Holiday Inn Express Destin E - Commons Mall Area

From the outside, the Holiday Inn Express Destin E - Commons Mall Area looks like a typical, budget roadside hotel, with a large outdoor parking lot, and palms and sculpted hedges surrounding the three-story, pale yellow property. The hotel attracts budget-minded travelers, who want to be near the Destin Commons Mall and the beach. The interior furnishings -- updated in 2013 -- are colorful and modern, and done in shades of gray, turquoise, and orange. The breakfast room is sleek and bright, with muted grayish walls set off by framed multicolored artwork. Tan vinyl benches and boxy turquoise chairs are arranged around small, dark wood tables creating a cozy yet hip atmosphere. The compact business corner has busily patterned carpeting in orange, gray, and blue -- a design touch that extends to the lobby, where a long, wooden table is set with bright orange and blue vinyl chairs, and accented with sheer orange curtains, rounded white overhead lamps, and a funky wall made of white circles. Even the fitness center has a bright orange accent wall, a testament to the property's full-on effort to express the Holiday Inn brand colors. 

As the name implies, the hotel is just over a half-mile from Destin Commons Mall, which has a movie theater. The beach is also walkable, at about a quarter-mile distance -- there's a sidewalk path, but this may feel long for guests toting lots of beach gear. There's a strip mall behind the property, as well as multiple restaurants and shops within the immediate surrounding area. It’s a five-minute drive to Henderson Beach State Park. Driving to the Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Track Family Recreation Center, and Big Kahunas Water Park takes about five to 10 minutes. It’s about a 10-minute drive to the Destin Airport.

Guest rooms are bright, modern, and colorful, an extension of the fun and fresh style on display throughout this property. Pops of red and deep turquoise combine with '60s-style printed curtains, blue- and gray-patterned carpeting, and dark wood laminate furnishings. Each room has a flat-screen TV, microwave, mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and writing desk with chair. Bathrooms are simple and all white, with modern hairdryers and shower/tub combos. Suites are more spacious, with sitting areas furnished with fold-out sofas, along with wet bars complete with kitchen utensils and glassware. Rooms do not offer balconies, and have uninspiring views of the parking lot and/or pool. Free newspapers are delivered to rooms, and cribs and rollaway beds can be requested. There are six ADA accessible rooms.

The free breakfast buffet includes hot and cold items, such as coffee, juice, pancakes, and the chain's famous cinnamon rolls -- which can be taken to go. The outdoor pool is surrounded by a white fence, and lined with beige lounge chairs and bright blue umbrellas; a wheelchair lift is on the deck. There’s also a small gym with modern cardio equipment, a flat-screen TV, a water fountain, a scale, and fresh towels. The front desk offers safety deposit boxes and business services, including copy and fax assistance. Guests also have access to laundry facilities at the sister hotel, the White Sands Inn & Suites, which is in walking distance across the highway. Parking at the Holiday Inn Express is free.