At the start of the year, Holiday Inn Express launched Next Generation, a guest experience developed with guests in mind who appreciate “functional and thoughtful design tied in with an efficient and friendly service.” Hey! I like functional and thoughtful design and love efficient and friendly service. Could Next Generation be for me?
Luckily I didn’t have to wait long to find out. Soon after the Next Generation reveal, folks at HIE (part of InterContinental Hotels Group) got in touch to find out if I’d like to give Next Generation the once over at the Holiday Inn Express London in Ealing, West London.
My history with HIE has been a positive one. Back in October while on my BBQ Bound tour, I stayed at a number of HIE locations. In every case, the hotels proved perfectly situated for my needs and more than met my basic standards for a room: strong free wifi, powerful water pressure from the shower, a comfy bed, and minimal noise. So when the offer came my way to pay a visit to the Ealing HIE I was keen to see much better things could be.
Ealing might not seem like the most desirable of destinations. But, the area has a lot going for it – and depending on your overnight needs you could do a lot worse staying elsewhere. If you’re heading to or arriving from Heathrow, it’s a smart place to settle. And to the best of my knowledge, Ealing is still l home to the best pizza in London too. Moreover, if you want access to Central London with the hefty charge for a room there, the area is fairly well connected to the rest of town. Rack rate for this HIE is just over £100, which I reckon is very good value for money especially considering the hotel only opened just last month, and the Next Generation features are sweet.
Next generation special features include:
• Smart TVs enabling guests to stream their own media from a personal device or log in to apps such as Netflix using the hotel’s free Wi-Fi;
• A larger, cosier, bed with a padded, noise-reducing headboard which takes inspiration from a business class aeroplane seat. The high, soft back also provides back support for working or watching television in bed;
• A flexible work/rest corner where traditional desks have been replaced with a comfortable, ergonomically designed multi-use chair and table that can be moved around the room; and
• Stored in a full-length mirror, guests can access an iron, ironing board and a hairdryer.
I had my choice of soft or firm pillows, could get my hands on an adjustable light and was thoroughly impressed by the many USB and standard power outlets located in my room and across the public areas of the hotel.
Further Holiday Inn Express innovations include:
• Ability to view your room and its location in relation to hotel amenities, stairs, elevators and emergency exits via tablet screens. Guests can also choose their room;
• Located in an integrated lobby and food and beverage experience, the new Express Café & Bar is an inviting “pit-stop” for guests;
• It offers simple, honest food done well and is specifically designed to better fit guests’ need for quickly prepared and tasty food, on the go;
• You can choose between having an in-hotel Express Start or have it “to go”.
Next Generation is launching across Europe. The plan is for at least one in every four of the brand’s European properties to feature it within the next three years, starting with HIEs in Park Royal (Acton, West London), Grimsby, Portsmouth and, of course, the new HIE in Ealing.
I enjoyed my Ealing sleepover. I got some work done in a spacious room that I was able arrange to large extent how I wished. I had some awesome pizza delivered to my room. I slept like a baby.
Holiday Inn Express London – Ealing is located at 75 Broadway, W13 9BP. Find out more at ihg.com/holidayinnexpress.
