Pros

  • Off of Interstate 680 and within walking distance of a BART station
  • Spacious rooms with microwaves, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges
  • Outdoor pool and hot tub surrounded by loungers and patio furniture
  • Fitness room, plus discounts to nearby 24/7 fitness center
  • Business center with printer, plus free Wi-Fi
  • Free hot breakfast buffet with eggs and meat dishes
  • Free area shuttle service and underground parking on-site
  • Meeting space available
  • Guest laundry facilities on-site
  • Valet dry cleaning and laundry services
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Cons

  • Ambient noise from the adjacent freeway
  • Rather noisy air-conditioning units
  • No on-site restaurant or lounge
  • Fitness center is sparsely equipped
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Bottom Line

The mid-range Holiday Inn Express Walnut Creek is a solid choice for any travelers seeking reasonable rates at a well-maintained hotel in the East Bay. It’s just off Interstate 680 and within walking distance of a BART station connecting to San Francisco and Oakland. Attractive freebies include a hot breakfast buffet, parking, Wi-Fi, and an area shuttle. It also has an outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as a small, sparsely equipped fitness room. Its 164 guest rooms are clean and spacious, with microwaves, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges, but ambient noise can be heard, especially in rooms closest to the freeway. Rates are attractive for the location and the amenities offered. For something similar in a central San Francisco location, check out the Holiday Inn San Francisco-Fishermans Wharf, though rooms here are also prone to noise.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Holiday Inn Express Walnut Creek

Scene

Chain hotel with a bright and airy lobby; attracts a diverse mix of guests

This hotel’s convenient East Bay location and reasonable rates attract a diverse mix of guests that include business travelers, group tours, and vacationing families and couples. The lobby’s stone columns, vaulted, natural wood ceiling, and pieces of matching furniture give the hotel a bit of a Mission-style feel. Beige tile floors are partially covered by colorful rugs with floral designs. A cluster of nice brown leather and suede sofas and chairs sit in the center of the space. They are flanked by wood columns and paneling, as well as a flat-screen TV. One corner has a lovely and large bank of windows that allows light to cascade into the spacious room. The windows overlook a roomy patio with several tables and chairs, as well as a gas grill that guests can use. Overall, it's a casual property that’s well maintained, with a bright and attractive lobby that keeps it from feeling like a generic chain hotel.

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Location

On a busy road just off Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek, within walking distance of a BART station   

The hotel is located on a busy road just off Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek, where several car dealerships/service shops are located, among other East Bay businesses. It’s a safe neighborhood with a sports bar and a Chick-fil-A just one minute away on foot, plus a few other eateries and restaurants are also within walking distance. Many more dining options and retail shops are within a brief drive, including Broadway Plaza’s restaurants and upscale stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, which are 10 minutes away. The Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART station is a 15-minute walk away. Using the BART, downtown San Francisco is about 40 minutes away. Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport take approximately 70 and 85 minutes to reach by public transit, respectively. 

   

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Rooms

Clean, spacious rooms, but a bit noisy, with Keurig coffeemakers, microwaves, and mini-fridges

While rooms are clean, spacious, and decorated in a contemporary style, they're generic and conventional. Tasteful neutrals are used throughout the decor, such as the light brown carpet and drapes, gold bed skirts, and light beige walls. Classic, reddish-brown wood furniture includes headboards, dressers with brass pulls, and big desks with ergonomic office chairs. Blue  armchairs upholstered in a busy curlicue pattern offer additional seating. Framed artwork is standard chain hotel landscapes. 

Rooms come in King or Double Queen options. A couple of suites are available that include sleeper sofas and walk-in showers that are nicer than the shower/tub combos offered in Standard Rooms. Overall, the bathrooms are average in size and look a bit dated. They include beige tile floors and tan granite vanities. Standard amenities include Keurig coffeemakers, microwaves, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and 37-inch flat-screen TVs. The best views are from rooms that overlook the patio and pool area. Note that ambient noise can be heard, especially in rooms closest to the freeway. Several past guests have also reported that their air-conditioning units were a bit noisy as well. 

   

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Features

Outdoor pool and hot tub, fitness room, and freebies like hot breakfast, area shuttle, parking, and Wi-Fi

This mid-range hotel offers a solid package of amenities that includes a hot breakfast buffet with eggs and meat dishes. Coffee and fruit-infused water are available all day in the lobby, and vending machines for snacks and drinks are on-site. The fitness facility is sparsely equipped with only a few cardio machines, but hotel guests are offered discounts to a nearby fitness center that’s open 24/7. The outdoor pool and hot tub are surrounded by loungers and a couple of umbrella tables. More tables and chairs are available on the adjacent patio that has a gas grill that guests can use. Parking is free, and the hotel operates a free area shuttle during business hours. The business center has internet access and a printer, and meeting space is available. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property. Guest laundry facilities are on-site, and valet dry cleaning and laundry is offered. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Holiday Inn Express Walnut Creek

Scene

Chain hotel with a bright and airy lobby; attracts a diverse mix of guests

This hotel’s convenient East Bay location and reasonable rates attract a diverse mix of guests that include business travelers, group tours, and vacationing families and couples. The lobby’s stone columns, vaulted, natural wood ceiling, and pieces of matching furniture give the hotel a bit of a Mission-style feel. Beige tile floors are partially covered by colorful rugs with floral designs. A cluster of nice brown leather and suede sofas and chairs sit in the center of the space. They are flanked by wood columns and paneling, as well as a flat-screen TV. One corner has a lovely and large bank of windows that allows light to cascade into the spacious room. The windows overlook a roomy patio with several tables and chairs, as well as a gas grill that guests can use. Overall, it's a casual property that’s well maintained, with a bright and attractive lobby that keeps it from feeling like a generic chain hotel.

See More Scene

Location

On a busy road just off Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek, within walking distance of a BART station   

The hotel is located on a busy road just off Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek, where several car dealerships/service shops are located, among other East Bay businesses. It’s a safe neighborhood with a sports bar and a Chick-fil-A just one minute away on foot, plus a few other eateries and restaurants are also within walking distance. Many more dining options and retail shops are within a brief drive, including Broadway Plaza’s restaurants and upscale stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, which are 10 minutes away. The Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART station is a 15-minute walk away. Using the BART, downtown San Francisco is about 40 minutes away. Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport take approximately 70 and 85 minutes to reach by public transit, respectively. 

   

See More Location

Rooms

Clean, spacious rooms, but a bit noisy, with Keurig coffeemakers, microwaves, and mini-fridges

While rooms are clean, spacious, and decorated in a contemporary style, they're generic and conventional. Tasteful neutrals are used throughout the decor, such as the light brown carpet and drapes, gold bed skirts, and light beige walls. Classic, reddish-brown wood furniture includes headboards, dressers with brass pulls, and big desks with ergonomic office chairs. Blue  armchairs upholstered in a busy curlicue pattern offer additional seating. Framed artwork is standard chain hotel landscapes. 

Rooms come in King or Double Queen options. A couple of suites are available that include sleeper sofas and walk-in showers that are nicer than the shower/tub combos offered in Standard Rooms. Overall, the bathrooms are average in size and look a bit dated. They include beige tile floors and tan granite vanities. Standard amenities include Keurig coffeemakers, microwaves, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and 37-inch flat-screen TVs. The best views are from rooms that overlook the patio and pool area. Note that ambient noise can be heard, especially in rooms closest to the freeway. Several past guests have also reported that their air-conditioning units were a bit noisy as well. 

   

See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor pool and hot tub, fitness room, and freebies like hot breakfast, area shuttle, parking, and Wi-Fi

This mid-range hotel offers a solid package of amenities that includes a hot breakfast buffet with eggs and meat dishes. Coffee and fruit-infused water are available all day in the lobby, and vending machines for snacks and drinks are on-site. The fitness facility is sparsely equipped with only a few cardio machines, but hotel guests are offered discounts to a nearby fitness center that’s open 24/7. The outdoor pool and hot tub are surrounded by loungers and a couple of umbrella tables. More tables and chairs are available on the adjacent patio that has a gas grill that guests can use. Parking is free, and the hotel operates a free area shuttle during business hours. The business center has internet access and a printer, and meeting space is available. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property. Guest laundry facilities are on-site, and valet dry cleaning and laundry is offered. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.