Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West by IHG

Overview

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked into Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West by IHG, I wasn’t expecting much from a three-star chain hotel in Hell’s Kitchen. But you know what? This place actually surprised me in the best way possible.

The thing is, this stretch of West 48th Street isn’t the prettiest block in New York, but that’s sort of the point – you’re getting legitimate Manhattan real estate without paying those insane Times Square prices that are literally just a few blocks east. I mean, you can walk to the Theater District in about eight minutes (I timed it), and Port Authority is close enough that you’ll hear the occasional bus, but far enough that it won’t drive you crazy. The neighborhood has this authentic New York grittiness that I actually prefer to the tourist bubble – there’s a fantastic Dominican place right around the corner that locals actually eat at, and a bodega that somehow stays open 24/7.

What really won me over was how the staff seemed to genuinely care about making the stay work. The front desk guy – I think his name was Marcus – knew I was dealing with a delayed flight before I even mentioned it, and had already flagged my late check-in. The rooms are clean and honestly more spacious than you’d expect for this price point in Manhattan. Sure, the decor is classic Holiday Inn Express (think lots of blue and white, nothing too fancy), but the bed was actually comfortable, the shower had decent water pressure, and the air conditioning didn’t sound like a freight train. The free breakfast isn’t going to win any awards, but the coffee is surprisingly good and they keep it stocked until 10 AM, which matters when you’re dealing with jet lag. I appreciated that they had actual plates instead of just paper goods – small detail, but it makes a difference when you’re trying to feel human before tackling the city. The business center is just two computers in the lobby, but the WiFi worked perfectly in my room on the sixth floor, and honestly, that’s what matters these days. Parking is expensive (welcome to Manhattan), but there’s a garage next door if you’re brave enough to drive here.