Holiday Inn Express Bellingham by IHG

We’ve tried a few other hotels over the years, but we always come back here. It’s clean, the staff are great, and the pool and hot tub are just right. The breakfast is always fresh and perfect, and I only stay at hotels that serve breakfast. We visit our daughter at college, and this is now the only place we’ll stay.

I first stayed at this Holiday Inn Express in 2020 and came back in 2025. It had been excellent both times, and somehow has gotten even better. The staff are consistently welcoming and professional, parking is plentiful and feels safe, and The Birch Door, one of the best breakfast spots in town, is right nearby. It’s clean, quiet, and comfortable, with beds and pillows that make for great sleep. The temperature is always right, and the modern rooms feel stylish and cozy, with plenty of room for luggage. I especially like the layout, it just feels right. The bathrooms have extra counter space and fantastic lighting. The quality is great for a very reasonable price. It’s my go-to in Bellingham, and I highly recommend it.

The room was clean and nice, the staff were friendly, and it was fairly quiet. We could hear too much from the hallway, though. There was a poor seal around the door, with hallway light showing all the way around it when our lights were off. I’m not sure if all rooms are like that or if it’s a code issue, but other hotels haven’t been like this. Maybe the heated toilet seat, bidet, and butt dryer make up for it? Breakfast was typical. The bananas were good, while the apples looked tired. The coffee machine was a bit slow but freshly ground beans for each cup. All in all, a nice room.

The noise was awful. I was on the first floor near the lobby, and staff were loudly chatting and laughing before 5 a.m., which woke me and wrecked my sleep. Once breakfast began at 6, things got chaotic, with kids running and screaming. I’ve never dealt with that at another hotel. What a shock. The breakfast area was a mess, and plenty of food was left out to dry with nobody seeming to care. Not a good time.