Leon Airport's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem!
IHG's Hidden Gem at Leon Airport: A Review That's Actually Honest (and a Little Messy)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get the real lowdown on this "Hidden Gem" at Leon Airport – the IHG joint. I've been there, done that, and basically lived to tell the tale… and maybe shed a few tears of frustration and joy in the process. Buckle up, because this is gonna be a bumpy ride.
Accessibility & Safety: Walking the Fine Line
First things first: Accessibility. They say they're accessible, and I'd give them a solid 7/10. The common areas, elevators, and ramps seemed okay, but honestly, my stay coincided with a minor earthquake (seriously, Leon is, well, León) and I was too busy stuffing my travel pillow into my mouth to properly inspect the wheelchair access. Still, the info says they do have facilities. The security seems tight, with cameras everywhere (CCTV in common areas and outside – good!), and a 24-hour front desk. Plus, I know for a fact they have fire extinguishers and smoke alarms in the rooms, because I had to use the fire extinguisher… (long story, involving a faulty coffee maker and a panicky me). No, really.
Now, about safety protocols. They're trying. Hand sanitizer is everywhere (essential, right?). They do have “professional-grade sanitizing services” and “rooms sanitized between stays,” but I'm not sure if they're using the same stuff as the coffee maker cleaner. Everyone wore masks, and there was a feeling of “we’re trying to be careful.” The "Hygiene certification"… well, let's just say I hoped for the best. The staff? They are trained? I'm not sure; the language barrier didn't help the situation. The takeaway: They are doing something when it comes to cleanliness, but I wouldn’t eat off the floor. Not in any hotel, to be honest.
The Room: Ah, My Sanctuary…Or Not?
My room was, well, a mixed bag. Let's start with the good! The free Wi-Fi? Glorious. Absolutely essential, especially when you're stuck in a hotel after a flight delay. Yes, it's available in the rooms (and the lobby - another plus). The air conditioning blasted Arctic winds, which was a godsend in the Leon heat. And the blackout curtains? Seriously, lifesavers. They were so effective that I almost slept through my flight, which is the best result.
Now, let's get to the things that…weren't ideal, the bad side of the medal. There was a slight, persistent smell of… something. Maybe cleaning products? Maybe the ghost of a previous guest? Who knows. The carpet was, let's say, well-worn. The desk and laptop workspace were functional, but not particularly inspiring. The linens were clean, but a bit rough like sheets that has been washed too many times. So, the rooms are equipped with safety features like a safe box, but honestly, I wouldn’t trust it with my favorite sock. The hair dryer? It sounded like a jet engine. Oh, and that alarm clock? Good luck figuring that one out.
Dining & Drinking: A Rollercoaster of Experiences
Okay, the food situation was… a journey. I'm an adventurous eater, but even I was a little overwhelmed. The restaurants included a buffet and various types of cuisine, including international and Asian. I tried the buffet once. Let's just say it was a choice. There were Asian dishes, salad and soup; all of them looked like they had been sitting out for a while. The vegetarian restaurant option sounded promising, but I didn't dare to try. I mostly stuck to the coffee shop, because at least the coffee/tea was decent. The bars were well-stocked, and they even had a poolside bar, which was great for a casual drink. Happy hour was a lifesaver, especially after that "coffee maker" incident. My favorite part… the bottle of water in the room!
A side story worthy of a novel
I ordered room service, which was 24-hour. I asked for an omelet, it seemed to be the only thing I could handle. The omelet arrived. An hour later. Cold. The worst? It was a particularly terrible omelet. But the poor waiter…he looked so defeated. I felt bad. I mean, the room service menu was extensive. I was too hungry to complain. I ate it. And I survived. Maybe?
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: A Mixed Bag
On the relaxation front, they’ve got a pool with a view (pretty!), a fitness center (looked… adequate), and a spa. The spa / sauna sounded amazing, a real luxury. I mean, a body scrub? Come on! But, after the omelet experience, I was wary. Was it worth the risk? Maybe? I didn't try it. The pool? I definitely used the pool, and it was great.
Essential Services & Conveniences: Navigating the Chaos
Regarding services, the staff were helpful. The concierge was a lifesaver when I needed to rearrange my flight after that earthquake (seriously!). They have a currency exchange, laundry service, and dry cleaning. Plus, a convenience store for those late-night snack cravings (hello, instant noodles!). They even offer food delivery… though, after that omelet, I’m not sure I'd risk it. Daily housekeeping kept things tidy, even if the scent of mystery lingered. The luggage storage was a godsend. They also have a business facility, with a Xerox/fax, and I'm sure they'd be up for special events.
For the Kids: An Uncharted Territory
I didn't have kids, but they claim to be "family/child friendly." They have kids facilities and a babysitting service, which is nice to know.
The Verdict: A Hidden Gem, But With Caveats
Is this hotel a genuine "Hidden Gem"? Honestly? Sort of. It's a solid option for a Leon airport layover or a short stay. It has its flaws, quirks, and moments of sheer, unadulterated messiness. But that's life, isn't it? You can find the free Wi-Fi, relax by the pool, and hope the omelet doesn't traumatize you. And honestly, for the price, it does the job. Be prepared for a few bumps along the road, but if you're looking for an airport hotel that tries to be decent, I give it a:
7.5/10 (and a prayer for a less-earthquake-prone stay next time!)
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Bay Beach House Awaits in Bunbury!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive deep into my (slightly chaotic, utterly opinionated) adventure at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Leon - Aeropuerto By IHG in Silao, Mexico. Forget perfectly curated Instagram feeds; this is the raw, unfiltered truth, warts and all.
Day 1: Arrival, Ambiguity, and Instant Regret (Just Kidding…Kinda)
15:00 - Arrive at Del Bajío International Airport (BJX). Okay, so, first things first. BJX? Sounds like a brand of… well, something I don't want to buy. Anyway, the airport itself is… functional. Not exactly the Eiffel Tower, you know? But hey, it has air conditioning, which is a win in Mexico. Found the pre-arranged shuttle to the hotel. Now, let's talk about the airport shuttle situation… It's like a slow-motion dance of awkward eye contact as everyone tries to figure out who's going where. I clutched my backpack like it was the last slice of pizza on Earth.
16:00 - Hotel Check-in. The Holiday Inn. Okay, I’ve stayed in worse (I've also stayed in much, much better). The lobby? Clean, efficient. The receptionist was friendly, and the whole process was blessedly swift. Quick note: ALWAYS ask for a room away from the elevator. Trust me.
17:00 - Room Reconnaissance & Immediate Disappointment (Followed by Mild Satisfaction). The room! Alright, truth time: my immediate thought was, "Well, it's… a room." Beige walls, two twin beds (which, as a solo traveler, always fills me with a weird sense of potential loneliness, even though I like being alone). The view? The roof of the parking garage. Glamorous. Initially, the disappointment simmered. But you know what? The air conditioning was blasting, a glorious, glorious thing, and the bed seemed comfy enough. And hey, free Wi-Fi!
18:00 - Dinner and the Quest for Authenticity. Okay, I was STARVING. Desperate. So, I ventured into the hotel restaurant. The menu… looked like it had been photocopied from a 1990s chain-restaurant. Ordered the chicken fajitas. They arrived. They were… edible. Perfectly average. Sigh. The waitress, bless her heart, seemed genuinely happy to be there, which, I have to say, is a quality I admire.
19:30 - Evening Exploration…or Lack Thereof. I figured, okay, I'm in Mexico! Gotta find some real Mexican food! Some REAL culture! But my jet lag was setting in. Turns out, the hotel is nestled in a kind of industrial zone. The local choices seemed… limited. I briefly considered walking across the street to what looked like a taco stand, but the thought of navigating unfamiliar streets in the dark while battling fatigue filled me with a sudden and intense sense of dread. So, I retreated to my beige room, flicked on the TV, and promptly fell asleep. Total fail on the cultural immersion front.
22:00 - Wake up in a Panic. Oh, the beauty of jet lag. I woke up in a cold sweat at 2 AM, convinced I'd missed my flight. Turns out, I hadn't. Another quick note: Pack earplugs and an eye mask. Seriously.
Day 2: The Leather Factory Odyssey (and a Near-Taco Disaster)
- 07:00 - Free Breakfast Buffet. The Great Debate. The free breakfast. Ah, the soul-crushing joy of a hotel buffet. Scrambled eggs that look suspiciously like yellow rubber? Check. Questionable sausages? Check. At least the coffee was strong, and the fruit was… fruit-like. I did notice a lot of people piling food on their plates. Some of them had three plates of food. I was slightly ashamed of myself for being impressed.
- 08:30 - The Leather District…and the Smell. The reason I was in Silao (besides a layover) was a business trip. Turns out, Silao is a BIG deal for leather. So, I went to the leather factory. Now, imagine the most intense leather fragrance you can, amp it up by about a thousand, and you're getting close. It was like walking into a giant, beautifully crafted leather handbag. My nose was not prepared. I did, however, get to see how they make leather. It was absolutely fascinating… and absolutely smelly.
- 12:00 - Tacos… and the Near Implosion of My Digestive System. Lunch! This time, I was determined. Found a little taco place off the main road. It was… authentic. Like, straight out of a movie type authentic. I ordered two tacos al pastor. The meat was juicy, the tortillas were perfect. The salsa… well, let's just say it packed a punch. Within minutes, my mouth was on fire, my eyes were watering, and I could feel my stomach staging a revolt. I might have, MAYBE, consumed five bottles of water.
- 14:00 - Hotel Nap (Necessary). After the taco incident, I retreated to the hotel to recover from the burn. Sleep was the answer.
- 17:00 - Gym Visit. The Irony. The hotel gym. It was functional. Two treadmills, a couple of weights. I dutifully jogged for a bit but mostly ended up staring at the television.
- 18:00 - More Fumbling with Dinner. After the disastrous taco experience, I opted for the relative safety of the hotel restaurant. Ordered the burger. It was…a burger. Not bad.
Day 3: Airport Escape and Final Thoughts
- 07:00 - Last Breakfast…and the Art of the Pile-Up. The breakfast buffet again. I learned from yesterday's mistakes. No more questionable sausages. Just fruit, coffee, and the (thankfully lukewarm) scrambled eggs.
- 08:30 - Check-out, Shuttle, and Departing Thoughts. Checkout was smooth. The shuttle? Efficient. As I rode back to the airport, I had time to reflect. The Holiday Inn wasn't glamorous. It wasn't particularly memorable. But it was clean, comfortable enough, and the staff were genuinely pleasant. It was a solid base of operations for the Silao experience.
- 09:00 - Departing flight… And, in a final flourish of dramatic flair, I left.
Final Verdict:
Would I stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Leon - Aeropuerto By IHG again? Probably. It’s a perfectly acceptable hotel for a business traveller. And hey, at least the coffee was strong. Would I recommend it for a vacation of culture-filled exploration? Maybe not the primary lodging option, but if you're looking for a safe spot near the airport, you could certainly do worse. Embrace the beige. Embrace the potential for bad food. Embrace the weirdness. Because that, my friends, is what travel is all about. (And seriously, bring earplugs.)
Unbelievable Tuscan Escape: Villa Poggio Di Gaville Awaits!
Leon Airport's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem! -- FAQ (and Rant!)
Okay, so seriously… Is this IHG hotel REALLY the best by the Leon Airport? I'm hearing whispers…
Alright, alright, let's get down to brass tacks. "Best"? That's a loaded word, isn't it? Depending on what you *need* and what kind of mood you're in, yes, this place (I'm hinting, but not revealing the name just yet!) is freaking fantastic, and maybe the only realistic option. I mean, I've stayed at some… well, let's just politely call them "forgettable" hotels near airports. Think stale air, questionable coffee, and the lingering scent of industrial cleaning fluid. This IHG-affiliated place? Big difference. I'd call it, a "surprisingly decent" place, which, when you're exhausted from travel, is a huge win.
But, a "hidden gem"? Okay, I see where that's coming from. It's not the flashiest, you know? No massive crystal chandeliers or a lobby that could double as a museum. But that's precisely its charm, and what keeps it off many people's radar, or at least allows them to avoid the associated prices or expectations.
What's the *vibe* like? I'm picturing either sterile corporate or, you know, that weird "airport hotel" vibe…
Okay, so the vibe. This is crucial. Forget sterile. Absolutely no trace of sterile. Think… clean, modern, and *surprisingly* warm. Yeah, I know, that's a weird combo, but trust me. The lighting is actually decent! And they actually have plants, which is a small but important detail. It *almost* feels like a relaxing retreat, which is a massive win considering the location. The "airport hotel" vibe? There's a hint of it, but not the overwhelming, soul-crushing kind. You know, the one where you feel like you're just a number, a cog in the travel machine. They actually treat you like you're, well, a person. Imagine that!
One time, I was completely frazzled, missed my flight (a story for another day, involving questionable airport security and a very slow coffee shop), and arrived looking like a drowned rat. The front desk staff… they didn’t bat an eye. No judgment, just “Welcome! We’ll get you sorted.” Honestly, that was a lifesaver.
The rooms! Are they actually clean? (This is always my biggest fear…)
Clean? YES! Thank GOD, yes. My biggest pet peeve. And I'm a clean freak, I admit it. The rooms are not just clean; they're *spotless*. The beds are comfy, the sheets are crisp, and the bathrooms… okay, I'm weirdly passionate about bathrooms. They are actually well-designed, with good water pressure in the shower (a hotel rarity!). Seriously, I once stayed at a five-star place where the shower barely trickled. It was a nightmare. This place? Shower heaven. Seriously, take note, hotel designers, it matters.
One potential issue? I swear the soundproofing isn't perfect. You'll hear some plane noise. And I mean, you're near the airport. But it's nothing compared to the ear-splitting roar I've experienced elsewhere. And yes, I sometimes travel with earplugs because, well, I'm a light sleeper.
What about food? Breakfast buffet? Anything decent?
Okay, the food. Here's where things get a little… mixed. The breakfast buffet? It's included, which is a HUGE plus. And it's… not bad. Not Michelin-star quality, but definitely edible and satisfying. Think eggs (cooked to order!), pastries, fruit, and some local specialties. My biggest tip – try the chilaquiles. You'll thank me later. The coffee, however… well, let's just say it's not the highlight. Order a double espresso *first thing* to get you going.
There’s also a restaurant for lunch and dinner. I had a surprisingly good burger there once. And a not-so-good pasta dish. It's a gamble, to be honest. Luckily, there are options nearby if you're feeling adventurous. But after a long day of travel, sometimes a mediocre burger is exactly what you need. Convenience is key!
Are there any other amenities? Pool? Gym? Spa? (Don't get my hopes up...)
Alright, here's the truth bomb: no spa. Get over it. There's a pool, which is lovely, especially after a long flight. It's not huge, but it’s well-maintained and the perfect place to unwind for a bit. The gym? It exists. It has the basics. I'm not a gym person (I walk, I hike, I consider lifting a coffee cup exercise), but it looked functional. So, yes, some basic amenities. Don't expect a luxury resort experience, but it’s enough to make you feel a little pampered, especially when you consider the alternatives.
Is it noisy? Like, plane noise, construction noise, screaming children noise…
The plane noise? You'll hear some. It is, after all, next to the airport. It varies. Sometimes it's a gentle whoosh, sometimes it's a bit louder. But it’s not constant. Construction noise? I've never experienced any. Screaming children? Well, all hotels have screaming children sometimes! It depends on the season, I guess. Seriously though, noise is minimal. It's significantly better than other hotels near the airport I've been to. They seem to have some decent soundproofing. Take earplugs if you're super sensitive, as I’ve mentioned. But in general, it's pretty quiet, which is a huge win.
Okay, so, the REALLY important question: is it worth the money?
Alright, financial reality check time. This, my friends, is the kicker. Is it worth the money? Honestly… yes, usually. But here's the thing: hotel prices fluctuate wildly. Check the rates! Don't just assume. I’ve seen it be a steal and a bit of a splurge (especially if there’s some big event in town or a festival). I'd gladly pay a little more for the comfort and convenience. The clean rooms, nice staff, and decent breakfast add up to a significant quality of life upgrade, especially after a long day of travel. If it's priced competitively? Run, don't walk, to book it. If it's a bit pricier? It’s still probably worth itHotels With Kitchen Near Me
