The Holiday Inn Express in Trier is a newer hotel in a city without a lot of hotels. It's an easy walk (about 15 minutes) from the historic city center with most of the tourist attractions. If I had to guess I would say the hotel has been open for about a year. There is still a fresh paint smell. Some of the walls by the front desk are also missing paint as if construction or decorating isn't done yet. There's a lot to like about the hotel, including a full bar, fast and free wifi, a good TV, and huge walk-in showers. However, there are some big issues. The hotel advertises free parking. While parking is free, there are NOT enough spaces for all guests. I was told to park in a muddy, dirty field between the parking lot and main road. I had to make an illegal turn from the road, drive over the sidewalk and risk damage to my car and tires. Why was this hotel allowed to build a parking lot that did not have one space for every room? The breakfast is typical by German continental breakfast standards. However, Holiday Inn Express advertises a hot breakfast. There were no hot eggs or anything that adhered to the hot breakfast standard. There is no gym. I have never stayed at a Holiday Inn Express anywhere without a gym, even a small gym. Why does a newly built not have a gym? Guest rooms are very, very small with nothing but a closet, small table and shelve. I had a king-sized room. It would be very crowded if there were two people in the room. My room did not feature the usual Holiday Inn Express amenities. No lotion, no bar of soap, no shampoo, no conditioner and no body wash. Instead, there was one dispenser of Dove soap and one dispenser of Dove shampoo-conditioner. That's it. That is not consistent with my experience at Holiday Inn Express hotels everywhere else. Also, there was no clock, no refrigerator and no coffeemaker, despite coffeemakers being advertised. I did get a kettle with tea and instant coffee. My IHG Spire status recognition at check-in consisted of getting a voucher for a free drink. When I redeemed the voucher at the full bar I was told it didn't cover the cost of a glass of wine. What's the point of the voucher? The bar has several regional wines, but the bartender did not speak English beyond basic words. It was difficult to confirm what wines were dry. Staff were few and far between. On a Saturday night when the hotel seemed 100% sold-out, there was only one front desk employee and one bartender. When issue arose the front desk employee had to leave and go to guest rooms, forcing the bartender who didn't speak fluent English to work both the bar and the front desk. This resulted in wait times of 10 minutes for a drink. After a week of staying in local German hotels I was really looking forward to the consistent chain experience of a Holiday Inn Express. Next time I'm in Trier, I will book the Mercure instead.
24 Reviews