Salem's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review! (OH)
Okay, buckle up, because we're diving DEEP into the Holiday Inn Express in Salem, Ohio. Forget the perfectly polished reviews – this is the REAL DEAL. You know, the kind of review you'd actually… well, read before booking a room. So, let's go! I'm calling it: Salem’s BEST Hotel…Holiday Inn Express Review! (OH) – warts and all.
First Impressions & the All-Important Accessibility
Pulling up, the exterior corridor gave me that classic motel vibe, but hey, it's Salem, Ohio, not Monaco. Immediately, though, I noticed the car park [free of charge] – huge win right off the bat! Saves you money, and in this economy…yikes.
Now, Accessibility is HUGE for me. I'm incredibly relieved to see a comprehensive list of accessibility features. Facilities for disabled guests? Check. Elevator? Double-check. I didn't see specific details on accessible room specifics, like grab bars in the Shower or a wheelchair-friendly Bathroom – I'd definitely call ahead and confirm those if you have specific needs. The listing Car park [on-site] is also good and easy to access.
The Room – A Sanctuary (Mostly)
Okay, let's talk room. This is where things get real. Air conditioning? Absolutely blasting, thankfully. Blackout curtains? Crucial for those glorious lazy mornings. Free Wi-Fi? Absolutely essential, and a massive relief to see it Free Wi-Fi in all Rooms! and the Internet Access – wireless in the description Internet access – LAN is just a bonus.
The bed? Surprisingly comfy. A solid Extra long bed which is good to see. The Desk was functional, a solid Laptop workspace, Satellite/cable channels and a decent TV to unwind with after a long day, and the Mini bar was stocked. My room had Air conditioning. Little touches like complimentary Tea and bottled water (free) and a refrigerator were a nice touch. The Mirror and Mirror were a nice touch. I was particularly intrigued by the Room decorations.
Now, the Bathroom. This is where things got slightly… interesting. The separate shower/bathtub configuration was a plus for me. Toiletries were present and accounted for. But the Shower pressure? Let's just say it was adequate. The bathroom was clean, though, and that's what matters.
Cleanliness, Safety & Those COVID Protocols… (Deep Breath)
Okay, let's get real about the pandemic. I appreciate they're taking this seriously. I really appreciate it. I mean, a hotel during the current state of the world can be a petri dish of potential nastiness. The Anti-viral cleaning products, Rooms sanitized between stays, and the Daily disinfection in common areas, the Professional-grade sanitizing services give me a good impression. I also can see the Hand sanitizer is there. I'm glad there are so many important features like a Fire extinguisher, Smoke detector, and the Security [24-hour] with CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, so I know I'm safe.
The fact that Staff trained in safety protocol is, honestly, a huge relief. I'm also glad Physically distanced of at least 1 meter is a requirement, and the Safe dining setup is present. I’m glad they take it seriously! This is a very important issue, and this hotel seems to understand.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking – Fueling the Salem Experience
Here's the thing about Salem, Ohio: it's not exactly known for its Michelin-starred restaurants (yet!). The Breakfast [buffet]. This is where things get juicy. The Breakfast [buffet]. Let’s be honest, it’s a Holiday Inn Express, not a five-star resort. But the breakfast was actually pretty good. Good enough to make you forget the lackluster Coffee/tea in restaurant. I did see the Western breakfast. Breakfast was definitely adequate. The Breakfast takeaway service is a major bonus if you're in a hurry.
There's a Coffee/tea maker in the room, which is vital. There’s also a Coffee shop if you need a caffeine boost. There’s the Snack bar and Restaurants.
Services and Conveniences – Did They Think of Everything?
The Front desk [24-hour] is a godsend. I arrived late, and the check-in was smooth and easy. Contactless check-in/out is a win in this day and age. There were also Cash withdrawal. The Concierge was great. Elevator is there for easy access. The Daily housekeeping was very good. The Laundry service is a good feature.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Beyond the Room
Now, get ready for a bit of a let-down. This isn't a spa resort, folks. There's no Pool with view, no Spa, no Sauna, no Steamroom. There is a Swimming pool [outdoor], and a Fitness center.
For the Kids (If You're Traveling with Little Humans)
I didn't see any specific Kids facilities or a Babysitting service mentioned. So, if you're traveling with little ones, probably not the main draw. Family/child friendly, generally, but maybe bring your own entertainment.
The Verdict – Is It Salem's BEST Hotel?
Okay, the million-dollar question: would I recommend this hotel? Honestly? Yes. For the price point, the cleanliness, the free breakfast, and the convenient location, it's a solid choice. It's not perfect, not at all, but it’s a reliable, comfortable, and convenient base for exploring the witchy wonders of Salem, Ohio.
The Offer – Your Salem Getaway Awaits!
Here's the deal: Book your stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Salem, Ohio NOW, and get…
- Free Breakfast – Fuel up for a day of exploring!
- Free Wi-Fi – Stay connected, share your adventures, and tell your friends about the hotel, and make sure to use the search queries: hotel in Salem, Ohio, Holiday Inn Express Salem Ohio, Salem Ohio hotels, things to do Salem Ohio, Salem lodging, Salem Ohio travel etc…
- Access to the Outdoor Pool & Fitness Center
- Clean, comfortable rooms
Click here to book your Salem escape today!
Disclaimer: I am human, and this review is based on my personal experience. Your experience may vary. But hey, that's the fun of travel, right?
Cebu City Paradise: Ayala & IT Park Steps Away – 14H WiFi!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn’t your grandma’s meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is… my attempt to survive a sojourn at the Holiday Inn Express in Salem, Ohio. Honestly, I booked it because the price was right, and my brain kinda glazed over the “Salem” part, assuming it was, you know, that Salem. Nope. Turns out, this Salem is all about… well, we’ll get to that. Here we go:
Pre-Trip Anxiety (and Pre-Breakfast Snacking, if We're Being Honest)
Days Before: The usual spiral. Did I pack enough socks? (Always the crucial question.) Did I remember to cancel my dentist appointment? (Probably not.) Is my passport valid for this Salem? (Thank God, it's not internationally… thank God. I'm already stressed.) Oh, and a frantic online search for “things to do in Salem Ohio” - which led to a disturbing amount of articles about… well… cows. I'm already developing a slight bovine aversion before I've even left my house. Which is probably good, because I love a good steak and cheese combo
Morning of Departure: The car is packed, the coffee is brewing. My internal monologue is a cacophony of “Did I turn off the iron?” “Where are my sunglasses?” and “Is that a dent in my fender?!” Also, a desperate attempt to shove a leftover slice of pizza into my mouth before hitting the road. Breakfast of champions, obviously.
Day 1: Groundhog Day in Salem (or, Hotel Hell and the Mystery of the Missing Remote)
Afternoon – Arrival at the Holy Land of Mild Disappointment: Okay, the Holiday Inn Express. It's…well, it's a Holiday Inn Express. The lobby is a little too brightly lit, the carpet has seen better days (probably somewhere around the late '90s). The front desk clerk (bless her heart) seems simultaneously thrilled and utterly exhausted. The welcome is warm, but the elevator seems to be moving at the speed of molasses.
Room Revelation: The room. It’s…clean enough. The air conditioning is a roaring beast of white noise (perfect for drowning out the sound of my own existential dread). The TV? Well, it doesn’t work. Cue internal screaming. This turns into a full-blown issue when the remote has a mind of it's own and I have to visit customer services to get a new one.
An Observation for the Ages: The sheer lack of character in the room is almost impressive. Beige on beige on beige. It's like they actively tried to make it as forgettable as possible.
Rant on the Bed: Okay, the bed. It’s… fine. But it’s not a cloud. It’s the kind of bed that you know will leave you with a slightly stiff neck the next morning, which is exactly the type of bed I was looking for.
Mid-Afternoon – Trying to Find Something to Do: After finally wrangling a working TV and remote, it's time for adventure! The internet (bless its bandwidth-challenged, spotty heart) had suggested…well, I can't recall what. Was it a historical society? A park? Another cow-related thing? Honestly, I’d barely escaped the clutches of the hotel room's beige blandness. But it was time to explore.
- My First Adventure - A walk down Main Street. Okay, it's more of a stroll. Let's be honest.
- The Locals: Oh man, the locals. They are, without a doubt, the most friendly, welcoming, and strangely enthusiastic people I've met in a long time. They seem genuinely thrilled that I'm visiting their town. Some gave me a weird sideways glance, but people always give me that anyway. The town has, I think, a small antique shop and a diner. I'm guessing this is as lively as it gets, and I’m here for it.
- Emotional Reaction: Mostly, a deep sense of… curiosity. (The antique shops, I'm told, are legendary. They're not a lie.) Oh, and a growing appreciation for how utterly normal this town is. After the city, the loud, flashy, and overwhelming, I feel like I’m breathing for the first time in ages.
- My First Adventure - A walk down Main Street. Okay, it's more of a stroll. Let's be honest.
Evening – The Salem Steakhouse (and the Continuing Saga of the Missing Remote)
- Dinner: After a valiant effort to find something remotely exotic, I ended up at the Salem Steakhouse. The meat was tender, the service was great, and the waitresses all seemed to know my name. And what could be more comforting than that?
- The Remote Strikes Back: Back at the hotel, the remote control (that demon of tech) starts acting up again. I'm convinced it's plotting my demise. I could lose my marbles but I'm at peace. This is what I need.
Night – The Sweet Embrace of Sleep (and the Perpetual Fear of Being Eaten by the Bed Bugs)
- Final Thoughts: The day was decidedly not a disaster. It wasn’t a world-shattering experience, but you know what? It was… kind of perfect. Just the right amount of boring to calm me down.
Day 2: The Cow Conundrum and the Pursuit of Breakfast
Morning – The Breakfast Buffet (a tale of glory and despair)
- The Setup: Oh, the buffet. This is where dreams are made (and arteries are potentially clogged). The usual suspects are there: slightly rubbery eggs, suspiciously pink sausage links, and a waffle maker that's seen more action than I have.
- The Verdict: I loaded my plate, and devoured my meal. It was just what I wanted, and needed, out of my trip.
Mid-Morning - Exploring Salem's Past (Maybe the Cows?)
- The Decision: Okay, time to actually do something Salem-related. It's a tough choice between the historical society and the local park.
- The Historical Society: I found it to be a charming little museum that’s somehow simultaneously informative and delightfully unpretentious.
- The Decision: Okay, time to actually do something Salem-related. It's a tough choice between the historical society and the local park.
Late Afternoon/Evening – The Great Escape (and Packing… or Not?)
- Departure: As I pack up my things, I realise I probably never actually unpacked. The dress is still on the hook, the underwear (thank God) is still in the drawer. Whatever. I’m leaving.
- Final Thoughts: Salem, Ohio. It's not for everyone. But it was exactly what I needed this past week. I'm pretty sure I'll be back someday.
And there you have it. My slightly chaotic, completely honest, and occasionally unhinged account of my time in Salem, Ohio. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. But maybe pack your own remote… just in case.
Goa Villa Paradise: 3BR Candolim Haven (Vikings Stay Mirage)
Holiday Inn Express Salem (OH) - The Absolutely, Unofficial FAQ (By Someone Who Actually Stayed There)
Is this Holiday Inn Express *really* the "best" in Salem? (And what kind of Salem are we talking about?)
The pool. Spill the tea. Is it actually swimmable?
Breakfast. The make-or-break moment. What’s the deal?
What about the rooms? Cleanliness? The all-important bed situation?
The Staff: Were they nice? Helpful? Did they seem like they wanted to be there?
Location, Location, Location! Is it convenient?
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
Any Pro Tips?
