Holiday Inn Express and Suites Newport

Opened in 2009, this Holiday Inn Express gets especially busy in the summer months with tourists flocking to see the spectacular Oregon coastline. It's overrun with families at this time, and the indoor pool becomes a magnet for youngsters splashing around. The breakfast room can also reach capacity during this time, despite having plenty of tables and chairs. But the family-focused atmosphere doesn't mean the property is devoid of style. The large two-story lobby in particular feels elegant with high ceilings, dark-wood paneling, and a gas fireplace. Two cream-colored sofas and some plush armchairs provide a place to rest your feet before or after check-in. But there isn't a lot of lingering here. The breakfast room just behind gets more activity, and several tourists simply treat the hotel as their launch pad for a day of discovery.

The hotel is located right off the Oregon Coast Highway (101), south of downtown Newport. The seven-minute drive to downtown requires crossing the picturesque Yaquina Bay Bridge. The immediate area around the hotel is quiet and has a mix of residential and commercial developments, including a La Quinta Inn next door. A café that serves breakfast and a grocery store and several other shops are directly across the street. A couple of other restaurants are just a short walk away, too. It’s also possible to walk to the Oregon Coast Aquarium (four minutes) and the Rogue Brewery (nine minutes) that’s at the base of the Newport Public Fishing Pier. Nye Beach is an eight-minute drive, and the Newport Municipal Airport is six minutes by car. Corvallis, home to Oregon State University’s main campus, is a little over an hour away by car, and driving to Eugene takes roughly two hours. It’s a three-hour drive to Portland International Airport. 

Guest rooms at this Holiday Inn Express are done up in the generic, forgettable decor typical of chain-hotels, but that doesn't mean they're unpleasant. A gold-and-brown color palette gives them a tasteful, uniform look. Walls, drapes, and bed skirts reflect golden hues, while coffee-colored carpet has darker brown and beige accents in square patterns. Matching wood furniture in a dark amber finish includes headboards and media consoles. Contemporary art adds small dashes of red and green -- although rooms are crying out for a bit more color and lightness; their darker colors and soft lighting can leech all light out of the room. On the plus side, rooms are clean and offer ample space for comfort, with even the Standard Double Queens including tables with two chairs (in lieu of desks). Kings have desks with office chairs and oversized armchairs with matching ottomans. Some Kings feature gas fireplaces or two-person whirlpool tubs in their bedroom areas. Larger, studio-style suites have separate sitting areas with sleeper sofas. Bathrooms are just average in size, but they include roomy granite vanities and granite-lined shower/tub combos. Amenities are a big plus, with Keurig coffeemakers, microwaves, mini-fridges, safes, irons and ironing boards, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Bathrooms also come stocked with hairdryers and individual toiletries. Rooms are generally quiet, and some upper-floor rooms have nice views of the surrounding wooded areas. 

Travelers familiar with the Holiday Inn Express will find all of its extra-value features well represented here. The chain’s signature free breakfast buffet is on offer in the mornings complete with eggs, a pancake machine, and other hot items. While it doesn't have a full restaurant or bar, an on-site mini market sells sundries, snacks, and drinks including beer and wine. Free fruit-infused water is available in the lobby all day, and vending machines are on the grounds, too. Families appreciate the heated indoor pool, which has plenty of space for a dip. The adjacent whirlpool gives another spot to unwind. The hotel's fitness center is on the small side, but it includes a universal strength-training machine and a few pieces of modern Precor cardio equipment. For business travelers, the hotel has one meeting room, but it's rather large and can accommodate up to 85 people. There's also a business center, open 24/7, in a dedicated space that includes two computers and a printer. Guest laundry facilities are on site, and valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available. On-site parking and Wi-Fi are free.