Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh West

From the outside, this Holiday Inn Express Hotel -- renovated last in 2014 -- looks boxy and boring. However, upon entering, there’s a clean and cheerful lobby with fun colorful patterned carpet and a combination of stone-like and patterned warm-toned walls. The furniture is standard -- leather or upholstered armchairs and couches in soft colors -- but it’s plentiful and some of the seating areas are clustered near fireplaces. The breakfast space off to one side has similar decor, with wooden tables and chairs. There’s a good mix of travelers at this hotel, with business travelers in the week and leisure guests on the weekends.

This property is right off of I-376 in an area that’s a combination of businesses and residential homes, with a school and a park across the street. It’s a quiet neighborhood, with only three restaurants and a coffee shop within walking distance. Still, the hotel isn’t too far from the popular attractions of downtown, and guests can get there in about 12 minutes on the hotel’s free shuttle, which also goes to the airport, a 20-minute drive away. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the sports venues of Heinz Stadium and PNC Park are all an eight-minute drive away.

Rooms are clean, comfortable, and unsurprising, with espresso-colored modern furniture that's typical for the Holiday Inn chain. Carpeting is dark brown with floral patterns, and the brown-patterned armchairs and black-and-white photographs on the walls provide a sleek element. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Suites have wet bars with silverware, plates, and sinks. Some rooms have closets without doors that are partitioned off by a green floral curtain that doesn’t quite match the decor. Bathrooms have brown vanities with granite sinks and either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. 

This Holiday Inn Express provides a free breakfast buffet each morning, and guests rave about the cinnamon buns. The hotel also has an indoor heated pool surrounded by pleasant patio furniture and lounge chairs. And a well-equipped fitness center provides a variety of cardio and resistance-training machines, free weights, and mats. The hotel has a meeting space and offers a business center with three desktop computers and a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. An on-site guest laundry room is a convenient feature for extended-stay guests. There's plenty of free parking on-site, some indoor and outdoor, plus a Hertz car rental drop off and a free shuttle service to downtown Pittsburgh and the airport.