Holiday Inn Express Long Beach

We expected a basic tourist spot to sleep, given the price, but we were pleasantly surprised. The room was spacious, nicely decorated, and comfortable enough that we spent a few hours relaxing there instead of heading out to see the local sights. Staff greeted us with a choice of fresh cookies and were smiling and helpful. The beach was beautiful, white, and easy to reach. We saw herons while watching the sunset. One funny thing: an upper floor Gulf-side room doesn’t necessarily give you a clear Gulf view. A large tree was right in front of us. If we make it back this way, we’ll book again.

We brought about 45 kids from our Beta group and stayed for two nights. Every employee we dealt with, from the front desk and housekeeping to the breakfast crew, was kind and helpful. They gave us cookies and helped with whatever we needed. Breakfast was delicious, the rooms were clean, and the beds were comfortable. At checkout, the front desk woman helped us check all the kids’ rooms for anything left behind. A great place to stay!

I’d never heard of this hotel before, but it was every bit as nice as the Marriott we usually choose when traveling. It exceeded my expectations, and I’d definitely recommend it as a good place to stay while you’re in town.

The room was huge, with a desk and chair, plus a separate soft armchair and a big ottoman. I loved the pillows, and everything was very clean. There’s a mini fridge and lots of coffee in the room, with more in the lobby, but no microwave. The Gulf view was mostly blocked by a marvelous tree, though I could see the water on either side. There’s also a pool. I didn’t stay for breakfast. The young woman who checked me in was pleasant and informative, and there were fresh baked cookies when I arrived.