Holiday Inn Express Tyler South University Area by IHG

Kassie did a great job keeping the breakfast stocked for everyone. The staff were helpful and accommodating, and the hotel is new and very comfortable.

That giant Texas display in the lobby was a fun photo spot. The whole new hotel felt fresh, bright, clean, and comfortable, and the staff were welcoming and friendly. It's a great addition to Tyler, and I'd stay again.

The beds were rock hard and definitely felt like full size, despite being listed as queen. Breakfast was gross, with eggs, yogurt, and sausage, and the price just wasn't worth it. The pool was closed for failing inspection, and the shower water was barely a dribble. If you need to wash your hair, forget it. I even considered rinsing it in the toilet since that had airplane-level pressure. Every room light had a constant strobe effect. This hotel has a lot of problems.

I may be sleep-deprived and angry, so that could affect how fair my opinion is. Still, the alarm situation was awful. It went off from 3:30 AM to 5:00 AM, and we were told there was no fire, but staff didn't know how to turn it off. I overheard the responding fire department say it had happened on previous nights, yet guests weren't warned at check-in. That felt dishonest and manipulative. I'd ask about the false-alarm policy and what to do if it sounds. The pool also wasn't ready or open. The hotel had barely been open a week, yet the tile and caulking looked shoddy and detail work had random scratches. For a brand new hotel, it looked built ten years ago, and when I asked if the alarm had been deactivated, the answer was a lackluster, “I don't know.” I guess a good night's sleep on the road is too much to ask in 2026.