Thanksgiving Point Getaway: Lehi's BEST Holiday Inn Express!
Thanksgiving Point Getaway: Holiday Inn Express - Is Lehi REALLY Lucky?! (A Rambling Review)
Okay, confession: I'm not usually one for reviewing hotels. I'm more of a "throw my stuff in a room and hope for the best" kind of traveler. But THIS Holiday Inn Express in Lehi? Thanksgiving Point Getaway, they call it? Well, it kinda… got under my skin. In a GOOD way, mostly. So, buckle up, buttercups, because this review is gonna be less "precise and clinical" and more "me babbling about my stay like I’m gossiping with my best friend."
SEO & Metadata Blitz (Because, Adulting):
- Keywords: Holiday Inn Express, Lehi, Thanksgiving Point, Utah, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wifi, Pool, Fitness Center, Breakfast, Cleanliness, Family Friendly, Business Travel, Conference Facilities
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Holiday Inn Express Thanksgiving Point Getaway in Lehi, Utah. Highlights: accessibility, free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and whether this hotel is really "Lehi's BEST." Plus, my hot takes!
First Impressions (or: The Struggle is Real)
Finding the place was easy enough, but pulling in felt… well, let's just say I'm not a fan of navigating hotel parking after a long drive. The signage was clear, thank goodness. The car park is free, which is a solid win in my book, especially after the gas prices lately! They even have a car power charging station, which I didn't need (I'm an old-school gas guzzler, sorry, planet!), but it's a nice touch. Valet parking is an option, but I’m too cheap for that, and truth be told, I think I'd be mortified if someone saw the state of my car.
Accessibility & My Semi-Failures
Okay, HUGE shoutout to this place for being wheelchair accessible. The ramps were smooth (and, believe me, I've encountered some death-trap ramps in my day!), the elevators were spacious, and the hallways were wide. Plus, there's a whole host of facilities for disabled guests. My friend Sarah uses a wheelchair, and she was thrilled.
But here's where I confess. Even though I knew about the ramps… I managed to… well, okay. I tripped on the threshold to the bathroom. It wasn't massive, but it was still embarrassing. Thank goodness it wasn't in front of anyone.
Checking In & The Mysterious Elevator (or, The Art of Not Looking Ridiculous)
Check-in/out is express, which is perfect. I'm not one for lengthy conversations with hotel staff. They were friendly but efficient, and honestly, that's exactly what I want. They also have contactless check-in/out, which is a lifesaver in a post-pandemic world. Nice. The elevator was… interesting. I kept pressing the button and staring at the lights, willing it to arrive faster. It did eventually, but I swear, it was taunting me.
The Room: Cleanliness is King (and My Obsessive-Compulsive Tendencies)
Alright, let's talk room. Non-smoking rooms are a MUST, and this one was fresh as a daisy. The rooms are sanitized between stays. I'm a bit of a germophobe (don't judge!), so this was a huge relief. The anti-viral cleaning products they use scored big bonus points with me. Oh, and the air conditioning was blasting cold, which is perfect for the Utah heat.
Inside the Room: Details Details…
- Free Wi-Fi [Free]? Score! Actually worked!
- Free bottled water? Yes, please! Hydration is key.
- Coffee/tea maker? Essential. I require caffeine to function.
- Blackout curtains? Saved my butt from my oversleeping.
- Desk - Always good, but I ended up just working on my laptop on the comfy sofa, because comfort.
- In-room safe box? Don't use it, but it's there!
- Extra long bed - More than enough for a restless sleeper like me.
- Alarm clock - Actually didn't use it because I used my phone, but who uses alarm clocks anymore?
- Bathroom - Clean, functional, and had the basic necessities.
- Shower - Strong water pressure is a blessing.
- Shampoo & Soap - Well, they were the standard but still, they're there.
- Ironing Facilities - Did not use it, but it’s there, for those of you who are organized.
On-Site Amenities: The Good, the Bad, and the "Maybe Next Time"
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: Ah, the pool. It looked tempting! It's pool with view, so it looks nice, but I didn't actually go. I was too busy… sleeping. (See above regarding the blackout curtains.)
- Fitness Center & Gym/fitness: I intended to hit the Fitness Center, I really did. But the lure of the bed, and the on-demand movies was stronger. I'm a failure.
- Breakfast [Buffet]: This is where the hotel really shines. A proper buffet in restaurant, full of the usual suspects: eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, cereal, and fruit. Decent coffee. Vegetarian options were also available. The staff kept everything clean and well-stocked.
- Coffee shop: I believe they had this, but I was too busy with the free coffee at the breakfast buffet to check it out.
Dining & Drinking Ramblings (aka, Food Glorious Food!)
I have nothing but positive things to say about the breakfast, but I was too lazy to try room service. There is a bar on site.
Services & Conveniences: The Stuff You Don't Think About, Until You Need It
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always immaculate.
- Laundry service: Didn't use it, but good to know it's there.
- Luggage storage: Useful, for sure.
- Cash withdrawal: Handy! But I prefer card payments.
- Concierge / Doorman: I didn't need them for anything, but it was nice to know they were available.
- Convenience store: I did grab a soda here. Slightly overpriced, but that's the game, right?
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Seems well-equipped, if you are into such things.
- Business facilities: Didn't use them, but they are there.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Seriously Important Stuff
This is where the Holiday Inn Express really impressed me. They take cleanliness and safety seriously. The staff is trained in safety protocol, there's hand sanitizer everywhere, they have daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms are sanitized between stays. They also use professional-grade sanitizing services. Seriously, I felt safe!
For the Kids (or: Where I Wish I Had Kids)
While I don’t personally have kids, it family/child friendly.
Getting Around
I had my own car, so it was easy to get around. Taxi service is available, and they also offer airport transfer!!
The Imperfections (Because Nothing's Perfect)
- The elevator, as previously mentioned, can be slow.
- My own lack of fitness.
- The price of the soda in the convenience store! (Just kidding. Kinda.)
Final Verdict: Lehi's BEST? Maybe! (But Definitely Worth It)
Honestly? I'd stay here again. The location is perfect for exploring the area. The cleanliness and safety protocols are top-notch. The breakfast is a solid win. The staff is friendly and efficient. The only real downside… the elevator, and my own laziness! Anyway, yes, i'd highly recommend this property. It's definitely worth the money.
Tadoussac's Hidden Gem: Motel de l'Anse a l'Eau - Unbelievable Views!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary! This is… well, this is my attempt at surviving a weekend at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lehi - Thanksgiving Point. Prepare for the delightful chaos.
Title: Utah or Bust (and Possibly My Sanity): A Lehi Adventure
Dates: (Let's pretend) November 17th - 19th (because, Thanksgiving Point!)
Theme Song: "On the Road Again" (Willie Nelson, obviously. I'm already picturing myself needing a cold one.)
Day 1: Arrival, Mild Panic, and the Promise of Pizza
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Salt Lake City Airport (SLC). Okay, first hurdle: surviving the airport. It’s a beautiful airport, I'll give it that. But the sheer number of people… it's a modern-day equivalent of the crowded market. Find the rental car (crossing fingers it's not a clown-car-looking contraption like last time). Let the games begin!
- 2:30 PM: The drive to Lehi. The GPS lady is already giving me grief. "Recalculating… recalculating…" Seriously, woman? Just tell me which way to go! The Utah landscape is truly beautiful, even though the traffic is terrible. The sheer expanse of the space always gets me, even though I have a hard time picturing myself as a pioneer.
- 3:30 PM: Check into Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Ah, the sweet promise of a comfy bed. The lobby smells like freshly brewed coffee and… hope? Hopefully, our room isn't next to the ice machine (I've learned that lesson the hard way). I make my way to the room, and I see it: the glorious keycard. Slide it in, hoping there isn’t another mechanical malfunction.
- 4:00 PM: Room Recon: First impression… pretty decent. Clean, which is the priority. But… where's the view? It's a view of the parking lot. Okay, moving on. Essential task: locate the coffee machine (survival!).
- 5:00 PM: Dinner at a local pizza joint. Recommendations are welcome! I'm starving! (Seriously, I'm a bottomless pit when I travel.) I’m envisioning a giant pizza, maybe with some weird, Utah-specific topping that I’ll secretly love.
- 7:00 PM: Unpack (or maybe not. Let's be honest, I'll live out of my suitcase for the next three days). Commence evening TV watching, and maybe a trashy reality show. Pure bliss.
- 9:00 PM: Collapse into bed. Consider the day a win.
Day 2: Thanksgiving Point Extravaganza (and Possible Meltdown)
- 8:00 AM: Free Breakfast at the hotel. Here's where I'm usually disappointed: the "hot breakfast" is a lukewarm disappointment, the "fresh fruit" is borderline rotten. But hey! It's free, and I'm not exactly picky.
- 9:00 AM: Head to Thanksgiving Point. The main event! I've got high expectations, which is probably setting me up for failure. The butterflies in my stomach are probably the most active out of the group, and I'm not sure why.
- 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Experience: Thanksgiving Point Gardens. Okay, so the gardens are… wow. Stunning. Seriously, I almost teared up at the Rose Garden. The sheer variety of plants, the perfectly manicured lawns… It's Instagram heaven. I spent way too long taking photos of the butterflies. I also got a bit lost, which led to a slight panic attack. The sun, the people, and myself at this point were all overwhelmed.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a restaurant in Thanksgiving Point. I'm hoping for something slightly less… "touristy." But I'm also very open to something with a fancy name and a good price.
- 2:30 PM: The Museum of Ancient Life. Okay, I'm a sucker for dinosaurs. And this place is… pretty impressive. I did a little kid-like dance in front of the T-rex. No shame. I spent a good chunk of time in the gift shop contemplating buying a giant pterodactyl model. (I have no shelf space. Don't judge me.)
- 4:00 PM: The Farm Country. Apparently, there's a place with farm animals, and I'm going to go there. I'm lowkey excited to see a cow.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. I'm thinking maybe a nice, quiet meal… or maybe I'll eat all the leftover pizza from last night in the hotel room. It's a toss-up at this point.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the hotel - total exhaustion. I'd probably like to call it a day.
Day 3: Farewell, Utah (and Possibly My Sanity)
- 8:00 AM: Another breakfast, another gamble with the "fruit."
- 9:00 AM: Check out of the hotel. Hug the front desk person, say goodbye to Utah.
- 9:30 AM: One last drive around Lehi, just to soak it all in before heading back to the airport.
- 10:30 AM: Drop off the rental car (crossing fingers there are no surprise extra charges).
- 11:00 AM: The airport, the final frontier. I'll try to find a place to chill out, maybe grab some overpriced coffee.
- 1:00 PM: Takeoff. Goodbye, Utah, you beautiful, slightly overwhelming, and occasionally confusing place. I’ll be back. Eventually.
Post-Trip Musings:
- Did I fully experience Thanksgiving Point? Probably not. Did I have a good time, despite the occasional existential crisis? Absolutely.
- What was the best part? The gardens, hands down. And maybe that pizza.
- What would I do differently? Pack less, stress less, and maybe invest in a better GPS.
- Would I recommend this trip? YES! But be prepared for a wild ride. And pack snacks. Always pack snacks.
This, my friends, is the honest, messy, chaotic truth of my potential Lehi adventure. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it! And maybe, just maybe, I'll remember to bring home a souvenir that isn't just a mountain of laundry.
(Disclaimer: Actual itinerary may vary. My mood, the weather, and my ability to get lost will all play a significant role.)
Rinaldi's Secret: Unveiling St. Petersburg's Hidden Gem (Vasilevsky Island)
Okay, Okay, So Is This Hotel ACTUALLY "Lehi's BEST" like they claim? I'm skeptical.
**Anecdote Time:** I was there last year with my in-laws (bless their hearts). We were running late to the Festival of Lights (which, by the way, is a MUST-SEE – seriously, go!), and needed a quick, stress-free place to crash. This hotel delivered. No drama, just…functioning. That, in itself, is a victory when traveling with family, right?
So, "best"? Maybe not *the* best in the world, but definitely up there in the Lehi-verse. Consider it a solid B+... maybe a B++ if you're REALLY craving those complimentary cinnamon rolls. And who isn't?
Let's talk breakfast. Is the "Express" part of "Holiday Inn Express" an understatement? Is it, you know, actually edible?
**The Good:** Waffles, baby! Make your own. The magic of crispy, slightly undercooked waffles is almost enough to forgive *anything*. They usually have a decent selection of pastries (cinnamon rolls, yes!), yogurt, fruit, and the usual suspects: scrambled eggs that are… well, scrambled eggs, and sausage links. Don’t expect gourmet, but it'll keep you going.
**The Maybe-Not-So-Good:** Sometimes the coffee is a little, shall we say, “weak.” Like, contemplate-your-life-choices weak. And the layout can get a bit chaotic during peak breakfast hours. Prepare for a minor scrum around the waffle station.
**My Personal Opinion:** The waffle game is strong enough to carry the whole thing. I’m a waffle person, sue me. But, if you're a breakfast snob, maybe bring a backup granola bar, just in case.
What's the deal with the location? I'm assuming it's near Thanksgiving Point... but how *near*? And is there stuff to do around there or am I stranded in a parking lot wasteland?
**The Upside:** Convenience! The proximity to Thanksgiving Point is unbeatable. You’re also close to a bunch of restaurants (chain, mostly, but hey, sometimes you just *need* a Chili's). There's a movie theater nearby, too, plus a decent selection of shops. It's not exactly bustling nightlife, but you're far from stranded.
**The Downside:** Depending on the time of year, traffic can get a little… lively. And, let's be honest, Lehi is not exactly known for its vibrant, independent culture. It’s very… family-oriented. Which, if you *are* with family, is a huge win. If you're looking for a wild weekend of clubbing? Probably not your scene.
**Quirky Observation:** The landscaping around the hotel is… nicely manicured. Like, almost *too* nicely manicured. Everything’s so perfectly symmetrical, it makes me want to rebel and plant a rogue sunflower.
What are the rooms like? Clean? Comfy? Or are we talking institutional chic?
**The Good:** The beds are pretty comfy. The pillows are… pillow-y. The bathrooms are clean. They usually have a decent TV with a variety of channels. They've got the basics covered.
**The Not-So-Good:** The decor isn’t exactly cutting-edge. Think neutral tones, practical furniture, and artwork that won’t offend anyone. It’s… safe. Perfectly, blandly, safe. And the walls? Not always *super* soundproof. You might hear the occasional enthusiastic toddler or the rumble of the elevator. Packing earplugs is never a bad idea, tbh.
**My Emotional Reaction:** Honestly, I’m more concerned with functional than fancy when I’m traveling. As long as I can get a good night's sleep and a hot shower, I’m happy. And, honestly, for the price, this place delivers.
Is there a pool? Because, you know, hotel pools are a crucial part of the vacation experience. (Or are they just me?)
**Specifics:** It’s an indoor pool, which is great, especially if you’re visiting in the colder months. It’s not Olympic-sized but it's a good size. The hot tub is… hot. Which is exactly what a hot tub should be.
**Messy Structure Alert:** Now, here’s where I get a little… rambly…because, pools. Pools are a whole *thing*, you know? So, last time I was there, there was this kid… he was maybe seven or eight? And he was *obsessed* with the water slide. Like, he rode that thing a hundred times. And every time, he’d come up laughing, absolutely delighted. It was infectious. It made me happy just to watch him. And then, there was *me*. I wanted to take a dip but it was just too crowded. So, I ended up just watching instead of getting in. Such is life.
**Stronger Emotional Reaction:** The pool is a solid bonus. It’s not the *best* pool ever, but it’s a pool. And that’s enough. It's a symbol of freedom, relaxation... and possibly the source of a few lingering chlorine odors. But whatever. It's worth it.
Anything else I should know before booking? Hidden fees? Ghosts? I need the real deal.
**Hidden Fees:** Check the fine print, *always*. But in my experience with this particular Holiday Inn Express, itStay Finder Review
