Holiday Inn Orlando East - UCF Area by IHG

The road access is awkward, with no nearby U-turn and the road next to the hotel closed off. Inside, the lobby shows some wear, one elevator was out, and the showers needed maintenance. Our shower clogged and only gave scalding hot water. The TV had basic channels, and although the remote had buttons for YouTube, Netflix, and AirPlay, it wouldn’t let us use them. On the better side, the room smelled and looked clean, the bed was comfortable, and the newer decor and updated furniture felt much higher end than the other Holiday Inn Express we’d left because its bathrooms were dirty and it had no hot water. Reception was friendly and easy, and let us check in around 11 a.m. without a problem.

The rooms were quiet, clean, and comfortable, which mattered a lot on my work trip. Renovations were going on, but they didn’t negatively affect my stay. I liked the high-quality grab-and-go breakfast, the on-site pool, and the bar and restaurant. The gym was roomy, well maintained, and had a good variety of equipment. Staff and management were all delightful. I’d gladly come back.

There was drilling for over five hours while I was trying to nap because the hotel is being remodeled. The room itself was disgusting, with strange stains, a mildew and mold smell, and a damp bed that made it hard to rest. The TV remote, microwave, and phone were broken, and the lobby was run down. My expectations for a Holiday Inn were already low, but the actual room and stay were somehow worse. I wouldn’t stay here even for free. Don’t stay here.

Min made our meal at the restaurant better with her kind, attentive service. Earlier, I’d made a mistake with my reservation, and although the hotel was full, the staff found a way to accommodate my family for our visit. Tameka and Krysta at the front desk were patient, professional, and willing to help, making a stressful situation feel easy. The hotel is affordable and well located near Orlando East and UCF, and the staff truly care about guests. I highly recommend it, and we’d absolutely stay again.