even though I am. Where is the hairdryer?
3:00 PM - Walking Around Downtown and The Quest for Coffee. Right, Greenville. Let's do this. The internet promised a charming downtown. And it's… kinda charming, I guess? Falls Park on the Reedy is pretty. The bridge is cool. I even managed to take a semi-decent photo. But the whole experience is tinged with a nagging feeling of… perfection. Like, everything is just a little too manicured. Everything is just… pleasant. And the coffee! Oh, the coffee quest started. I needed something strong to jolt me out of my post-travel haze. I found a local coffee shop that was okay, but nothing really stood out. The coffee was fine, though. I might need another one soon, to be honest.
6:00 PM - Dinner at a Recommended Restaurant (the one that was hyped up on the internet). This is where things got interesting. The ambiance was great. The food… well, let's just say it was a mixed bag. My appetizer was surprisingly good. The main course, however, was… a culinary enigma. It had flavors I couldn’t quite place, and everything felt a little unbalanced, like the chef had just done a bunch of speed and was throwing things together. I ended up laughing more than enjoying myself.
8:00 PM - Evening Stroll and Existential Crisis. I went for another walk. Just to digest the culinary experience of the night. The city lights glowed. The river murmured. I started pondering the meaning of life, the universe, and whether I'd remembered to pack deodorant. The answer to the latter was a resounding "maybe not." The existential crisis continued. I might have eaten some icecream to cope.
9:00 PM - Back to the Hotel/ The TV is a Jerk. I swear, the TV is deliberately difficult to use. The remote is a weapon of mass frustration. Finding anything to watch takes a degree in engineering. But I survived! I finally found some mindless entertainment. I'm going to bed.
Day 2: Art, Iced Tea, and the Surprisingly Delicious Sandwich
8:00 AM - Breakfast at the Hotel. Free breakfast! Woohoo! The usual suspects were there: sad-looking scrambled eggs, questionable sausage links, and the promise of a waffle machine. The waffle machine, though, was a battle of wits. I won (eventually), and the waffle, smothered in butter and syrup, was a small moment of glory. Then I ate 3 more.
9:00 AM - Art Museum Adventure. The Greenville County Museum of Art. This was a pleasant surprise! Some beautiful pieces, interesting interpretations. I'm not an art snob by any means, but I do appreciate a good painting.
11:00 AM - Second Round of Coffee, AKA Salvation Round. The coffee shop I found yesterday was much more pleasant today. The woman behind the counter remembered me, which was kind of cool. This time, I went for a latte. Better. Actually quite good.
11:30 AM - Exploring the Village of West Greenville (West End). This was the highlight! This neighborhood offered a nice change of pace. There were galleries, unique shops, and an all-around more authentic vibe. I actually bought something! A handmade ceramic mug that I probably don't need, but I loved anyway.
1:00 PM - Lunch at a Sandwich Shop. This was the moment. The sandwich I ordered was a revelation. Perfect bread, fresh ingredients, a symphony of flavors. It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you question all your previous sandwich-eating choices. I closed my eyes with every bite. I'm still dreaming of it.
2:30 PM - Retail Therapy, or, the Art of Spending Money. More browsing, more shops, more regrets (in a good way). I found a quirky bookstore and bought a quirky book. More iced tea. My bladder is thanking me.
4:00 PM - River Tour. It was a nice way to see the city from a new perspective. The guide was entertaining. Plus, it was a break from walking. I was starting to feel the effects of the day.
6:00 PM - Dinner, Take Two. Trying a different restaurant tonight that had a better review. The food was good! This time, I actually managed to finish my plate. Progress.
8:00 PM - Return to Hotel and the Comforts of Mediocrity. Room. TV. More existential brooding. The cycle continues. At least the bed is comfortable.
Day 3: Farewell and a Last-Minute Pancake
8:00 AM - The Departure Breakfast. One last sad-looking waffle. One last shot at the waffle happiness. I failed. Goodbye, waffle machine. I will never understand you.
9:00 AM - Check Out and Goodbyes. The desk clerk was still smiling. My final thought: Greenville, you were… something.
10:00 AM - Depart from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). The airport is still an airport. The flight went smoothly, and the plane didn't crash. Victory!
In Transit to Home. I got this overwhelming feeling of relief to be going home. I had fun, but I'm also exhausted. I would probably do it again.
Back Home - The Debrief. Here I am, back home. I learned a few things during this trip. Greenville is probably a great place to live if you enjoy nice weather and a certain level of… predictability. The sandwich was a miracle. And I desperately need to learn how to use a self-checkout machine. Overall, a decent trip. But next time, more adventure (and maybe a better itinerary).
Okay, so, what *IS* this thing anyway? Is it like, a website? A feeling? My existential dread? Spill the beans!
But… WHY an FAQ? Seriously, what's the point? Isn't the internet already overflowing with information? (Probably, I don't know.)
Ugh. Speaking of train wrecks, is there a *topic*? Is this about cats? Knitting? My crippling fear of pigeons? Give me a hint!
So, are you saying this is, like, a blog? Or a journal? Or… something I should actually pay attention to? (Please say yes.)
Alright, let's get specifics. What if I need help? Like, real-life, actual help? Can you, like, fix my plumbing? Or, you know, cure my allergies?
Okay, I get it. This is just a giant, disorganized collection of thoughts. But… what's *your* deal? Who are *you*?
Let’s say, hypothetically, I *do* find something interesting here. Can I, like, share it? Or, even better, what about, like, disagreeing with you?
Okay, okay, I'll bite. But… what's the one thing you *really* want people to take away from all this rambling?
And one more. Just one. What's the *weirdest* thing that’s happened to you recently?
