Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbus-Polaris Parkway

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbus-Polaris Parkway offers a predictable value hotel experience -- from the free breakfast spreads to the patterned carpets and metal dining furniture, everything is generic and typical of the Holiday Inn Express brand. This is a pro for the many families and business travelers that come here wanting a comfortable and clean place to rest their heads. Unfortunately, while rooms are largely in tip-top shape, many guests have complained of general cleanliness issues in common areas. Additionally, many have noted that understaffing seems to be a problem. Nevertheless, families with kids rave about the big indoor pool area with features for little ones -- though it can get crowded and loud -- and business travelers are catered to with free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour business center. Affordable rates and convenient access to the city's offerings make this Holiday Inn a great pick for travelers not wanting to be downtown. 

This Holiday Inn is in the Polaris Parkway area of north Columbus, set just off Interstate 71 for easy access to city sights. The hotel is surrounded by dozens of chain restaurants such as Starbucks, Texas Roadhouse, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Polaris Fashion Place is a five-minute drive away, housing well-known stores and a Dave & Buster's, as is Magic Mountain Fun Center. Several corporations have offices in the immediate area, including Mettler Toledo, Microsoft, JP Morgan Chase, and the Quest Conference Center is a two-minute drive away, making this convenient for some business travelers. Downtown Columbus is about a 20-minute drive, as are Ohio State University, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, and Ohio State University Airport.

The 104 rooms are done in the same contemporary, generic style, consisting of black wooden furniture, purple accent walls and drapes, and starburst-patterned carpet in gray and mauve. Silver accents are found in the swirl-motif bed skirts, mirror and black-and-white photo frames, and drawer handles. Although chain-like, rooms are comfortable, spacious, and well-maintained, and big windows let in a good amount of light. Excellent amenities include desks with ergonomic chairs, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and Keurig machines. Open closets have just hanging racks and ironing facilities. No safes are provided. Some suites add armchair or living areas with sofa beds, small sinks, and/or whirlpools next to the beds. Straightforward bathrooms have circle-patterned wallpaper and either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Wall-mounted hairdryers and Bath & Body Works toiletries are also supplied.

The clear standout feature at this Holiday Inn Express & Suites is the decent-sized indoor pool. The pool has two lap lanes, a cute frog slide, and a shallow area with mushroom and bucket fountain features, plus there's a hot tub off to the side. This area can get crowded and busy with rambunctious kids, though most families rave about it. It's not the prettiest space, but multiple windows let in natural light and there are a good number of metal loungers and dining sets.

Another favorite amenity of guests is the free breakfast buffet provided daily. The expansive spread consists of scrambled and hard-boiled eggs, sausage, pancakes and cinnamon rolls, biscuits, oatmeal, pastries and bagels, cereal, fruit, and yogurt. Coffee and tea are also provided. The cheerful breakfast room has hibiscus-patterned carpet and colorful lampshade light fixtures, and outdoor patio seating is welcome in warmer months. No full restaurant is on-site, but an on-site market sells sundries and snacks ranging from chips to microwaveable pizzas. 

A small 24-hour fitness center has a handful of cardio machines and free weights, and the free-to-use business center has two computers and a printer. Wi-Fi and parking are both free.