Holiday Inn Express Harlow by IHG

Ah, where to begin, darling? To describe my fondness for this establishment merely as “liking” it is akin to saying Beethoven dabbled in music, or that the Sistine Chapel has a nice ceiling. No — this hotel was not a mere temporary lodging. It was a sanctuary of curated opulence, a shrine to human achievement in soft-close drawers and artisanal soap. Let us first discuss the scent — oh, the scent! The lobby exhaled an aroma so refined, so maddeningly elusive, that I’m convinced it was crafted by perfumiers who weep when they bottle beauty. A bouquet of bergamot, ambition, and possibly generational wealth. The bed — a cloud, yes, but not the type that floats in the sky. No, this was a cloud that had attended finishing school in the Alps and now wafted down nightly to cradle my vertebrae in memory foam wrapped in Egyptian cotton spun by the hands of unhurried monks. The staff — hauntingly efficient. You’d press a button and moments later, a butler would appear, not walking, but materialising, as if summoned from another realm. I began to wonder if they were trained in Hogwarts or simply manufactured in a kindness lab beneath the hotel itself. And the minibar — a veritable gallery of tiny opulence! Almonds that had clearly been groomed, massaged, and told they were enough. A single Toblerone, smugly reclining as though it knew it had never been purchased and never would be. A bottle of water so expensive I considered financing it over three months. Oh — and the toilet. Heated. Intelligent. Possibly sentient. At one point, I believe it tried to contact NASA. The artwork in the corridor? Undoubtedly abstract. Possibly accidental. Definitely priced beyond comprehension. Each piece whispered, “You don’t understand me,” which, ironically, made me feel understood. The elevator? Operated with the gravitas of a small opera. Each ding was a sonnet. I rode it for sport. In sum, the hotel didn’t just accommodate me — it elevated me. Spiritually. Aesthetically.

It’s lovely and cleannice bright.

Overall, my first time at a Holiday Inn, even though I live locally to the area, however have stayed in many a hotel that wasn't by IHG. Very friendly staff, always polite and really helpful.

Nice hotel within a little shopping area. Had an issue with the temp in the room but this was rectified quickly and a new room found which was ideal. Lovely self service breakfast and then shopping on the retail park nearby.

Stayed here a few times , the rooms are perfect for a one/two night break, comfortable, clean, showers are excellent. The breakfast is really nice for a buffet brekkie, with a good selection of continental as well as non greasy cooked ... The hash browns are excellent