Holiday Inn Express & Suites Seaside-Convention Center

This tidy hotel makes a good impression on arriving guests, but traditional decor in the lobby looks a bit old fashioned. There's damask carpet and a large chandelier, and seating areas on the first and second floors are somewhat stuffy and uninviting. But overall, it's a pleasant property that stays busy throughout the year. When it reaches full capacity during peak months, tables at the breakfast area can be hard to find and the staff is challenged to keep everything stocked and clean. Expect to see lots of families here, and also some business travelers attending events at the nearby convention center.

The Holiday Inn Express is located in the heart of the picturesque coastal town of Seaside. The hotel is just off Highway 101 on the opposite side of the Necanicum River from the town’s main drag where most of the restaurants are located. It’s a three-minute walk to the Seaside Civic & Convention Center, and five minutes on foot to the Seaside Carousel Mall, which has a classic carousel. The oceanfront Seaside Aquarium is a seven-minute walk. Seaside Municipal Airport is five minutes by car, while Gearhart Ocean State Park and Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site are drives of nine and 12 minutes, respectively. It takes about two hours to reach Portland International Airport by car. 

Guest rooms have a simple, contemporary style, and spaces are basic but comfortable and pleasant. They're done in light earth tones, accented by burnt orange bed throws and handsome navy sofas. The matching wooden furniture has an amber-brown finish, and units have seating areas and small dining tables with chairs. There are couches and coffee tables in Standard Double Queens, and Suites feature sleeper sofas, and in some cases, whirlpool tubs. Some but not all rooms include small balconies. Amenities are a plus, with Keurig coffeemakers, microwaves, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are tidy and have shower/tub combos, wide vanities, and good lighting. Units are generally quiet and have views of the river (preferred by most guests) or of parking lots with mountains in the distance.

This Holiday Inn Express doesn’t have a full-service restaurant, but it offers a free hot breakfast bar with eggs. Coffee also is free all day in the lobby, and fresh-baked cookies are offered every afternoon. A small minimart next to the registration desk sells snacks, soft drinks, sundries, and microwaveable soups. Wellness amenities are basic -- there's a 24-hour whirlpool, sauna, and a fitness center, but it's small and has only cardio equipment. The hotel’s lone meeting room can host up to about 50 people, and there's a 24-hour business center with two computers and a printer. The guest laundry room has only one washer/dryer, but it’s open 24/7. Valet dry cleaning and laundry service is also available. On-site parking and Wi-Fi throughout are free, and pets are welcome with a nightly surcharge.