We stayed here because it’s conveniently situated between the Bay Area and Avenue of Giants. It’s very nice hotel. Simple, clean and modern. Breakfast was good and the staff was very friendly. There is a pool and a small gym.

Solid, Modern Stay with Great Amenities (But Watch the Room Layout)

We stayed here over the July 4th weekend, and it easily earns a solid 3-star rating. Relative to other Holiday Inn Express properties, this one feels significantly newer and more modern, though it has a few layout quirks.

The Wins:

Excellent Breakfast Capacity: The breakfast area is surprisingly large. Even at 9:00 AM the day after the 4th of July, it handled the massive holiday crowd without feeling chaotic.

Smart Room Elements: The air conditioner is positioned so that it doesn’t blow directly onto the beds, which is a huge plus for sleeping comfort. There is also plenty of table space in the room for luggage or managing your gear.

Great Tech & Amenities: The room features a genuinely big TV, which is a welcome change since other locations often have surprisingly small ones. The lobby also keeps fresh lemon water out for guests, and the pool is outdoors.

Standout Fitness Center: This is literally the largest fitness center I have ever seen for a Holiday Inn Express.

Better Elevator Flow: The property features two elevators, whereas most other HIEs I have been to only have one. This helps quite a bit with morning foot traffic.

The Drawbacks:

Room Size: While serviceable, the room is slightly on the smaller side. The footprint is shorter in length compared to some other HIE layouts I’ve been to, but comparable to other “efficient” double queen setups at other hotels.

Late-Night Hot Water: Around 11:00 PM, the shower water barely got warm enough. It seems the system struggles a bit under peak high-occupancy demand late at night.

Accessibility for Kids: The mounted hand soap by the bathroom sink is placed too high. This seems to be a consistent issue across the brand, but it makes it tough for kids to wash their hands independently.

EV Charging Inconsistency: There are plenty of EV chargers on-site, which is great in theory, but infrastructure reliability is mixed. Only the Tesla destination charger actually worked for me.

Overall, it’s a clean, updated, and highly functional property that handles peak holiday crowds well. It’s a reliable choice, just keep the minor room and utility quirks in mind if you are traveling with family or arriving late.

Solid and peaceful stay in the middle of nature. Hotel layout was exceptional, short walk from parking lot to lobby. Quick and efficient check in, under 5 minutes and I had my room card. They recognizrd my IHG Platinum status, we received a free room upgrade on the top floor. Good breakfast in spacious and well laid out dining area. Loved how there was a Costco and Walmart closeby.