What to expect when staying at Hiliday Inn Express?
 

We are thinking about staying at Holiday Inn Express in Hendersonville, NC.
Never stayed at any Holidays Inn. Can you tell me about your personal experiences with Holiday Inns? What to expect when staying there? Are there anything like Best Western? Never had any luck with a few Best Westerns we atyed in. Do they serve a decent breakfast or just a coffee and a bagel? What about size of a room and comfort of beds? Thank you for your input.
IBT

Incognito, I really like Holiday Inn Express. Along with Hampton Inns, they are my favorite moderately-priced hotels. We have stayed in them in several states, and have always been very pleased. The beds (different sizes) are always comfy, the rooms well-maintained and the breakfast is muffins, bagels, Danish, cold cereals, instant oatmeal, toaster waffles, boiled eggs at some, yoghurt, sausage gravy with biscuits at some, fruit juice, bananas, apples, coffee, tea, chocolate, etc.............. I think just fine! As I said, we have never been disappointed, and you will be in North Carolina, so it should be even nicer than usual!;-)

HI Express is a basic budget accommodation, nicer than a Motel 6 or Comfort Inn, but not as plush as a large hotel. Rooms are generally decent size with comfortable furnishings, and they provide a nice continental breakfast buffet (juice, toast, ceral, muffins, pastry, fruit) in the morning. I've stayed at several around the US and they were pretty consistent, good value for the money.

And I really like Holiday Inns (full service). Always have good experiences there, it seems, with their restaurants, indoor pools, etc.

I really like Holiday Inn Express. The first time we stayed in one was in Michigan, just off I-75 and we were very pleasantly surprised. It was great. The indoor pool and hot tub were both great. We could not believe the wonderful buffet breakfast they served. It was complimentary and much more than we'd ever seen before and much more than we expected.
I'd stay there again in a minute.

They also offer FF points.

We have stayed in several H.I.-Express hotels - all were very nice. Rooms were all good sized, nice bathrooms, decent breakfast selections, clean hotels, and my personal favorite enough towels !!!! There are 2 of us and all hotels had 3 sets of towels in the rooms, no calling down to ask for another towel. Also, all rooms have iron, ironing board and coffee maker. Some have refrig (depends on hotel and room).

Thank you all for your help. Sounds great! We'll be making reservation this morning.
bonniebroad, Seamus, kodi, tmh and Lori do you make your reservations directly with Holiday Inn on their website?

Hi incognito, just saw your post and wanted to add that HI Exp is our favorite chain! We are huge fans. Essentially, they are just NEWer holiday inns, but without room-service.

We have stayed with them throughout the entire country for 8 summers on our out-west road trips, and have accrued so many priority club points that we've gotten many free stays over the years! The vast majority are listed as 3* by the AAA.

As others have said, the breakfast is the most substantial of the moderate chains and often includes hot waffles or french toast. Their warm signature cinnamon rolls are to die for, and worth the splurge.

I would suggest checking their nat'l web-site first even if you end up booking directly. They will often honor the on-line rates if lower.

Agree with above - breakfast may be your only negative, depending on age of hotel. In a couple I have stayed at, it was not more than coffee, juice, bagel in a corner of the lobby - because there was really no other space available. In others, it was a little more - but basic cold food - not like full breakfasts served at some other chains - fine for us, but others might want/expect more.

I always make our reservations directly with H.I. on their website. Check AAA rates, internet rates or whatever for best deal. We have only stayed in newer HI-Express hotels and they all had comfortable breakfast rooms with t.v., newspapers, etc. I would imagine if it were an older hotel it may be more cramped, etc. Breakfasts are serve yourself and not big buffets so if you are looking for that I would choose another place. We have certainly never gone hungrey staying at one tho :-)

I always call 1-800-HOLIDAY to make the reservations, to make SURE I get that lowest rate. Usually their Great Rates beat everything else....... I'm with Lori, all the HIE's I've stayed in have been new or practically so, with a great breakfast area. Of course, I don't expect to get a lavish, cooked breakfast with these lower rates, so I'm not disappointed with what I call these "continental buffets." I think you'll really like the place, Incognito!:-)

This may be a fluke, but there is a certain part of Kentucky that seems to have the WORST chain motels I have ever experienced. The HI Express was just the name slapped on an older property, dingy dirty room, and "breakfast" was coffee and supermarket donuts.

Marilyn, I guess you can get that with any of them occasionally, huh? Although I have to say my experiences have been outstanding with Hampton and Holiday Inn Expresses. Now, with Comfort Inn, I've had a couple of so-so's ....... nothing deal-breaking, but not so pleasing! Better luck next time!

Interesting information. Thanks again. Just booked our room.

Incognito, please come back and tell us what you thought. Also, is this your first trip through North Carolina?

Yes, this is our first trip there. Thank you bonniebroad for your help. I promise to come back and post my impression of the place

I should thank ALL of you for a great help. Thanks