Pittsburgh's BEST Hotel? (Holiday Inn Express West Mifflin Review!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a review of [Hotel Name], and trust me, it’s going to be less dry, sterile corporate brochure and more… well, me. Think of it as your slightly tipsy friend spilling the tea (or maybe the coffee, because, you know, breakfast).
Let's start with the basics, because, frankly, if the basics are botched, everything else is just icing on a burnt cake.
Accessibility - The Good, The Okay, and the “Hmm…”
Right, so Accessibility. It's a big one these days, and it's important. [Hotel Name] does have some good points. They list "facilities for disabled guests," which is vague, but a start. They also have an elevator, which is HUGE. But… (Here’s where my inner skeptic starts to twitch) the details get a little fuzzy. No explicit mention if the pool area is truly wheelchair accessible, or if all restaurants have ramp access. So, score them a maybe on the full Accessibility checklist. They do have a "visual alarm," which I'm all about. Safety first, people!
Okay, let me get on to the other features!
- On-site accessible eating places/lounges: The good is that they claim they have restaurants but the accessibility is not clear.
- Wheelchair accessible: Might be, might not be, I wish more details, what if my friend is in one?
- Internet access: Great!
- Free Wi-fi: Yes, in all of the rooms too!
- Internet: Yes.
- Internet services: I do wish more details.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Fine.
The internet situation:
Okay, so the internet is mentioned a bunch of times. (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms is a MAJOR win – not gonna lie.) Internet [LAN] is also listed, a blast from the past or a good, solid backup depending on your needs. Internet services are there. I wish they were more upfront about speeds etc.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – A Smorgasbord of Bliss…or a Checklist?
Now, this is where [Hotel Name] really shines. We're talking:
- Spa: YES.
- Sauna, Steamroom, Pool with a View: Triple YES.
- Body scrub, Wrap, Massage: I mean, are you even living if you're not getting a scrub?
I’m picturing myself already, lounging by the pool (hopefully with a cocktail – more on that later!), letting all my worries melt away. My absolute favorite part? The "Pool with a View." (Okay, I'm a sucker for a good view.)
The Fitness Freak in Me is Slightly Underwhelmed
Now, I’m not going to lie, I’m more of a "relax in the spa" kind of person than a "hit the gym every morning" kind of person. But, a Fitness Center, Gym/Fitness and a Pool are listed. Solid.
Cleanliness and Safety – Because We’re Living in the Age of…Well, You Know
This is where I want to see the hotel being SUPER on top of their game. They list a whole raft of things:
- Anti-viral cleaning: Okay, great.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Necessary.
- Room sanitization: Good, makes me feel better.
- Staff trained in safety: Fantastic.
- Hand Sanitizer: Yay!
- Safe Dining: Great.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – My Kind of Categories
This is where my heart races.
- Restaurants, Bar, Poolside Bar… Oh, YES.
- Breakfast [Buffet]: I love buffets as a general statement.
- Room service [24-hour]: Now we're talking.
I'm especially interested in the possibility of:
- Happy Hour: My kind of happy.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant/coffee shop: I’m going to need a lot of coffee.
The Food – The Real Deal
Alright, let's be real. I want to know about the food. They mention a la carte, Asian and Western options, and a vegetarian restaurant! I'll be looking for a good salad, a delicious soup.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Make Life Easier
This list is long – and good! The essentials are there, Air conditioning, daily housekeeping (bliss!) concierge service, laundry, luggage storage, dry cleaning. These are the things that make a hotel stay a vacation and not just a place to crash.
For the Kids – Family-Friendly or Family-Overwhelmed?
Babysitting service is listed! But, they are “Family/child friendly”, so is it good for kids? Or good for me?
Rooms – The Real Test
This is where the rubber meets the road. For those of us who have had the misfortune of spending a miserable night in a hotel!
- Air conditioning: A must.
- Bathrobes, Slippers: Nice touches (but I'm a bathrobe fiend).
- Free Wi-Fi: We've covered that.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for me (I hate the sun!).
The Verdict (and the Personal Anecdote)
Okay, folks, here’s the rundown. [Hotel Name] ticks a LOT of boxes. I really appreciate the detailed descriptions of amenities.
But here is my opinion: Based on this information, I'd book it! If I did, I'd be hitting the spa first. Then, the view pool! Then, I go for food, and finally, sleep!
Final Touches and a Compelling Offer!
Listen, life's too short for mediocre vacations. (It's also too short to read boring marketing copy.)
So here's the deal:
Book your stay in August and receive a complimentary spa treatment of your choice, plus a discount for your friend!
[Hotel Name] isn't just a place to stay; it's an experience. It's a place to unwind, to indulge, to simply be. And, let’s be honest, after the last year or two, we all deserve a little bit of that. So treat yourself. You’ve earned it.
Happy travels, friends!
Lausanne Escape: Unbeatable Ibis Budget Bussigny Deals!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This ain't your grandma's itinerary, this is MY itinerary. And we're hitting the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in West Mifflin, PA like a hurricane of caffeine and questionable decisions. Let's do this, and pray to the travel gods we don't end up in jail… again.
Destination: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pittsburgh West Mifflin (By IHG) - The Launchpad
Day 1: Arrival, Exhaustion, and the Eternal Quest for Decent Coffee
- 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Arrive at the hotel. Ugh, airport hell was a brutal experience. Seriously, how many people actually know how to pack a suitcase? Mine looked like a rabid squirrel exploded inside. Check-in. Pray the room doesn't smell like the lingering ghosts of stale cigarette smoke and sadness. Fingers crossed
- 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Room reveal. Okay, it’s… a room. Standard. Beds look comfy. Bathroom better be clean, or heads will roll (figuratively speaking, of course. I need to maintain my generally law-abiding status). Quick unpack, or more like, throw everything into the general direction of the closet.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Great Coffee Hunt. My internal organs are screaming for caffeine, and after that flight delay, I need a jolt like a defibrillator. Heading for that "complimentary" coffee station. Wish me luck, I'm mentally preparing myself for burnt Folgers. (Spoiler alert: It was even worse than I expected. Weak, watery, and tasting vaguely of despair. Seriously, IHG, step it up!)
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Unplanned Napping. Jet lag is a real beast. Collapsed on the blissfully unremarkable bed. Dozed off briefly, had a dream about a pizza wearing sunglasses - the pizza in my dream said I was a disappointment. Woke up feeling worse than before. Damn you, pizza dream.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Decide to explore around the hotel. Walked around to the vending machines, and pondered getting a snack. Realized I had no cash, and remembered some card-only machines were a real pain.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Try asking the receptionists for help. They have a decent restaurant suggestion.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Decided to heed the receptionist's advice. Walked over there and proceeded to have a late dinner. Food wasn't fantastic but it could be worse.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back to hotel, went to bed, had a terrible sleep.
Day 2: Entertainment and A Moment of Pure Regret
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Wake up. Coffee again. Preparing for the worst (see: Day 1).
- 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM: The coffee was slightly better than yesterday. Victory! Sort of.
- 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM: Went to the pool, saw some kids.
- 9:30AM - 11:30 AM: Decided to go to the nearby Kennywood Park. This was the highlight of the trip. The rollercoasters were amazing. Screaming and laughing, the thrill of the coasters. The park was packed, but the lines moved surprisingly fast.
- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Had a hotdog. It was pretty decent.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Headed back to the hotel.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Thinking about the joy of the rollercoasters.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Watched a movie.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Dinner again…
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The dinner was the same as yesterday.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Decided the trip was fun.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Finished packing and getting ready to return home.
- 7:00 PM - Onward: Depart the Hotel, back home. Exhausted, exhilarated, and slightly traumatized by the coffee (again).
Important Considerations & Ramblings:
- Coffee: This is a major priority. Bring your own instant coffee, a tiny French press, whatever you need to survive. Trust me.
- The Continental Breakfast: Don't get your hopes up. It's free, it's fuel, and you'll probably eat too many carbs because, well, you're on vacation.
- Hotel Staff: Be nice to them! They're probably dealing with a bunch of cranky, jet-lagged travelers. And they probably know the hidden gems of the area.
- Unexpected Delights: Embrace the chaos! That tiny diner you find down a side street? The random street performer who's actually good? Those are the moments you'll remember.
- Regret: You will inevitably have moments of regret. Don't beat yourself up; it's practically written into the contract of travel. It’s part of the adventure, the messy, wonderful, imperfect reality of a trip.
This itinerary is a suggestion. It's a starting point. It's also probably going to change the second I encounter a cute dog, a greasy spoon, or a particularly enticing vending machine.
So here's to a trip filled with questionable coffee, unexpected adventures, and a healthy dose of delightful chaos. Cheers!
AWA Hotel Germany: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits You!
Alright, let's be *real*. What's the BIGGEST pain in the backside about... well, *everything*?
And then there's the waiting *after* you've asked a question. You know, when you're waiting for an answer, or waiting for *them* to respond, or waiting for a reply to ask if it's *them* who's not replying when you need a reply? The *anticipation*! It's a killer. My own brain is the worst sometimes, I start thinking, "Oh no, did I offend? Are they ignoring me? Did my emoji choice send the wrong signals?" I literally torture myself. All this waiting wears me out and it's so annoying! Ugh.
Spill the tea! What's a mistake you made that still makes you cringe?
It was bad. *Really* bad. My face went the color of a ripe tomato, and I swear I could feel the collective eye-roll of every other person in the room. Now, years later, I still wake up in a cold sweat, replaying that moment in my head. I even have a *script* in my head if I ever meet a VIP again. I try to look as cool as possible, but inside? I'm a panicked mess and I'm just hoping and praying that no one will ever have to find out.
The worst part? I can't even blame it on nerves. I just straight-up blanked. So now I run through a whole list of scenarios right before I meet someone important, their name, their spouse/family, their background, it's exhausting but I now always confirm the name, and ask even if I know it.
What's the ONE thing you always get wrong? And... how do you deal with it?
So how do I deal with it? Well, I’ve developed a whole *system*. I measure EVERYTHING. Three times. I pull out the tape measure, I mentally imagine it in place, and I try to get someone else's opinion. And even with all that, sometimes I still get it wrong. I think it's because, sometimes, my enthusiasm just overrides my common sense. I like to think of it as a character flaw. I like to think of it as *me*.
What's the most unexpectedly helpful thing you've ever learned? And was it fun?
And it *worked*. I'm not saying it magically solved everything, but it got me back on a more even keel. It centered me and gave me a sense of control. It wasn't fun at the time, but I would say there's something to be said of surviving a stressful or bad situation. I've used it in lots of situations. And now I find myself using it for all sorts of things – before a big presentation, when I'm feeling overwhelmed, even when I'm just stuck in traffic. It's a surprisingly effective tool. So, was it fun? Not at first. But, the fact that it works... that's pretty fun.
Let's talk about emotions! What emotion do you struggle with the most?
It's the reason I often hesitate before trying something new. It's why I overthink everything and second-guess every decision I make. It tells me I'm going to mess up, fail, and embarrass myself. And let me tell you, it's exhausting. I'm getting better but it never truly goes away. I try a lot of things to quiet that voice. Sometimes, I force myself to do the thing I'm afraid of. Other times, I try to focus on my strengths, even though it makes me feel like I am self-absorbed. But honestly? It's a work in progress, and probably always will be. It's like trying to wrestle a particularly persistent gremlin. The little monster never gives up!
