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Reviews of Holiday Inn Express Colchester, an IHG Hotel

2.5 out of 5
Holiday Inn Express Colchester, an IHG Hotel
Birchwood Road, Colchester, England

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 377 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 434 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 125 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 51 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 15 out of 1002 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jodie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff were lovely rooms were clean was an enjoyable stay
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Lenka

Liked: Cleanliness
Convenient location, very clean room, great bathroom, but if very uncomfortable mattress. The breakfast was good.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Russell

Travelled with partner
We would stay here again only if you could have the same mattress’s as premier inn it’s a shame as everything was excellent but the mattress’s were terrible no support at all 🙁
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Graham

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities
There is nothing to really recommend this property other thjan price. It is next to a petrol station and one other building just alongside the A12. There is nothing attractive but parking is fine. A small and expensive evening meal menu is available. Breakfast is buffet style with not quite as much on offer as is usual. The food is ok and the service is good, clearing and cleaning tables and topping up the food. Rooms are a reasonable size but no shelves and no drawers so you live out of your travel bag. Therre are coat hangers on an open rack. One bedside light could not be switched off and the room was not serviced one day even though it had been requested. Planty of hot water and a good shower.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Praveen

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Helpful staff
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Amanda

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel, central location. Nice staff. Great breakfast. Room was clean. But big let down were the beds. Sooooo uncomfortable and small. Duvet barely covered the bed so scaring it with my husband was interesting! The sofa bed for the children was horrific. Doings sticking out everywhere. Such a shame as the stay would have been excellent if we could have slept!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

natasha

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Lovely hotel. Helpful safe. Lovely bathroom. little hard to find in the dark.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Linda

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Super clean and comfortable hotel with very good service. However the lift was out of order which was no real biggie, but this had to be the worst nights hotel sleep ever because of the noise. There was a party of guests containing young children/teenagers who ran up and down the corridors screaming at each other until around midnight. I spoke to them and called down to reception too. We also heard a noise that sounded like the wind rattling a door. This went on all night. Finally we could clearly hear the people next door and their baby woke us up just before 05.30. If we'd been staying longer we'd have asked to move rooms, ours had a connecting door so whether that made it less soundproof I don't know. This was our first time at a Holiday Inn and we thought it clean, comfortable and with good service and a fair price. Just a shame about the noise.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

paul

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Receptionist was good. Always smiling and happy. The blonde lady. Food was very average, menu could be a little bigger with more choices. And a free water station would have been nice.
Stayed 16 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Helen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean room. Helpful staff. Great all you can eat breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

4/10 Poor

Now

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Shower was dirty. Lift out of order. Breakfast food was poorly cooked and the car park lighting was not working.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Simon

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great value
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Sandra

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
We had a couple of problems due to boiler issues, however the staff did their utmost to resolve them and were very pleasant throughout.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice return stay
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021
Response from Steve on 25 Sept 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021
Response from Steve on 19 Sept 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

6/10 Okay

William

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Abit isolated - no other options for food apart from hotel bar which was poor and over priced
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021
Response from Steve on 19 Sept 2021
Thank you for choosing our hotel and for taking the time to provide feedback about your experience at it. I would like to start by apologizing to you for not meeting your expectations. We strive to make each stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, and we will use your comments to coach our team in order to provide a better experience in the future. I hope you will give us a chance by staying with us again to show you that your unsatisfactory stay was an exception. Again, thank you for sharing your comments.

8/10 Good

Jonathan, Bromley

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The hotel is convenient off the A12 yet far enough away you don't hear traffic noise. Decent room and bathroom, modern and clean and the rate included a better than average breakfast in the bar on-site. The only drawback is they don't offer family rooms with two double beds, just a bed and a sofa bed. The sofa bed is pretty small and VERY uncomfortable, you can feel a bar in the middle of your back all night. Might be ok for very little kids but it does not make for a good night's sleep for someone bigger.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
Response from Steve on 29 Aug 2021
Thank you very much for taking the time to write us a review. We will use your comments to coach our team in order to provide a better experience in the future. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

2/10 Terrible

Andrea

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort
Our stay was hard as when booking the ages of our children haven’t been taken into consideration and they had to share a bed. I don’t know why we’re not informed of this prior to our stay
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
Response from Steve on 26 Aug 2021
Thank you for choosing our hotel and for taking the time to provide feedback about your experience at it. I would like to start by apologizing to you for not meeting your expectations. We strive to make each stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, and we will use your comments to coach our team in order to provide a better experience in the future. I hope you will give us a chance by staying with us again to show you that your unsatisfactory stay was an exception. Again, thank you for sharing your comments.

8/10 Good

Michelle

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
Response from Steve on 19 Sept 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

10/10 Excellent

Denise

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Night out
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
Response from Steve on 19 Sept 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

8/10 Good

Lee

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great for the price
Good clean and well maintained hotel. Bed was a little uncomfortable with two people in it. Staff and breakfast was good.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
Response from Steve on 19 Aug 2021
Thank you very much for taking the time to write us a review. We will use your comments to coach our team in order to provide a better experience in the future. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

4/10 Poor

mathew

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
check rooms
paid for two rooms connected, when arrived told this was not possible had to be next to each other. we checked in at 2pm but in a rush and did not check rooms until return at 1am, one room clean other not been cleaned at all very bad state. breakfast very limited not much choice but you could take back to your room which was a plus
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021
Response from Steve on 16 Aug 2021
Thank you for choosing our hotel and for taking the time to provide feedback about your experience at it. I would like to start by apologizing to you for not meeting your expectations. We strive to make each stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, and we will use your comments to coach our team in order to provide a better experience in the future. I hope you will give us a chance by staying with us again to show you that your unsatisfactory stay was an exception. Again, thank you for sharing your comments.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Hotel was difficult to find, their postcode was not recognised on the car Sat Nav, and it’s quite hidden with no big signs of the hotel. Sofa bed and double bed was very uncomfortable. Room was clean and tidy and the overall service from the staff was good.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021
Response from Steve on 16 Aug 2021
Thank you for choosing our hotel and for taking the time to provide feedback about your experience at it. I would like to start by apologizing to you for not meeting your expectations. We strive to make each stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, and we will use your comments to coach our team in order to provide a better experience in the future. I hope you will give us a chance by staying with us again to show you that your unsatisfactory stay was an exception. Again, thank you for sharing your comments.

8/10 Good

Leonard

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021
Response from Steve on 19 Sept 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Steve on 5 Aug 2021
Thank you for choosing Holiday Inn Express. I would like to start by apologizing to you for not meeting your expectations. We strive to make each stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, and we will try to provide a better experience in the future. I hope you will give us a chance by staying with us again to show you that your unsatisfactory stay was an exception. Again, thank you.

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021
Response from Steve on 4 Aug 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

10/10 Excellent

Rabia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021
Response from Steve on 21 Jul 2021
Good afternoon, Thank you very much for the good review. We hope to see you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Miss S

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Steve on 10 Jul 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable room, bathroom clean and modern with very large shower. Beds a little soft but ok, room had everything you need for a short stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
Response from Steve on 29 Jun 2021
Thank you very much for taking the time to write us a review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

6/10 Okay

Tania

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Chose elsewhere, not a good nights sleep
Firstly all the staff were great and could not fault them. But that was about all tha was good. The room was clean apart from tje barhroom which had hairs and the previous guests leftover empty products. I booked a twin room and was lead to believe that it would be two twin beds but it was one bed and a sofa bed. The sofa bed was not fit for purpose. It hsd the thinest layer of foam they called a mattress and when laying you could feel evey bar. It was awful.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021
Response from Steve on 17 Jun 2021
Thank you for choosing our hotel and for taking the time to provide feedback about your experience at it. I would like to start by apologizing to you for not meeting your expectations. We strive to make each stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, and we will use your comments to try to provide a better experience in the future. I hope you will give us a chance by staying with us again to show you that your unsatisfactory stay was an exception. Again, thank you for sharing your comments.

6/10 Okay

Caitlin

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
Response from Steve on 17 Jun 2021
Thank you for choosing Holiday Inn Express. I would like to start by apologizing to you for not meeting your expectations. We strive to make each stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, and we will try to provide a better experience in the future. I hope you will give us a chance by staying with us again to show you that your unsatisfactory stay was an exception. Again, thank you.

8/10 Good

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from Steve on 16 Jun 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021
Response from Steve on 26 Jun 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean and friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
Response from Steve on 12 Jun 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

10/10 Excellent

Ann

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Well organised very clean friendly staff good service
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Response from Steve on 12 Jun 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

8/10 Good

Mike

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in May 2021
Response from Steve on 12 Jun 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

6/10 Okay

Ian

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness
Good stopover hotel - Bring you own hand gel.
Hotel was surprisingly quiet for its location next to A12 with plenty of parking. Rooms comfortable, well equipped clean and tidy, staff all friendly and helpful. Upon entering reception the hand gel dispenser was empty, when I pointed this out to receptionist she said yes she knew and was going to fill it up, 2 hrs later still empty. Several others around the hotel around lift/stairs were also empty which let them down on the first weekend opening since lockdown. Breakfast was very crowded and food OK, usually buffet so weren’t geared up for serving but they were doing their best.
Stayed 1 night in May 2021
Response from Steve on 12 Jun 2021
Thank you very much for taking the time to write us a review. We will use your comments to coach our team in order to provide a better experience in the future. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great night treat hotel
Stayed 1 night in May 2021
Response from Steve on 12 Jun 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

8/10 Good

Ian

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in May 2021
Response from Steve on 12 Jun 2021
Thank you very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you choose to stay with us again in the future. Kind Regards

6/10 Okay

john

Travelled with group
Liked: Room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021
Response from Steve on 12 Jun 2021
Thank you for choosing Holiday Inn Express. I would like to start by apologizing to you for not meeting your expectations. We strive to make each stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, and we will coach our team in order to provide a better experience in the future. I hope you will give us a chance by staying with us again to show you that your unsatisfactory stay was an exception. Again, thank you.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Minor blip
No tv controller in room other than that all was in order.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Holiday inn express Colchester
All great except heating in room not working rm 40, got given a tiny plug in rad which clearly not enough to heat the size of the room, slept fully clothed first night ...too late already in bed to disturb reception. Got 2nd rad next day so all good. Would stay again :)
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alison

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

6/10 Okay

Jake

Business traveller
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Damp smell from the bathroom. Extremely loud fan/heating in the bedroom. Felt like a camp bed.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021

8/10 Good

Kevin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Holiday inn review
The hotel was nice and very clean, the room was lively but there were a few problems. Our room had a double bed and a sofa bed for my son. The double bed wasnt attached to the wall and kept sliding away from wall. The matteress was old and horrible to sleep on.(needs being thrown away and replaced) Sofa bed was rubbish and the mattress was non existant. Few of the towels had stains on. Other than those issues it was ok for what we paid. Breakfast was weird considering its during the pandemic, we had a tray of different things and a sausage or bacon roll both to which tasted alright. Overall with cost for room even with issues and breakfast we as a family would rate the hotel a 4 out of 5
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Charmaine

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Was ideal. Can't fault it. Everything you would imagine and it was all good.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent for overnight stop. Would recommend. Staff friendly and helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2020