Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites - Coeur D'Alene

Large stone columns and potted plants distinguish the covered entrance into the three-story hotel, and a stone fountain surrounded by river rocks adds a welcome touch to this value chain hotel on the outskirts of Coeur d'Alene. The two-story lobby is warm, inviting, and attractively decorated, with Mission-style furnishings and lighting, a fireplace with a large tile mantel and bookcases on each side, and comfortable seating areas where guests can hang out. Large windows provide lots of natural light, and the hotel goes out of its way for families, with plenty of board games and books available in the lobby, as well as serving nightly milk and cookies. The hotel also suits couples, groups, and businesspeople -- really anyone looking to save a few dollars by staying a bit farther away from the lakefront than properties downtown. 

The hotel is located two blocks off Interstate 90, about 2 miles outside of the resort town of Coeur d'Alene -- the drive takes about five minutes. The immediate area is typically suburban-commercial, and the hotel has several other budget hotels for neighbors plus a shopping center down the street. Much of the activity in town centers on the lakefront, and there are several art galleries along Sherman Avenue -- restaurants and boutiques can be found between First and Tenth Streets, all within a few blocks of the lake as well. North Idaho College is a couple of miles from the hotel, and the Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course is a 10-minute drive. The popular Silverwood Theme Park is a half-hour drive north. Coeur d'Alene Airport takes 15 minutes to reach by car, while Spokane International Airport is a 40-minute drive west.

Rooms are traditionally furnished and pleasing, with a neutral color scheme of beige and brown, homey striped wallpaper on one wall and a soft pattern on the others, patterned carpeting, white bed coverings, medium-toned wood furnishings, and plaid drapery. Some guests have complained that rooms aren't well sound-proofed, but generally things here are quiet. All rooms have small 25-inch flat-screen TVs, DVD players, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Suites add more space and a wet bar, and some have sofa beds, a gas fireplace, and/or a jetted tub. Bathrooms are basic, but well maintained, with tile floors, granite shower/tub combos, and spacious counters plus hairdryers and toiletries. Windows can be opened for fresh air and morning newspapers can be delivered right to guest rooms. 

A free breakfast buffet is served each morning in a bright, sunny space with wood floors and lots of windows -- there are plenty of hot and cold options from pastries to eggs. There is no lunch or dinner served on site, but additional perks include evening milk and cookies as well as wine and beer receptions on certain nights of the week. The indoor pool is decorated with large under-the-sea murals on the walls. There's a hot tub as well, and windows allow in natural light. A few chairs are provided for parents watching their kids in the pool. Additional lounge chairs are set up on the adjacent terrace. A small 24/7 fitness center on the first floor has two treadmills, an elliptical machine, stationary bike, free weights, exercise balls, and a flat-screen TV. The nearby Kroc Center offers additional recreation options including an indoor pool with a lazy river and a variety of fitness classes open to the public for a fee. A spacious business center has office supplies, free Wi-Fi, and two computers and printers for guests to use. The on-site coin-operated laundry room has two washers and dryers plus tables for folding. The Boardroom can accommodate up to 25 people for meetings and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Pets stay at this hotel for free, though only dogs are welcome.