Stockport's BEST Hotel Deal? Holiday Inn Express SHOCK!
Stockport's BEST Hotel Deal? Holiday Inn Express SHOCK! (Or, My Rollercoaster Ride of Expectations)
Okay, buckle up folks, because I've just emerged, blinking, from the… experience… that is the Holiday Inn Express in Stockport. And let me tell you, it was… well, it was an experience alright. Is it Stockport's BEST hotel deal? Let's dive in, shall we? My review will be a brutally honest, potentially chaotic, and definitely opinionated look at what's on offer, because frankly, you deserve the truth.
The Basics (and where things get… complicated):
First off, let's be clear: I wasn't expecting the Ritz. This is a Holiday Inn Express. It's supposed to be… express. Efficient. Clean. A decent place to crash after a long day of, well, whatever it is you do in Stockport. The accessibility front is tricky. They claim to have facilities for disabled guests, and indeed, the presence of an elevator (thank God!) is a huge plus. But I didn’t personally test the depths of their wheelchair accessibility, so it would not be fair. One thing that's evident is that the CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside the property lend a nice, if slightly Big Brother-esque, feeling of security. Also, for those who need it, there’s a 24-hour front desk and 24-hour security. That stuff is comforting, especially now that the world feels… you know… gestures vaguely at everything.
The Room: Where My Expectations Began to Crumble (or, My Search for the Perfect Pillow)
Alright, the room. Let's be frank. The air conditioning worked. Praise be! This is a small victory when you're roasting in a room that clearly hasn't seen much natural light. On the plus side, the blackout curtains were phenomenal. Seriously, if you need to sleep off a particularly rowdy night – and let's face it, who doesn't sometimes? – these are your friends. Also, I appreciated my free Wi-Fi. However, there's some "bait and switch" with the internet. They promise Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and there is some Wi-Fi, but it’s not fantastic. I do have to say I am very happy that there is Internet access – wireless. And a Laptop workspace came in handy. The non-smoking policy, thankfully, was enforced.
My biggest bugbear? THE PILLOWS. A standard, ubiquitous issue everywhere but also, here. The extra long bed was a welcome discovery. However, the pillows were the kind that transform into fluffy bricks by morning, and they're the wrong shape. I spent half the night wrestling with them, desperately trying to find a comfortable position. This is the problem I have with the interconnecting room(s) available; my ability to get good sleep is not so good! I did also have a safety/security feature that I always appreciate: the smoke detector and the fire extinguisher. Just in case the pillows decided to stage a fiery revolt, I guess.
Cleanliness & Safety: Germ Warfare (and My Inner Monomaniac)
Okay, this is where the Holiday Inn Express got some extra points. The post-pandemic world has made me a hygiene-obsessed maniac. And honestly? They delivered. They had Hygiene certification, and I saw Hand sanitizers everywhere. They had Daily disinfection in common areas plus Professional-grade sanitizing services, and Rooms sanitized between stays. I even saw individually wrapped food options. Good job! I still have to admit that I was glad to see a safe dining setup and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. I have to confess I felt like a bit of a lunatic with my own sanitising wipes, but… you know… better safe than sorry, right? I’m happy.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast… A Mixed Bag of Beans and Regret
The Free breakfast is a Holiday Inn Express hallmark, right? Well, it was… a breakfast. Not necessarily a triumph of culinary excellence, but it was certainly… sustenance. The Breakfast [buffet] included the usual suspects: some sad-looking scrambled eggs, a selection of cereals, and enough beans to power a rocket ship. The Asian breakfast wasn’t on offer, unfortunately. They also had Coffee/tea in restaurant, and a Coffee shop. I do not drink coffee, but that's awesome for other people. One morning, I opted for the breakfast takeaway service which was an even more grim experience. The bottle of water was welcome, though.
They do have a bar on site, which offers a place to unwind. There's a Poolside bar for when it is sunny and they do have a Happy hour. Restaurants appear somewhere in the complex, but I didn't explore them. I will say, the salad in restaurant and soup in restaurant should be avoided.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag (and the Curse of the Ironing Board)
They offer a decent range of conveniences. I did appreciate the doorman who was always incredibly helpful. The concierge wasn't necessary since I was only there for a couple of days. There’s an elevator and facilities for disabled guests. The Dry cleaning and Laundry service came in handy, since I was travelling light. The Currency exchange, however, wasn't very good.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Unless You Like… Things?
Okay, this is where the Holiday Inn Express really fell down. There's a Fitness center, but I didn't see it. The Pool with view was not available. They have a Sauna, a Spa, a Steamroom, and even a Swimming pool [outdoor], but none were accessible. There is an Indoor venue for special events, and an Outdoor venue for special events. I'm not sure what's going on here. The lack of facilities is, frankly, disappointing.
For the Kids (because… why not?):
They claim to be Family/child friendly, but I didn’t see any actual evidence of this. No Kids meal, sadly.
Getting Around: The Car Park Conundrum
Driving? They have a Car park [free of charge]. Brilliant. I didn't have any problems parking.
The “Shock!” Factor (and why this might ACTUALLY be a good deal):
Look, here's the truth. The Holiday Inn Express in Stockport isn't glamorous. It's not luxurious. It's a… functional hotel. BUT… and this is a big but… for the price, the cleanliness, the basic comforts, and the fact that it's there (and usually cheaper than its competitors), it's not necessarily a bad deal. I mean, with a little bit of luck, you can snag a room for a bargain.
The (Unsolicited) Sales Pitch:
So, is this Stockport's BEST Hotel Deal? Holiday Inn Express SHOCK!? Maybe not. Is it a terrible one? No. Here’s the deal, folks: If you’re looking for a clean, safe place to sleep, with all the basics covered and a decent breakfast to boot, the Holiday Inn Express in Stockport isn't a terrible place to start. It's a solid, functional, no-frills option. It's not going to blow your mind, but it will give you a place to crash. And sometimes, that's all you need.
Book now! (But lower your expectations. Trust me.)
Uncover Ningbo's Hidden Paradise: Shangri-La Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, pre-packaged travel guide. This is the messy, glorious, sometimes-slightly-hungover account of my planned jaunt to the Holiday Inn Express Stockport By IHG. Prepare for emotional whiplash and questionable decisions.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Stockport Scramble (or, My Disastrous Attempt at Being a Tourist)
- 8:00 AM: Alarm goes off. Ugh. Hate alarms. Hate mornings. Decide to hit snooze. Twice. Or maybe three times. Okay, fine, four.
- 8:45 AM: Finally drag myself out of bed. Grab coffee. Forget to eat breakfast. Classic me. Pack the essentials: phone, charger, the slightly-too-warm travel pillow I've been clinging to since college.
- 10:30 AM: Arrive at the train station. The journey is long for no reason.
- 12:00 PM: Arrive at Stockport station. It’s raining. Naturally. My first thought: “Right, where’s a pub?” But I’m a responsible traveler, I told myself. Gotta see the sights! (Even if the sights are obscured by drizzle.)
- 12:30 PM: Check into the Holiday Inn Express. Pretty standard. Clean. Comfy enough bed. The free wifi is a lifesaver. Thank the heavens.
- 1:00 PM: Okay, tourist mode activated! I decide to go see Stockport's historic Market Hall. It reminds me of the one in my hometown - a great way to start. The hall itself is impressive, but I'm already starting to feel this nagging feeling of being bored, so I go to a more interesting stall. A lovely older couple is selling vintage teacups. I almost buy one, this beautiful floral thing, but I tell myself I don't need another chipped antique. Regret.
- 3:00 PM: Right, I'm supposed to go to the Air Raid Shelters, but I'm starting to feel the hunger pangs. I find a little cafe and treat myself to a massive scone with cream and jam. Oh, the joy. I think I'll skip the shelters. They can wait.
- 4:30 PM: Wander aimlessly. Get lost. End up in a really interesting alleyway. Wonder where it leads. Keep walking. Regret it.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner! Found a pub – The Magnet. Solid choice. Order fish and chips and a pint of local ale. Am very pleased with myself. Start chatting with the locals. Discover that they’re as charming, salty-mouthed, and funny as I’d hoped. England, you never disappoint on the pub front.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Crash. Sleep of the dead.
Day 2: Diving Deep (and Maybe Slightly Tipsy) into Stockport's Underbelly
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. Decide the breakfast buffet is a good idea. It isn't. The scrambled eggs look…questionable. Stick to toast.
- 10:00 AM: Okay, the Air Raid Shelters. I can't avoid them forever. Honestly, it's a sobering and fascinating experience. The cramped tunnels, the stories… it's a real reminder of what people endured. I'm genuinely moved. It’s a heavier experience than I anticipated. I'm glad I did it, but also feeling a bit drained.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch time! Realize I haven't packed a toothbrush! How did I forget that! Anyway, find another pub. This time, I'm determined to try a different beer. Maybe try a local stout!
- 1:30 PM: I end up buying a tiny little toothbrush from the shop down the street. Then, I go get the stout I wanted. A few more pints later, I’m feeling… pleasantly mellow. (And still haven't seen the Viaduct. Oops.)
- 3:00 PM: Decide I'm going to take a walk along the river. Maybe soak up some of the Stockport atmosphere. End up missing the Viaduct and get slightly lost.
- 5:00 PM: Another pub! This time, I'm seeking something with live music. Something I've always wanted to do and always forget to search. It turns out I should've searched sooner – a fantastic blues band is playing! I end up staying for hours, dancing badly, and singing along to every song. This is the kind of travel I love. This is what I came for!
- 8:00 PM: Discover that I have an irrational craving for cheesy chips. Find a takeaway and devour them with gusto.
- 9:00 PM: (Maybe some blurred memories… mostly involving enthusiastic singalongs to songs I barely knew.)
- 11:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Crash harder than any night before.
Day 3: The Return to Reality (and Possibly Back to the Pub)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Head throbbing. Regret everything.
- 9:00 AM: More questionable breakfast buffet consumption. Really need to learn to pace myself.
- 10:00 AM: Last-minute dash to see the Viaduct. It’s magnificent, even through the hangover haze. I tell myself I'll come back and truly appreciate it someday.
- 11:00 AM: Check out. Say goodbye to the friendly staff. Promise myself I’ll return.
- 12:00 PM: Train station. Buy a coffee. Vow to drink less next time. (Yeah, right.)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive home. Collapse on the sofa. Reflect on the trip. It was a glorious mess. I saw some sights, met some lovely people, drank too much, and laughed a lot. Exactly what I needed.
- Final Thoughts: The Holiday Inn Express was perfectly decent. Nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable. Stockport? A hidden gem. The people are lovely, the pubs are plentiful, and there's a certain gritty charm that I found completely endearing. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Would I change a thing? Maybe just the amount of Guinness. Nah, probably not. On to the next adventure! (And I'm already planning a return trip.) Now, excuse me while I take a nap…
Right, so...Holiday Inn Express Stockport. Best deal, they say? Is it REALLY any good? My expectations are...low, shall we say.
Okay, *deep breath*. "Best deal" is subjective, right? Like, my "best deal" involves a fridge full of chocolate and Netflix... yours might be slightly different. But listen, if you're looking for somewhere functional, conveniently located (it *is* right by the train station, which is a HUGE bonus), and won't completely destroy your bank balance... yeah, it's a solid contender. Let's be clear: This isn't the Ritz. It's *not* luxurious. But it's clean, the staff are generally lovely, and the breakfast *usually* involves enough carbs to fuel a small army.
But "amazing deal"? ...Well, let's just say the 'amazing' part depends heavily on your definition of 'amazing'. I remember once, I booked a room last minute, totally frazzled. Needed to be in Stockport ASAP. The price was ridiculously low. I walked into the room, and...it smelled faintly of industrial cleaner and maybe... regret. But the shower was *hot*, and that's sometimes all you need. Seriously, sometimes hot water is a gift from the gods.
The breakfast. THEY ALWAYS talk about the breakfast. Is it actually edible? And that "FULL English"... is it a myth?
Okay, the breakfast. Here's the truth bomb: It's *serviceable*. It's the sort of breakfast you eat solely because your stomach is currently emitting a low growl. They have the usual suspects: sausages (questionable origin, but hey, they're there!), scrambled eggs (again, questionable, but…), beans (always beans!), toast (that you can *attempt* to butter), and, bless their hearts, a waffle machine. (I'm a waffle gal, no shame!) The "Full English" is... well, "English." Emphasis on "full." It's not gourmet. It's not going to win any Michelin stars. But it’s there. And you'll feel fuller afterwards....probably.
I've had some *memorable* breakfast experiences. Once, the sausages tasted suspiciously…fishy. I bravely ate three anyway. Another time, the waffle machine was on the fritz. Cue the small, defeated sighs from the waffle-deprived masses. But, and this is a big but, usually? It's fine. It's the kind of breakfast that gets the job done. It’s a reliable base for a day of exploring Stockport. Just manage your expectations. And maybe bring a stash of your own decent jam. Believe me, the generic stuff is… well, generic.
How's the location, really? Is it a loud, bustling nightmare? Or is it conveniently accessible?
Okay, location, location, location! The Holiday Inn Express Stockport *nails* this. It's practically attached to the train station, which is ridiculously convenient. Stepping off the train and you're practically at the check-in desk. Amazing! (Especially if you've just lugged a suitcase through three different train platforms, like... me, a few times.) It offers a great vantage point for exploring Stockport. You can step out and be right in the thick of things.
Noise, though... that's a thing. It *can* be a bit noisy. Trains rumbling past, the occasional ambulance siren... you know. It's the trade-off for the convenience. My suggestion: If you’re a light sleeper, pack earplugs. Trust me, you'll thank me. One time, I stayed there during some kind of festival. The noise was unbelievable. But, I was exhausted so I slept like a log. You'll either be super-grateful or cursing the train companies.
The rooms themselves... what are they actually like? Is it a 'shoebox with a bed' situation?
Okay, let's be real. The rooms are... compact. They're functional. They're not spacious. Think "efficient use of space." I mean, you have a bed, a desk (perfect for pretending to work while secretly watching Netflix), a small TV, and a bathroom. The bathrooms are usually clean, though sometimes you have to run the shower for, like, five minutes before the water goes from "glacial" to "tepid."
I had one room, once, where the air conditioning sounded like a jet engine taking off. I spent the night battling the noise and attempting to maintain a shred of sanity. Then there was the time the key card wouldn't work. Repeated trips to the front desk. It made me feel like a cat in a washing machine. But generally, they’re fine. They’re clean. They’re what you'd expect from a budget-friendly hotel. They do the job. Just don't expect a suite fit for a king. Or, you know… a particularly fussy blogger.
One time… I remember I was travelling with my friend. We were both in the smallest room possible, and the bed was… well, it was quite cramped, if I'm being honest. We were practically cuddling. It was...a bonding experience of sorts. A slightly sweaty, definitely crowded bonding experience. So… prepare for the room size to be, well, let's just say cozy, and you have to be willing to share space.
Any hidden fees or sneaky surprises I should be aware of?
Sneaky surprises, you say? Well, generally speaking, no. The price you see is the price you pay. However, ALWAYS double-check the fine print. They sometimes have parking fees (though if you're taking the train, this is irrelevant). Wi-Fi is usually free, but always confirm. And, let’s be honest, the mini-bar is probably a trap. Avoid at all costs unless you enjoy paying extortionate prices for a can of Coke.
Also... be mindful of the check-in and check-out times. They're standard, but read them. There’s nothing worse than arriving shattered and finding out you can't check in for another three hours (voice of experience). And remember, it's a hotel, so common sense applies, but the staff are friendly so I am sure they will help you with any problems.
Now, let me tell you about the time I completely forgot to check the parking situation... ended up paying an absurd amount for parking anyway. It was a dark day. But, hey, at least I have a story now, right?
Is there anything *actually* good about this hotel? Besides the convenient train access?
Yes! Absolutely. While I've painted a slightly… chaotic picture so far, there are definitely positives. The staff are genuinely nice. They’re helpful, friendly, and they seem to want to help. Plus, I feel like they deal with a lot of tired travelers. Their patience is a testament to their character! The location *is* a huge deal. Being so close to the train station makes everything easy. And the price, generally speaking, is decent. You're not going to break the bank. And sometimes, that’s all you need.
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