Escape to Vermont's Mountain Paradise: Unforgettable Holiday Inn Club Vacations
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because we're about to dive headfirst into the snowy, charming, and sometimes delightfully messy experience that is Escape to Vermont's Mountain Paradise: Unforgettable Holiday Inn Club Vacations. I'm not just reviewing; I'm living this review, okay? Think of me as your virtual Vermont Sherpa, guiding you through the peaks and valleys (and maybe the occasional rogue moose sighting) of this place. And, frankly, maybe I'll need to rewrite the offer - I kinda over-promised on perfection there. No place is really perfect.
First Impressions (aka, Getting There is Half the Battle…and the Other Half is…Well, Still Getting There)
Alright, so the "Escape" part is real. You're going to Vermont. That means winding roads, possibly some white-knuckle driving if you're there in winter (snow tires are your friend!). The airport transfer? Thank goodness they have it. After the drive, getting in is a breeze with their contactless check-in/out and a 24-hour front desk, so you can arrive at any time of the night. They make a big point out of it - "Holiday Inn Club Vacations welcomes our guests and make sure they feel comfortable." But let's be honest. I hate that. And I hate it when they make a fuss over 'access' and 'accessibility'. But hey, at least there are elevators and facilities for disabled guests. That means fewer awkward stairs and more time staring at the mountains.
Accessibility - My Own Little Soapbox
Look, access is huge. If you need it, you need it. It’s a deal-breaker. I'm happy to see they address a bunch of the bases:
- Wheelchair Accessible: A must. Because if you're not sure if you can get around, you're not going.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests/Elevator: Important.
- Airport Transfer: If needed, this is a convenience.
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (and My Laundry Pile)
Okay, the rooms themselves…they're functional. Think comfortable, not necessarily aspirational. They are a good option to relax and rest.
- What I Loved: Free Wi-Fi (yes!), a coffee maker, and a refrigerator (because sometimes you just need that late-night leftover slice of pizza or a cold drink!). The blackout curtains are a godsend. The bed? Okay, nothing to write home about, tbh, but I did sleep.
- What's Less-Than-Perfect (and Honestly, I'm Being Kind): It's a Holiday Inn, so you know what you're buying. The décor is, well, it's there. Functional. Not exactly "rustic Vermont chic." My room did have a window that opens.
- Perks They have all rooms with AC so you can be comfortable in Summer or Winter
- 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
Things to Do (Or, What to do When You're Not Huddled in Your Room Avoiding the World)
Okay, Vermont is all about the outdoors. Whether you're getting a room, a cabin or a condo, you are there for the environment. I didn't test the kids' facilities or babysitting service, but they do have them for those of you who have kiddos.
- The Spa/Fitness Center: Well, "spa" is maybe stretching it a bit. But it has a sauna, steamroom, and the gym with the usual treadmills and free weights to keep the body moving.
- Swimming: They have both a pool and outdoor pool
- Relaxation:
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage: These are all options.
- For the kids:
- Babysitting service: I wouldn't trust any babysitting service that isn't vetted, verified and verified again.
- Family/child friendly: As a solo traveler, I didn't utilize.
- Kids facilities: Ditto, I didn't use and can't verify.
- Kids meal: It's there.
- Catering to your events:
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Indoor venue for special events
- On-site event hosting
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Seminars
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (aka, Fueling the Adventure)
Okay, this is where it gets (slightly) interesting. There are a range of options.
- The Food:
- Restaurants: "Restaurants" plural suggests options. Not always the case, but who knows!
- Bar, Coffee shop, Poolside bar, Snack bar: These are all great for grabbing that quick snack or drink.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: This is good variety, so not bad.
- A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: Options.
- The Details to NOTE:
- Alternative meal arrangement: Nice!
- Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Room service [24-hour]: Essential, especially when you can be lazy.
- Bottle of water, Complimentary tea, Essential condiments: Small but important touches.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Safe dining setup: Especially important in our current world.
- Cashless payment service: Always a good option.
Cleanliness and Safety (aka, How Not to Catch the Dreaded Germs)
Okay, this is important these days, and they seem to be taking it seriously:
- Stuff I Like: Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Staff trained in safety protocol.
- Stuff That Makes Me Feel a Little Safer: Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hygiene certification, Safe dining setup, Sterilizing equipment.
- Stuff That's Just Smart: Rooms sanitized between stays, Shared stationery removed.
Services and Conveniences (aka, The Little Things That Make Life Easier)
They’ve got a solid offering of services.
- The Good Stuff: Air conditioning in public area, Concierge, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace.
- The Less-Exciting, but Necessary Stuff: Cash withdrawal, Dry cleaning, Invoice provided.
Getting Around (aka, Surviving the Roads)
- More than the average: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
Important Details (aka, Don't Forget the Fine Print!)
- For the Business Travelers and others:
- Business facilities:
- Business facilities
- Meetings
- Meeting stationery
- Projector/LED display
- Wi-Fi for special events
- Xerox/fax in business center
- Business facilities:
- Couple's room: Because romance!
- Shrine: It's there.
- Proposal spot: Okay, maybe.
- **CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Smoke
Alright, buckle up buttercups! This isn't just a travel itinerary, it's a journey. A messy, opinionated, probably-involving-too-much-coffee journey to the promised land… aka, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Mount Ascutney Resort by IHG, West Windsor, Vermont. Deep breaths. Here we go, warts and all:
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Unpacking Debacle (AKA: Where Did I Park?)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Groan. Curse the alarm clock that never seems to understand my deep-seated need for extra sleep. Coffee, STAT. A large, desperate, "I need to function" coffee.
- 9:00 AM: Pack the car. Or rather, attempt to pack the car. Realize I've forgotten the crucial "emergency snacks" (i.e., a family-sized bag of chips to quell the inevitable "hangry" meltdowns). Damn it!
- 10:00 AM: Okay, finally on the road. The GPS taunts me with a ridiculously optimistic ETA. I know better. Vermont is a land of winding roads and hidden gems. ETA is a lie.
- 1:00 PM: Stop for lunch at a roadside diner. Order the "special." Regret nothing. Seriously, these places have the best breakfasts. And the waitresses? Absolute angels.
- 3:00 PM: Arrive at the resort. First impressions? Pretty darn charming! The lobby smells like pine and possibility. And… oh dear god… where did I park? The parking situation is reminiscent of a jigsaw puzzle designed by a sadist. Multiple laps around the same building later… finally! Success! (Or maybe just giving up and parking in a totally illegal spot).
- 3:30 PM: The Great Unpacking Debacle Begins. Three suitcases, two bags of groceries, a rogue stuffed animal named Bartholomew (who, surprisingly, requires a dedicated seatbelt), and a level of chaos that rivals a clown car explosion.
- 4:00 PM: Room conquered. It's… spacious. And clean! A victory! Except… where's the remote? **Rummages through every crevice of the room while cursing under my breath **Found it! But of course, the batteries are dead.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. The resort restaurant. Hoping for something decent. Please. Maybe not. Overcooked pasta. Mild disappointment, let's be honest in my case. This is a recurring theme…
- 7:30 PM: Explore the resort a little. The indoor pool looks tempting. Shivers, considering the amount of time spent swimming and not getting sick. But the thought of putting on a swimsuit… shudders, and opts for a cozy blanket and Netflix instead.
- 9:00 PM: Bed. Crash. Bliss.
Day 2: Skiing (Or, My Near-Death Experience on Two Wooden Boards) & The Infamous Hot Tub
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Sore. Every single muscle screaming. Remember the promise of skiing. The dream. It's real… right?
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. More coffee. Fueling up for the slopes. The thought is optimistic.
- 9:00 AM: Driving to the ski resort. The scenery is breathtaking. Seriously, Vermont is gorgeous. Makes me hate the city even more.
- 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Skiing. Or, should I say, attempting to ski. I'm convinced the bunny hill is trying to kill me. I nearly take out a small child, and I spend more time on my behind than upright. But, by the grace of the heavens, the glorious, magnificent, wonderful, amazing hot tub!
- Confession: I'm a terrible skier. Like, truly awful. I spend most of my time flailing and yelling things like "Wooo!"
- Anecdote: At one point, I went so fast I thought I was going to fly off the mountain. I screamed, and then, gloriously, face-planted into a snowdrift. I can barely see the people around me.
- Quirky Observation: Skiing is basically just a really expensive way to bruise every single part of your body.
- Emotional Reaction: Humiliation. Exhaustion. But also… pure, unadulterated joy.
- 2:30 PM: Back at the resort, begging for the sweet, sweet release of the hot tub. It's calling my name.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Hot Tub Heaven. Ahhh. The bubbling water, the steam, the feeling of my muscles slowly, wonderfully, melting. This single experience is worth the entire trip.
- Anecdote: Shared the hot tub with a very intense couple who were clearly in the midst of some drama. I pretended to be mesmerized by the bubbles. Awkward, but ultimately, hilarious.
- Quirky Observation: The hot tub is where all the resort secrets are whispered.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated bliss. Soothing. Relaxing. Happy.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Attempt to order a salad, fail miserably. The cheese is calling to me.
- 8:00 PM: Watch a terrible movie on TV. Laugh. Seriously laugh.
- 9:00 PM: Bed. Sleep comes quickly.
Day 3: Hiking, Craft Beer, & The Unexpected Tears
- 8:00 AM: Slow start. Really slow. The hot tub has worked its magic.
- 9:00 AM: Hike. (Attempt 2). This time I'm determined to conquer that little climb. The trail is easy, and I feel pretty darn good about myself. Smiles and gives myself a high five.
- Anecdote: I met a very chatty dog on the trail. I'm convinced he knew more than I did.
- Quirky Observation: Nature is beautiful, sure, but also… full of bugs.
- Emotional Reaction: Sense of accomplishment! And the feeling of fresh air in my lungs.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local brewery. Vermont is known for its craft beer, and I'm not one to disappoint.
- Rant: Okay, the beer is amazing. But why is it so expensive? What's the deal with these prices? I can't afford this lifestyle…
- 2:00 PM: Relaxing at local shops.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner at the resort. It's… fine.
- 6:00 PM: See a sign for a spa treatment. Considering how my body is aching, it might be a good idea.
- 8:00 PM: Start to cry Realize I have a big project due at work. Feel tired. Emotionally fragile. Sob
- 9:00 PM: Bed. More sleep.
Day 4: Departure & The Great Unpacking - Part 2 (AKA: Where Did I Leave My Sanity?)
- 7:00 AM: One last coffee. Seriously, how am I supposed to survive without it?
- 8:00 AM: Pack the car. This time, I think I've got it down. Except, where is my favorite hat?
- 9:00 AM: Check out. Say goodbye to the resort. I'm already missing the hot tub.
- 10:00 AM: Drive. The GPS taunts me again with the ETA.
- 1:00 PM: Stop for lunch.
- 4:00 PM: Arrive home.
- Anecdote: Unpack the car, only to realize I've left Bartholomew (the stuffed animal) at the resort. Curse the heavens.
- Quirky Observation: Home is nice, but it's also… full of dirty laundry and the looming presence of work.
- Emotional Reaction: Mild sadness. The vacation is over!
- 5:00 PM: Start planning the next trip… Maybe I should return to the resort? I need to get back into the hot tub.
So yeah. That's my vacation. Messy. Honest. Filled with epic fails, moments of pure joy, and way too much cheese. But hey, that's life, right?
And that's it. This trip to Vermont was messy, imperfect, and absolutely unforgettable. Worth every penny… and every moment spent on my butt on the ski slopes. Consider myself fully rejuvenated… even if my body still aches!
Tel Aviv's ICONIC David InterContinental: Luxury Redefined
Alright, let's start with the basics: What *is* this thing we're even talking about? Because honestly, I'm still a little unclear.
Look, if I were a robot, I'd tell you the clinical definition and a bullet-pointed list. But I’m not. So... it's a whole *thing*. A journey. A process. Basically, you're asking me to define the undefinable, which is my *favorite* kind of question (said with a heavy dose of sarcasm, because honestly, I'm already mentally exhausted). Let's just say it's a complex blend of X, Y, and Z, and it evolves faster than my opinions on avocado toast. You'll figure it out...eventually. Probably. Maybe.
How do I even *start* with this? Seriously, where do I begin?! I'm overwhelmed already.
Oh honey, I feel you. Overwhelm is like, my *middle name*. Seriously thinking of changing it. The best (and, let's be honest, the *only*) way to start is… to just *start*. Seriously. Take a deep breath (which I probably need to do, too), and pick a little something. A tiny, almost insignificant thing. Baby steps, people! My first baby step with this was a total train wreck. I was so worried about getting it *right* that I got absolutely *nothing* done. It was like, a total existential crisis about… well, everything. So, yeah. Just start. You'll stumble, you'll mess up, and you'll probably want to throw your computer out the window. Welcome to the club!
Okay, okay, I'm starting... But what if I mess up? (Spoiler alert: I'm probably going to mess up.)
Messing up is… the point. Seriously! Embrace the glorious imperfection. I've made *so many* mistakes in this process – from the ridiculous to the outright humiliating. And you know what? They all taught me something. Like the time I accidentally… (let's just say it involved a cat, a very expensive rug, and a whole lot of regret). Okay, maybe that wasn’t *directly* related, but the point is this: Mistakes are proof you're trying. They're badges of honor. So, mess up. Learn. Repeat.
This sounds… hard. Are there any shortcuts? Please tell me there are shortcuts.
Oh, you sweet summer child. Shortcuts? Haha! Fine. There's one. Sort of. (And it doesn’t involve magic beans. Seriously, who still believes in those?) The shortcut is… patience. Yep, that dreaded P-word. I hate it too. But it’s the closest thing you’ll get. It’s not a *quick* fix, but it means you don't have to go through a whole lot of stress. Focus on getting good, not being perfect. Maybe. It's the only thing keeping me sane… sometimes.
What are the biggest misconceptions about this?
Where do I even *start* with this? Misconceptions are like, a plague of locusts in this industry. First, it's *not* easy. Anyone who tells you it is? They're either lying, a robot, or have some sort of secret superpower I’m desperately jealous of. Second, it's *not* about perfection. Let go of the idea of perfection, because it *doesn't exist.* It's about constantly evolving, figuring out what works (and what most definitely *doesn't*). And third, you're not alone. Everyone feels lost and confused, at *least* some of the time. I certainly do.
What about the technical side of things? I'm technologically challenged, to put it mildly.
Ugh, the *tech*. Don't even get me started. My brain is sometimes like a dial-up modem in a 5G world. Honestly? Just… Google. YouTube is your friend. And when you inevitably break something (and you *will*), don't panic. Take a deep breath, and… Google again. And then, if you're *really* stuck, bribe a tech-savvy friend with pizza and wine. Seriously, it's the only way to get through it. And if that all feels overwhelming? Embrace the chaos, because it'll all be alright. Maybe not *immediately,* but eventually. (Hopefully.) *Deep breath*. Okay, I feel better. Now, where’s that pizza…?
This whole thing feels… isolating. How do I connect with others?
Isolation is *real*. It’s like a silent, creeping enemy, isn’t it? The key is to find your people. Whether it's an online forum, a local group, or just that one friend who *gets it*. Share your wins, your struggles, and your random existential crises. I found one group online and they're a motley crew, filled with some crazies and some really inspiring people. And, for the record, they are my saviors. Vent. Cry. Laugh. Lean on each other. You’re not alone. Promise.
What's the craziest experience you've ever had related to this?
Okay, buckle up. This one's a doozy. It involves a deadline, a power outage, and a very grumpy cat. Let's call her Mittens. So I was in the middle of... *gestures vaguely* when the lights went out. *Complete darkness*. But I had to get it done. Deadline was approaching. So, I fired up my laptop (thank goodness for battery life!), and then... boom. Cat. Mittens, in all her fluffy glory, decided my keyboard was the perfect napping spot. I'm talking, sprawled out, tail wagging, the whole nine yards. Now, I'm a cat person, but I was *this* close to losing it. I tried everything. Treats(she wasn't impressed). Gentle nudges (she doubled down). Eventually, I just started typing *around* her. Imagine the level of concentration required. It was like playing Tetris, but with a feline landmine. The results were... let's just say, interesting. The final product? A glorious mess. An ode to procrastination and the unwavering power of a cat's nap. Did I get the job done? Technically, yes. Was it my best work? Absolutely not. But it's a story. And it's *my* story. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Except maybe a slightly more cooperative cat.
Globetrotter Hotels
