Holiday Inn Express and Suites Bloomington

March 2026. The staff were nice, the place was clean aside from stains that wouldn’t come out, the bedding looked modern, and the WiFi worked well. Still, for what I paid and what I expect from a Holiday Inn Express, the room was a letdown. The furniture, carpet, blinds, lamps, and TVs all feel dated, and there aren’t any outlets or USB ports by the bed. There were rust stains in the shower and stains on my carpet. The elevators have odd wood paneling, and the whole place feels like a hotel from the early 1990s. Renovations are underway, but there’s a long way to go before it feels like a Holiday Inn Express up to 2026 standards. There’s even the frame of an old sign still outside. I think this may have been another hotel before IHG bought it. If you want modern amenities, this isn’t the place.

Breakfast had a good solid range of things, all prepared well, and got us started each morning. Every staff member we dealt with was super nice and helpful. We had a great three-day stay even with the remodeling going on, and we’ll stay here again next time we’re in town.

The staff were the highlight. They were kind and I could rely on them for help at the front desk. Our room was roomy and nice, but the walls were thin enough that we heard a lot, almost like it was happening in our own room. Construction is still going on, so the lobby looks rough and breakfast has been moved to the basement. Breakfast was a disappointment since many of our usual Holiday Inn favorites weren’t available, though there was still plenty to choose from. It worked for what we needed.

Paying $170 for this room feels like a total ripoff. The couch was plaid, stained, and worn, and there were marks on the carpet too. The furniture didn’t match and the room had a strange smell. Welcome to 1975.