OverviewLocated 1-minute east of the Vancouver-Blaine Highway in North Richmond, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites is popular with air and car travellers who require a hotel close to highway access or to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which is roughly a 10-minute drive away.
This non-smoking hotel has 163 air-conditioned guest rooms and suites, all of which offer free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a coffeemaker, an in-room safe, a desk, a hair dryer, and an iron and ironing board. Standard rooms offer one king, or two double beds, while executive rooms offer one king or two queen beds, and a bathrobe for each guest. The Pacific Suite includes a separate king bedroom, a soaker tub, a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a fireplace.
Hotel amenities include a business centre, a fitness room, 3 meeting rooms, and a free shuttle that goes to the airport, River Rock Casino, and the SkyTrain. Accessible rooms are available upon request, parking is $8 per day, and pets are permitted for $20 per day. On-site dining is offered at the Fogg 'n Sudds Restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Other nearby options include the Keg Steakhouse (roughly a 6-minute walk), and IHOP (approximately a 2-minute walk north of the hotel).
Shopping is available at Union Square Shopping Centre (a 6-minute drive), and Richmond Nature Park is a 7-minute drive south. Steveston Village is a 20-minute drive southwest of the hotel, while downtown Vancouver can be reached in about 25 minutes by car. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Verified with a front desk agent: Free airport shuttle, free Wi-Fi, parking $8 per day, kids 12 and under eat and stay free, and pets are allowed for $20 per day (call date: Oct. 29, 2012).
The GoodThe majority of reviews consulted for this analysis were positive, with much praise going to the hotel's staff, location, and value.
Most guests were pleased with the hotel's staff, and characterized them as professional and helpful. It was mentioned that the check-in process was quick and easy, and that the staff were "very attentive in every way".
The hotel's location was a source of compliments for many reviewers, who described it as an "easy drive to downtown", close to the airport, and minutes off the highway. It should be noted that a couple of guests felt the hotel was not as close to shopping as they would have preferred.
Several lodgers praised the value of this hotel. The complimentary shuttle (which travels to the airport, River Rock Casino and the SkyTrain) and the fact that kids under 12 eat and stay free were considered value-added features. The free Wi-Fi was also cited as a welcome amenity.
The Bad
While most of the reviews consulted for this analysis were positive, there were a couple of common complaints, which included the self-parking and the breakfast selection.
Some guests had complaints about the self-parking. They were disappointed that the cost of parking ($8 per night) was not included in the price. It was also mentioned that it was difficult to park in the upper parkade should one have a larger vehicle, and that there were not enough spots available.
A few reviewers had purchased a breakfast voucher at the on-site restaurant with the cost of their room and were disappointed with the lack of selection. They described the breakfast as two scrambled eggs with bacon and potatoes, and were disappointed that there was nothing else included.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviews ranked the hotel #3 out of 26 Richmond hotels from 141 reviews.
Expedia.ca guest reviews rated the hotel 4.1 out of 5 with a 96% recommendation rate from 79 reviews.
Hotels.com guest reviews rated the hotel 4.1 out of 5 from 65 reviews.
Verified with a front desk agent: Free airport shuttle, free Wi-Fi, kids 12 and under eat and stay free, and pets are allowed for $20 per day (call date: Oct. 29, 2012).
