Spending some time in Jacksonville, Florida? Check out our Weekend Getaway at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville-South!
Sometimes you just need to getaway for a few days, and that's exactly what we did last week. Living in Panama City, we've done several day trips west of us. We've been to Gulf Shores and Pensacola. We took it east of here by a couple of hours and went to Panacea. However, we've never been much further than a day trip.
Recently Zack and I had been discussing where to go that we could getaway for a few days. We haven't taken a vacation in years. Disney was the last one, and that was too long ago to even recall. I started looking online and discovered that Jacksonville was the perfect place. They have a huge zoo and a science and history museum. Plus they are only a short drive from St. Augustine, a place we've been wanting to check out for a while now.
I started researching hotels and found that prices change as quickly as gas prices do here. One day it's one price and two days later it's different. I decided to narrow down a few, and go from there. The one thing that stuck out to me about the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville-South was the location. 30 minutes from the zoo, 15 or so minutes from the museum, and only a 45 minute drive to St. Augustine. We had found our hotel! I booked straight with the hotel because after price comparisons, it was actually cheaper!
I highly recommend that if you choose to stay at any of the IHG hotels, that you become a member of their rewards club and start earning some benefits! It's completely free to join!
Upon arriving I was overly impressed with the friendliness of the staff. I'm not sure if it's because we are reward members, or if it's standard, but Zack and I received cold bottles of water, and the girls received cookies. Check-in was a breeze. I used the text they had sent me with the confirmation number. We were checked in under 5 minutes.
I chose a suite for us to stay in because I wanted the room with space, a microwave, and fridge. It was perfect for our family of four! There was plenty of room to spread out without having to watch tv from the beds. And that couch that Kayla is sitting on...it also makes out into a bed!
Speaking of the beds...high thread count sheets, down comforters, perfect pillow topped mattress pad, and fluffy pillows were wonderful. We were so in love with our bed that we had to check and see what kind of mattress we were sleeping on, because we want to upgrade ours!
The room was really above what I had set for standards. I haven't been in a Holiday Inn since I was growing up, and to be honest, it wasn't anything nearly as nice as this one! The cleanliness of this room was superb. There weren't any weird stains or stale smelling air.
The bathroom was upgraded nicely with a drop in sink, and a light surrounding the mirror that makes putting make up on a breeze! Toiletries were from Bath & Body Works, and the note on the sink mentions that if you forgot anything from a toothbrush to a razor, to let the front desk know so they could give you what you needed.
One of my biggest complaints with hotel rooms is storage space. You normally have a small set in closet to store your family of how ever many's belongings. Not here, we had plenty of space for suitcases, and all the extras our family seems to bring along.
Since we did choose a suite, our room was equipped with a microwave, fridge, and sink. It was perfect for the two nights that we had planned on eating in the room. I had made two simple meals that were easily heated in the microwave....oh, and check it out, more storage! I was also thrilled to see a Keurig for the coffee maker. Zack and I love coffee, so this was an added bonus!
At the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville-South they had a pool, but we were honestly too busy to check it out. It looked very nice though. There was also a small gym. Again, too busy to stop and workout. We did enjoy the complimentary breakfast! From eggs, sausage, biscuits, and make your own toast station to yogurts, cereal (hot and cold), bagels, pancakes, and the best cinnamon rolls ever! I also loved the coffee station and juice choices. It's really the perfect place to stay whether you are on a weekend getaway or a full weeks vacation. There is tons to do around Jacksonville to keep you and your family busy.
We will definitely stay here again if we ever find ourselves in Jacksonville again!
robin masshole mommy
Wow, you guys had a lot of space in your room. I have never had a bad experience at a Holiday Inn and have stayed at many of them over the years.
Teresa
We like IHG as well for the free breakfast! My husband always wants a free breakfast and won't select a hotel unless that is included! The IHG perks are awesome as well! Glad you had a nice trip
Amanda Zopp
Pretty snazzy for a holiday inn! I was sold once you got to the Keurig! That's one of my biggest complaints about hotels and that is the coffee. I love a hotel with a starbucks inside, but I would settle for a Keurig in the room. Also love a complimentary breakfast. Sounds like you all had a nice time!
Abbie
Love this! Holiday Inn Express' have always been a great option for my family and I. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.castawaycouple.com
vicky
That rooms looks great and so modern! I have never been to Jacksonville but it sounds like there are lots of things families would enjoy. Now I know just the place to stay!
anvita
haven't been to Jacksonville before. However this seems like a nice place to stay with family. Hubby travels a lot and collects points so a good way to use some points.
Angela Tolsma
I love finding hotels that exceed your expectations. Sounds like a lovely vacation away. Pillow top mattresses really are the best!
Meredith Harrison
This sounds like a great trip. I'm glad you had fun with your family! I have always had a good experience staying at Holiday Inn's, always clean and staffed with friendly people!
Jeanine
Looks great! I have never stayed at a holiday inn express before, but it would for sure be a great place to stay when traveling. The room looks great and i love that there is a microwave!
Terri Steffes
It is so good to take some time to have a little trips with your family. I love that the hotel was so nice, the microwave is good for heating up leftovers or food for kids. Looks like a nice stay.
Marcie
Wow! What a spacious suite and I love all the storage! We usually are tripping over our suitcases at some point!
Amanda Rosson
Wow! Sounds like you got some great service and stayed at an amazing hotel!! I love how spacious it looks! Glad you had such a good experience! I will definitely have to remember to sign up for their reward service!
Anna nuttall
What a great getaway. The hotel look really nice. I bet it was so peaceful .xx
Nikki
Very nice!! Glad you had a wonderful time. This hotel looks really nice and Holiday Inn has been around so long, they have a wonderful reputation!
Lydia
This sounds like a great hotel! I love that there is lots of storage for suitcases and belongings.
Angela
Getaways are always a great options. You just need a few days to switch off everything else and have fun with your family. Works better than coffee to restore your energy 😛
Heather
This looks like such a great weekend getaway! We visit Florida often because my in-laws live there so we'll definitely check this out!
HilLesha
Holiday Inn Express & Suites is always one of my top picks whenever I'm traveling. Their staff is super friendly, plus the rooms are impeccably clean, which is a big plus!
Tiffany
This looks like it was so much fun! I've been wanting to plan a weekend getaway for my Husband and I. . . perhaps Florida should be on my list!
Misty Nelson
I can't believe how much space your hotel room had. I've heard such great things about the Holiday Inn Express chain, it looks like a great deal for families who are travelling.