Holiday Inn Express Kettering (Review + MasterThread)

Although many have said all Holiday Inn Express (HIX) hotels look the same & feel the same, 

There is no denying that the brand in Europe has had several incarnations:

- newly built ones / purpose built

- converted buildings 

- rebranded hotel by take over from other hotel groups 

Let me show you a typical HIX of the newly built / purpose built version variety.

This hotel was visited in person in August 2023 , the hotel itself was built in 2009.

The hotel's website is https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/kettering/ormkp/hoteldetail

It is located north of the town of Kettering, not at all in the city centre

Easiest to reach is by car via motorway A14 onwards A43 / A6183

It can be reached from Kettering railway station (direct East Midland Railway connections to Nottingham, London Luton airport, London St.Pancrass International railwaystation)

by

- taxi / 10 minutes drive: easy taxi ordering at the railway station via

- bus / 28 minutes:  by stagecoach bus X4 https://www.stagecoachbus.com/routes/midlands/x4/corby-northampton/xlbx004.i?__cf_chl_rt_tk=0nWYxanx90savNAAvDoI4x0lCI94TE0UoVzZ7DhlOiI-1694287778-0-gaNycGzNC_s

- a very long walk / 1 hour

Next to HIX Kettering itself you will find:

- Starbucks

- Esso 

- Steakhouse Miller & Carter https://www.millerandcarter.co.uk/#/

For those of us travelling with sophisticated electronic vehicles, you will be happy to know that charging stations are located directly next to the hotel building

Right of the entrance are 2 dedicated spots for EV

As a friendly reminder

The type of EV-charger station

Upon entry  you'll find reception on your right hand side, the lifts on the left hand side and straight across the breakfast room / lobby seating area 

reception

And left of reception is the barcounter

a better look at the pricing of the bar

And with other items on offer summer 2023

And more

 

and some bites

A look from the bar into the breakfast area / lobby seating

You can sit here during the day too outside of breakfast hours

If you are wondering, the coffee machine in the breakfast area is unguarded after breakfast times and thus one would think it should be free to use during the day....... sorry to disappoint but the usage is restricted and at a cost.

And it refers to their website as this 

And i can observe that it was in good demand and actively policed 

I booked this hotel under my IHG-1rewards accountnumber via the app.

At checkin, my status was acknowledged and as i have diamond status i was proactively offered:

- drinks voucher to use at the bar : choose 1 drink + 1 snack OR

- points 

- allocated top floor (level 3) no upgrade possible as all rooms are similair and no suites on property

- late checkout at 14.00 hours was also offered

After you exit the elevators, you'll be confronted with this sign:

And indeed it was quiet during my 2 nights stay

Room #303

This room is located om the top floor (level 3) it faces the east and the rising sun.

It has no connecting door and comes with a queen bed and a collapsable sofabed

Room needs a keycard to operate the lights

So to better plan your stay:

EVEN numbered rooms face west and the hotel's parking lot, so may get noise

ODD numbered rooms face east and a business area so may get noise but only during business hours

Upon entry you will first see the closet,

with iron, board and hairdryer,

You'll receive 2 big towels and 2 small towels

This would not be Brittain if the kettle was absent, but glad to report every evening i could make a spot of tea

A look into the room : desk with comfy chair on wheels

Bed fits more QUEEN size because of the collapsable sofabed next to it

Powerplugs easily at desklevel 

The window could be slightly opened as it could be tumbled horizontally for fresh air 

No mosquito suffering during August 2023

The view is at least grean and most of the day pretty quiet
 

A look back onto the entrance

Powerplugs on each side of the bed
 

Right from the entrance is the bathroom

The brand is Dove for the liquid soap 

toilet 

Shower pressure was excellent and water constant temperature

The TV allows you to hook up USB-A and HDMI devices

I just tuned in to Dr, Who

A laminated information brochure was found on the desk

You can opt out of housekeeping and earn 500 pts per night

Must place the notice before 02.00 AM mornings on your door

Conclusion:

Clean and functional room, bathroom functioned as expected, room proper insulated against noise

As brand standard for Holiday Inn Express hotels, the roomrate includes breakfast.

This can differ by region though, as i've read on FT that HIX US offeres cinnamon rolls, HIX Netherlands do continental style only, while HIX UK offer the full English (sans kippers)

At present the breakfast times are AUG 2023

Late checkout is actively touted at this hotel

And as reminder why people choose to stay at a HIX

Buffet centre display stand

Newspapers available

And let's walk a complete loop around the buffet display

coffeemachine choices

it covers all the basics

And even soy - non lactose options are possible

To remind oneself of thy waist and also legally required to be displayed

Continental favorites

Grab & go is no problem

And we go now to the full English section

the offer on the buffet

All components are present

Have to admit, those Cumberland sausages are very tasty !

Conclusion: 

2 staff + 1 trainee roamed around clearing plates, restocking the buffet and keeping the area tidy

breakfast clientèle consists of tradies, suits, hiking group, families, daytrippers: all laid back 

My expectations of the Holiday Inn Express Kettering where met in a positive way.

It adheres to IHG-elite program recognition, it conforms to the HIX USP of clean room, proper shower and kickstarter inclusive breakfast.

I hope you find this review useful,

If you are new to HIX or are planning a future stay or wish to compare notes,

Always be reminded that HIX can reflect local / regional tastes with their breakfast offerings

Conclusion

we all love superdeluxe suffocating luxury but in some travel events, one does only need a safe and comfortable place to rest: this Holiday Inn Express hotel fits my needs

And i forgot to mention about the service, concerning:

Reception:.

My room wasn't ready at 14.00 but i was invited to take a seat in the lobby, the clerk came to find me 20 minutes later to tell me i could check in now

Housekeeping:

Ladies encountered were polite and greeted in the hallway,

was offered extra towels each time. Housekeeping starts doing the room on floor 3 at around 10.00 AM in the morning

Breakfast:

Some guests were regulars and were on a firstname basis which provided a jovial atmosphere

General Manager:

Was visible on the premises but i think very occupied in her planning staff workschedules. I saw several persons performing different tasks even though they were from different departments meaning staff shortage caused everyone to be mulittalented, nevertheless they still were friendly & polite