Magnolia, Arkansas: Holiday Inn Express-Lake Columbia, area and dining

August 2022, weekdays, 2-nights

Sunrise from guestroom 304 in Holiday Inn Express in Magnolia, Arkansas

Holiday Inn Express, king extended guestroom 304

Guestroom 304 is on the top floor near the end of the hall. The bed was comfy with good quality pillows and bedding.

Guestroom 304 in Holiday Inn Express in Magnolia, Arkansas

The guestroom was spacious, comfortable, and clean. 

Guestroom 304 in Holiday Inn Express in Magnolia, Arkansas

The beverage center contained a microwave, K-cup machine with supplies, and a good size fridge. The well-lit bathroom contained a long vanity and bath amenities.

Sikeston, Missouri: Hampton Inn and more

May 2022, Weekday, one night

We had initially planned to stay at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and changed our stay to this hotel a few days before our arrival. We decided we wanted to travel a bit farther than Poplar Bluff before stopping for the night, and this hotel is fairly new.

Sunset from suite 429 in Hampton Inn in Sikeston, MO

Arrival and diamond perks

I booked a basic king guestroom, as the online photos showed a sofa in the guestroom. I decided to call the hotel after I received the email to check-in online, and the agent upgraded us to a suite. When we arrived, the front desk agent offered me a beverage and snack.

Entry in suite 429 in Hampton Inn in Sikeston, MO

Guestroom 429

This suite is on the top floor on the southwest corner of the building. Even though that is the end of the building closest to US-60, we were not bothered by traffic noise. The sunset view was excellent.

Suite 429 in Hampton Inn in Sikeston, MO

Texarkana, Arkansas: Hampton Inn and Suites

 May 2022, Weekdays, Two nights. King suite 426

Arrival and diamond perks

I booked a studio suite when I made this reservation because the rates were reasonable. I was glad I did, because there was some kind of issue with the guests checking in before me who had requested a suite when making the reservation, and were unable to get one. It sounded like the agent told them the hotel was almost full, although it did not seem like it was during our stay. Possibly, just the suites were taken. I chose guestroom 426 when I checked in via the app before our arrival. I stopped at the front desk to get a key for my husband, and the agent told me there were waters in the room for me.

Guestroom diagram on the back of door in
suite 426 in Hampton Inn & Suites, Texarkana, AR

Guestroom 426

This guestroom is located on the top floor at the end of the hall. It is spacious with a sofa, soft chair, and long desk/work area. Although the guestroom was comfortable, it was in need of an update. The furnishings and carpet showed signs of age and stains. Fortunately, there was extra bedding in the guestroom, as I was not comfortable sitting on the sofa without a clean sheet covering it. My apologies for not taking a photo of this area before I covered the sofa!

Furnishings in living room area of suite 426 in Hampton Inn & Suites, Texarkana, AR

The kitchen area near the entrance included a sink, microwave, small fridge, single serve coffeemaker with supplies, ice bucket, and two bottles of water. I think water may have been provided in all of the guestrooms, as I heard the front desk agent tell another guest the same thing he had told me, and he had not recognized my diamond status when he told me about the water. Bottled water was also provided in the fitness center, and the breakfast room.

Suite 426 in Hampton Inn & Suites, Texarkana, AR
Vanity area above; kitchen entry below