Holiday Inn Express Antrim by IHG

The rooms were exceptionally clean, and housekeeping kept them comfortable and tidy. I also liked the quiet, relaxing location and the nice breakfast. The team were friendly and welcoming throughout, with excellent service. I had a wonderful stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Antrim and would happily return.

Breakfast was the biggest letdown. There was very little to choose from: toast and jam, plus a few hot dishes for a basic English breakfast. The scrambled eggs tasted much too milky, and there were no other egg choices, ham or cheese. I’m not a fussy eater, but there needs to be some choice. We tried it once, then ate elsewhere for the rest of our stay. The coffee was poor too, and the instant Nescafé in the room was better. The room itself was fine and seemed clean, and the staff came across as pleasant. But for the price, the stay didn’t feel worth it. There were also some basic comfort issues. Noise carried from everywhere because there was virtually no soundproofing, which made it hard to relax. The “double” bed felt closer to a three-quarter size than a standard double. No water was supplied in the room or available at breakfast, so we had to cross the road to Asda for some. The hair dryer was awkward to use: it was tiny, fixed low inside a cupboard, and only worked while you held the button down. Its cord was too short to use comfortably above your head.

We were here for three nights to see friends nearby, and it worked well for us. The hotel was clean and quiet, with comfortable beds, friendly staff and a good breakfast. There was plenty of free parking, too. It’s about 15 minutes from Belfast airport and a handy base for Antrim and the surrounding area.

The location suited my business trip perfectly, and the staff were genuinely friendly. Cleanliness and value could be better, and little things like complimentary water would improve the stay a lot.