Holiday Inn Express State-cation | Special Surprise
November 17, 2009 by admin - Jennifer
Filed under Jen's Journal
I was recently invited to experience Holiday Inn Express and their newly renovated hotel in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Let me tell you I was pleasantly surprised! Having stayed in Holiday Inns in the past I could immediately tell what some of their upgrades were just stepping into the lobby. Let me tell you about them…
The outside of the hotel has been changed to reflect their new logo (I forgot to take a closer picture of the logo on the building), which you can see better above. Walking into the hotel we were faced with a completely overhauled lobby. Before there were only a few chairs, that were old and worn. Not anymore, the lobby itself had a nice contemporary feel with new paint, new furniture and artwork. But I will have to say the one thing that immediately hit me was a soft background sound and a wonderful almost citrus scent that filled the air and seemed to be an ever present smell throughout the hotel for the entire duration of our stay. I spent a good portion of my stay trying to figure out how they did it. That relaxing sound and wonderful scent was a huge plus for me.
Upon arriving at the front desk I was greeted by a very nice woman and she was extremely helpful and even engaged my children in conversation. I was very happy about that, because it made me feel like she thought my children were important too. After stickers were given out to my toddler and our rooms were ready we headed over to the elevator to continue checking out all the new upgrades. We waited while the elevator rose and when the doors opened I immediately fell in love with what I saw…
Coffee! On my floor! So I didn’t have to go all the way downstairs to get a cup when I wanted one (and I drink at least 3 cups a day)! BRILLIANT!!!!! I was super impressed by that and throughout my stay was so happy that all I had to do was walk down the hallway a little to get a hot cup of coffee. Even met someone while making a cup that knew who I was, which is always fun!
So we headed to our rooms and we were in for another surprise. They are very good sized rooms, which with a family of 5 is a good thing. We never once felt like we were too crowded or stepping on each others toes. We had a room with a king size bed and then an adjoining room with two queen beds. TWO?!? Yes, two and it was perfect!
And speaking of perfect, the bathroom was set up great. Not only did it have Simply Smart cinnamon scented shampoo, conditioner and lotions but it also has upgraded showers featuring specially designed shower heads with great water pressure, something you don’t normally find in a hotel, and a signature shower curtain with a curved rod and a sheer top which lets more light into the shower stall, something that is sorely lacking in hotel bathrooms. As a side note I love towel art, and my kids were so excited to see some of the towels that were around the rooms that looked like animals.
Our rooms had a refrigerator and microwave combo, something that for an extended stay is crucial, especially if you have people that eat at different times or different foods. We took full advantage of having this by bringing some of our own drinks from home and we even enjoyed a bowl of popcorn one of the nights and even had a pillow fight, good times. Oh and something I wanted to be sure to tell my readers about the pillows. Each one on your bed, four in total, had a cover on them that said if the pillow was firm or soft. I thought that was a great touch. And when I say it said it I mean the words were embroidered on the cover. Really impressed with that.
We didn’t get a chance to use their pool or the new slide because believe it or not it was a little too cool for us to be swimming. But I went out and took pictures and really hope to go back again when the warmer weather kicks in to try out their new water slide because it looks so cool. The slide actually shot you out through the waterfall, that is something I haven’t seen before.
Both mornings we made our way down for their free breakfast in the restaurant. They had so much food it was hard to make a decision on what to have. From scrambled eggs and bacon to cereals and hot cinnamon rolls I was full before I even started eating! I was also happy to see fresh fruit and yogurt for me and my toddler, always nice to see healthy choices too.
We had so much fun on our state-cation, something that I love doing with my family. Staying at the Holiday Inn Express was a treat in itself too. Because when you have a nice hotel and great amenities where you are staying it lets you worry about other things. My kids loved their “own room” and I love the relaxing pace I was able to have through the weekend. I can’t say enough about the people who I met, everyone from the front desk clerk to the housekeeping staff greeted me warmly, had something nice to say to me or my children and really made me feel like I was at home. Thank you for a great weekend Holiday Inn Express!!! Check out my Whrrl photo story as well for some new pictures.
Holiday Inn Express provided my family and I a full weekend stay to experience our state-cation and I received an AMEX gift card to offset the cost of gas and food for my family and I.
Now on to my special surprise for readers of The Dirty Shirt. I have been given the special opportunity to giveaway a one night stay State-cation in your area. State-cation giveaway includes: (1) standard hotel room for up to 4 people for (1) night at a newly renovated Holiday Inn Express. Will be working with the winner to coordinate two double beds or one queen/king size bed. *dependent on timing/hotel availability
Please see rules below to enter to win today!
Giveaway
- MAIN RULE – Tell me in comments where you would go if you could have your dream vacation. (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
- 1 Extra Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed or by email (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
- 1 Extra Entry – Follow me on Twitter (button in subscribe section on the right sidebar) and let me know your Twitter name in a separate comment.
- 1 Extra Entry – Tweet this giveaway. Copy and paste – @Jentifa is giving away a Holiday Inn Express One Night Stay! Check it out here http://bit.ly/NLPuy. Then come back and leave the direct link to your tweet (go to your twitter account, click on the words when your tweet was sent (ie. 5 seconds ago) and copy and paste that link in comments.
- 2 Extra Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog.
This giveaway will run through midnight on December 2, with winner being announced the morning of December 3. Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
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My dream vacation would be all expenses paid and no time limit to anywhere. If money and time were no object I would go everywhere. Even the places where no one ever expresses an interest in going. But I guess my fall back location will always be London.
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Dream vacay is to Hawaii with my hubby and to check out the Volcanoes!! Ahh to dream!
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My dream vacation would be to Australia, but Disney World would make me very happy
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my dream vacation would be to hawaii
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Our dream vacation is a family trip to Disney World. Would love to take the kids there. My personal dream vacation would be one to Greece to see where my great-grandfather came from. I would also love to go to Rome.
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italy is where i’ve always wanted to go
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deefna Merry Christmas! @Jentifa is giving away a Holiday Cheer Giant Fortune Cookie! Check it out here http://bit.ly/4jtFlC
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oops wrong link….sorry
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@Jentifa is giving away a Holiday Inn Express One Night Stay! Check it out here http://bit.ly/NLPuy
Tahiti!!
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My dream vacation would be to go to Barcelona to see where my dad was born.
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http://grand-giveaways.blogspot.com/2009/11/holiday-inn-giveaway.html
#1
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Blogged:
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I would love to go to the Bahamas!
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I’ve always wanted to go to Marbella in the south of Spain.
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Dream vacation – going to Barcelona then taking a train to Paris.
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If I could go anywhere, I would go to St.Lucia… this time of year would be awesome! I could sit on the beach and drink pina coladas- in the winter!
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My dream vacation would be taking my entire family to Disneyworld in flordia,that sounds easy right?no,ive got 6 children ,5 grandchildren,an half of them live 1200 miles away,so its a dream if we can get all of the bunch together!
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I posted a blog on my facebook;Vickie Couturier @Jentifa is giving away a Holiday Inn Express One Night Stay! Check it out here http://bit.ly/NLPuy
My dream vacation would be to go to Egypt.
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IF I could go anywhere on a dream vacation….I would go to North Carolina….I have family there and it is beautiful
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thanks
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My dream vacation would be going to Ireland! I have always wanted to go their.
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My dream vacation is Hawaii … relaxing on the beach …seeing the beauty – it doesn’t get any better than that.
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I want to go to Greece so badly!
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My dream currently is to be in Denver.
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I would probably go to Egypt because Ive always wanted to see the Pyramids and my grandparents went a few years ago and loved it.
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my dream vacation would be a trip to Alaska
For my dream vacation, I’d go to Jamaica. My grandparents said it was lovely there.
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My dream vacation would be to a mostly deserted tropical island. Thanks for the giveaway!
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London or maybe somewhere in Ireland would be a perfect vacation
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My dream vacation would be Alaska. I’ve heard the scenery there is breathtaking!
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Twitter: kellyblackwell
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My dream vacation would be a nice long cross country trip. I would love to stop at some of our countries beautiful National parks AND definitely Lake Superior! Thank you for the chance!
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I tweeted your giveaway!
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I’d love to go to Hawaii! Thanks!
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I blogged! 1
http://theadventuresofpaulnatalie.blogspot.com/2009/11/holiday-inn-express-giveaway-ends-122.html
I blogged! 2
http://theadventuresofpaulnatalie.blogspot.com/2009/11/holiday-inn-express-giveaway-ends-122.html
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I blogged your giveaway
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Entry 1
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I blogged your giveaway
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Entry 2
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My dream is to go to Hawaii!
Sunny, beaches yes!!
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blog entry 2
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http://twitter.com/spitfyr323/status/6088373661
I would go to Iran
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I want to go to Antarctica.
But I don’t think they have Holiday Inn Express there.
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my dream vacation would be for me and my family to stay in a cottage by the ocean where we could swim in our own private beach. None of us have ever been there so it would be fun.
My dream vacation would be taking the QE-II to Europe and traveling on the Orient Express all over!
My dream vacation is to take my family and my parents to Hawaii.
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I would go to Australia or New Zealand! Maybe someday…..
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I would go to Africa!
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For my dream vacation, I’d go back “home” to Scotland. I wish we could afford to. I’d love to visit Jamaica too, where my mum grew up.
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#1
I blogged
http://goodieslist.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-night-stay-in-holiday-inn-hotel-dec-2.html
#2
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Twitter: rebeccacruz7
says:
Since I have been away from paradise.. I would love to take my family to a Carribbean resort somewhere that the ocean is crystal clear and the fish can be seen.. Maybe St. Croix Virgin Islands or the Bahamas.. anything like that sounds great!!
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main entry: my dream vacation would be to go to ireland thanks
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i tweeted this giveaway thanks
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my blog post link to this giveaway entry#1
http://mamawjsmomentaway.blogspot.com/2009/12/win-holiday-inn-express-one-night-stay.html
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my blog post link to this giveaway entry#2
http://mamawjsmomentaway.blogspot.com/2009/12/win-holiday-inn-express-one-night-stay.html
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I would love to go back to Kauai. I am sure it is the best place in the world.
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I’d go to hawaii on my dream vacation.
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My dream vacation is a five month hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. But right now with the days getting shorter and the cold weather starting, I would settle for a week anywhere warm:)
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hi faggot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!