Holiday Inn Express Vitoria by IHG

This hotel serves as an ideal stopover destination, particularly for road trippers and travelers on long journeys, offering convenient access from the motorway and abundant free parking. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's exceptional cleanliness, comfortable rooms, and the generally friendly staff who contribute to a pleasant stay. The good breakfast is also a frequently praised feature, adding value to the experience. For families, the hotel provides comfortable accommodations, often with sofa beds, making it suitable for those traveling with children. Business travelers also find it a practical choice due to its location within an industrial park. To ensure maximum comfort, guests might consider requesting softer pillows if they prefer them, as some found the standard ones too firm. Additionally, a car is essential for exploring the city, and the restaurant located directly opposite the hotel offers a convenient dining option.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides extensive and convenient parking, which is consistently praised by guests for being ample, free, and easily accessible directly in front of the building, with some noting it feels secure when parked near reception. Guests appreciate the availability of free Wi-Fi, though a few experienced intermittent connectivity issues. Each room is equipped with a tea and coffee maker, a welcome amenity for many. However, some guests noted the absence of a minibar or fridge in the rooms. Feedback on climate control is mixed, with several reports of the air conditioning being insufficient or non-functional, sometimes replaced by a noisy fan, leading to uncomfortably warm rooms. The elevator was mentioned by one guest as needing maintenance. While the hotel does not feature its own full-service restaurant or bar, a well-regarded cafeteria and restaurant are conveniently located directly across the car park.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel's high standards of cleanliness, describing rooms as spotless, immaculate, and very clean. The housekeeping staff receives particular praise for their thoroughness. Rooms are generally found to be spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped, though some guests noted the decor appears a little dated. Most guests report the beds are comfortable and large, ensuring a restful night's sleep. However, a recurring point of feedback concerns the pillows, which many found to be too hard or uncomfortable. The bathroom facilities are typically described as spacious and clean, often featuring a bathtub or walk-in shower, though some experienced issues with the shower spraying water widely or the bathroom door not closing properly. While generally quiet, some guests reported noise from air conditioning units, hallway activity, or early morning cleaning staff operations.

Dining & Food Quality
The included breakfast is a significant draw for many guests, often described as good, varied, and quite complete, offering a range of options from pastries and cereals to cold cuts. However, feedback on the quality of the breakfast is mixed; some found it to be basic or average, with specific complaints about the coffee being poor or bitter, and the juice tasting artificial. Cooked items like eggs and sausages were sometimes reported as being served cold or requiring an extra charge. A notable concern raised by one guest was the presence of flies on the food. The breakfast area can become very busy and crowded, especially when large groups are present, leading to queues and difficulties in finding tables or accessing food refills. The hotel does not offer a full-service restaurant for lunch or dinner, relying on a popular cafeteria and restaurant located directly opposite.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is primarily valued for its easy access from the motorway, making it an ideal stopover point for travelers on long journeys. It is situated in an industrial park or business center on the outskirts of the city, which means a car is essential for reaching the city center, typically a 5 to 15-minute drive. While the immediate surroundings are described as quiet, there are limited dining options beyond the convenient restaurant located directly opposite the hotel, which many guests frequent for meals. The hotel offers ample free parking, a major advantage, with guests consistently praising its ease of use and the abundance of spaces available. Some guests noted a bus stop conveniently located outside the hotel for public transport access.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise for their helpfulness, friendliness, and professionalism. Guests frequently highlight their attentiveness and willingness to assist with various requests, from arranging interconnecting rooms for families to offering earlier breakfast times for those with early flights. The check-in process is generally described as easy and quick, though some guests reported frustratingly slow check-in experiences, particularly during busy periods or when only one staff member was on duty. Staff have been commended for assisting with car troubles, helping with pizza deliveries, and promptly notifying guests about forgotten items. While most interactions are positive, there was a significant incident where a guest with a pet was initially allowed to check in, only to be later informed their dog was not permitted, leading to an abrupt departure and highlighting potential inconsistencies in policy communication.

Additional Information
A critical point for potential guests, particularly those traveling with pets, is the hotel's pet policy, which has caused significant issues for some. Despite initial check-in, one guest was informed their dog was not allowed to stay, leading to considerable inconvenience and an unexpected departure. This suggests a lack of clear communication regarding pet-friendly policies. While the hotel is generally well-maintained, some reviews indicate it appears a little dated and could benefit from renovations. Guests should also be aware that rooms typically do not include a mini-fridge. Another concern raised was the hotel's policy regarding infants, with one guest expressing dissatisfaction about being required to pay for a family room for a six-month-old baby. Additionally, some guests reported issues with noise from cleaning staff in the mornings.