Escape to Michigan: Luxurious Stay at Mount Pleasant's Holiday Inn & Suites!
Escape to Michigan: Holiday Inn & Suites, Mount Pleasant - My NOT-So-Perfect Getaway (But Still Pretty Good!)
Okay, so I just got back from Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and my stay at the Holiday Inn & Suites. Let me tell you, it wasn't perfect – because, honestly, what ever is?! – but it was a solid, enjoyable experience, especially when you consider the price point. This isn't a five-star resort, folks. It's a perfectly respectable Holiday Inn, and it delivers where it counts: Comfort, convenience, and a decent chance to escape the grind.
Accessibility & The Lay of the Land:
First things first: Accessibility. This is REALLY important. I have friends with mobility issues, so I always check this stuff out. The Holiday Inn in Mount Pleasant appears to be quite accessible. They boast facilities for disabled guests, an elevator, and, thankfully, facilities for disabled guests. (Yes, I'm repeating that, it's that important!). I wasn't able to personally test every nook and cranny, but based on what I saw, navigating the common areas and getting around rooms should be straightforward. However, I didn't specifically request and check a accessible room, so call them for 100% sure. Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] are definite wins. Considering I drove and wanted to pop in and out many times without fuss.
Cleanliness and Safety: Reassuring, But…
Look, we're all hyper-aware of cleanliness these days, right? The Holiday Inn made a clear effort, which I appreciate. They have a Hygiene certification, used Anti-viral cleaning products, and provided Hand sanitizer liberally (thank you!). They also do Daily disinfection in common areas. And, hey, the Room sanitization opt-out available option is cool. They're doing the right things, which made me feel pretty safe. I didn't get to see the Professional-grade sanitizing services in action, but good to know they're there! Also, there's Doctor/nurse on call which is always great to have.
The Room: My Cozy (Almost Perfect) Nest
Ah, the room. This is where a good hotel either shines or… well, doesn’t. My room was pretty darn good. The basics were there: Air conditioning, which I needed because it was surprisingly hot. The Free Wi-Fi worked like a charm (thank goodness!), and there was Complimentary tea and Coffee/tea maker in the room – essential for my morning routine. The Desk situation was adequate. I didn't try to force in some extra work during my vacation, but it was there if I needed it. Extra long bed made me happy as I am 6 foot 2 and it can be tricky!
There were some little imperfections, though. The Blackout curtains were slightly insufficient (morning light crept in a bit), and I think the Soundproofing wasn't perfect. I could occasionally hear… well, stuff. Like other guests talking or the distant hum of the AC. But hey, this is a realistic hotel experience, not a soundproofed sanctuary.
I loved the Air conditioning, which was much better than the old fashioned window-unit that barely managed to cool the room. The Hair dryer and Ironing facilities are always a big plus. Oh and the Daily housekeeping was great!. I was this close to requesting an extra pillow.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Varied, but Not Michelin-Star
Okay, let's talk food. There's a Restaurant on-site. They offer Breakfast [buffet], which is your standard Holiday Inn fare (eggs, bacon, cereal, fruit). I'm not gonna lie, I'm a buffet junkie. But hey, a decent breakfast is better than no breakfast! The Western cuisine in restaurant was solid (burgers, pasta, etc.), and the Bar provided a convenient place to hang out in the evening. There's a Coffee shop, good for a quick caffeine fix. The Poolside bar was sadly closed, due to the time of my visit.
Internet Access & Wi-Fi
You bet they offer it! Internet access – wireless, and they offer Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!. It was speedy and reliable – a MUST for any modern traveler. I like the ability to check up on email using my Laptop workspace or just browse some sites.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: A Mixed Bag
Here's where the Holiday Inn kind of falls into the classic hotel rhythm, although it's not a bad deal. This is Mount Pleasant, not a buzzing metropolis. Also, there's a Fitness center and a Swimming pool [outdoor]. Neither are particularly glamorous, but they do the job. Honestly, I’m not much for pools, but the view from the pool looked good. The gym was as expected, but I only briefly looked so I can't provide a full comment.
If you're looking for high-end spa treatments, Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, and Steamroom, are not on the menu. You might find them at resorts a bit further out, however.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Meh…
The Holiday Inn offers a decent selection of services, like Concierge, Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Doorman, Elevator, Food delivery, and Gift/souvenir shop. The Daily housekeeping was reliable. I didn't need the Laundry service or Dry cleaning, but it's nice to know they're there.
There's a Convenience store if you need a quick snack or forgot something. The Express Check-in/out was a lifesaver on my departure day!
For the Kids:
I didn’t bring any kids, but I noticed a Kids meal option, and they have the standard Family/child friendly offerings. There is no Babysitting service that day, but the offerings are there.
Getting Around:
You're pretty much on your own here. They offer Car park [free of charge]. You could probably get a Taxi service, but I didn't try it. Airport transfer is not listed.
My Overall Impression & The Not-So-Secret Weapon…
Look, the Holiday Inn & Suites in Mount Pleasant isn't going to blow your mind. But here's the thing: It’s clean, comfortable, conveniently located, and the staff were generally friendly and helpful. It's a solid, reliable choice, especially if you’re looking for a good value.
And now, my not-so-secret weapon…
The best thing about this place? Mount Pleasant itself! The hotel is a great basecamp for exploring the area. Think of it as the launchpad for your Michigan adventure.
The Deal! (And Why You Should Book Now!)
Here's my pitch: If you're planning a trip to Mount Pleasant, the Holiday Inn & Suites offers a comfortable and affordable stay. They have all the basics covered, and the location is convenient for exploring the local attractions.
Book now and get a free upgrade to a room with a view! Plus, enjoy breakfast for one! And if you book through my link, you get an extra 10% off! (Okay, maybe I don't have a link, but you get the idea – book directly, and look for the deals!). Treat yourself. Escape to Michigan. You deserve it.
Escape to Paradise: Medan's Coziest Studio Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is… my attempt at wrangling a chaotic weekend at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it.
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for the Perfect Bed Pillow
- 2:00 PM - Arrival & Check-in (aka The Gauntlet of Welcome): Okay, first impressions. The lobby…it's… Holiday Inn-y. You know? Beige, functional, smells vaguely of chlorine and ambition. The check-in lady, bless her heart, probably fields more complaints about clogged drains than the entire Mount Pleasant Fire Department. She seemed friendly, though. Gave us the key, even though it took her like, a millennium to actually find the room. Don't even get me started on the key cards… Always a crapshoot as to whether they'll actually work.
- 2:30 PM – The Room Assessment: Okay, room's…fine. Standard. Feels like I've woken up into a chain-hotel-themed purgatory. The view? Wall. Thrilling. Honestly, the most important first step - finding the correct pillow. I'm a pillow snob. I need the perfect fluff, the perfect density. This is my one and only goal in life right now. Fluffed, pressed, folded, tested…Nope. Too flat. Too lumpy. This is a crisis! I'm going to call housekeeping and demand a pillow intervention. Maybe I'll bring my own next time.
- 3:00 PM – Poolside Ambivalence: The pool. It looks inviting. The water is chlorinated, blue-ish, and there are some bored-looking kids already splashing around. I briefly contemplate dipping a toe, but then a rogue chlorine smell hits me, and I remember my intense dislike of wet socks. Nah. Think I'll just sit here and judge people from the window. Observation: most people look like they're trying to survive a heat wave, which is the reality of the situation.
- 4:00 PM – Chippewa River Rambles & Restaurant Roulette: Alright, time to leave the hotel - no matter how tempting it is to stay in this room and sleep the whole time. I was warned that the town is a bit… quiet on the off season but I'm determined to have fun. Find the Chippewa River! Walk along the banks. It's pretty, actually. Surprisingly lush. I got some decent pics for Insta. Then, the Eternal Question: where to EAT? After a little browsing, we end up at a place called "Clarks's". The food was…mediocre. The waitstaff looked like they wanted to be ANYWHERE else. Still, a meal is a meal, right?
- 7:00 PM – Casino Shenanigans (aka The Money Pit): What else is there to do at Mount Pleasant? Well… we stumbled into the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. We have a bit of a gambling problem but here we go. The lights, the sounds, the desperate hope flickering in everyone's eyes…classic casino stuff. Lost a few bucks on the slots, mostly because I was distracted by the sheer volume of flashing lights. Honestly, I think a migraine is brewing. I’m convinced I’d have better luck just throwing my money out the window.
- 9:00 PM – Bedtime Blues & Room Service Debacle: Back at the hotel, defeated but still slightly buzzing with the casino thrill (or is it just the stress?) I try to order room service. But… there's no room service. At a Holiday Inn & Suites. What is this, amateur hour? I am devastated. I am hungry. I sigh into my pillow, the awful pillow, and decide to just read a book and mourn the lack of mozzarella sticks.
Day 2: Adventures in Breakfast and Retail Therapy (and More Pillow Angst)
- 8:00 AM - The Breakfast Buffet: A Spiritual Journey: Okay, gotta gear up for this. The breakfast buffet. This is always a wild card. It can be heaven, or it can be… well, it can be a sad, sad bowl of lukewarm scrambled eggs. Luckily, the eggs were slightly lukewarm, BUT the little sausage links were surprisingly okay. The coffee, however, could strip paint. I’m gonna need a stronger cuppa to handle the day.
- 9:00 AM - Retail Therapy (aka Spending Addiction): After breakfast, we drove into town to explore some shops. I'm not a big shopper, usually. But something about being in this… place… made me want to BUY STUFF. Ended up at some cute little stores. I bought a t-shirt, a candle, and a whole lot of nothing. I'm so glad I bought the candle though! It smells like cinnamon.
- 11:00 AM - Back at the Room, Resignation, and Pillow Part 2 : Honestly I'm bored. This is gonna be a long day. I'm getting more acquainted with the walls. I am now fully accepting that I will never achieve pillow nirvana in this hotel. Fine. Fine.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch near the campus of Central Michigan University: I'm not a student. BUT. We went to a place that was near campus. I'm impressed. They gave us a good burger.
- 2:00 PM - A Drive Home (aka The Escape): The time has come! Before we leave, I contemplate leaving a strongly-worded note about those wretched pillows. But then I decide to just escape. The drive home is long but I'm so relieved. The freedom. The open road. Pure bliss.
Final Thoughts:
So, Mount Pleasant. Holiday Inn & Suites. It was… an experience. Would I go back? Maybe. The hotel was… a hotel. And the town? Well, it could be worse. But hey, I survived. And I learned a valuable lesson: always bring your own darn pillow. And maybe… some snacks too.
Ladakh's Karting Thrills: Conquer Leh's High-Altitude Track!
Escape to Michigan: Holiday Inn & Suites Mount Pleasant - The Real Deal FAQs (Because Let's Be Honest, Every Hotel Has Secrets)
Okay, spill the beans. Is this place *actually* luxurious? Or is it just... a Holiday Inn?
Alright, alright, let's get real. "Luxurious" might be a *slight* exaggeration, unless your definition of luxury involves a REALLY comfy bed and a shockingly powerful shower head. Look, it's a Holiday Inn & Suites. That means clean. That means reliable. That means… well, you know what you're getting. BUT! Here's the thing. For Mount Pleasant, and especially considering the price point, it's pretty darn nice. The suites are genuinely spacious. I stayed in one where I swear I could've played a casual game of charades *without* knocking anything over. The *fireplace* in my suite? Forget about it! My inner child was bouncing off the walls. (figuratively, of course... I couldn't light a fire anywhere.) Compared to some of the other places in town, it's a serious upgrade. So, not the Four Seasons, but definitely not a Motel 6 either. Think "slightly elevated comfort after a long drive."
The pool. Is it kid-hell, or a relaxing oasis? Be honest!
Okay, the pool. This is where it gets a little... dicey. My experience? A bit of both, honestly. During the day? Full-on kid chaos. Think shrieking, splashing, and the occasional rogue inflatable. I'm not gonna lie, the first hour I was there, I was seriously contemplating just hiding in my room with a book. (And maybe calling room service for a gigantic pizza... Don't judge me.) But! Then, magic happened. Seriously, the evening rolled around, and the screaming died down. The parents moved on to their nighttime activities as well. The lighting shifted, and suddenly, it was… pretty darn relaxing. So, yeah, the pool's a gamble. Aim for late evening, or early morning. Or, you know, bring your own noise-canceling headphones and a healthy dose of "I'm-not-a-child-anymore" attitude!
What about the breakfast? Is it the usual sad continental spread, or something worth getting out of bed for?
Alright, breakfast. The holy grail, or the bane of many a hotel stay. Prepare for the usual hits, right? The bagels, the pre-made eggs that look like sad yellow puddles, the overly-sweetened cereal. But... this Holiday Inn actually surprised me. They had a waffle maker, and I spent an embarrassing amount of time perfecting my waffle-making skills, and probably consumed enough syrup to cause a national maple syrup shortage. They also had decent fruit (thank goodness!) and the coffee? Surprisingly drinkable! (I'm a coffee snob, so that's high praise.) Look, it's not a gourmet brunch. Don't expect avocado toast and artisanal everything. But it's solid, filling, and gets the job done. Plus, waffles, people. WAFFLES!
Okay, the beds. The most important question. Are they comfy, or are they like sleeping on a park bench covered in a thin sheet?
The beds. The *gods* of hotel comfort. And listen, they were fantastic. Honestly, the beds were a major highlight. I flopped onto that thing after a long day of... well, whatever I was doing in Mount Pleasant (can't remember, it's all a blur of comfort), and I swear I almost fell asleep before my head even hit the pillow. They're the kind of beds where you just melt into oblivion. And the pillows? Fluffy, cloud-like perfection. I may or may not have tried to smuggle one out in my suitcase. (I didn't, for legal reasons... but the temptation was *strong*.) They were heavenly. Seriously, I’d go back just for the bed. Well, that, and the chance to conquer those damn waffles again.
What's the deal with the location? Is it convenient, or am I going to be stuck in the middle of nowhere?
Location-wise, it's pretty darn good. It's close to CMU (Central Michigan University), which is a big plus if you're visiting students or attending something on campus. There's also a decent selection of restaurants and stores nearby. You're not going to be stranded. You'll need a car, obviously, because, well, Michigan. But everything you need is within a reasonable distance. I had no trouble finding my way around, even with my notoriously terrible sense of direction. Actually... hold on. I *did* get lost once, trying to find the grocery store. Turns out, I was looking for it in the *wrong* direction. But still, it's generally a convenient location. Just...maybe download a map on your phone before you go, and don't rely on my directions. (Sorry, Mom!)
How's the service? Are the staff friendly and helpful, or are they just going through the motions?
The staff? Mostly great. I've stayed in places where the staff seemed to actively *resent* my existence. Thankfully, that wasn't the case here. Everyone was genuinely friendly and helpful. I had a minor issue with my TV (totally my fault, I'm technologically inept), and they sent someone up to fix it immediately. They were polite, efficient, and didn't make me feel like an idiot for being unable to operate the remote. THAT is a win. Plus, the housekeeping! My room was always spotless, and the little towel animals they left on my bed each day actually cheered me up. (Don’t laugh! After a long day of... well, it’s hard to explain… everything I did there, a little towel elephant made me smile!) So, yeah, good service. No complaints. Unless you count my inability to wrap my brain around the TV remote... but that's all me.
Anything I should be aware of *before* I book? Like, hidden fees, or weird quirks?
Okay, the fine print. Yes, there's always a little something. Double-check the parking situation beforehand; I can never remember if parking was free, or if there was a small charge. And it gets booked up around CMU events... Consider that. Also, and this is a general hotel tip, but still applies: Read the reviews! They're your friend. People will warn you about the things you might not think to ask. And, you know, the usual: check-in/check-out times, cancellation policies... all that boring but important stuff. Also, I noticed the elevator was...slow. VERY slow. So, if you're on a high floor, and hate waiting, maybe request a lower room or bring a good book. Oh, and my biggest regret? I never used the gym! (The photos looked pretty good, at least. You know, good equipment.) So, if you're into that, go! Don't be like me! Don't leave those gains on the table!
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