Charleston Getaway: IHG's Holiday Inn & Suites West - Your Perfect Stay!

Holiday Inn and Suites Charleston West By IHG South Charleston (WV) United States

Charleston Getaway: IHG's Holiday Inn & Suites West - Your Perfect Stay!

Charleston Getaway: Holiday Inn & Suites West - My Messy, Honest, and Surprisingly Good Time! (With a Touch of Panic)

Okay, so Charleston. Dreamy, right? Cobblestone streets, historic charm, the whole shebang. And then there's the Charleston Getaway: Holiday Inn & Suites West. Let's just say it didn't quite align with my preconceived notions of Southern elegance. But, surprisingly, it wasn't a total disaster. In fact, it had its moments. And, hey, a vacation without a few bumps in the road just isn’t a vacation, is it?

Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (Mostly Good!)

First things first: I'm a big fan of accessibility. It's a crucial aspect, and Holiday Inn & Suites West mostly delivered. They proudly boast about having "Facilities for disabled guests," which is always reassuring. Elevators are a definite plus, especially for a clumsy me who would probably trip over a pebble. Wheelchair accessible stuff – ramps, doorways, the works – seemed on point, which is a huge win. The front desk was helpful, though, I'll be honest, getting information was like pulling teeth (but that's probably a me problem, not a hotel problem).

The Pandemic-Proofing (A+ for Effort!)

Okay, let’s talk COVID. Yikes. They really tried to keep things sanitized. I mean, I’ve seen cleaner operating rooms! Anti-viral cleaning products plastered all over, and daily disinfection in common areas. Felt like I was living in a hazmat suit at times, but hey, better safe than sorry! Rooms sanitized between stays was a reassuring touch, and the sheer volume of hand sanitizer stations was…well, impressive. The staff seemed well-versed in all the safety protocols; I saw them wiping down every surface like it was their job (which, I suppose, it was!).

Cleanliness and Safety – Almost Too Clean?

This is where things get a little…obsessive. The rooms sanitized between stays, professional-grade sanitizing services, and the emphasis on sterilizing equipment gave me a slight sense of…unease. However, I can't complain about cleanliness, it was truly spotless. The smoke alarms and fire extinguisher made me feel safe. They even had a doctor/nurse on call which is reassuring. Plus, they provided hand sanitizer which is a must-have at this point!

Getting Around: Pretty Easy (Unless You're Me!)

The car park [free of charge] was a lifesaver. I am a terrible parker and knowing I didn't have to pay for my mistakes was a blessing. They also had car park [on-site], a taxi service and you could even get airport transfer – though, with my luck, I’d probably end up on the wrong side of town.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Emphasis on Adventure!)

Okay, the dining situation at the Holiday Inn wasn't exactly Michelin star material, but it wasn't awful. Breakfast [buffet] was on offer, but I have to say, it was a bit meh. Perfectly adequate, but not exactly inspiring. They did offer breakfast in room which would have been great but I was too lazy. I am a fan of the coffee shop, I needed my morning dose of caffeine. Restaurants were on-site, and you could get room service [24-hour] which is a big plus.

The most memorable (and slightly chaotic) dining experience? Let me tell you. I decided to try the Asian cuisine in restaurant. Now, I love my Asian food, and I was picturing vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, the whole shebang. What I got was…well, let's just say it was an experience. The soup was cold but I ate it anyway. The waiter seemed completely bewildered by my order, the waitress was not very friendly. But I was hungry. So… that meal was a rollercoaster, filled with a healthy dose of confusion and a side of mild disappointment. But hey, it's a story, right? And at least there was a bar for a stiff drink afterward.

Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): The Promises of Paradise

Swimming pool [outdoor] sounded amazing, but the weather was less than cooperative. Maybe the view from the Pool with view would have been nice! They had a Gym/fitness center, which I didn't use, because, well, vacation. They had a Spa/sauna and even a Steamroom all of which I did not have time to try.

The Room Itself: Surprisingly Cozy

My room was…fine. Clean, comfortable enough. They had air conditioning – essential in Charleston’s humidity. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleeping in. And the Wi-Fi [free] worked, which is always a plus. I particularly appreciated the refrigerator for keeping drinks cold. There were towels, toiletries were provided, the usual stuff.

Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag (Again!)

They had a concierge which was okay at times. The daily housekeeping was great. They had a convenience store for late-night snacks, and a desk, a safe and a telephone. The laundry service would have been handy but I didn't take advantage of it. There's also an elevator, luggage storage.

For the Kids: Family-Friendly (Sort Of)

They had babysitting service, which I didn't need, but it's nice to know. They are advertised as Family/child friendly with Kids facilities.

Internet Access: Crucial (and Mostly Good)

I'm glued to the internet, so free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a massive win. I work remotely and the Internet access – wireless was perfect.

In conclusion…

The Charleston Getaway at the Holiday Inn & Suites West? It wasn't perfect. Far from it. But it was clean, safe, and convenient, and let's be honest, sometimes that's all you need. And hey, that slightly chaotic dining experience? It's a story I'll be telling for years. Would I go back? Maybe. Probably. After all, every adventure needs a little mess, right?

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Holiday Inn and Suites Charleston West By IHG South Charleston (WV) United States

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a Charleston, West Virginia adventure, a whole bunch of 'em, starting and ending (mostly) at the hallowed halls of the Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West By IHG in South Charleston. This itinerary? Think more "loose interpretation" than "military precision." We're talking roadmap of chaos, a symphony of slightly-off key moments, and a hefty dose of my personal brand of "I'm-winging-it-but-pretending-I-know-what-I'm-doing" charm.

Day 1: Arrival and the Pursuit of Comfort (and Pizza!)

• 1:00 PM: Arrive at Ye Olde Holiday Inn. Okay, "arrive" might be generous. More like, "stumble in after a three-hour drive that felt like an eternity of questionable gas station coffee and the radio playing the same country song on repeat." Check-in. Pray the key card works. I always forget how to hold those darn things. It's like a secret handshake to the promise of a warm bed.
• 1:30 PM: Room! And… it's… adequate. You know, the kind of room that’s clean enough but still has that generic hotel smell – a mix of air freshener and unresolved wanderlust. Window check. Yep, overlooking the… parking lot. Ah, the glamour. Decide to ignore the view.
• 2:00 PM: The Quest for Pizza. The hunger pangs are REAL. Consult Google Maps (because, priorities). Discover a local joint called "Pizza Paradise." The name alone gives me hope. It's a short drive (thank goodness, I'm starving).
• 2:30 PM: At Pizza Paradise! Oh man, the aroma. This place is a dive, in the BEST possible way. Red and white checkered tablecloths, the smell of oregano singing in the air, and a boisterous group of regulars huddled around a booth, clearly debating the merits of pepperoni versus sausage. It's pure gold, and my inner critic is shushed for the moment.
• 3:00 PM: Pizza arrives. I order a large, just in case. The crust is perfectly crispy, the cheese stretches in glorious, gooey strings, and the pepperoni is… well, it's a pepperoni party in my mouth. It's so good, I nearly cry. I’m pretty sure I ate the entire pizza. Just because.
• 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel, bloated, happy, and ready for a nap. Realize I forgot to pack my bedtime stories. This is a crisis. Use the hotel remote to find some kind of "sleep sounds" channel. Fail miserably. Give up and just let any channel on the TV run.
• 6:00 PM: Wake up. Feel guilty. But the pizza coma was worth it.
• 7:00 PM: Decide to head to the pool and find that it is closed. The universe hates me.
• 8:00 PM: Catch up on missed work emails (sigh). This is so not fun.
• 9:00 PM: Bedtime. Pray I fall asleep before the hotel starts with all its noises.

Day 2: History, Hills, and a Whole Lotta… Walking (and Maybe a Meltdown)

• 8:00 AM: Wake up. Groan. Breakfast at the hotel. The free continental breakfast is as it always is: a lukewarm affair of rubbery eggs, questionable sausage, and slightly stale toast. I load up on the coffee. Desperate times call for caffeinated measures.
• 9:00 AM: Drive into Charleston (the real Charleston, not the "South" version). My brain is doing that thing where it's trying to retain important information, but is also fighting the urge to sing show tunes on repeat.
• 9:30 AM: Visit the West Virginia State Capitol Building. It's… impressive. Marble everywhere! And the stained-glass dome is pretty spectacular, if you can ignore the echo of my shoes on the shiny floors. I get slightly lost in the grand halls, feel like I’m in a movie.
• 11:00 AM: Explore the grounds. Take a moment to just look at the view. Reflect on life. It's good, even with the slightly-too-sticky air.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local cafe. Try the ramps (the local specialty). They're garlicky and pungent, in the best possible way, I think.
• 1:00 PM: The West Virginia State Museum. I make it about halfway through before my brain decides it has had enough history for one day. I am not very good at history. Oh well.
• 2:30 PM: Drive back to the hotel. Take a small wrong turn along the way. Oops.
• 3:00 PM: Check out the hotel's gym. It is small, but it has some working machines. Decide that I don't want to be healthier than the pizza.
• 4:00 PM: The pool is now open! I celebrate by jumping in.
• 5:00 PM: Shower and get ready for a fancy dinner.
• 7:00 PM: Find a dinner place on the drive. I’m feeling fancy and want to wear a nice dress. We go to a restaurant. The food looks AMAZING. I eat the food. It is… okay. So, so.
• 9:00 PM: Head back to the hotel. Can't wait for bed.

Day 3: Odd Ends and My Departure (with Feelings!)

• 8:00 AM: Wake up. Breakfast. Coffee. The usual.
• 9:00 AM: I have a list of places to visit. Start driving in that direction. Get tired of driving. Turn around.
• 10:00 AM: Check out of the hotel.
• 10:30 AM: Decide to start driving back home.
• 11:30 AM: Stop to get some gas, and some very bad gas station coffee.
• 12:30 PM: Arrive back home.

Yup, this is my experience. Was it a perfect trip? Heck no. Did I eat too much pizza? Absolutely. Did I learn a thing or two (or miss a whole bunch of them)? Probably. But it was mine, and that, my friends, is what matters. And hey, next time I’m booking a suite with a jacuzzi. Just saying…

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Holiday Inn and Suites Charleston West By IHG South Charleston (WV) United States```html

Charleston Getaway: Holiday Inn & Suites West - ...Maybe It's Perfect, Maybe Not? (Let's Be Real)

Okay, spill the tea! Is this really the "perfect" stay like the brochure blares?

Alright, alright, settle down with your sweet tea. "Perfect"? Honey, that's a loaded word, like asking if my ex was *really* a good dancer. Holiday Inn & Suites West? It's... *fine*. Look, you're not going to find a Michelin star in the lobby, but you're also not going to get bedbugs that eat your toes. (Fingers crossed!) It's Charleston. The city is the star. The hotel is... the reliable sidekick. Think Batman and Robin. Or more accurately, Batman and Alfred the Bat-Butler who makes the soup and handles the dry cleaning. Got it? Good.

The Location, Location, Location... Is it *actually* convenient? Or am I going to spend my whole vacation in Ubers?

Location! It's a Choose Your Own Adventure situation. Holiday Inn West is...well, *west*. Not right in the heart of the cobblestone craziness. That means you *might* need an Uber a few times. But! Hear me out: It *also* means you're not dealing with the absolute insanity of trying to park your rental car. Trust me on this. I *once* spent a solid hour circling the French Quarter looking for a spot, and I swear I aged five years in that parking purgatory. So, convenience? A sliding scale. Easy public transport? Nope. Parking hell? Avoided. Your call.

The Rooms: Cozy? Cramped? What's the vibe?

Rooms... Okay, here's where things get a little... unpredictable. I've stayed in rooms that felt like I was living in a freshly-pressed, perfectly-organized magazine spread. Clean, spacious, all the right angles. *Then* I've stayed in rooms that screamed, "We ran out of space! Also, we haven't updated the curtains since the Reagan administration!" Basically, they're consistently *functional.* Assume you'll be able to maneuver, store your luggage, and find a place to sleep. Hope for clean sheets. Pray for a decent view (it's mostly parking lots, let's be real). The important thing is you're in Charleston. The room is just for sleeping. Or you know, hiding from the humidity.

Breakfast: Free? Good? Or a tragic buffet of lukewarm sadness?

Breakfast...Oh, breakfast. This is a gamble. I *think* there's a free breakfast involved. But free breakfast can be a trap. Think of it as a lottery. You *might* win a golden omelet. More likely, you'll get a sad, rubbery egg, barely-there coffee, and an unidentifiable breakfast meat that's *almost* edible. My advice? Go in with low expectations. Grab a waffle and a coffee. And pray the toaster is working. The waffles are usually fine. Seriously. Waffles are the unsung heroes of the budget breakfast world.

The Pool: Clean and refreshing or... something you'd rather not look at?

The pool... Okay, I have a *story*. I went to the pool. It was after a long day of walking around, and I was *dying* for a dip. I see this pool, and there's *one* kid making a cannonball. No big deal, right? I walk over, and I take a look... and there are *leaves*. So many leaves. Like, it looked like a small forest decided to party in the pool overnight. There was also a questionable ring of...something...around the edge. Look, I'm not saying it was *unclean*, I'm just saying I turned around and went back to my room and ordered a cocktail. The pool: proceed with caution. Maybe bring your own net. Seriously. Always scope out the pool before committing.

Is there a gym? And if so, is it actually usable?

Gym? They almost always advertise a gym. "State-of-the-art fitness center!" It's one of those promises you politely ignore. Because even though I *intend* to use the gym on vacation (ha!), the reality is, I usually just glance in the door and go back to my room to watch Netflix and order room service. But fine, let's say you're the type who actually exercises when on vacation. There IS a gym. It might or might not have a treadmill that works, the weights might or might not be bolted to the floor, and that "state of the art" elliptical might be older than me. So, depends on your definition of usable. If you're REALLY committed, pack your own dumbbells.

Hidden Gems or Tourist Traps? Any tips for making the most of my stay (at the hotel *and* in Charleston)?

Hidden Gems and Tourist Traps. Okay, THIS is where I come alive! First, the hotel: The staff is generally lovely. Be nice to them. They're the unsung heroes. Ask them for local restaurant recommendations (they often have the best intel!). Charleston itself? Okay, here’s the deal. * **Tourist Trap Avoidance:** Skip the horse-drawn carriage tours if you're on a budget. They're cute, but pricey. Explore on foot. * **Hidden Gem Hunting:** Get lost down the side streets! The little alleys are where the real charm lives. Find a bookstore, a tiny art gallery, a secret garden…you never know! * **Food Matters:** Get a reservation at Husk, (because it's worth it, even if it's expensive). Also, find a good local seafood shack (a must!). Don't sleep on the Charleston Farmer's Market if it aligns with your trip dates. * **Hydrate:** Charleston gets seriously humid. Drink water. Drink more water. And then drink some sweet tea. But mostly water. * **Enjoy the Ride:** Forget about perfect. Embrace the imperfections. That's what makes Charleston, Charleston. Get ready to take a bunch of photos.

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Holiday Inn and Suites Charleston West By IHG South Charleston (WV) United States

Holiday Inn and Suites Charleston West By IHG South Charleston (WV) United States

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