
Rawlins Getaway: Your Perfect Holiday Inn Express Stay (WY)
Rawlins Getaway: My Honest(ly Messy) Holiday Inn Express Review - Buckle Up, Buttercup!
Alright, folks, let's talk Rawlins, Wyoming. And more specifically, let's gab about the Holiday Inn Express there. 'Cause let's be real, in the vast expanse of Wyoming, that glowing sign is a beacon of… well, not exactly luxury, but solid, dependable comfort. And after a long drive across the state, that's sometimes all you need.
Before We Dive In: Metadata & SEO Jerk-off (Gotta Do It, Sorry!)
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- Meta Description: "My unfiltered review of the Holiday Inn Express in Rawlins, WY! From accessibility and free Wi-Fi to the breakfast buffet and questionable hygiene, I dish out the honest truth. Is it a perfect getaway? Maybe not. Is it memorable? Absolutely. Read on!"
The Arrival: Smooth(ish) Sailing
First impressions? Standard Holiday Inn Express. Beige, functional, and emitting a vague aura of "been there, done that." The exterior corridor gave me a nostalgic flash of budget road trips past. You know, the kind where you secretly judge your fellow travelers based on their bumper stickers… guilty.
Accessibility: (Mostly) Thumbs Up!
Now, as someone who sometimes travels with a slightly wonky knee, accessibility is always on my radar. This place scores pretty well. The lobby was wheelchair accessible, and the elevator was a godsend after a long haul in the car. (Accessibility, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Wheelchair accessible). I didn't personally check if there were any specific rooms, but it looked like things were set up right. Now, this is Wyoming, people, so don't expect the Four Seasons. But for a roadside hotel, accessibility was a clear priority. Well done!
Rooms: Clean-ish, Comfy-ish
My room? (Air conditioning, Alarm clock, 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, 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, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens). Ah, the usual suspects. A perfectly adequate bed, which thankfully was extra-long (appreciated after a long car ride). The blackout curtains were essential for battling the Wyoming sun. The Wi-Fi? Free, and mostly reliable, which is all I ask. (Though, I will admit, I did get a little too familiar with the hotel's Wi-Fi password after a few episodes of a streaming show on the laptop… #sorrynotsorry). The fridge held my precious sodas and snacks, always a win. It was clean, but let’s be honest, “pristine” wasn’t exactly the word I would have used. Let's call it “clean-adjacent”.
The Breakfast Buffet: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
Oh, the breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. (Asian breakfast, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Alternative meal arrangement, Individually-wrapped food options, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items). I'm a sucker for a hotel breakfast. But this one… okay, here we go. The usual suspects were there. Eggs (scrambled, a little… questionable texture wise), sausage (definitely artificial-tasting), cereal (the good stuff, with marshmallows, thankfully!), toast, and… the ever-present waffle maker.
Now, the waffle maker. This is where my little hotel breakfast story turns into Shakespearean drama. I was determined to make myself the perfect waffle. Crispy edges, fluffy center, the works. I poured the batter, waited, then POP! The darn thing exploded. Ok, maybe not exploded, but it definitely ejected a substantial amount of hot batter onto the counter, and my hand. (My emotional reaction: Mild panic, followed by "Well, this is a disaster, but thankfully a small one.")
The saving grace? Individually wrapped breakfast options to take away. They were, in all fairness, perfectly edible. Disaster averted.
Hygiene & Safety: The New Normal?
Okay, let's talk COVID. (Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, 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, Staff trained in safety protocol). The hotel claimed to be taking things seriously. There were hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Staff wore masks. The common areas appeared to be cleaned frequently. The whole place had a faint smell of bleach, which, honestly, wasn't unwelcome. I saw signage about room sanitization and opt-out options, so they're trying. I can't vouch for the full effectiveness of their protocols, but they were trying.
Amenities: Pool? Yes. Spa? Not So Much.
The pool? (Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor]). Yes, there's a pool! And it looked inviting enough… from a distance. Being outside in the Wyoming wind and feeling the temperature below freezing did not necessarily inspire a plunge. I didn't dip in, but it looked clean and the area was tidy.
Spa, Sauna, Steam Room? Absolutely not. This is a Holiday Inn Express, people. Temper your expectations.
More Rambling…
(Doorman, Elevator, Front desk [24-hour], Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cash withdrawal, Coffee shop, Convenience store, Daily housekeeping, Elevator, Ironing service, Laundry service, Non-smoking rooms, Room service [24-hour], Smoking area). Beyond the above, the staff was friendly enough, the front desk was there 24/7. There was a (tiny) convenience store. There was a bar which was fine if you are looking for a late-night drink. If you’re travelling as a group, there are meeting facilities. Luggage storage was available, which was handy.
The Verdict: Embrace the Imperfection!
Look, the Holiday Inn Express in Rawlins isn't going to win any awards for luxury. But it's cleanish, comfortable enough, and offers a decent breakfast (once you master the waffle maker). It ticked the boxes for accessibility and safety. Yeah, there's room for improvement, sure. But it's a solid, dependable place to crash after a long day of driving through the vast, beautiful, and occasionally unforgiving landscape of Wyoming. Embrace the imperfections. That, my friends, is the honest truth!
Final Score: 3 out of 5 Stars. (Worth it, would stay again, despite my messy waffle experience!)
Unbelievable Austrian Alps Escape: Gutwenger Innervillgraten Apartment House Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's sterile travel itinerary. This is a raw, unfiltered, potentially chaotic journey to the Holiday Inn Express Rawlins, Wyoming. And honestly? I'm already picturing the complimentary breakfast sausage. Don't judge me.
My Rawlins Ramblings: A (Possibly) Unhinged Itinerary
Day 1: The Great Escape (or, The Day I Officially Embrace Travel Hair)
- 6:00 AM: Wrenching myself from the comforting embrace of my bed. Ugh. Why do I do this to myself? (Answer: because wanderlust and a crippling fear of missing out, duh.) Coffee. Mandatory. Like, IV drip level mandatory.
- 7:00 AM: Actually leave the house. This is usually the part where I realize I forgot something crucial (passport? Phone charger? My sanity?). Today, I suspect, it'll be my chapstick. Always the chapstick.
- 7:15 AM: Traffic. Because of course. Mutterings about the general unfairness of the universe commence.
- 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Flights, security, the usual airport rodeo. Let's be honest, airports are a special kind of hell. The guy in front of me will be carrying a suspiciously oversized backpack. The toddler will be screaming. And I will judge everyone silently. (Actually, maybe not so silently.)
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Arrival at Rawlins/Airport Chaos - Wait, Rawlins has an airport? Huh… okay, well, landing, rental car pick-up. The struggle is real. Trying to act like I know how to drive a car in a place that isn't Chicago.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: The Drive In To Rawlins - Driving into Rawlins from the airport. The vastness. The emptiness. The… wind. Seriously, what's with the Wyoming wind? Start feeling the vibe of the west, which is like… very quiet.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Check-in at the Holiday Inn Express Rawlins! Praying the "smoke-free room" actually means smoke-free. (Seriously, it's a gamble.) Scope out the lobby. Judge the artwork. Admire the (hopefully) plentiful breakfast options. Breathe.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Unpack. This is usually where I discover I brought three pairs of the same socks and forgot any kind of dressy shoes. Sigh. Get settled. Maybe stare longingly at the pool if it's open.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Explore Rawlins. I'll admit, I have no idea what Rawlins offers. Hopefully, it involves some decent food. (Google Maps, here I come!) Maybe check out the Wyoming Frontier Prison. Sounds… atmospheric?
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: FOOD. Actual, real, non-airplane food. Finding a local joint that isn't a chain restaurant is my mission. Burgers? Mexican? My hunger dictates.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back at the Holiday Inn. Shower. Catch up on emails (ugh). Maybe a little TV. And the distinct possibility of falling asleep before 9 PM. Travel fatigue is real, people.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: I don't know. Maybe I'll stare at the ceiling and think about how many socks I own. Maybe I'll dream of complimentary breakfast. Or, more likely, I'll just pass out.
Day 2: Embracing the Wyoming-ness (and Probably Eating More Sausage)
- 6:00 - 8:00 AM: The moment of truth: breakfast. Scrutinizing the waffle maker. Judging the quality of the coffee. Assessing the sausage situation. This is a crucial part of the itinerary. Report back if the sausage is up to par.
- 8:00 - 9:00 AM: Check out - (If the hotel has done me right and the sausage was good, I will leave a tip for the cleaning staff. This is an important thing.)
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: *THE ROAD TRIP (or, the drive to places that are *not* Rawlins.* Depending on my mood (and Google Maps' suggestions), a scenic drive is in order. Maybe explore some of the surrounding desert, or maybe explore a town nearby.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch Break. Hopefully, not another sad airport sandwich. This time, I want something local. (See also: I am always judging the service. Don't be offended.)
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Discovering More Wyoming (or, the drive back)
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Rest. Chill.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Rawlins exploration round two: Maybe I didn't hit everything yesterday. Walk around. Embrace the small-town energy. Or maybe I'll just sit in the hotel room and watch TV. No judgment here.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner, again. The search for good food continues. At the point where I can get food!
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Pack, prepare for the next day.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: Bed. I just need to sleep.
Day 3: The Departure (But First, That Sausage…)
- 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Waffle-wielding breakfast rampage, part deux. You better believe I'm going back for seconds.
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping (probably a cheap t-shirt). Check out.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Drive back to the airport. Maybe stop for one last scenic photo. (Gotta get that Instagram content, right?)
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Airplane, security, waiting, then, the flight.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Landing in reality.
- 3:00 PM - End of the Day: Unpacking, laundry, back to the grind. The comedown begins. But hey, at least I have those memories. And maybe a slightly stale, slightly greasy memory of that Holiday Inn breakfast.
Final Thoughts:
This itinerary is a suggestion, a blueprint, but let's be real: things will go wrong. Flights will be delayed. Restaurants will be closed. My hair will rebel. But that's the beauty of travel, right? The unexpected. The chaos. The chance to taste truly terrible coffee and still say you had a good time.
And who knows, maybe Rawlins will surprise me. Maybe it'll be the hidden gem I never knew I needed. Or maybe it will be the location of the next great sausage-themed existential crisis. Either way, I'm ready. Bring it on, Wyoming. And pray for my sanity.
Luxury Saigon Living: Thao Dien Proview's Stunning Apt 42!
Okay, So, *What* Are We Even Talking About Here? (I'm Already Confused.)
Is This Going to Be *Helpful*? (Should I Just Bail Now?)
What Are the *Rules*? (Because Rules Are Always Important, Right?)
Okay, Fine. Let's Get to the *Meat* of It. What's the First Thing?
How Do You Deal With Anxiety? (Asking for a Friend… who is Totally Me.)
So, Basically, There's No Magic Bullet? (Damn.)
What About *Relationships*? (Because They're, Um, *Complicated*.)
What's Your Biggest *Regret*? (If You're Even Willing to Share.)
How Do You "Deal" With Feeling Down or *Depressed*?

