Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown By Ihg

This hotel offers a memorable stay, with its central location near the historic St. Lawrence Market standing out as a signature feature. Guests consistently praise the hotel's cleanliness, the comfort of its beds, and the exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. It is an ideal choice for sightseers and tourists looking to explore the city on foot, as well as business travelers due to its proximity to the financial district. Families and couples will also find it a convenient and comfortable base for their Toronto adventures. To enhance your experience, consider requesting a room on a higher floor for better views and be mindful of peak times for breakfast to avoid crowds.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides a range of convenient facilities and amenities that contribute to a comfortable stay. Guests appreciate the presence of a heated pool and a sauna, offering options for relaxation. While the fitness center is available, some guests noted it is quite small and can feel crowded with just a few users. In-room conveniences include a microwave, mini-fridge, and a coffee maker, which are highly valued. A guest laundry room is also on-site, though some found its single washer and dryer to be occasionally unreliable. The lobby offers a 24/7 coffee station, which is a popular perk, and a unique robot service is available for room deliveries, often delighting children, though its reliability was occasionally questioned. Most guests found the free Wi-Fi to be generally good, though some experienced intermittent instability or slow speeds.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel for its exceptional cleanliness, noting that rooms and bathrooms are spotless and well-maintained with daily cleaning and towel changes. The beds are frequently described as very comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, complemented by high-quality linens and a choice of pillow firmness. Rooms are generally considered spacious for a downtown location, and many offer pleasant city views. While the bathrooms are clean and well-equipped with hygiene products, some guests found the shower water pressure to be low. Noise levels received mixed feedback; some rooms are quiet, but others experienced street noise from outside or disturbances from hallway noise and slamming doors. A few guests also noted that the air conditioning units could be noisy, and some reported a persistent musty odor in certain rooms, though this was often addressed by staff.

Dining & Food Quality
The complimentary breakfast is a significant draw for many guests, offering a varied selection of hot food items such as eggs, bacon, sausages, and pancakes, alongside cereals, yogurts, fresh fruit, muffins, and cinnamon buns. While the breakfast variety is generally appreciated, some guests found the options to be somewhat repetitive over longer stays. The dining area can become quite crowded and chaotic, especially during peak morning hours, making it challenging to find seating or access the buffet, though staff work diligently to keep items replenished. A recurring point of feedback, often negative, is the use of plastic cutlery and paper plates, which many guests found inconvenient and environmentally concerning. Despite these issues, the availability of coffee and tea in the lobby throughout the day is a well-liked feature.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, making it highly convenient for exploring Toronto. Guests can easily walk to numerous key attractions, including the St. Lawrence Market, the Distillery District, the Eaton Centre, and the Hockey Hall of Fame. It is also within a reasonable walking distance to Union Station and the CN Tower, and offers easy access to public transportation like streetcars and the subway. While the immediate vicinity is generally considered safe, some guests noted the presence of a homeless population nearby, which occasionally made them feel uneasy, particularly at night. Parking is available underground at the hotel, providing a secure and convenient option for those traveling with a vehicle, though it is noted as being expensive and having tight spaces for larger vehicles.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receives high praise for their exceptional friendliness, helpfulness, and attentive service. Guests frequently highlight the efficient check-in and check-out processes, with front desk personnel often accommodating requests for early check-in or late check-out. The housekeeping team is commended for maintaining very clean rooms and providing daily service, with some guests mentioning thoughtful touches like notes or towel art. Breakfast staff are noted for their hard work in keeping the buffet well-stocked and for their pleasant demeanor. Overall, the staff's commitment to providing a welcoming and responsive experience is a recurring theme in guest reviews, contributing significantly to a positive stay.

Additional Information
Guests appreciate the hotel's flexibility with early check-in and late check-out, which is often accommodated based on availability. Luggage storage is also available for guests after they check out, providing convenience for those with later travel plans. The hotel's unique robot service for delivering items to rooms is a novel feature that often entertains younger guests, though some found its reliability inconsistent. While the hotel generally provides a comfortable stay, some guests noted the absence of a kettle in the rooms, which was a minor inconvenience for tea drinkers. Additionally, the lack of smart TVs in rooms was mentioned by some, limiting streaming options. Guests should also be aware of a mandatory deposit policy upon check-in, with some reporting delays in its return.