A little history about me, I’ve been traveling for work for about a decade. In a previous role I did a ton of driving throughout the South East US. I took flights on occasion, but work was mostly driving distance from Greenville SC. In those days I didn’t get a lot of warning before I hit the road, I kept a 3 day overnight bag in my trunk at all times. In those days I spent a lot of time in Holiday Inn Express hotels. I was often heading to small towns, so an HIX was usually the best option. The comparable Hilton brand would be a Hampton Inn, but those were often an older hotel where many of the HIXs were newer and nice.
This hotel was just like those days. Calhoun Ga is a small town and the HIX is the best thing going. I would have been pleased with this hotel anywhere. It’s a standard interstate exit HIX, but it’s very new and well maintained. The downside of IHG during COVID is that you still need to visit the front desk to check-in. I’ve been staying at a lot of Hiltons because their app allows check-in and digital keys. Let’s get into it
I stepped off the elevator into a very bright hallway. From the first look this hotel seemed brand new. In hotels, newer is almost always better.
I like these lights on the walls. I like to ask for a room on the top floor away from the elevators.
My first view into the room was very promising. Yes, that’s my Taco Bell dinner sitting on the counter.
There is a mini fridge and little coffee station. Would be nice for leftovers or keeping a few drinks cold on a longer stay.
Microwave above to do any reheating needed. I just really wish hotels would include a roll of paper towels.
The bathroom was very bright and clean. Seems like halo light mirrors are becoming more common. I fully support that design choice.
Stall shower with glass doors. Much nicer than a tub of any flavor. Who takes a bath in a hotel anyway?
I’m not sure why, but these are controversial to some travelers. Some people just really love the single use bottles of toiletry products. I don’t really care, I just like bar soap, but if I really cared that much I’d pack my own.
The room had tons of space. I didn’t use the desk as this was just a single overnight. I do like the built in luggage rack for suit cases.
I still end up using the other luggage rack. Single night trip, back pack only.
Seems to have become standard these days. I like the TV system in the room. Nice and modern, though no casting from a phone.
The bed was nice, lots of outlets, individual lights on both sides.
Old school thermostat. I like this, it’s simple and works.
All over the room were these small low voltage switches. I counted 6 of them, of course I turned them all on.
Every piece of furniture had lighting above it. I really like that touch in a hotel room. Most rooms only have a lamp or two, maybe a ceiling light near the door, it makes for a somewhat dark look. I really like this solution, keeps everything bright.
Final Thoughts
This is a boring Interstate Highway side Holiday Inn Express. It’s perfect for what I needed. Clean, new, comfortable. There’s some fast food available so when you leave work at 8pm, dinner is fast. I didn’t see anything around that I would consider a “sit down” but I didn’t look that hard.
It makes me wonder why I stopped staying at HIX as often as I once did. I’ll probably mix more of these hotels back into the mix. I would absolutely stay here again.