Holiday Inn Express Boston By IHG
An affordable Boston base offering quiet, comfortable beds, free breakfast, and convenient MBTA subway transit.
The verdict
Pick a traveller type to re-weight the scores and re-rank the rooms around what you actually care about.
Holiday Inn Express Boston offers budget-friendly lodging outside the city core with easy MBTA subway connections and free daily breakfast. Rooms feature comfortable beds with extra-long pillows, quiet mattresses, and handy in-room microwaves and mini fridges. However, several guests report frustrating service breakdowns, including neglected cleaning requests and broken toilets that staff failed to resolve. 910511
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- Beds provide a quiet and restful night of sleep, aided by extra-long pillows and silent mattresses. 10
- Guests value standard room amenities like microwaves and mini fridges alongside the complimentary breakfast. 9
- The property offers competitive room rates with straightforward pricing and no surprise charges, paired with easy MBTA subway transit into downtown. 10
The catch
- While some guests praise proactive staff who arranged early check-in calls, others experienced unhelpful service where daily cleaning and repair requests were completely ignored. drawn from the full read
- Reviewers describe modern touches like fresh-smelling rooms and bathroom back lighting, whereas others note dated fixtures and severe odor problems. drawn from the full read
Who it's for
- — Budget-conscious travelers relying on the MBTA
- — Guests wanting free breakfast and in-room microwaves
- — Travelers seeking a comfortable bed for a quick stay
Skip it if
- — Anyone unwilling to risk unresolved room maintenance issues
- — Guests expecting consistently attentive front-desk service
Seen on camera
24 moments · 4 videos · Holiday Inn Express Boston By IHG
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“And that's true, guys. The rate here was very, very competitive. Hop on the MBTA subway and you're in downtown Boston in…”
youtube.com4:21“And that's for sure, guys. It is squeaky clean, and it has that kind of new car smell, if that makes any sense. It's lik…”
youtube.com4:44“Comfortable chair. It's not quite like a corporate style business desk chair, but it does look pretty comfortable.”
youtube.com8:14“And we got a nice setup here with a fridge. Is it on? Yes, the fridge is turned on. Cold. Waiting for us.”
youtube.com9:24“Check out this bathroom. Look at the back lighting here. This is really impressive. That just stays on all the time. So,…”
youtube.com10:00“And look at this thing. Got the kind of straight edge modern design. Very nice toilet. Where do you flush? Oh, the flush…”
youtube.com10:20“And let's check out the pressure test, guys. How do you turn this son of a gun on? Let's see. There we go. Woah. Brand n…”
youtube.com11:05“Now, the pillows, man, they are nice. They're like the extra long version. And sometimes these hotels, they'll give you…”
youtube.com11:54“No weird noises coming from the bed, from the mattress. It is just perfect. I know I'm going to get a great sleep here t…”
youtube.com12:27“Right there where my finger is, that is Madonna, Queen of the Universe. Great view of Boston, the Madonna, Queen of the…”
youtube.com13:45“About that time, guys, at a hotel in a nice comfortable bed with a great book. Who could ask for anything more?”
youtube.com14:56“Check it out, guys. Home fries, eggs, omelette, banana. They got the real good stuff when it comes to yogurt. Chennabi.…”
youtube.com15:34“The hotel chef was really nice. Just made that coffee fresh. Little pickme up.”
youtube.com15:58“Final check. Didn't forget anything. A sad goodbye from the Holiday Express revere. Great location. Great staff.”
youtube.com19:20“Shout out to the chef downstairs. Not only does he make great food, but a wealth of knowledge. Directions to the beach.…”
youtube.com19:30“lots of freebies like that free breakfast, free internet, free coffee, and definitely took advantage of that free coffee…”
youtube.com20:12“The price you see is the price you get. No surprise charges. They don't nickel and dime you here.”
youtube.com20:30“so just in front of the window there is a very huge study table with a very good view on the outside so i believe we are…”
youtube.com1:49“so of course this hotel definitely does not come cheap because it's in a good location and it's i think it's five star s…”
youtube.com3:09“The hotel was renovated in 2022. Bathroom still felt a little little dated, but the room was huge and the bed was comfor…”
youtube.com1:29“The property features 112 well-appointed rooms, each designed to serve as a restful retreat whether you have spent the d…”
youtube.com0:43“To make your mornings even easier, the hotel provides complimentary breakfast, ensuring you can fuel up for a day of sig…”
youtube.com1:10“and the toilet is huge there is a rare bathtub so i believe chibin can have a very nice soak after the marathon yeah we…”
youtube.com2:26“But the location is really good especially with the massive Seaport expansion. If anyone's been to Boston over the few y…”
youtube.com0:52Frames are citations: each one links to its second in the source video, attributed to the creator who filmed it. Nothing here is supplied by the hotel. Creators who want a moment removed can ask and we take it down.
How to book
Score breakdown
How the 76/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
83Food
92- “My favorite offer is the InterContinental Boston breakfast buffet, loaded with all your favorites and classic breakfast foods. The restaurant steps it up a notch with freshly baked pastries including large flaky croissants. The smoked salmon with red onions and capers was a delicious treat on the buffet.” 5
- “it keeps the glare off the tv. also, those cinnamon rolls at breakfast. ugh so good! i'm traveling to KC this week for work and hoping i can find a HIX to treat myself lol” 9
Location
74- “Final check. Didn't forget anything. A sad goodbye from the Holiday Express revere. Great location. Great staff.” 1019:20
- “Steps away from the bustling Fort Point Channel, guests can enjoy stunning views of the Boston Harbor waterfront and easy access to popular attractions like the New England Aquarium, and Boston Children's Museum.” 5
Room
77Service
82- “The hotel offers modern, spacious rooms. But the real highlight of this hotel is the staff, who ensured that my stay was both enjoyable and memorable.” 5
- “The hotel's attentive staff goes above and beyond to ensure that each guest's stay is nothing short of extraordinary. Every staff member I encountered was smiling, pleasant, and accommodating to any request I had.” 5
Bed & Sleep
81Value
78Where it is, how to reach it
Details checked 2026-09-10
Where it sits
Holiday Inn Express Boston By IHG and the 35 other hotels we cover in Boston. Hover a marker for the hotel; click to open it.
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
Falls short of what $ usually buys
Scores 6 points below the modest median of 82, across 404 hotels in the same bracket. In Boston it sits 8 points below the local median of 84.
- This hotel
- 76
- Bracket median
- 82
- Index median
- 86
Based on 404 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
No reviewer has yet described a room, floor or aspect specifically enough to act on at this property. Room intelligence appears here the moment they do.
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
View the 59 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
- “And let's check out the pressure test, guys. How do you turn this son of a gun on? Let's see. There we go. Woah. Brand new hotel. And the pressure is good.” On camera1011:05
- “i am a huge fan of HIX. especially the new ones with the headboard backlighting, that's so nice. it keeps the glare off the tv.” 9
- “And we got a nice setup here with a fridge. Is it on? Yes, the fridge is turned on. Cold. Waiting for us.” On camera109:24
- “The IC is nice (they're stingy with upgrades but the rooms are good sized) and it has a good lounge.” 6
- “I actually left my home early and was arriving at 12:30 based on my GPS, in the meantime the hotel called and told me my room was ready for my arrival and this was at 11:30AM. It was really nice, and they were nice. I arrived check in was great.” 9
- “I actually left my home early and was arriving at 12:30 based on my GPS, in the meantime the hotel called and told me my room was ready for my arrival and this was at 11:30AM. It was really nice, and they were nice.” 9
- “Customer service? Staff took my room number for every request and then did nothing. Zero accountability, zero care.” 11
- “Friendly and helpful without being over-the-top. Check-in is a breeze, and warm staff will offer to grab your bag or valet your car (parking under the hotel is a welcome amenity in this part of town) as soon as you're inside.” 12
- “The hotel offers modern, spacious rooms. But the real highlight of this hotel is the staff, who ensured that my stay was both enjoyable and memorable.” 5
- “The hotel's attentive staff goes above and beyond to ensure that each guest's stay is nothing short of extraordinary. Every staff member I encountered was smiling, pleasant, and accommodating to any request I had.” 5
- “Check out this bathroom. Look at the back lighting here. This is really impressive. That just stays on all the time. So, it's kind of like a nightlight.” On camera1010:00
- “As for the properties themselves the Marlowe and Kimptons overall seem well liked, the staff is nice/laid back and they do nice touches with the social hour, AM coffee, etc.” 6
- “And look at this thing. Got the kind of straight edge modern design. Very nice toilet. Where do you flush? Oh, the flush is like flush kind of with the side. Good size toilet.” On camera1010:20
- “Now, the pillows, man, they are nice. They're like the extra long version. And sometimes these hotels, they'll give you like different pillows with different ratings of cushiness.” On camera1011:54
- “And that's for sure, guys. It is squeaky clean, and it has that kind of new car smell, if that makes any sense. It's like a new car smell in a building. Not a bad thing.” On camera104:44
- “Breakfast is decent enough for an included hotel breakfast. I also appreciate that most have microwaves and fridges in the rooms.” 9
- “lots of freebies like that free breakfast, free internet, free coffee, and definitely took advantage of that free coffee. And it was very good, too.” On camera1020:12
- “it keeps the glare off the tv. also, those cinnamon rolls at breakfast. ugh so good! i'm traveling to KC this week for work and hoping i can find a HIX to treat myself lol” 9
- “Breakfast in the morning was good, was it amazing? No, pretty standard, but the coffee was excellent, and they had Chiobani yogurt which I love.” 9
- “To make your mornings even easier, the hotel provides complimentary breakfast, ensuring you can fuel up for a day of sightseeing or business without the hassle of searching for a cafe. You can also stay connected with ease thanks to free high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout the property.” On camera11:10
- “Hotels are basic, but overall clean and comfortable. Breakfast is decent enough for an included hotel breakfast.” 9
- “Shout out to the chef downstairs. Not only does he make great food, but a wealth of knowledge. Directions to the beach. Real real friendly.” On camera1019:30
- “There's one in Memphis we love so much that we keep going back. The breakfast lady is amazing and has offered us her family & friends discount.” 9
- “The hotel chef was really nice. Just made that coffee fresh. Little pickme up.” On camera1015:58
- “So for a family it could easily pay for itself. We ate at the at the hotel there with the nice northern Italian restaurant there Matria I think it was called. Steaks and wine they have an outdoor patio back overlooking the water.” On camera72:07
- “To make your mornings even easier, the hotel provides complimentary breakfast, ensuring you can fuel up for a day of sightseeing or business without the hassle of searching for a cafe.” On camera11:10
- “My favorite offer is the InterContinental Boston breakfast buffet, loaded with all your favorites and classic breakfast foods. The restaurant steps it up a notch with freshly baked pastries including large flaky croissants. The smoked salmon with red onions and capers was a delicious treat on the buffet.” 5
- “I've stayed in multiple Holiday Inn Express hotels. I've never had a complaint. The free breakfast is actually quite good.” 9
- “Check it out, guys. Home fries, eggs, omelette, banana. They got the real good stuff when it comes to yogurt. Chennabi. So, here we go. The breakfast here. It is not going to let you down.” On camera1015:34
- “No weird noises coming from the bed, from the mattress. It is just perfect. I know I'm going to get a great sleep here tonight.” On camera1012:27
- “The bed was fluffy and comfortable.” 9
- “About that time, guys, at a hotel in a nice comfortable bed with a great book. Who could ask for anything more?” On camera1014:56
- “and this is the super huge king size bed oh my god oh it's ultimate luxury it's so comfortable after traveling for 24 hours i can just go to bed” 3
- “I regularly visit Boston and stay at the IC. Walking distance is well within reason to Seaport, Faneuil Hall, China town, etc.” 6
- “InterContinental Boston's location in the heart of the city means that there's always something to do nearby.” 5
- “It's known in the business travel community as a premier conference hotel, but its location at the center of everything makes it a reliable choice for leisure visitors, too.” 12
- “Final check. Didn't forget anything. A sad goodbye from the Holiday Express revere. Great location. Great staff.” On camera1019:20
- “But the location is really good especially with the massive Seaport expansion. If anyone's been to Boston over the few years you recent years you know what I'm talking about.” On camera70:52
- “I don't think the Marlowe has a bad location as you can easily get on the Green line at Lechmere or Red Line at Kendall/MIT.” 6
- “Steps away from the bustling Fort Point Channel, guests can enjoy stunning views of the Boston Harbor waterfront and easy access to popular attractions like the New England Aquarium, and Boston Children's Museum.” 5
- “And that's true, guys. The rate here was very, very competitive. Hop on the MBTA subway and you're in downtown Boston in no time. Why pay those crazy rates if you don't have to?” On camera104:21
- “The price you see is the price you get. No surprise charges. They don't nickel and dime you here.” On camera1020:30
- “so of course this hotel definitely does not come cheap because it's in a good location and it's i think it's five star so if you had to pay a hefty price tag for it but i think it's worth it because it's really really nice” On camera33:09
- “Toilet trauma: The toilet in my final room was never fixed, despite daily requests. I had to use the public restrooms at the front of the hotel. I'm 63, and this was physically exhausting and humiliating.” 11
- “and the toilet is huge there is a rare bathtub so i believe chibin can have a very nice soak after the marathon yeah we should do that and this is the vanity counter which is so big” On camera32:26
- “and here is the red nice shower area as well so this is so comfortable” On camera32:44
- “The hotel was renovated in 2022. Bathroom still felt a little little dated, but the room was huge and the bed was comfortable and it had a view over the harbor.” On camera71:29
- “Comfortable chair. It's not quite like a corporate style business desk chair, but it does look pretty comfortable.” On camera108:14
- “Each room and suite is furnished with elegant decor and plush bedding, ensuring a good night's sleep for all who stay.” 5
- “The lobby was clean, the room was clean with Dove shampoo, body wash, hand soap and body lotion.” 9
- “My room constantly reeked of feces and urine, and cleaning requests were ignored.” 11
- “so just in front of the window there is a very huge study table with a very good view on the outside so i believe we are facing like a park” On camera31:49
- “I went back to my room and sat in a really awesome chaise lounge chair that was so comfortable, I kind of tucked into the corner and read for a while.” 9
- “But rooms are well-appointed, too-there's barely a bad view from this property-with workspaces, velvet banquette chairs, plush linens, and roomy standalone tubs with handy sliding-door windows that open into the room so you can doubly enjoy that waterfront view.” 12
- “Nearly wholly scrubbed of its prior 2000s-feeling furniture and finishings, the property wrapped up a two-year renovation in early 2022 that swapped red-leather everything for more subtle modern touches; think bright, airy interiors with pink-velvet chaises, plush navy throw pillows, and impressionist wall art that evokes the waters around the property.” 12
- “welcome to our room at the boston intercontinental and the room is super huge and super amazing oh my god seriously love the room” On camera30:43
- “Bathroom still felt a little little dated, but the room was huge and the bed was comfortable and it had a view over the harbor. So like awesome.” On camera71:31
- “The lobby was clean, the room was clean with Dove shampoo, body wash, hand soap and body lotion. That was a great surprise since Hilton often doesn't have hand soap.” 9
- “Right there where my finger is, that is Madonna, Queen of the Universe. Great view of Boston, the Madonna, Queen of the Universe shrine.” On camera1013:45
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about floor level.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- Nothing reliable said about view.
- Nothing reliable said about position on the floor.
- 7 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about Holiday Inn Express Boston By IHG
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Deep coverage · 56/100We read 12 sources for this property, and pulled 79 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-09-11.
Watch this hotel
We keep reading Holiday Inn Express Boston By IHG. Tell us when you're staying and we'll follow it until then — you'll hear from us only when the verdict is rewritten, the score moves, or new reviews land. No daily mail, and the watch closes itself after your stay.
Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
3 of 5 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 12 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 11Holiday Inn Express Peabody, MA: The Worst Hotel ...reddit.comForum thread2025-11-12Recent4 quotes used
“Toilet trauma: The toilet in my final room was never fixed, despite daily requests. I had to use the public restrooms at the front of the hotel. I'm 63, and this was physically exhausting and humiliating.”
Read originalreddit.com - 6Boston hotel? : r/ihghotelsresortsreddit.comForum thread2025-08-12Recent7 quotes used
“I regularly visit Boston and stay at the IC. Walking distance is well within reason to Seaport, Faneuil Hall, China town, etc.”
Read originalreddit.com - 8Hotel Advise, Suggest which one please! : r/bostonreddit.comForum thread2024-06-10AgeingRead originalreddit.com
- 5InterContinental Boston Review- Why It's The Best Hotel In ...detailorientedtraveler.comReview site2024-02-21Ageing8 quotes used
“Recently renovated in 2022, the rooms are spacious and extremely comfortable.”
Read originaldetailorientedtraveler.com - 9Holiday Inn Express : r/hotelsreddit.comForum thread2024-01-21Ageing16 quotes used
“Breakfast is decent enough for an included hotel breakfast. I also appreciate that most have microwaves and fridges in the rooms.”
Read originalreddit.com - 1Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Boston-Cambridge By IHGyoutube.comVideoDate not statedListened for quotes only3 quotes used
“To make your mornings even easier, the hotel provides complimentary breakfast, ensuring you can fuel up for a day of sightseeing or business without the hassle of searching for a cafe. You can also stay connected with ea…”
Read originalyoutube.com
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