Florence's BEST Hotel Deal? IHG's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we’re diving HEADFIRST into the supposed "BEST Hotel Deal" in Florence – IHG's Hidden Gem! (Let's just say I'm slightly skeptical about "hidden" when it's associated with a global chain, but hey, I'm ready to be wowed… or at least mildly amused.) This review is going to be messy, opinionated, and hopefully, a little bit helpful, because let's face it, travel is messy.
Meta-Everything (SEO and Data Dump - Ugh, but Necessary!)
- Keywords: Florence hotels, IHG, Hidden Gem, Accessible Florence, Wheelchair accessible hotel, Spa Florence, Pool Florence, Restaurant Florence, Free Wi-Fi Florence, Best hotel deal Florence, Family-friendly Florence hotel, Florence Italy hotel, Tuscany Travel, Romantic getaway Florence, Florence Travel
- Categories Covered (Jumble of Info - Just like my Brain): Accessibility, On-site accessible restaurants / lounges, Wheelchair accessible, Internet access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Things to do, ways to relax, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Dining, drinking, and snacking, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, 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, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, 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.
The Arrival – Or, My First Impression of "Hidden"
Okay, so "hidden gem" is a stretch. It’s very… well-placed. Right near those things you're probably going to want to visit. The check-in was painless (Contactless? Check! Faster than I could decide if I'd embrace it or secretly hate it). The lobby was… polished. Lots of marble, which screams "prestige," but honestly, it felt a bit like a slightly upscale airport lounge. (Maybe that's the "Hidden Gem" - a secret love affair with airport aesthetics?)
Accessibility – Let's Get Real
This is important. I’m happy to report it SEEMED good. The elevator was spacious, the hallways seemed wide enough, and there's a lot of emphasis on being accessible. Now, I didn't physically test every inch with a wheelchair, but the initial impression was positive. Facilities for disabled guests? CHECK. Now, do they execute accessibility perfectly? That's the real test. Let's hope they get it right!
The Room – My Oasis (Maybe?)
My room was… nice. Clean, which is a HUGE plus. The Blackout curtains were a godsend for fighting jet lag. Free Wi-Fi? Yes! The internet speed was… acceptable. I mean, I managed to stream a movie without wanting to throw my laptop out the window, so I'll call that a win. Air conditioning? Absolutely. God bless air conditioning in the July Florence heat. I had a desk, and it was large enough to actually work on! The mini-fridge helped to keep my prosecco crisp. The In-room safe box provided a great spot in case I needed to hide from my travel group. Let's also mention the Coffee/tea maker: essential.
Cleanliness and Safety – My Inner Germaphobe Sighs in Relief
Everything felt fresh. Rooms sanitized between stays? They said so. Anti-viral cleaning products? I didn't ask to see the MSDS sheets, but I appreciated the effort. I'm still slightly paranoid about touching things, but hey, they provided a lot of Hand sanitizer, so I couldn’t complain.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Stuff That Makes Me Happy (and Slightly Bloated)
- Restaurants: They had a few. One was all fancy, white tablecloths, the whole shebang. Expensive. Beautiful, but after a day of walking, I was aiming for something simple. The other was more casual, the one I went to.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet]? Yes! And actually, pretty good. The standard European fare – pastries, meats, cheeses, and a slightly sad-looking selection of fruit. They offered Western breakfast.
- Happy Hour: Yup! Which meant me, a spritz, and a view. It was amazing.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless up! I had a pizza one night at 2 am because apparently, my internal clock is completely broken.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – The Lazy Traveler's Dream (Sometimes)
- Fitness center: There was one. I looked in. It was small, but perfectly serviceable. Honestly, I’m not sure I made it there. Sightseeing counts as exercise, right?
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: This was their selling point. And it was beautiful. A Pool with a view, really. It was a little crowded, so I found myself slightly stressed out.
- Spa/sauna: They had a lot of treatments, but I went the pool route. I was in vacation mode.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, thank gods.
- Concierge: Helpful. They made all those restaurant reservations that I was too overwhelmed to make myself.
- Daily housekeeping: Spotless. Appreciated.
- Luggage storage: They didn't lose my bag! That's a win.
- Laundry service: I needed it. A lot.
My Big, Rambling, Opinionated Conclusion - Is It Really a "Hidden Gem?"
Look, it's not a "hidden" anything. It's a reliable, well-run hotel in a great location. It's clean, has all the amenities you’d expect, and that pool is chef's kiss. They're trying with the extra touches. Maybe that's the "gem" – they take the effort to be welcoming.
Would I recommend it? Yeah, probably. Especially if the price is right. Is it the MOST amazing, life-altering hotel experience? Maybe not. But, it was perfect for the trip I was on! It depends what you're looking for. If you want a solid,
Escape to History: Luxury at the Griffon Hotel, Atatürk's Turkey
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're diving headfirst into my chaotic adventure at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Florence, SC! This isn't some perfectly curated travelogue. This is real life, folks. Get ready for the glorious mess.
Day 1: Arrival, Awkward Elevators & the Quest for a Decent Coffee
1:00 PM - Arrival & Check-In Tango: Okay, so the drive down from… well, that's not important (let's just say it involved questionable gas station coffee and a near-death experience with a rogue tumbleweed). Finally, I'm here! Check-in was… smooth. Until I got to the elevator. It's like one of those "press the button and pray" situations. Waiting felt like an eternity. Did it even work? Finally, ding! I'm in.
1:30 PM - The Room Reveal & the Bedding Battle: Honestly, not a bad room. Standard HIE fare. Clean-ish (I'll be doing a thorough inspection later, trust me). The bed looks comfy, which is a must after that drive. But OH. MY. GOD. The decorative pillows. I have a thing about decorative pillows. They're fluffy, useless landmines of germs. First order of business? Toss them on the sofa. My inner germaphobe rejoices.
2:00 PM - Coffee Calamity: The free coffee in the lobby? Let's just say it tasted vaguely of despair and regret. I swear, I've had better coffee from a vending machine in a zombie apocalypse. This calls for action. I need a real coffee, and I need it now. Google Maps, lead the way! (Rambling thought: why is it that the best coffee always seems to be several miles away?)
2:30 PM - Coffee Rescue Attempt at a random Shop: Okay, so I found a local coffee shop. The barista had some cool tattoos, which instantly made me feel like I'd stumbled upon a hidden gem. The coffee? Life-changing. Seriously. After the hotel horror, this was a liquid miracle. Worth the trip, and makes the whole "lack of sleep situation" a whole lot better.
3:30 PM - Settling In For A Session of Work: I'm not taking a vacation, but I have to do some work. So, I retreat to my room. This is a real challenge because the room is in a good location, that is, the location of a very busy road. All those thoughts of work? They're gone.
6:00 PM - Pizza Panic & Dinner Dilemma: I feel like I'm on vacation. I didn't take anything. So I order a pizza. The pizza? Was okay. The problem? It was probably my 3rd pizza this week, so I was a little turned off by it. I'm tired. Very tired. I consider the hot tub but I'm just not feeling it.
7:30 PM - Bedtime Battle: Sleep will be a challenge. Those pesky noisy street sounds will be the enemy. But the coffee was good.
Day 2: The History and the Hot Tub (and the inevitable chaos)
7:00 AM - Breakfast Brouhaha: Let's be honest, the free breakfast is a gamble. It's either a surprise victory or a culinary crime against humanity. Today? The scrambled eggs were oddly… gelatinous. Sigh. The sausage, however, was surprisingly decent. Small victories, people. Small victories.
8:00 AM - The Day's Plan: Okay, I make a plan, but the plan is just a vague outline of "do something." I hear there are some historical sights in Florence. Maybe I will check them out. I'm not particularly interested, but I feel like I should be.
9:00 AM - History lesson begins: I head downtown. I find some old buildings. I learn about the history of the area. I'm bored.
12:00 PM - Lunch in the city: I go back to find some lunch. This time it's a burger joint. The burger is good.
2:00 PM - The Hot Tub Gamble: Okay, time to face my demons. The hot tub is calling. I'm picturing myself soaking away all my stresses. But I'm also picturing the people that use it. Will I be able to relax? Or will I spend the whole time judging other people? I take the gamble anyway.
2:30 PM - Hot tub time: Okay, it's not bad. There's a couple, but they're not too annoying. The jets are a little meh, but the water is surprisingly clean. I actually feel my shoulders start to relax. Maybe the hotel isn't so bad after all.
4:00 PM - Another Coffee. Need a coffee. Always need a coffee.
6:00 PM - The Pizza Revenge: Yes, I ordered pizza again. It was late. I was tired. I'm not proud. But this time, it was better pizza. It was the perfect greasy, cheesy, delicious reward for a day of meh-ness.
7:00 PM - The End is Near: Back to the room. I flip through channels. I read a book. I try to sleep, but the street noise is louder than ever.
Day 3: Departure & The Verdict
- 7:00 AM - Last Breakfast Lament: Another breakfast attempt. Same result as the others.
- 8:00 AM - Checkout Chaos: Checkout was super painless, which I appreciated.
- 9:00 AM - The Verdict: The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Florence, SC? It's not perfect. The coffee is awful, the elevators are sketchy, and the location is bad. But it's clean enough, the staff are friendly, and there's a hot tub. Do I recommend it? Yeah, sure. Especially if you're looking for a decent, not-expensive place to crash. It's a solid 6/10, with room for improvement. And hey, at least I survived.
So, what *is* this thing, anyway? Like, what's the deal?
Is this supposed to be helpful? Because, honestly… I’m already confused.
Okay, fine. But like, what *specifically* are you trying to answer/talk about? Still no clue.
What's the best approach for dealing with… say, *anxiety* about… anything?
And the *worst* piece of advice you'll get -- "Just relax." I literally want to punch people when they say that. Like, thanks, I wasn't thinking about relaxing until you so helpfully pointed it out.
How do I deal with… difficult people? You know, the jerks of the world?
- **Avoidance:** If possible, run. Seriously. Sometimes, the best strategy is to simply… disengage. Pretend you have a sudden, urgent appointment with a very persuasive toilet.
- **Kill Them With Kindness (Maybe):** This one’s tricky. Sometimes, a little unexpected niceness throws them off their game. But it also makes me feel like I’m being walked on.
- **The "Mirroring" Gambit:** If they're rude, be *twice* as polite. It's passive-aggressive, I know, but sometimes it works. Sometimes. Usually not.
- **Venting:** Find a friend, a therapist, a diary, a rubber ducky – anyone who will listen while you rant. Because letting it build up will make you explode.
- **Acceptance:** This is the hardest one. Some people are just… jerks. You can't change them, only how you *react* to them. Which, let's be honest, is a work in progress for me.
Here is the perfect example. I was once stuck on an overly-long phone call with an IT person who treated me like I was a complete idiot. The technical issue was on his end, not mine. By the end of it, I was so infuriated I thought my head was going to explode. I almost *wanted* to just start cussing at him (it would have felt really good), but instead, I thanked him profusely (through gritted teeth, I assure you) and hung up. I then proceeded to pace around my apartment for a good half hour, muttering under my breath. Does it work? Sometimes. Do I recommend it? Well, it's a suggestion.
What's the deal with… life goals? Do I even need them? I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
