Holiday Inn Express Durban-Umhlanga

What is your Priority Club status?
Diamond Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes, booked a cash rate due to double elite night promotion otherwise I would of did points.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked double bed with sofa on points and received the same room setup but with an ocean view

How is the room?
Room was about around 20sqm so fine for one person and maybe two for a couple of days. Water refilled everyday as well

How is the exec. lounge?
n/a

What was good and what was bad?
Good: Location is very good as it's a 15 min walk to Gateway Mall, Woolworths, and the entire complex where there are plenty of bars and restaurants. It's also a 20 min walk downhill to Umlhanga beach and rocks area. Perfectly safe to walk to/from these areas during the day. Running downhill to the beach was spectacular so I highly recommend it.
Breakfast was better than most if not all HIX that I've stayed in but that's not saying much.
Area is perfectly fine to walk around during the day
GM on deck was great as well as the staff! Recognized that I was a diamond and greeted me everyday by name.

Neutral: Buildings blocked most of the ocean view but I was able to see some of it.
Pool is fine but in the view of the restaurant.

Bad:
Gym is awful but its a HIX

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
I would not return unless I needed to complete a promotion. I was leaning towards the Hilton Garden Inn (same price as the HIX) and the Marriott which was more expensive but are full service hotels with nicer rooms. It is a nice HIX but there are better choices for the price IMO.