Sioux City's HOTTEST Downtown Hotel: IHG's Avid Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling, sometimes chaotic, but ultimately fascinating world of Sioux City's IHG's Avid Awaits! Downtown Hotel. Forget pristine travel blogs; this is real talk, spilling the (possibly decaffeinated) tea.
First Impressions: The Arrival & Accessibility (or, how NOT to break your ankle)
So, you roll into Sioux City. Maybe you're here for a business thing, a family reunion (bless your heart), or, like me, you just needed a dang escape. The Avid Awaits, smack-dab in the heart of downtown, looked promising. First off, score for accessibility! (Important, people, real important). Wheelchair accessible? Check! That ramps and elevators stuff isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have. It’s a good start, right off the bat. The lobby's bright, modern, and thankfully not littered with treacherous art installations I might trip over while dragging my suitcase. Elevator? Yep! Phew. I was starting to sweat.
Internet: The Modern-Day Necessity
Alright, let's get real. In 2024, the internet is oxygen. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Praise the online gods. And guess what? It actually worked. Seriously. My emails downloaded, my YouTube videos streamed (don’t judge), and I didn’t spend half my stay screaming at a buffering circle of doom. They also have Internet access – LAN which is old school but hey, maybe some folks like that.
The Room: Comfort & Chaos (My Apartment, Basically)
The room? Clean, modern, and actually comfortable. Air conditioning? Yes. Blackout curtains? Yes. (Crucial for my sleep schedule – or lack thereof). Free bottled water? Score! Because hydration, people. The desk, laptop workspace, and internet access were great for a bit of work. The bed was comfy – I needed a good night’s sleep since you know, sleep is the only thing that keeps me sane. I loved the extra long bed, it’s a little extra!
Now, here's where things get interesting. "Clean" is relative, right? I think the hotel, like my apartment, is probably clean when they are not occupied with someone. I mean, I didn't find any literal dust bunnies, but I wouldn't start operating on someone's appendicitis in there either. Daily housekeeping? Yep. Thank goodness. I'm not sure how you people do that without it.
I did have a minor freak-out when I was trying to use my laptop and I couldn’t figure out how to get plugged in. I looked for the plugs like a crazy person for an hour straight and then in despair, I found the answer, the socket near the bed! Facepalm.
The bathroom phone was kind of bizarre and I kept thinking I would hear what I consider to be the most horrible sound in the world, a phone ringing. What would you do if you were called by a hotel phone in your bathroom?
Cleanliness & Safety: Because We’re All a Little Germaphobic Now, Aren't We?
Okay, let's talk pandemic times. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. Hand sanitizer? Yep. They take this seriously. I mean, the world is still crawling with germs, and I was grateful. The Daily disinfection in common areas felt reassuring.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure
Alright, the food situation. The Avid Awaits has a restaurant. I went down one day to take a look and then decided to go elsewhere. My fault though, I just wasn’t hungry. But it exists! They also have a Coffee shop. Sometimes I walked through the lobby just to see the smell of the coffee. So, that’s a win. There's a snack bar too, so if you're feeling peckish, you're covered. Room service [24-hour]? YES! (Essential for those late-night/early-morning existential crises, let's be honest).
The lack of a dedicated poolside bar or pool with view did disappoint me a little. But I wasn't really expecting it. I think it’s because I have to give a review or else I wouldn’t be so specific.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Finding Your Chill (or, Attempting To)
Okay, reality check: I spent most of my time working. It’s not perfect for relaxation, but it's not a resort, either. The Fitness center looked pretty standard, and I maybe, maybe, glanced over it once. I am not a gym person, I just can’t. They also have a Spa/sauna which sounded nice. They were not open. So I didn’t experience it but hey, they exist!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Shuttle service? Yes, yes, yes, and yes! The Cash withdrawal option was great for me since I'm often short on cash. Then there’s the gift/souvenir shop. I love those places.
For the Kids (or, Because You Need a Break)
Babysitting service? Maybe! I didn’t look into this. I was thankfully solo on this trip. Although I think I’d prefer the couple’s room sometime!
The Quirks, the Imperfections, The Real Stuff
Look, no hotel is perfect. The lighting in my room felt a little harsh. The elevator occasionally got a little full. And the lack of a truly epic view from my window was a minor bummer. But hey, that's life.
The Verdict: Should You Stay?
Yes. Absolutely. The Avid Awaits is a solid choice for a comfortable, convenient, and (mostly) stress-free stay in Sioux City. It’s clean, accessible, and offers all the essentials you need. It's not a luxury resort, but it's a damn good hotel. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
Now, for the Call to Action – Grab Your Bag!
Are you ready to experience the best of Downtown Sioux City? Then you've got to book your stay at IHG's Avid Awaits! Downtown Hotel!** Get ready to enjoy:**
- Comfortable, well-appointed rooms with blackout curtains and free Wi-Fi!
- Easy accessibility for everyone.
- A convenient location, putting you steps away from the best of Sioux City!
- On-site snacks and drinks!
- Peace of mind with enhanced cleanliness and safety protocols!
Book now and receive a special discount on your first stay! Plus, get a free breakfast voucher!
Don't wait! Sioux City's HOTTEST Downtown Hotel, IHG's Avid Awaits! is waiting for you!
[Link to Book Now!]
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Home Awaits in Tagaytay!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary isn't your grandma's perfectly-planned trip. We're diving headfirst into the vortex of Sioux City, Iowa, and the official home base? The avid hotel Sioux City - Downtown By IHG. Let's see if we can survive three days without losing our minds… completely.
Day 1: Arrival and the Unforeseen Taco Tragedy
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX). Yes, I chuckled. Sue me. Flight was delayed, naturally. Spent the entire time crammed next to a guy who really enjoyed explaining the intricacies of his coin collection. Seriously, sir, I appreciate the history, but please, no more pennies.
- 1:30 PM: Shuttle to the avid hotel. Oh, the hotel. It's… clean. That's a good start, right? The lobby smells suspiciously like air freshener trying to mask something. Let's hope it's not the ghosts of past Sioux City travelers. Check-in smooth, at least. Bless the front desk lady, she looked like she'd seen things. Probably mostly late-night pizza runs.
- 2:30 PM: Unpack my luggage. Or, more accurately, unearth it. It's a suitcase black hole. Find one missing sock. The eternal mystery.
- 3:00 PM: Explore the downtown. I’m supposed to be taking photos. I'm more likely to stare at weird things. Start with Lewis and Clark Park (pretty sure it's just the first place I saw, okay?!). It's… a park. With a statue. Statues are cool, I guess.
- 4:00 PM: Find a local cafĆ©. Needed a caffeine injection after that coin lecture. Settled on a place that advertised "World's Best Coffee". Yeah, no. It's… coffee. Acceptable coffee. But the pastry was… chef's kiss. Just a perfect, flaky croissant. Took a photo for the 'gram (because, duh) before devouring it.
- 5:30 PM: Dinner! Okay, so I wanted tacos. Like, needed tacos. Found a recommended taco place. Walked there. It was closed. On a Friday. Devastation. Decided against crying in public, and moved on. Managed to eat some reheated pizza slices from the gas station and some ice cream.
- 7:00 PM: Attempt at a relaxing evening. Watched some TV. The channel selection? Not as extensive as the hotel brochure promised, but it was a comfort. The shower pressure? Another story. Barely a trickle. My hair still feels like straw. Maybe I need a better shampoo.
- 8:00 PM: Decide to read, but fall asleep after the first page. Jet lag is real, friends.
Day 2: Art, River Ramblings, and Maybe Some Soul-Searching (Or Just More Snacks)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up, feeling slightly less like a zombie. Coffee from the hotel. Surprisingly, it's… palatable.
- 10:00 AM: Go to the Sioux City Art Center. Admire the architecture, the art? Confused. Some of it speaks to me. Some of it… doesn't. But hey, art is subjective, right? Spent way too long contemplating the meaning of a giant, abstract… thing. That seemed to be made of old tires.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a diner. Classic American fare. Burger and fries it is. I'm starting to understand the appeal of simplicity.
- 1:30 PM: Stroll along the Missouri Riverfront. Okay, this is actually pleasant. The river is… well, it's a river. Lots of birds. Thought about skipping rocks, but the gravel looks a little… questionable. Decided to keep my adventure-seeking to sightseeing.
- 3:00 PM: Head back to the hotel. The heat has me exhausted.
- 4:00 PM: Snack break! More ice cream this time.
- 6:00 PM: Find the best BBQ place in town. And by best, I mean the only one open. Ribs were great, though. So smoky. So tender. The corn on the cob was a revelation! Ate way too much. Feel the meat-induced food coma now.
- 7:30 PM: Watch a movie in the hotel. Falling in love with hotel rooms again.
- 8:30 PM: Write in my journal. Try to make sense of the day. Actually reflect. Fail. Draw squiggly lines. It's art, dammit!
Day 3: Sunrise, Souvenirs, and the Bitter Farewell
- 6:00 AM: Wake up for sunrise. Or at least try to. Snooze button wins, obviously. Sigh.
- 7:00 AM: Finally up. Another coffee. Still palatable.
- 8:00 AM: Grab some breakfast (eggs with bacon).
- 9:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping! Found a Sioux City t-shirt. A mug. A weird, ceramic… thing. Why did I need that? Who knows! Impulse buys are the best. Probably overpaid, but don't care.
- 10:00 AM: Check out of the avid hotel. Good riddance. Although, the cleaning staff were lovely and the room was… okay, I’ll give it that. Overall, a good stay.
- 11:00 AM: Airport bound. Ready to go home to my life.
- 1:00 PM: Flight. Delayed by an hour. Sigh.
- 2:00 PM: A final, lingering look at the city below.
- 3:00 PM: Landing somewhere else. Already planning the next adventure.
Sioux City, you were… interesting. Thanks for the tacos (that I didn't get to eat), the art (that I sort of understood), the BBQ (that was awesome), and the weird ceramic… thing. It's been real. Really real. Now, where to next?
Unbelievable Views & Gastronomic Delights Await at Logis Hotel Restaurant La Corniche des CĆ©vennes!
Avid Hotel Sioux City Downtown: FAQs – Because Let's Be Real, You Need the Dirt!
Okay, so, is this *really* the hottest hotel in Sioux City? Like, are we talking fire emoji hot? š„
Alright, alright, let's reel it in a *little*. "Hottest" is subjective, right? I mean, I've seen a deflated bouncy castle marketed as the "hottest" thing in town. But, *Avid* downtown? Yeah, it's definitely up there. It's new, it's smack-dab in the middle of things, and the reviews are generally pretty decent. No, it's not a luxury palace with a rooftop pool and a Michelin-starred chef (wishful thinking, Sioux City!), but for a solid, modern stay? Absolutely. Though, I once walked in after a long day, exhausted, and the lobby felt... a little *sterile* at first. Like, Ikea-chic sterile. But hey, clean is good, right? And, honestly, after being locked in a meeting all day, any space with air conditioning is a win.
What's the deal with the free breakfast? Is it the usual sad continental situation?
Okay, the breakfast... it's a *mixed bag*. Here’s the truth: I'm a *breakfast person*. I NEED eggs, bacon, something other than a sad, lonely muffin. Avid's free breakfast *tries*. They have your usual suspects: cereal, pre-packaged pastries (sigh), and coffee that's, well, it gets the job done. BUT, and it's a big but... On my last stay, they had this waffle machine. And, people, it's the easiest waffle machine *on the planet*. Put in some batter, close the lid, wait a second, VOILA! A freshly made, surprisingly good waffle. It's enough to make you forgive all the pre-packaged sadness. Seriously, I ate, like, three of them. I might have gotten slightly judged by a lady in a floral dress, but hey, waffles are life.
Is the location good? Like, can I actually walk to anything fun?
Yes! YES! Finally, a question with a definitive answer! The location is *fantastic*. You're right downtown, which means you're within walking distance of a bunch of restaurants, bars, and even the Tyson Events Center. During my visit, I practically *stumbled* (ahem, *walked gracefully*) out and found this amazing little Irish pub a few blocks away. (They make a killer Shepherd’s Pie) And you are only a short drive from the Hard Rock Casino. So, yeah, location gets a big thumbs up. You're in the thick of it! Just, uh, maybe wear comfortable shoes. My feet were screaming by the end of the night.
Are the rooms actually comfortable? Or are we talking glorified shoeboxes?
Comfortable is the word. They’re modern. They're clean. The beds are comfy – which is the most important thing after a long day. The TV? Worked perfectly. The Wi-Fi? No buffering! It was a truly beautiful experience. I do remember, though, in one room, the air conditioning was *aggressive*. I swear, I woke up freezing in the middle of the night! And the shower pressure? Could be a little stronger. But overall? Seriously good. Not palatial, but perfectly adequate for a good night's sleep. (Bring a sweater though, just in case that air conditioning is plotting against you.)
Is there a gym? I need to work off all those waffles!
Yes, there's a gym! (Thank the waffle gods!) It's not a massive, state-of-the-art fitness center, but it has the essentials: treadmills, weights, the usual suspects. And, honestly, it's enough to get a decent workout in. I did a quick run one morning, and it was perfect. Nothing fancy, nothing intimidating. Just a place to sweat out the sins of the good life, you know? Though, I did overhear a guy complaining about the lack of a Smith machine. Dude, you're in Sioux City. Manage your expectations!
Parking situation? Nightmare or manageable?
Alright, parking. This is where it gets a *little*… complicated. The hotel has its own parking lot, which is super convenient. The thing is, it’s not huge. During peak times, like, say, during a convention or a big event, it can fill up. The first time I went, I was a little late (blame traffic), and the lot was full. It wasn't the hotel's fault, but it's a real pain to hunt around, especially in an unfamiliar city. But the second time, I got there early and it was totally fine. Always plan ahead, just in case. There is also street parking, but that really depends on your luck and how far from the hotel you feel like walking. Overall, it’s manageable, but be prepared to potentially park a bit further away.
Anything else I should know? Like hidden fees or weird quirks?
Okay, a few quick things: * **The "Extra" Charge**: They do the usual: a small "incidentals" charge on your card. Don't freak out, it's standard. Just make sure you have enough available credit. Remember, it’s just a holding fee. * **The Elevator Issue**: I did notice the elevator *once* took a little longer to arrive than I wanted. Like, seriously, I almost took the stairs. But the stairs weren't an option with my luggage. Patience, young Padawan! * **The Staff**: The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful on my visit! Always a plus. * **My Overall Impression:** Look, Avid Hotel Downtown Sioux City isn't perfect. But, for the price and the location? It's a solid choice. Would I stay there again? Absolutely. Especially if those waffle makers are still operational...
