Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG
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Summary of reviewsThe Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG, stands out mostly for its convenient location close to Stansted Airport, making it an ideal option for travelers with early or late flights. Guests appreciate the short distance to the terminal and the frequent, affordable shuttle service that facilitates easy transfers. Nearby amenities, such as grocery stores and eateries, further enhance its practicality for a hassle-free stay.
The breakfast offering receives generally favorable remarks with guests valuing the variety and the early start at 4 AM, which suits those with early flights. The range includes both continental and cooked options, accommodating various dietary needs, albeit with occasional mentions of limited hot items before 6 AM and minor organizational issues. Overall, the breakfast experience is seen as a significant plus.
While dinner receives mixed reviews, many guests commend the quality of the food, especially dishes like calamari, burgers and pizzas. However, the limited menu primarily consisting of pizzas and occasional concerns about cleanliness and pricing detract from the experience.
Room cleanliness and comfort are frequently praised, ensuring a restful stay. Although some guests find the rooms small, particularly for families and note occasional issues with maintenance or updates, the overall impression is positive, reinforcing the hotel's reputation for a clean and comfortable environment.
Staff performance is a strong point with many guests highlighting the friendly, helpful and professional demeanor of the employees. Positive interactions, particularly with the front desk and housekeeping staff, enhance the guest experience, despite isolated instances of less friendly service.
WiFi availability is appreciated with many guests finding it quick and easy to access, although some face challenges with connection stability and strength. Parking is another area of positive feedback, though the surprise of additional charges detracts from the overall satisfaction. The cost is often seen as excessive and not always clearly communicated.
The hotel caters well to families, offering convenient proximity to the airport and thoughtful amenities like toy airplanes and chocolate bars for kids. However, room sizes are often cited as a limitation with family rooms feeling cramped and pullout couches deemed uncomfortable.
Overall, the Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport is a sound choice for travelers seeking a convenient, clean and budget-friendly option close to the airport. While it meets the expectations of a three-star hotel and often surpasses them with its strategic location and friendly staff, there are areas for improvement, particularly in dining variety and room size for larger groups.
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The breakfast offering receives generally favorable remarks with guests valuing the variety and the early start at 4 AM, which suits those with early flights. The range includes both continental and cooked options, accommodating various dietary needs, albeit with occasional mentions of limited hot items before 6 AM and minor organizational issues. Overall, the breakfast experience is seen as a significant plus.
While dinner receives mixed reviews, many guests commend the quality of the food, especially dishes like calamari, burgers and pizzas. However, the limited menu primarily consisting of pizzas and occasional concerns about cleanliness and pricing detract from the experience.
Room cleanliness and comfort are frequently praised, ensuring a restful stay. Although some guests find the rooms small, particularly for families and note occasional issues with maintenance or updates, the overall impression is positive, reinforcing the hotel's reputation for a clean and comfortable environment.
Staff performance is a strong point with many guests highlighting the friendly, helpful and professional demeanor of the employees. Positive interactions, particularly with the front desk and housekeeping staff, enhance the guest experience, despite isolated instances of less friendly service.
WiFi availability is appreciated with many guests finding it quick and easy to access, although some face challenges with connection stability and strength. Parking is another area of positive feedback, though the surprise of additional charges detracts from the overall satisfaction. The cost is often seen as excessive and not always clearly communicated.
The hotel caters well to families, offering convenient proximity to the airport and thoughtful amenities like toy airplanes and chocolate bars for kids. However, room sizes are often cited as a limitation with family rooms feeling cramped and pullout couches deemed uncomfortable.
Overall, the Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport is a sound choice for travelers seeking a convenient, clean and budget-friendly option close to the airport. While it meets the expectations of a three-star hotel and often surpasses them with its strategic location and friendly staff, there are areas for improvement, particularly in dining variety and room size for larger groups.
Accessible Hotel
Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG is listed as an accessible hotel popular with guests booking accessible hotels in Essex. They offer accessible rooms with accommodating guest room amenities.
3-Star Hotel
Located near Stansted Airport, this hotel offers convenience and practical amenities. It is a reliable option for travelers needing airport access.
Family Friendly Hotel
Business Hotel
Hotel with Parking
Guest Reviews
The Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport is highly commended for its convenient location, making it an ideal choice for travelers with early morning or late night flights. Guests find the proximity to the airport particularly beneficial with many appreciating the short distance and easy transfers via a frequent, affordable shuttle bus service. The hotel's accessibility ensures a hassle-free overnight stay, providing comfort and ease of travel to and from Stansted Airport. Additionally, nearby amenities such as grocery stores and eateries further enhance the convenience. Overall, its strategic placement and practical facilities make it a top pick for those needing a reliable stopover close to Stansted.
The breakfast at Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG, receives generally favorable remarks from guests, emphasizing its variety and early availability. Guests appreciate the early bird breakfast starting as early as 4 AM, which accommodates early flights, offering both continental and cooked options. The variety of choices—from cereals and fruits to hot items like bacon and eggs—ensures that most dietary preferences are met, including gluten-free and vegan selections. Quality generally holds up well with many guests describing the breakfast as fantastic, delicious and plentiful. The amenities are practical with grab-and-go options for those in a rush. However, some reviews mention occasional issues such as the chaotic organization of the food area, inedible scrambled eggs and limited hot items before 6 AM. Despite these minor drawbacks, the breakfast experience is mostly positive, making it a valued part of the stay for many travelers.
Dinner at the Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG, generally receives mixed reviews. Many guests commend the quality of the food, highlighting tasty dishes such as the beautifully cooked calamari, unbeatable burgers and delicious stone-baked pizzas, which are frequently praised. The breakfast variety also garners positive remarks, offering a good range of options to start the day.
However, the evening dining experience appears somewhat limited with many reviewers noting that the menu is basic and predominantly consists of pizza, which, while generally enjoyed, leaves little choice for those seeking variety or have dietary restrictions. The efficiency and decent quality of the catering are positives, but the restaurant's opening hours and the restricted menu often leave guests wanting more substantial options, especially for late arrivals.
The ambiance of the restaurant and bar is seen as an asset by some with good surroundings and helpful staff enhancing the dining experience. Yet, there were some concerns regarding cleanliness and the overall welcome of the restaurant and bar area. Pricing also divides opinion; some find it reasonable while others consider it expensive given the limited selection.
For those staying at the Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport, the dining facilities provide a convenient option, especially after a delayed flight. However, guests might want to explore other dining options if they are looking for a more diverse menu.
Rooms at the Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG, generally received positive feedback for cleanliness and comfort. Guests frequently noted that the rooms were clean, tidy and well-appointed with some mentioning modern updates and recent refurbishments. The beds were often described as comfortable and many appreciated the quiet atmosphere, ensuring a restful stay.
However, some guests felt that the rooms were on the smaller side, particularly for families and mentioned that they felt cramped when accommodating more than two people. Despite this, numerous reviews highlighted the spaciousness of certain rooms, indicating variability in room size.
Mixed reviews surfaced around the condition of the rooms with some guests observing signs of wear and tear or the need for updates. Certain amenities such as air conditioning received mixed feedback with issues like broken AC units and heating problems being mentioned. The bathroom setup also received varied opinions with some bathrooms being perfectly laid out and others feeling a bit awkward.
Overall, while some rooms showed signs of age and occasional maintenance issues, the majority of guests found their accommodations at the hotel to be clean, comfortable and adequately equipped for a short stay near the airport.
The bed experience at Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG, seems to present a mixed array of opinions. Many guests highlighted the comfort of the beds, praising them as comfortable, very comfortable and even super comfortable in some instances. Several reviewers noted that they had a great night's sleep thanks to the comfy beds and good-sized rooms. Those who found the beds sufficiently comfortable also mentioned that the bedding was soft and warm, contributing to an overall positive sleep experience.
On the other hand, there were some consistent critiques. A number of reviewers found the beds to be uncomfortable, too hard or too small for two people. Sofa beds, in particular, received a lot of negative feedback for being thin, hard and uncomfortable with some guests even stating they couldn't be considered proper beds. Issues with bed mobility and squeakiness were also mentioned, adding to the discomfort for some guests.
While the main beds often received favorable comments for comfort, the varying feedback on bed size and firmness indicates that guests’ perceptions of bed comfort can differ greatly. For families or groups, the size and comfort of sofa beds seemed to be problematic more consistently. Overall, while many guests reported a restful, comfortable sleep, others faced difficulties particularly with size and firmness of the beds and sofa beds provided.
The Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport is generally praised for its cleanliness, making it a reliable choice for travelers. Numerous reviews highlight the hotel's clean and comfortable rooms with many guests describing the accommodations as tidy, modern and well-maintained. The bathrooms are frequently mentioned as spotless, contributing to the overall positive perception of hygiene at the hotel.
Guests appreciate the spaciousness and cleanliness of the family rooms and many have found the public areas of the hotel to be equally well-kept and organized. Despite the hotel being busy and conveniently located near Stansted Airport, the high standards of cleanliness are consistently maintained.
However, there are a few mentions of specific issues such as dusty surfaces, crumbs on carpets and occasional musty towels. Some guests noted that the rooms and corridors could benefit from renovations with visible signs of wear like stained carpets and cobwebs. A few reviews also pointed out that certain areas, including bathrooms, did not meet the expected level of cleanliness every time.
In summary, while the Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport is largely recognized for its clean and comfortable environment, there are occasional lapses in upkeep that could use attention. The friendly and accommodating staff further contribute to a pleasant stay for guests.
The Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG, garners impressive feedback when it comes to staff performance. Guests consistently mention the friendly, helpful and professional demeanor of the employees. The front desk staff, in particular, are praised for their efficiency during check-in and check-out, making the process quick and seamless. Many reviewers highlight the warm, welcoming nature of the reception staff, often citing individual efforts to accommodate early check-ins and respond promptly to requests.
Housekeeping staff are noted for their vigilance and efficiency, ensuring clean and tidy rooms. The hotel’s bar and restaurant staff also receive compliments for their friendliness and attentiveness, creating an inviting atmosphere even late at night.
While the majority of guest interactions are positive, a few comments suggest occasional lapses with some staff needing to improve their friendliness. Despite this, the overall sentiment reflects a team dedicated to providing excellent service with many guests describing the staff as exceptionally friendly, kind and professional.
The shuttle service to and from the terminal also merits mention for its competence, further adding to the hotel's convenience. Overall, the staff's attentive and courteous service appears to significantly enhance the guest experience at this airport hotel.
While staying at the Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport, guests generally appreciate the availability of complimentary WiFi as part of their stay. Many found the WiFi to be good with some noting it as very fast, quick and easy to access. Positive feedback highlights good connection and decent speed, enhancing the convenience for casual browsing or general connectivity needs.
However, several reviews also report challenges with the WiFi service. Issues included weak signals, intermittent connections and lack of reliable speed and stability. Some experienced difficulties with getting the WiFi to work at all or had problems due to no signal in their rooms. There were also isolated remarks regarding the absence of a provided WiFi password and no options for streaming services.
Overall, while the WiFi at this hotel has had its share of inconsistencies, the free, included service still stands out as a notable positive aspect for many guests’ stays.
Guests at Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport overall appreciate the availability of parking at the hotel, often noting that it's essential and decent. Many found the car park to be spacious with plenty of spots and well-monitored by CCTV. The convenience of a fast and cheap shuttle bus service from the airport, priced at around £4, also received positive mentions, contributing to the overall ease of access to the hotel.
However, recurring concerns about parking charges persist. Many guests were surprised by the extra cost, as the overnight parking fee of approximately £14 was not always clearly communicated. Some guests felt that the cost was excessive and added unexpectedly to their stay. While a few mentioned it was relatively straightforward to find a parking space, others found the system a bit complex or had difficulties securing a spot. Additionally, the hotel’s location near an M&S convenience store and service station was highlighted as a handy feature.
In summary, while the hotel provides ample and secure parking facilities, the additional cost—and the lack of clear communication about it—can be a downside for guests.
Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG, appears to cater well to families, especially those arriving on late flights or catching early ones. The ease of access to the airport is a notable advantage for families traveling with young children. Families appreciate the complimentary toy airplanes and chocolate bars given to the kids, adding a touch of thoughtfulness to their stay.
Families are met with friendly service, particularly from staff who engage warmly with children, enhancing the family-friendly atmosphere of the hotel. However, many reviews point out a recurring issue of room size. The family rooms, while clean and well-equipped, are frequently described as cramped and not quite sufficient for 4 people, particularly if the children are older. The pullout couch and double beds are often noted as uncomfortable or inadequate for a restful night, leading to some discomfort during the stay.
The hotel offers functional and spacious shared areas, contributing to a positive family environment. Nonetheless, the limited space within the family rooms themselves remains a consistent drawback, often mentioned despite the clever layout and well-maintained cleanliness.
Overall, the hotel succeeds as an option for families needing a convenient stopover, thanks to its family-centric amenities and proximity to the airport, though improvements in room sizing and comfort could enhance the experience further.
Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG, is a solid choice for travelers seeking a conveniently located, no-frills accommodation near the airport. As a three-star hotel, it aligns well with expectations for its category, offering clean and comfortable rooms. While not extravagant, it provides adequate facilities that cater to short stays, particularly for those catching early flights.
Despite being a budget-friendly option, some guests note that the prices can feel inflated due to its proximity to the airport and associated fees such as a £4 per adult shuttle service and a £14 per night parking charge. The cost of rooms, which can go up to £120 per day, is considered high by some, albeit reasonable given the location.
The hotel serves a basic breakfast starting from 5 am, which is beneficial for early travelers, though the variety is limited. Guests describe the breakfast as fairly standard for a three-star establishment, fitting the overall theme of basic amenities.
Overall, this hotel serves its purpose well as an airport stay, providing a good value for money for those prioritizing location and convenience over luxury. It’s an ideal choice for travelers looking to rest before a flight with the expected comfort and cleanliness of a standard airport hotel.
Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport offers a decent blend of comfort and practicality, particularly suited for business travelers. The hotel’s location is highly convenient, providing quick and easy access to the airport, making it ideal for those with early flights or short layovers. The modern rooms are well-appointed and more spacious than typical travel hotels, especially the bathrooms, which have garnered positive remarks for their size. The inclusion of breakfast is an added bonus, ensuring guests start their day on the right note.
The hotel features several amenities tailored for business needs, including complimentary Wi-Fi that performs adequately for business tasks. The co-working spaces and meeting rooms serve well for professional engagements, though some guests have noted the absence of a comprehensive business center. Facilities like a hot desk and ice machine add to the practicality for work-focused stays. Check-in and check-out processes are smooth, contributing to an overall hassle-free experience.
While the hotel is generally praised for its practical offerings, there are some areas for improvement. For instance, a few guests have mentioned the need for better seating arrangements in the rooms for working on laptops. Nonetheless, the hotel offers good value for money, making it a practical choice for business travelers looking for convenience and essential amenities.
The Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport stands out for its accessible features that cater to guests with disabilities. Located conveniently close to both the airport and city center, its ground floor and designated accessibility rooms are easy to reach and designed with features like lower beds for added comfort. While there isn't an accessible path directly from the airport to the hotel, the reliable, frequent and reasonably priced shuttle service ensures seamless travel for those unable to walk or prefer not to use footpaths.
Guests appreciate the dependable shuttle service, which is known for being on time and making the journey from the airport straightforward. Additionally, the hotel is equipped with wheelchair-accessible areas and all floors can be accessed via lifts, ensuring movement within the hotel is unhindered. Despite occasional issues with providing requested accessibility rooms, the overall setup of the hotel offers substantial ease of access and accommodation for guests with disabilities.
Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG, stands out for its family-friendly and pet-friendly atmosphere. The hotel offers a welcoming environment for all family members, including pets. Visitors have praised the dog-friendly facilities, which include dog-friendly breakfasts and dedicated accommodations for dogs. For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of London, the hotel provides a stress-free retreat during busy times like fireworks season. Pets are indeed welcome, ensuring that all guests, two-legged and four-legged alike, enjoy a comfortable stay.
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Breakfast
Dinner
However, the evening dining experience appears somewhat limited with many reviewers noting that the menu is basic and predominantly consists of pizza, which, while generally enjoyed, leaves little choice for those seeking variety or have dietary restrictions. The efficiency and decent quality of the catering are positives, but the restaurant's opening hours and the restricted menu often leave guests wanting more substantial options, especially for late arrivals.
The ambiance of the restaurant and bar is seen as an asset by some with good surroundings and helpful staff enhancing the dining experience. Yet, there were some concerns regarding cleanliness and the overall welcome of the restaurant and bar area. Pricing also divides opinion; some find it reasonable while others consider it expensive given the limited selection.
For those staying at the Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport, the dining facilities provide a convenient option, especially after a delayed flight. However, guests might want to explore other dining options if they are looking for a more diverse menu.
Rooms
However, some guests felt that the rooms were on the smaller side, particularly for families and mentioned that they felt cramped when accommodating more than two people. Despite this, numerous reviews highlighted the spaciousness of certain rooms, indicating variability in room size.
Mixed reviews surfaced around the condition of the rooms with some guests observing signs of wear and tear or the need for updates. Certain amenities such as air conditioning received mixed feedback with issues like broken AC units and heating problems being mentioned. The bathroom setup also received varied opinions with some bathrooms being perfectly laid out and others feeling a bit awkward.
Overall, while some rooms showed signs of age and occasional maintenance issues, the majority of guests found their accommodations at the hotel to be clean, comfortable and adequately equipped for a short stay near the airport.
Beds
On the other hand, there were some consistent critiques. A number of reviewers found the beds to be uncomfortable, too hard or too small for two people. Sofa beds, in particular, received a lot of negative feedback for being thin, hard and uncomfortable with some guests even stating they couldn't be considered proper beds. Issues with bed mobility and squeakiness were also mentioned, adding to the discomfort for some guests.
While the main beds often received favorable comments for comfort, the varying feedback on bed size and firmness indicates that guests’ perceptions of bed comfort can differ greatly. For families or groups, the size and comfort of sofa beds seemed to be problematic more consistently. Overall, while many guests reported a restful, comfortable sleep, others faced difficulties particularly with size and firmness of the beds and sofa beds provided.
Cleanliness
Guests appreciate the spaciousness and cleanliness of the family rooms and many have found the public areas of the hotel to be equally well-kept and organized. Despite the hotel being busy and conveniently located near Stansted Airport, the high standards of cleanliness are consistently maintained.
However, there are a few mentions of specific issues such as dusty surfaces, crumbs on carpets and occasional musty towels. Some guests noted that the rooms and corridors could benefit from renovations with visible signs of wear like stained carpets and cobwebs. A few reviews also pointed out that certain areas, including bathrooms, did not meet the expected level of cleanliness every time.
In summary, while the Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport is largely recognized for its clean and comfortable environment, there are occasional lapses in upkeep that could use attention. The friendly and accommodating staff further contribute to a pleasant stay for guests.
Staff
Housekeeping staff are noted for their vigilance and efficiency, ensuring clean and tidy rooms. The hotel’s bar and restaurant staff also receive compliments for their friendliness and attentiveness, creating an inviting atmosphere even late at night.
While the majority of guest interactions are positive, a few comments suggest occasional lapses with some staff needing to improve their friendliness. Despite this, the overall sentiment reflects a team dedicated to providing excellent service with many guests describing the staff as exceptionally friendly, kind and professional.
The shuttle service to and from the terminal also merits mention for its competence, further adding to the hotel's convenience. Overall, the staff's attentive and courteous service appears to significantly enhance the guest experience at this airport hotel.
Wi-Fi
However, several reviews also report challenges with the WiFi service. Issues included weak signals, intermittent connections and lack of reliable speed and stability. Some experienced difficulties with getting the WiFi to work at all or had problems due to no signal in their rooms. There were also isolated remarks regarding the absence of a provided WiFi password and no options for streaming services.
Overall, while the WiFi at this hotel has had its share of inconsistencies, the free, included service still stands out as a notable positive aspect for many guests’ stays.
Parking
However, recurring concerns about parking charges persist. Many guests were surprised by the extra cost, as the overnight parking fee of approximately £14 was not always clearly communicated. Some guests felt that the cost was excessive and added unexpectedly to their stay. While a few mentioned it was relatively straightforward to find a parking space, others found the system a bit complex or had difficulties securing a spot. Additionally, the hotel’s location near an M&S convenience store and service station was highlighted as a handy feature.
In summary, while the hotel provides ample and secure parking facilities, the additional cost—and the lack of clear communication about it—can be a downside for guests.
Family
Families are met with friendly service, particularly from staff who engage warmly with children, enhancing the family-friendly atmosphere of the hotel. However, many reviews point out a recurring issue of room size. The family rooms, while clean and well-equipped, are frequently described as cramped and not quite sufficient for 4 people, particularly if the children are older. The pullout couch and double beds are often noted as uncomfortable or inadequate for a restful night, leading to some discomfort during the stay.
The hotel offers functional and spacious shared areas, contributing to a positive family environment. Nonetheless, the limited space within the family rooms themselves remains a consistent drawback, often mentioned despite the clever layout and well-maintained cleanliness.
Overall, the hotel succeeds as an option for families needing a convenient stopover, thanks to its family-centric amenities and proximity to the airport, though improvements in room sizing and comfort could enhance the experience further.
3 Star
Despite being a budget-friendly option, some guests note that the prices can feel inflated due to its proximity to the airport and associated fees such as a £4 per adult shuttle service and a £14 per night parking charge. The cost of rooms, which can go up to £120 per day, is considered high by some, albeit reasonable given the location.
The hotel serves a basic breakfast starting from 5 am, which is beneficial for early travelers, though the variety is limited. Guests describe the breakfast as fairly standard for a three-star establishment, fitting the overall theme of basic amenities.
Overall, this hotel serves its purpose well as an airport stay, providing a good value for money for those prioritizing location and convenience over luxury. It’s an ideal choice for travelers looking to rest before a flight with the expected comfort and cleanliness of a standard airport hotel.
Business
The hotel features several amenities tailored for business needs, including complimentary Wi-Fi that performs adequately for business tasks. The co-working spaces and meeting rooms serve well for professional engagements, though some guests have noted the absence of a comprehensive business center. Facilities like a hot desk and ice machine add to the practicality for work-focused stays. Check-in and check-out processes are smooth, contributing to an overall hassle-free experience.
While the hotel is generally praised for its practical offerings, there are some areas for improvement. For instance, a few guests have mentioned the need for better seating arrangements in the rooms for working on laptops. Nonetheless, the hotel offers good value for money, making it a practical choice for business travelers looking for convenience and essential amenities.
Accessible
Guests appreciate the dependable shuttle service, which is known for being on time and making the journey from the airport straightforward. Additionally, the hotel is equipped with wheelchair-accessible areas and all floors can be accessed via lifts, ensuring movement within the hotel is unhindered. Despite occasional issues with providing requested accessibility rooms, the overall setup of the hotel offers substantial ease of access and accommodation for guests with disabilities.
Dog Friendly
No, Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG.
No, Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG.
No, Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG doesn't have a gym.
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