Just minutes from the historic living history museum, Old Sturbridge Village, at the outskirts of Sturbridge, MA. the Holiday Inn Express is the newest addition to the hotel offerings in this New England town. I stayed here as part of a wedding weekend along with several other guests.
Sleek, clean lines of modern furniture and the open, airy design of the lobby, reception and breakfast area gave us plenty of room to gather between heading to the wedding and to post ceremony outings. Families on vacation and travelers passing through were part of the guests who gathered at this Holiday Inn for visiting and relaxation.
With 77 guest rooms, the Holiday Inn is worth considering as a hub to explore the region. After a hot item buffet breakfast that includes an egg dish, breakfast meat, fresh pancakes and hot Cinnabons, heading out is as simple as getting on either Interstate 184 or 190.
The hotel is located at the interchange. Boston, Wooster and Springfield, MA are less than an hour to an hour and a half away. Hartford and New Haven, CT are also close.
The Holiday Inn is a cheery place for hanging out as well. Decor is contemporary and modern with splashes of color in the furniture and artwork as a contrast to the taupe and beige tones of the walls tile flooring of the common area. On the first floor, one floor down from the lobby, the indoor swimming pool and exercise room are across the hall from each other. My friends had the pool to themselves and turned it into a singing session pronouncing the acoustics perfect. The exercise room is impressively spacious and has a variety of equipment from cross fit trainers to elliptical machines and free weights.
Although I’m more drawn to warm hues, the white and grey tones in my double queen bed room were restful. The burnt sienna color of the accent wall, and the abstract art on another, added a pleasing aesthetic. When I did settle in for the night, the bed with its cotton duvet and just right pillows gave me a good night’s sleep.
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Rooms come equipped with a coffee maker, microwave, mini fridge, and large flat screen TV. The various light fixtures and desk with desk lamp are well thought out for guests who may have work to do on a trip away from the office or home.
And, here’s a shout out to the staff who made sure people connected to the wedding knew when and where we should go for our rides. As I checked in, the receptionist asked me if I was there for the wedding and filled me in on the details.
Room rates at this Holiday Inn Express range from $120 to $134 whether you book a room with two queen beds, a two bed suite or a standard room with a king bed. I booked my room with a AAA discount. You can also compare rates on Hotels.com.
Post and photos courtesy of Jamie Rhein, member of Midwest Travel Journalists.
