Port Washington's BEST Hotel? (Holiday Inn Express Review!)

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Washington By IHG Port Washington (WI) United States

Port Washington's BEST Hotel? (Holiday Inn Express Review!)

Port Washington's Hidden Gem? My Blast-From-The-Past Stay at the Holiday Inn Express (Buckle Up!)

Okay, folks, let's be real. Port Washington, Wisconsin isn't exactly the Riviera. But sometimes, you just need a convenient spot to crash, and that's where the Holiday Inn Express steps in. I recently stayed there, and honestly? It was a trip. Prepare yourselves for a whirlwind of accessibility reviews, questionable breakfast buffets, and my unsolicited opinions on everything.

(Metadata - Get Ready for the Google Gods!): Port Washington Hotel Review, Holiday Inn Express Port Washington, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible Hotel, Free Wi-Fi, Pool, Breakfast, Cleanliness, Safety, Port Washington Wisconsin, Best Hotel, Family-Friendly Hotel, Non-Smoking Rooms, Car Parking, Restaurant, Fitness Center, Travel Review, Hotel Review, Wisconsin Hotels, Port Washington, North Shore, Lake Michigan, Spa

(Accessibility - Let's Get This Straight, People!)

Right off the bat, I have to applaud the Holiday Inn Express on their commitment to accessibility. Wheelchair accessible is a big win – ramps, elevators, and the whole shebang. They've definitely made an effort. The lobby, common areas, and hallways felt wide and navigable. The Facilities for disabled guests were pretty impressive to me. Didn't personally utilize them, but it was so nice to see!

(On-site accessible restaurants / lounges - a big thumbs up!)

There's a restaurant on site, though I mainly sampled the breakfast. The space was well-designed with plenty of space around tables. I saw a few guests in wheelchairs and they seemed to have no problems!

(Internet, Oh My Goodness, the Internet!)

Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the internet gods! Finally, a hotel that understands the struggles of a digital nomad (me!). The connection was surprisingly solid. Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN. I’m not a tech guru, but that's what it said. So there you go. (I didn’t try plugging anything in to the LAN, I'm all about that WiFi life!)

(Cleanliness and Safety - The COVID Chronicles)

Look, we're still living in these weird times, right? Hand sanitizer stations were everywhere. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep. I, however, opted for Room sanitization opt-out available. I appreciated the option to decline, since it was my room! I felt kinda bad, but the room was still spotless! Individually-wrapped food options were the name of the game at breakfast. Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed like it. They were all masked and trying to be helpful and polite. Cashless payment service – yup. They're trying hard. They had Professional-grade sanitizing services. It eased my mind.

(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The Breakfast Odyssey)

Okay, here’s where things get… interesting. The Breakfast [buffet] was…well, it was a buffet. Think: Buffet in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Western breakfast. I'm not going to lie, I had flashbacks to high school cafeteria food. It was a whirlwind of plastic-wrapped muffins, questionable scrambled eggs, and a waffle maker that may or may not have been possessed by a grumpy gremlin. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was…passable. The Bottle of water in my room was a welcome addition. I didn’t see any Restaurants or Snack bar.

(Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter)

Air conditioning in public area – yes. Thank goodness. Elevator – essential. Daily housekeeping – the room was spotless every day. Laundry service was available. Luggage storage – they had it. They even had Business facilities… though I wasn’t there to be all "businessy". Gift/souvenir shop – I didn't see one. They also had a Convenience store! I would be remiss if I didn't mention the super lovely lady at the front desk.

(For the Kids - Family Fun Factor)

Family/child friendly – from what I could see, yeah, absolutely. There seemed to be enough space. I saw kids running around.

(Getting Around - Wheels and Wings)

Car park [free of charge] – Score! Free parking! Taxi service – I imagine you could get one, but I didn't test it.

(Available in All Rooms - Digging Into My Room!)

Okay, my room (like, my REAL ROOM!) was… functional. I'm just being truthful. Air conditioning – essential. Alarm clock, Desk, and Daily housekeeping, again, a win. Free bottled water, thank you! In-room safe box – never used it. Refrigerator – always a bonus for my midnight snack stash! Satellite/cable channels on the TV – a classic. Wi-Fi [free] – yay! The Blackout curtains were heavenly. The Shower was decent, the Toiletries were basic. The Soundproofing was pretty good, which was a relief, because the seagulls can get LOUD on the lake.

(Things to Do, Ways to Relax - Let's Get Leisurely!)

Fitness center – I peeked in. It looked… adequate. I opted for walking around the harbor instead. Swimming pool [outdoor] – YES! Loved it. The Pool with view was a real treat. I didn't check out the Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, or Massage. They're the kind of "relaxing" things I would do if I was one of those fancy people who know how to relax.

(The Verdict - And Now, The Emotional Rollercoaster)

So, is the Holiday Inn Express in Port Washington a luxury resort? Nope. But it's clean, accessible, convenient, and the staff are genuinely trying. The breakfast buffet, while nostalgic, could use a little…oomph. But the pool? That was a game-changer. Honestly, for a short stay, it's a solid choice. And hey, if you're looking for a no-frills, comfortable basecamp for exploring the area, you could do a lot worse.

Would I stay there again? Probably. It's the best option in Port Washington. And maybe next time, I'll brave that waffle maker. Wish me luck! 😜

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Washington By IHG Port Washington (WI) United States

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my (slightly chaotic) Port Washington adventure at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Forget the perfectly polished itineraries you're used to. This is real life, baby!

Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for Decent Coffee

• 2:00 PM: ARRIVAL! Hallelujah! After what felt like an eternity on the road – Wisconsin traffic is a beast – I finally roll into Port Washington, blinking in the sunlight. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites looks… well, like a Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Clean, functional, the kind of place that screams "business trip" more than "romantic getaway." But hey, the air conditioning works, and that’s a win in my book.

  • First Impressions: The lobby smelled faintly of chlorine and desperation. I'm kidding! (Mostly). The front desk person, bless her heart, seemed genuinely happy to see me. Maybe she just needed a break from the monotony. I get my keys, and the elevator music is some kind of… jazzy elevator music. Seriously? Who enjoys that?

• 2:30 PM: Room Check. The room is…adequate. Two beds, a desk, a TV that’ll probably show the same three local news channels endlessly. The bathroom, thankfully, isn't scary. That's key. I’m unpacking, and oh god… I NEED COFFEE. The complimentary coffee in the lobby is… well, it’s coffee-adjacent. More like brown, vaguely caffeinated water. This is a crisis of epic proportions.

  • Minor Category – The Coffee Debacle: I decide, on the spot, this is a MAJOR priority. I mean, a person can’t function without a proper jolt of caffeine, and it can take up to 2 hours to reach the nearest coffee shop, which is not ideal. I google "best coffee port washington," and it appears to be an abandoned warehouse location. (Okay, I exaggerate. Maybe.) I settle for the next best thing: a convenience store a couple blocks away. This is already a comedy in the making.

• 3:30 PM: Coffee SUCCESS! Okay, so maybe it's not perfect coffee, but the gas station brew is better than the hotel's offering. Victory! I'm fueled, ready to conquer… well, maybe just a walk around the block to get my bearings.

  • Quirky Observation: Wisconsin… it's just… green. Everything is so green. I think I’ve seen more cows than people in the last hour. It’s… serene. Too serene? I'm starting to get the feeling I’m being watched.

• 4:00 PM: A stroll into town. Finding a walking path past some old-looking houses. It's like Main Street, but with a slight air of, "We used to be a bustling hub, but now… we're just here." I am charmed by the history, but also wondering how many of those old houses are haunted. I walk past some vintage shops, I think I am going to come back to them tomorrow.

• 6:00 PM: Dinner. Okay, the restaurant selection is… limited. After a bit of aimless wandering, I chose a place I found on Yelp that looked promising. It was…okay. The food was edible, the service was friendly, but the ambiance was… definitely a step back. A little bit of a letdown, to be honest. I order my fried cheese curds as consolation.

  • Emotional Reaction: When the waiter comes up, he drops a plate of fried cheese curds in front of me and says "Enjoy!". I smile and nod. "This… is… my happiness," I mentally murmur. It was the best thing I have had all day.

• 7:30 PM: Back to the hotel. Time to unwind. Check my social media, read a book (that I probably won’t finish), and mentally prepare for Day 2, which will hopefully include something… more exciting than a slightly disappointing dinner. Perhaps I will check out those vintage shops.

  • Messy Structure: I didn’t actually sit and read the book. I spent an hour binge-watching pointless YouTube videos. I think it’s a coping mechanism when I’m tired.

Day 2: Lake Michigan, History, and the Search for the Perfect Sunset

• 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The complimentary breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express is… meh. The usual suspects: rubbery eggs, sad-looking sausage, a waffle maker that's probably seen better days. I eat it anyway. I am a tourist, after all. I add more coffee to my system.

  • Anecdote: I saw a small child get mad that the waffles weren't shaped like Mickey Mouse. Bless his heart. His parents looked like they were already questioning their life choices, and it was only 9 AM.

• 10:00 AM: Exploring the Lake. I head to the lake! The lakefront park is lovely, and the water is so blue. It gets cold very quickly. I take a little stroll, soak in the scenery, and try not to think about how I'm pretty sure I saw a seagull eye me like a potential snack.

• 11:00 AM: History Time! I wander to a local museum. (Because you have to do something cultured, right?) The museum is housed in an old building – the kind that just screams "historical significance" and "possibly haunted." I try to absorb all the historical knowledge. I love museums, and the people who run them.

  • Minor Category – The Unexpected Gem: While browsing the exhibits, I stumble upon a presentation and go to the historic lighthouse. It was one of those moments where you think, "Wow, I actually learned something today."

• 1:00 PM: Lunch with a view! I find a cute little lunch spot with a lake view and eat some fish. It was lovely, and the sun had gone down slightly.

• 3:00 PM: Shopping! I go back to those vintage shops from yesterday. I find a few fun things to buy. I buy a sweater that I don't really need, but the shop owner tells me it's "vintage."

• 5:00 PM: Sunset! I'm determined to see a spectacular sunset over Lake Michigan. I find a spot on the beach where my feet can touch the sand. I sit back, camera in hand. Finally, the sky lights up with vibrant oranges and pinks and purples. Spectacular. This kind of beauty makes me emotional. I take a lot of photos and I would love to share them, but I don't think I can here.

  • Stronger Emotional Reactions: The sunset was breathtaking. Actually breathtaking. It was one of those moments that makes you feel small and insignificant in the best possible way. I feel lucky, grateful, and a little bit sad that all good things must come to an end.

• 7:00 PM: Dinner. I get pizza to enjoy by myself. It was warm and simple. I'm not sure if I could rate it as high as those cheese curds, but it was amazing anyway.

• 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel, where I watch TV. I'm getting to know the characters. They are my friends for the week.

Day 3: Leaving (With a Sigh)

• 9:00 AM: Breakfast. I take some waffles because I am a glutton for punishment.

• 10:00 AM: Final hotel check and loading up my car.

• 11:00 AM: Farewell to Port Washington. I do one last loop around town. I'm going to miss that sunset.

• Opinionated Language: Port Washington… it’s not the most exciting place in the world, but it has a certain charm. It's a place where the pace of life is slow, where the people are friendly, and where you can find a decent cup of coffee… eventually. I would come back here. I'm going to miss the cheese curds. Farewell!

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Washington By IHG Port Washington (WI) United States```html

Port Washington's Best? (Holiday Inn Express – Let's Talk!)

So, is this Holiday Inn Express *really* the "best" hotel in Port Washington? Spill the tea!

Okay, okay, let's be real. "Best" is subjective, right? And honestly? After staying at this Holiday Inn Express, I'm leaning *pretty* hard on "Yeah, probably." But hear me out, because it's not a perfect fairytale. Here’s the deal: Port Washington isn't exactly overflowing with luxury resorts. Think more… charming, practical, and maybe a little bit…well, *Wisconsin*. (No offense, Wisconsin!). This HIX (as the cool kids call it – I’m not cool, by the way) nails that vibe. It’s clean (major plus!), the staff are genuinely friendly (not that forced, corporate-smile kind!), and the breakfast… OH, the breakfast! I'll get there... But "best"? It depends what you're after. If you're expecting the Ritz, you're gonna have a bad time. If you're after a solid, reliable, and reasonably priced place to crash after a day exploring the lake, hitting up some local dives (highly recommended!), or visiting your grandma (also highly recommended!)? This is a strong contender.

The breakfast... you mentioned the breakfast. Is it *actually* good? Because hotel breakfasts are usually… well, you know.

Alright, prepare yourself. Because the breakfast… It’s a *game changer* sometimes. Look, I’m not saying it's a Michelin star experience. But I *am* saying that on a recent stay (let’s call it "Operation Grandma's Visit"), I almost cried tears of joy at the *eggs*. Seriously. They weren't rubbery, they weren't weirdly yellow-powdered-thing-that-pretends-to-be-scrambled-eggs. They were… *real* eggs. Fluffy, vaguely-seasoned, and… delicious. They had the usual suspects: cereal, bagels (the kind you can actually *bite* into, not the brick-like variety), fruit. But those eggs… They were my anchor. They kept me fortified through a truly epic game of cribbage with Grandma (I lost, by the way – she’s a Cribbage ninja). And there's a pancake machine. I mean, let's be honest, a pancake machine is a win EVERY TIME. The coffee? Surprisingly decent. I've had worse at fancy coffee shops.

What are the rooms *actually* like? Be honest!

Okay, the rooms. They are… consistently *fine*. They're not gigantic suites you can get lost in, but they're clean, well-maintained, and… functional. That’s the key word: *Functional*. The last time I stayed, it was a family trip and we got a room with two beds. Plenty of space for the kids to make a mess with their LEGOS and get ready to do their homework on their devices (thank goodness for the fast wifi, by the way). The bathroom was small, but it had everything you need: decent water pressure (a MUST!), hot water (also a MUST!), and… clean towels. I’m a simple woman, and that pretty much covers it. The bed? Comfortable enough. I actually slept *really well*. Which, when you're traveling with family, is a significant win! Now, I *did* notice a tiny, and I mean TINY, stain on the carpet from the previous guests, but it was so minor I literally didn’t even care. The window shades were a little… flimsy, but I don’t think I was even thinking about them by the time it got dark. It’s not a palace. But it's not a disaster. It's perfectly acceptable.

Any downsides? What really bugged you?

Okay, yeah, there are always downsides. It’s life. The first thing, is a bit of a personal thing - I wish the gym was a little better equipped. I got into the habit of starting my mornings at home with a workout, but the gym was pretty basic. I figured I might have to find a local gym on the second day, but ended up just walking around the hotel and exploring the area. That worked out fine. Also, the parking can get a little tight if you arrive late, especially on weekends. But, really, the biggest "downside" is the… *location*. It’s not *right* on the lake. You need to walk a bit (or drive). But on the other hand, it's a quick drive to everything (the beach, the restaurants, the charming downtown area). But, it's a minor quibble, honestly. Compared to the fact that the air conditioning worked, I wasn't that worried. Okay, one more thing: The internet. It was relatively fast, but it occasionally… *glitched*. Nothing major, but enough to interrupt a few email sends and a couple of online shopping sessions (don't judge!). And let's be honest, sometimes the elevator is slow. I think. I might just be impatient. I'M impatient!

What about the staff? Did they make the experience better?

Yes! This is a big one. The staff were *amazing*. They were unfailingly polite and professional. I had one hiccup - I accidentally locked myself out of my room at 11:30 pm. I felt like the biggest idiot on Earth, but the person on duty at the front desk was so calm and helpful, it was like a mini-therapy session. He had me back in my room in minutes. I was so relieved. They were also incredibly helpful the entire time. They gave great recommendations for local restaurants (try the pub on the corner of Main Street! You won't regret it!) and they always greeted me with a smile. I'm not one for gushing about customer service, but honestly, they made the whole trip *so* much easier. They clearly cared.

Would you stay there again? Be honest!

Absolutely. Without a doubt. If I’m going back to Port Washington, and I probably will (Grandma's cribbage skills are slowly improving!), I'm definitely staying at the Holiday Inn Express again. It's not perfect, but it's reliable, clean, well-priced, and the staff are fantastic. And, let's be honest, that breakfast is reason enough to go back. Plus, you know, the *eggs*. So yeah. Highly recommended. Just don’t expect the Ritz. Come for the practicality, good service, and the potential for a surprisingly satisfying breakfast, and you won’t be disappointed. And tell them I sent you! (Just kidding. Don't.)

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Washington By IHG Port Washington (WI) United States

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Washington By IHG Port Washington (WI) United States

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