This review provides everything you need to know about a stay at the Holiday Inn Express Sunshine Coast.
The Queensland Travel Guide acknowledges the Kabi Kabi people and the Gubbi Gubbi people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the Holiday Inn is situated. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continued spiritual and cultural connections to Country. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
The Holiday Inn Express Sunshine Coast is a modern hotel in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast. The hotel has 181 rooms in a central location close to Maroochydore’s vibrant CBD and stunning beaches.
We recently spent a few days at the Holiday Inn while in town for the Horizon Festival. In this review, we share our thoughts on the property so that you can decide if it’s the right hotel for your next trip to Maroochydore.
We were paying guests at the resort – so you can be rest assured our review is completely unbiased.
This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to our disclaimer here for more information
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS SUNSHINE COAST REVIEW
Below, we cover all you need to know about the Holiday Inn Express Sunshine Coast – including location, accommodation options, facilities and dining options.
LOCATION
The Holiday Inn Express’s central location is within walking distance of Maroochydore’s commercial centre, making it a prime choice for travellers there on business. We were in town for the Horizon Festival, held at Cotton Tree Park, just a 10 minute walk away.
The hotel is also just a 10 minute walk from the popular Sunshine Plaza shopping centre and the Ocean Street dining precinct, which means from the Holiday Inn, you’re never far from the shops, restaurants and cafes. There are also plenty of other dining options within a few minutes walk.
Cotton Tree and Marychoodore Beaches are a little further away with a 15 minute walk or a short drive away.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Rooms are simple yet modern at the Holiday Inn Express with quality bedding, flat-screen TVs (with Chromecast), free wifi, workspaces, en-suite bathrooms and tea and coffee making facilities. There are limited variances between the rooms.
Standard rooms come with the option of either a queen or king bed. For additional space, you may like to upgrade to the king room with a patio (which is the room we stayed in) or a king suite, which has the option of a separate living area with a sofa bed or the choice of both a sofa bed and a patio. The king suites sleep up to three people.
For families or larger groups, a room with two queen beds is available, or you can opt for connecting rooms.
DINING OPTIONS
The complimentary Express Start Breakfast bar is a standout feature, which offers a decent breakfast buffet. The breakfast buffet includes scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, hash browns, cereals, pastries, yoghurt etc. While there’s not a huge variety, there is plenty to choose from to fill up before starting your day.
Guests can also opt for a grab and go style breakfast if they don’t have the time for a leisurely meal.
FACILITIES
There are a few facilities at the Holiday Inn Express to make your stay more comfortable.
Rooftop Pool
In terms of facilities at the Holiday Inn Express, the heated rooftop swimming pool is a highlight. Located on the top floor, the pool is a decent size, with plenty of sun loungers, tables and chairs for relaxing.
Towels are available just outside the lifts on the pool level, so there is no need to bring your own or remove towels from your room.
Gym
There is also an on site gym. While fairly small, the cardio equipment is modern and has free weights up to 14kg. Towels are also available in the gym.
Laundry
For guests staying a bit longer at the Holiday Inn, you’ll be pleased to know there is a guest laundry for use. This is a self serve coin operated laundry.
Bar
The reception area also doubles as a bar selling coffee, soft drinks, alcohol and basic snacks such as chips and toasted sandwiches. While nothing fancy, it’s a nice place to relax and they offer happy hour between 5 pm to 6 pm each day.
Parking
There is limited on site parking, which cannot be guaranteed in advance. If you’re lucky enough to get a car park, you will pay $20 per night for the privilege.
Alternative car parking is available nearby at the Sunshine Coast Council Maroochydore car park. The entrance to the car park is between Future Way and Sunshine Coast Parade, just 300 metres from the hotel. Parking here is $2 per hour weekdays to 5 pm and free over the weekend.
There is street parking in the area, however most of this is 2 hour parking on weekdays until 5 pm.
It’s recommended that you check in the hotel and unload your car first, then park in the public car park.
WHO IS THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS FOR?
The Holiday Inn Express is perfect for those looking for a modern, affordable hotel central to all Maroochydore offers. It’s not ideal for those planning on spending each day at the beach, as it is a 15 minute walk away.
There isn’t a lot to do at the Holiday Inn, and the only meal offered is breakfast, so you will need to leave the hotel for dining options. The hotel is better suited to those planning to spend most of their stay outside the hotel.
BOOK NOW
We booked our stay through Booking.com as we like the flexibility this provides with their book now, pay later and the free cancellation.
If you’ve decided the Holiday Inn Express Sunshine Coast is the perfect hotel for your Marychoddore stay – click here to check the current pricing.
ENJOY THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS SUNSHINE COAST
Hopefully, this review has helped you decide whether Holiday Inn Express Sunshine Coast is for you.
If you’re planning a trip to Maroochydore, I highly recommend you check out our guide to the Sunshine Coast, which provides links to everything you need to know to plan your trip.
I’d also recommend you join our free Queensland Travel Guide Facebook community, where you can ask all your questions and find even more great trip suggestions.
If you’re heading to Maroochydore, you might be interested in our full guide on things to do in Maroochydore as well as the following nearby destinations: