Holiday Inn Express Orange Beach

The attractive rates offered at this older beachfront hotel attract budget-conscious families, business travelers, and even school groups participating in various competitions and functions. Decor emphasizes the beachy location, starting with a large and colorful tropical fish mural on the walls above the finished wood front desk. Inside the lobby is an aquarium that sits on a large wooden stand. Light yellow walls and a blue, green, and brown patterned carpet reinforces the tropical motif. Two-story banks of windows offer beach views. Potted tropical plants in large planters sit below the windows alongside leather armchairs and a sofa facing a large coffee table. The rather small breakfast area is decorated with framed beach artwork. This is a busy and sometimes quite crowded spot at peak morning hours. The spacious outdoor pool area and bar also stay busy during the peak summer months.  

This Holiday Inn Express sits directly on the Gulf of Mexico along Orange Beach’s main thoroughfare, Perdido Beach Boulevard, where many other hotels and vacation condo complexes are located. The popular Adventure Island theme park and Fat Daddy’s Arcade are a three-minute walk away, and some restaurants and shops are also within a brief walk. Gulf State Park is a five-minute drive, while The Wharf in Orange Beach and its amphitheater, cinemas, shops, and restaurants are about 12 minutes away by car. The numerous stores at Tanger Outlet are about a 20-minute drive. Approximate drive times to Pensacola International Airport and the Mobile Regional Airport are 55 and 90 minutes, respectively. 

Guest rooms at this Holiday Inn come off as a bit drab and dated. Light tan walls match the bed skirts, while white bedding is accented by reddish orange bed runners. Reddish brown wooden furniture includes headboards, desks, nightstands, and dressers, but it's of average quality and is showing signs of wear. Rooms also have red-and-white checkered armchairs (and sleeper sofas in some), though the print on these seems faded. The bathrooms are equally bland, but they have spacious, light tan acrylic vanities and beige tile floors and walls framing the shower/tub combos. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. 

Some guests have reported minor housekeeping and maintenance issues such as worn and stained carpets, chipped paint and furniture, and bathrooms in need of a more thorough cleaning. Guests also report hearing minimal road noise in the rooms. Rooms come in King and Double Queen options; some rooms offer twin sleeper sofas and small balconies with chairs and tables. Views range from inland, poolside, and beach views.

This Holiday Inn Express has an appealing pool complex that features two large heated outdoor pools and a hot tub. The complex overlooks the beach, and has picnic tables and a poolside bar that’s open seasonally. Outdoor showers are located on the boardwalk leading to and from the beach. Seasonally, there are beach attendants that rent a variety of chairs, umbrellas, and other gear and services. 

However, the fitness and business centers are underwhelming. The 24-hour fitness center is stocked with only a few cardio and weight-training machines in a rather cramped space. And business travelers have access to one small meeting room, plus there's a business center that's a single computer station and a printer. But free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property. 

Rates include a hot breakfast, plus free coffee and tea are offered throughout the day, and vending machines are on-site. Guest laundry facilities are available, and valet laundry services are offered. The hotel has a guest safe deposit box and an ATM. Free weekday newspapers are available in the lobby. And free parking is available on the hotel’s lot, which offers electric car plug-in stations. Be aware that no pets are allowed and the hotel is nonsmoking.