CT Hartford Holiday Inn Express Southington

[Thespian]

Stayed here for one night of Memorial Day weekend. It's just off I-84 exit 32, west of Hartford. It's very near Lake Compounce amusement park, but Connecticut is such a small state (in area) that a number of attractions are within an hour's drive.

This hotel is about what you'd expect from a 2.5* property. The biggest advantage is that they don't nickel and dime you as a 3* or 4* might: breakfast and wi-fi are included. The mattress could have been firmer, and there was a faint odor in the room upon entry -- as if someone had tried to mask the smell of sweaty gym socks with disinfectant -- but after a few minutes it wasn't noticeable. The room was clean and quiet (except when the climate control cycled on); the highway traffic was too far away to be audible.

The breakfast bar had several choices, including bacon, biscuits with sausage gravy, and cheese omelets (alas, the cheese was more like Cheez Whiz). Instead of waffle machines, they had a pancake machine: press a button and two small pancakes are poured automatically and travel along a belt until they drop onto your plate. I've paid good money for worse pancakes.

The front desk staff were cheerful and courteous; the first clerk actually phoned the room a few minutes after we checked in, to make sure everything was satisfactory. The place will need refurbishing in a year or two, but it's not a dump by any means. It's not a romantic B&B, but if you're not planning to spend your whole getaway in your room, it's fine.