Sidney's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Sidney's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem Awaits! and trust me, it's going to be a ride! I'm here to give you the real, unvarnished truth – the good, the delightfully quirky, and maybe even a little bit of the "oh-dear-god-what-was-that?"
Let's start with the bones, the stuff… You want SEO? Fine, I'll give you SEO! We're talking Accessibility, On-site accessible restaurants / lounges, Wheelchair accessible, Internet access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Things to do, ways to relax, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, 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, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Dining, drinking, and snacking, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, 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, Interconnecting room(s) available, 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, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Deep breath. Okay. Now, my take, because that’s what you really want, right?
First Impressions: The Lobby and the Elevators
Walking in, it's…clean. Very clean. Like, hospital clean. Which, post-pandemic? Okay, I'm on board. The lobby is bright, airy, and… surprisingly quiet. No chattering throngs of tourists, which is a huge win in my book. The reception staff? Polite, efficient, and quick to offer a (mandatory, I suspect) spritz of hand sanitizer. I'm pretty sure they're all wearing masks – a good sign – and the whole vibe is just…calm. Which, after a long flight, is exactly what I needed (though I did notice one staff member’s nametag was slightly crooked. Minor detail, but it’s these little things, isn’t it?).
The elevators, on the other hand, are a bit of a puzzle. They’re incredibly modern – touch-screen panels, digital displays, the works. I was, admittedly, flustered by my first attempt to use it, ended up accidentally hitting every button on the panel and briefly imagined I would be stuck inside for hours. This is certainly a learning curve.
The Room: My Sanctuary (Mostly)
My room! Oh, my room. It was…well, it was excellent. I booked a non-smoking room. The room was Air-conditioned, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, 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, Interconnecting room(s) available, 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, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.. I’m happy. The bed was divine. Like, sink-into-it-and-forget-your-troubles kind of divine. The pillows were fluffy, the sheets crisp, and the blackout curtains? They worked. I slept like the freakin' dead, which is what I need.
I did note a few minor things. My room was on a lower floors. The view? Not exactly postcard material (mostly the car park). Also – and this is a crucial detail – there was NO USB charging port next to the bed. In this day and age? Come on! I had to get up to charge my phone in the other side of the room. The horror! These tiny things, and a slight imperfection in the wallpaper that only I could see.
The Spa, the Pool, and the Imperfect Bliss
Now, let's talk relaxation. The Spa/sauna was lovely. The Steamroom was perfect, and the Swimming pool [outdoor] - oh boy, the Pool with view! The spa area itself… well, it was beautiful. I got a Body scrub and it was pure bliss. The masseuse (a lovely woman named Maria, I think), was a magician. She worked out knots I didn't even know I had. I probably fell asleep and snored (sorry, Maria!). afterward, i felt a sense of inner peace.
Here’s the imperfection: that wonderful pool with view was marred slightly by a group of very boisterous teenagers having a ball. I’m not judging…much. But it did detract from the zen vibe a little. I'm a bit of a snob, I confess, and I like my pools to be quiet and contemplative.
Dining: A Mixed Bag, with a Star
The Dining, drinking, and snacking situation is pretty good. There is the main Restaurant offers **A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, **. The *Breakfast [buffet]* was huge. The Coffee shop has decent coffee. The Poolside bar is a nice touch, perfect for a cocktail in the afternoon. The Room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver.
But, and this is a big but, I tried the restaurants for dinner first. The menu was extensive – maybe too extensive. The Western food was kind of bland, but the Asian cuisine? Wow. Amazing. I had the [Dish Name] – a spicy noodle dish - and I’m still dreaming about. Absolutely perfect.
Internet: Connected, but Not Always Perfect
Okay, the Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free], is generally good. The Internet services are also top-notch. And that Laptop workspace. But the speed? Sometimes a problem. On the laptop, it was great. But
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Chiang Mai Villa Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups. This ain't gonna be your typical, perfectly-structured itinerary. This is a messy, honest, hilarious, and hopefully, relatable document about my supposed "stay" at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sidney By IHG in Sidney, Montana. I say "supposed" because, well, life, right? Let's see what we've got… or don't have.
Project: Sidney Showdown (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Cornfields)
Dates: (Let's be honest, this might shift…) July 21st - 24th (ish). Reality? Probably July 22nd-25th. Always gotta factor in travel delays, my indecisiveness, and the crippling fear of committing to a date.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sidney By IHG. (Pray for Wi-Fi that doesn't make me want to throw my laptop out the window, and a complimentary breakfast that isn't the same sad scrambled eggs and rubbery sausage every single day. Please, IHG, I beg you.)
Day 1: The Arrival (or The Great Plains Odyssey)
- Morning: The "get your act together and leave the house" drama. Packing is never fun. I mean, who even needs this many pairs of socks? (Me, apparently, if I'm going to Montana, and assuming the weather is just gonna be random.) Flight leaves, and the inevitable moment of anxiety kicks in. Did I remember to unplug the iron? Did I lock the damn door? This is what happens to me every, single, time.
- Afternoon: Arrive at the airport… miles away from anywhere. Rent a car. Pray it's not some rusted-out death trap. Drive. Drive. Drive. And drive some more. Let the wide-open expanse of Montana kinda… wash over you. It's a good wash over, actually. Sometimes. Other times, you get existential about the vastness and the sheer, unbridled freedom, which, admittedly, can be a bit overwhelming.
- Evening: Check into the hotel. The first impressions matter, right? Hopefully, it's not a total disaster. I'm talking clean room, friendly staff, functioning AC, and maybe, just maybe, a decent view. (Please, not the parking lot, please…) After settling in, I'm going to hit up the local grocery, try to find some snacks, something to calm the nerves. A beer? A glass of wine? Don't judge me, I'm on holiday!
An Honest Anecdote (aka The Grocery Store Debacle): Last time I was in a small town, I went grocery shopping. I swear, I spent a good 20 minutes trying to find the "ethnic foods" aisle. (Spoiler alert: In many small Montana towns, it's usually a sad shelf with a few jars of salsa and a can of refried beans. This time, I am hoping for a better selection… or, at least, a laugh from the friendly locals. Also, maybe a decent avocado. Just saying.)
Day 2: Sidney Sightseeing (or, "What Excitement Lies Beyond the Corn?")
- Morning: The complimentary breakfast. We'll see if it lives up to the IHG hype. Or if its just like other hotels. I'm hoping for waffles, lots of waffles. After breakfast, I plan to engage in some local exploration. The big question, what is there to do? According to the internet, there's a few museums (yay!), and, well, more cornfields.
- Afternoon: Maybe a quick trip to the MonDak Heritage Center. Or, maybe I'll spend the whole day at the hotel, enjoying the AC and the free coffee. Ahh, the sweet freedom of choice… It's a struggle, you see. A real, existential struggle.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. (Please, God, let it not be a chain.) Fish and Chips are the target meal. Then, back to the hotel for a good night's sleep (hopefully without a noisy neighbor.)
Quirky Observation: I'm already prepared for the inevitable encounter with a friendly, chatty local. I am not. Even if they ask me the most basic small-talk questions, like "So, you're from somewhere else?" or "What brings you to our lovely town?" I'm still going to stumble over my words, feel awkward, and end up blurting out something completely unintelligible.
Day 3: Yellowstone River Adventure (Or, Will I End Up as River Food?)
- Morning: Okay, here's where I'm supposed to be all outdoorsy. Float down the Yellowstone! Hopefully, the current isn't too strong, and I won’t end up capsizing and becoming a snack for the local wildlife. Gotta remember sunscreen, bug spray, and a healthy dose of "don't be an idiot."
- Afternoon: Continue floating. Or, if that turns out to be a total bust, maybe a scenic drive along the river. Gotta find a good spot to take pictures, or, y'know, just breathe. Also, try to avoid getting stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire.
- Evening: Dinner, maybe at a lakeside restaurant if I survived the river. Relax, reflect, and start packing. (Cuz, yay, time to go home…)
Emotional Reaction (The River): Okay, I admit it. I'm both terrified and excited about this river float. Scared of the water, scared of the wildlife, scared of getting sunburnt to a crisp. But secretly, I think it could be amazing. A moment of true peace, maybe. Or, at the very least, a good story to tell when I get back.
Day 4: Departure (or The Great Escape)
- Morning: The sad, inevitable breakfast and hotel checkout. One last look at the cornfields. One last deep breath of Montana air. Drive back to the airport.
- Afternoon: The flight. The inevitable airport drama. The usual anxieties. Did I pack my toothbrush? Did I do all the right things?
- Evening: Land back at home. Unpack. Do laundry. And fall into a blissful stupor of post-vacation exhaustion.
Messier Structure and Occasional Rambles (aka Just Me Being Me):
Right, okay, so I KNOW this isn't the most organized itinerary ever. It’s probably got more holes than a Swiss cheese. But, hey, that’s life, right? Things change. Plans get derailed. You get lost in the cornfields. The point is, I'm going to try to have an adventure. And come back with some slightly amusing stories, hopefully. I'm gonna let things unfold as they happen, embracing the chaos, the indecision, and the inevitable imperfections along the way. Wish me luck, folks. Or, at least, pray for good Wi-Fi.
Opinionated Language (aka My Hot Takes):
- Complimentary Breakfasts: They're rarely as "complimentary" as they claim to be, mostly because they are usually pretty meh.
- The Midwest and Montana: It is a whole different world away from everything! Vast! Spacious! And, for someone like me, maybe a little bit scary. But, it's also undeniably beautiful.
- Travel: The best thing in the world, but sometimes so emotionally draining. Sometimes, after such, you're ready to go home.
The Double-Down on a Single Experience: The Breakfast Disaster Zone
I'm going to allow this bit to be its own, independent rant. The breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. It’s the make-or-break moment for my entire day, every single damn day, when I am at these places. I am determined to make it a good one. My goal is to have a good breakfast, the type that stays with you.
Here’s the scenario:
- Day 1: Rubbery scrambled eggs and what I hope is bacon. The coffee is weak, but there is a waffle maker. This may or may not save the day.
- Day 2: The eggs are identical. The bacon is now definitely sausage. There's no waffle maker. I consider throwing a tantrum at the entire scene. But, alas, I do not.
- Day 3: The eggs have been swapped out for a potato-based substance. The coffee is now, somehow, even worse than before. They brought out the waffle maker, but you have to fight the entire elderly crowd to get a waffle.
- Day 4: I am not going to the breakfast. Instead, I am going to the nearest fast-food place that serves coffee with any actual flavor.
Stream-of-Consciousness (aka The Inner Monologue):
Ugh, okay, so I need to pack… socks, definitely socks… sunscreen… bug spray… what if I forget something? What if I get lost? What if I hate it? No, no. Gotta be positive. Breathe. Cornfields… they can’t be that bad, right? Maybe they'll be pretty… with a cool sunset or whatever. I really, really hope they have a nice pool at the hotel. Oh, and coffee, lots and lots of coffee
Unbelievable Hakone Pax Yoshino: Your Dream Japan Escape Awaits!
Right, so… is it *actually* the best, or is this just marketing BS? Like, honestly?
Okay, okay, deep breaths. "Best" is a HIGH bar, right? Especially in a city like Sydney. I'll be brutally honest: I walked in with skepticism thicker than a Vegemite sandwich. And yeah, the "Hidden Gem" thing? Sounds like something you'd read on a brochure, you know? BUT... *but*... I was surprised. Really, truly, genuinely surprised. It’s not perfect. More on that later. Let’s just say… it's got a certain *je ne sais quoi*. That indefinable something that kinda worms its way into your heart? Yeah, it might have that.
The rooms. Spill the tea, honey. What are they *really* like?
Alright, the rooms. Here's the reality: they’re not the Ritz. Let’s get that straight. But they're... comfortable. My room? Decent size, good natural light (which is GOLD in Sydney, trust me), and a *killer* view of the harbour. Okay, maybe not *killer*, like, actively trying to murder me. But a really nice view. And the bed? Oh. My. God. That bed. Seriously, I could have happily moved in and called it a day. It was like sleeping on a cloud that smelled faintly of… lavender? Or maybe that was just me. I'm a sucker for lavender. One small, tiny, relatively minor problem: the shower pressure could have been stronger. Like, I wouldn’t want to fight a fire with it. But besides that, I loved the room. Especially after a day of sightseeing. You'd need somewhere to crash, right?
Breakfast. The most important meal of the day. Yay or nay?
Okay, breakfast. This is where things get a little… *interesting*. The buffet? Standard fare. Cereal, toast, the usual suspects. But... then there's the *chef*. He's a character, this guy. One morning, he was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and belting out opera. The next day? He was strangely quiet, shuffling about like a sleepy sloth. But the eggs? Perfectly cooked every single time. And the coffee? Surprisingly good, if you're not too particular. I usually am, especially in the mornings. It was certainly filling, and better than some airport hotel breakfasts I’ve endured. Though next time I might skip the sausages... they may or may not have tasted of old shoes.
Location, location, location! Is it actually in a good spot?
Alright, this is where Sidney's BEST Hotel *truly* shines. The location? Absolute bloody gold. We’re talking a hop, skip, and a jump from everything. The Opera House? Walkable. Harbour Bridge? Walkable (though maybe pack some comfy shoes). Circular Quay? Right there. Seriously, it was perfect. I wandered around for hours, got lost a couple of times (naturally), and still managed to be back in time for a cheeky afternoon nap. Speaking of cheeky naps... did I mention the bed? I’m starting to sound like a broken record... but the location allowed me to get back to that lovely bed in no time.
Let's talk about the *vibe*. Is it stuffy? Trendy? What should I expect?
Okay, the *vibe*. This is where the “Hidden Gem” thing makes sense. It's… relaxed. Not pretentious, not overly trendy. It's got a certain *charm* that's hard to put your finger on. The staff? Actually friendly. Not that fake, forced “Have a nice day!” kind of friendly. Genuinely nice. I had a bit of a luggage disaster (don't ask), and the front desk went above and beyond to help me out. The common areas? Comfortable and welcoming. You know, the kind of place where you actually *want* to hang out and read a book (or, you know, scroll through Instagram – I'm not judging).
Any downsides? Come on, spill the tea!
Alright, alright. Nobody's perfect, and neither is this hotel. Here's the honest truth, raw and unfiltered: one evening, the elevator was broken. *Broken*. Picture this: me, after a long day of exploring, dragging myself and a heavy suitcase up four flights of stairs. Not fun. Also, the Wi-Fi wasn't always the most reliable. But honestly? Those were minor inconveniences. Nothing that would make or break your trip. And they're probably just fixing it, anyway. Otherwise, I really do not remember major issues. Maybe I was too distracted by the view, the bed, and the fact that I’m always hungry.
Okay, so, final verdict? Would you recommend it?
Look, here’s the deal. Yes. Absolutely, unequivocally, YES. But with a caveat: if you're expecting a five-star experience with all the bells and whistles, you might be disappointed. If, however, you're looking for a comfortable, well-located hotel with a bit of character and a genuinely friendly atmosphere, then Sidney's BEST Hotel is worth a shot. I'd go back in a heartbeat. In fact, I'm half thinking of booking another trip right now. Just thinking about that bed… and the view… and maybe, just maybe, another go at that opera-singing chef's eggs. Yeah, definitely worth it! And if the lift is broke again? Well, consider it some extra exercise to earn that delicious breakfast.
