I'll be the first to admit it... when I hear "Holiday Inn," I automatically picture something between a motel and a basic hotel. You know... clean enough, decent enough, maybe a solid 2 or 3 stars.
I was completely wrong.
The Holiday Inn in Plainview completely shattered every expectation I had.
From the moment you pull into the property, you can tell it's exceptionally well maintained. Then you walk through those front doors and... WOW.
The lobby is absolutely gorgeous. It's open, spacious, beautifully designed, and immediately gives you that upscale hotel feeling. It honestly reminded me more of a Hilton or Marriott than what most people picture when they hear "Holiday Inn." To the right is a beautiful restaurant that adds to the overall atmosphere, and to the left is where you meet one of this hotel's greatest assets...
The front desk staff.
I can't say enough good things about them.
Every single person we encountered greeted us with genuine smiles, professional attire, and the kind of welcoming attitude that instantly makes you feel like you're in good hands. It wasn't the forced "customer service smile." It was authentic.
Now let me talk about someone who truly deserves to be recognized...
Francisco.
Holiday Inn... if anyone from corporate is reading this, I hope you know exactly who I'm talking about because this young man deserves every bit of recognition that comes his way.
We were staying here during one of the most stressful times imaginable... moving. If you've ever had to coordinate hotels while waiting on housing, you already know it's exhausting. Every day felt like another puzzle to solve.
Almost every single day I found myself at the front desk needing something.
Another night added.
Another extension.
Questions.
Changes.
Updates.
I probably drove the poor guy crazy...
Not once... NOT ONCE... did Francisco ever make me feel like I was a burden.
Every interaction was met with patience, professionalism, kindness, and a smile.
He didn't just answer questions. He solved problems.
When I needed extra time before extending my stay, he worked with me. When I was overwhelmed, he somehow had this calm energy that immediately made me feel like everything was going to work out.
That's a rare gift.
Customer service isn't just checking people in and handing over room keys.
It's making people feel seen.
It's making people feel welcome.
It's making stressful situations just a little less stressful.
Francisco does all of that effortlessly.
If I owned this hotel, I'd be recognizing him publicly because employees like him are exactly why guests return. Better yet... I'd have him teaching customer service seminars to every new front desk employee because he truly sets the gold standard.
As for the hotel itself...
Our room was incredibly spacious, spotless, and comfortable. The double beds were surprisingly roomy. Two adults and my son fit comfortably without feeling cramped, which is almost unheard of. The mattresses were comfortable, the room was modern, everything worked exactly as it should, and housekeeping clearly takes pride in what they do.
The outdoor pool was clean, refreshing, and well maintained.
After spending the last couple of weeks bouncing between different hotels while waiting to move, I can honestly say this was, hands down, one of the best experiences we had.
In fact... if I had known this Holiday Inn existed and offered this level of service, quality, and value, I would've skipped the other places entirely and booked here from the very beginning.
So to Francisco, the incredible front desk team, housekeeping, and everyone behind the scenes...
Thank you.
You didn't just provide us with a room.
You provided us with peace of mind.
Five stars without hesitation... and if Francisco could receive a sixth star for customer service alone, I'd happily give it to him. read more