Harrisburg's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Wertzville Review!
Harrisburg's Best Kept Secret? The Holiday Inn Express Wertzville: A Raw & Honest Review
Okay, folks, let's be real. Finding a decent hotel in Harrisburg isn't always easy. You're looking for something more than just a bed, right? You want clean, convenient, maybe a little bit of oomph. I’ve been on this hunt for weeks and after a grueling search, the Holiday Inn Express Wertzville finally emerged triumphant. But before you book, let's get into the nitty-gritty. I’m talking warts and all. Prepare for a review that’s less press release and more… me.
First Impressions (and the Elevator’s Mystery):
Pulling up, it's your typical Holiday Inn Express, a solid, respectable building. Parking? Free! Score one. But before you get too excited, let me tell you about the elevator. It's like… it's silent. Creepy silent. No announcement of floor numbers, just a slow, steady climb. Seriously, I double-checked to make sure I was still going up. Still, you get a sense of safety with CCTV in common areas and Security [24-hour].
The Room: My Cozy Fortress (Almost)
My room (a non-smoking one, thank goodness – Non-smoking rooms are a MUST) was tidy. The air conditioning blasted (bliss!), and the blackout curtains fought bravely against the sunrise. The desk was functional, the Wi-Fi [free] worked like a charm, important because I like to stream things on the on-demand movies! The bed? Firm, but comfortable. Bonus points for the extra long bed - I'm tall, and I appreciate it! The bathroom was clean, with good water pressure. The only real downside? The décor felt a tad dated. But hey, it's clean, and it has a refrigerator so you can get some beverages for the room. I guess that's a fair tradeoff.
Cleanliness & Safety: Top Marks! (Phew!)
Okay, this is where the Holiday Inn Express Wertzville really shines. In this day and age, cleanliness is crucial. They clearly get it. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. Professional-grade sanitizing services? Check. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check! They're also rocking a serious hygiene game. I saw lots of hand sanitizer, daily disinfection in common areas, and the staff seemed genuinely committed to safety. And they have Hygiene certification! This place felt safe. I actually relaxed. That's gold!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Mixed Bag
Alright, let’s talk food. The breakfast [buffet]… well, it was a buffet. There were the usual suspects: eggs, sausage, cereal, waffles. (And yes, I did make a waffle). It was typical, but acceptable. And you have Breakfast takeaway service if you're in a hurry. The Coffee shop provides quick, convenient coffee and tea. There's is a Snack bar available which is great.
Accessibility, Services, and Conveniences: Good for Everyone!
The Holiday Inn Express Wertzville gets a big thumbs up for accessibility! They offer Facilities for disabled guests, which is fantastic to see. The elevator (yes, the silent one!) makes it easy to get around. The Concierge was super helpful with directions. They have Luggage storage, which helps with a short stay!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (or, the Missing Spa):
This is where the Holiday Inn Express Wertzville is a bit…well, let's say "lacking." They have a small Fitness center, which is fine if you're a jogger. The Swimming pool [outdoor] is nice, but the real let down is the lack of a spa, for a relaxing stay.
Internet, Internet, Internet! – Because We Need it!
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (I mentioned that, right?). This is absolutely essential, and the connection was strong throughout my stay, which is crucial for me since I do a lot of work online.
The Staff: Shining Stars
The real heroes of this hotel are the staff. They were genuinely friendly, helpful, and went above and beyond. They were always smiling, from the folks at the front desk to the breakfast staff. They made me feel welcome.
For the Kids:
They are Family/child friendly.
Getting Around:
You get Car park [free of charge], which is great!
The Big Question: Is it the Best?
Okay, so is the Holiday Inn Express Wertzville the best hotel in Harrisburg? It's not the Ritz, or the Four Seasons. But for the price, the cleanliness, the convenience, and the genuinely nice staff, it's pretty darn close. It’s a solid choice for business travelers, families, and anyone looking for a comfortable, reliable stay.
The Verdict:
- Pros: Cleanliness, friendly staff, free parking, free Wi-Fi, convenient location.
- Cons: Dated décor, limited amenities (no spa).
My Final Thoughts:
I'd stay here again in a heartbeat. It's a solid, reliable hotel that prioritizes cleanliness and guest satisfaction. It's not perfect, but it's a damn good choice. And hey, it might be Harrisburg’s best-kept secret. So, book it!
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Don’t miss out! This offer is valid for a limited time only. Click the link below to book your stay and experience the warmth and comfort of Holiday Inn Express Wertzville! [Link to Booking Site]
Escape to Comfort: Your Manchester, TN Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get a real-life, warts-and-all journey through my planned escapade to the Holiday Inn Express Harrisburg West. And trust me, it's gonna be messier than a toddler's spaghetti dinner, but hopefully, a whole lot more entertaining.
The Grand Ambition: Harrisburg, PA (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Interstate)
Prologue: The Pre-Trip Panic (and the Great Packing Debacle of 2023)
So, Harrisburg. Pennsylvania. Sounds…pleasant, right? I mean, I booked this thing weeks ago, fueled by a potent cocktail of "I-need-a-break" and "that-hotel-looked-cheap." Now, the day's drawing near, and the anxiety is starting to simmer. I’ve been procrastinating on packing. I'm the kind of person who waits until the absolute last minute, then frantically throws everything into a suitcase like a maniac. My closet is currently experiencing a nuclear fallout of clothes on the bed. Will I actually need that sequined jumpsuit? Probably not. But will my brain let me leave without it? Absolutely not. I'm also pretty sure I've lost one of my AirPods. This is what I call pre-travel entertainment, that I wouldn't want to miss.
Day 1: The Arrival and the Quest for Caffeine (and Maybe Actual Breakfast)
- Morning (ish) - The Great Escape Begins: The day starts when it starts. I'm not a morning person, so "early departure" is a relative term. It's more like "whenever-the-coffee-kicks-in-and-I-finally-admit-defeat-and-begin-the-road-trip." Anticipate a dramatic exit. I imagine me tripping over a suitcase and shouting "I am free!" as I slam the car door.
- The Interstate Odyssey: The drive. Oh, the drive. That's where the real character building takes place. Or maybe it's just where I scream along to the radio and judge everyone else's driving. Gotta love the highway. Let’s hope I don't encounter any rogue tumbleweeds (or worse, tumbleweeds of traffic). I'll probably stop at least once for gas, and maybe twice.
- Arrival at the Holiday Inn Express Harrisburg West (fingers crossed): Check-in. This is the moment of truth. Will the room be exactly as advertised? Will the air conditioning work? Will the coffee machine be functional and ready to save me from a caffeine-deprived mental breakdown? Seriously though, a good coffee machine is a basic human right. I'll immediately do the "hotel room inspection": poke the bed, check the water pressure, flip the TV on and off.
- Afternoon - The Caffeine Hunt and the First Impressions: After settling in, the serious business begins: finding the perfect caffeine injection. The Holiday Inn Express usually has coffee, but, honestly, hotel coffee is a gamble. I’ll scope out the surrounding area in search of a decent coffee shop. A good independent place would be a blessing. Or maybe I'll find a dive bar that opens too early. That's always an option.
- Dinner/Evening - Local Eats and Initial Harrisburg Exploration: Somewhere in the evening. I'm think I want to try a local restaurant. I'll google "best Harrisburg food" and see what's what. I might get adventurous. Or I might just end up at a diner because I'm too tired to make decisions.
Day 2: History, Hikes, and Maybe a Mental Breakdown (Hopefully Not)
Morning - Gettysburg Daytrip!: I really want to visit Gettysburg, the famous battlefield. I'm not a huge history buff, but I'm trying to be. I just hope the battlefield isn't scary. It's probably super cool with interesting facts.
Lunch - Food on the Road: I'll probably grab a quick lunch somewhere on the way. Maybe a roadside diner. If the coffee is bad, I'm going to be in a bad mood.
Afternoon - Gettysburg Exploration: The tour! I will probably listen intently, nodding my head. I will pretend to understand the details of the battle or perhaps get a guide to the battlefield.
Evening - Rest and Relaxation (aka, Watching Trash TV): After a day of history (or at least attempting to absorb history), I will return to the hotel. I can unwind and watch some mindless television. Netflix and a bag of chips are calling my name.
Day 3: The Final Day, and the Lingering Questions
- Morning - One Last Caffeine Fix and a Bit of Souvenir Shopping (maybe): The first mission of the morning will be to find a decent coffee. I'll try and find a local coffee shop. I might grab a souvenir… or not. I never know what to buy.
- Departure – Goodbye Harrisburg, Hello Home (and Laundry): Pack up, check out, and hit the road. The drive back will probably be similar to the drive up.
Epilogue: The Post-Trip Debrief (aka, The Truth)
- The Verdict: How did it go? Did I actually learn something? Did I wear the sequined jumpsuit? (The answer is probably yes to the latter).
- The Real Lesson: The travel of life is messy and unpredictable. Embrace the chaos. And always, always pack extra socks.
Well I hope you enjoyed my messy little itinerary!
Bay City Getaway: Unbeatable Comfort Suites Deals!
Holiday Inn Express Wertzville: Harrisburg's…Uh…Well, We'll Get There. Your Honest-ish FAQs
Is this *really* the "best" Harrisburg hotel?
Okay, okay. "Best" might be a generous word. Let's just say it's...*a* Harrisburg hotel. Located near Wertzville Road. And it's a Holiday Inn Express. You know the drill. Clean-ish. Free breakfast-ish. But "best"? Depends what 'best' means to you. If 'best' means "closest to the highway and a decent night's sleep without any major bedbug infestations that I could *tell*," then yeah, maybe. If 'best' means "luxury suite with a butler who anticipates my every whims," then, buddy, you're in the wrong place (and maybe the wrong city!). My 'best' definition shifts depending on my state of mind. One time, after a three-day drive, it was the *best* thing I'd ever seen. Another time with a cold, it was just...a room.
The Free Breakfast - Worth the Hype? (and the potential for soggy scrambled eggs?)
Ah, the breakfast. The *holy grail* of the budget traveler. Look, it's free. Let's start there. And it's generally… edible. Emphasis on generally. The scrambled eggs? Sometimes fluffy cloud. Other times, an unsettling, rubbery texture that whispers, "Maybe I shouldn't." The sausage patties? Often the color of... well, let's just say they're not winning any culinary awards. The make-your-own waffle machine? A true friend. Especially if you can master the art of the perfect golden-brown circle. I’ve had some epic waffle fails, let me tell you. The coffee? It’s coffee. It wakes you up. That's the goal, right? Bottom line: Manage your expectations. It’s fuel. Free fuel. Bonus points for the fruit cocktail, which, let’s face it, probably came from a can but still brightens your day a little. Plus, the staff are always hustling, refilling trays, and plastering on smiles. Kudos to them!
Is the WiFi Strong Enough to Stream My Binge-Watching Sessions? (Or will I be staring at a buffering icon for eternity?)
Alright, so, the WiFi...it's a gamble. Sometimes, it's lightning-fast, and you can catch up on all the trashy reality shows your heart desires. Other times... *sigh*. You're staring at that circular loading symbol, wondering if you've accidentally traveled back in time to the dial-up era. I will say, it's often better in the lobby. And the hotel *does* offer a password, which is more than some places offer. The worst is when you *think* you've connected, and then, *bam*, the internet goes poof halfway through a crucial plot twist. It’s infuriating! Pro-tip: try resetting your device's network settings. Or just, you know, bring a book. Or actually *talk* to the person you're traveling with. I know, wild concept.
Let's Talk Rooms: Are they Clean? (And what about that *smell*... sometimes?)
Okay, the rooms. They’re... usually clean. I’ve never encountered anything horrific, thank goodness. The housekeeping staff are generally on top of things. The sheets seem fresh, the bathroom is… well, a bathroom. But let’s talk about that "hotel smell." You know the one. That slightly stale, vaguely-of-cleaner aroma that hangs in the air. It's not necessarily *bad*, but it's definitely there. I've learned to embrace it. It’s part of the Holiday Inn Express experience, like the questionable sausage patties. I once stayed in a room where the previous guests apparently thought they were living in a petting zoo. I won’t go into the details, but let’s just say the staff handled it with impressive professionalism.
The Pool/Gym - Is it Worth the Effort to Pack Your Swimsuit/Workout Gear?
Okay, let's be real: *Neither* is a total *must*. The pool...is a pool. Sometimes it looks clean, sometimes it looks slightly green-ish. Depends on the day, the season, and the number of kids splashing about. If you're looking for a serious swim, probably not. If you want to cool off after a long drive, maybe. The gym is...a gym. A small one. Maybe a treadmill, a bike, and a weight machine or two. Don't expect a full-blown fitness center. I mean, it's there if you *really* want to torture yourself with a workout while on vacation, but honestly, I'd rather be eating another lukewarm sausage patty. Pack accordingly, but don't feel like you're missing out if you skip it.
Parking - Is It a Nightmare?
Parking? No. Thank goodness, no. It has a decent amount of parking, so you won’t be circling the lot like a vulture. Unless, you know, you arrive at 3 am with everyone else stuck in a trucker breakdown on the interstate. Then, all bets are off. But generally, you're good. Always appreciate a hotel that doesn't make you stress about finding a spot.
Location, Location, Location! What's *actually* nearby?
